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VOL. I. JANUARY, 1847. NO. 1.
THE
NEW ENGLAND
𝕳𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖑 & 𝕲𝖊𝖓𝖊𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖑 𝕽𝖊𝖌𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗:

Historical & Genealogical Register

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY,

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE

NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC, GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.

REV. WILLIAM COGSWELL, D. D., EDITOR.

BOSTON:
SAMUEL G. DRAKE, PUBLISHER,
No. 56 Cornhill.
1847.

Coolidge & Wiley. Printers, Water Street.

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CONTENTS.

G. L. Brown.

S. Schoff.

LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS AT PLIMOUTH 11^th DEC. 1620.

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T. Moore direxit, Boston.

JOHN FARMER, M. A.

Cor. Sec'ry N. H. Historical Society.

From a miniature painted in 1824.

Engraved for the American Quarterly Register.

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NEW ENGLAND

HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.

VOL. I. JANUARY, 1847. NO. 1.

MEMOIR OF JOHN FARMER, M. A.,

LATE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

John Farmer, who was the most distinguished Genealogist and Antiquary of this country, was born at Chelmsford, Ms., June 12, 1789.[1] He was the eldest son of John Farmer, who married, January 24, 1788, Lydia Richardson, daughter of Josiah Richardson of Chelmsford, Ms. His father was the son of Oliver Farmer, born July 31, 1728, who was the son of Edward, born at Ansley, Warwickshire, England, who emigrated to this country about the year 1670, and settled at Billerica, Ms.[2]

Mr. Farmer inherited a feeble constitution. From early life till death, his appearance was that of a person in the last stage of a consumption. But notwithstanding his great bodily infirmity, he was enabled by his industry and perseverance to accomplish wonders.

From childhood, he was fond of books and study; ever diligent as a scholar, and excelling most of his school-fellows in his acquisitions of knowledge. Hours which, during recess or vacation, the more hardy and robust would spend in athletic games and youthful sports, he was disposed to employ in poring over books of history, geography and chronology, inquiring after ancient records and [Pg 10]papers, looking into the genealogy of families, and copying and treasuring up anecdotes and traditions of Indians and Revolutionary struggles. In his fondness for writing, and for copying antiquarian, civil, ecclesiastical and literary matters, he almost insensibly acquired a beautiful style of penmanship, which gave to all his manuscripts a peculiar air of neatness and grace. A favorite of the clergyman of his native place, he was allowed free access to his books and papers, and thus he imbibed those impressions of filial respect for the ministers of the gospel, which he exhibited on all occasions through life. He regarded, with great reverence, the clerical profession, looking upon the ministers of the cross as indeed "the messengers of God."

At the age of sixteen, he became a clerk in a store at Amherst, N. H. Here he remained five years, giving diligent attention to the business of his employers, and devoting his leisure hours to literary studies and correspondence. In a letter to the Rev. Hezekiah Packard, D. D., who had been his teacher before he went to Amherst, Mr. Farmer spoke with affection and gratitude of his early Instructor; and in a reply, dated Wiscasset, Me., Dec. 4, 1809, the Doctor says, "If any of my friendly and religious counsels, or any books I put into your hands, made deep and lasting impressions upon your tender mind, you will join me in giving praise and glory to God and the Redeemer. I can truly say of my pupils, as St. John did of those he had converted to the Christian faith, 'I have no greater joy than seeing them walking in the truth.' I am much pleased with the account you give of your industry and progress. If you have no idea of a college education, it might appear as useful to you to become more familiar with your favorite branches, geography, history, the constitutions of our State governments and that of our common country, as well as with the origin and progress of wars, and other calamities of the eastern world." No pupil, probably, ever more highly valued an instructor, than did young Farmer; and that he placed a high estimate upon the teachings of Dr. Packard, is sufficiently shown by his affectionate remembrance of him, and by his pursuits in after life, and the results of his many labors.

In the course of the year 1810, finding the labors of his station too arduous for his feeble health, Mr. Farmer left the store, and engaged in teaching school, an employment in which he is said to have greatly excelled. Two or three years previous to this, a literary association for mutual improvement was formed at Amherst,[Pg 11] the members of which met weekly for debate, the rehearsal of pieces, and reading original compositions. Of this society, Mr. Farmer was for about eleven years the chief supporter, contributing largely to the interest and usefulness of the meetings by his own performances, and by inviting and attracting to it the young men of promise that were about him. The neighboring clergy were made honorary members of it, and frequently attended its meetings, and participated in the discussions.

While engaged in school-keeping, Mr. Farmer cultivated his natural taste, and pursued, with industry, historical inquiries. In 1813, becoming known to some of the Members of the Massachusetts Historical Society, he was elected a Corresponding Member of it, and immediately became a contributor to its Collections, which have been published. In 1816, he published, in a pamphlet form, his "Historical Sketch of Billerica," and furnished many valuable facts towards the materials for the History of Chelmsford, afterwards published by the Rev. Mr. Allen. In 1820, he published "An Historical Sketch of Amherst from the first settlement of the town," in pamphlet form. In these two publications, the marked peculiarities of his mind are strongly exhibited. He evinced a memory wonderfully tenacious of particular facts, dates, and names, sound judgment in collecting, selecting, and arranging his materials, and an exquisite niceness and exactness in all the details of these histories.

About this time, Mr. Farmer commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Matthias Spalding, an eminent Physician of Amherst; but after a few months, foreseeing that he should be unfitted to discharge the laborious duties of the profession, he relinquished the study; and in 1821, removed to Concord. He there formed a connection in business with Dr. Samuel Morril, and opened an apothecary's store, from which circumstance he received the title of Doctor. His feeble health not allowing any kind of hard manual labor, or exposure to the changes of weather out of doors, he, partly of necessity and partly of choice, adopted a very sedentary mode of life. He was rarely away from his place of residence. He deemed it hazardous for him to leave home. In 1836, however, after a lapse of eighteen years, he visited Boston, where he was treated with marked respect and attention by the literati of the city; but was quite ill, while there, and unable to enjoy very much of what he expected from his visit. He soon returned home, restored to comparative health.

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From the time of his removal to Concord, Mr. Farmer devoted himself principally to what had become his favorite studies and pursuits. He gathered together books of ancient date, early records of the towns, and notices of the first settlers of the country; inquired into the names, ages, characters and deaths of distinguished men of every profession; and entered into extensive correspondence with individuals who might be able to furnish him with facts, relating to the subjects of his inquiry. In short, he soon became known as an Antiquary, distinguished beyond any of his fellow-citizens, for exact knowledge of facts and events relative to the history of New Hampshire, and of New England generally. His mind was a wonderful repository of names, and dates, and particular incidents; and so general and well established was his reputation for accuracy of memory, that his authority was relied on as decisive in historical and genealogical facts. And though at times, he might have been inaccurate, it is to be remembered, that, while he was the greatest Genealogist and Antiquary of the country, he was also the Pioneer in this department of knowledge; and while some, who shall follow him, may occasionally discover a mistake, the honor of this is not to be compared to the honor of projecting and executing such works as Mr. Farmer's.

In 1822, Mr. Farmer, in connection with Jacob B. Moore, Esq., commenced a Periodical Miscellany, devoted principally to, "1. Historical Sketches of Indian wars, battles, and exploits; of the adventures and sufferings of the captives: 2. Topographical Descriptions of towns and places in New Hampshire, with their history, civil and ecclesiastical: 3. Biographical Memoirs and Anecdotes of eminent and remarkable persons who lived in New Hampshire, or who have had connection with its settlement and history: 4. Statistical Tables; Tables of Births, Diseases, and Deaths: 5. Meteorological Observations, and facts relating to climate." Three volumes of this work were published.

In the same year he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth College; and in the following year he was complimented with the appointment of Justice of the Peace for the newly constituted county of Merrimack, but he did not deem the office of sufficient importance, ever to act under his commission.

The New Hampshire Historical Society was established, May 20, 1823; and, although Mr. Farmer was unable to be present at any of the early meetings of its founders, he took a deep interest in its establishment, and contributed much towards its organization[Pg 13] and success. Though he was never more than once or twice present at the meetings of the Society, yet he never failed to communicate with the members, by letter or otherwise, on such occasions. He was Corresponding Secretary of the Society till his death, the duties of which office he discharged with rare ability and fidelity. Of the five volumes of Collections, published by the Society, he was on the Publishing Committee of four. The fifth volume was wholly compiled by him, and all the preceding volumes are enriched by his contributions.

In 1823, Mr. Farmer, with an associate, Jacob B. Moore, Esq., published "A Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire, comprehending, 1. A concise description of the several towns in the State, in relation to their boundaries, divisions, mountains, lakes, ponds: 2. The early history of each town; names of the first settlers, and what were their hardships and adventures; instances of longevity, or of great mortality; and short biographical notices of the most distinguished and useful men: 3. A concise notice of the formation of the first churches in the several towns; the names of those who have been successively ordained as ministers, and the time of their settlement, removal or death: 4. Also, notices of permanent charitable and other institutions, literary societies, &c." This work was one of immense labor.

Mr. Farmer's published works are very numerous; and, considering his infirm state of health during the whole seventeen years of his residence in Concord, those who best knew him were surprised at the extent and variety of his labors. The following is believed to be an accurate list of his productions, with the exception of his occasional contributions to the newspapers, or other ephemeral publications.

1. A Family Register of the Descendants of Edward Farmer, of Billerica, in the youngest branch of his Family. 12mo, pp. 12. Concord, 1813; with an Appendix, 12mo, pp. 7. Concord, 1824. This work, with some additions, was reprinted at Hingham, in 1828.
2. A Sketch of Amherst, N. H., published in 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. ii. Boston, 1814.
3. A Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Hillsborough, N. H., published in 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. vii. Boston, 1818.
4. An Historical Memoir of Billerica, Ms., containing Notices of the principal events in the Civil and Ecclesiastical Affairs of the[Pg 14] Town, from its first settlement to 1816. 8vo, pp. 36. Amherst, 1816.
5. An Historical Sketch of Amherst, N. H., from the first settlement to 1820. 8vo, pp. 35. Amherst, 1820. A second edition, much enlarged, was published at Concord, in 1837. 8vo, pp. 52.
6. An Ecclesiastical Register of New Hampshire; containing a succinct account of the different religious denominations; their origin, and progress, and present numbers; with a Catalogue of the Ministers of the several Churches, from 1638 to 1821; the date of their settlement, removal, or death, and the number of communicants in 1821. 18mo, pp. 36. Concord, 1822.
7. The New Military Guide, a compilation of Rules and Regulations for the use of the Militia. 12mo, pp. 144. Concord, 1822.
8. The New Hampshire Annual Register and United States Calendar, published annually at Concord, from 1822 to 1838, inclusive, seventeen numbers, each consisting of 144 pages, 18mo, excepting those for 1823 and 1824, which were in 12mo, pp. 152, 132.
9. A Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire, with a Map, and several Engravings, (in conjunction with Jacob B. Moore, Esq.) 12mo, pp. 276. Concord, 1823.
10. Collections, Historical and Miscellaneous, (in connection with J. B. Moore, Esq.) 3 vols. 8vo, pp. 302, 388, 388. With an Appendix to Vols. II. and III. pp. 110, 97. Concord, 1822, 1823, 1824.
11. Memoir of the Penacook Indians, published in an Appendix to Moore's Annals of Concord, 1824. 8vo, pp. 7.
12. A Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England, containing an Alphabetical List of the Governors, Deputy Governors, Assistants or Counsellors, and Ministers of the Gospel, in the several Colonies, from 1620 to 1692; Representatives of the General Court of Massachusetts, from 1634 to 1692; Graduates of Harvard College, to 1662; Members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, to 1662; Freemen admitted to the Massachusetts Colony, from 1630 to 1662; with many other of the early inhabitants of New England and Long Island, N. Y., from 1620 to the year 1675; to which are added various Genealogical and Biographical Notes, collected from Ancient Records, Manuscripts, and printed Works.
13. A Catechism of the History of New Hampshire, from its first settlement, for Schools and Families. 18mo, pp. 87. Concord, 1829. Second edition, 18mo, pp. 108, in 1830. [Pg 15]
14. The Concord Directory. 12mo, pp. 24. Concord, 1830.
15. Pastors, Deacons, and Members of the First Congregational Church in Concord, N. H., from Nov. 18, 1730, to Nov. 18, 1830. 8vo, pp. 21. Concord, 1830.
16. An edition of the Constitution of New Hampshire, with Questions; designed for the use of Academics and District Schools in said State. 18mo, pp. 68. Concord, 1831.
17. A new edition of Belknap; containing various Corrections and Illustrations of the first and second volumes of Dr. Belknap's History of New Hampshire, and additional Facts and Notices of Persons and Events therein mentioned. Published in 1 vol. 8vo, pp. 512. Dover, 1831.
18. Papers in the Second and Third Series of the Massachusetts Historical Collections.
19. Papers in the five published volumes of Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society.
20. Papers in the American Quarterly Register, viz: Sketches of the First Graduates of Dartmouth College, from 1771 to 1783; List of the Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers of New Hampshire, from its first settlement to 1814; List of the Graduates of all the Colleges of New England, containing about 19,000 names; List of eight hundred and forty deceased Ministers who were graduated at Harvard College, from 1642 to 1826, together with their ages, the time of their graduation and of their decease; and Memoirs of Ministers who have graduated at Harvard College to 1657.

It will be obvious that these works required severe labor and unwearied care in their preparation. Of Mr. Farmer's edition of Belknap's History of New Hampshire it is sufficient to say, that the work is very much improved by the Annotator, who has embodied a great mass of valuable matter in his notes relative to the subjects of which he treated. It was his intention to have prepared a second volume for the press, and he had collected a mass of materials for the work, but did not live to accomplish his design.

The Genealogical Register is a most wonderful exhibition of persevering industry. It may justly be called his great work, both on account of the quantity of matter which it contains and the difficulty of tracing out branches of families, where we have no regular genealogy. It embraces many thousands of names of persons, with dates of birth, death, offices sustained, places of residence, &c., chiefly through the seventeenth century. For one who[Pg 16] is fond of genealogical investigations, there is no treasure-house like it. There are but a few surnames found in New England, during the two centuries of our existence, which do not there appear. Had Mr. Farmer published nothing else, this would remain a lasting monument of his patient research and marvellous accuracy. He has left a corrected copy of his Register, greatly enlarged by successive additions, corrections, and illustrations. He has also left several valuable manuscripts, more or less complete, containing Sketches of deceased Lawyers, Physicians, Counsellors, and Senators in New Hampshire; Tables of Mortality and Longevity; Memoirs of more than two thousand early graduates of Harvard College, and also of many graduates of Dartmouth College. Those of Dartmouth College consist only of a few memoranda of those individuals who received their degrees prior to 1799.[3]

A great labor, and the one on which Mr. Farmer had been engaged for a considerable time previous to his death, was the examining and arranging of the State Papers at Concord. Under a resolution of the Legislature of New Hampshire, approved Jan. 3, 1837, he was appointed to "examine, arrange, index, prepare for, and superintend the binding, and otherwise preserving, such of the public papers in the archives of the State, as may be deemed worthy of such care." Of this species of labor, no one knows the extent and difficulty, unless he has either himself been versed in it, or has frequently watched its progress when undertaken by others. Mr. Farmer, in a letter to a distinguished literary friend in Massachusetts, written in August, 1837, says, in reference to it, "that he has had a great burden resting on him for the last four or five months;" and adds, "the records and files were in great confusion, no attempt having been made for arranging and binding a regular series of the former or for properly labelling and classifying the latter. In a few cases, I believe, there were papers of three centuries in the same bundle. This will serve to give you an idea of the confusion in which I found them. I began first with the Province Records, arranged under three different heads: 1. Journals of the House; 2. Journals of the Council and Assembly; 3. Journals of the Council. The Journals of the House received my first attention. These I found to commence in 1711, and from that time to 1775, they existed in twenty different portions, some in leaves, and[Pg 17] in mere paper books, of a few sheets each. Only three or four were bound volumes. I arranged the whole so as to make eight volumes; copying about three hundred pages, which would not conform in size. These have been bound in Russia leather, with spring backs, and make a handsome array of folios, containing 3,813 pages. The Council and Assembly Records, beginning 1699 and ending 1774, in five volumes, large folio, and containing 2,260 pages, next were arranged, and are now ready for the binder. The Council records are imperfect, and it will be necessary to copy much from the files before they are ready to bind. Besides these, I have collected the speeches and messages of the Provincial Governors, from 1699 to 1775, arranged them in chronological order, and have had them bound in three handsome volumes of about 1,500 pages. I will not mention the amount of papers in files which I have been over, new folded, and labelled."

Governor Hill, in his annual message to the Legislature, in June, 1837, says: "Under the resolution of the last session, John Farmer, Esq., has for several weeks been engaged in arranging for binding and preservation the shattered records and public papers in the archives of this State. Perhaps a century may occur before another person with his peculiar tact and talent shall appear to undertake this work. Although of extremely feeble health, there is not probably any other person in the State, who can readily perform so much—none so well versed in its history, and who has like him traced from the root upwards, the rise and progress of government in the land of the Pilgrims, and the origin and spread of every considerable family name in New England."

And in his message of June, 1838, Governor Hill thus speaks: "In my last annual communication to the Legislature, the progress made in the examination and arrangement of our public archives, by John Farmer, Esq., was mentioned. Since that time, with a method and perseverance deserving high praise, Mr. Farmer has prosecuted his labors, until the appropriation then made has been exhausted, and a small additional expense incurred. Twenty-three volumes have been bound in a neat and substantial manner. Among these volumes, is one containing the Associated Test Returns, which has the original signatures of 8,199 citizens of this State, above the age of twenty-one years, who 'solemnly engaged and promised that they would to the utmost of their power, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies against the United[Pg 18] American Colonies.' This pledge, it should be remembered, preceded the Declaration of Independence several months. It was, therefore, in the language of a note prefixed by Mr. Farmer, to this volume, 'a bold and hazardous step, in subjects, thus to resist the authority of one of the most powerful sovereigns in the world. Had the cause in which these men pledged their lives and fortunes failed, it would have subjected every individual who signed it, to the pains and penalties of treason; to a cruel and ignominious death.' In my opinion, the cost to the State of this enterprise, by the man of all others best qualified for such an undertaking, bears no comparison to its importance: it is hoped the Legislature will direct Mr. Farmer to persevere until he completes the work. Let every fragment of our history be preserved; let us suffer nothing to be lost."

The Legislature wisely responded to the suggestions of the Governor. Mr. Farmer was continued in the work; and his life was prolonged until he had accomplished the most difficult portion of the task confided to him.

We know that Mr. Farmer placed an humble estimate upon his labors. He well understood the general indifference of the public to pursuits of this nature. The direction of the living and moving crowd is onward; and he who busies himself in gathering up the memorials of the past, will be left behind,—himself and his labors too generally unrewarded and forgotten. Mr. Farmer has done perhaps more than any other individual in collecting and preserving the materials for our local history, and establishing accuracy in its details. He investigated faithfully, took nothing upon trust, and rested on reasonable conclusions only where absolute certainty could not be attained. Many have expressed surprise that Mr. Farmer could have been so indefatigable and painstaking in his pursuits. But the fondness for these investigations grows with indulgence. Success in establishing an old fact is a triumph over time. Facts established are the warp and woof of history; and the diligent antiquary thus gives to history its main materials, veracity and fidelity, when enlightened philosophy steps in and completes the work.

We have already mentioned, that Mr. Farmer was one of the three or four gentlemen only in New Hampshire, who have been elected Corresponding Members of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He was also a Corresponding Member of the Rhode Island and Maine Historical Societies, and of the American Anti[Pg 19]quarian Society. He was also elected in August, 1837, a member of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries at Copenhagen.

There was scarcely a lovelier or more prominent trait in Mr. Farmer's character, than the ever fresh and affectionate interest which he took in the intellectual improvement and moral culture of the young. Having no family of his own to engage his kind and generous affections, a chief source of happiness to him seemed to be, to act the part of a father and teacher to all the youth who were about him. He encouraged lyceums and literary associations for mental improvement; often heard recitations in private; examined compositions written at his own suggestion; and directed the studies of such as applied to him. And such was his suavity of manners, his instructive conversation, and inexhaustible store of historical anecdote, that he scarcely ever failed to inspire his pupils and intimate acquaintances with a portion of his taste for literary and historical pursuits. Those who knew him respected him. Those who knew him intimately and were his friends, loved him. He was no dogmatist; never a violent partisan, although decided in his opinions, on whatever subject he expressed them. He possessed native delicacy and refinement of character. No harsh expressions fell from his lips or proceeded from his pen. He was nevertheless quick and sensitive to the distinctions between right and wrong, and steadily threw his influence into the scale of truth. His was a gentle spirit, seeking quiet and affection, like Cowper's, though without his vein of melancholy; and, though instinctively shrinking from vice, he was not disposed harshly to visit the offender. He had zeal, but it was the zeal of a catholic spirit, and of kind affections—the spirit of the Christian and gentleman, which respected the feelings of others, in whatever situation or circumstances of life.

All who were acquainted with Mr. Farmer, will respond to the affectionate and just tribute, which fell from the lips of the Rev. Mr. Bouton, on the occasion of his funeral: "We believe our departed friend and fellow-citizen possessed the spirit of a Christian. Owing to bodily weakness and infirmities, he could not attend public worship on the Sabbath, or be present at any public meeting. But we know he was a firm believer in the doctrines of Christianity; a regular contributor to the support of divine worship; an intelligent and frequent reader of the Holy Scriptures; and that he ever cherished and manifested the profoundest reverence for the institutions and ordinances of religion, and particularly a respect for Christian[Pg 20] ministers of every denomination, whose conduct became their profession. His spirit and views were eminently catholic. He loved the good of every name, and cheerfully united with them in all approved efforts and measures for the advancement of truth and righteousness." He annually contributed to the Bible, Missionary, and other Charitable Societies; and no man living, perhaps, felt a deeper interest in the success of the great enterprises of Christian benevolence, than did Mr. Farmer.

His last sickness was short. Few of his friends were aware of his danger, till it was evident that he could not long survive. Many gladly offered their services to wait upon him, and watch around his dying-bed; but the privilege of this was reserved to a few early-chosen friends. He wanted to be still and tranquil. To a dear friend, who stood by him, to watch every motion and meet every wish, he expressed peace of mind, and consolation in the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. On the evening of the Sabbath before his decease, he desired the same friend to sing to him a favorite hymn, which she did. His reason remained unclouded to the last, and he gently fell asleep in death, at a few minutes past 6 o'clock, on Monday morning, the 13th of August, 1838, in the 49th year of his age.

Upon the plain white marble stone, marking the place where the mortal remains of Mr. Farmer lie, is the following inscription:

"John Farmer, born at Chelmsford, Mass., 22 June, 1789; Died in this town, 13 August, 1838; Æt. 49 years.
Honored as a man;
Distinguished as an Antiquarian and Scholar;
Beloved as a friend;
And revered as a Christian Philanthropist;
And a lover of impartial liberty;
His death has occasioned a void in Society,
Which time will fail to supply;
And the reason and fitness of which,
As to time and manner, and attendant circumstances,
Eternity alone can fully unfold."

GENEALOGICAL MEMOIR OF THE FARMER FAMILY.

Remodelled and Prepared on a New Plan.

BY SAMUEL G. DRAKE, M. A.

Explanation of the Plan.

As the plan laid down may not be apparent at first view, the following explanation may be deemed necessary. The Arabic numbers running through the whole Genealogy, are to show not only the number of every individual descended from the same ancestor, but by the aid of them, the connection of every person is seen at a glance, and the ancestors or descendants may be traced, backward or forward, with the greatest ease and facility. One number set under another, or two numbers set against the same individual, show, in all cases, that such individual has descendants, and the lower number indicates the place in the series where the descendants are to be found; remembering that the Roman numerals are only employed to show the number of children belonging to the same particular family. For example, (18)/(59) VIII. Oliver,³ shows, that this person is No. 18 in the regular Arabic series, and that following (59), onward, his family will be found; the VIII is sufficiently obvious. The ³ at the end of the name, denotes the individual to be of the 3rd generation from the first in the series, and so of all other numbers in a similar situation; i. e., all those placed like an exponent at the end of names, show the generation. All names of persons having descendants, are necessarily repeated, in their order, but are not renumbered. Thus John³ (10) is repeated after 18, the (10) showing his original place in the series.

From what is said above it is thought the plan will be perfectly apparent on the most cursory perusal. The names of persons descended in the female line are printed in the ordinary Roman letter, to distinguish them from those of the male line, always printed in small capitals.

By this system of deducing or displaying descents, any corrections or additions may be made without disfiguring the appearance of the work, as for instance, (63) IV. Sarah,⁴ whose family is indicated to be given at (126); it will appear that other individuals were found belonging to her family after the work was made up, therefore a new entry is made of her at (164), and yet all is perfectly clear.

Although it is highly desirable, that individuals and families should succeed each other in the regular order of their generations, it is not always possible to make a genealogical memoir so; for it is apparent that in numerous instances, especially among the early families, we are obliged to pass over individuals, not knowing whether they had descendants; and when a long memoir is made up it is often found that many so passed over, had children. These therefore cannot have their proper place in the memoir without great labor, requiring a new draft of nearly the whole work. By the plan now presented we avoid the difficulty, in its most objectionable feature, by placing all such at the end of the memoir[Pg 22] whenever we find them, with the same numerical references, &c., as employed throughout. Thus, in the following genealogy we have several placed in this manner for illustration; as for example, (110) III. Charlotte⁶ falls into the series, with her descendants at (174), while (83) I. Edward⁵ does not fall in till (176), and so of a few others.

In preparing this memoir the reader must remember, that the author published it in 1828, and hence, that the present tense often used by him, has reference to the date of publication. We make this note to avoid too frequent interpolations in brackets. Mr. Farmer had printed in 1813, sundry Family Records of different branches of the family, and in 1824, he issued an Appendix to it. This with the other part made about 30 pages in 18mo. These contained a good deal not found in his last work. All three are here incorporated into a regular and continuous genealogy. The copies of the first two printed works which I have used, have many manuscript additions and corrections in the author's own hand. The title-page of the Memoir runs thus:

A GENEALOGICAL MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY BY THE NAME OF FARMER, WHO SETTLED AT BILLERICA, Ms. Hingham, Farmer & Brown, Printers, 1828.

[The following Dedication is upon the back of the title-page.]

MEMOIR.

The surname of Farmer is one of considerable antiquity, and is one of those names derived from occupations or professions, which, next to local names, or those derived from the names of places, are the most numerous.[4] It comes from the Saxon term Fearme or Feorme, which signifies food or provision.[5] But some think it derived from Firma, which signifies a place enclosed or shut in; and some contend for its French etymology from the word Ferme.

The Farmers, so far as my researches will enable me to conjecture, were of Saxon origin, and, in the reign of Edward IV., King of England, were seated in Northamptonshire, where they remain to the present day. They resided at Easton-Neston about 1480. Anne, the daughter of Richard Farmer, Esq., of that place, married, before 1545, William Lucy, and their son, Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote, knighted by Queen Elizabeth, in 1565, was the knight and magistrate whose name is associated with some of the early events of the life of Shakspeare. William Farmer, created Lord Leinster in 1692, the ancestor of the present earl of Pomfret, resided at Easton-Neston. Jasper Farmer, one of this family, is said to be the ancestor of the Farmers in the State of Pennsylvania.

From Northamptonshire they seem to have spread over several of the contiguous counties before the middle of the sixteenth century; being found in Leicestershire as early as 1490, in Warwickshire in 1545, and in Shropshire at nearly the same period.

Sir William Dugdale, in his Antiquities of Warwickshire, mentions Richard Farmer and his wife, and John their son, and Maud his wife, [Pg 23]to whom, and the heirs male of the said John, the place or parish of Merston-Boteler in that county, was granted by the King's Letters Patent, dated November 23, 1545. He also names Rev. Thomas Farmer, minister of the parish of Austrey in 1542, and Rev. John Farmer, incumbent of the church in Bagington, 1552, and Rev. Richard, of the parish of Ashowe.

R. Farmer, Esq., of Kennington Common, near London, informs me,[6] that his ancestors as far back as he had been able to trace them, belonged to Oldbury, near Bridgenorth, in Shropshire, and that their names were Edward. Thomas Farmer, Esq., one of the Managers of the British and Foreign Bible Society, is of this family. Rev. Hugh Farmer, the learned author of the Dissertation on Miracles, and other theological works, was of Shropshire, and was born at a place called Isle Gate, belonging to a small hamlet almost surrounded by the river Severn, a few miles from Shrewsbury.[7]

The branch of the family traced in the following pages was formerly seated in Leicestershire, on the borders of Warwickshire; and, about 1500, were living in the village of Ratcliffe-Cuiley, near Witherly. Of those who resided there at that period, I am unable to speak with any degree of certainty, having the advantage of no records, or family memorials. The late Rev. Richard Farmer, D. D., of Cambridge, England, made some collections of a genealogical nature, and from these it would seem, that the most remote ancestor, whom he had traced, was Edward, who is mentioned by Anthony Wood in his Athenæ Oxonienses, and in his Fasti Oxonienses, as being the Chancellor of the Cathedral church in Salisbury, in 1531; which office he sustained until his death in 1538.

John Farmer is the next ancestor of whom I have any account, and of whom I have nothing more than the fact found among Rev. Dr. Farmer's MSS., that he was living at Ansley in Warwickshire in 1604. Between him and Edward of Salisbury, there were probably two or three generations, whose names cannot be given with much confidence, although it is presumed from Guillim's Heraldry, that the name of one was Bartholomew.

There has been a considerable number of the name in England, and several of them of the Warwickshire branch of the family, who have been employed in public life, or have been known by their writings. The following list of them has been collected from various sources:

Anthony, who was appointed in 1687, by James II., President of Magdalen College; but, being a papist, and there being other objections against his character, he was superseded by Bishop Parker.[8]

Edward. "In the year 1529, in the beginning of February, Edward Lee became Chancellor of the church of Salisbury by the resignation of Thomas Winter, and was succeeded in that dignity by Edward Farmer, in December, 1531."[9]

George, Esq., who was Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in 1663.[10]

[Pg 24]

Hatton, who was Major of Prince Charles' regiment, and was killed by Culham Bridge, near Abingdon, Jan. 11, 1645.[11]

Hugh, already mentioned, who was born 1714, died 1787, a. 73. Memoirs of his Life and Writings were published in 1805, by Michael Dodson, Esq., London, in an octavo volume of 160 pages.

Jacob, who published a "True Relation of the State of Ireland," London, 1642, octavo.

James, who was minister of Leire, in Leicestershire, and was ejected in 1660.[12]

John, who was a madrigaler, and who published a work noticed by Dr. Rees, issued in 1591, London, octavo.

John, Esq., who was Governor of the island of Barbadoes.[13]

John, who was a clergyman, and published twenty sermons. London, 1744, octavo.

John, who published the "History of the Town and Abbey of Waltham in Essex, England." London, 1735, octavo.

John, who was a surgeon, and published "Select Cases in Surgery, collected in St. Bartholomew's Hospital." 1757, in quarto.

Priscilla, whose Life was published in 1796, by her grandson, Charles Lloyd.[14]

Richard, who was a Baptist minister, and who is noticed by Neal in his History of the Puritans.

Richard, who published a sermon on Luke xxi: 34. London, 1629, quarto.

Richard, D. D., who published "An Essay on the Learning of Shakspeare." London, 1766.

Ralph, who was minister of St. Nicholas in Somersetshire, and was ejected in 1660. He published the "Mysteries of Godliness and Ungodliness, discovered from the writings of the Quakers." London, 1655, quarto.[15]

S——, Esq., who was a member of Parliament, 1818.[16]

Thomas, who was born August 20, 1771, nephew of Dr. Richard, Rector of Aspley-Guise in Bedfordshire.

Thomas, who was a printer, and published a work called "Plain Truth, &c." London, 1763, quarto.

William, who wrote an Almanac for Ireland, printed at Dublin, 1587, supposed to have been the first printed in that country.[17]

William, of Magdalen College, who was a Baronet, and was created Master of Arts in 1667.[18]

[Thus far we have but the links of a broken chain, which must necessarily be the results usually of attempts of this nature. What follows is without any lost link between those named and a common ancestor.]

APPENDIX.

Extracts of Letters from Rev. Thomas Farmer, Rector of Aspley-Guise, in Bedfordshire, England, to John Farmer of Concord, N. H. Dated July, 1822.

Dear Sir,—Having lately been to visit my relations at Leicester, my native place, I saw for the first time a letter from you, desiring an account of your Genealogy; and, being satisfied of our consanguinity, you will allow me to hope that you may cross the Atlantic, and visit this village, of which I am the Rector, and which is situated but little more than 40 miles from London, and near the Duke of Bedford's magnificent Park and Palace.

I am possessed of the papers which formerly belonged to my uncle, Dr. Richard Farmer, who certainly was a most ingenious and classical scholar, and perhaps the best annotator on England's immortal bard. You may know that he was Master of Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge. There I was educated, and there I saw him die, after a very long protracted illness, on the 8th of September, 1797. The loose papers, from which I shall send you extracts, are in Dr. Farmer's hand-writing.

My father, Thomas Farmer, is now at Leicester, and is the only male issue of his generation. He was born on the 10th of May, 1744. I was born on the 21st of August, 1771, and am the only issue left, and I am in possession of land in the vicinity of Nuneaton, sharing it equally with Mr. Arnold of Ashley, no great distance from Daventry, in the County of Northampton.

Of the present owner of Ancely, or Astly, I know nothing; but in the old papers, I find John Farmer of Ancely, in the County of Warwick, passes a time, Sept. 1st, 1604, and that a John Farmer, in 1663, [1633?] contracts marriage with Isabel Barbage of Great Packington, in the County of Warwick, and that Isabel, in after marriage articles, is stiled "now of New England;" that John Farmer of Nuneaton married Sarah Daws of Tamworth, and settles the estate at Ancely upon her. Richard F., son of John and Sarah, was baptized at Nuneaton, Sept. 15, 1698, and married Hannah Knibb of Brinklow, in the County of Warwick, Jan. 4, 1732-3. Their eldest son, Richard, born May 4, 1735, was the person whom you have rightly named of such extensive literary fame and acquirements.

I shall seal this with the seal[22] which Dr. Farmer wore and used, and the Arms I read, "He beareth Sable, Chevron between three Lamps Argent, with Fire Proper, by the name of Farmer." This coat was assigned to George Farmer, Esq., 1663, second son of Bartholomew Farmer, Gent.[23] of Radcliffe, near Atherstone, Warwickshire. The patent was to alter the Chevron of the family, though it mentions not what anciently were the Arms of the family.

From the same to the same, dated Aspley-Guise, Dec. 1, 1823.

Sir,—The family of Farmers from which we are descended, were living about the year of our Lord, 1500, at a village called Ratcliffe-Cuiley, [Pg 34]which is in Leicestershire, and adjoining the Counties of Warwick and Stafford. One of them was a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas, and you observe by the scrap enclosed, another of them, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury, which scrap is the hand-writing of the author on the learning of Shakspeare. Most of them are buried in a vault belonging to the family, in the church of Witherly, (near Ratcliffe) in the County of Leicester. My grandfather's name was Richard, who married a Miss Knibb, and their family consisted of Richard, [b. May 4, 1735,] the annotator on our immortal bard, Prebendary of Canterbury, then a Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's, London, the Master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and principal Librarian of that University; John, in holy Orders; Thomas, my father, [b. May 10, 1744,] who married the 3rd dau. of John Andrew, Esq., of Harlestone-Park in the County of Northampton; Joseph, Lieut. Col. of the Royal Leicester volunteers; Hannah, unmarried; Sarah married Allen Brown, Esq., of Cosby, near Leicester, and afterwards Richard Jervis, a surgeon of Latterworth; Mary married [in 1768,] the Hon. Richard Byron, [b. Oct. 28, 1724,] brother of the late Lord [William] Byron.

MEMOIRS OF GRADUATES OF HARVARD COLLEGE.

Commencing with the year 1670.

BY THE LATE JOHN FARMER, ESQ.

Note. The year they were graduated is prefixed to the name of each person, in the several Memoirs.

NATHANIEL HIGGINSON.

1670. Nathaniel Higginson, son of Rev. John Higginson, pastor of the first church in Salem, was born at Guilford, Ct., Oct. 11, 1652. After receiving his second degree in 1673, he made preparation to go to England, where an uncle of his had been settled as a clergyman, and where he had a number of relations. He went thither the following year, and was soon introduced to Lord Wharton, with whom he remained about seven years, in the capacity of steward and tutor to his children. He was employed in the mint of the Tower in 1681, and went in 1683 in the East India Company's service to Fort St. George in the East Indies; was a member and secretary of the council, and afterwards governor of the factory at said fort. He married Elizabeth Richards, 1692; returned to England with his wife and four children in 1700, and established himself as a merchant in London, and did considerable business with his New England friends.

In 1706, we find his name, with 19 others, signed to a petition full of invective against Joseph Dudley, then Governor of Massachusetts, and praying for his removal, which was presented and read to Queen Anne in council. Gov. Dudley, in his answer to the charges contained in this petition, notices several of the peti[Pg 35]tioners, and thus speaks of Mr. H. "Mr. Higginson is a gentleman of good value, born in New England, but has been absent in the East Indies six and twenty years, and so may be presumed to know nothing of the country. To be sure, his father, that has been a minister in the country near sixty years, yet living, and his brother, a member of her Majesty's Council, must know more, his brother having been always assisting the Governor, and consenting in Col. Dudley's justification at this time with the Council, where no man has dissented from the vote sent herewith." The allegations against Gov. Dudley in this petition, were voted by the General Court, or Council and House, to be a "wicked and scandalous accusation;" but some persons of note, considering the high character of Mr. Higginson and his good interest at court, "signified by their letters, that they thought the two Houses impolitic in the severity of their expressions, which, from being their friend, might, at least, cause him to become cool and indifferent." We know not the effect of the language of the General Court on the mind of Mr. Higginson, but we cannot suppose it alienated his affections from his native country. He lived but two years after, to serve the interests of his friends in New England. He died in London of the small pox, in November, 1708, aged 56 years. He had been for several years a member of the Corporation for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of New England. Judge Sewall says, he had been acquainted with him for forty years, and seems to have had a high opinion of his character and public services. Felt, Annals of Salem, 350. Hutchinson, Hist. Mass. ii. 146, 147. Gov. Dudley's MS. Answer to Mr. H.'s petition (the original, which escaped, in part, the fury of the mob, when they destroyed Gov. Hutchinson's house.)

AMMI RUHAMAH CORLET.

1670. Ammi Ruhamah Corlet was son of the celebrated schoolmaster, Elijah Corlet, of whom an early poet sang,

The father was educated at Lincoln College in the University of Oxford, and the son had all the advantages of early preparation, which could be derived from so distinguished a scholar. Having been graduated, he appears to have followed the business of his father, and in 1672 we find him at Plymouth, as the Master of the principal school in that place. After taking his second degree, or about that time, he was a Fellow of the College, in which office, it is presumed, he continued till his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1679.

THOMAS CLARK.

1670. Thomas Clark, son of Jonas Clarke, of Cambridge, a surveyor of some note, was born, March 2, 1653. Rev. Mr. Allen,[Pg 36] in his History of Chelmsford, says in relation to Mr. Clark, "We have neither church records, manuscript sermons, cotemporary notices, nor any other materials, from which a bare memento can be erected, excepting the following sentence in the 9th volume of the Hist. Coll. of Mass., page 195. 'Dorchester, 1704, Dec. 10. The death of Rev. Thomas Clark of Chelmsford was lamented in a sermon from Acts xx: 25, &c.' A great loss to all our towns, and especially to our frontier towns on that side of the country, who are greatly weakened with the loss of such a man." Besides the above extract from Mr. Allen, we find a fact in Dr. Cotton Mather's "Wonders of the Invisible World," which is creditable to the character of Mr. Clark. In the time of the witchcraft delusion, "there was at Chelmsford an afflicted person, that in her fits cried out against a woman, a neighbor, which Mr. Clark, the minister of the gospel there, could not believe to be guilty of such a crime, [witchcraft.] And it happened while that woman milked her cow, the cow struck her with one horn upon the forehead and fetched blood. And while she was bleeding, a spectre of her likeness appeared to the party afflicted, who pointing at the spectre, one struck at the place, and the afflicted said, You have made her forehead bleed! Hereupon some went to the woman and found her forehead bloody, and acquainted Mr. Clark with it, who forthwith went to the woman and asked her, How her forehead became bloody? and she answered, By a blow of the cow's horn, as abovesaid; whereby he was satisfied that it was a design of Satan to render an innocent person suspected." The conduct of Mr. Clark in this decision, made at the time when the spectral evidence was so generally received, probably prevented the infatuation from extending to Chelmsford. Happy would it have been had all ministers and magistrates exercised a like discrimination in rejecting all evidence against persons whose characters had been previously good. By the magistrates at Salem, the coincidence of the imaginary wound inflicted on the spectre, and the real wound from the cow's horn on the woman, would have been sufficient for the condemnation of the latter.

Mr. Clark was the minister of Chelmsford twenty-seven years, having been ordained, in 1677, as the successor of Rev. John Fiske. His labors were suddenly terminated, being seized, according to Judge Sewall's Diary, with a fever, on Friday the 2nd, which caused his death on the following Wednesday, December 7, 1704, in the 52nd year of his age.

Mr. Clark was twice married. The name of his first wife was Mary, who died Dec. 2, 1700. His second was Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Samuel Whiting, whom he married, Oct. 2, 1702. His children, who lived to mature years, all by his first wife, were Lucy, who married Major John Tyng, father of Judge John Tyng, Sept. 19, 1700. She died April 25, 1708; Elizabeth, who married John Hancock of West Cambridge; Jonas, born Dec. 2, 1684, who resided on the farm, known by the name of the Cragie farm. There he kept a public house and ferry which have ever since borne his name.[Pg 37] His house was the general resort for all fashionable people. He was honored with many civil and military offices; was a very popular man, and esteemed as a good Christian. He died April 8, 1770, aged 86. Thomas, the youngest son, was born Sept. 28, 1694.

GEORGE BURROUGH.

1670. George Burrough, or as the name is usually spelt, Burroughs, was, perhaps, a son of Jeremiah Burroughs, an inhabitant of Scituate, Ms., as early as 1647; but we have no certain information of his parentage or the time of his birth. He was admitted a member of the church in Roxbury, April 12, 1674, and his son George was baptized in the church there, Nov. 28, 1675. He became a preacher within a few years after he left College, and, as early as 1675 or 1676, he was the minister at Casco, in Maine, and was there when that town suffered the loss of so many lives by an attack of the Indians. The war which soon followed, drove Mr. Burroughs from Maine, and he returned to Massachusetts. In November, 1680, he was employed to preach at Salem Village, now Salem. He continued there probably until 1683, when, in May, Mr. Lawson was invited to preach to the people. Mr. Burroughs returned to his ministry in Casco the same year. A work entitled "European Settlements in America," in speaking of Mr. Burroughs as a victim of the Salem Witchcraft, says, "that he was a gentleman who had formerly been minister of Salem; but upon some of the religious disputes which divided the country he differed from his flock, and left them." Mather, in his "Wonders of the Invisible World," countenances this idea, saying "he had removed from Salem Village in ill terms some years before." Mr. Willis, in his History of Portland, says, "The first notice of his return to Casco is in June, 1683, when, at the request of the town, he relinquished 150 acres of land, which had been granted to him previous to the war. In their application to him for this purpose, they offered to give him 100 acres 'further off,' for the quantity relinquished, but Burroughs replied, 'as for the land already taken away, we were welcome to it, and, if 20 acres of the 50 above expressed would pleasure us, he freely gave it to us, not desiring any land anywhere else, nor any thing else in consideration thereof.'"

His disinterestedness places the character of Mr. Burroughs in an amiable light, which nothing can be found, during the whole course of his ministry at Casco, to impair. The large quantity of land which he relinquished was situated upon the Neck, which was then daily becoming more valuable, by the location of the town upon it. All this, excepting thirty acres, he freely returned, without accepting the consideration offered by the town.

The unhappy catastrophe which terminated the life and usefulness of Mr. Burroughs, has cast a shade upon many facts relating to him which would be interesting to us to know. We have no means[Pg 38] of ascertaining whether he was regularly settled and had gathered a church at Casco or not. There is, however, sufficient authority for asserting, that he preached to the people there a longer period than any Congregational minister prior to Rev. Thomas Smith.

"There has nothing," says Mr. Willis, "survived Mr. Burroughs, either in his living or dying, that casts any reproach upon his character; and, although he died a victim of a fanaticism, as wicked and stupid as any which has been countenanced in civilized society, and which for a time prejudiced his memory, yet his character stands redeemed in a more enlightened age from any blemish."

Mr. Burroughs was driven from Casco by the Indians in 1690, and went to Wells, where he resided when he was accused of the crime of witchcraft. The indictment against him is given in the second volume of Hutchinson. He was examined on May 8, 1692, and committed to prison in Boston until his trial, which took place in August following. He was condemned on testimony, which nothing but the most highly wrought infatuation could for a moment have endured. His great strength and activity, for which he had been remarkable from his youth, were enlisted against him, as having been derived from the Prince of evil. It was in evidence, that he had lifted a barrel of molasses by putting his finger in the bunghole, and carried it round him; that he held a gun more than seven feet long at arm's length with one hand, and performed other surprising feats above the power of humanity. Some evidence was also exhibited against his moral character, in relation to his treatment of his wives and children, but we can attach but very little credit to it considering the great perversion of truth at that time.

He was executed August 19, 1692, on Gallows hill, in Salem. At his execution, he made a most solemn, pertinent, and affecting prayer, which drew the remark from Cotton Mather, who was present, as I was informed by the late Dr. Bentley, "that no man could have made such a prayer unless the devil helped him." He concluded his dying petition with the Lord's prayer, probably to convince some of the spectators of his innocence; for it was the received opinion, that a true witch or wizard could not say the Lord's prayer without blundering.

The age of Mr. Burroughs is represented by Dr. Bentley, in his Hist. of Salem, published in 1 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. vi., to have been about fourscore years; but that writer undoubtedly transferred the age of Giles Cory, who wanted only three years of being fourscore, to Mr. Burroughs. It can by no means be admitted, that Mr. B. was nearly 60 years old when he graduated, which must have been the case if he was 80 years old at the time he was executed.

Mr. Burroughs had been three times married. The names of his first and second wives are not known. His last was daughter of Thomas Ruck, and she survived him. His children were George, baptized 1675, who lived in Ipswich; Jeremiah, who was insane; Rebecca, who married a Tolman of Boston; Hannah, who[Pg 39] married a Fox, and lived near Barton's Point in Boston; Elizabeth, who married Peter Thomas of Boston, the ancestor of the late Isaiah Thomas, LL. D., of Worcester. George and Thomas Burroughs of Newburyport, the former a tanner, conveyed to N. Winslow, in 1774, the right of George Burroughs in proprietary land in Falmouth. These were probably descendants of the minister.—Hutchinson, Hist. Mass. ii. 57-59. Felt, Annals of Salem. Neal's Hist. N. E. ii. 130-134, 144. Willis, Hist. Portland in Coll. Maine Hist. Soc. i. 144, 174-176. Upham, Lectures on Witchcraft. Allen, Biog. Dict. art. Burroughs.

ISAAC FOSTER.

1671. Isaac Foster, according to the late William Winthrop, Esq., was from Charlestown, and might have been brother of John Foster, who was graduated in 1667; but this is uncertain, as the latter was from Dorchester. [We find him to have been admitted freeman in 1679, about which time, he probably went to Connecticut.] Mr. Winthrop may have considered him as belonging to Charlestown from the circumstance of his being called to preach there. When a committee of the town of Charlestown was about selecting a successor to Rev. Thomas Shepard, in 1678, the opinions of Rev. John Sherman, Rev. Increase Mather, and Rev. President Oakes were requested as to the "fittest person" for their minister, and these gentlemen recommended Mr. Foster as "the fittest and suitablest person" for that place. While remaining at Charlestown he was admitted freeman, in 1679. Soon after this, he went to Connecticut and preached in Hartford, and, from his name being printed in italics, it has been inferred that he was settled there, but this does not clearly appear from Dr. Trumbull.

SAMUEL PHIPPS.

1671. Samuel Phipps, son, it is presumed, of Solomon Phipps of Charlestown, who died in that town, July 25, 1671, was born about the year 1649. The most of his life was passed in civil offices, having been Register of Deeds for the county of Middlesex, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the same county, and representative for the town of Charlestown, where he resided. To the last office he was elected in 1692, being one of the first representatives under the charter of William and Mary. In 1700, he was one of the Commissioners of claims for receiving and examining all titles and claims to land in the eastern province of Maine. Mr. Phipps died in August, 1725, aged 76, and was buried in the tomb of his son-in-law Lemmon. His wife was Mary Danforth, daughter of Dep. Gov. Thomas Danforth. She was born July 28, 1650. [We find the name of Danforth associated with Phipps in the class of 1781.] Thomas Phipps, who graduated in 1695, was his son.

(To be continued.)

[Pg 40]

COMPLETE LIST OF CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS IN THE EASTERN PART OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, FROM ITS SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME; TOGETHER WITH NOTES ON THE MINISTERS AND CHURCHES.

BY THE REV. JONATHAN FRENCH OF NORTH HAMPTON.

NOTES.

Brentwood. In Dec. 12, 1748, according to Farmer's Statistics of New Hampshire ministers, Rev. Nathaniel Trask was settled in this place.

"Jan. 18, 1756, this church [Hampton church] was sent for to install the Rev. Mr. Trask at Brentwood. They chose Deacons Tuck and Lane, who went. And the affair was completed with love and peace, decency and good order. Mr. Odlin and Flagg prayed. I preached, Col. iv: 17. Mr. Whipple gave the charge. Attest, W. Cotton, Pastor."

Over a church newly organized, Mr. Trask was installed, as stated in the records of Rev. W. Cotton, Jan. 21, 1756.

Mr. Trask retained the pastoral office in Brentwood, 41 years; though he ceased from his pulpit labors, about two years before his death, which occurred Dec. 12, 1789, at the age of 67. He married Parnel Thing, June 15, 1749. Their children were Elizabeth, born July 30, 1750, died in Brentwood, Parnel, born July 2, 1752, died Sept. 8, 1756. Nathaniel, born Sept. 8. 1754, died Sept. 5, 1756; Mary, born Sept. 14, 1756. Parnel, born Aug. 27, 1759, died July 21, 1762. Samuel, born Sept. 10, 1762, settled and died in Brentwood, where his son and daughter now live. Jonathan, born Dec. 12, 1764, settled in Mount Vernon, Me.

From the decease of Mr. Trask, the church was without a pastor eleven years and a half. During that period, more than a hundred individuals were employed as candidates for settlement, or as supplies. Eight or ten, successively, received and declined invitations to settle.

At the ordination of the Rev. Ebenezer Flint, the church had become reduced to six male and thirteen female members. Mr. Flint died suddenly, Oct. 12, 1811, aged 42, leaving a widow, who died at the age of 72 years.

He studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Emmons. He married Mary, daughter of Deacon Kendall of Tewksbury, Ms. Two of his children were Mary K., who married Ebenezer Orne, and Abigail J., who married Jonathan Robinson, 3rd. The youngest son of Mr. Flint, Ezra M., married Louisa P. Haynes of Charlestown, Ms., and now lives there. The eldest, Ebenezer, resides in Brentwood, unmarried.

From the time of Mr. Flint's death, the church was destitute of a pastor more than four years.

Rev. Chester Colton preached at Brentwood, July 21, 1813. He proved to be the Barnabas they needed; and the friends of religious order, being encouraged and strengthened, settled him. Rev. Mr. Rowland of Exeter preached the ordination sermon, from 1 Cor. i: 21, and Rev. Dr. Pearson of Andover, Ms., gave the charge.

The people became ardently attached to Mr. Colton, and his labors were blessed. He was dismissed at his own urgent request, on account of an inflammation of his eyes which forbade application to study. Mr. Colton's vision was, in a few years, so far restored, by rest and medical treatment, that he resumed the labors of a pastor, and was installed at Lyme, Ct., Feb. 12, 1829. Recently he has labored under the direction of the Connecticut Missionary Society, in North Goshen, Ct.

Rev. Luke Ainsworth Spofford was installed in Brentwood, and, after laboring about three years, and not finding his hopes of usefulness realized, he requested and received a dismission. The number of church members reported, June, 1828, was 53. Subsequently to his ministry at Brentwood, Mr. Spofford was installed at Lancaster, N. H., 1829; Atkinson, N. H., 1832; Scituate, Ms., 1835; Chilmark, on Martha's Vineyard, Ms., 1842; from which place he removed to Newburg, N. Y., where his family resides. Mr. Spofford, before he came to Brentwood, had been ordained at Gilmanton, N. H., where he enjoyed a successful ministry of six years; but, on account of the state of his health, and the extent of the field, resigned June 9, 1825. For more particular notices, see Rev. Mr. Lancaster's History of Gilmanton, and Notes respecting the ministers in Gilmanton, in the first number of the New Hampshire Repository, Vol. I.

After Mr. Spofford's resignation, the people in Brentwood enjoyed the labors of Rev. Jonathan Ward about three and a half years.

[Pg 42]

Mr. Ward studied theology with Rev. Dr. Emmons, and was ordained in New Milford, now Alna, Me., in 1796, and resigned in 1818. Although Mr. Ward has never been installed in New Hampshire, he has, in many respects, performed the services of a pastor to some of the churches in a very acceptable and useful manner. Mr. Ward labored twelve years, most of the time statedly, in Plymouth, his native place, and the place of his father's ministry, for more than thirty-two years.

Mr. Ward's father, Rev. Nathan Ward, was born at Newton, Ms., April 11, 1721, died June 15, 1804, aged 83. He married Tamasin Ireland, who was born Jan. 1, 1722, O. S., and died Aug. 16, 1777. Rev. Nathan Ward, who was hopefully converted under the preaching of Mr. Whitefield, had not a collegiate education, but received an honorary degree of M. A. from Dartmouth College. His children, beside Jonathan the youngest, were Nathan, born Jan. 9, 1748, O. S., died Nov. 3, 1776; Enoch, born July 4, 1749, died July 31, 1825; Abraham, born Feb. 9, 1751, died Dec. 6, 1776; Mary, born Sept. 18, 1752, died Dec. 6, 1776; Abigail, born March 31, 1755, N. S., died Sept. 16, 1841; Samuel, born Aug. 26, 1756, died Nov. 8, 1776; Isaac, born March 16, 1758, died Feb. 27, 1816; Benjamin, born Sept. 21, 1761, died ——; Daniel, born Jan. 30, 1764; Esther, born Aug. 17, 1767, died Dec. 8, 1776. The submission of the parents was painfully tested, by the death of five of their children, with a putrid fever, within five weeks. Enoch, brother of Rev. N. Ward, entered the ministry, but died young. He graduated at Harvard University, 1736. The grandfather of Rev. J. Ward was Joseph, whose father was John, who settled in Newton, Ms., and one of a large family, brought by their father, William Ward, from England, about 1646, who settled in Sudbury, Ms. Rev. Jonathan Ward married Philenia Gay Whitaker of Attleborough, Ms., who was born April 6, 1776, and died April 25, 1825. Their children were Jonathan, born Nov. 30, 1800, graduated at D. C., 1822, studied at the Theological Seminary, Andover, ordained at Biddeford, Me., Oct. 26, 1825, died Feb. 8, 1826, aged 25; James Wilson, born May 21, 1803, graduated at D. C., 1826, studied at the Theological Seminary, Andover, and at New Haven, ordained at Abington, Ms., May 31, 1834; Philenia, born Oct. 16, 1804, married Frederick Robinson of Brentwood; Laura Elizabeth, born May 7, 1807, married Lucius M. Perdy of Sharon, Ct.

Rev. Francis Welch was the fourth settled minister in Brentwood. He has labored since he left that place in Ipswich, Linebrook Parish, Ms.; and in Perry, Washington County, Me.

Rev. John Gunnison, who had been previously ordained at Lyman, Me., May 12, 1831, installed over the Union Society of Salisbury and Amesbury, Ms., Dec 31, 1835, and at Newmarket, Lamprey River, Feb. 22, 1837, was installed at Brentwood. He was, after leaving Brentwood, installed at West Falmouth, Me., in Jan., 1842. He now resides at Portland, but at present supplies the pulpit of the first church in Westbrook. He studied theology with the Rev. Charles Jenkins of Portland, Me., and entered the ministry late in life. He married for his first wife, Joanna Dow of Gilmanton, and for his second, a woman by the name of Starboard.

Rev. James Boutwell, who was born May 14, 1814, graduated at the Theological Seminary, Andover, in 1840. He was an Instructor at Dunkirk, N. Y., one year. Mr. Boutwell has seven brothers and one sister older, and two sisters younger, than himself. His paternal grandfather was of Wilmington, Ms. His maternal grandfather was Dr. Benjamin Jones, of Lyndeborough, a physician of some celebrity, whose native place was Ipswich, Ms. Mr. Boutwell's brother, William Thurston Boutwell, was several years a missionary among the Ojibwa Indians, in Wisconsin. Mr. Boutwell married Mary P., daughter of Dea. Pascal Abbot of Andover, Ms., April 10, 1837. Their children are Mary Lucelia, born at Dunkirk, N. Y., March 8, 1838; James Pascal, born at Andover, Feb. 6, 1840, died Oct. 31, 1844; George Clark, born at Brentwood, Feb. 8, 1842; Charles Hawley, born at Brentwood, Oct. 29, 1843; Hannah Elizabeth, born March 11, 1846.

Deerfield was a part of Nottingham, from which it was separated, and incorporated Jan. 8, 1766. The Congregational Society was formed in Dec., 1772.

[Pg 43]

Rev. Timothy Upham was the first minister. His first wife, who was the mother of all his children, was Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Gookin of Northampton. Her twin sister, Elizabeth, married Dr. Edmund Chadwick of Deerfield, father of Peter Chadwick, Esq., of Exeter. The children of Rev. Mr. Upham are Hon. Nathaniel Upham of Rochester; Gen. Timothy Upham of Portsmouth; and Miss Hannah Upham, the celebrated Principal of the Female Institute in Canandaigua, N. Y. Among the grandchildren of Rev. Mr. Upham, are Rev. Thomas Cogswell Upham, D. D., Professor in Bowdoin College, who was previously pastor of the Congregational church in Rochester; Hon. Nathaniel Gookin Upham, a Judge of the Superior Court of N. H.; Mary, widow of Hon. David Barker, Jr., and now wife of Ebenezer Coe, Esq.; Alfred, M. D., of New York; Timothy, M. D., deceased; Joseph Badger Upham, Merchant in Portsmouth; Judith Almira, married to James Bell, Esq.; Hannah Elizabeth, deceased; Ruth Cogswell, married to John Berry, M. D.; Francis William, a member of the Boston Bar; and Albert Gookin, M. D., of Boston.

The New England genealogy of the Rev. Timothy Upham is traced to John Upham, born in England, in 1597, who emigrated to Weymouth, New England, in 1635, and went thence to Malden. He was highly esteemed for his piety, intelligence, and energy of character; filled various civil offices, and was deacon of the church many years. He performed the duties of moderator of a town meeting a few months before his death, which took place Feb. 25, 1681, at the age of 84.

Lieut. Phinehas Upham, son of John Upham, married Ruth Wood. He died in consequence of wounds received in the capture of Narraganset Fort, in 1675. Phinehas, son of Lieut. Phinehas, married Mary Mellins. His son Phinehas married Tamzen Hill, whose son Timothy married Mary Cheever. These last were the parents of Rev. Timothy Upham, whose New England ancestors, from the first, were men of influence in the church, and in the community, and were distinguished for intelligence, firmness of character, and a spirit of enterprise. The first wife of Rev. Timothy Upham died Aug. 4, 1797, aged 44. Mr. Upham died in the 63rd year of his age, and 39th of his ministry. The sermon at his funeral, from Heb. xiii: 8, by Rev. Peter Holt, ascribes to Mr. Upham "many gifts and excellent qualifications for a gospel minister." Mr. Upham's second wife, who was Miss Hephzibah Neal of Stratham, died May 11, 1811. See Family History, by Albert G. Upham, A. M., M. D., 1845.

Rev. Nathaniel Wells was engaged sixteen years in mercantile business before entering the ministry. He studied theology with Rev. Moses Hemmenway, D. D., of Wells, Me., whose daughter he married in 1797. After a diligent and useful ministry of about 30 years, he resigned his pastoral charge. Two of his sons are settled in the ministry. Theodore, ordained in Barrington, June 12, 1845; Moses Hemmenway, ordained in Pittsfield, Nov. 19, 1845. Rev. Nathaniel Wells was son of Dea. Nathaniel Wells, whose father was also Dea. Nathaniel Wells, who removed to Wells, Me., from Ipswich, Ms., and who was a son of Dea. Thomas Wells of Ipswich, who died in that place, Oct. 26, 1666.

Rev. Ephraim Nelson Hidden was Preceptor of Gilmanton Academy, three years; graduated at Gilmanton Theological Seminary, 1840; was married, Aug. 28, 1840, to Mary Elizabeth Parsons, daughter of Josiah Parsons, Esq., of Gilmanton, whose wife was Judith Badger, great-granddaughter of Gen. Joseph Badger, Senior. He was son of Ephraim Hidden, and nephew of Rev. Samuel Hidden of Tamworth, N. H., and grandson of Price Hidden of Rowley, Ms. His first New England ancestor emigrated from England and settled in Rowley.

Epping. Rev. Robert Cutler was the first minister. In 1755, Mr. Cutler, being charged with immoral conduct, was dismissed by a Council. He was installed in Greenwich, Ms., Feb. 13, 1760, where he died, Feb. 24, 1786, aged probably 68.

Rev. Josiah Stearns closed his ministry and life, July 25, 1788. He descended from Isaac Stearns, who came from England, with Gov. Winthrop, in 1630, and settled in Watertown. The line of descent is 1. Isaac and Sarah Stearns. 2. John Stearns, who married Sarah Mixer of Watertown. He settled in Billerica. 3. John Stearns, who married Elizabeth ——. He was[Pg 44] the first child born in Billerica, on record. 4. John Stearns, who married Esther Johnson. She was a great-granddaughter of the celebrated Capt. Edward Johnson, author of the History of New England, entitled "Wonder-working Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England." In several publications, she is incorrectly mentioned as the daughter of the historian. Her father was a second Capt. Edward Johnson, her grandfather was William Johnson, Esq. John and Esther Stearns were the parents of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping. The following short obituary notice appeared in a public print, Aug. 27, 1788. It is attributed to the pen of the Rev. Dr. Tappan, then of Newbury, afterwards Professor of Divinity in Harvard University.

"For the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet.

"Mr. Hoyt,—The Rev. Mr. Stearns, whose death was announced in your last, sustained a character too great and too good to be passed over in silence. The God of Nature endued him with singular abilities, which, by the aid of erudition, fitted him for extensive usefulness. His assiduous application to the work of the ministry was truly worthy of imitation. In him shone an assemblage of virtues and graces which rarely meet in the same person. He had a lively fancy, a penetrating judgment, a correct taste, and a mind expanded as the heavens. His conversation was ever seasonable, grave, pathetic, and instructive. His public discourses were replete with good sense, with important truths in a clear and instructive light, and received the approbation of the best judges. He despised pageantry, without the appearance of affectation. He trusted to nothing mortal; pitied, but envied not, such as had their portion in this life. His advice in Council was often sought, and ever approved. He had a constitutional firmness, and was capable of the most dispassionate reasoning. He repudiated errors ancient and modern, and rejoiced to the last in his faithful adherence to the doctrines of grace. Elevated by the purer sentiments, he ever possessed a mind calm and serene. God, who is all-wise in council, was pleased to try his faith and patience in the furnace of affliction. After a lingering and painful sickness, he died of a cancer, in the 57th year of his age. In him died a friend to justice, liberty, and energetic government; a vigorous watchman, a patient guide, an affectionate pastor, a prudent, kind husband, and an indulgent but truly faithful parent."

Mr. Stearns was a close and thorough student. He studied the Scriptures in their original languages, with unremitting diligence. His limited means would not allow him to possess much of a library, but he was favored with the use of books by friends, who were able to own them. He was accustomed to borrow one volume at a time, and when he had read it through, its contents were his own. The late Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, mentioning this fact, added, "The Bible especially was his Library." So intimate was his knowledge of the Scriptures, that "he could readily cite chapter and verse, where almost any text was to be found." Mr. Stearns was an ardent friend of liberty. "Some of his sons were in the field, during a greater part of the Revolutionary contest; and he sacrificed most of his worldly interest in support of the American cause." [Alden's Epitaphs.] He was a member of a State Convention, in Exeter, in which he regarded himself as fully committed to the risk of his personal safety. Returning from the Convention, he called his children around him, told them of the stand he had taken, and added, "If the cause shall prevail it will be a great blessing to the country, but if it should fail, your poor old father's head will soon be a button for a halter."

Mr. Stearns was tall in person, and interesting in his pulpit performances. He held the untiring attention of his audience, which not unfrequently filled the seats and aisles of his meeting-house, while, in pleasant weather, a number stood abroad around the doors and windows.

Of the printed sermons of Mr. Stearns, two were on 1 John iv: 8,—"God is love." These were preached in Exeter, and printed after his death, at the request, made to him in his last sickness, of Hon. John Phillips, for the use of the members of the Academy. Another was on early piety, with a brief memoir of Samuel Lawrence, preached Sept. 19, 1779. Another was a Fast sermon.

Mr. Stearns married first, Sarah Abbot of Andover. They had three sons and three daughters. One of the sons was John Stearns, Esq., of Deerfield,[Pg 45] N. H. Mrs. Stearns died in November, 1766. In September, 1767, he married Sarah Ruggles, daughter of Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, who was a grandson of Rev. John Woodbridge of Andover, and great-grandson of Gov. Thomas Dudley. By the second marriage, also, Mr. Stearns had three sons and three daughters.

Rev. Samuel Stearns, son of Rev. Josiah Stearns, by his second marriage, was born in Epping, April 8, 1770; graduated at H. U. 1794; studied theology with Rev. Jonathan French of Andover; and was ordained in Bedford, Ms., April 27, 1795, where he died, Dec. 26, 1834, aged 65. He married Abigail, daughter of Rev. Mr. French of Andover. She was a descendant from John Alden, one of the first Pilgrims, who is said by some to have been the first person, who leaped upon the rock at Plymouth, New England, in 1620. Rev. Mr. Stearns of Bedford lived to see three of his sons settled in the ministry. Rev. Samuel Horatio Stearns, ordained over the Old South Church in Boston, Ms., April 16, 1834, died in Paris, France, July 15, 1837. His remains were brought to his native country, and rest in Mount Auburn Cemetery. Rev. William Augustus Stearns, ordained at Cambridgeport, Dec. 14, 1831, married Rebecca Alden Frazer of Duxbury. Rev. Jonathan French Stearns was ordained pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Newburyport, Sept. 16, 1835. He married first, Joanna Chaplin, daughter of Dr. James Prescott Chaplin of Cambridgeport. He married secondly, Anna S. Prentiss of Portland, Me. Sarah Caroline, a daughter of Rev. Mr. Stearns of Bedford, married Rev. Forest Jefferds, who was ordained at Epping, and afterwards installed at Middleton, Ms. Charlotte Esther, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns, married Rev. Jonathan Leavitt. He was ordained at Bedford, and afterwards installed at Providence, R. I. Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, son of Dea. William Stearns and grandson of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping, was ordained at Dennysville, Me., Nov. 6, 1844, and married Eliza Kilby, daughter of John Kilby, Esq., of that place. The mother of Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, who was, before marriage, Abigail Richards Howe of Templeton, Ms., was a descendant of John Alden of Pilgrim memory.

Rev. Peter Holt, third pastor at Epping, was son of Joshua Holt, Esq., whose brother, Rev. Nathan Holt, was pastor of the second Church in Danvers, Ms. Rev. Peter Holt studied theology with Rev. Mr. French of Andover. He was installed over the Presbyterian church in Peterborough, March 7, 1827; resigned April, 1835; preached in Deering from 1835 to 1841. See notices of Mr. Holt by Rev. Mr. Whiton, in the N. H. Repository, Vol. I. No. 3. Rev. Mr. Holt of Epping married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathan Holt. They had seven children. Two survive, Sarah and Mary; the first of these married Samuel Endicott of Beverly. Nathan died at Epping, in his 12th year, of whom there is an obituary in the Piscataqua Evan. Mag. Vol. IV. p. 36. The family of Mr. Holt is traced to Nicholas Holt, who came from England to Newbury, in 1635, removed to Andover, and was one of the ten males who founded the church there in 1645. [Coffin's History of Newbury; Abbot's History of Andover; Farmer's Genealogical Register.]

Rev. Forest Jefferds, who succeeded Mr. Holt, was son of Samuel, who was the son of Samuel, who was the son of Rev. Samuel Jefferds of Wells, Me., whose father emigrated from England to Salem, Ms. Rev. Samuel Jefferds was favored with a revival of religion in Wells, in 1741-2, and was one of the attestors by letter to "the happy revival of religion in many parts of the land." [Tracy's Hist. Great Awak., p. 295.] Rev. Forest Jefferds received his classical and theological education at the Theological Seminary, Bangor, graduated 1825, was installed at Middleton, Ms., May 2, 1832, resigned May 15, 1844. Mr. Jefferds married Sarah Caroline, daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns of Bedford.

Rev. Calvin Chapman was next ordained in Epping. A new house of worship had been erected, which was dedicated in connection with the services of his ordination. He graduated at Andover Theological Seminary, 1842, married Lucy B. Emerson of Parsonsfield, Me. Mr. Chapman is now settled at Sacarappa, Me.

Rev. Mr. Corser was a son of David Corser of Boscawen, who was a son of[Pg 46] John, and grandson of John of Newbury, Ms., who emigrated to this country from Scotland, about the year 1690. John, with David his son, removed from Newbury to Boscawen, in the early settlement of the town, and purchased the whole of that tract of land, which, from their name, is called Corser's Hill. Mr. Corser studied divinity with Rev. Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, and was ordained in Loudon, March 5, 1817. He was dismissed from his charge Sept. 20, 1838. He preached as a supply at Northfield and Plymouth, till 1845. Since then he has supplied at Epping, where he now resides. His son, Samuel B. G. Corser, graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1841.

(To be continued.)

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES FROM NORWICH, CT.

The following is supposed to be a correct list of the Missionaries that have gone out from Norwich. About twenty of them were natives, and the others were for a considerable period residents of the town, before entering upon the duties of the missionary. Two of them, it will be seen, belong to an earlier period than the organization of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. One is attached to a Methodist Mission; one is an Episcopal clergyman in the employ of the Colonization Society, and twenty-four have been in the service of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

"To send an uneducated child into the world," says Paley, "is little better than to turn out a mad dog or a wild beast into the streets."

Mothers and schoolmasters plant the seeds of nearly all the good and evil which exist in our world. Its reformation must, therefore, be begun in nurseries, and schools.—Dr. Rush.

[Pg 47]

THE PASSENGERS OF THE MAY FLOWER IN 1620.

BY NATHANIEL BRADSTREET SHURTLEFF, M. D.

As early as the year 1602, several religious people residing near the joining borders of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, together with their pious ministers, being grievously oppressed by courts and canons, resolved to shake off the yoke of antichristian bondage, and, as the Lord's free people, to form themselves by covenant into a church-state, to walk in all his ways according to their best knowledge and endeavors, cost them whatever it might.

In the year 1606, by reason of the distance of their habitations, these people were obliged to assemble in two places and become two distinct churches; over one of which Mr. John Smith was established pastor, and among the others were Mr. Richard Clifton and Mr. John Robinson, two very excellent and worthy preachers.

In the fall of 1607, Mr. Clifton and many of his church, being extremely harassed, removed themselves and families to Holland, where, in the spring of 1608, they were followed by Mr. Robinson and the rest. They settled first at Amsterdam, where they remained a year; but finding that Mr. Smith's church, which was there before them, had fallen into contention with others, they, valuing peace and spiritual comfort above other riches, removed with Mr. Robinson, their pastor, to Leyden, Mr. Clifton remaining in Amsterdam, where he soon died.

Soon after their arrival in Leyden, they chose Mr. William Brewster to assist the pastor, as Elder of the Church. In their new place of abode they lived in love and harmony with each other, and on friendly terms of intercourse with their neighbors, till they removed to America.

By the year 1610, many had come over to them from various parts of England, and they had increased and become a great congregation.

In 1617, Mr. Robinson and his church began to think of emigrating to America; and, as a preparatory step, sent Mr. Robert Cushman and Mr. John Carver from Leyden over to England, to treat with the Virginia Company, and also to see if the King would grant them the liberty of conscience there, which was refused them in the land of their birth. Although the agents were not able to obtain from the King their suit for liberty in religion under the broad seal, as was desired, nevertheless, they prevailed so far as to gain the connivance of the King that he would not molest them, provided they carried themselves peaceably. In 1618, the agents returned to Leyden, to the great discouragement of the people who sent them; who, notwithstanding, resolved, in 1619, to send again two agents to agree with the Virginia Company; and at this time they sent Mr. Cushman a second time, and with him Mr. William Bradford, who, after long attendance, obtained the patent granted by the Company to Mr. John Wincob, which was never used.

Notwithstanding all these troubles, so strong was their resolution to quit Leyden and settle in America, that they entered into an arrangement with Mr. Thomas Weston, a merchant of London, for their transportation, and sent Mr. Carver and Mr. Cushman to England, to receive the money of Mr. Weston, to assist in their transportation, and[Pg 48] to provide for the voyage. By direction, Mr. Cushman went to London and Mr. Carver to Southampton, where they finally joined with Mr. William Martin, who had been chosen to assist them.

A vessel of sixty tons, called the Speedwell, was bought and fitted in Holland, to be used in their transportation, and was designed to be kept for use in their new country. Mr. Cushman, in June, 1620, also hired at London the renowned May Flower, a vessel of ninescore tons, and also Mr. Clarke, the pilot.

Mr. Cushman, having procured the May Flower at London, and fitted it for the voyage, proceeded in it to Southampton, where he and Captain Jones, together with the other agents, remained seven days, until the arrival of the Pilgrims who left Leyden in July, embarking from Delft Haven.

On the 5th of August, both vessels, the May Flower, Capt. Jones, and the Speedwell, Capt. Reinolds, set sail from Southampton. The small vessel proving leaky, they both put in to Dartmouth about the 13th of August, where they remained till the 21st, when they set sail again. Both vessels were obliged to return a second time on account of the leakage of the Speedwell; and this time they put back to Plymouth, where they gave up the small vessel and dismissed those who were willing to return to London, Mr. Cushman and his family returning with them.

On the 6th of September, their number then consisting of one hundred persons, they made their final start, and arrived at Cape Cod on the eleventh day of November, when they signed the famous compact, and landed at Plymouth, in America, on the eleventh day of December, Old Style, or on the twenty-first of December, New Style, in the year 1620.

During their passage, one only died, William Butten, a young man, servant to Mr. Samuel Fuller, the physician of the new colony, who was included in Mr. Fuller's family, according to Governor Bradford, although dead at the time of the signing of the compact.

One person was born during the passage, Oceanus Hopkins, a son of Mr. Stephen Hopkins, who did not survive long after the landing.

At the commencement of the voyage, the number of passengers of the May Flower was one hundred, and at the time of the arrival at Cape Cod Harbor it was the same; one having died, and one having been born, thus preserving the integrity of the number. Both of these persons, however, are numbered among the passengers, and hence the number is generally stated as one hundred and one.

Peregrine White, son of Mr. William White, was born in Cape Cod Harbor, in November, after the signing of the compact and before the landing, and is not included with the voyagers. He enjoyed the distinction of being the first born white child in New England, of the Leyden Pilgrims.

The first child born after the landing on the twenty-second day of December, 1620, was a son of Mr. Isaac Allerton, but it did not survive its birth.

The May Flower has already been stated to have been a vessel of about ninescore tons, and was procured at London by Mr. Robert Cushman, who was debarred the privilege of coming over with the infant colonists, as it was necessary that he should remain in England, to keep together those who were left behind, and to provide for their[Pg 49] future emigration, as he had done for that of those of the first passage. This he did by procuring the Fortune, and sailing from London in July, 1621, and arriving in New England on the 9th of November of the same year. It is also highly probable that he obtained the other early vessels, as he continued to be the agent of the Pilgrims till his death, which occurred in England, just as he was ready to come to spend the rest of his days in New England. In 1624, when the first division of land for continuance took place, Mr. Cushman, although in England, was placed at the head of the list of those who came in the May Flower; an act of justice alike creditable to our forefathers and honorable to him.

The May Flower not only brought over the first of the Leyden Pilgrims, but also, in the year 1629, with four other vessels, transported Mr. Higginson and his company to Salem; and in 1630, was one of the fleet which conveyed to New England Mr. Winthrop and the early settlers of the Massachusetts Colony.

A vessel bearing this name was owned in England about fifteen years or more before the voyage of our forefathers; but it would be impossible to prove or disprove its identity with the renowned May Flower, however great such a probability might be. It is known, nevertheless, that this identical famous vessel afterwards hailed from various English ports, such as London, Yarmouth, and Southampton, and that it was much used in transporting emigrants to this country. What eventually became of it, and what was the end of its career, are equally unknown to history.

The following list of passengers is made up from various sources. By referring to the list of those who signed the compact at Cape Cod, taken from Governor Bradford's folio manuscript, we know who signed the compact, and the number of persons in the family of each; who of the signers brought wives, and who died the first winter. By the pocket-book of Governor Bradford we know the names and dates of the deaths of sixteen who died the first season, and how many died before the arrival of the Fortune, on the 9th of November, 1621. By an examination of the Old Colony Records, we know to whom land was assigned in 1624, and what families were extinct at that time; and, as the families were arranged according to the vessel in which they came, and an acre was granted to each individual, we know how many were at that time in each family. Smith has also told us that none of the first planters died during the three years preceding the close of the year 1624. By the division of cattle, in the year 1627, a record of which was made at Plymouth, we know every individual who was living at that date, and the relative age of each person in every family. By wills, records, and gravestones, we know the ages of many of the Pilgrims and their children.

From such materials, and with such authorities, the following table has been constructed; and it is believed, that, although there is a possibility of the existence of small errors which can never be proved, the list is entirely or very nearly correct.

In order to save space and unnecessary printing, and to exhibit more readily for reference some of the most important facts, the following distinctive marks are made use of.

Those who signed the compact at Cape Cod, on the 11th of November, 1620, are in capitals.

[Pg 50]

The number in each family is indicated by the Arabic numeral.

Those who brought their wives have this mark, †.

Those who left them for a time in Holland or England are thus distinguished, ‡.

Those who died before the arrival of the Fortune on the 9th of November, 1621, have an asterisk, *.

Those who died before the division of cattle in 1627, are in italics.

The dates of those who died the first season are given as taken from Bradford's pocket-book.

The number of deaths of the first planters that occurred from the time the May Flower left England, to the year 1625, may be thus enumerated:—

In the division of land in 1624, Henry Samson and Humilitie Cooper had land assigned them among those who came in the May Flower, and for this reason they have been generally believed to have been among the passengers of that vessel. If such is the case they can be placed in the family of Mr. Carver better than that of any other. But, as Mr. Cushman is also placed on that list, it may be reasonably inferred that others were put there for some other reasons, as perhaps Samson and Cooper, who are therefore excluded in this account.

John Goodman is marked in Bradford's manuscript as among those who died the first season. But as his name occurs among those who[Pg 53] had garden lots in 1620, and also in the division of land in 1623, it must be inferred that he was marked by mistake, or else Mr. Prince committed an error in taking his copy for the Annals.

Three of the wives of the signers were left in Europe; namely, Bridgett, the wife of Dr. Samuel Fuller, Hester, the wife of Francis Cooke, and Elizabeth, the wife of Richard Warren. These afterwards came over in the Ann, in 1623.

Five lost their wives and married again; namely, William Bradford, who married widow Alice Southworth; Edward Winslow, who married widow Susanna White; Isaac Allerton, who married Fear Brewster, and afterwards, Joanna ——; Miles Standish, who married Barbara ----; and Francis Eaton, who married Christian Penn.

Others were married for the first time; namely, John Howland and Elizabeth Carver; George Soule and Mary; Love Brewster and Sarah Collier; John Alden and Priscilla Mullins; Resolved White and Judith Vassal; Giles Hopkins and Catherine Wheldon; Edward Dotey and Faith Clarke; John Cooke and Sarah Warren; Samuel Eaton and Martha Billington.

Several of the Pilgrims had children born in New England, an account of whom may form another article at some future time.

MAJOR PENDLETON'S LETTER.

Copy of a letter from Major Brian Pendleton to the "Honored Governor and Counsell for the Matacusets at Boston," occasioned by the attack of the Indians on Casco, Me.

CAPT. MILES STANDISH'S INVENTORY OF BOOKS.

The following books are mentioned in the Inventory of the goods of Capt. Miles Standish, as they were shewn to the Appraisers, John Alden and James Cudworth, Dec. 2, 1656. The account is here given as found in the Inventory.

NOTICES OF THE COURTS OF JUDICATURE AND OF THE BAR OF THE COUNTY OF MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

BY STEPHEN COLBY BADGER, ESQ., OF CONCORD.[25]

The History of the Courts in New Hampshire, including an account of the various systems of Judicature from time to time, has been published in an article contained in the American Quarterly Register, Vol. XII., prepared by Francis Cogswell, Esq., of Dover, and in Articles contained in the New Hampshire Repository, Vols. I. and II., prepared by William Butterfield, Esq., of Gilmanton, Hon. Samuel D. Bell of Manchester, and the Hon. John Kelly of Exeter, N. H. Nothing further need be said on this subject.

The County of Merrimack, by an act of the Legislature, passed in 1823, was formed from the Counties of Hillsborough and Rockingham, with the exception of a part of the town of Franklin, which was taken from Sanbornton, then in Stratford County, now in the County of Belknap. It contains twenty-four towns.

The Counties of Hillsborough and Merrimack compose the Second Judicial District for the transaction of business of the Superior Court, and Courts are held annually at Concord on the second Tuesday of July, and at Amherst on the second Tuesday of December.

The following list of Judges, County Officers and Members of the Bar, include those who resided within the limits of the County of Merrimack before its formation, and also those who have resided within the County since it was formed.

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(To be concluded.)

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF DECEASED PHYSICIANS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BY EBENEZER ALDEN, M. D.

To the Editor of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.

1.—DR. ERASTUS SERGEANT, SENIOR, OF STOCKBRIDGE.

The following Notice of a distinguished physician and worthy man is copied, with little alteration, from a letter addressed to myself by Dr. Oliver Partridge, in December, 1841, when he was over ninety years of age.

Dr. Erastus Sergeant was born at Stockbridge, August 7, 1742, and died November 14, 1814, aged 72.

He was the son of Rev. John Sergeant, the first missionary to the Indians on the Housatonic River, who was born in Newark, N. J., in 1710; graduated at Yale College in 1729; was there a Tutor four years, and, having a great desire to be a missionary to the Aborigines, went to Litchfield, in 1733, where some English people had settled; procured a guide and went on foot forty miles further through the wilderness, to the Indians, where he met a cordial reception. He then returned to New Haven, resigned his[Pg 61] Tutorship, and, having made the necessary preparations, went back in 1734, and commenced his mission.

In 1735 Gov. Dudley appointed a meeting of the Indians on business at Deerfield, where the Rev. John Sergeant was ordained as their minister, and he with Mr. Timothy Woodbridge as schoolmaster, (afterwards Hon. Timothy W.,) went to spend their lives with the Indians.

The Rev. Mr. Sergeant married Abigail, the daughter of Col. Ephraim Williams, of Newton, near Boston, one of the chosen six who had farms allotted them across our pleasant hill, to be society for the two missionaries.

Mr. Sergeant died in 1749, in the midst of his usefulness, a most amiable man and greatly lamented. He left three children: Erastus, the subject of this memoir; Electa, who married Col. Mark Hopkins of Great Barrington, and was grandmother to the two brothers, Mark and Albert Hopkins, the former the President and the latter a Professor at Williams College; and John, the fourth missionary to the said Indians, who removed with them in 1788, then being about four hundred and fifty in number, to Oneida County, N. Y., and there died.

Their mother married for her second husband, Gen. Joseph Dwight of Great Barrington, who then had five children, and by her he had two more, from whom our Dwights and Sedgwicks are descended,—and their mother became again a widow.

Notwithstanding the difficulties of the war with the French and Indians of Canada, and the residing on the frontier with the care of his, hers, and their children, by the influence and assistance of their friends, Erastus was prepared for college, and spent two years at Princeton, N. J., before the circumstances of the family required his return.

In 1761 he went to live with his uncle, Dr. Thomas Williams of Deerfield, and was there about three years in the study and practice of medicine. In January, 1765, he commenced the practice of physic in Stockbridge. The towns in the vicinity were then but partially settled, and not supplied with physicians, so that he soon had much business. Several severe cases of comminuted fracture, successfully treated by him, served to extend his fame, and, in a short time his advice was much sought, and in surgical cases he became the principal operator within a circle of thirty miles diameter; and his usefulness was continued until Dr. Jones and others succeeded him in business.

He was endowed with sound judgment and skill in his profession; was sedate, kind, very charitable and benevolent, with a large share of the Christian graces, and truly was the "beloved physician." More than twenty young men studied medicine under his direction.

It was said of him, that no one ever spoke ill of him from his youth up. He was an important member and deacon in the Rev. Dr. West's church. He received a Master's degree at Yale College in 1784; was elected a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1785; was a Justice of the Peace, and a Major in the[Pg 62] South Regiment of the County; and was obliged to keep garrison with the Regiment at Lake Champlain, from December, 1776, to April, 1777, and to perform other services in troublesome times, until Burgoyne's surrender.

Some years before his death he was afflicted with symptoms of pulmonary disease, which were much aggravated by his incessant attention to his daughter, who died of consumption. In September of 1814 he visited the "springs," in company with Dr. Partridge, without benefit, indeed, to his injury; for it was with difficulty that he returned, on account of his increasing weakness. The day before his death, he had so far recruited that he rode to Lee on horseback, visited his son's family, and returned, not complaining of fatigue. The day he died, he was abroad in the morning. Dr. Partridge adds, "Two friends called on us from New York, and as we sat at dinner, in social conversation, Dr. Sergeant suddenly rose, and a stream of blood issued from his mouth. I instantly sprang to him, and he fell lifeless into my arms, without a gasp. Thus expired my dear friend, under whose roof I had resided from my twentieth year, then forty three and a half years, and more than forty of them harmoniously visiting each other's patients, as necessary to their satisfaction and our accommodation."

Dr. P. adds, "natus fui, April 15, 1751."

II.—DR. HORATIO JONES OF STOCKBRIDGE.

This able and distinguished physician, the pupil and associate of Dr. Sergeant, (No. I.,) was the son of Capt. Josiah Jones, and grandson of Mr. Josiah Jones, who, in 1737, emigrated from Weston with Col. Ephraim Williams of Newton, and settled with their families in Stockbridge. This sacrifice they cheerfully made, with the benevolent intention of aiding the mission, then recently commenced among the Housatonic Indians.

Dr. Jones was born at Stockbridge, in 1770. In early youth he manifested the same energy and decision of character for which he was so much distinguished in riper years. Having commenced his collegiate education at Yale College with flattering prospects; and, perhaps, in his ambition to excel, pursuing his studies with an intensity of application disproportionate to his power of endurance, his health became impaired, and he was attacked with a disease in his eyes, which threatened a total loss of sight. In these circumstances, in accordance with the recommendation of his medical advisers, he for a time entirely relinquished his literary pursuits.

Instead of yielding to hopeless despondency, however, he determined to pursue an active life; and substituting a knapsack for his classics, he went with a company of surveyors to the Genesee country, New York, to assist in laying out lands. He was thus exposed to all the hardships incident to that mode of life, camping out in the wilderness, living upon the coarsest fare, and not unfrequently making a hollow log his lodging place for the night.

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In due time he recovered his health and sight, and once more resumed his studies, but not at college. Placing himself under the instruction of Dr. Sergeant in his native town, he completed the usual term of medical pupilage. At a subsequent period he attended a course of medical lectures at Philadelphia.

He first commenced the practice of his profession at Pittsfield, where he was much respected. But at length finding, as he expressed it, that there were more physicians than business in that place, he determined to remove. His decision being known to Dr. Sergeant, then advancing in life, who was desirous of finding some suitable person to take his place as an operating surgeon, he with his friend Dr. Partridge earnestly solicited Dr. Jones to settle in Stockbridge. With this invitation he eventually complied, and while he lived, the medical intercourse of the three physicians was most harmonious.

Under these auspices he was soon introduced into a wide circle of business, not only in Stockbridge, but in all the neighboring towns. His reputation was not ephemeral, but constantly increased, as he advanced in life; and his advice was much sought and highly appreciated by his medical brethren. In 1804 he was elected a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and in 1810 received from Williams College the honorary degree of M. A.

Such was Dr. Jones,—a man possessed of rare endowments, and eminent in his profession. In the language of Dr. Partridge, from whom most of the facts relating to him have been obtained, "he was a good operator in surgery, active, pleasant, social, very popular, and indefatigable by night and by day to give relief in cases of distress and danger."

In the winter of 1812-13, an alarming and fatal epidemic prevailed extensively in New England. During its prevalence, Dr. Jones was incessantly occupied in attendance upon the sick. At length the fears of his friends respecting him were realized. He was suddenly prostrated, and, after an illness of only eight days, he died, April 26, 1813, aged 43 years.

His funeral was attended by a great concourse of persons from Stockbridge and the adjoining towns. The Rev. Dr. Hyde of Lee, who preached his funeral sermon, from Job xix: 21, speaks of his death as a public calamity. "Rarely," says he, "has the town, or even the county, experienced a greater shock in the death of a citizen. His removal in the midst of his usefulness is an unspeakable loss to the community."

His death is represented to have been eminently peaceful. Although he had not made a public profession of his faith, he experienced a great change in his religious feelings during the winter preceding his death. He gave to those who best knew him, satisfactory evidence of piety.

In his intercourse with his medical brethren, he was courteous and unassuming. All the duties of domestic and social life he discharged with fidelity and acceptance. His mind was well bal[Pg 64]anced and highly cultivated. He sympathized in the most unaffected manner with the sick who sought his aid, and by his kindness and gentleness alleviated the sufferings and won the affections of his patients, even in those cases where medical and surgical skill could afford only a temporary and partial relief.

Extracts from the sermon of Dr. Hyde were published in the tenth volume of the Panoplist; also, an interesting notice of his death and character, by Rev. Jared Curtis, in the Farmer's Herald. See also a memoir recently prepared and published by Dr. S. S. Williams, in his Medical Biography, a work which cannot fail to interest the medical reader, and is an able sequel to the volumes of the late Dr. Thatcher on the same subject.

III.—DR. ANDREW MACKIE OF WAREHAM.

Dr. Mackie was the son of Dr. John Mackie, who came from Scotland, and settled at Southampton, L. I. He was born at Southampton in 1742; studied medicine with his father, and settled as a physician at Wareham, Ms., where, for many years, he had an extensive practice in medicine and surgery. He also had the reputation of having been unusually successful in the treatment of the smallpox.

He was a devoted and active Christian, a member of the church, and for many years he sustained the office of a deacon.

He had ten children, of whom four sons and three daughters lived to adult age. Three of his sons studied medicine. 1. John, who graduated at Brown University in 1800, received the degree of M. D., and settled at Providence, R. I., where he died, in February, 1833, at the age of 52 years. He was eminent as a surgeon. 2. Peter, a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society, now a physician at Wareham. 3. Andrew, from whom the above-named facts were obtained, born in 1799, graduated at Brown University, 1814, and received the degree of M. D., 1817. He first settled at Plymouth, but is now a physician of good reputation in New Bedford, and is a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Dr. Mackie, the particular subject of this notice, died at Wareham, of a pulmonary disease, April, 1817, aged 75.

JOHN LEVERETT, WILLIAM BRATTLE AND JAMES OLIVER.

These three distinguished scholars of New England were all born in Boston, educated at the same school, admitted into Harvard College the same year, took their degrees at the same time, [1680,] all settled in Cambridge, one an attorney at law, one a clergyman, and the other a physician, and all eminent in their professions. The first two were Fellows of the Royal Society in England.

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EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF HON. WILLIAM CRANCH OF WASHINGTON, D. C.

The following is an extract from a letter of Judge Cranch to the Editor.

"Among some old papers of my father, I found a letter from the Rev. William Clark, dated Quincy, Aug. 10, 1803, in which he says, 'Mr. William Winthrop of Cambridge has, for some time past, been engaged in a pursuit rather extraordinary, viz., to investigate the following particulars of every one who has received a degree at Harvard College, from the first foundation of that University in 1648 to the present time; viz., the origination or where born, his professional business or employment, his place of residence, time of his death and age; also any thing remarkable in their lives and characters; where such matters can be ascertained.' Again, Mr. Clark says, 'In his (Mr. Winthrop's) next letter he opened his design to me; and with respect to the clergy in particular, when the Catalogue was printed in 1797, the whole number of graduates then being 3533, of which number those who had been, or then were, settled ministers of the Gospel amounted to 1121; of this number, he informed me he had ascertained the places of settlement, and other particulars of 1117, so that there were but 4 remaining unascertained, viz., John Mors, 1692—Joseph Gerrish, 1700—Noyes Paris, 1721—of these 2 last, however, he gives some proof, that he was not wholly destitute of some intelligence about them. But what is most surprising was, that of the 4 above mentioned unascertained persons, myself brought up the rear! He had never heard where I officiated before the revolution, though it was no further from him than Dedham, where I lived ten years!—I wrote him fully of myself, and various others, whom he has since desired information of; only there were 2 of the last mentioned, that I knew very little about, whose names I mentioned to you: viz., whether Cornelius Nye, who graduated in 1718, was not the same person who was a schoolmaster in Braintree, and who was somewhat distinguished for his witty talents? If so, did he ever pursue any other employment than keeping school? Shepard Fisk, who graduated in 1721, and lived at Braintree, his employment, decease and age? If you could without inconvenience to yourself, collect any thing certain of these 2 persons, or either of them, and put it in writing and send it to me, it would be thankfully received. I expect to have occasion to write to Mr. Winthrop shortly, and should be happy to transmit any thing so agreeable to him, as any discovery of this kind, whose mind seems to be intensely fixed on this pursuit.'

"Mr. Clark afterwards sent to my father the following extracts from Mr. Winthrop's letter to him, dated Oct. 10, 1803.

"'I feel myself greatly obliged to you, as well as to Judge Cranch, (Judge Richard Cranch,) for the information contained in your last letter with its inclosures. I have long since heard of that gentleman's researches into the antiquities of this country, and conclude he must be possessed of a large fund of information upon that subject. Is there no way that I can avail myself of it to promote my plan?

"'Finding by your letter that you suppose that Mr. Sheppard, who was settled at Cambridge, and who was an eminent minister in that day, was the same that graduated in 1653, I inclose you some memorandums respecting that family, which may, perhaps, be gratifying to the Judge as well as to yourself.'

"The postscript is in these words:—'I will thank you to present my respects to Judge Cranch, when you have a convenient opportunity, and inform him that I feel myself under great obligations to him for his information respecting Messrs. Nye and Fiske; and that any further communications he will please to make to me, I shall most gratefully acknowledge.'"

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LETTER FROM REV. JOHN WALROND OF OTTERY, ENG., TO REV. WILLIAM WALDRON, MINISTER OF BOSTON, AND BROTHER OF SECRETARY WALDRON.

Ottery, March 8, 1725-6.
"Rev. and dear Sir,

It was a very pleasant surprise to me to receive a Letter from you, who no doubt are of the same Name and Family with myself, tho' a letter in it be transposed, and who by Dr. Mather's Character of you, are not the least in your Father's House.

I have made some Enquiry about the Somersetshire Branch of our Family, from whence you are descended, but cannot exactly determine, tho' I am apt to think it must be from one of those two Gentlemen, of which, one was Walrond, of Illbrewers who had about five hundred Pounds pr. Annum or more, and the other Walrond of Saye, of about the same Value, and I think both of them Justices of the Peace, in that County, one of them I am sure was so, viz., the former; both of them degenerated into looseness of Living in Charles 2ds Reign, and both ruined their Estates and dyed poor, above twenty years since. Walrond of Illbrewers was a great persecutor of the Dissenters, but in the conclusion wanted bread.

There is an honest family of about a hundred Pounds pr. annum, still living at Wellington, in Somerset, very excellent Men, great supports of Religion, and one of the Brothers ab^t your Age, a very good young Minister, living now in Dorsetshire.

The Head of all our Family still remains in a good Estate, about a thousand Pounds pr. Annum, from whom I am the second Generation. The seat is called Bradfield in Devon.

It was granted by the Crown, about six hundred years since, to one Richard Walerand, and has continued in the Family to this Day; The last Gentleman that dyed was a very pious good Man, about eighty years of Age and an excellent Magistrate in his Country, that could at any time lead three hundred Freeholders, to the Election of a Shire Knight; but his son is degenerate and very wicked: I conversed much with the old Gentleman, but this is no Friend to my Profession.

Another Branch sprung from Bradfield House in this county (beside those two families in Somerset before mentioned) which is seated at Bovey, in the East of Devon, which Branch sprang from its Root about 340 years since, and now inherits at least, a thousand Pounds per Annum; This also has degenerated and become like other Gentlemen in England: For Religion indeed, is almost quite gone, out of the Familys of the Gentry, by Means of a loose and licentious Clergy.

I never could find any of our Name, in all England, but in the Western Counties, and from thence, a Family went, as Merchants to Barbadoes, grew rich, and was in the Government there; and the last Gentleman a Batchelor seated himself at Greenwich near London, was morally honest and very charitable, but having a great loss in the South Sea, of almost all his Money could not bear it, but shot himself in the Head.

Our Coat of Arms, is three Bulls Heads, as you'l see by my seal on this Letter, But Stemata quid faciunt?

I find our Name in Skinner's Etymologicon Linguæ Anglicanæ; toward the end of which Book, in his Onomastichon, he has the word Walarand, olim Praenomen nunc Cognomen ab Anglo Sax Walpian, volvere, et Rand, Scutum, volvere scutum, i. c., qui Clypeum huc illuc circumagit. Waldron autem cognomen contractum est a Walarand. I have transcribed what he says lest the Book should not be common with you. I wish you had let me know into what Family your Grandfather married, for that might perhaps have given Light into the Enquiry; however I will examine farther, and take the first opportunity to inform you, as I can get Intelligence; but I know of no male Posterity left of the two Somersetshire Familys that I mentioned above.

I am much pleased with your Correspondence, and shall at any time be obliged by Letters from you, * * * send, by a worthy good Man, Capt. * * * who carries this (as I hope he will) from the * * * Exeter to Boston. As to any Ecclesiastical Informations I must refer you to Dr. Mather's Letter which encloses this. May the Lord of the Harvest prosper you and make you a burning and a shining Light. You and I are of one Family, Faith and Profession. Let us particularly pray for each other, tho' we should never see each others face on Earth. Oh that the God of all Grace, may excite us both, to work the Works, of him that sent us while it is Day, that we may have a comfortable Requiem, from our Labors at last, and be accepted, when our Lord shall come, with which I conclude.

Dear Sir, Your affect: Kinsman and Serv't,
"To the Rev. Mr. William Waldron, John Walrond."
Minister in Boston."

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A Family Record on this plan may be extended so as to include two, three, or more families, and contain all the births, marriages and deaths which have happened, up to the date of its formation. The figures in the first column denote the year of birth, marriage, or death; the other columns show the ages of every individual at the time of any birth, marriage, or death, of every other individual comprehended within the limits of the Table.

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GENEALOGIES.
CHASE FAMILY.

PREPARED BY JOSHUA COFFIN, M. A.

Among the early settlers of New England, were three persons by the name of Chase; namely, William, Thomas, and Aquila. The first settled in Yarmouth, and there died, in 1659, leaving two sons, Benjamin and William. The last two were certainly brothers, as appears from a deed given in 1667 by Aquila to "the sons of his brother Thomas." The name is found in various places in English history, from the time of William the Conqueror to the present time. Thus, we find in 1326 a family of that name in Suffolk; a Thomas Chase, who was barbarously murdered in 1506; a Sir Robert Chase, Knight, in the West of England, 1628; a Sir John Chase in Exeter, prior to 1637; a John Chase, Esq., Apothecary to Queen Anne, 1690, &c. See Magna Britannia, Lysson's London, Polwheles' Devonshire, and other works.

1. Thomas,² b. 1643, d. a bachelor, Oct. 23, 1714.
2. Joseph,² b. 1645, m. Rachel Partridge, Jan. 31, 1671, d. Jan. 12, 1718.
3. Isaac,² b. 1647, m. Mary Perkins of Hampton, d. May 9, 1727.
4. James,² b. 1649, m. Elizabeth Green, Sept. 2, 1675, and d. ——.
5. Abraham, b. 1651, was not married, and "was slaine in y^e warres," 1676. Elizabeth, the widow of Thomas¹ Chase, married John Garland, Oct. 26, 1654, who died Jan. 4, 1671. She then married Judge Henry Roby, Feb. 19, 1674, and died Feb. 11, 1677.

The children of Joseph² and Rachel Chase were as follows:

1. Hannah,³ b. June 5, 1672, d. June 10, 1674.
2. Elizabeth,³ b. March 11, 1674, d. Sept. 8, 1675.
3. Jonathan,³ b. March 14, 1676, and drowned, Feb. 1, 1696.
4. Anne,³ b. Jan. 11, 1677, m. —— Sinkler.
5. Elizabeth,³ b. Feb. 14, 1685, m. Benjamin Hilliard.
6. Rachel,³ b. April 27, 1687, m. Jacob Freeze.

The children of Isaac² and Mary were as follows:

1. Thomas,³ b. 1677.
2. Rachel,³ b. 1678.
3. Isaac,³ b. 1681.
4. Abraham,³ b. 1683.
5. Mary,³ b. 1687.
6. James,³ b. 1688.
7. Joseph,³ b. 1689, m. Lydia Coffin, 1714.
8. Jonathan,³ b. 1691.
9. Hannah,³ b. 1693.
10. Sarah,³ b. 1695.
11. Priscilla,³ b. 1697.
12. Elizabeth,³ b. 1703, d. 1719. [Pg 69]

The children of James² and Elizabeth Chase were as follows:

1. Abigail,³ b. Aug. 27, 1681, m. John Chase[26] of Newbury.
2. Dorothy,³ b. March 17, 1686, m. John Chapman, March 16, 1705.
3. Mary,³ b. Feb. 8, 1688.

1. Sarah,² b. ——, m. Charles Annis, May 15, 1666.
2. Anne,² b. July 6, 1647, m. Thomas Barber, April 27, 1671.
3. Priscilla,² b. March 14, 1649, m. Abel Merrill, Feb. 10, 1670.
4. Mary,² b. Feb. 3, 1651, m. John Stevens, March 9, 1669.
5. Aquila,² b. Sept. 26, 1652, m. Esther Bond, ab. 1673.
6. Thomas,² b. July 25, 1654, m. Rebecca Follansbee, Nov. 22, 1677.
7. John,² b. Nov. 2, 1654, m. Elizabeth Bingley, May 23, 1677.
8. Elizabeth,² b. Sept. 13, 1657.
9. Ruth,² b. March 18, 1660, d. May 30, 1676.
10. Daniel,² b. Dec. 9, 1661, m. Martha Kimball, Aug. 25, 1683.
11. Moses,² b. Dec. 24, 1663, m. Anne Follansbee, Nov. 10, 1684.

The children of Aquila² and Esther Chase were as follows:

1. Esther,³ b. Nov. 18, 1674, m. Daniel Merrill.
2. Joseph,³ b. March 25, 1677, m. Abigail Thurston, Nov. 8, 1699.
3. Priscilla,³ b. Oct. 15, 1681, m. Joseph Hills, 1704.
4. Jemima,³ b. ——, a spinster.
5. Rebecca,³ b. ——, m. Jonathan Moulton, Dec. 5, 1716.
6. Anne,³ b. ——, m. Abraham Foulsham, Oct. 27, 1703.
7. Hannah,³ b. ——, m. Joseph Hoyt.
8. Abigail,³ b. ——, m. Joseph Robinson.

The children of Thomas² and Rebecca Chase were as follows:

1. Thomas,³ b. Sept. 15, 1680, m. Sara ——.
2. Jonathan,³ b. Jan. 13, 1683, m. Joanna Palmer, 1703.
3. James,³ b. Sept. 15, 1685, m. Martha Rolfe, Dec. 17, 1707.
4. Aquila,³ b. July 15, 1688, m. Mary Smith, 1712, d. 1714.
5. Ruth,³ b. Feb. 28, 1691, m. Nathaniel Miller of Rehoboth, May 29, 1716.
6. Mary,³ b. Jan. 15, 1695, m. —— Horton.
7. Rebecca,³ b. April 26, 1700, m. Stephen Moulton, Dec. 14, 1721.
8. Judith,³ b. ——, m. —— Horton.
9. Lizza³ b. ——, m. Benjamin Rogers, Aug. 17, 1732.
10. Josiah,³ b. July 15, 1697, d. young.
11. Nathan,³ b. ——, 1702, m. Judith Sawyer, Nov. 29, 1723, then
12. Joanna Cheney, Dec. 30, 1740, and then Ruth Davis, June 9, 1763.
13. Thomas² Chase m. for his second wife Elizabeth Mooers, Aug. 2, 1713.

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The children of John² and Elizabeth Chase were as follows:

1. William,³ b. Jan. 3, 1679.
2. Philip,³ b. Sept. 23, 1688, m. Mary Follansbee, April 17, 1712.
3. Charles,³ b. Jan. 12, 1690, and m. Hepzibah Carr, July 15, 1714.
4. Jacob,³ b. ——, m. Joanna Davis, Aug. 24, 1716.
5. Abraham,³ b, ——, m. Ruth Morse, Nov. 16, 1716.
6. Phebe,³ b. ——, m. —— Tucker.
7. Mary,³ b. ——, m. Joseph Safford, July 30, 1728.
8. Lydia,³ b. ——, m. William Blay, Nov. 5, 1724.
9. Elizabeth,³ b. ——.
10. John,³ b. ——, m. Abigail Chase of Hampton, N. H.
11. John² Chase m. for his second wife Lydia ——.
11. David,³ son of John and Lydia, b. Oct. 20, 1710.

The children of Daniel² and Martha Chase were as follows:

1. Martha,³ b. Aug. 18, 1684, m. David Lawson, Aug. 3, 1716.
2. Sara,³ b. July 18, 1686, m. Francis Danford, Nov. 17, 1714.
3. Dorothy,³ b. Jan. 24, 1689.
4. Isaac,³ b. Jan. 19, 1691, m. Hannah Berry, Oct. 29, 1710.
5. Lydia,³ b. Jan. 19, 1693, m. William Evans, Jan. 30, 1716.
6. Mehetabel,³ b. Jan. 19, 1695, m. Timothy Osgood of Salisbury, Nov. 19, 1715.
7. Judith,³ b. Feb. 19, 1697, m. John Tuttle of Lebanon, 1713.
8. Abner,³ b. Oct. 15, 1699.
9. Daniel,³ b. Oct. 15, 1702, m. Mary Carpenter, Jan., 1723, and for his second wife, Elizabeth Collins of Salisbury, Feb., 1726.
10. Enoch,³ b. ——, m. Judith Colby, 1726.
11. Daniel² d. Feb. 8, 1707. His widow Martha m. Josiah Heath of Haverhill, 1713.

The children of Moses² and Anne Chase were as follows:

1. Twins { Moses,³ b. Sept. 20, 1685, d. young.
2.             { Daniel,³ b. Sept. 20, 1685, m. Sarah March, Jan. 2, 1706.
3. Moses,³ b. Jan. 20, 1688, m. Elizabeth Wells, Oct. 2, 1709.
4. Samuel,³ b. May 13, 1690, m. Hannah Emery, Dec. 8, 1713.
5. Elizabeth,³ b. Sept. 25, 1693.
6. Stephen,³ b. Aug. 29, 1696, m. Sarah Hale, Dec. 1717.
7. Hannah,³ b. Sept. 13, 1699, m. Timothy Jackman, April 9, 1723.
8. Joseph,³ b. Sept. 9, 1703, m. Mary Morss, Sept. 7, 1724.
9. Benoni,³ b. April 5, 1708, m. Mary Rogers, Sept. 4, 1728.
10. Moses² Chase m. for his second wife, Sarah Jacobs of Ipswich, 1713.

The children of John³ and Abigail³ Chase of Hampton were as follows:

1. James,⁴ b. July 28, 1698.
2. Jonathan,⁴ b. Sept. 21, 1700.
3. Elizabeth,⁴ b. April 13, 1703.
4. Elihu,⁴ b. Sept. 7, 1705.
5. John,⁴ b. Sept. 18, 1708, and m. Anna Runlet, March 27, 1729.
6. Hannah,⁴ b. May 10, 1711.

DUDLEY FAMILY.

Thomas Dudley, son of Capt. Roger Dudley, was born in England in 1576; came to New England in 1630; was several years Governor of Massachusetts Colony, and died at Roxbury, July 31, 1653, aged 77. His first wife, or the one who came with him, died in 1643. Samuel, Anne, Patience, and Mercy were probably children by her. He married again before 1645, and had by his second wife five children more. His children by both wives were as follows:

1. Samuel, b. in England, 1606, who was a minister and was m. to Mary Winthrop about 1633, and had children,—
1. Thomas, bapt. March 9, 1634, grad. H. C. 1651, d. Nov. 7, 1655.
2. John, bapt. June 28, 1635.
3. Samuel, bapt. Aug. 2, 1639, d. April, 1643.
4. Anne, b. Oct. 16, 1641, who m. Edward Hilton and had children, Winthrop, Dudley, Joseph, and others.
5. Theophilus, b. Oct., 1644.
6. Mary, b. April 21, 1646, d. Oct. 28, 1646.
7. Biley, b. Sept. 27, 1647.
8. Mary 2nd, b. Jan. 6, 1649.
9. Mary, the 1st wife of Rev. Samuel Dudley, d. at Salisbury, (where the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th children were born,) April 12, 1643. He d. at Exeter before March 20, 1683, a. 77. His settlement in the ministry there was in 1650.
2. Anne, who m. Gov. Simon Bradstreet. She had 8 children and d. Sept. 16, 1672.
3. Patience, who m. Maj. Gen. Denison.
4. Mercy, who m. Rev. John Woodbridge. She was b. Sept. 27, 1621, and d. July 1, 1691, a. 70.
5. ——, who m. Maj. Benjamin Keayne of Boston, who d. 1668.
6. Dorothy, who d. Feb. 27, 1643.
7. Deborah, b. at Roxbury, Feb. 27, 1645.
8. Joseph, b. Sept. 23, 1647, who was Governor of Massachusetts, and m. a daughter of Edward Tyng, and had children,—
1. Thomas, b. at Roxbury, Feb. 26, 1669-70, grad. H. C. 1685.
2. Edward, b. at Roxbury, Sept. 4, 1671.
3. Paul, b. at Roxbury, Sept. 3, 1675, grad. H. C. 1690. He was a Tutor and Fellow of the College, and also, Fellow of the Royal Society in England and Chief Justice of Massachusetts. He d. Jan. 21, 1751, a. 75.
4. Samuel, b. at Roxbury, Sept., 1677.
5. John, b. at Roxbury, Feb. 28, 1678-79.
6. Rebecca, b. May 15, 1681, who m. Samuel Sewall, Jr., and d. April 14, 1761, a. 79.
7. Catharine, b. June 2, 1683.
8. Ann, b. Aug. 27, 1684.
9. William, b. Oct. 20, 1686, who grad. H. C. 1704, and m. eldest dau. of Judge Davenport, March 10, 1721, and was a colonel. He had two sons: Thomas, who grad. H. C. 1750, and Joseph, who grad. H. C. 1751, was an Attorney at Law [Pg 72] in Boston, and d. Sept. 27, 1767, a. 35.
10. Daniel, b. Feb. 4, 1689.
11. Catharine 2nd, b. Jan. 5, 1690.
12. Mary, b. Nov. 2, 1692, who m. Francis Wainwright, who d. 1722, and afterwards m. Joseph Atkins, 1730.
9. Paul, b. at Roxbury, Sept. 8, 1650, who m. Mary Leverett, dau. of Gov. Leverett, and had children,—
1. Paul, b. at Boston, March 4, 1677.
2. Thomas, who alone, with one in expectation, is mentioned in his will of Feb. 10, 1681. (Probate Records in Boston, Vol. VI. p. 368.)
3. One posthumous.

EPITAPHS.[27]

Here is interred the remains of
James Minott, Esq., A. M. an
Excelling Grammarian, Enriched
with the Gift of Prayer and Preaching,
a Commanding Officer, a Physician of
Great Value, a Great Lover of Peace
as well as of Justice, and which was
His greatest Glory, a Gent'n of distinguished
Virtue and Goodness, happy in a Virtuous
Posterity, and living Religiously, Died
Comfortably, Sept. 20, 1735, Æt. 83.

Here lyes the remains of
Major Jonathan Prescott, Esq.,
a Gentleman of virtue and merit, an accomplisht physitian,
but excelling in chirurgery.
Of uncommon sagacity, penetration, and success in his practice,
and so of very extensive service.
But his life was much valued, and his death very generally lamented.
He married the amiable and only daughter of the
Honorable Colonel Peter Bulkley, Esq.,
by whom he had ten children.
He was removed from ministring to men's bodies, to the world of spirits,
October 28th, 1729, Ætatis suæ 54.

Here lyes the Body of Rev. Mr. Christopher Toppan, Master of Arts, fourth Pastor of the First Church in Newbury; a Gentleman of good Learning, conspicuous Piety and Virtue, shining both by his Doctrine and Life, skilled and greatly improved in the Practice of Physick and Surgery, who deceased, July 23, 1747, in the 76th year of his age, and the 51st of his Pastoral Office.

INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY IN BELFAST, ME.

The names of aged persons who died in this town before 1827, with their respective ages and the times of their decease, are here inserted.

Of these individuals it has been said, "In their manners they exhibited a model of perfect plainness and simplicity, indicative of contentment and a cheerful disposition; and so cordial was their reception of those who visited them, that with truth it might be said, they were given to hospitality. Their descendants read the poems of Burns with a keen relish, and are enthusiastic admirers of the Scottish Bard."

In the year 1827, there were thirteen persons living in Belfast, whose average age was 82 years, 7 months, and 11 days. Their respective names and ages were as follows:

The above is an extract from White's History of Belfast, Me.

SCRAPS FROM INTERLEAVED ALMANACS.

1638. This year arrived 20 ships and 3,000 passengers.

March 18, 1617. Mary Martin executed at Boston for murthering her child.

June 15, 1648. Alice[30] Jones was executed at Boston for witchcraft. This was the first execution of the kind in New England.

March 26, 1649. Mr. John Winthrop, Gov., dyed.

Aug. 24, 1649. Mr. Shepard of Camb. dyed.

Nov. 21, 1650. 12 or 13 houses in Charlestown was burnt.

DECEASE OF THE FATHERS OF NEW ENGLAND.

Chronologically arranged.

1630.

• Aug. 6, Rev. Francis Higginson d. at Salem, a. 43.
• Sept. 20, Dr. William Gager, surgeon, d. at Charlestown.
• Sept. 30, Isaac Johnson, an Assistant, d. at Boston.
• Oct. 23, Edward Rossiter, an Assistant.

1631-2.

• Feb. 16, Capt. Robert Welden d. at Charlestown.

1634.

• Aug. 2, Rev. Samuel Skelton d. at Salem; the first pastor who died in New England, the term pastor being used in contradistinction to teacher.

1635.

• Aug. 14, Rev. John Avery was drowned.

1636.

• Feb. 3, Rev. John Maverick of Dorchester d. at Boston, a. 60.

1638.

• April —, Nicholas Danforth d. at Cambridge.
• Sept. 14, Rev. John Harvard, founder of Harvard College, d. at Charlestown.
• Nov. 17, Roger Harlakenden, an Assistant, d. at Cambridge.
• Dec. 21, John Masters.

1641.

• Aug. 9, Rev. Jonathan Burr of Dorchester d., a. 37.
• Rev. Henry Smith of Wethersfield. (Mr. Savage says he died in 1648.)

1644.

• April 16, Elder William Brewster of Plymouth d., a. 84.
• July 1, Rev. George Phillips of Watertown.
• Israel Stoughton, an Assistant, d. in England.
• John Atwood, an Assistant of Plymouth Colony.
• Sept. 4, Rev. Ephraim Hewett of Windsor, Ct.
• Hon. George Wyllys of Hartford, Ct.

1646.

• April 12, John Oliver, (H. C. 1645,) d. at Boston, a. 29.

1647.

• July 7, Rev. Thomas Hooker of Hartford, Ct., d., a. 62.

(To be continued.)

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Governor Bradstreet's House.

GOVERNOR BRADSTREET.

Simon Bradstreet, son of a non-conforming minister, was born March, 1603, at Horblin, Lincolnshire. His father died when he was fourteen years old, and he was committed to the care of Hon. Thomas Dudley, for eight years following. He spent one year at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, pursuing his studies amidst various interruptions. Leaving Cambridge, he resided in the family of the Earl of Lincoln, as his steward, and afterwards lived in the same capacity with the Countess of Warwick. He with Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Dudley, and others, agreed to emigrate, and form a settlement in Massachusetts; and being appointed an Assistant, he with his family and others went on board the Arbella, March 29, 1630; anchored, June 12, near Naumkeak, now Salem, went on shore, but returned to the vessel at night; came, on the 14th, into the inner harbor, and went on shore. He attended the first Court, Aug. 23, at Charlestown.

In the spring of 1631, Mr. Bradstreet with other gentlemen commenced building at Newtown, now Cambridge, and his name is among those constituting the first company, which settled in that town in 1632. He resided there several years. In 1639, the Court granted him 500 acres of land in Salem, in the next convenient place to Gov. Endicott's farm. It appears that he resided a short time at Ipswich.

Mr. Bradstreet was among the first settlers of Andover, and was highly useful in promoting the settlement, in bearing the burdens incident to a new plantation, and in giving a right direction to its affairs. About the year 1644, he built the first mill on the Cochichewick. He was a selectman from the first record of town officers to 1672, soon after which, he probably spent most of his time in Boston and Salem. He was the first Secretary of the colony, and discharged the duties of the office many years. He was one of the first Commissioners of the United Colonies in 1643, and served many years with fidelity and usefulness in this office. In 1653, he with his colleague vigorously opposed making war on the Dutch in New York, and on the Indians; and it was prevented by his steady and conscientious opposition and the decision of the General Court of Massachusetts, though earnestly and strenuously urged by all the Commissioners of the other three colonies.

He was Deputy Governor from 1672 to 1679, when he was elected Governor, and continued in office till Mr. Joseph Dudley, his nephew, was appointed, in 1686, head of the administration, and the government was changed and the Charter annulled.

[Pg 76]

Gov. Bradstreet was considered at the head of the moderate party; and, when the Charter was demanded by King Charles, he thought it better that it should be surrendered, than that it should be taken away by judgment, as in that case it might be more easily resumed.

He strenuously opposed the arbitrary proceedings of Andros; and when, in 1689, the people put down his authority, they made their old Governor their President. He continued at the head of the administration till May, 1692, at the advanced age of 89 years, when Sir William Phips arrived from England with the new Charter, in which Sir William was appointed Governor, and Mr. Bradstreet first Assistant. He had been in service in the government sixty-two years, excepting the short administrations of Dudley and Andros. No man in the country has continued in so high offices so many years, and to so advanced age as he. He was a popular magistrate, and was opposed to the witch delusion in 1692, which caused great alarm and distress at the commencement of Gov. Phips' administration. "He lived to be the Nestor of New England," for all who came over from England with him, died before him.

The following inscription is on the monument erected in Salem to Gov. Bradstreet:

SIMON BRADSTREET,

GUBERNATOR,

Gov. Bradstreet was married in England to Miss Ann Dudley, daughter of Mr. Thomas Dudley, when she was sixteen years old. She is the most distinguished of the early matrons of our country by her literary powers, of which proof is given in a volume of poems. It was dedicated to her father in poetry, dated March 20, 1642. The title of the book is, "Several poems, compiled with great variety of wit and learning, full of delight; wherein especially is contained a complete discourse and description of the four elements, constituting ages of man, seasons of the year, together with an exact epitome of the three first monarchies, viz., the Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman commonwealth, from the beginning to the end of their last king, with divers other pleasant and serious poems. By a Gentlewoman of New England." A second edition of it was printed at Boston, 1678, by John Foster, in a respectable 12mo of 255 pp., and a third edition was published in 1758. The work does honor to her education, by her frequent allusions to ancient literature and historical facts, and to her character, as a daughter, a wife, a parent, and Christian. This volume is a real curiosity, though no reader, free from partiality of friendship, might coincide with the commendation of her in the funeral eulogy of John Norton:

Dr. Mather, in his Magnalia, gives a high commendation of her, "whose poems, divers times printed, have afforded a grateful entertainment unto the ingenious, and a monument for her memory beyond the stateliest marbles."

[Pg 77]

Their children were as follows:

1. Samuel, who had two daughters b. in Boston, 1663, 1665.
2. Simon, who was settled in the ministry in New London, Ct.
3. Dudley of Andover.
4. John, who was b. in Andover, July 31, 1652, and settled in Salem.
5. Ann, who m. Mr. Wiggin of Exeter.
6. Dorothy, who m. Rev. Seaborn Cotton, Hampton, June 25, 1654.
7. Hannah, who m. Mr. Andrew Wiggin, Exeter, June 14, 1659.
8. Mary, who m. Mr. Nathaniel Wade, Nov. 11, 1672.

Mrs. Bradstreet died in Andover, Sept. 16, 1672, aged 60.

Gov. Bradstreet married for his second wife, a sister of Sir George Downing, who was in the first class that graduated at Harvard College, and was ambassador of Cromwell and Charles II. to Holland. See Abbot's History of Andover.

SKETCHES OF ALUMNI AT THE DIFFERENT COLLEGES IN NEW ENGLAND.

HON. WILLIAM CRANCH OF WASHINGTON, D. C.

Judge Cranch was born at the house of his mother's father, the Rev. William Smith, of Weymouth, Ms., July 17, 1769; and was baptized by him the Sabbath following, as appears by the church records.[31] He had no brother, but two sisters, and these were older than himself. The elder sister, Elizabeth, married the Rev. Jacob Norton, who succeeded Mr. Smith in the pastoral office. The other sister married Mr. John Greenleaf, who resides at Quincy, Ms. Mrs. Greenleaf died Feb. 18, 1846.

His father, Richard Cranch, was born in Kingsbridge, near Exeter in Devonshire, England, in November, 1726, and was the son of John, the son of Andrew, the son of Richard, all of Devonshire. He was one of six sons, and was bound as an apprentice to a maker of wool-cards; but, at the age of 20, purchased the remainder of his time, and came to this country in 1746, with General Joseph Palmer, who had married his sister. Being fond of books, he became a learned man, received an honorary degree of M. A. from Harvard University, was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, sustained several important public offices, and was for many years a member of the Legislature and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He died in 1811, in his 85th year.

His mother was Mary, the eldest daughter of the Rev. William Smith of Weymouth, and granddaughter of Col. John Quincy of Mount Wollaston, in that part of Braintree since incorporated by the name of Quincy, in honor of his memory. There is now no lineal descendant from him of the name of Quincy. The next daughter of Mr. Smith was Abigail, who became the wife of the late President John Adams; and the other daughter was Elizabeth,[Pg 78] who married the Rev. John Shaw of Haverhill, Ms., and after his death, the Rev. Stephen Peabody of Atkinson, N. H. She died April 9, 1815, aged 65. She had three children by her first husband, William Smith, Elizabeth Quincy, and Abigail Adams. The son was the principal founder of the Boston Athenæum. He was born Aug. 12, 1778, graduated H. C. 1798, and died 1826. The first daughter was born May 26, 1780, and died Sept. 4, 1798, aged 18. The last daughter is the wife of Rev. Joseph B. Felt of this city.

The great-grandmother of the subject of this sketch, the wife of Col. John Quincy, who died July 13, 1767, was Mary Norton, the daughter of the Rev. John Norton of Hingham, whose genealogy is distinctly traced back to the time of William the Conqueror.

We cannot trace the ancestors of Judge Cranch's father back further than his grandfather's grandfather. They all appear to have been Dissenters, firm republicans, and honest men, but in humble life. His grandfather, John Cranch, was a farmer and a freeholder; the others seem to have been manufacturers of woollens. John Cranch, the naturalist, who was, at the recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks, sent out in the expedition to Egypt, where he died, was his second cousin. His father's mother was Elizabeth Pearse, daughter of Christopher Pearse and Margery Triste.

In April, 1775, his father removed from Boston to that part of Braintree now called Quincy, where he resided until his death. He died on the 16th, and his wife on the 17th, of October, 1811, and both were buried on the same day, the 19th. A sermon was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Peter Whitney, which was printed.

Judge Cranch prepared for college under the instruction of his uncle, the Rev. John Shaw of Haverhill, and entered the Freshman class, six months in advance, in February, 1784. Having graduated at Harvard College, he, July, 1787, entered the office of Judge Dawes of Boston, who was then a practitioner in the courts of Massachusetts, where he read law three years, and in July, 1790, was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas. He opened an office in Braintree, now Quincy, but at the close of the first year, upon the death of his relative, John Thaxter, Esq., who had been in the practice of the law at Haverhill, Ms., he was induced by his friends to remove to that place, and take his office, and complete his unfinished business; which, with the confidence reposed in him by the Hon. Nathaniel Peaslee Sergeant, then one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, who appointed him sole executor of his will, introduced him into practice, and enabled him to support himself and pay all demands held against him. For three years, he attended the courts in Essex county in Massachusetts and Rockingham county in New Hampshire, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Judicial Court in July, 1793.

In September, 1794, he was employed to superintend the affairs of Morris, Nicholson, and Greenleaf, under their great contracts in[Pg 79] the City of Washington, to which place he removed in October of that year, and has continued to reside in that place until the present time.

In April, 1795, he was connected in marriage with Nancy Greenleaf, daughter of the late William Greenleaf of Boston, and moved his wife to Washington, in May.

They have been the parents of 13 children, 3 of whom died in infancy. The names of the other ten were 1. William Greenleaf; 2. Richard; 3. Ann Allen; 4. Mary; 5. Elizabeth Eliot; 6. John; 7. Edward Pope; 8. Christopher Pearse; 9. Abby Adams; 10. Margaret Dawes. Richard was drowned in Lake Erie, while in the discharge of his duty as an assistant-engineer, surveying the harbor, in his 29th year, unmarried. Ann Allen died in April, 1821, of consumption, aged 22, also unmarried. Mary married Richard Cranch Norton, and died when her first child was one week old, in July, 1821, aged 20. Her husband died in October of the same year.

The other 7 children are still living. Elizabeth married Rufus Dawes, a son of the late Judge Dawes of Boston. Abby Adams married the Rev. William G. Eliot of St. Louis, Missouri, where they reside and have a number of children. William has been a clerk in the Patent Office. He was two years at Harvard University; but his delicate health and feeble constitution obliged him to leave his studies in his Junior year. The other sons were educated at the Columbian College in the District of Columbia. John spent three or four years in Italy, in drawing and painting, to perfect his knowledge of these branches, and now resides in Boston, where he pursues the employment of drawing and painting. Edward Pope is settled in Cincinnati as a lawyer. Christopher Pearse has been a preacher of the Gospel, but has lately turned his attention to portrait painting, and is now in Italy. Mrs. Cranch deceased Sept. 17, 1843.

In the year 1800, Judge Cranch was appointed one of the Commissioners of the City of Washington, which office he resigned in 1801, when he was, by President Adams, appointed the junior assistant Judge of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, under the act of Congress of Feb. 27, 1801; the late Governor Thomas Johnson of Maryland, who had been one of the Commissioners of the City of Washington, having been appointed Chief Judge; and Mr. James Marshall, brother of the late Chief Justice Marshall, having been appointed elder assistant Judge. Gov. Johnson refused to accept the office; and Mr. Jefferson appointed William Kitty, Esq., Chief Judge. Mr. Marshall resigned in 1803, and Nicholas Fitzhugh, Esq., of Virginia, was appointed in his place.

In 1805, Mr. Kitty having been appointed Chancellor of Maryland, Judge Cranch was appointed by Mr. Jefferson to the office of Chief Justice, which office he now holds; and by virtue of that office is sole Judge of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Columbia, which has the same jurisdiction as the other District Courts of the United States have.

[Pg 80]

He has published nine volumes of Reports of cases in the Supreme Court of the United States, a Memoir of the life, character, and writings of President John Adams, (70 pages,) read before the Columbian Institute, March 16, 1827, and an Address upon the subject of Temperance, in 1831, a small pamphlet.

Judge Cranch is a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the American Antiquarian Society. He has received also the degree of Doctor of Laws from Harvard College.

PROFESSOR EBENEZER ADAMS OF HANOVER, N. H.

Professor Adams was the son of Ephraim Adams of New Ipswich, N. H., who was a highly respectable man, having been a magistrate, an officer in the church, and a representative of the town. He was born in that place, Oct. 2, 1765. The father was a native of Ipswich, Ms., born in that part of the town which is now Hamilton. He was brought up on the farm which was first occupied by his ancestor, one of the eight sons of Henry Adams, who came to this country from Devonshire, England, and settled in that part of Braintree now called Quincy, about the year 1630. The father of Dea. Adams, whose baptismal name was Thomas, was either the grandson or great-grandson of this ancestor. The first wife of Dea. Adams was Rebecca, daughter of James Locke, who was a native of Woburn, Ms., and died in Ashby, Ms. The name of his second wife is not known. The children of Dea. Adams were fifteen in number.

The subject of this sketch fitted for college at the Academy in New Ipswich, under the care of Hon. John Hubbard, who was afterwards Professor in Dartmouth College. Having graduated at that institution in 1791, with high reputation as a scholar, especially in mathematics and philosophy, he went immediately into the Academy at Leicester, Ms., where he spent fifteen years, fourteen of which he was the Principal. In 1806, he took charge of the Academy at Portland, Me., which he left after a year and a half, having accepted the Professorship of Mathematics in Phillips Academy, Exeter. In 1809 he was appointed Professor of the Languages in Dartmouth College, and in 1810, upon the death of Professor Hubbard, he was transferred to the department of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and continued in that office until 1833—twenty-three years—when he was induced by advancing age and infirmities to resign all active and responsible service in the College; his connection with it since being simply that of Professor Emeritus, which continued until his death.

Professor Adams possessed great constitutional energies, both physical and mental. These he carried into active life. As an instructor he was able and accurate. No one surpassed him in faithfulness, and hence it was proverbial that he made thorough scholars. In the Languages he was good, but in Mathematics and Philosophy he excelled as a teacher.

[Pg 81]

As would naturally be expected, he took a lively interest in all efforts made to promote the cause of literature, the sciences, and the arts, and was connected with several literary associations. He was an original Member of the Northern Academy of Arts and Sciences, and took an active part at the time of its formation, as presiding officer. He was also a Member of the New Hampshire Historical Society, the American Antiquarian Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Maryland Academy of Sciences and Literature, and the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, Copenhagen. He was a Trustee of Kimball Union Academy in Plainfield, and sustained the office of President of the Board of Trustees twenty years, and, for about as long a time, he was President of the New Hampshire Bible Society.

Professor Adams was twice married. His first wife was Alice Frink, daughter of Dr. John Frink, a distinguished physician of Rutland, Ms., by whom he had five children, Alice A., Adeline A., John, Charles A. and Harriet R., of whom John only is now living. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1817, and is now a practising attorney in Mobile, Ala. His second wife was Beulah Minot, daughter of Dr. Timothy Minot of Concord, Ms. By her he had two children, Eliza M. and Ebenezer. The daughter is now the wife of Prof. Ira Young. Ebenezer was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1831, and died in July, 1837. Of seven children, therefore, two only survive. The last Mrs. Adams still lives, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Young.

Professor Adams "was one of the few remaining old school citizens and scholars of New England, and was hardly surpassed by any of that venerable class of men in intelligence, patriotism, and Christian virtue." He possessed a well balanced mind, "was judicious, magnanimous, and firm." He died calm and happy in the triumphs of religion, August 15, 1841, in the 76th year of his age, from ossification of the heart.

HON. JAMES SAVAGE OF BOSTON.

The subject of this sketch was born July 11, 1784, in Boston, where his progenitors since 1635 have always lived. His father was Habijah, and his mother, Elizabeth, daughter of John Tudor. Of eight children, five sons and three daughters, born before him, two sons died in infancy; the rest attained full age, as did also two sons younger than himself.

His mother died before he arrived at his fourth year of age; and his father, by reason of ill health, was unable to take charge of him in his early education. The Rev. Dr. Thacher preached on the occasion of his mother's death from Psalms xxvii: 10—"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

The father of Mr. Savage was son of Thomas, by his first wife, Deborah Briggs, who was, it is believed, a granddaughter of John Cushing, one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. John, his father's elder brother, was father[Pg 82] of Thomas of York, Me., from whom descended the Savages in Bangor. His grandfather's second wife was Sarah Cheever, who survived him nearly fifty-one years. One of their children was the late Ezekiel Savage, Esq., of Salem, H. C. 1778, father of Rev. Thomas Savage of Bedford, N. H., H. C. 1813, and several other children, of whom one, Sarah, distinguished herself by the composition of some interesting books.

Habijah, father of Mr. Savage's grandfather Thomas, was educated at Harvard College, where he received his first degree, in 1695. He married Hannah, who had been a short time widow of ---- Anderson. She was a daughter of Samuel Phillips, distinguished among booksellers in Boston one hundred and fifty years ago, as John Dunton mentions in the entertaining account of his visit to our country, published in his "Life and Errors." Arthur, a younger brother of his great-grandfather, married another daughter of Mr. Phillips, and one of their children was Samuel Phillips Savage, father of the late Samuel Savage, H. C. 1766, of Barnstable.

Thomas, father of the last named Habijah, born 1640, was second child of Thomas, who emigrated from England. His mother was Faith, daughter of William and the celebrated Ann Hutchinson, who was a speaking if not a ruling elder in the First Church in Boston. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Scottow, author of two curious tracts in the latter part of the 17th century. With two of his brothers, Ephraim, H. C. 1662, and Perez, he served at various times and places in King Philip's war, in the early part of which, their father was in the chief command of the forces of the Colony of Massachusetts. Ephraim gained some reputation in command of one of the vessels of the fleet, in the daring but disastrous expedition from Boston against Quebec, by Sir William Phips, in 1690, and Thomas was at the head of one of the three regiments engaged in it, and wrote a brief and modest account of the service, published the following year at London. He died July 2, 1705.

Mr. Savage's great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas, was a man of high public spirit. Disgusted with the treatment of the majority towards Wheelwright and other friends of Sir Henry Vane, whom he had perhaps accompanied from England, he, with Gov. Coddington and others, removed in 1638, and purchased Rhode Island. He soon returned, however, to Boston, recovered his former standing with early friends, and was often one of the representatives of the town, and, in the trying times of 1665, was respected for his moderation. He was one of those who undertook, in 1673, to erect a barricade in the harbor, for security against a fleet then expected from Holland. Out of this barricade grew, in less than forty years, the Long Wharf, a small portion of which has continued ever since the property of some members of the family. He was Speaker of the Deputies in 1659, and again after an interval of eleven years, and in 1680 was chosen by the colony one of the Assistants, in[Pg 83] which station he died, Feb. 14, 1682, aged 75. A funeral sermon on that event is among the printed works of Rev. Samuel Willard, pastor of the third church, of which Major Savage was one of the founders, at the secession occasioned by the coming of Davenport from New Haven to the first. The text was, Isaiah lvii: 1.

The eldest son of this ancestor of most who bear the name on this side of the ocean, Habijah, H. C. 1659, died in a few years, but left children by his wife, daughter of Edward Tyng, one of the Assistants. A grandchild of these parents removed from Boston, early in the last century, to Charleston, S. C., where he is commemorated by Dr. Ramsay, in his History of the Independent Church in that city. Descendants have been known in different parts of South Carolina and Georgia. The late Judge Clay of the latter state, afterwards pastor of the first Baptist Church in Boston, married one, and his son, Thomas Savage Clay, H. C. 1819, is highly respected for his Christian philanthropy.

In the catalogue of the sons of Harvard are numbered eleven lineal descendants of the first Thomas, of whom six have been noticed. John, 1694, was son of Ephraim; Habijah, 1723, was either son or nephew of Habijah; John, 1810, and James Rodon, 1812, were sons of William Savage, Esq., of Jamaica, son of Samuel Phillips Savage, before mentioned.

Of the progenitors of Mr. Savage, no means are possessed by which to trace the line before the arrival of his ancestor in this country; but a family tradition, committed to writing many years since, makes him to have been a brother of Arthur, an English dean.

Mr. Savage fitted for college at Derby Academy, Hingham, under the tuition of Abner Lincoln, and at Washington Academy, Machias, Me., instructed by Daniel P. Upton.

After graduating at Harvard University in 1803, he studied law under the direction of the late Chief Justice Parker, Hon. Samuel Dexter, and Hon. William Sullivan, and entered upon its practice January, 1807.

Mr. Savage has been Representative and Senator in General Court, a Counsellor, and a Delegate to the Convention in 1820 for amending the Constitution of the State. He has been also in the City government as one of the Common Council and an Alderman, as well as one of the School Committee.

In April, 1823, he married Elizabeth O., widow of James Otis Lincoln, Esq., of Hingham. She was daughter of George Stillman of Machias, Me., an officer in the war of the Revolution. Their children are Emma, Harriet, Lucy, and James.

At times letters have engaged the attention of Mr. Savage, but not to withdraw him from the proper duties of his profession or the service of the community in active life. He was during four or five years associated with the gentlemen who edited the (Boston) Monthly Anthology, and contributed articles for that work, as he has also for the North American Review. At the request of the municipal authorities of Boston, he delivered an oration, July 4,[Pg 84] 1811. The compilation of the Colonial and Provincial Laws of Massachusetts, published under the title of Ancient Charters, according to direction of General Court, by the late Hon. Nathan Dane, Judge Prescott, and Judge Story, was by these gentlemen confided to his supervision while passing through the press. The Index to the work was prepared by him. He superintended an edition of Paley's Works; and the presswork of the ten volumes of American State Papers, selected by Hon. John Q. Adams, under authority of Congress. But Mr. Savage's greatest effort of this nature was his edition of Gov. Winthrop's History of New England, with notes.

This is a work of much labor and value. It is understood that he has in contemplation a new edition of Farmer's Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England.

Mr. Savage was more than twenty years Secretary or Treasurer of the first Savings Bank in Boston, and nineteen years Treasurer of the Massachusetts Historical Society, of which he is now the President. He is a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has received the degree of LL. D. at Harvard College.

Forty-one years since, for the benefit of his health, he, in company with his relative and friend, William Tudor, Jr., visited the islands of Martinique, Dominique, St. Thomas, St. Domingo, and Jamaica. Since, he has been to Demerara, and five years ago, he went to England, with a view of visiting his fathers' sepulchres, and of enjoying himself in the father-land.

HON. LEVI WOODBURY OF PORTSMOUTH, N. H.

Levi Woodbury was born at Francestown, N. H., Dec. 22, 1789, where his father, the Hon. Peter Woodbury, resided. He was born in Beverly, Ms., in 1767, removed to New Hampshire with his father, and, when he entered upon the active business of life for himself, engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits, and was about fifteen years a Representative, and two years a Senator, in the State Legislature. He died in 1834. He was son of Peter Woodbury, who was born March 28, 1738, at Beverly, and married there, and in 1773 removed to Mont Vernon, then a part of Amherst, N. H. He spent the last twenty years of his life at Antrim, with his youngest son, Mark Woodbury, Esq., where he died, March, 1819, aged 85. His father was Josiah Woodbury of Beverly, who was born June 15, 1682, and lived in the Second or Upper Parish. The father of Josiah was Peter, who was born in 1640, made a freeman in 1668, and elected a Representative in 1689. He filled the office of deacon, and died July 5, 1704, aged 64. His father was Humphrey Woodbury, who was born in 1609, came to New England with his father, John Woodbury, in 1628, was admitted to the church in 1648, was a member of the First Church in Beverly, at its formation, was chosen deacon in 1668, and was living in 1681. John Woodbury, who was one of the original settlers of Beverly, came from Somer[Pg 85]setshire, England, under the direction of the Dorchester company, which established itself at Cape Ann about 1624. He came to Salem in 1626, was made a freeman in 1630, and in 1635 was chosen a Deputy to General Court. He was an original member of the First Church in Salem. In 1636, he received a grant of two hundred acres of land on Bass river. He died in 1641.

Mr. Woodbury's mother was Mary Woodbury, daughter of James Woodbury, who was born in Beverly, but removed to Mont Vernon, N. H., in 1782. He was a subaltern in Col. Robert Rogers' regiment of Rangers, and was near Wolfe when he fell at the storming of Quebec. The sword he used in that service is now in the possession of a descendant. He had eight children, all daughters, and died at Francestown, March, 1823, aged 86.

The subject of this sketch was prepared for college in part at New Ipswich Academy, N. H., with Mr. Mulliken, but chiefly under the instruction of Hon. John Vose, the distinguished Preceptor of Atkinson Academy. In 1805 he entered Dartmouth College, where he remained till 1809, when he graduated with high reputation for talents and acquirements.

Immediately after leaving college he commenced the study of law, spending one year at the Law School of Judges Reeve and Gould, at Litchfield, Ct., and the residue of his preparatory course with Hon. S. Dana of Boston, Judge Smith of Exeter, and James Walker, Esq., of Francestown. In 1812 he opened an office in his native place, where he remained till 1819. In 1816 he was elected Clerk of the State Senate, and, in the year following, was appointed Judge of the Superior Court. This appointment to the bench of the highest judicial tribunal of the state, drew general attention to the manner in which the duties were discharged. Ample testimony, however, of the qualifications of Judge Woodbury may be found in the first two volumes of New Hampshire Reports. In 1819, he removed to Portsmouth, the commercial capital of New Hampshire, where he continues to reside. In 1823 he was chosen Governor of the State, and when his term of office expired, he returned to the practice of his profession. In 1825 he was chosen Representative from Portsmouth, and on the meeting of the Legislature, he was elected Speaker of the House. Among the last acts of the session was the choice of Gov. Woodbury to fill a vacancy which had occurred in the Senate of the United States. At the commencement of the session in 1825-6, he took his seat in the Senate, and during the six years succeeding, his name was connected with the most important measures discussed in that body. His term of service expired on the 4th of March, and four days after, he was chosen State Senator for the district in which he resided. In April following, he was invited by President Jackson to become Secretary of the Navy, which office he was induced to accept, having declined that of State Senator. July 4, 1834, he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury, in which capacity he served till March 3, 1841. During this time, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire, but[Pg 86] declined the office. In 1841, he was again chosen U. S. Senator from New Hampshire, which office he held till September, 1845, when he was appointed an Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. In the summer previous, the office of Minister to England was tendered to him, but he refused it on account of the situation of his family.

In June, 1819, Judge Woodbury was married to Eliza W. Clapp, daughter of Hon. Asa Clapp of Portland, Me. They have five children: Charles Levi, who is now an attorney in Boston, Mary Elizabeth, Frances Anstris, Virginia Lafayette, and Ellen Carolina. The eldest is married to the Hon. Montgomery Blair of St. Louis, Mo.

Judge Woodbury has published one volume of Law Reports in connection with Judge Richardson, also speeches, pamphlets, and reports relating to the various official duties he has performed, besides numerous literary addresses. He has received the degree of Doctor of Laws at the Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He is also a member of various literary societies.

The brothers and sisters of Judge Woodbury are Peter P. Woodbury, M. D., of Bedford, N. H., now Vice-President of the New Hampshire Medical Society; Rev. James Trask Woodbury of Acton, Ms., formerly an attorney; Jesse Woodbury, Esq., who resides on the paternal estate; George Washington Woodbury, M. D., Yazoo county, Mississippi; Mrs. Mary Howe, widow of the late Luke Howe, M. D., of Jaffrey, N. H.; Mrs. Anstris B. Eastman, wife of Hon. Nehemiah Eastman of Farmington, N. H., formerly Member of Congress; Mrs. Martha W. Grimes of Quincy, Ms., widow of the late Thomas Grimes, merchant, of Windsor, Vt.; Mrs. Hannah T. Barnes, wife of Isaac O. Barnes, Esq., of Boston, U. S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Mrs. Harriet Dodge, wife of Perley Dodge, Esq., an attorney at Amherst, N. H.; Mrs. Adeline Bunnelle, wife of Edwin F. Bunnelle, Esq., of Boston, clerk in the Custom House.

HON. SAMUEL S. WILDE OF BOSTON.

Samuel Sumner Wilde was born in Taunton, Feb. 5, 1771. His father's name was Daniel, who was born in Braintree in 1718, and died in 1792. His father, if not born in England and brought over by his father when a child, was born in Braintree.

The father of the subject of this sketch, soon after arriving at the age of 21, settled in Taunton, where he continued until the time of his death. He was a farmer and a pious man, and for many years was one of the deacons of the only Congregational Church then in that town. He was very fond of sacred music, and had a fine voice, well cultivated, and, for those days, he had a competent degree of skill and knowledge of the science to render him an acceptable leader of the choir in the church, and was a leader long before he was chosen deacon. In his family devotions he always read a chapter in the Bible, sung a hymn in which some of the family joined, and concluded with a prayer. He was twice married.[Pg 87] His first wife was the daughter of Deacon Staples of Taunton, grandfather of Mr. Staples, a lawyer of considerable eminence in New York.

His second wife, the mother of Samuel S., was the only child of Deacon Samuel Sumner, also of Taunton. Dea. Sumner was well educated for one who had not received a collegiate course of instruction, had a taste for study, and thought much of learning and learned men. He died when Samuel S., who was his only grandson, was two years old, and bequeathed to him a lot of land, which he authorized his father to sell, and to expend the proceeds in giving him a college education, if he should, at a proper age, manifest any taste and talents, which would probably render such an education useful to him. He was a warm Whig and a friend to the liberties of the people; and it was probably owing to discussions about the Stamp Act and other difficulties with England, and his reflections on the inalienable rights of man, that he emancipated a female slave, about the year 1769 or 1770. She, however, always continued in the family upon wages, until her death. Dea. Sumner was a distant relation of Gov. Sumner and also of the Rev. Dr. Sumner, long the minister of Shrewsbury in the county of Worcester.

The mother of Samuel S. was a most excellent woman, and distinguished for her mental endowments, piety, and zeal in the cause of religion.

The subject of this sketch fitted for college under the direction of Rev. Ephraim Judson, the minister of Taunton, and entered the Sophomore class at Dartmouth College, in 1786, where he graduated in 1789. He read law in Taunton with David L. Barnes, Esq., who was afterwards Judge of the District Court of the United States for the state of Rhode Island. In September, 1792, he was admitted to the bar, and the same year was married to Eunice Cobb, a daughter of the late Gen. Cobb of Taunton. He immediately removed to Maine, and first commenced practice in Waldoborough in the county of Lincoln, where he remained only two years, and then removed to the adjoining town of Warren, where he resided five years, when, in 1799, he removed to Hallowell. He represented the town of Warren two years in the House of Representatives; but after his removal to Hallowell, he devoted himself wholly to his profession. He was, however, twice chosen one of the Electors of President and Vice-President of the United States, and in 1814 was elected a State Counsellor. He was also one of the Delegates to the famous Hartford Convention. In June, 1815, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, which office he now holds. He was a member from Newburyport of the Convention for revising the Constitution of the state, having removed from Hallowell to that place in 1820. In 1831 he removed to Boston, where he still resides.

The wife of Judge Wilde deceased June 6, 1826. Their children were nine, of whom only four survive. The two eldest sons died unmarried. The eldest daughter, Eunice, married Hon. William[Pg 88] Emmons of Augusta, Me., a son of Rev. Dr. Emmons of Franklin, Ms. She died in 1821, leaving two daughters, one of whom has since deceased, and the other is the wife of Rev. Mr. Tappan of Hampden, Me., son of Rev. Dr. Tappan of Augusta, Me. The second daughter, Eleanor Bradish, married I. W. Mellen, Esq., son of Rev. Mr. Mellen of Cambridge. They are both dead. Mrs. Mellen died in March, 1838, leaving three children. The third daughter, Caroline, married Hon. Caleb Cushing of Newburyport, and died in 1832. The eldest surviving son, George Cobb, Esq., an attorney at law, is Clerk of the Courts in Suffolk county, is married, and has two children. The second surviving son, Henry Jackson, is married, and has two children, and is now settled in Washington, D. C. The youngest son is unmarried. The only surviving daughter was first married to Frederick W. Doane of Boston, and is now the wife of Robert Farley, also, of Boston.

Judge Wilde has been in his present office nearly thirty-two years, a longer time it is believed than any individual ever held that office before,[32] and his judicial career has uniformly been characterized by legal learning and stern integrity. His personal character is marked by uncommon frankness and great simplicity of manners.

He has received the degree of Doctor of Laws from Bowdoin and Harvard Colleges, and he is also a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and some other literary associations.

NATHANIEL WRIGHT, ESQ., OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

Nathaniel Wright was born Jan. 28, 1789, in the east parish of Hanover, N. H. The family residence was on the highlands adjoining the western base of Moose mountain, over which his father's farm extended. From some of the fields can be seen, spread out in the distance, nearly half the state of Vermont, rising in regular gradation from the Connecticut river, with every variety of cottage, field, woodland, and hill, to the summits of the Green Mountains, Killington Peak, and Camel's Rump, in the distant horizon. His parents, Nathaniel Wright and Mary Page, were originally from Coventry in the state of Connecticut. The name of his paternal grandfather was the same with that of his father; but we are not able to trace back the genealogy further. They were all farmers by occupation. His father was one of the first settlers of Hanover, and took possession of his farm there, while it was a perfect wilderness, the occupancy of which he had to contest with wild beasts. The sylvan adventures of that period were, no doubt, the topic of many a fireside tale of his childhood. His mother was sister of the father of Harlan Page, distinguished for his active piety, and of tract-distribution memory.

Mr. Wright began fitting for college in 1806. The larger part of his preparatory studies were with the Rev. Eden Burroughs,[Pg 89] D. D., the parish minister, long one of the Trustees of Dartmouth College, and celebrated as the father of the notorious Stephen Burroughs, who died in Canada, a Catholic priest. He entered the Freshman class of Dartmouth College at the commencement of 1807, and graduated in 1811. After graduating, he spent three years or more in teaching, being part of that time in charge of the Portland Academy, Maine, and part of the time in charge of a select class of boys in the same place; and began there the study of law. He then spent a year as private tutor in a family in Virginia, reading law in the mean time, and was admitted to the bar in that state. In July, 1817, he went to Cincinnati, where, after spending some time in an office to familiarize himself with local practice, he was admitted to the bar in November, 1817, and commenced the practice in 1818. For a few years, he practised in the Federal Courts, and in different parts of the state; but finding the city practice the most profitable, as well as most pleasant, he soon confined himself to that, and continued it with so much labor and assiduity, that, in 1839 and 1840, he found his health giving way under the effects of it, and in the latter year, withdrew from the practice. Of his success in the practice, he has had no reason to complain. And in talents and legal acquirements, he has ranked with the first in the state.

He has been solicited at different times to become a candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and for Member of Congress; but has uniformly refused all nominations for political office, preferring a private life to all others.

In April, 1820, he married Caroline Augusta Thew, a niece of the Hon. Jacob Burnet of Cincinnati. Her mother was a daughter of Dr. William Burnet of Newark, N. J., a surgeon in the army in the Revolutionary war, and a man of distinction in that state. Her parents being both dead, she went from Newark to Cincinnati with Judge Burnet's family, in 1815.

The children of these parents are eight in number: Mary Thew, Caroline Augusta, Daniel Thew, Eliza Burnet, Augusta Caroline, Louisa, Nathaniel, and William Burnet. Of these, Caroline Augusta and Augusta Caroline died, the former at five, the latter at three years of age.

Mr. Wright has published nothing, that can properly be called a book; yet many of his writings have appeared in public print in various forms. His name appears at the head of some important arguments in the Law Reports of Ohio, during the period of his practice; and some of his occasional addresses have been printed. In early life he was a lover of poetry, and not unfrequently attempted to honor the Muses; and this he did always with applause.

When Mr. Wright went to Cincinnati, then having five or six thousand inhabitants, he sat down patiently with the young at the foot of the bar, went on through a generation of the profession, till he stood at its head; and saw the city grown up to a population of[Pg 90] 80,000, himself standing among a few old respectable inhabitants, easy in circumstances, with a very happy family around him, and highly respected by the community.—The late Rev. Chester Wright, a graduate at Middlebury College in 1805, and of Montpelier, Vt., was his half-brother.

HON. WILLIAM D. WILLIAMSON OF BANGOR, ME.

William Durkee Williamson is supposed to be a descendant, in the sixth generation, of one who was among the earliest settlers in the Plymouth Colony. For as the Annalist tells us,[33] when Gov. Winslow went to make his first treaty with Massasoit, March 22, 1621, he was preceded by "Captain Standish and Mr. Williamson," and attended by a file of "musketeers." Nothing farther appears, in the printed narratives of those times, concerning the man last mentioned; nor is there any positive knowledge of his immediate posterity; though it is a report of tradition, that one of his name had command of a company in King Philip's war, in 1675-6, who might have been his son. But, however this may have been, certain it is, that men of his name in succeeding generations have exhibited a predilection for military tactics; and that in Major Benjamin Church's fifth expedition eastward, 1704, Captain Caleb Williamson commanded a company of volunteers from Plymouth Colony. He had one brother, whose name was George, and the place of their residence was Harwich, in the county of Barnstable. It is said there was another of the family, or kindred, perhaps a brother, by the name of Samuel, who settled at Hartford in Connecticut, but as he left no son, his name at his death sank into oblivion.

George Williamson, above named, married, at Harwich, the daughter of a Mr. Crisp; and they had two sons, George and Caleb, and five daughters. The elder son was murdered by a highwayman, and left no child; the younger, born at that place, 1716, married Sarah Ransom, and settled at Middleborough in the county of Plymouth; whose children were six sons and three daughters. Though five of the sons were married, only two of them, Caleb and George, left issue. The latter, being the fifth son, born in 1754, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, removed with his father's family at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, to Canterbury, Ct., and married Mary Foster of that place, a niece of Rev. Jacob Foster, formerly a minister of Berwick, Me. Their children were four sons and four daughters. The sons are William D., the subject of this sketch; George, a farmer at Pittston; and Joseph, a lawyer at Belfast, a graduate at Vermont University, and President of the Senate, in the Legislature of Maine. Their father was a soldier in the Revolution, and a captain of artillery, some years after the peace. In 1793, he removed from Canterbury,[Pg 91] where his sons were born, to Amherst, Ms., and finally died at Bangor, in 1822, aged 68 years.

William D., his eldest son, entered Williams College, in 1800; but finished his studies at Brown University, R. I., where he was graduated in 1804. As his father was a farmer in moderate circumstances, and himself the eldest of eight children, he was under the necessity of teaching a school several winters, to defray his college expenses. He read law with Hon. S. F. Dickinson of Amherst, till the spring of 1807, when he took up his residence in Bangor, Me., where he completed his professional studies with J. McGaw, Esq., being admitted to the bar in November of that year. Jan. 14, 1808, he was commissioned by Gov. Sullivan Attorney for the county of Hancock, an office held by him about eight years, when the county was divided. In 1816, he was elected to the Senate of Massachusetts, Maine being then a part of the Commonwealth; and received successive elections, till the separation in 1820. Though as a political man, his sentiments were of a democratic character, adverse to the majority in each of the legislative branches, he was Chairman of the Committee of Eastern Lands, three years. He was President of the first Senate in the new state of Maine; and the appointment of Gov. King as a Commissioner on the Spanish Claims, brought him into the Executive Chair, about six months of the political year. In the meantime, he was elected a Member of Congress. After he left the field of legislation he was appointed a Judge of Probate for his county, a Justice of Peace through the state, and President of Bangor Bank.

Judge Williamson was thrice married. He was first connected in marriage with J. M. Rice, an orphan, the niece of Gen. Montague of Amherst, whose home was hers. Five children were the fruits of this marriage, one of whom, an only son, a promising youth, died in 1832, at the close of his Junior year in Bowdoin College. His second wife was the eldest daughter of Judge Phinehas White of Putney, Vt., and his third was the only surviving daughter of the late E. Emerson, Esq., York, Me.

Judge Williamson was fond of literary pursuits generally, but particularly of historical research. He wrote and published a number of articles on various subjects, in different periodicals. His great work, however, which cost him many years of labor, was his History of Maine, in two large octavo volumes. He died May 27, 1846.

THE FATHERS OF NEW ENGLAND.

[Pg 92]

GOVERNOR HINCKLEY'S VERSES ON THE DEATH OF HIS SECOND CONSORT.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF PHYSICIANS IN KINGSTON, N. H.

The first Physician of Kingston of whom we have any definite account, was a Dr. Green, who died some time in the year 1750. The vacancy created by his death was filled by Dr. Josiah Bartlett and Dr. Aaron Sawyer. Dr. Sawyer soon returned to the Upper Parish of Amesbury, Ms., whence he originated.

Dr. Josiah Bartlett was born in Amesbury, Ms., Nov. 21, 1727, O. S. His father, whose name was Stephen Bartlett, had not much property, but was, however, enabled to give him a medical education under the instruction of Dr. Ordway, a respectable physician of Amesbury. Dr. Bartlett completed his medical studies at the age of twenty-one, and very soon after established himself at Kingston, N. H.

He married his cousin, Mary Bartlett, of Newtown, N. H., Jan. 15, 1754, by whom he had twelve children.

His practice became very extensive, and he was eminently successful, especially in the treatment of the Cynanche Maligna, or Throat Distemper, which first made its appearance in Kingston, with great fatality, in 1765.

Dr. Bartlett began his political career as Representative from Kingston, in the Legislature of New Hampshire, while an English colony.

[Pg 96]

He continued to fill various offices of trust, from this time to the year 1775, when he was elected to the Continental Congress, which met at Philadelphia in September of that year. In July, 1776, Congress declared the Colonies independent, and Dr. Bartlett was the first, after the venerable Hancock, to sign this instrument of American freedom.

In November, 1778, Dr. Bartlett returned home to attend to his domestic affairs, which had suffered greatly from his absence. About this time he was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and was transferred to the Superior Bench in November, 1782, and there officiated till he was appointed, in 1788, Chief Justice of the State. Judge Bartlett sustained, during this period, many offices not incompatible with his high judicial character, such as Counsellor, a member of the Convention to form a State Constitution, and was one of a Committee, with Judge Livermore and Gen. Sullivan, to revise the Laws of the State, and a member of the Convention to ratify the new Constitution.

In 1789, he was elected Senator to Congress, but his declining health, and the depression of spirits consequent upon the sudden death of his wife, early in that year, induced him to decline the duties of Senator, and to resign the office of Chief Justice.

The people, unwilling to lose his services, elected him President of the State, in 1790.

Dr. Bartlett took an active part in forming the New Hampshire Medical Society, and was elected, in 1791, its first President.

In 1792, he was chosen a member to revise the Constitution of New Hampshire, in which the title of President was dropped, and that of Governor substituted, and he was the first Chief Magistrate with the title of Governor. About this time, he received the honorary degrees of M. A. and M. D. from Dartmouth College.

Gov. Bartlett filled all these stations with general satisfaction, without ostentation; administering the laws in a mild yet decisive manner, and setting forth the example of true republicanism.

His appointments were just, and such as met the public approbation.

The arduous duties of a professional and political life, in those "times that tried men's souls," had impaired his health, and so shattered a constitution, never strong, that May 19, 1795, he died suddenly, of paralysis, leaving a very extensive circle of friends to mourn his departure.

Gov. Bartlett was possessed of good mental powers, of a kind and benevolent disposition, and was scrupulously just in all his dealings.

Philanthropy and benevolence were the prominent traits of his character.

His letters, still extant, show that, with a calm and childlike trust in God, he mingled that high sense of the responsibilities which man owes to his Creator and his fellow-man, which forms the foundation of a truly generous, just, and noble character.

Subjoined is the testimony of one who was his neighbor and intimate friend for many years—the Rev. Dr. Elihu Thayer. It is taken from the Address delivered at the funeral of Gov. Bartlett.

"But few persons by their own merit, without the influence of family, or party connections, have risen from one degree of honor and confidence to another, as he did. And fewer still have been the instances, in which a succession of honorable and important offices even to the highest, have been held by any man with less envy; or executed with more general approbation. Despising the gaudy exhibition of vain parade, (a sure mark of a noble mind,) he set a shining example of frugality and economy, both in private and public life, at a period when such virtues were peculiarly becoming and necessary. His natural temper was open, humane, and compassionate. In his dealings, he was scrupulously just, and faithful in the performance of all his engagements; and in his public offices, he served his country with all his might."

The children of Gov. Bartlett who still survive, are Hon. Ezra Bartlett of Haverhill. N. H., and Mrs. Gale, the widow of the late Dr. Amos Gale of Kingston. She is in her 74th year, and resides at South Hampton with her daughter, Mrs. White.

Dr. Levi Bartlett was the eldest son of Gov. Josiah Bartlett, and was born Sept. 3, 1763. He received his preparatory education at the then celebrated[Pg 97] "Dummer School" in Newbury, Ms., and after studying the science of medicine one year with his father, he completed his professional course with Dr. Thomas Kittredge of Andover, Ms., a distinguished physician.

Soon after, he established himself in Kingston, N. H., where his father had been located, and who was giving up his professional business to younger and more vigorous practitioners.

Here, and in the adjoining towns, he soon acquired an extensive practice, and was frequently called many miles from home in consultation. He was a skilful and successful surgeon, and performed many important operations.

Dr. Bartlett filled many stations of trust. He was a Justice of the Peace and Quorum throughout the state, Colonel in the militia, and Post Master for many years. He frequently represented Kingston in the Legislature, and for several years was a member of the Council, and Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. But being of a studious and metaphysical turn, he preferred the quiet pleasures of private life to the care and turmoil of the political arena.

He was married, Nov. 6, 1791, to Sally Hook, who died of consumption, February, 1793. He married the second time, Abigail Stevens, April 18, 1807.

He was kind and obliging in his disposition, generous and humane to the needy, and honorable and just in all his business relations.

For several years, he suffered from paralysis, and was, consequently, unable to transact business or enjoy life. His earthly career terminated Jan. 30, 1828, at the age of 65, leaving a widow and three children—two daughters and one son.

Dr. Levi Stevens Bartlett was born Dec. 3, 1811. He received his academical education at Phillips Academy, Exeter. He read medicine with his uncle, the late Hon. Josiah Bartlett of Stratham, Professor Elisha Bartlett, at that time of Lowell, Ms., and with Dr. John Barrett of Portland, Me. Dr. Bartlett attended the Medical Lectures at Dartmouth and Bowdoin Colleges, and received his diploma from Dartmouth in the year 1832, a short time before he was 21 years of age.

Having come in possession of the landed estates of his father, and the old mansion of his grandfather, he settled at Kingston, where he now resides, and is in the practice of his profession. He married, Dec. 3, 1844, Aroline E., daughter of Moses Sanborn, Esq.

Dr. Amos Gale, son of Jacob Gale, was born at East Kingston, April 9, 1744, 0. S. He studied medicine with Dr. Josiah Bartlett of Kingston, N. H., and married Hannah, the only child of Daniel and Hannah Gilman of Kingston, Nov. 12, 1765. They had ten children, six sons and four daughters, six of whom are still living. His practice was very extensive, and he was highly esteemed as a physician and citizen. He was one of the early members of the N. H. Medical Society, and he continued to practice medicine in Kingston and vicinity, (with the exception of a few years, during which he resided in Troy, N. Y.,) until a short time before his death, which occurred June 8, 1813, aged 69 years. The disease which terminated his life was paralysis. Several young men received their medical instruction from him.

Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., son of the preceding, was born at Kingston, Oct. 15, 1768. He studied medicine with his father and Dr. Levi Bartlett of Kingston, attended lectures at Boston, commenced and continued to practise medicine in his native town till his death, which occurred Dec. 7, 1824, aged 56 years. He was a very energetic and athletic man, and was characterized for his great assiduity and self-denial in the discharge of his duties as a physician. He was married to Sally, youngest daughter of Gov. Bartlett, by whom he had seven children, five sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living. Dr. Gale held various offices in the town, and was Representative to the Legislature in 1808. About twenty young men received medical education under his instruction. He was elected a member of the N. H. Medical Society in 1800.

Dr. Stephen Gale, youngest son of Dr. Amos Gale, Senior, was born Jan. 28, 1723, and studied medicine with his brother Amos. He died Aug. 13, 1804. His disease was a scrofulous affection of the knee, caused by an injury.

Dr. Ezra Bartlett Gale, eldest son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born at Kingston, Oct. 13, 1797. He studied medicine with his father and uncle, Dr. Levi Bartlett, and attended medical lectures in Boston in 1818, and practised with his[Pg 98] father till July, 1821, when he commenced practice in Brentwood, N. H., and continued there till August, 1823. In the fall of 1822, he attended a course of Medical Lectures at Brown University, and received the degree of M. D. in 1823. He married Ruth White, youngest daughter of the late Richard White, Esq., of South Hampton, N. H., July 31, 1823, where he practised medicine till 1827, when he recommenced practice in Kingston, in which place he now pursues his professional duties. He had seven children by his first wife, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. His wife died July 6, 1841. He married Emily, daughter of the late Moses Atwood, Esq., of Atkinson, Nov. 22, 1842, by whom he has two daughters. He is a member and officer of the N. H. Medical Society, and also of the Rockingham Dist. Med. Society.

Dr. Levi Bartlett Gale, second son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born Aug. 29, 1800. He studied medicine with his father and brother, and attended lectures at Boston and at Brown University, where he took his degree of M. D. He commenced and continued the practice of medicine in Kingston till the return of his brother from South Hampton, when he removed to Boston, where he now resides. He married Sarah B. Keggan, by whom he has two children.

Dr. Josiah Bartlett Gale, third son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born Jan. 11, 1803. He studied medicine with his brothers Ezra Bartlett and Levi Bartlett Gale. He attended Medical Lectures at Brown University, and commenced the practice of medicine in Brentwood, where he remained but a short time. Thence he removed to Salisbury Mills, Ms., where he now resides. He married Hannah, daughter of the late Capt. Jacob Morrill of Salisbury, Ms. They have one child, a son.

Dr. Amos Gilman Gale, fourth son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born Feb. 17, 1807. He commenced his medical studies with his brother Levi Bartlett Gale, and attended two courses of Medical Lectures at Dartmouth College, at which he received the degree of M. D. He commenced the practice of medicine in Hooksett, N. H., where he was employed in his profession till his removal to Manchester, N. H. He married Mary, daughter of Hon. Richard H. Ayer, of Hooksett, by whom he has one child, a daughter.

Dr. Stephen Madison Gale, fifth son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born in Kingston, Oct. 20, 1809. He commenced the study of medicine with his brother E. B. Gale, in 1834, studied one year with his brother L. B. Gale in Boston, and attended three courses of Medical Lectures in that place three years in succession, commencing in 1834, and received his medical degree at Harvard University, 1837. He commenced practice in Derry, N. H., September following; and thence he removed to East Kingston, where he remained but a short time. He commenced practice in Lowell, Dec. 1838, and from that place he removed to Methuen, July, 1839, where he has been engaged in practice ever since. He was admitted a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society, April, 1839. He married Hannah W. Johnson of Portland, Me., March 28, 1843, by whom he has one daughter, Alice Bartlett.

Though all the above physicians by the name of Gale have not been located as physicians in Kingston, yet, as they were all of one family, we have entered their names under the head of Kingston.

There has been for about eighty years in Kingston a physician of the name of Gale, father, son, and grandsons. Very much the same may be said of the name of Bartlett. It is believed that no two families in our country have furnished more physicians than the Bartlett and Gale families of Kingston. Governor Bartlett had three sons eminent as physicians; namely, Josiah of Stratham, Levi of Kingston, and Ezra of Haverhill, all members and officers of the Medical Society; and all political men, Ezra and Levi having been Judges of Courts, and Josiah a Member of Congress. Many of his grandsons are in the profession, one of whom, Dr. Josiah Bartlett of Stratham, is now President of the New Hampshire Medical Society.

Dr. Thomas Bassett was born in Deerfield, N. H., Aug. 12, 1797. His father was a merchant in that town, and once traded in Atkinson; but in 1804 removed to Londonderry with his family, where he resided till his death. His mother's name was Susannah McGregore, a descendant of the Rev. James McGregore, who emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, and subsequently with[Pg 99] a number of others, to America, and commenced a settlement in Londonderry. At the age of fifteen, Thomas commenced the studies preparatory to entering college, under the instruction of his uncle, Rev. David McGregore, who was then the settled minister in Bedford, N. H., and lived with him about three years; he then left and entered the Pinkerton Academy in Derry, under the tuition of Mr. Samuel Burnham, and continued there until the death of his father. At this time, finding himself destitute of pecuniary means, he was forced to relinquish the idea of prosecuting further his collegiate studies, and resorted to school-keeping to obtain the object he then most desired, an education. After spending three years in this employment, he resolved to prepare for the medical profession; and, in 1821, entered the office of Dr. George Farrar of Derry, as a student in medicine, where he remained till the fall of 1822, when he left, and entered the private class of Professors Mussey, Oliver, and Dana, at Dartmouth College, and continued with them until he had finished a regular course of medical instruction, and received the degree of Doctor in Medicine at the Commencement, in 1824. In March following, he established himself at Kingston, as a physician and surgeon, where he has resided, with the exception of a few months, to the present time, in the practice of his profession, in that place and the neighboring towns.

In 1828, he was married to Miranda Spofford, daughter of Samuel Spofford, and granddaughter of Major Jacob Peaslee of Kingston. In 1826 he was elected, and in 1837, became a Fellow of the N. H. Medical Society, in which he has held the office of Censor and Counsellor. He has been honored with the office of Justice of the Peace, and has held the office of Brigade Major and Inspector in the first Brigade of New Hampshire militia.

REGISTER OF BIRTHS IN DEDHAM.

This account of births in Dedham, from 1635, the time when the town was first settled, to 1677, was copied from the Records by Dr. Elisha Thayer. The year, name of the child and its parents, and also, the month and the day of the month, are given in each case. The year is considered as beginning the first day of the first month called March, as time was then reckoned.

(To be continued.)

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ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI, O.

The 226th Anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, was celebrated in the City of Cincinnati by the New England Society, on Dec. 22, 1846. The services on the occasion were as follows: Prayer by the Rev. Dr. Beecher; Reading the Scriptures by the Rev. Mr. Magoon; Address by B. B. Fessenden, Esq.; Benediction by Rev. Dr. Stowe. With these services appropriate music was interspersed.

On Jan. 5, 1847, the annual meeting of the Society was held, and the Report was read by the Rev. Dr. Colton. In the Cincinnati Gazette we find the following account, which, we doubt not, will be interesting to our readers.

This Society was organized January 14th, 1845. Its objects are, to cherish the memory and perpetuate the principles of the original settlers of New England; to collect and diffuse information respecting New England and New England emigrants to other parts of the country, especially to the West; and to extend charity to the needy of New England descent. It is composed of men born in New England, and the male descendants of New England ancestors. The Society has a liberal charter from the Legislature, and is wholly free from debt. It has upwards of 200 members, and the number is rapidly increasing, 23 having joined at the last meeting.

It was voted to appropriate one half the surplus in the Treasury towards the establishment of a valuable library of historical and antiquarian works in relation to New England, and to start a subscription of $500 in aid of the project, of which $200 was immediately subscribed, and it is thought the balance can be made up this month. A catalogue of the works desired has been made out, which, we trust, the Directors will be enabled at once to purchase. The income of the Society this year, if this subscription is filled, will amount to $1,100.

A Committee was appointed, to ascertain if a course of Lectures could be prepared in time to be delivered this winter.

The Society contemplates the erection ultimately of a Hall for their library, meetings, and lectures, for which a lot has been offered on liberal conditions.

The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year, (Mr. Starr having declined reëlection as President.)

For President, Timothy Walker. For Vice-President, Lot E. Brewster. For Corresponding Secretary, Chauncey Colton. For Recording Secretary, Henry Crane. For Treasurer, James Lakey. For Directors, Henry Starr, Edmund Gage, Melzer Flagg, Maynard French, Jonathan H. Niles, Wm. Wiswell, Jr.

The following gentlemen have been the Presidents and Vice-Presidents, since its formation:

1845.—Bellamy Storer, President. Ephraim Robbins and Henry Emerson, Vice-Presidents.

1846.—Henry Starr, President. Lot E. Brewster, Vice-President.

1847.—Timothy Walker, President. Lot E. Brewster, Vice-President.

NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Guide to Plymouth, and Recollections of the Pilgrims. By William S. Russell.

Boston: Published for the Author, by Samuel G. Drake, 56 Cornhill. 1846.

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The History of Charlestown, Massachusetts. By Richard Frothingham, Jr. "The History of a Town is united with that of the Country to which it belongs, and with that of the ages through which it has stood." Charlestown: Charles P. Emmons. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown. 1845.

A Gazetteer of Massachusetts, containing Descriptions of all the Counties, Towns, and Districts of the Commonwealth; and also, of its principal Mountains, Rivers, Capes, Bays, Harbors, Islands, and Fashionable Resorts. To which are added Statistical Accounts of its Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures; with a great variety of useful Information. By John Hayward, Author of the "New England Gazetteer," "Book of Religions," &c. Boston: John Hayward. 1846.

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Epitaphs from the Old Burying-Ground in Cambridge. With Notes, by William Thaddeus Harris, Junior Sophister in Harvard College. Cambridge: Published by John Owen.

Loring's Massachusetts Register, or Record Book of Valuable Information, for the year 1817. Designed as a Suitable Companion for the Professional Man, the Merchant, the Public Officer, and the Private Citizen. Boston: James Loring, 132 Washington Street.

A Statistical View of the Population of Massachusetts, from 1765 to 1840. By Jesse Chickering. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown. 1846. pp. 160.

A Discourse delivered before The Maine Historical Society at its Annual Meeting. September 6, 1846. By George Folsom. "But I doubt not * * * it will prove a very flourishing place, and be replenished with many faire Towns and Cities, it being a Province both fruitful and pleasant."—F. Gorges. Description of the Province of Maine. Portland: Published for the Society. 1847.

The Sin and Danger of Self-Love, described in a Sermon preached at Plymouth, in New England, 1621, by Robert Cushman. With a Memoir of the Author. Boston: Published by Charles Ewer, and for sale by Crocker & Brewster, Samuel G. Drake, Little & Brown, James Munroe & Company, Benjamin Perkins, and James Loring. Dec. 22, 1846.

Deficiencies in our History. An Address, delivered before the Vermont Historical and Antiquarian Society, at Montpelier, October 16, 1846, with an Appendix containing the Charter, Constitution, and By-Laws of the Society, the Vermont Declaration of Independence, January 15, 1777, the Proceedings of the Convention, 4th of June, 1777, and the Song of the Vermonters, in 1779. By James Davie Butler, Professor in Norwich University. Montpelier: Eastman and Danforth. 1846.

The Patrician: Edited by John Burke, Esq., Author of the Peerage, Landed Gentry, &c. May, 1846. London: E. Churton, 26 Holles Street. pp. 94.

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PROSPECTUS
OF THE
NEW ENGLAND
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.

REV. WILLIAM COGSWELL, D. D., EDITOR.

The NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC, GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY proposes to publish by subscription a Quarterly Journal, to be entitled, "The New England Historical and Genealogical Register." The period has arrived in this country, when an awakened and a growing interest begins to be felt in the pursuit, and especially in the results, of Historical and Genealogical Researches; and when the practical value, both to individuals and to society, of the knowledge which is obtained by investigations of this kind, from the scattered and perishable records of local, domestic, and traditionary history, begins to be appreciated by increasing numbers. The existence and active exertions of Historical, Antiquarian, and Statistical Societies, which have sprung up within a few years past in most of the older states of the Union, are a sufficient evidence of this fact.

The formation of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society, which has received a Charter from the Massachusetts Legislature, and which, as its name imports, proposes to direct its attention to the illustration of History in one of its most elemental and original departments, has been received with a degree of encouragement and favor, which leaves no room to doubt that a deep interest is felt by many in the community, in subjects of this nature; and that the materials exist, in various stages of preparation, as the fruit of personal exertions, for enriching the collections of a general Depository; and thereby leading to a more extensive diffusion of the facts and documents, out of which this branch of Literature in our country has yet to be principally created. The Periodical to be issued by this Society, will be one important means of accomplishing the end in view. It will comprehend such materials as the following; namely,

1. Biographical Memoirs, Sketches, and Notices of Persons who came to North America, especially to New England, before Anno Domini 1700; showing from what places in Europe they came, their families there, and their descendants in this country;

2. Full and minute Genealogical Memoirs and Tables, showing the lineage and descent of Families, from the earliest dates to which they can be authentically traced, down to the present time, with their branches and connections;

3. Tables of Longevity, Statistical and Biographical, Accounts of Attorneys, Physicians, Ministers and Churches of all denominations, of Graduates at Colleges, Governors, Senators and Representatives in Congress, Military Officers, Merchants, and other persons of distinction; and occasionally entire Tracts, which have become rare and of permanent Historical value;

4. Lists of Names, found in ancient documents, such especially as were engaged in any honorable public service; also the documents themselves, when they may contain any important facts illustrative of the lives and actions of individuals;

5. Descriptions of the Costumes, Dwellings, and Utensils of various kinds, belonging to the earliest times to which the Ancestry of Families may be traced; to be accompanied, when practicable, with drawings or engravings;

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6. Ancient Inscriptions and Epitaphs, with descriptions of Cemeteries, Monuments, Tombs, Tablets; also, extracts from the Town and Parish Records of New England;

7. Descriptions of Armorial Bearings, and of other Heraldic devices, occasionally emblazoned, with sufficient explanations of the principles and terms of Heraldry.

The Publication will embrace many other materials of a Miscellaneous and Statistical character, more or less connected with its main design; which, it is believed, will contribute to render it interesting to intelligent persons of every class in the community.

Each Number will be embellished with a Portrait of some distinguished individual. There will also occasionally be other engravings in the work.