Class. 
 
 t" -^ A- 
 
 Book^ 
 
THE 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 
 
 BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS; 
 
 3 7 2 
 
 COMPRISING ~* ■ 
 
 A HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TOWNS 
 
 OF • 
 
 REHOBOTH, SEEKONK, AND PAWTUCKET, 
 
 FROM THEIR SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME ; 
 TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH, CUMBERLAND, AND A PART OF SWANSEY 
 AND BARRINGTON, 
 
 TO THE TIME THiT THEY WERE SEVERALLY SEPARATED FROM THE ORIGINAL TOWIf. 
 
 By LEONARD BLISS, Jr. 
 
 " CoUigite fragmenta, ut non quid pereat." 
 
 < 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 OTIS, BROADERS, AND COMPANY. 
 
 1836. 
 
^3L 
 
 Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1836, 
 
 by Leonard Bliss, Jr. 
 
 in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts 
 
 rOSTON: 
 
 Samuel N. Dickinson, Printer, 
 
 Si Washington Street. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The compilation of the materials for the following pages was 
 commenced at the suggestion of an antiquarian friend, with the 
 design of furnishing a brief sketch of the history of the old town 
 of Rehoboth, for the collections of the Massachusetts Historical 
 Society. But finding the field I had chosen, more fertile in 
 historical materials than my most sanguine expectations had at 
 first anticipated, I pushed my enquiries with considerable zeal ; 
 and, encouraged by the example of several town histories which 
 had recently made their appearance, determined, if I found suffi- 
 cient patronage to warrant the expense of publication, to extend 
 my sketch to a more complete history, and publish it in a sep- 
 arate volume. With this intention, after I had collected pretty 
 copious materials, I issued a prospectus, and commenced pro- 
 curing subscribers, promising them the work within a few months. 
 There has been, however, a delay of more than a year beyond 
 the time first specified ; but it will, it is hoped, be received as 
 a sufficient apology, that, besides having underrated, at the time,^ 
 the labor of throwing the materials into form for the press, I 
 have been constantly endeavoring to add to their stock ; and so 
 successfully, too, as to be able to present to the reader more 
 than fifty pages beyond the number promised in the prospectus. 
 
 In introducing this volume, a few words are requisite respect- 
 ing the principles adopted, and the method pursued, in writing 
 it, and the sources whence the materials have been drawn. 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 In the first place, I designed the volume to be a collection of 
 well authenticated facts respecting the towns of which I wrote. 
 Nothing has been inserted, which did not bear the stamp of 
 truth. Tradition has been relied on, only so far as its authority 
 was strengthened by collateral evidence ; and always, when ad- 
 mitted, has been distinguished from fact. 
 
 The method I have pursued in arrangement, is to give the 
 history of the old town of Rehoboth, in its greatest extent, from 
 the earliest period that it was inhabited by white men, to the 
 present time ; dropping, however, that of those parts which have 
 been since separated from the original town, at the time of their 
 separation. I then give the history of Seekonk and Pawtucket 
 separately, commencing at the period of their incorporation as 
 independent towns. The events have been related, so far as 
 practicable, in the order in which they occurred. The civil and 
 ecclesiastical affairs of each town have been given in separate 
 divisions ; but in the early history of the old town, when the 
 support of the clergy was provided for by the town, as such, 
 the constant mingling of civil and ecclesiastical transactions made 
 it necessary, in order to give the events in the relations to each 
 other in which they occurred, to state them in that connection. 
 Succeeding the histories of the three towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, 
 and Pawtucket, are biographical sketches of individuals, not 
 connected particularly with either the civil or ecclesiastical his- 
 tory of either of those towns, who were yet natives of them, or 
 have at some time made a permanent residence there. The 
 few sketches that occur of Attleborough, Cumberland, Swansey, 
 and Barrington, are interspersed throughout the earlier part of 
 the history of Rehoboth. 
 
 The sources from which the materials for this history have 
 been drawn, are faithfully referred to throughout the whole work. 
 It should here be remarked, that the records of the old town of 
 Rehoboth, commencing in 1643, are still extant ; and, though 
 in a hand writing, very difficult to decipher, and sometimes 
 almost illegible, they afforded very abundant materials for the 
 
PREF AC E . 
 
 earlier part of our history. From these very copious extracts 
 have been made, which are marked with quotations. In all of 
 these the exact language of the original has been preserved, and 
 in some cases the orthography ; that the events of olden time 
 might be presented to the reader in their own native costume. 
 
 As a partial extenuation of faults and inaccuracies of style, 
 that will doubtless be detected by the reader, the author should 
 be permitted to say, that circumstances obliged him to complete 
 his work in great haste j and that often, when the compositor has 
 been putting into type one page, he has been penning the next. 
 The materials were principally collected during vacations at 
 college ; and the whole has been written in the few short in- 
 tervals of relaxation afforded by a profession, which, if we may 
 credit the testimony of worthy " Peter Pattieson," in " Old 
 Mortality," may be supposed to allow to the mind few moments 
 suited to the business of composition. But as a book of facts, 
 this history, it is hoped, may be relied upon ; and the writer's 
 only ambition, so far as regards style, has been to make those 
 facts intelligible to the reader, trusting to the assertion of Pliny 
 the Younger, that " historia quoquo modo scripta delectat." 
 
 To all who have in any way aided him in his undertaking, 
 the author would tender his thanks ; and would especially ac- 
 knowledge his obligations to Albert G. Greene and William 
 R. Staples, Esq,rs., of Providence, and to the Hon. Nahum 
 Mitchell, Hon. James Savage, and Samuel G. Drake, Esq,. 
 of Boston, for the kindness and readiness with which they have 
 afforded every assistance in their power. 
 
 With this introduction the following pages are now submitted 
 to the public ; and should the author be found to have rescued 
 from the past but a fragment of his country's history, he will 
 feel himself amply compensated for labors, which none but 
 those who have had experience in similar undertakings can fully 
 realize. 
 
 June, 1836. LEONARD BLISS, Jr. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 The old town of Rehoboth comprised, in its greatest extent, 
 the present town, together with Seekonk, Pawtucket, Attle- 
 borough, Cumberland, R. I., and that part of Swansey and 
 Barrington, which was called by the Indians Wannamoiset.* 
 The first purchase of land for the settlement of the town was 
 made of Massassoit, in 1641 ; and was, according to the measure- 
 ment of those times, " a tract eight miles square, "f and embra- 
 ced what now constitutes the towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, 
 and Pawtucket. The second purchase was the tract called by 
 the Indians, and after them by the English, Wannamoiset, and 
 forms a part of Swansey and Barrington. The third and last 
 purchase was the " JNorth Purchase," forming now Attleborough, 
 Mass. and Cumberland, R. I. The last was formerly called 
 " Attleborough Gore." In 1667, Wannamoiset was included 
 in the- town of Swansey, which was then incorporated, inclu- 
 ding, besides the present town, Somersett, Mass., and Barring- 
 ton, and the greater part of Wari'en, R. I. The "North 
 Purchase" was incorporated into a separate town, by the name 
 of Attleborough, in 1694; and this was subdivided, in 1746, the 
 "Gore" becoming Cumberland. The rest of the ancient town 
 continued together till 1812, when Seekonk became a separate 
 township, assuming its original Indian name|; and in 1828 
 
 *The name " Mnllywdsset," which I take to be a strange corruption of the 
 word Wannamoiset, is now given to that part of Barrington called the "Viall 
 Neighbourhood . ' ' 
 
 t This tract of land measures ten miles square. 
 
 t Seekonk is composed of two Indian words, sfaki, meaning black, and honk, 
 
 foose, — black goose, the Indian name for the wild goose, which is partly black, 
 'he adjective siaki always loses the i when combined with other words, 
 and sometimes becomes sek. — IVilliams s Key to the Indian Lan^vagc. 
 
 This spot received this name, probably, from the circumstance, that great 
 numbers of wild geese used frequently, in their semi-annual migrations, to 
 alight in Seekonk river and cove. They frequently alight there now. 
 
 1 
 
» HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Pawtucket* followed the example and was separated from 
 Seekonk. 
 
 The first white settler within the original limits of Rehoboth 
 was William Blackstone. He lived in what is now Cumber- 
 land, R. I., on the river which bears his name, and about three 
 miles above the village of Pawtucket. 
 
 How or when he came to this country is not known. When 
 Governour Winthrop and his company arrived at Charlestown, 
 in 1630, they found Blackstone in quiet possession of Shaw- 
 mut, the peninsula where the city of Boston now stands. The 
 year 1628 is the eaihest date at which his name appears on the 
 pages of our history. All we know of him previously to this is, 
 that he was a non-conformist minister of the Episcopal church 
 in England; and that, not willing to endure "the tyranny of the 
 Lord-Bishops," he left the mother country, and sought an 
 asylum in the wilds of JNorth America. The precise time when 
 he landed on our shores, where he first settled, or when he es- 
 tablished himself at Shawmut, are problems in his history 
 which will, probably, never be solved. Lechford, who wrote 
 in 1641, and who, says Mr. Savage [Winthrop, vol. I. 45] visited 
 Blackstone in his new habitation above Pawtucket, thus speaks 
 of him : "One Master Blackstone, a minister, went from Bos- 
 ton, having lived there nine or ten yeares, because he would not 
 joyne with the church ; he lives neere master Williams, but is 
 far from his opinions. "f Having, with this, the date of his leav- 
 ing Boston, an approximation to the time of his coming there 
 may be made. He sold his lands on the peninsula, in 1634, 
 and his removal may probably be placed in the spring of 
 1635. J This would fix the time of his first settling at Shaw- 
 mut in 1625 or 1626. "That Blackstone had occupied our 
 peninsula several years, and with no slight advantage," says Mr. 
 Savage in his admirable edition of Winthrop, "we may pre- 
 sume from the expenses assessed on the several plantations, 
 from Plymouth northward, for the campaign against Morton at 
 Merry Mount, in 1628; his proportion, though the least, being 
 more than one third of that to be paid by the settlers of Salem, 
 
 * PaicfMcket is an Indian name, and was applied by the Indians to several 
 places where there were streams, or ratlier falls of water. 
 
 t Lechford, -page A-2.—Mass. Hist. Coll. iii. !!7, TInrd Sf r if s.—hecMoid visit- 
 ed America in ]t)37.— Jl/r,.?*-. H!st. Coll. iii. 399, TIdrd S<rlcs. 
 
 t See Memoir of William Blackstone, communicated by the late Samuel 
 Davis, Esq. of Plymouth, in the Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 170—3, 2d Series. 
 
m 
 
 HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 
 
 before the cominoj of Endicott," [vol. I. p. 44.] The following 
 is the assessment referred to, giving the sums paid severally by 
 towns and individuals : 
 
 Plymouth, £2 10s. Mrs. Thompson, ) £q j^^ 
 
 Naumkeag, [Salem] 1 10 [Squantum neck] 5 
 Piscataquack, 2 10 Mr. Blackstone [Boston] 12 
 
 Jeffrey and Burslem, 2 00 Ed'w Hilton, [Dover] 1 00 
 Natascot, 1 10 
 
 Total £12 75. 
 
 [Mass. Hist. Coll. iii. 63.] 
 
 Governor Hopkins, in his " History of Providence," pub- 
 lished in the Providence Gazette, 1765, — only ninety years 
 after Blackstone's death, says, that Blackstone had been at 
 Boston "so long" (when the Massachusetts colony came,) 
 " as to have raised apple trees and planted an orchard." Thus 
 we have an amount of concurrent testimony sufficient to estab- 
 lish, beyond a doubt, the fact, that Blackstone pitched his tent 
 at Shawmut (Boston), at an early period, — as early, certainly, 
 as 1625 or 1626. 
 
 This is corroborated, too, by the circumstance of the right of 
 original proprietor having been allowed, to some extent, at least, 
 to Blackstone by the Massachusetts colony, by virtue of pre- 
 occupancy. There is, however, extant a tradition, that Governour 
 Winthrop and his company, on their arrival, finding Blackstone 
 in possession of the land they intended to occupy, were at first 
 disposed to oust him, under pretence that they had received a 
 grant of that tract from the king ; and a speech is put into his 
 mouth on this occasion, comporting well with his proud inde- 
 pendence of spirit, which would not allow his rights to be 
 wrested from him, even by the hand that grasped the sceptre. 
 " The king," answered Blackstone, in reply to their claim, 
 " asserteth sovereignty over this New Virginia, (as New England 
 was then sometimes called), in respect that John and Sebastian 
 Cabot sailed along the coast, without even landing at any place ; 
 and if the quality of sovereignty can subsist upon the substratum 
 of mere inspection, surely the quality of property can subsist 
 upon that of actual occupancy, which is the foundation of my 
 claim."* This ingenious logic seems, as the tradition will have 
 it, to have puzzled his antagonists ; for they agreed to purchase 
 
 * This tradition is current in the neighbourhood where Blackstone last resid- 
 ed ; and has been incorporated into a novel, in which a fancied daughter of 
 Blackstone figures as the heroine. See " Humours of Eutopia," vol. 1. 
 
4 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. ^^^ 
 
 his lands, reserving for him six acres on the peninsula of Shaw- 
 mut. This is given but as a tradition : how far it is worthy of 
 credence is submitted. The speech, it must be allowed, is bond 
 fide, in the character of Blackstone. 
 
 How far the settlers of Boston allowed Blackstone's claim as 
 original proprietor, it is impossible fully to determine. But 
 even a disposition to dispossess him would have been greater 
 ingratitude, — to say nothing of the courtesies of gentlemen, of 
 which our forefathers were certainly not destitute, — than their 
 descendants would be willing to have charged upon Winthrop 
 and his Puritan associates. For it is stated by Prince, in his 
 Chronology, page 313, that the settlers of Charlestown having 
 become sickly by reason of bad water, Mr. Blackstone went 
 and invited them to come over and settle on the peninsula, tel- 
 ling the Governour that he had found there an excellent spring of 
 water, and urging him with pressing invitations to remove 
 thither. 
 
 Blackstone's cottage stood near a spring, on the south end of 
 the peninsula.* Here he cultivated a garden, and had planted 
 an orchard, — the first planted in Massachusetts. Snow, [Hist, 
 of Boston, p. 52, 2d Edition] places the spot of his residence 
 in the neighbourhood where the Alms House at that time stood ; 
 and says, that the point, at which Craigie's bridge commences, 
 is called, on the ancient plans of the town, "Barton's Point," 
 and is the same formerly called "Blackstone's Point." 
 
 He took the freeman's oath, May 18, 1631, being the first 
 who took it, and before the passing of the order which restricted 
 the privileges of freemen to church members. For Mr. Black- 
 stone, though an ordained minister of the Church of England, 
 was yet not only a non-conformist among conformists, but a 
 non-conformist among non-conformists, — a sort of Ishmaelite in 
 religion. He left England through a dislike to " the Lord- 
 ^ Bishops," and soon avowed himself equally displeased with 
 " the Lord-Bretheren." 
 
 His right to the soil by pre-occupancy, was recognized to a 
 certain extent, at least, by the Massachusetts Colony ; and a 
 portion of land at Boston was set oflf to him, as appears from 
 their records [vol. I, p. 97]. At a Court, holden April 1, 
 1633, "It is agreed that William Blackstone shall have fifty 
 
 " " On the south side of Charles river mouth, on a point of land, called 
 " Blaxton's Point," lives Mr. Blaxton, where he only has a cottage ; the neck 
 of land from which the point runs being in Indian named Shawmut, after- 
 wards Boston."— Pr/ncf's Chron. 309, new ed. Boston, 1826. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 acres of ground set off for him near to his house in Boston, to 
 enjoy forever." This was, at least, one fourteenth of the whole 
 peninsula. November 10, 1634, at a general meeting upon 
 public notice, it was agreed that Edmund Quincy, Samuel Wil- 
 bore, WiUiam Balstone, Edward Hutchinson, the elder, and 
 William Cheeseborough, the constable, shall make and assess 
 all these rates, viz. " a rate of £30 to Mr. Blackstone, a 
 rate," &£c. This rate was levied "for Mr. Blackstone," and 
 paid to him in purchase for his lands at Boston, as will appear 
 from the following; 
 
 DEPOSITION. 
 
 " The deposition of John Odlin, aged about eighty-two 
 yeares, Robert Walker, aged about seventy-eight yeares, 
 Francis Hudson, aged about sixty-eight yeares, and William 
 Lytherland, aged about seventy-six yeares. These Depo- 
 nents being ancient dwellers and inhabitants of the town of 
 Boston in New-England, from the first planting and settUng 
 thereof, and continuing so at this day, do jointly testify and 
 depose that in or about the yeare of our Lord one thousand six 
 hundred thirty-and-four the then present inhabitants of said 
 town of Boston (of vvhome the Honourable John Winthrop, 
 Esq. Governour of the Colony was chiefe) did treate and agree 
 with Mr. William Blackstone for the purchase of his estate and 
 right in any lands lying within the said neck of land called Bos- 
 ton, and for said purchase agreed that every householder should 
 pay six shillings, which was accordingly collected, none paying 
 less, some considerably more than six shillings, and the said 
 sume collected was delivered and paid to Mr. Blackstone to his 
 full content and satisfaction, in consideration whereof hee sold 
 unto the then inhabitants of said town and their heirs and as- 
 signs forever his whole right and interest in all and every of the 
 lands lying within the said neck, reserving onely unto himselfe 
 about six acres of land on the point commonally called Black- 
 stone's Point, on part whereof his then dwelling house stood ; 
 after which purchase the town laid out a place for a trayning 
 field ; which ever since and now is used for that purpose, and 
 for the feeding of cattell : Robert Walker and William Lyther- 
 land farther testify that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of cows 
 with the money hee received as above, and removed and dw'elt 
 near Providence, where hee lived till the day of his death. 
 
O HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 " Deposed this 10th day of June, 1684, by John OdHn, 
 Robert Walker, Francis Hudson, and WiUiam Lyiherland, ac- 
 cording to their respective testinionye. 
 "Before us 
 
 " S. Bradstreet, Governour, 
 "Sam. Sewall, Assist." 
 [Snow's Hist of Boston, p. 50 — 1.] 
 
 Having disposed of all, or the greater part, of his lands in 
 Boston, and finding the bigotry and intolerance of his iiew 
 neighbours averse to that freedom of spirit, and liberty of con- 
 science which he fled from England to enjoy, he again bade adieu 
 to the abodes of civilization, and penetrated once more the gloomy 
 forest, in search of an asylum ; preferring the untutored rude- 
 ness of the savage to the civilized bigotry and intolerance of 
 the Christian. 
 
 The place he now selected, and which proved to be his last re- 
 treat, was the Attleborough Gore, of history, on the banks of the 
 river that perpetuates his name. His house he named "Study 
 Hall." It stood near the east bank of the river, a few rods east 
 of a knoll, which, from its being his favourite place of retirement 
 and study, he called "Study Hill."* This spot is about three 
 miles above Pawtucket, and a mile and a half above Valley 
 Falls, on the west side of the stage road from Pawtucket to 
 Worcester. This knoll or hillock, which appears to be wholly 
 of alluvial earth, rises abruptly from the meadow like a pyra- 
 mid, on the very brink of the river, to the height of sixty or 
 seventy feet. It is now covered with beautiful young wood, 
 
 * It has been stated by all who have undertaken to describe this retreat of 
 Blackstone, — Davis \Mass. Hist Coll. x. 70 — :{, 2d Srries,] Snow, [Hist, of 
 Boston, p. 52, 2d ed.} Baylies, [Memoirs of PI ij month Colony, ii. ]'J4.] Dagget, 
 [Hist, of Attleborough, p. 2() ] that he built his house on ' Study Hill.' But a 
 single glance, to a person on the spot, would be sufficient to convince him that 
 this must be an erronr ; for the ascent of the hill, or knoll, as it is sometimes 
 called, is so steep, that to have procured wood and water, or water alone, 
 would have been a thing next to impossible. Besides reductio odabsvrdum, the 
 Whipple family, in whose possession the land has ever remained since it was 
 sold to them by Blackstone's son, John Blackstone, say that the house was in 
 the meadow on the east side of the hill. And the Hon Judge Dexter, of 
 Cumberland, who resides near the spot, tells me, that, within his recollection, 
 Blackstone's cellar, with the stoning, was plainly to be seen ; and pointed out 
 to me the spot, about four rods east of the hill, and two east from his grave. 
 His well, with the stoning almost entire, is still to bo seen, a few rods south of 
 the cellar and grave, on the second table of meadow. The meadow is divi- 
 ded into three tables, elevated one above the other, which appear to be water 
 formations. The house stood on the first, where still is seen the grave, and 
 the well is on the second. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 from the base to the top, a heavy growth of timber having, 
 within a few years, been cut off. The Indian name of the place 
 was Waivepoonseag* This name is first mentioned in the 
 Plymouth Records, in describing the boundaries of tlie North 
 Purchase, in 1661, viz. — "From Rehoboth ranging upon Paw- 
 tucket river, to a place called by the natives Wawtpooiiseag, 
 where one Blackstone now sojournetli." Here, too, he planted 
 an oichard, the first one planted in Rhode Island ; cultivated a 
 garden, and lived for many years in entire seclusion from the 
 world, with none to disturb his lonely retreat. "Many of the 
 trees which he planted, about one hundred and thirty years 
 ago," says Governour Hopkins, in 1765, "are still pretty thrifty 
 fruit-bearing trees." Three apple trees are now standing, in 
 the south end of Blackstone's meadow, and two of them bear 
 apples. They appear to be very old, but probably grew fiom 
 the sprouts of those planted by Blackstone. "He had the first 
 of that sort," says the author last quoted, "called yellow sweet- 
 ings, that were ever in the world, perhaps the richest and most 
 delicious apple of the whole kind. Mr. Blackstone used fre- 
 quently to come to Providence to preach the gospel, and, to 
 encourage his young hearers, gave them the first apples they 
 ever saw. It is said that when he was old and unable to travel 
 on foot, and not having any horse, he used to ride on a bull 
 which he had tamed and tutored to that use." [Hist, of Prov- 
 idence. See Mass. Hist. Coll. ii. 174, 2d Series.] 
 
 How Blackstone performed the labour of building his house 
 at Boston, or at Cumberland ; how he took care of his stock of 
 "cowes," (for he appears himself to have devoted much of his 
 time to study;) whether he kept servants, or whether he per- 
 formed all his labour with his own hands, history does not inform 
 us. It is said, by tradition, that he had a servant, whose name 
 was Abbot, and to whom he gave land on the ' Run' that 
 bears his name. During his residence at Cumberland, Mr. 
 Blackstone married Mrs. Sarah Stevenson of Boston, as appears 
 by the Boston town records : " Mr. William Blackstone was 
 married to Sarah Stevenson, widow, the 4th of July, 1659, by 
 John Endicott, Governor." She was the widow of John Ste- 
 
 * A writer in the Mass. Hist. Coll. (the late Samuel Davis, Esq. of Plym- 
 outh,) supposes this to be properly the name of the brook now called " Ab- 
 bot's Run,'' which enters the Blackstone, just below Valley Falls. He con- 
 jectures the word to signify " the place where birds are ensnared or taken ; " — 
 from icaine, the name of a species of goose, and poonseug, a term for nets or 
 snares. See Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 171, 2d Series. 
 
8 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 venson of Boston, who had by her at least three children, — 
 Onesimus, born 26th lOth mo. 1643 ; John, born — 7th mo. 
 1645 ; and James, born Oct. 1st, 1653. His second son, John 
 Stevenson, lived with his mother after her marriage with Mr. 
 Blackstone ; and, after their decease, continued to reside on a 
 part of Blackstone's land, granted him by the Court of Plym- 
 outh, during the remainder of his life." [Daggett's Hist, of 
 Attleborough.] Blackstone's wife died about the middle of 
 June, 1673,* and he survived her only about two years, dying 
 May 26, 1675,f a few weeks before the commencement of the 
 Indian War, which laid in ashes his 'fair domain.' 
 
 Mr. Blackstone made books the companions of his lonely and 
 sylvan retreat, as we shall see by the following inventory of his 
 estate and library, taken two days after his death. 
 '^Inventory of the lands, goods and chattelh of Mr. William 
 
 Blackstone : Taken, May 28, 1675, by Mr. Stephen Paine, 
 
 and others of Rehoboth. 
 
 "real, estate not prized. 
 
 " Sixty acres of land and two shares in meadows in Provi- 
 idence. The west plain, the south neck, and land about the 
 house and orchard, amounting to two hundred acres, and the 
 meadow called Blackstone's meadow. 
 
 "library. 
 
 3 Bibles, 10s. — 6 English books in folio, £2 
 
 3 Latin books, in folio, 155. — 3 do. large quarto, £2 
 
 15 small quarto, £l 17s. 6c?. — 14 small do. 14s 
 
 30 large octavo, £4, — 25 small do. £1 5s, 
 
 22 duodecimo, 
 
 53 small do. of little value, 
 
 10 paper books, 
 
 Remainder personal, 
 
 Total personal, 56 3 6 
 
 * " Mrs. Sarah Blakstone the wife of Mr. William Blaxstonhuned about the 
 middle of .lune, 1673." — Rehoboth Rrronh. 
 
 t " Mr William B'ahston buried the 28th of May, 1675."— /&. Many of the 
 ancient records mention the day of the burial, but not the day of the death of 
 the persons. 1 have followed Snow, (Hist, of Boston,) who says Blackstone 
 died the 26th, which, if he was buried the 28th, cannot be far from correct. 
 
 £2 
 
 10s. 
 
 1 2 
 
 15 
 
 2 
 
 11 6c?. 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 5 
 
 15 
 
 12 6 
 
 40 
 
 11 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 This note is made in the margin ; " This estate (the movea- 
 ables,) was destroyed and carried away by the natives." [Plym- 
 outh Colony Records, 1675.] [Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 173, 2d 
 Series. Comm. by Samuel Davis, Esq.] Blackstone's library, 
 as maybe seen from the above inventory, contained one hundred 
 and eighty-six volumes, from folios to " paper books, " — a 
 respectable library for those times, and for a private gentleman 
 in the wilds of America. It is probable, or at least, not im- 
 probable, that the "ten paper books" mentioned in the inven- 
 tory, were manuscripts containing journals of his wanderings, 
 and "golden opinions" purchased by "patient thought" on Study 
 Hill. For it is not to be presumed that a man so devoted to 
 study and retirement as Blackstone, and possessing a mind of that 
 independent, original, and contemplative cast, could have suffer- 
 ed its energies to run to waste, through the period of a long life, 
 without having directed them to any specific object ; and had 
 not the torch of the ruthless savage consigned his lucubrations 
 to the flames, we might have known more of the life of this 
 singular man, of whom there now remains little more than suf- 
 ficient to awaken and excite our curiosity. 
 
 The character of Blackstone, so far as developed to us, is 
 one of peculiar interest and of singular eccentricity. He was one 
 of the few whose spirits are centuries in advance of the age in 
 which they are sent, as though by mistake, to take up their 
 abode on earth. Born at a period when religion formed the 
 whole business, instead of the mere pastime, of life ; and find- 
 ing the freedom of conscience, so necessary to the enjoyment 
 of that religion whose native air is liberty, trammelled by the 
 shackles of iiJ"norance, and of bigotry, its inseparable companion ; 
 he left the land of his fathers, — the friends of his youth, and 
 the scenes of his boyhood sports, and sought an asylum on the 
 stern and rock-bound shores of New-England. Here he found 
 with the untutored savage that right which the polished Chris- 
 tian had denied him, — "freedom to worship God." And when 
 this far-off retreat was invaded by men stern and intoler- 
 ant, and inheriting much of the bigotry of the mother coun- 
 try, " he uttered no complaints, he provoked no quarrels ; " but 
 quietly sold his lands, and again retired from the face of civili- 
 zation, and again took up his solitary abode in the wilderness: 
 and luckily for his peace, the tide of civilization had but jist 
 reached him at the period of his death. It was on the occasion 
 of his leaving Boston that he made the celebrated speech, which 
 2 
 
10 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 tradition has preserved and handed down to us : " / came from 
 England because I did not like the Lord-Bishops, hut I can- 
 not join with you because I would not be under the Lord- 
 Bret her en.'" * This speech gives us his character in bold reUef. 
 It does not show him to have been morose and misanthropic, 
 but singular and independent, and desirous of enjoying his in- 
 dependence. With JByron, he "loved not man the less, but 
 nature," and nature's God, and the free enjoyment of his gifts, 
 the "more." 
 
 "In his death," says Baylies, "this pilgrim father of Boston 
 and Rehoboth was singularly happy. It happened a few days 
 previous to the commencement of that direful war, which in a 
 few days after gave his house and his books to the flames, and 
 rendered his fair and cultivated domain a scene of desolation." 
 
 He lies buried in classic ground, about two rods east of his 
 favorite Study Hill, where two rude stones mark his grave.f 
 
 His family here has long been extinct ; but his name will not 
 be easily forgotten. It is identified with the river which flows 
 past the site of his lonely dwelling, and with the canal which 
 bears the produce of the interior of Massachusetts through the 
 beautiful valley of the Blackstone to the city of Roger Wil- 
 liams. And we hope and trust it will not be long ere the 
 musing traveller will find it on some marble tablet, by the side 
 of his spring in the metropolis of New-England, and over his 
 grave on the banks of his stream.:]: 
 
 Blackstone resided in New-England about fifty years, during 
 which he saw the settlements of the colonists springing up in 
 every part of what, when he first beheld h, was one unbroken 
 wilderness. But were his spirit permitted now to revisit the 
 scenes of his former exile, how great the change he would wit- 
 ness! Almost in v^ain would he search for the spot where he 
 once inhabited. Where stood his lonely cottage on the wild 
 
 *Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 171—2; 2d Series. 
 
 tit is stated in the " Memoir of Blackstone" in the Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 
 170 — 3, 2d Series, that " he lies buried on Study Hill, where it is said a flat 
 stone marks his grave." This is an errour. His grave is by the side of Study 
 Hill, about two rods east of it. There is no " flat stone " now visible; but 
 simply rude stones of partly chrystallized quartz at the head and foot of the 
 grave. 
 
 ^President Kirkland and his lady, I have been informed, visited Cumberland 
 a few years since, to ascertain the place of Blackstone's grave, with a view to 
 erecting a monument over it; but unfortunately meeting with a person who 
 knew little of Blackstone and still less respecting the place of his burial, they 
 returned, concluding that the spot could not be identified. 
 
HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 11 
 
 peninsula of Shawmut, he would now behold, " rising from out 
 the wave," 
 
 " As fi-om the stroke of the enchanter's wand," 
 and teeming with an active and intelligent population, the beau- 
 tiful city of Boston. Where then he beheld the wigwam of the 
 savage, he would now see the hall of legislation and the temple 
 of learning. Where grew his young and thrifty orchard, and 
 where bloomed the rose in his garden, now ai-ise mansions of 
 elegance and grandeur, 
 
 " On swelling columns heaved, — the pride of art." 
 And perhaps the very spot where he sheltered his cattle may 
 be the siie of the Tremont or of Faneuil Hall. The bay, 
 whose bosom then felt nought but the light canoe of the Indian, 
 he would now behold studded with the sail of every nation, and 
 wiiitened with the canvas of a prosperous commerce. The 
 shores where the young Indian gathered his shells, he would 
 now see lined with wharves, laden with the products and luxu- 
 ries of every clime. 
 
 Nor is the valley of the Blackstone hardly less changed. 
 Little, but Study Hill and the beautiful river that rolls at its 
 base, remains of its original features. It is true that he might 
 see a remnant of his once beautiful orchard, and point out, per- 
 haps, the stump of his favourite tree;* — might find among the 
 brakes and shrubs the well he stoned and from which he drank, 
 and point to the site of his lonely dwelling ; and, when he 
 glanced at the spot where he ordered his ashes to be laid, might 
 sigh over the ingratitude which had denied him a stone to record 
 his name ; but he would find little to gratify his taste for soli- 
 tude, and little that reminded him of his former solitary and 
 peaceful abode. The forests have been levelled away, and 
 even his favourite stream has not remained unchanged by time.f 
 Smiling villages have sprung up in quick succession on its 
 banks, at almost every winding of its course ; and the howl of 
 the wild beast and the yell of the savage have given place to 
 the noise of the loom and the hum of the spindle. 
 
 * His favourite tree is said to have stood just south of Study Hill, where the 
 remnant of a stump and roots of a tree were pointed out to me, as those which 
 belonged to it. They more probably belong to one of its sprouts. 
 
 t The river, within forty years past, I am informed by the aged of the in- 
 habitants, has changed and enlarged its channel at this place. It now washes 
 the very base of the hill, whereas the margin of the river was formerly three 
 rods west of it. 
 
12 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Concerning Blackstone's family little is known. We have 
 no knowledge of his having been married till his marriage with 
 Mrs. Stevenson, July 4, 1659, by Governour Endicott. Snow, 
 in his history of Boston, supposes that Blackstone did not leave 
 Boston till as late as 1638 ; and states in support of this suppo- 
 sition, that he had land allotted him at Muddy river in Janua- 
 ry of this year ; and afterwards adds, that in this allotment he 
 had the portion of three heads allotted him. Mr. Savage, in 
 his Notes to Winthrop's Journal, [vol. I. 45,] supposes this to 
 be an errour, arising from the name of William Bahtone being 
 mistaken for that of William Blackstone. If Blackstone had 
 land allotted him at Muddy river in 1638 by the people of Bos- 
 ton, it must have been in consequence of his owning an estate 
 in Boston ; for it will be recollected that when he sold the prin- 
 cipal part of his estate there, in ] 634, he reserved to himself 
 six acres, which as yet we find no record of his having sold. Mr. 
 Snow infers from his having the portion of three heads assigned 
 him, in the allotment referred to, that his family, at this time, 
 consisted of three persons. But if Mr. Snow is incorrect, (and 
 Mr. Savage we should be surprised to find otherwise than cor- 
 rect,) we have no record of Blackstone having any one with 
 him till his marriage with Mrs. Stevenson ; but it seems rather 
 too much to suppose that he could have lived, thus isolated as 
 he was from the world, without the aid of servants. 
 
 Mr. Blackstone had one son by his marriage with Mrs. Ste- 
 venson, John Blackstone, born at Rehoboth ; but at precisely 
 what time I am not able to learn, as no record of his birth is to 
 be found on the town books. This was, so far as we are ac- 
 quainted with his history, his only child.* Of him we are able 
 to learn but little, nor does he otherwise interest us than as the 
 son of Blackstone.f He was a minor when his father died, and 
 had guardians appointed him by the Plymouth Court, as ap- 
 pears by the Records : "June 1st, 1675. — Lieut. Hunt, En- 
 sign Smith and Mr. Daniel Smith are appointed and authorized 
 
 * It IS erroneously stated in the short sketch of Blackstone, in the Mass. 
 Hist. Coll. X. 170 — 3, 2d Series, to which I have had occasion frequently to 
 refer, that he left two children, a son " and a daughter married to Mr. John Ste- 
 venson." This errour probably arose from John Stevenson being called the 
 son-in-law of Blackstone. This, as has been seen, he became by the mar- 
 riage of his mother with Mr. Blackstone. 
 
 t For what is here stated concerning John Blackstone, I am indebted, next 
 to tradition particularly to Mr. Dagget's excellent and faithful history of 
 Attleborough. ^^ •' 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 13 
 
 by the Court to take some present care of the estate of Mr. 
 WilHam Blackstone deceased, and of his son now left by him ; 
 and to see that at the next Court he do propose a man to the 
 Court to be his guardian ; which in case he do neglect, the 
 Court will then see cause to make choice of one for him." — 
 Plymouth Col. Rec. 
 
 He liv^ed on his paternal inheritance till 1692, when, having 
 squandered his estate by his intemperate and idle habits, he sold 
 his lands to David Whipple, and soon after removed to Provi- 
 dence. Here he labored in the occupation of a shoemaker ; and it 
 is probable that here he married his wife Katharine, as no record 
 of his marriage appears either on the Rehoboth or Attleborough 
 Records. He continued to reside in Providence till 1713, when 
 he returned to Attleborough, and, with his wife, was legally 
 warned out of town. For what cause is not stated, but may be 
 conjectured. He afterwards removed, as tradition says, to Con- 
 necticut, and settled not far from New Haven ; where, I have 
 been credibly informed, were living a few years since a family 
 of the same name, inheriting the peculiarities, for which the 
 first of the name here was distinguished, and with the same 
 unconquerable love of solitude.* Tradition says also, that 
 a son of John, and grandson of Mr. William Blackstone, 
 fell at the taking of Louisburg, in the French war, whither he 
 marched in the capacity of a Lieutenant. 
 
 His son-in-law, John Stevenson, came with his mother, on 
 her marriage with Mr. Blackstone. He was then about four- 
 teen years of age ; he continued with them until their decease, 
 and proved himself very serviceable in their declining years. 
 For his filial attention and kindness the Court of Plymouth re- 
 warded him with a part of Mr. Blackstone's estate, as appears 
 by the following order, passed June 10th, 1675, about two 
 weeks after his death. 
 
 "Whereas the Court is informed that one whose name is 
 John Stevenson, son-in-law to Mr. William Blackstone, late 
 deceased, was very helpful to his father and mother in their 
 life-time, without whom they could not have subsisted as to a 
 good help and instrument thereof, and he is now left in a low 
 and mean condition, and never was in any, recompensed for his 
 
 * The Hon. Francis Baylies informed me, that some years since, wiiile trav- 
 elling in Connecticut, he heard of a family there of the name of Blackstone, 
 who were noted for their eccentricities, particularly for their love of solitude. 
 
14 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 good service aforesaid, and if, (as it is said at least,) his father- 
 in-law engaged to his mother at his marriage with her, that he 
 should be considered with a competency of land out of the said 
 Blackstone's land, then lived on, which hath never yet been 
 performed ; and forasmuch as the personal estate of the said 
 William Blackstone is so small and inconsiderable, that he the 
 said Stevenson cannot be relieved out of it ; this Court, there- 
 fore, in consideration of the premises, do order and dispose fifty 
 acres of land unto the said John Stevenson, out of the lands of 
 the said William Blackstone, and five acres of meadow, to be 
 laid out unto him by Ensign Henry Smith, and Mr. Daniel 
 Smith, and Mr. Nathaniel Paine, according as they shall think 
 meet, so as it may be most commodious to him or as little pre- 
 judicial to the seat of Mr. William Blackstone as may be. By 
 order of the Court for the jurisdiction of New Plymouth." — 
 Plym. CoL Rec* 
 
 " Stevenson acquired a taste for solitary life by living with 
 Blackstone, and resided here, (it is believed, alone,) till his 
 death. There is no evidence of his ever having been married. 
 His time was devoted to the cultivation of his lands and to the 
 pleasures of hunting. He died Sept. 16, 1695. His brother, 
 James Stevenson, of Springfield, was appointed his administra- 
 tor; who returned an inventory, Oct. 11, 1695, from which it 
 appears that his whole estate was valued at £57 55. 2J. His 
 house, lands, and meadows at £50. His gun, cutlass, and 
 cartouch box, I85." &;c. Sic. — Daggeifs History of Attleho- 
 rousch. 
 
 Next to William Blackstone came the celebrated Roger Wil- 
 liams, and pitched his tent for a while on the ground which after- 
 wards became Rehoboth. His early history, like that of Black- 
 stone, is, to a great extent, involved in obscurity. He was born 
 in 1599, and, as is generally supposed, was a native of Wales,t 
 and educated at Oxford. J After having left the Univer- 
 
 * Those who are desirous of seeing the bounds of this grant, as also the 
 bounds of the land of John Blackstone, and thus ascertain the precise location 
 of Blackstone's estate, will find them minutely described in Daggett's Histo- 
 ry of Attleborough, pp. 31. and 32. 
 
 1 Tradition places his nativity in Wales, and his education at Oxford. 
 
 X Wood in his Athenae Oxonienses, after giving an account of a gentleman 
 named Roger Williams, says, " I find another Roger Williams, later than the 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 15 
 
 sity, he commenced the study of the law ; but finding the- 
 ology more congenial to his taste, he soon directed his attention 
 to that, and received Episcopal orders. His non-conformity to 
 the established Church of England, brought upon him the dis- 
 pleasure of the " Lord-Bishops," and exposed him to severe 
 persecutions. To enjoy therefore that liberty of conscience, of 
 which he was ever, both in England and America, the bold and 
 fearless advocate, and which, on the establishment of his col- 
 ony at Providence, formed one of the prominent features of his 
 government, he left the mother country and came to New-Eng- 
 land. He arrived at Nantasket, (Hull) February 5, 1631, and 
 was settled over the church at Salem, as teaching elder, in con- 
 nexion with Rev. Samuel Skelton, April 12th, of the same 
 year. With his settlement here the Court of Boston were dis- 
 pleased, and interfered, as appears from Winthrop's Journal 
 [vol. I. p. 53, Savage's ed.] : "At a Court holden at Boston, 
 April 12, the day of Mr. Williams's settlement at Salem, 
 ' (upon information to the Governour, that they of Salem had 
 called Mr. Williams to the office of teacher,) ' a letter was 
 written from the Court to Mr. Endicott to this effect : " That 
 whereas Mr. Williams had refused to join with the congregation 
 at Boston, because they would not make a public declaration of 
 their repentance for having communion with the churches of 
 England, while they lived there ; and besides, had declared his 
 opinion that the magistrate might not punish a breach of the 
 Sabbath, nor any other offence, as it was a breach of the first 
 table ; therefore they marvelled they should choose him without 
 advising with the Council ; and withal desiring him that they 
 would forbear to proceed till they had conferred about it." — 
 May the 18th, 1631, Mr. Williams took the oath of freemen. — 
 The persecution thus early commenced by the Court at Boston, 
 soon increased to such a degree that, before the close of the 
 
 former, an inhabitant of Providence in New'England, and autlior of (1.) A Key 
 to the lavguage of JVac England, London, 1643, oct. (2). The Hireling Minislry 
 none of Christ's, or a Discourse of the Propagation of the Gospel of Christ 
 Jesus, London, 1652, qu. &c. But of what University the said Wilhams was, 
 if of any, I know not; or whether a real fanatick or Jesuit." "This assertion of 
 Wood renders it doubtful whether Mr. Williams was educated at Oxford, or 
 elsewhere. In the absence of all evidence, it might be thought more proba- 
 ble that he received his education at Cambridge, where a large portion of the 
 Puritans were educated. Coke, himself, (Sir Edward, the supposed patron of 
 Roger Williams,) was a graduate of Cambridge, and would probably prefer to 
 place Williams there. Inquiries have been sent to England, for information 
 on this point, but they have not been successful." — Prof. Knotoles's Mem. of 
 Roger Williams, p. 24. 
 
16 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 summer, Mr. Williams was forced to leave Salem and retire to 
 Plymouth ; where he preached as assistant to Mr, Ralph Smith, 
 about two years. Gov. Bradford thus speaks of him : " He 
 was freely entertained among us, according to our poor ability, 
 exercised his gifts among us, and after some time was admitted 
 a member of the church, and his teaching well approved ; for 
 the benefit whereof I shall bless God, and am thankful to him 
 ever for his sharpest admonitions and reproofs, so far as they 
 agreed with truth." — [Prince's Chron. p. 377, new ed. Boston, 
 1826.] Morton admits that he "was well accepted as an as- 
 sistant in the ministry." [Memorial, p. 151, Davis's ed.] In 
 1633, Mr. Williams obtained a dismission from the church at 
 Plymouth, having been invited by the church which he had 
 previously left at Salem; to return, and assist Mr. Skelton, 
 whose declining health unfitted him for his duties. He accord- 
 ingly returned, and, after the death of Mr. Skelton, in 1634, 
 was made sole minister of the church. His return to Salem 
 was, probably, in August, 1633. [See Prof Knovvles's Mem. 
 of Roger Williams, p. 55, note.] Here, as elsewhere, he was 
 bold and fearless in proclaiming his tenets, both religious and 
 political. He asserted that the Charter of Massachusetts 
 was invalid and unjust, as the soil and sovereignty were 
 not purchased of the natives. He even refused to commune 
 with the members of his own church, unless they would 
 separate themselves from the other churches of New-England. 
 [Winthrop, vol. I. p. 166, Savage's ed.] These were unpal- 
 atable doctrines to the people of that day, and drew upon him 
 the united opposition and two-fold virulence of Court and Cler- 
 gy. He was severely reprimanded and threatened by the 
 Court ; but as he firmly believed it the prerogative of man to 
 think as he pleased and speak as he thought, he would neither 
 desist for the threats of enemies nor the entreaties of friends ; 
 and in October,* 1635, was accordingly sentenced to perpetual 
 banishment, and ordered to depart out of the Colony within six 
 weeks. — [Winthrop, vol. I. p. 171,^avage's ed.] 
 
 The sentence was in these terms: "Whereas, Mr. Roger 
 Williams, one of the elders of the church of Salem, hath 
 broached and divulged divers new and dangerous opinions, 
 against the authority of Magistrates ; as also writ letters of defa- 
 mation, both of Magistrates and churches here, and that before 
 
 * Winthrop places the banishment in October, but the Mass. Colonial Rec- 
 ords, [vol I. p. 163,] state that it took place Nov. 3, 1G35. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 17 
 
 any conviction, and yet maintaineth the same without any re- 
 tractation ; it is therefore ordered, that the said Mr. Williams shall 
 depart out of this jurisdiction within six weeks now next ensu- 
 ing, which, if he neglect to perform, it shall be lawful for the 
 Governour and two of the Magistrates to send him to some place 
 out of this jurisdiction, not to return any more without license 
 from the Court." 
 
 Mr. Williams obtained permission to remain till spring ; but as 
 he still persisted in preaching in his own house, orders were 
 sent, Jan. 11, 1636, to seize him and send him to England. 
 Being seasonably apprized of the designs of the Court, he es- 
 caped their hands, and, in compliance with the secret advice of 
 Governour Winthrop, steered his course for Narraganset Bay. 
 His journey was by water, in the very heart of winter ; and 
 after suffering incredible hardships from cold, and hunger, and 
 fatigue, for fourteen weeks, he arrived and pitched his tent at 
 Seekonk, afterwards Rehoboth. In describmg this journey in a 
 letter to Major Mason, written thirty-five years afterwards [" June 
 22, 1670, ut vulgo,'' ] he says, " I was sorely tossed for one four- 
 teen weeks, in a bitter winter season, not knowing what bread or 
 bed did mean." He obtained of Ousamequin a grant of land 
 now included in the town of Seekonk.* It is probable that this 
 was a mere verbal grant, as no record of it is to be found, nor 
 any mention of a record ; and probably also, it was simply a 
 permission to settle on the land, without any specified portion 
 being assigned. 
 
 The spot in Seekonk where he fixed his dwelling, we are 
 assured from good authority, was a short distance above the 
 Central Bridge, and on the east side of the Cove, on what is 
 called Manton's Neck.f His house, we learn from the same 
 source, stood near a spring on this neck. There are four differ- 
 ent springs in this place, for which different individuals claim this 
 
 *" 1 first pitched, und began to build and plant at Secunk, now Rehoboth." 
 Letter to Major Mason. 
 
 t Prof. Knowles, in his Memoir of Roger Williams, says, in a note, p. 101, 
 that " the venerable Moses Brown assured him, that he had ascertained this 
 fact, to his own satisfaction." Since commencing this history, I called on 
 Mr. Brown, to know the grounds on which he assured himself of this fact : 
 he told me that he, some years since, found among the manuscripts of his 
 grandfather a paper which stated that Roger Williams lived near a spring on 
 Manton's Neck. He said, that immediately on finding this paper, he rode to 
 Seekonk, to ascertain, if possible, where Roger Williams lived ; but that three 
 different springs were pointed out to him, on Manton's Neck, by different 
 individuals, as Roger Williams's springs, — all within the compass of half a 
 
 3 
 
18 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 honour ; but the one to which it most probably belongs is a few 
 rods from the east bank of the cove, in a lot owned by Ham- 
 mond Cole, about 15 rods east of his house, and about 20 rods 
 nearly north of the house of Samuel Daggett. This is a clear 
 and beautiful spring, and the water in the warmest weather in 
 summer, is said to be as cool as that of any well in the town of 
 Seekonk. Some of the inhabitants pretend to point out the 
 precise spot where Roger Williams's house stood ;* but as his 
 house was but a temporary cottage, to leave it to tradition to 
 designate the spring from which he drank, is as far as we should 
 be willing, here, to yield to her authority. 
 
 Here Mr. Williams supposed himself to be without the limits of 
 either the Massachusetts or Plymouth patents, and that he might 
 rest in quiet, with none to molest or disturb ; but he soon found 
 himself mistaken, and learned that Seekonk was not to be his 
 home. For Mr. Winslow, Governour of Plymoiith Colony, 
 wrote to him, informing him that Seekonk was within their juris- 
 diction, and advising him to remove to the land on the other 
 side of the river, where he would be beyond the claims of any 
 patent, and where the country would be free before him. " I 
 testify and declare," says Roger Williams, (in a letter dated 
 Providence, 13th of the 10th month, 1661,) "in the holy pres- 
 ence of God, that when at my first coming into these parts, I 
 obtained the lands of Secunk of Osamaquin the then chief 
 Sachem on that side, the Governour of Plymouth, (Mr. Wins- 
 low,) wrote to me in the name of their Government, their claim 
 to Secunk to be in their jurisdiction, as also their advice to 
 remove but over the river unto this side, (where now, by God's 
 merciful providence, we are,) and then I should be out of their 
 claim, and be as free as themselves, and lovinsf neighbours 
 together. 
 
 On the reception of this information and advice, Mr. Williams, 
 still buoyed up with the hope that the globe yet held some spot 
 sacred to freedom, abandoned Seekonk, and, embarking in a 
 
 mile.N/ There are now four springs within that space, one havino- broken out 
 since Mr. Brown visited the spot; and I am informed by the "oldest of the 
 inhabitants, that two of the four have broken out within their recollection. 
 Of the two remaining, the one on the land of Mr. Hammond Cole has the 
 highest claim to being the spring in question. It is the largest and best, and 
 the water boils from the ground rapid and clear ; whereas the other, which is 
 a short distance to the south east of this, has more the appearance of a mud- 
 puddle. Tradition, also, points the most clearly to this. 
 • In the north-west corner of Mr. Daggett's house lot. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 19 
 
 canoe with five others,* proceeded down and across the stream. 
 As they approached the Httle cove, on the west side of the 
 river, between India and Central bridges, they were hailed by a 
 party of Indians with the friendly interrogation, " What cheer V^ 
 a common English phrase of salutation, which they had learned 
 from the traders on the coast, and equivalent to the modern 
 Hoiv do you do 1 At this spot they went on shore ; and here is 
 a rock at the water's edge, on which it is said Roger Williams 
 and his company landed. The rock to this day bears the name 
 of Roger Williams's Rock ; and is the resort of numei'ous pil- 
 grims, — the citizen and s'ranger, — the fair of the city, and the 
 student of the University, — many of whom, in testimony of 
 their veneration for the memory of this father of Rhode Island, 
 have handed their names down to us, "engraven deep " on the 
 rock on which he landed. Re-embarking at this place, he pas- 
 sed round India Point and Fox Point, and proceeded up the 
 river on the west side of the peninsula, near the mouth of the 
 Moshassuck river, where he landed, as tradition says, near a 
 spring, south-west of St. John's Church.f 
 
 To the town which he here founded, Roger Williams, with 
 his characteristic piety, and in grateful remembrance of " God's 
 merciful providence to him in his distress," gave the name of 
 Providence. 
 
 The precise period at which Roger Williams left Seekonk, 
 never has been, and, probably, never can be, satisfactorily as- 
 certained. An approximation, however, may be made to it. 
 The writ for seizing him and sending him to England was issued 
 Jan. 11, 1636 ; and he " began to build and plant at Secunk," 
 which could not have been earlier than the middle of April, 
 if so early. In the same letter to Major Mason, above quoted, 
 he says his removal occasioned him tbe " loss of a harvest that 
 year ; " from which remark we may reasonably infer that the 
 corn had attained a considerable growth before he left Seekonk. 
 On the 26th of July, he wrote a letter to Governour Vane, which 
 he dated at Providence. For these principal reasons, among 
 others of minor consequence, Professor Knowles in his Memoir 
 of Roger Williams, concludes that he removed from Seekonk 
 
 * William Harris, John Smith, (miller,) Joshua Verin, Thomas Angell, and 
 Francis Wickes. — R. I. Register, 1828, article furnished hij Moses Brown. 
 
 t " Tradition has uniformly stated the place where they landed, to be at the 
 spring south-west of the Episcopal Church, at which a house has recently 
 been built by Mr. Nehemiah Dodge." — Moses Brown. 
 
20 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 to the place where Providence now stands, not far from the mid- 
 dle of June, 1636. It appears clear enough, that it must have 
 been between the time of planting and the '26th of July. The 
 foundation of the Colony, which Roger Williams planted in 
 Rhode IsUmd, he laid on the broad basis of civil and religious 
 freedom, making Providence to others, what he had found it for 
 himself, — the home of the exile and the asylum of the oppres- 
 sed. 
 
 In 1643, he went to England to obtain a charter for his Colo- 
 ny conforming to their principles of government ; and arrived 
 with it at Boston in September, 1644. In 1651 he went again, 
 as agent for the Colony, to England, and continued there till 
 1654. On his return he was chosen President of the Gov- 
 ernment, in which station he continued till 1657. He died at 
 Providence, sometime between January 16th and May 10th, 
 1683, in the 84th year of his age, fifty-two years having 
 elapsed since his arrival in America. 
 
 His character is one, which, if few are found to imitate, all 
 are constrained to admire. His whole soul, like ihat of Black- 
 stone, seemed constantly struggling with a spirit beyond the 
 feelings and the knowledge of the age in which he lived. Yet 
 not like him was he contented with merely enjoying the bles- 
 sings of liberty himself, but, nerved up his enei'gies to break the 
 shackles in which he found himself and the people enslaved. 
 He did not quietly brood his opinions in secret, — opinions which 
 concerned the dearest interests of mankind ; but boldly pro- 
 claimed them before the world, and fearlessly asserted, in the 
 face of kings and bishops, of court and clergy, what he deemed 
 his rights and the unalienable rights of man. The principles 
 which he laid down, both in religion and in politics, and which 
 were then considered but as the distempered dreams of the fan- 
 atick, the experience of two centuries has proved to be correct. 
 Toleration, — then considered as a plant of strange growth, or 
 as a poisonous weed to blight all the sweet scented flowers in 
 the garden of God, the trial of two centuries has shown to be 
 native-born and healthful, within whose balmy fragrance only 
 religion can ever vigorously flourish. His mind, original and in- 
 dependent, determined to strike out its own course. In religion 
 and in politics he thought and acted for himself. While he gen- 
 erously tolerated all, he blindly followed none. He was as 
 magnanimous as he was tolerant ; showing himself superior to 
 the meaner passions of malice and revenge. For, living in the 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 neighbourhood of several formidable tribes of Indians, over 
 whom he possessed great influence, he could at any time have 
 stirred them up to avenge himself for his banishment ; but so far 
 was his disposition from pursuing such a course, that he con- 
 stantly strove to keep them in peace with the colonies of Plym- 
 outh and Massachusetts Bay. His writings evince a mind of a 
 superiour order ; and in those controversial, especially in his con- 
 troversy with Mr. Cotton, respecting toleration, he shows him- 
 self a thorough master of argument. He wrote " A Key to 
 the Language of New -Engl and,'' London, 1643. •'' The 
 Bloody Tenet of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience, dis- 
 cussed, in a conference between Truth and Peace,'''' &c. 1644; 
 " The Bloody Tenet yet more bloody, by Mr. Cotton's endeav- 
 our to wash it white in the blood of the Lamb," London, 1652 ; 
 " The Hireling Ministry none of Christs or a Discourse 
 touching the propagating the Gospel of Christ Jesus," Lon- 
 don, 1652; ^'Experiments of Spiritual Life and Health, and 
 their preservatives,'" London, 1652; and " George Fox digged 
 out of his Burrowes," Boston, 1676, which was written against 
 Fox and Burrows, and gives an account of Roger Williams's 
 dispute with the Quakers. An answer to it was published in 
 1679, entitled, "-4 New-England frebrand quenched." 
 
 The real founder of Rehoboth was the Rev. Samuel New- 
 man. He was born at Banbury, England, in 1600 ; educated 
 at the University of Oxford ; and, after having been the minis- 
 ter of seven different churches in the land of his nativity, re- 
 moved to New-England in 1636 or 1638.* After his arrival 
 here, he spent a year and a half at Dorchester, four and a half 
 or five years at Weymouth ; and then, with the majority of his 
 congregation, removed to a place called by the Indians Seekonk, 
 to which he gave the name of Rehoboth. He was a man of 
 learning and talent, an excellent minister, and wrote a Concord- 
 ance of the Bible, which far surpassed any thing of the kind 
 before written. He died July 5, 1663. A full account of his 
 life and writings will be given when we come to that year. 
 
 From the quit-claim deed of Philip, given in 1668, it appears 
 that the first purchase of land afterwards included in the original 
 town of Rehoboth was made of Ousamequin, more commonly 
 
 * We are able to give high authority in support of both of these dates. 
 Mather, Magnalia, iii. 113 — 116. gives 1638 ; as also Eliot in his Biog. Die. 
 Judge Davis, Mort. Memorial, 217, adheres to the earlier date, and also Allen 
 in his Biog. and Hist. Die. — See also year 1663. 
 
92 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 known to the English by the name of Massassoit, In 1641, by Mr. 
 John Brown and Mr. Edward Winslow, of Plymouth. "Where- 
 as Osarnequin, sachem, deceased, did, for good and valuable 
 considerations, in the year one thousand six hundred forty and 
 one, give, grant, convey assurance of, and confirm unto Mr. John 
 Brown and Mr. Edward Winslow, deceased, a tract of land of 
 eight miles square, situate, lying and being both on the east and 
 west sides of a river called Palmer's river, to the property and 
 behoof of the townsmen of Seacunck, alias Rehoboth ; I 
 Philip," &ic. This tract comprised the present towns of Reho- 
 both, Seekonk, and Pawtucket, and is about ten miles square. 
 It had been granted by Plymouth Court, as appears from the 
 records of the proprietors of Reboboth, to certain persons (of 
 Hingham, probably,) for the settlement of a town, and Mr. 
 Brown and Mr. Winslow were appointed agents to purchase it 
 for the Colony : " Whereas the Court of Plymouth was pleased, 
 in the year 1641, or thereabouts, to grant unto the inhabitants 
 of Seaconk (alias Rehoboth) liberty to take up a trackt of 
 lands for theare comfortable subsistance, containing the quantity 
 of eight miles square ; and the Court was pleased to appoint Mr. 
 John Browne and Mr. Edward Winslow for to purchase the fore- 
 said trackt of land of Asamecum, the chief sachem and owner 
 thereof, which accordingly hath beene effected, and the purchase 
 paid for by the foresaid inhabitants, according to the Court 
 order," &-c. — Proprietors Records, vol. I. p. 1. 
 
 No deed of this purchase from Massassoit is to be found on 
 record, or in existence; but there is a deposition of John Hazell 
 on the Plymouth Colony Records, [vol. II. p. 07.] taken Nov. 
 1, 1642, which confirms the purchase : "John Hasell (Hazell) 
 affirmeth that Assamequine chose out ten fathome of beads, at 
 Mr. Williams's and put them in a basket, and affirmed that he 
 was fully satisfied therewith for his land at Seacunck ; but he 
 stood upon it that he would have a coat more, and left the beads 
 with Mr. Williams and willed him to keep them untill Mr. Hubbard 
 came up." " He affirmeth the bounds were to Red Stone Hill 
 VIII. miles into the land, and to Annawamscoate VII. miles 
 down the water." No record or deed from the colony to the town 
 at this time is to be found on the Plymouth Records ; but ref- 
 erence to, and acknowledgment of, a grant of this land to sev- 
 eral individuals, is made in the confirmation deed of the colony, in 
 1685: "Whereas Mr. Daniel Smith, as agent of the town of 
 Rehoboth, answered at this Court, and showed, declared, and 
 
HISTOKY OF RKHOBOTH. 23 
 
 made appear unto this Court by several writings and records, 
 that the bounds of the said town of Rehoboth are as followeih : 
 The first grant of the said township being eight miles square, 
 granted in the year 1641, unto Mr, Alexander Winchester, 
 Richard Wright, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Joseph Pecke, Mr. 
 Stephen Paine, and divers others, for the settling of a town, 
 which is now bounded from Puttukett river," k,c. The same 
 thing is repeated in the quit-claim deed of William Bradford, 
 son of Governour Bradford, to the town, in 1689. This deed, 
 after speaking of grants of land having been made to different 
 townships, says : " Among others, in the year of our Lord 
 1641, [Gov. Bradford] granted to Joseph Peck, Stephen Paine, 
 Henry Smith, Alexander Winchester, Thomas Cooper, gent, 
 and others with them, and such others as they should associate 
 to themselves, a tract of land for a plantation or township, for- 
 merly called by the natives Secunke, upwards of forty-five 
 years since settled and planted, now called and known by the 
 name of Rehoboth." These deeds will be taken notice of, and 
 extracts made from them, when we come to the years in which 
 they were given. The people, whose names are mentioned in 
 both the above extracts, as grantees, were of Hingham. — See 
 Lincoln's Hist, of Hingham, pp. 42 — 8. 
 
 Although the town had been purchased of the Indians, and 
 granted to a number of individuals for the purpose of making a 
 sett'ement, it does not appear that any general and permanent 
 settlement was made here earlier than about the year 1643. 
 We find, however, one individual residing at " Seacunck," as 
 early as 1642. This was John Hazell, whose deposition, rel- 
 ative to the sale of " Seacunk " by Ousamequin, has been al- 
 ready given. He was then residing at " Seacunck," (Nov. 1, 
 1642,) and we find farther mention made of him at the same 
 Court in November: "John Hassell" (afterwards written Ha- 
 zell, in the Town Records,) "doth acknowledge himself to 
 owe the king, to be leveyed of his lands, goods and chattells, 
 &;c. £XX. if he fayle in the condicon following : The condicon 
 that the said John Hassell shall either take the oath of alle- 
 giance to the King, and fideJitie to the Government, betwixt 
 this and March Court next, or els remove his dwelling from 
 Seacunck." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. H. p. 67.] 
 
 The £20 which he acknowledged himself to owe the king, 
 was a fine for contempt of Court, as appears from the following : 
 
 "August 2, 1642. It is ordered that a warrant be sent to 
 
24 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 fetch John Hassell, that lives at Sickuncke, to answer his con- 
 tempts at the General Court: which was made and signed by 
 all the assistants present." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. II. p. 55.] 
 John Hazell continued to reside at " Seacunck," where he had 
 lands granted him in 1669. And he appears to have owned 
 largely before, for, in describing the bounds of the grant, men- 
 tion is made of " his other allotment, being six hundred acres, 
 bounded on the east with his fresh meadow and a little run of 
 water and a cedar swamp ; on the west side Patucet river; on 
 the north side the woods; on the south side the towne land; 
 only the Island and little upland above mentoned is part of the 
 six hundred acres." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. II. p. 193.] 
 
 " Seacunck," we have seen, was first granted to people 
 of Hingham ; but they were soon joined by Mr. Newman and 
 the majority of his church at Weymouth, in their projected 
 settlement; and it is even possible that some of the people of 
 Weymouth were among the original grantees, of 1641, though 
 none of them are among the names mentioned. It appears, 
 however, that those whose names are given were a committee 
 acting for "themselves and divers others." 
 
 The first meeting of the original planters of Rehoboth, to be 
 found on record, is dated at " Weimoth the 24th of the 8th 
 month* [October,] 1643." The record is as follows: "At 
 a general meeting of the plantores of Seacunk, it was ordered, 
 
 " (1) That the [illegible] lottes shall not exceed the number of 
 sixty and five, and in case anny of those that have these lottes 
 granted already fale, that Goodman [illegible] of Cambridge to 
 be admitted if he please; and in case so manny fale as may 
 limit to sixty, then not to exceed sixty lottes." 
 
 "(2) It is agreed that the ground that is most fit to be plant- 
 ed and hopefuU for come for the present to be planted and fen- 
 ced by such as possess it according to [illegible.] " 
 
 " (3) It is ordered that those that have lottes granted and are 
 [illegible] inhabitants shall fence the one end of their lottes and 
 their part in the comon fence, in the same time, by the 20th 
 day of April next, or else forfit their lottes to the disposal of the 
 plantation ; and likewise to remove themselves and family to 
 
 * This is Old Style. The year then commenced the 25th of March. The 
 correction of the calender by Pope Gregory, in 1582, was not adopted by the 
 British Parliament till 1751. I have inserted the names of the months, desig- 
 nated by " 1st mo. " "2d mo." &c. but have not made the correction for the 
 eleven days, ordered to be struck out of September, 1752. — See also year 1669. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 25 
 
 inhabit [torn off] by this time twelvesmonth, or else forfite their 
 lottes againe to the plantation, allowinge them their necessa- 
 ry improvements, as they in their discretion shall think meet." 
 
 " (4) That if anny damages shale fale out by anny man's 
 particular fence, the owner of the fence shale pay the damage, 
 and if [torn off] generall fence, then those persons that one the 
 fence to pay [torn off.]" [Rehoboth Rec. vol. I. p. 1.] 
 
 The next meeting of the proprietors was held at Weymouth, 
 "the 10th day of the 10th month" [December,] when regula- 
 tions were made as to the planting of corn. The teacher to have 
 a certain portion from each settler. Servants, after four years, 
 to be inhabitants, and entitled to their privileges. Richard 
 Wright employed to build a corn-mill. 
 
 During the year 1643, and probably before any other division 
 of land had been made other than for house-lots, the proprietors 
 were required individually to give in the value of their estates, 
 in order that the allotments of land might be made accordingly, 
 as appears from the Proprietors' Records : " About the year 
 1643, a joynt agreement was made by the inhabitants of Sea-conk 
 alias Rehoboth, fFor the bringhig in of their estates; that soe 
 men's lotments might be taken up according to person and 
 estate, as alsoe for the carrieing on of all publick chardges both 
 for present and future ; furtheremore the means and interest of 
 what is heare expressed is that by which lands, now granted by 
 the Court of Plymouth to the towne, is to be divided according 
 to person and estate, as is expressed in this following list.* 
 
 1. Mrs. Bur 
 
 Ruth Ingi-am accept- > 
 ed in her place. ^ 
 
 2. Widdow Walker 
 
 3. John Read 
 
 4. John Cooke 
 which still is in the > 
 
 town's hands. ^ 
 
 5. The Schoolmaster 
 
 6. Will Cheesbrook 
 
 Mr. Winchester 
 
 Richard Wright 
 
 9. Mr. Newman 
 
 £ s. d. 
 100 00 00 
 
 50 00 00 
 300 00 00 
 300 00 00 
 
 50 00 00 
 450 00 00 
 195 00 00 
 834 00 00 
 330 00 00 
 
 10. Will. Smith 
 
 11. Walter Palmer 
 
 12. James Clark, ? 
 now John Perrum's. \ 
 
 1.3. Ralph Shephard, ^ 
 
 now > 
 
 James Redewaye's. ) 
 
 14. Zachariah Roads 
 
 15. John Mathewes 
 
 16. John Perrum 
 a John Millar 
 
 18. Samuel Butterworth 
 
 19. George Kendrick 
 
 £ s. d. 
 196 10 00 
 419 00 00 
 
 71 00 00 
 
 121 10 00 
 
 50 00 00 
 40 00 00 
 67 00 00 
 69 10 00 
 50 00 00 
 50 00 00 
 
 * In transcribing the names in this list, as in most of the extracts from the 
 ancient records, I have followed the orthography of the original. 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF KKHOBOTH. 
 
 20. Abram Martin 
 
 21. The Teacher 
 
 22. Edward Seale 
 
 23. John Browne 
 
 24. Mr. Howward 
 ^ 25. Mr. Peck 
 
 26. Mr. Obediah Holmes, 
 
 now 
 Robert Wheaton's. 
 
 27. Edward Smith 
 
 28. Job Lane, now 
 — Robert Abell's. 
 
 29. Thomas Hitt 
 
 30. James Walker, 
 now John ffitche's.* 
 
 31. Thomas Blyss 
 
 32. The Governor's ^ 
 
 lot, now > 
 
 Richard Bullock's. ) 
 
 33. Isaack Martin, ^ 
 
 now > 
 
 Thomas Wil mot's. ) 
 
 34. Robert Morris 
 
 35. Edward Bennet, ^ 
 
 now > 
 
 Rich. liowen's, Jr. S 
 
 36. The Pastor 
 
 37. Mr. Henry Smith 
 
 38. Mathew Piatt 
 
 39. John Megg's 
 
 £ s. d. 
 60 10 00 
 
 100 00 00 
 81 00 00 
 50 00 00 
 
 250 00 00 
 535 00 00 
 
 ^ 100 00 00 
 
 252 00 00 
 50 00 00 
 
 101 00 00 
 > 50 00 00 
 'l53 00 00 
 
 200 00 00 
 
 50 00 00 
 
 94 10 00 
 
 134 10 00 
 
 100 00 00 
 
 260 00 
 
 00 
 
 239 00 
 
 00 
 
 120 00 
 
 00 1 
 
 40. Thomas Clifton, ' 
 
 now j 
 
 Stephen Payne's Jr. ' 
 
 41. Joseph Tony, > 
 now John Peck's. \ 
 
 42. Tho. Cooper 
 43 Robert ffullor 
 
 44. John Allen 
 
 45. Ralph Allen 
 
 46. Edward Gillman, ? 
 now Joseph Peck's. ( 
 
 47. Tho. Houlbrook 
 
 48. Will. Carpenter 
 
 49. John Houlbrook. 
 now Nicholas Ide's, 
 
 50. Robert Titus, 
 now Robert Jones's 
 
 51. Will. Sabin 
 
 52. Stephen Payne 
 
 53. Mr. Browne 
 , Edward Patteson, ' 
 
 now I 
 
 John Woodcock's. ' 
 , Peter Hunt 
 Robert Martin 
 Robert Sharp, ^ 
 but now > 
 Rice Leonard's. ) 
 Richard Bowen 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 54 
 
 58 
 
 160 
 
 00 00 
 
 134 
 
 00 00 
 
 367 00 00 
 150 00 00 
 156 00 00 
 270 00 00 
 
 306 00 00 
 
 186 
 254 
 
 10 00 
 10 00 
 
 186 
 
 10 00 
 
 156 
 
 10 00 
 
 53 
 535 
 
 600 
 
 00 00 
 00 00 
 00 00 
 
 50 00 00 
 
 327 
 
 228 
 
 00 00 
 10 00 
 
 106 00 00 
 
 270 00 00 
 
 [Proprietors' Records, vol. I. p. 1.] 
 
 At a meeting of the proprietors of Seekonk, (the date of 
 which is torn off, though it was probably among the first,) it was 
 voted, that nine men should be chosen to order the prudential 
 affairs of the plantation, who should have power to dispose of the 
 lands " in lots of twelve, eight, or six acres, as in their discretion 
 they think the quality of the estate of the person do require." 
 This applied to house-lots. It was further ordered, "that all 
 other lots to be divided according to person and estate. One 
 person to be valued at £12 sterling in the division of lands, and 
 that no person should sell his improvements but to such as the 
 towne shall accept of;" also voted, "that the meeting-house 
 shall stand in the midst of the town." 
 
 On " the 21st of the 4th month" [June,] a town meeting was 
 holden, but the records of it are so mutilated as to be mostly 
 
 * Instead of a capital letter, the small letter is frequently doubled. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 27 
 
 illegible. It appears, however, to relate to a new division of land. 
 It was resolved, that on every fortieth day, a meeting should be 
 holden by all the inhabitants " for the consideration and acting of 
 such necessary affairs as concern the plantation." 
 
 " At a town meeting, the 31st day of the 4th month [June], 
 1 644, lots were drawn for a division of the woodland between the 
 plain and the town. Shares were drawn to the number of 58, 
 as follows : 
 
 1. 
 
 Mr. Winchester, 
 
 30. 
 
 The Pastor's, 
 
 2. 
 
 Mr. Leonard, 
 
 31. 
 
 Stephen Payne, 
 
 3. 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 32. 
 
 Edward Smith, 
 
 4. 
 
 William Cheesborough, 
 
 33. 
 
 William Smith, 
 
 5. 
 
 Ralph Allin, 
 
 34. 
 
 James Clark, 
 
 6. 
 
 John Holbrook, 
 
 35. 
 
 The Governour, 
 
 7. 
 
 John Perram, 
 
 36. 
 
 Edward Bennett, ' 
 
 8. 
 
 The Schoolmaster, 
 
 37. 
 
 Obadiah Holmes, 
 
 9. 
 
 Matthew Pratt, 
 
 38. 
 
 Mr. Browne, 
 
 10. 
 
 William Carpenter,-- 
 
 39. 
 
 Thomas Cooper, 
 
 11. 
 
 Ephraim Hunt, 
 
 40. 
 
 Thomas Holbrooke, 
 
 12. 
 
 Samuel Butterworth, 
 
 41. 
 
 Thomas Hitt, 
 
 13. 
 
 Edward Patterson, 
 
 42. 
 
 John Allin, 
 
 14. 
 
 James Browne, 
 
 43. 
 
 John Meggs, 
 
 15. 
 
 Richard Bowin, 
 Mr. Newman, 
 
 44. 
 45. 
 
 William Sabin, 
 
 16. 
 
 Mr. Henry Smith, 
 
 17. 
 
 Mr. Peck, 
 
 46. 
 
 Zachery Roades, 
 
 18. 
 
 Walter Palmer, 
 
 47. 
 
 Edward Gilman, 
 
 19. 
 
 Abraham Martin, 
 
 48. 
 
 Thomas Chfton, 
 
 20. 
 
 John Sutton, 
 
 49. 
 
 Joseph Torrey, 
 
 21. 
 
 Robert Morris, 
 
 50. 
 
 Thomas Dunn, 
 
 22. 
 
 John Matthewes, 
 
 51. 
 
 Robert Martin, 
 
 23. 
 
 Isaac Martin, 
 
 52. 
 
 Widow Walker, 
 
 24. 
 
 James Walker, 
 
 "m> 
 
 John Miller, 
 
 25. 
 
 Robert Titus, 
 
 54. 
 
 Mr. B ,* 
 
 26. 
 
 Edward Seale, 
 
 55. 
 
 The Teacher, 
 
 27. 
 
 George Kendrick, 
 
 56. 
 
 John Cooke, 
 
 28. 
 
 * 
 
 5 
 
 \57. 
 
 Ralph Shepherd, 
 
 29. 
 
 Thomas Bliss, 
 
 58. 
 
 John Reade. 
 
 On " the 3d of the 5th month [July], 1644," the inhabitants 
 signed a compact in the following words : 
 
 * These names I was not able to decipher. 
 
1 
 
 28 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 "This combination, entered into by the general consent of 
 all the inhabitants, after general notice given the 23d of the 4th 
 month." 
 
 " We whose names are underwritten, being, by the providence 
 of God, inhabitants of Seacunk, intending there to settle, do 
 covenant and bind ourselves one to another to subject our per- 
 sons [torn off,] (according to law and equity) to nine persons, 
 any five of the nine which shall be chosen by the major part of 
 the inhabitants of this plantation, and we [torn off] to be subject 
 to all wholesome [torn offj by them, and to assist them, according to 
 our ability and estate, and to give timely notice unto them of any 
 such thing as in our conscience may prove dangerous unto the 
 plantation, and this combination to continue untill we shall sub- 
 ject ourselves jointly to some other government." 
 
 Walter Palmer, 
 
 Edward Smith, 
 
 Edward Bennett, 
 
 Robert Titus, 
 
 Abraham Martin, 
 
 John Matthewes, 
 
 Edward Sale, 
 
 Ralph Shepherd, 
 
 Samuel Newman, 
 
 William Cheesborough, 
 ii Richard Wright, 
 
 Robert Martin, 
 
 Richard Bowen, 
 
 Joseph Torrey, 
 
 James Clark, 
 
 Ephraim Hunt, 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 William Smith, 
 
 John Peren, 
 
 Zachery Rhoades, 
 
 Job Lane, 
 "The 12th of the 5th mo. [^uly,] 1644. At ameetingupon 
 public notice given, it is ordered that such as shall have allot- 
 ments in the three divisions of lands presently to be laid out by 
 Mr. Oliver and his partner, Joseph Fisher, and shall not pay the 
 surveying of it, by the 28th of the 8th month [October,] next, at 
 Boston or Dedham, according to the proposition of Mr. Oliver, 
 shall forfeit all such lands laid out in the three aforesaid divis- 
 
 Alex. Winchester, 
 Henry Smith, 
 Stephen Payne, 
 Ralph Alin, 
 Thomas Bliss, 
 George Kendricke, 
 John Allen, 
 \ William Sabm, 
 Thomas Cooper. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 29 
 
 ions, into the hands of the nine men entrusted with the town 
 affairs, who are desired to undertake with Mr. Ohver to satisfy 
 him for the laying out of the aforesaid divisions." 
 
 "It is further ordered, the day above written, that Will. 
 Cheesborough is to have division in all lands of Seakunk for a 
 hundred and fifty-three pounds besides what he is to have for 
 his own proportion, and that in way of consideration for the 
 pains and charges he hath been at for setting off this planta- 
 tion." 
 
 "At a general meeting of the town of Seacunk, being the 
 9th of the 10th month [December], 1644, at lawful warning 
 given, by reason of many meetings and other strong causes for 
 the easing of the great trouble and for the [illegible] and the 
 deciding of controversies between party and party, as well as 
 the proposing of men's levies to be made and paid, and for the 
 well ordering of the town affairs, as may stand with future 
 equity, according to our former combination, the inhabitants of 
 said place have choose these men here named : " 
 
 Alexander Winchester, William Smith, 
 
 Richard Wright, Stephen Payne, 
 
 Henry Smith, Richard Bovven, 
 
 Edward Smith, Robert Martin. 
 
 Walter Palmer, 
 The first meeting of these townsmen, as they were styled, was 
 on "the 3d day of the 11th mo. [January] 1644," when they 
 voted to give Robert Morris, " in consideration for the spare lot 
 he hath taken," the first lot in the next division. 
 
 "The 26th of the 10th mo. [December,] 1644, at a meeting 
 of the town it was ordered, that, for time past, and for time to 
 come, that all workmen that have or shall work in any common 
 work, or shall work for any particular men, shall have for their 
 wages for each day's work as followeth : for each laborer, from 
 the first day of November until the first day of February, 18d. 
 a day, and for the rest of the year 20(/. a day except the har- 
 vest, that is to say while men are reaping harvests." 
 
 "It is ordered that the work of 4 oxen and a man for a day 
 [torn off,] shilling and sixpence ; and that for 6 oxen and a man 
 seven shillings ; and for eight oxen and a man, eight shillings." 
 " The 10th of the 11th mo. [January,] 1644, at a meeting of 
 the townsmen it was agreed upon that all those that are under- 
 written have forfeited their lots for not fencing, or not removing 
 
30 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 their families according to a former order, made the 24th of the 
 8th month, 1643 ; therefore we do enter upon them for, and in 
 the beiialf of the town, to be disposed of as the town shall think 
 meet, only paying them for their necessary charges, according 
 to a former order : " 
 
 Ralph Shepherd, John Meggs, 
 
 James Browne, Thomas Cooper, 
 
 Mr. Leonard, John Sutton, 
 
 Mr. Peck, Edward Gilman, 
 
 Obadiah Holmes, Tho. Holbrooke, 
 
 James Walker, John Holbrooke, 
 
 The Governour's lot, Mr. Browne, 
 
 Matthew Pratt, Edward Patteson, 
 
 Thomas Dunn, Ephraim Hunt. 
 
 "It is ordered, the day and year above written, at a town 
 meeting, that all men that have lots granted upon the neck of 
 land, shall fence so much fence as the number of his acres com- 
 eth to, by the 15th day of the 2d month, or pay 2s. for every rod 
 that shall not be fenced." 
 
 " It is ordered that no man shall fall any tree or trees within the 
 space of eight rods of the road and of house-lot, upon the for- 
 feit of 6s. 8d. for every tree fallen without the consent of the 
 owner of the lot." 
 
 " It is agreed that Edward Bennett shall have the ground 
 that his house standeth upon, and so much of the breadth of the 
 ground as he hath railed in to the edge of the hill towards the 
 brook." 
 
 "The 17th day of the 12th mo. [February,] 1644, at a 
 town meeting it was agreed upon, that whoever hath not con- 
 venient land to plant, for present getting of corn, shall be al- 
 lowed to plant so much as they can break up this year, and 
 shall have it six years, and then to fall to the town again, either 
 upon Manton's neck or else upon the back side of the lots on 
 the south-east side of the town." 
 
 "The 26th of the 12th mo. [February,] 1644, at a meeting 
 of the townsmen, Richard Wright, Richard Bowen, Alexander 
 Winchester, Walter Palmer, William Smith, Edward Smith, 
 being present, it is ordered that the recording of any man's land 
 in the town book shall be to him and his heirs a sufficient assu- 
 rance forever." 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 31 
 
 "The same day it is ordered that no man's lands shall be re- 
 corded until he shall bring to the Town ('lerk a note for his 
 lands, butted and bounded." 
 
 It will be observed that the records thus far bear the date of 
 " Seacunk " or " Seakunk." Though the proprietors purcha- 
 sed their land of the Plymouth Colony, yet it appears from the 
 compact signed by them on becoming " inhabitants of Seacunk," 
 that they considered themselves independent of any jurisdiction 
 but their own, though they were afterwards claimed by both 
 Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. In 1645, they submitted 
 themselves to the jurisdiction of the Plymouth Court, or, rather 
 were assigned to that by the Commissioners of the United Colo- 
 nies, and were incorporated by the scripture name of Reho- 
 both, — a name selected by Mr. Newman ; for, said he, " the 
 Lord hath made room for us.^' * 
 
 Next on the town records follow the registers of the lands of 
 the proprietors. Here we find the following names : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Winchester, Mr. Howard, Peter Hunt, Wilham Chees- 
 borough, Ralph Allin, John Holbrooke, John Peram, the 
 Schoolmaster, Matthew Pratt, William Carpenter, Samuel But- 
 terworth, Edward Patteson, James Browne, Richard Bowen, 
 Mr. Samuel Newman, Mr. Peck, Abraham Martin, John Sut- 
 ton, Robert Morris, John Matthewes, John Fitch, Robert Titus, 
 George Kendricke, Robert Sharp, Thomas Bliss, The Pastor, 
 Stephen P aine, Edward Smith, James Clarke, William Smithy 
 The Governour, Edward Bennett, Obadiah Holmes, Mr. John 
 Browne, Thomas Cooper, Thomas Holbrooke, Thomas Hett, 
 John Allin, John Meggs, Wi lliam SabinT Henry Smith, Zach- 
 ary Roades, Edward Gilman, senior, Thomas Clifton, Joseph 
 Torrey, Widow Walker, Richard Ingram, (now Ingraham,) The 
 Teacher, Thomas Loring,^Ralph Shepherd, John Reade, John a 
 Miliea-, Richard Wright. \ ^ - 
 
 Baylies, in his Memoir of Plymouth Colony, has inserted 
 Robert Fuller in the above list, but the date of the registry of 
 
 * The Hebrew word aini [rehob] noun, signifies a broad way or street, 
 platea or forum. The same word and also the form niani [rehoboih] is applied 
 
 as a proper name to several cities, places or districts ; probably as a mere ex- 
 tension of the more appropriate meaning of the common noun. 
 
32 HISTORY OF BEHOBOTH. 
 
 his land is not till 1652, though it stands on the record in the 
 place he has assigned to it. The name of Thomas Wilmot, 
 (now written Willmarth,) is also found in the same list, though 
 I am confident that there were none of that name in town at so 
 early a period as 1645 ; and another name appears to have been 
 erased, and this written over it in a handwriting of more modern 
 date. 
 
 "The l6th of the 1st mo. [March,] 1645, at a general meet- 
 ing of the towne upon public notice given, it was agreed that 
 all the fence in the general field shall be fenced by the 23d of 
 this present month ; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not 
 repair or set up his fence by the day above written, shall pay 
 sixpence for every rod deficient, and the damage that shall come 
 to any man by the same." 
 
 "The same day, the men after mentioned were made choice 
 of to view the fences and to judge of the sufficiency of them, 
 viz : Richard Bovven, Robert Titus, William Smith, Captain 
 Wright, Alexander Winchester, Thomas Bliss, Stephen Payne 
 and Thomas Cooper." 
 
 " The same day were made choice of for townsmen those 
 men whose names are underwritten, for one whole year, viz : 
 Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper, 
 
 Stephen Payne, William Carpenter, 
 
 Mr. Henry Smith, Edward Smith." 
 
 Robert Martin, 
 
 "The 16th of the 1st mo. [March,] 1645, it was agreed 
 upon by the towne that the towne shall be divided into two 
 parts for the making of the foot bridges and the keeping of them, 
 and the highways leading to them to be done by the whole 
 town ; the division to begin at the Widow Walker's and so on 
 to Will. Carpenter's and so on to half; and Robert Martin and 
 Thomas Cooper were made choice of to be surveyors to oversee 
 the work." 
 
 " 29th of the 2d mo. [April,] 1645, at a town meeting it 
 was agreed upon that if any person or persons shall be lacking 
 in [illegible] to the number of six months shall pay I2d. for 
 every default, to be laid upon their goods and chattells." 
 
 " The same day, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, Stephen 
 Payne, Robert Martin, William Carpenter, and Peter Hunt 
 were made choice of to hear the grievances of all those that 
 their meadow is defective, and give allowance to every man ac- 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 33 
 
 cording as they in their discretion shall think meet, both in fresh 
 meadow and salt, when they have viewed the meadows that are 
 yet unlotted, and shall give to every man as they shall fall by lot." 
 
 " It is agreed that they shall lay out lots to those that have 
 not according to their estate. That they shall begin at the 
 upper end of the meadow next to the fresh water. That if 
 there shall not prove fresh meadow enough to satisfy all that 
 want fresh meadow, that then for them to give salt for fresh. 
 It is agreed that these six, or any four of them, shall determine 
 of any of those particulars above mentioned." 
 
 "The 28th of the 3d mo. [May] 1645, at a meeting of the 
 townsmen, Richard Wright, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, 
 Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Winchester, William Smith, and Ed- 
 ward Smith being present, it is ordered that a levy shall be made 
 and forthwith gathered, of I2d. on each £100 estate, to be 
 paid either in butter at 6d. a lb. or in wampum : and it is also 
 concluded that Robert Titus and William Sabin shall be collect- 
 ors of said revenue." 
 
 "The 31st of Male,* 1645, at a meeting of the town upon 
 public notice given, Stephen Payne and William Carpenter were 
 chosen to go to Plymouth, to the Court, to certify the town's 
 minds." 
 
 "The 2d of the 4th mo. [June] 1645, at a general meeting 
 of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that 
 Walter Palmer, William Smith, Mr. Newman, Alexander Win- 
 chester, William Cheesborough, and Richard Wright, if they 
 will, shall lay down their lots of salt marsh, where it was cast 
 by lot, and shall have their lots in the new meadow." 
 
 " Those whose names are above written have layed down 
 their lots, and are appointed to have their lots in the new mead- 
 ow ; and whensoever the town shall dispose of those lots that 
 they leave, whoever shall purchase them shall pay unto them 6d. 
 an acre." 
 
 " It is agreed that those men that were chosen the 29th of 
 the 2d mo. [April] 1645, to recompense those that have not 
 sufficient salt marsh and fresh, shall view the new meadow by 
 John [illegible] house, and if they see it meet, shall allow it to 
 Richard Wright in lieu of so much salt marsh." 
 
 " It is agreed that Robert Martin shall have the lot in the wood- 
 land plain that was laid out to Mr. Leonard, being the second lot." 
 
 * This is the first place the name of the month is written in the original 
 records. I have preserved the orthographv of the original. 
 
 5 
 
34 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 "The 9th of the 4th mo. [June] 1645, at a meeting of the 
 town upon pubhc notice given, those seven men underwritten 
 were chosen to order the prudential affairs of the town for half a 
 year, viz : 
 
 Mr. John Browne, sen. William Cheesborough, 
 
 Stephen Payne, Mr. Alexander Winchester, 
 
 Richard Wright, 
 
 Edward Smith. 
 
 Walter Palmer, 
 
 "The same day lots were drawn for the great plain, begin- 
 ning upon the west side ; and he that is first upon the west side 
 shall be last upon the east." 
 
 The lots were drawn by the following persons, in the follow- 
 ing order, viz : 
 
 Thomas Bliss, 
 John Peram, 
 Joseph Torrey, 
 John Holbrooke, 
 James Clarke, 
 Edward Sale, 
 
 36. George Kendricke, 
 Mr. Leonard, 
 Richard Bowen, 
 
 39. Edw^ard Patteson, 
 John Reade, 
 John Matthews, 
 Matthew Pratt, 
 Robert Sharpe, 
 Ephraim St Peter Hunt, 
 Zachary Roades, 
 John Meggs, 
 John Miller, 
 Thomas Holbrooke, 
 The Schoolmaster, 
 Mr. Peck, 
 Richard Ingram, 
 Isaac Martin, 
 John Allin, 
 Mr. Henry Smith, 
 Mr. Newman, 
 The Pastor, 
 Obadiah Holmes, 
 Robert Morris. 
 
 1. 
 
 Stephen Payne, 
 
 30. 
 
 2. 
 
 Widow Walker, 
 
 31. 
 
 3. 
 
 Robert Martin, 
 
 32. 
 
 4. 
 
 Edward Oilman, 
 
 33. 
 
 N5. 
 
 Ralph Shepherd, 
 
 34. 
 
 ^. 
 
 Richfu-d Wright, 
 
 35. 
 
 7. 
 
 Abraham Martin, 
 
 36. 
 
 8. 
 
 The Teacher, 
 
 37. 
 
 9. 
 
 Will. Carpenter, 
 
 38. 
 
 10. 
 
 Robert Titus, 
 
 39. 
 
 11. 
 
 Walter Palmer, 
 
 40. 
 
 12. 
 
 James Walker, 
 
 41. 
 
 13. 
 
 Alexander Winchester, 
 
 42. 
 
 14. 
 
 Samuel Bulterworth, 
 
 43. 
 
 15. 
 
 William Sabin, 
 
 44. 
 
 16. 
 
 Thomas Hitt, 
 
 45. 
 
 17. 
 
 Edward Smith, / 
 Edward Bennett,- 
 
 46. 
 
 18. 
 
 47. 
 
 19. 
 
 Thomas Clifton, 
 
 48. 
 
 20. 
 
 John Cooke, 
 
 49. 
 
 21. 
 
 Mr. Browne, 
 
 ••50. 
 
 22. 
 
 William Cheesborough, 
 
 51. 
 
 23. 
 
 Ralph Allin, 
 
 52. 
 
 24. 
 
 James Browne, 
 
 53. 
 
 25. 
 
 The Governour, 
 
 54. 
 
 26. 
 
 William Smith, 
 
 55. 
 
 27. 
 
 John Sutton, 
 
 56. 
 
 28. 
 
 Job Laine, 
 
 57. 
 
 29. 
 
 Thom. Cooper, 
 
 58. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 35 
 
 "The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1645, at a town meeting, 
 it was agreed upon, that a rate of 10s. in every £100 estate 
 should be levied upon every man, upon his land and goods." 
 
 " The 29th * of the 10th month, [December,] 1645. 
 " Whereas there was a second agreement made wit i the In- 
 dians for their full consent in their removing from Wannamoiset, 
 and the value of fifteen pounds sterling to be paid them, or 
 thereabouts in several commodities : it was in several town 
 meetings expounded that if any one man would pay that par- 
 ticular purchase, they should have that land, with twelve acres 
 lying at Wachemoquit cove, and so much more land at Wana- 
 moyset as should be thought worth the payment of the same. 
 Afterward Richard Bowen, Robert Martin, Stephen Payne, by 
 the appointment of the rest of the townsmen, viewed and laid 
 out that neck of land called and known by the name of Wan- 
 namoyset neck, from the salt water where the Indians had 
 formerly made a hedge, ranging unto the north end of the Indian 
 field and so round about the said Indian field unto the salt water. 
 Whereupon, the 29th of the 10th month, 1645, Mr. John Brown, 
 in a town meeting, did promise and undertake to pay the said pur- 
 chase in consideration that the said lands to belong to him and his 
 heirs and assigns forever. And it was further agreed upon in the 
 said town meeting that in all divisions of lands that was, or here- 
 after should be made, that what proportion should fall to his share 
 after the rate of £300 estate should be laid forth to him, ad- 
 joining to the aforesaid lands on the farther side of the town, or 
 towards the salt marsh, or so as may be both least prejudicial to 
 the town or to himself, saving that 44 acres upon the Wache- 
 moquit neck already allotted him to be part of the same ; and 
 he doth farther agree to accept of ten acres of salt marsh where 
 he mowed this year, formerly allotted to him in full of all meadow 
 land belonging to the town ; and doth further promise, that 
 when the rest of the townsmen shall fence the rest of their lands 
 already allotted on Wachemoquit neck, he to fence his part with 
 them, and to bear his part in town charges after the aforesaid 
 sum of £300 estate ; and he doth further promise not to make 
 any such fence so far into the salt water upon the westerly side 
 of Wanamoyset neck as shall bar out hogs from coming, nor 
 fence the south point of the said neck a quarter of a mile on the 
 west side of the said neck." 
 
 * Baylies says " 20th," but incorrectly : the manuscript is plain and cannot 
 be mistaken. 
 
36 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 "26th of the 10th month [December] 1645, at a meetmg of 
 the townsmen, it was voted that the house-lot and the re-t of 
 the accommodations that was laid out for John Sutton, forasmuch 
 as he hath not come to live amongst us, nor fulfilled the order 
 agreed upon, and bearing date the 24th of the 8th month 1643, 
 be granted to William Devell." 
 
 It was also voted the same day, " that a fence shall be made 
 between the Indian lands, at the marked tree, from sea to sea, 
 by the last day of the 2d month next, and the fence of five rails 
 to be laid out by Robert Martin and Edward Smith and 2 more, 
 and they shall begin at the east side of the neck, and so to the 
 west. Walter Palmer shall do the first fence, Abraham Martin 
 the second, and so accordingly as the house-lots fall in order 
 round the town;* and if any man shall fail, or be negligent to 
 set up his fence by the day fixed, he shall forfeit for every rod 
 not set up, two shillings, to be employed for the use of the 
 town by the townsmen, [one line here illegible] and those that 
 are employed for the setting up the fence shall have an abate- 
 ment in their fence so much as comes to their labor," 
 
 "The 15th of the 11th month [January] 1645, at a general 
 meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed 
 upon that a fence shall be made, to fence in the land upon the 
 neck, that is laid out to be planted, by the 15th day of the 2d 
 month next ; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not set up 
 so much as cometh to their part of good sufficient fence, shall 
 forfeit for every rod not set up by the day mentioned, 1 shilling 
 '2,d. a rod, and the damage that shall come thereby." 
 
 "The 23d of the 4th mo. [June] 1646, at a general meet- 
 ing of the town, Stephen Payne, William Carpenter and Wal- 
 ter Palmer, were made choice of to view the fence upon the 
 neck ; and in case they find any not to be sufficient, that they 
 shall give presently notice to those that own the fence, and give 
 them a sufficient time for mending it, as they in their discretion 
 shall think meet; and, if that it be not sufficiently mended by 
 the time set, then they shall pay 2s. 6d. for every rod de- 
 ficient, to be employed for the setting up of said fence, and they 
 shall pay all damages that shall come by the defects during the 
 neglect." 
 
 * The town was built in a semi-circular form, around what is now Seekonk 
 Common (the south extremity of the plain,) with the meeting-house and par- 
 sonage in the centre ; the semi-circle opening towards Seekonk, or Pawtucket 
 river. This circle was afterwards called " The Ring of the town." 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 37 
 
 "The 8th of the 8th mo. [October] 1646, at a general meet- 
 ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed that 
 John Doget shall have all the lands that were laid out for John 
 Megges; and, because there was no lot laid out for him upon 
 the great plain, it was agreed upon, that he shall have both his 
 allotments, according to the estate, upon the great plain, and to 
 begin upon the south side." 
 
 "At the same time it was agreed that the townsmen shall 
 make a rate to get the town out of debt, and also a rate so 
 much as shall build a meeting-house." 
 
 " At the same time it was agreed that whosoever shall kill a 
 wolf or wolves, he shall have 205. for every wolf, and to be 
 levied upon the heads of beasts, geese and hogs. " 
 
 "The 13th of the 10th mo. [December] 1646, at a meeting 
 of the townsmen, it was agreed upon, that if any cattle shall be 
 found either in the planting fields of Wachemoquit, or in the 
 woodland plain, so long as any corn is growing upon it, without 
 a sufficient keeper, he [the owner] shall pay I2d. for every 
 beast so found ; and it shall be lawful for any person or persons, 
 that shall find any cattle in said fields to bring them to the 
 pound, and take the forfeiture : and if the owner of the cattle 
 shall find any man's fence not sufficient, it shall be lawful for 
 him to recover the damage of him that owns the fence, provi- 
 ded that there be 8 or 10 acres in the field." 
 
 " It was agreed that if any man shall take down any general 
 fence, or any man's particular fence, upon any occasion, and 
 shall not set it up again as sufficiently as he found it, he shall 
 pay for every time so left I2d. besides the damage that shall 
 come thereby." 
 
 "It w^as agreed upon that all general fence in the town shall 
 be kept up sufficiently, and whosoever shall be found deficient 
 shall forfeit 12d. for every rod, besides the damages : this order 
 to take place by the first day of the first month next." 
 
 "The 7th of January, 1646, John Hazell sold unto William 
 Devill the house which he, the said William Devill, now dwel- 
 leth in," and the house-lot, he. 
 
 "The 20th of the 11th mo. [January] 1646, at a general 
 meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed 
 upon that no man shall mow any part of the salt marsh that is 
 upon the Wachemoquit neck; and, if he shall hire, shall forfeit 
 ten shillings for every acre so mowne." 
 
38 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 " It was agreed upon that John Peram shall have a platt ol 
 meadow that lyeth near Manton's neck, in satisfaction of his 
 meadow, so far as it shall be thought fit by those that are to 
 view the defect of the meadow." 
 
 "The 9th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting ot 
 the townsmen, were made choice of, to view the fence of the 
 town lots, those persons following, viz : William Carpenter and 
 Robert Titus, William Smith and John Dogget, Stephen Paine 
 and Thomas Cooper, Thomas Bliss and Alexander Winches- 
 ter." 
 
 " The same day it was agreed that Edw^ard Sale, John Dogget, 
 William Sabin, John Peram, andWilliam Thayer, shall have leave 
 to set up a weier* upon the cove, before William Devill's 
 house, and one upon Pawtucket river ; and they shall [illegible] 
 the [illegible] of them during the [illegible] of [illegible] pro- 
 vided that they hinder not either English nor Indians from fish- 
 ing at the falls in either place ; and they shall sell their alwives 
 at 2s. a thousand, and their other fish at reasonable rates ; and 
 they shall make their weieres so as shall not hinder the passage 
 of boats, and that no man shall fish above their weier with any 
 draft net : provided if they set not up their weier in a twelve- 
 month, that it shall be lawful for any man else to set up a weiei 
 upon the same terms." 
 
 "The 18th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting 
 of the towne it was agreed to draw lots for the new meadow, 
 and to be divided according to person and estate, only those that 
 were under £150 estate to be made up 150. They were 
 drawn as followeth : 
 
 1. 
 
 Robert Sharp, 
 
 11. 
 
 Abraham Martin, 
 
 2. 
 
 Nicholas Ide, 
 
 12. 
 
 Walter Palmer, 
 
 3. 
 
 Isaac Martin, 
 
 13. 
 
 William Devill, 
 
 4. 
 
 Mr. Newman, 
 
 14. 
 
 Edward Gilman, 
 
 5. 
 
 Thomas Clifton. 
 
 15. 
 
 Richard Bowin, 
 
 6. 
 
 Ralph Alhn, 
 
 16. 
 
 Robert Titus, 
 
 7. 
 
 Robert Fuller, 
 
 17. 
 
 Robert Martin, 
 
 8. 
 
 Edward Sale, 
 
 18. 
 
 Widow Walker, 
 
 9. 
 
 Joseph Torrey, 
 
 19. 
 
 George Robinson, 
 
 10. 
 
 John Fitch, 
 
 20. 
 
 Thomas Cooper, 
 
 * These were for catching fish. I have followed the orthography of the 
 original, as in most of the quotations where there is any thing singular. I 
 have written proper names as I found them in the original, in all cases. 
 
21. 
 
 Obadiah Holmes, 
 
 34. 
 
 ■2->. 
 
 Stephen Paine, 
 
 35. 
 
 •23. 
 
 James Redwaie, 
 
 36. 
 
 24. 
 
 -WJUiaaLSabinj; 
 
 37. 
 
 25. 
 
 Robert Wheaton, 
 
 38. 
 
 26. 
 
 Thomas Bhss, 
 
 39. 
 
 27. 
 
 Widow Bennet, 
 
 40. 
 
 28. 
 
 Mr. Henry Smith, 
 
 41. 
 
 29. 
 
 Edward Smith, 
 
 42. 
 
 30. 
 
 Ademia Morris, 
 
 43. 
 
 31. 
 
 John Peram, 
 
 44. 
 
 32. 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 45. 
 
 33. 
 
 John Miller, 
 
 46. 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 39 
 
 Richard Ingram, 
 
 Mr. Alexander Winchester, 
 
 George Wright, 
 
 Zachary Roades, 
 
 George Kendricke, 
 
 John Matthewse, 
 
 John Dogget, 
 
 Robert Abell, 
 
 William Carpenter, 
 
 Mr. Peck, 
 
 John Allin, 
 
 Will. Chee borough, 
 
 William Smith." 
 
 "The 28th of the 2d mo. [April] 1647, George Wright sold 
 unto William Dogget, all his rights, privileges and immunities, 
 consisting of his house and house-lot of seven acres, seventeen 
 acres in the woodland plain, a lot upon the great plain, and 15 
 rods of fresh meadow lying in the forty-acre meadow." 
 
 "The 26th of the 3d mo. [May] 1647, at a general meeting 
 of the town upon public notice given, Stephen Paine and Wal- 
 ter Palmer were chosen to be committees for the Court. At 
 the same time Thomas Cooper and Thomas Clifton were chosen 
 to be grand-jury-men for this year. And at the same time Wil- 
 liam Smith was chosen constable for this year; and Thomas 
 Bliss and Robert Titus were chosen supervisors of the highways 
 for this year ; and Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck'^ Stephen Paine, 
 Mr. Winchester, Richard Bowen, William Carpenter, and Ed- 
 ward Smith, were chosen townsmen for the present year." 
 
 At the same meeting, cattle were prohibited from the plant- 
 ing grounds of Wachemoquit, on a fine of 12f/. per head. 
 
 "The 28th of the 4th mo. [June] 1647, the towne gave to 
 John Titus the lot before granted to Matthew Pratt ; and also 
 gave to John Woodcocke the lot before granted to Edward 
 Pateson." 
 
 "The 29th of the 7th mo. [September] 1647, at a general 
 meeting of the towne upon public notice given, the island of 
 salt marsh, that lyeth in the river between the neck of land 
 belonging to the towai and Mr. Henry Smith's salt marsh, was 
 given to Richard Ingram, in lieu of an allotment of salt marsh." 
 
 " At the same time a parcel of salt marsh that lyeth in Ed- 
 ward Smith's land in the woodland plaine was given to Edward 
 Sale." "The same day it was ordered that no man shall keep 
 
40 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 any gotes upon any common, or any man's property but his 
 own, within three miles of the town, after the first day of the 
 6th month next, upon penalty of five shillings for every gote so 
 kept." 
 
 "The 24th of November, 1647, at a meeting of the towns- 
 men it was agreed that every inhabitant that hath a team shall 
 work with his team and one man four days in a year at the 
 highway, and every inhabitant that hath no team shall find a 
 sufficient labourer four days in a year, being lawfully warned by 
 the supervisor of the highway ; but if the supervisors in their 
 discretion shall see more need of labourers than of teams, that 
 those that have a team shall send two labourers instead of their 
 teams, being so warned of the supervisor." 
 
 "The 4th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, at a meeting of 
 the town upon public notice given, the residue of the allotment 
 that was given unto Matthew Pratt, he not having remained in 
 town, was given unto Richard Bulok," (now written Bullock.) 
 
 "The 13th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, Ademia Mor- 
 ris, executor to Robert Morris, sold to Nicholas Ide his home lot." 
 
 "The 3d of the 12th month, [February] 1647, at a gen- 
 eral meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was 
 agreed upon that every inhabitant in the town, that hath land 
 upon the woodland plain, shall meet together at his alotment, 
 and set up sufficient stakes for bound marks to his land, upon 
 the second day in the second month next : and it was ordered 
 that the drum shall be beat up near the meeting-house as a 
 signal for each man to repair to his lot." 
 
 At the same meeting it was also " agreed upon, Whereas it 
 hath pleased the Court of Plymouth to give us power to try 
 all manner of differences by way of action between party and 
 party, that is under the value of ten pounds, that there shall 
 be four Courts kept every year, upon the several days following, 
 viz: upon the last Thursday of the third month, upon the last 
 Thursday of the sixth month, upon the last Thursday of the 
 ninth month, and upon the last Thursday of the twelfth month. 
 And it is agreed that the jurors shall have sixpence apiece for 
 every case tried by them." 
 
 " It is ordered that the constable shall have Qd. for every jury 
 warned by him, and Qd. for attending upon the jury for every 
 action." 
 
 "The 12th of the 2d mo. [April] 1648, at a general meet- 
 ing of the town upon public notice given, John Allin was chosen 
 constable for the year following, and John Dogget and Robert 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 4l 
 
 Titus were chosen deputies for the towne, and Joseph Torrey 
 and Robert Sharpe were chosen grand-jurymen, and John Mil- 
 ler and John Peram were chosen supervisors of the highways, 
 and Mr. Browne, ^MjU-Peck, Richard Bowin, Stephen Paine, 
 William Carpenter, William Smith were chosen townsmen." 
 
 "At the same meeting it was agreed upon that there shall be 
 added to the row of lots from Thomas Clifton's to Robert 
 Titus's lot 2 rods out of the common ; and it shall begin at a 
 notching at the outside of Thomas Clifton's lot, and so go on to 
 2 rods ; but, if it be not prejudicial to the higlnvay, it shall 
 begin at 2 rods wide throughout." 
 
 "The iSthof July, 1648, tiie towne gave to Roger Ammi- 
 downe a house-lot between Walter Palmer's house-lot and the 
 mill," besides a piece of salt marsh and other lands. 
 
 "The Uth of the 11th* mo. [January] 1648, at a general 
 meeting of the town upon public notice given, Mr. Peck and 
 Stephen Paine were chosen assistants to assist Mr. Browne in 
 matters of controversy at Court." 
 
 " It was agreed that the townsmen shall make a levy for the 
 finishing of the meeting-house, and for the county tax and to 
 set the town out of debt." 
 
 "The lot that was given unto George Robinson, being for- 
 feited into the town's hands, was given unto John Sutton, he 
 paying unto George Robinson his necessary charges laid out upon 
 it." 
 
 "The 11th of the 3d mo. [May] 1649, at a general meeting 
 of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that 
 William Devill shall be constable for the next year ; Stephen 
 Paine and Robert Titus were chosen deputies for the Court ; 
 Thomas Cooper and Obadiah Holmes were chosen grand jury- 
 men ; and Richard Bowen and Robert Sharpe were chosen 
 surveyors of the highways." 
 
 "July ]2th, 1649, at a general town meeting upon public 
 notice given, it was agreed upon that there should be a dilligent 
 search made to find out the nearest and most convenient way 
 between Rehoboth and Dedham ; and Mr. Browne and Stephen 
 Paine were chosen to compound with the surveyors, and to 
 agree for such help as should be requisite for him or them to 
 have." 
 
 Baylies says "11th of the 1st," which is a mistake. 
 
 6 
 
42 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 "The 24th of the 4th mo. [June] 1650,* at a town meet- 
 ing, those men underwritten were chosen townsmen for this 
 year : 
 
 Mr. Browne, Richard Bowen, 
 
 Mr. Peck, WilHam Smith, 
 
 Steph. Payne, Robert Martin." 
 Tho. Cooper, 
 
 "At the same meeting the town gave permission to these 
 men chosen to call a town meeting so often as need shall re- 
 quire." 
 
 "The 10th mo. [December] 1650, the county rate was 
 agreed on." 
 
 At the same meeting it was voted " to have a convenient 
 way, four rods wide, (to be made by Edward Smith,) to be for 
 the town's use, or any that shall have occasion to pass from 
 town to Providence, or to Mr. Blackstone's." 
 
 "The 15th day of the 1st mo. [March] 1651, at a towne 
 meeting, it was agreed on that Peter Hunt should accompany 
 Mr. Browne to Plymouth to make agreement about the Indian 
 complaints." 
 
 "The 19th day of the 3d mo. [May] 1651, chosen deputies 
 Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen, for the Court at Plym- 
 outh ; Walter Palmer and Peter Hunt to be grand jurymen. 
 Surveyors for the highways, William Smith and John Read." 
 
 "The 18th of October, 1651, these were chosen townsmen. 
 viz : ^ 
 
 Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper, 
 
 Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, 
 
 Stephen Payne, Robert Martin." 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 " At the same time Peter Hunt was chosen Town Clerk.f 
 
 "26th of the 12th mo. 1651. It was agreed on that Robert 
 Abell and Richard Bullock should burn the commons round 
 about, from the Indian fence, all on the neck, to the new mead- 
 ow near, and so far about the fresh meadows as may be conve- 
 
 * Here a new handwriting appears on the records, and the characters used 
 become much modernized. 
 
 1 This is the first mention made in the records of any one being chosen for 
 this office. The records back to July 12, 3 649, and those that follow the date 
 of Mr. Hunt's election appear to be in the same hand writing. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 43 
 
 nient ; and they are to have 20s. for their pams, and to begin 
 the 15th of March next, and to be paid out of the first rate." 
 
 " The 3d mo. [May] 1 652, The townsmen counted with 
 John Reed for two rates, one for the Indians pay, being £7 10s. ; 
 and the other a county rate, being £5 Is. 8c?. The Indian rate 
 due in his hand of wampum, at 8 a penny, 18s. 2d. Of the 
 county rate remains due from the town from him 14s. 2d. Then 
 bought of John Reed two muskets for the town's use, cost £2 
 8s., and to be set off in the rates that he did owe to the town." 
 
 "The 24th of the 3d mo. [May] 1G52, at a town meeting 
 being law^fully warned, Stephen Payne and Thomas Cooper 
 were chosen deputies ; Waker Pahiier was chosen constable ; 
 Henry Smith and Robert Fuller grand jurymen ; and Joseph 
 Pecke and Jonathan Bliss way-wardens." 
 
 " June the Uth, 4lh mo. 1652. It was voted, that by the assent 
 of the town then present, and being lawfully warned, that those 
 lots which lie beyond the lot of Goodman Mathew should re- 
 main to the ox-pastor,* and henceforth not be lotted " 
 
 " The 9th of the 7th mo. [September] 1652. At a town 
 meeting being lawfully warned, those men whose names are 
 underwritten were chosen raters, to make a rate of 20 pounds 
 for to buy a barrel of powder and two muskets, 4 swords, match 
 and lead, bandoleers or porchers : 
 
 Mr. Peck, Thomas Cooper, 
 
 Peter Hunt, John Reed, 
 
 John Peram, John Allin." 
 
 It was also agreed on at the same time, that wheat should be 
 paid at 4s. 6d. the bushel, or good wampum at eight the penny, 
 for buying of those things above expressed." 
 
 "The 28th of March, 1653, it was concluded and agreed 
 upon, that Robert Abell should have three acres of meadow on 
 the north side of the line, next the town, next the line that part- 
 eth the land of the purchasers and the town of Rehoboth. 
 This meadow was given them by Mr. Prince, Captain Standish 
 and Mr. Winslow." 
 
 "The 13th of the 3d mo. [May] 1653, at a town meeting 
 lawfully warned, those were chosen, viz : Stephen Payne and 
 
 * This lay north-east of Seekonk Common, between the new road from 
 Seekonk to Pawtucket and the Pawtucket or Seekonk river, and extended as 
 far down on the river as Manton's neck. It is still known by the name of 
 " the Ox Pastor." 
 
44 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Thomas Cooper, deputies ; William Sabin and Joseph Pecke^ 
 grand jurymen ; Robert Martin, constable; Richard Bowen and 
 Thomas Redvvay, overseers of the ways." 
 
 "There were chosen at time of training, Peter Hunt for 
 Lieutenant, and John Browne for Ensign." 
 
 This is the first notice found in the records of the appoint- 
 ment of military officers. This company is said to have been 
 commanded for some years by a Lieutenant, and to have been 
 styled "a Lieutenant's company," the number of members not 
 being large enough to entitle it to a higher officer. 
 
 "The 25th of October, 1653, at a town meeting lawfully 
 warned, the following men were chosen raters for the sums of 
 the county pay, viz : Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, William 
 Smith, William Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt." 
 
 " At the same meeting it was agreed on by the town, that 
 the Indians should have 4 pounds in wampum, in recompence of 
 the damage they have suffered in their corn by hogs and horses, 
 this two years ; and the wampum to be paid out of the wampum 
 which remains in Walter Pahiier's hands." 
 
 "At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 12th of December, 
 in the year 1653, voted that the price of corn should be 5s., 
 wheat 5s., rye 4s., and Indian corn 3s. (provided that the corn 
 be current and merchantable corn.) " 
 
 "At the same time those men were chosen to be townsmen, 
 viz : 
 
 Mr. Brown, Thomas Cooper, William Smith, 
 
 Stephen Payne, William Carpenter, Robert Martin.'* 
 
 Richard Bowen. 
 
 "The 10th of the 11th mo. [January] 1653. Voted that 
 the Indians that kill any wolves are to be paid out of the rate 
 by the constable." 
 
 "The 22d of the 12th mo. [February] 1653. At a town 
 meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, senior, and Thomas 
 Cooper, senior, were chosen deputies, to be present at Plym- 
 outh, at the next Court in March, to performe the business there 
 that the warrand doth require, in behalf of the town, with full 
 power in that behalf." 
 
 'I The 10th of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, Stephen Payne, 
 senior, and Peter Hunt were chosen deputies for the Court ; 
 Anthony Perry and John AUin were chosen grand-jurymen ; for 
 constable, Stephen Payne, jr. or Mr. Peck; for surveyors of the 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 45 
 
 highways, WilUam Carpenter, senior, George Kendricke and 
 Stephen Payne, jr." 
 
 "The 22d of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, were chosen for mil- 
 itary officers, Peter Hunt, for Lieutenant ; John Brown, jr. for 
 Ensign, and allowed to stand by the Honourable Bench at Plym- 
 outh Court." 
 
 "The 15th of the 7th mo. [September] 1654, at a town 
 meetinglawfully warned, there were chosen raters for the making 
 of the county rate, and for a town rate for the present debts, 
 viz : Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, Peter Hunt, John Reed 
 and Robert Martin." 
 
 " At the same time Richard Bowen was chosen Town Clerk." 
 
 "The 28th of June, 1654. Were chosen for the consider- 
 ing of such lands as shall be recorded in the town books, for the 
 clearing the rights of any person, Mi"- Pecke, Thomas Cooper, 
 John Allin, Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen." 
 
 "The 21st of July, 1654. At a town meeting lawfully 
 warned, Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter Hunt were chosen 
 deputies for the attendance of the Court in August next." 
 
 "The 13th of the 10th [December] 1654. At a meeting 
 of the townsmen it was agreed on that the price of corn for to 
 pay the town debts [something here appears to have been omit- 
 ted] "that wheat should pass at 5s., rye at 7s. and Indian to 
 pass at 3s." 
 
 "The 1st of the 12th mo. [February], 1654, at a town meet- 
 ing lawfully warned, it was agreed and voted, that Mr. Browne 
 should have for his use four square rods of ground to build a 
 house on, something near the meeting-house." 
 
 " At the same time Robert Abell was ordered to keep the 
 Ordinary," 
 
 "In the year 1655,* the 22d of the 1st mo. [March] at a 
 town meeting lawfully warned, it was agreed upon by vote that 
 the new highway towards the bay shall be perfected, and that 
 it should be done under the inspection of Goodman Payne and 
 Goodman Carpenter." 
 
 "In the year 1655, the 17th of the 3d mo. [May], at a town 
 meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter 
 Hunt were chosen deputies; for constable, Stephen Payne, jr.; 
 for grand-jury-men, Philip Walker and Jonathan Bliss; Richard 
 Ingraham and John Fitch were chosen way-wardens." 
 
 At the same time it was voted, " that there shall be no com- 
 mon grass mown before the last of June ; and, in case any do 
 
 * Baylies has 1654 ; this in old style is correct. 
 
46 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 transgress this order, it shall be lawful for any that know it to 
 
 fetch away the hay or grass so cut, without any damage to 
 
 them." 
 
 "June the 26th, 1655. At a town meeting it was agreed upon 
 
 that Mr. Newman, our teacher, should have fifty pounds a year; 
 
 and those seven men whose names are hereto appended were 
 
 chosen committees for the levying of a rate according to person 
 
 and estate for the raising of said maintenance : 
 ^Joseph Peck, Robert Martin, 
 
 Thomas Cooper, Peter Hunt, 
 
 Richard Bowen, WilL Sabia." 
 
 Stephen Payne, 
 
 "At this period," says Baylies, "so much indifference as to 
 the support of the clergy was manifested in Plymouth Colony 
 as to excite the alarm of the other confederated Colonies. The 
 complaint of Massachusetts against Plymouth, on this subject, 
 was laid before the Commissioners, and drew from them a 
 severe reprehension. Rehoboth had been afflicted already with 
 a serious schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its 
 plantations, where there was a universal toleration, the practice 
 of free inquiry was encouraged, and principle, fancy, whim 
 and conscience, all conspired to lessen the veneration for ec- 
 clesiastical authority." 
 
 [Hist. Memoir of Plym. Col. vol. H. p. 205.] 
 
 The schism here referred to was caused by Obadiah Holmes 
 and several others withdrawing themselves from Mr. Newman's 
 church, in 1649, and setting up a separate meeting of their own. 
 A full account of this affair will be given in the ecclesiastical his- 
 tory of the town. 
 
 February 9th, 1655,*' Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, senior, 
 Stephen Paine, senior, Thomas Cooper, senior, Robert Martin, 
 William Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt, were chosen 
 Townsmen. "It was also granted that they shall have power 
 to order the prudential affairs of the town, and that they shall 
 have power to call a town-meeting when they see cause." 
 
 " At the same time Father Bowen was chosen Moderator to 
 see good order in our town-meetings." 
 
 By the following extract from the records of Plymouth Court, 
 it will be seen that Mr. John Browne, a principal inhabitant of 
 Rehoboth, and for a longtime one of the Governour's Assistants, 
 was opposed to coercing people to support the ministry, al- 
 though he was willing to contribute his full proportion. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 47 
 
 "Whereas, a petition was presented unto the General Court, 
 at Plymouth, the first of June, 1655, by several of the inhab- 
 itants of the town of Rehoboth, whose hands were thereunto 
 subscribed, desiring the Court to assist them in a way according 
 to the orders of other Colonies about them, for the raising 
 maintenance for their minister ; the sum of the petition seemeth 
 to hold forth that those whose hands were not subscribed con- 
 tributed nothing, or so little as was not esteemed of, which peti- 
 tion occasioned some discourse about a forcible way to compel 
 all the inhabitants of that town to pay a certain sum every year 
 towards the maintenance of the minister. Whereupon Mr. 
 John Browne, one of the magistrates then sitting in Court, and 
 being one of the inhabitants of that town, and not being made 
 acquainted with the said petition until the names of the inhabit- 
 ants were subscribed ; to issue the said troublesome controversy, 
 and take off the odium from others, did propound that forasmuch 
 as those whose hands were lo the petition desired to submit 
 themselves to a rate, that if the Court woidd send two of the 
 magistrates unto Rehoboth to take notice of the estates of the 
 petitioners, he would engage himself in the behalf of those 
 who were the inhabitants of the said town, whose hands 
 were not subscribed to the petition, that they should voluntarily 
 contribute according to their estates ; and if any of them fell short 
 in this business, he would supply that want of his own estate ; 
 and this he would make good by engaging his lands for seven 
 years in their behalf, while they staid, though he himself should 
 remove from the place, which was approved of, and Captain 
 Standish and Mr. Hatherly were then made choice of by the 
 Court to see it ordered accordingly." 
 
 In 1655, "Liberty is granted by the Court to the neighbor- 
 hood in which Mr. Brown liveth at Rehoboth to make a pound 
 to empound all horses or hogs that shall trespass upon them." 
 
 [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. III. p. 84.] 
 
 Plymouth, July 3, 1656. "Robert Abell is allowed by the 
 Court to keep an ordinary at Rehoboth." 
 
 "The Court have appointed and deputedlvlr. Joseph Pecke 
 to administer marriage at Rehoboth." "And the said '^r. 
 Pecke, Mr. Stephen Paine, and Richard Bovven are appointed 
 and authorized to hear and determine all controversies there 
 between any, so as it amount not to above the value of three 
 pounds ; liberty being left to any to make their appeal to the 
 
48 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Court of Plymouth, if there shall be reason." [Plym. Col. 
 Rec. vol. 111. p. 102.] 
 
 July 13tl), 1657. Voted, "That all such persons, or any 
 person that is behind hand in their accounts with Mr. Newman 
 for this year present, that they shall make up their accounts 
 with Mr. Newman by a month after Michaelmas ; and in case it 
 be neglected, then such townsmen as may be deputed, together 
 with the deacons also, to go to such persons and labor to convince 
 them of the neglect of their duty ; in case they find them ob- 
 stinate, then the Court order is to be attended on." 
 
 November 20th, 1757. Stephen Paine, senior, was chosen 
 to assist Deacon Cooper, "to go to certain the inhabitants of 
 the town, to put them on to clear their accounts with Mr. New- 
 man." 
 
 " It was also agreed that there shall be a town-meeting this 
 day fortnight, and in case it appear that any person or persons 
 be behind hand with Mr. Newman, that then some effectual 
 course may be taken according to Court order, to make such to 
 pay as have been negligent in their duty for the settling of Mr. 
 Newman amongst us." 
 
 It was also voted that persons neglecting to attend town-meet- 
 ing should be fined 6d. 
 
 December 9th, 1757. It was voted, " that Sampson Mason 
 should have free liberty to sojourn with us, and to buy houses, 
 lands or meadows, if he see cause for his settlement, provided 
 that he lives peaceably and quietly." 
 
 Samuel Mason had been, according to Benedict, [Hist. 
 Bap. vol. I. p. 427] a soldier in the Commonwealth's army, 
 commanded by Cromwell. He became a Baptist, emigrated to 
 America, and, after having resided several years at Rehoboth, 
 became ultimately one of the founders of Swansey. 
 
 February 22, 1658. "The following persons are accepted 
 as freemen of the town, to take up their freedom, namely, Joseph 
 Peck, 'John Peck, Henry Smith, Robert Fuller, John Fitch, 
 Stephen Paine, Jonathan Bliss, William Buckland, Rice Leon- 
 ard." 
 
 June 22d, 1658. "At a town-meeting lawfully warned, lots 
 were drawn for the meadows that lie on the north side of the 
 town, in order as foUoweth, according to person and estate : " 
 
 1. John Peck, 4. Nicholas Ide, 
 
 2. George Robinson, i>. James Reddeway, 
 
 3. Robert Abell, 6. Jonathan Bliss, 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 49 
 
 7. Mr. Winchester's children. 
 
 8. Mr. Newman, 
 
 9. George Kendrick, 
 
 10. Stephen Payne, sen. 
 
 11. John Butter worth, 
 
 12. John Read, 
 
 13. Thomas Wilmoth, 
 
 14. John Fitch, 
 
 15. Henry Smith, 
 
 16. Will. Carpenter, sen. 
 
 17. John Millard, jun. 
 
 18. Robert Wheaton, 
 
 19. Richard Bullock, 
 
 20. Robert Martin, 
 
 21. John Per rum, 
 
 22. Richard Bowen, sen. 
 
 23. Obadiah Bowen, 
 
 24. Anthony Perry, 
 
 25. Joseph Peck, 
 
 26. John Matthews, 
 
 27. John Allin, 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 Tho. Cooper, jr. 
 ffilhSabin, 
 Philip Walker, 
 Daniel Smith, 
 
 34. John Dogget, 
 
 35. Nicholas Peck, 
 Rice Leonard, 
 Robert Jones, 
 Francis Stevens, 
 Thomas Cooper, sen. 
 John Woodcock, 
 Edward Hall, 
 Stephen Payne, jun. 
 
 43. Roger Amadowne, 
 
 44. Richard Bowen, jr. 
 
 45. Robert Fuller, 
 
 46. Will. Buckhn, 
 
 47. Mr.|Peck, 
 
 48. John^ Willard, sen. 
 
 49. Will. Carpenter, jun. 
 
 36. 
 37. 
 
 38. 
 39. 
 40. 
 41, 
 42. 
 
 28. John Sutton, 
 
 From the expression "the meadows that lie on the north 
 side of the town," it appears that this division was of land after- 
 wards included in the North Purchase, now Attleborough and 
 Cumberland. 
 
 The 2d of the 9th mo. [November,] 1658. The Indians 
 were forbidden to set their traps within the town's bounds. 
 
 " December the 9th, 1659. It was agreed upon between the 
 town of Rehoboth and Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin 
 that the said Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin is to shingle 
 the new end of the meeting-house, and to be done as sufficient- 
 ly as the new end of Goodman* Payne's house ; and they are 
 to furnish nails, and to be done by May-day next ensuing, 
 provided that the frame be ready in season : in consideration 
 whereof they are to have £8 to be paid in good, merchantable 
 wampum, when their work is done." 
 
 "30th of the 11th mo. [January,] 1659. Voted to agree 
 with Richard Bullock to perform the office of Town Clerk ; 
 
 * This title Good-man, I have been informed, was used formerly much the 
 same as Mr., Master, or Mister is with us at the present day. 
 
 7 
 
50 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 to give him 16s. a year, and to be paid for births, burials, 
 and marriages besides." 
 
 March 17th, 1659, the town made an agreement with Wil- 
 liam BuckHn "to enlarge the meeting-house the breadth of 
 three seats throughout, to find boards and to finish it complete 
 and answerable to the rest, with seats, the town finding nails." 
 
 "The 19th, I'ith mo, [February] 1660, at a general town 
 meeting, Capt. Willet, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, Stephen 
 Payne, sen., Lieutenant Hunt, were chosen by the town, and 
 empowered to view the town book, and to see that it be tran- 
 scribed into a new book, all such things as they shall judge ma- 
 terial for the good of the town, as also for the clearing of evi- 
 dences of men's lands, according to Court orders, made in 
 1654." 
 
 2 1st of the 12th mo. [February] 1660. In town meeting it was 
 voted " that Mr. Willet should have liberty to take up five hun- 
 dred or six hundred acres of land northward or eastward, beyond 
 the bounds of our town, where he shall think it most convenient 
 for himself." 
 
 1st day 2d mo. [April] 1661 . GilbertBrooks of Scituate, had 
 " free liberty to be an inhabitant of Rehoboth, and to purchase 
 what he may, if he be minded to come among us." 
 
 In this year. Captain Thomas Willet, empowered by the 
 Court of Plymouth, and having obtained the consent of the 
 town of Rehoboth, purchased of Wamsitta,* or (as he is more 
 commonly called,) Alexander, the elder brother of king Philip 
 and son of Massassoit, a large tract of land, which was called 
 Rehoboth North Purchase, now Attleborough (Mass.) and 
 Cumberland, R. I. "It was bounded," says Daggett, "West 
 by Pawtucket river, now Blackstone ; North by the Massachu- 
 setts Colony or the bay line, (so called ;) East by territory 
 which was afterwards the Taunton North Puichase, now Mans- 
 field, Norton, and Easton; and South by the ancient Rehoboth, 
 now Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Pawtucket. This purchase in- 
 cluded Attleborough, Cumberland, R. I., and a tract of a mile 
 and a half in width, extending east and west, (which was annex- 
 ed to Rehoboth as an enlargement,) and a part of Mansfield and 
 Norton. This purchase was afterwards, viz. April 10th, 1666, 
 
 "The then Sachem of Pokanoket. His original name was Mooanum. He 
 succeeded Massassoit as Sachem of the Wampanoags, and died in the summer 
 of 1662. His wife's name was Namurapum or Wetamoo. — See Drake's Book 
 eflht Indians, b. 3, c. 1, p. 1 — 8. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 51 
 
 granted and confirmed by the Plymouth government to the in- 
 habitants of Rehoboth." — Daggett's History of Attleborough, 
 p. 6. 
 
 The following is a copy of the Deed of this tract from 
 Wamsitta, or Alexander, to Mr. Willet. 
 
 " Know all men that I Wamsetta, alias Alexander, chief 
 Sachem of Pokanokett, for divers good causes and valuable 
 considerations me thereunto moving, have bargained and sold 
 unto Captain Thomas Willet, of Wannamoisett,'all those tracts 
 of land situate and being from the bounds of Rehoboth ranging 
 upon Patuckett unto a place called Waweypounshag, the place 
 where one Blackstone now sojourneth, and so ranging along to 
 the said river unto a place called Messanegtacaneh and from 
 this upon a straight line crossing through the woods unto the 
 uttermost bounds of a place called Mamantapett or Wading 
 river, and from the said river one mile and a half upon an east 
 line, and from thence upon a south line unto the bounds of the 
 town of Rehoboth. To have and to hold unto him the said 
 Captain Willet and his associates, their heirs and assigns for- 
 ever; reserving only a competent portion of land for some of 
 the natives at Mishanegitaconett for to plant and sojourn upon, 
 as the said Wamsetta alias Alexander and the said Thomas 
 Willet jointly together shall see meet ; and the rest of all the 
 land aforementioned, with the woods, waters, meadows, and all 
 emoluments whatsoever to remain unto the said Thomas Willet 
 and his associates, their heirs and assigns forever. Witness my 
 hand and seal this eighth day of April, in the year 1661. 
 
 " The mark of A X A 
 Wamsitta alias Alexander, 
 his seal [l.s.] 
 *' Signed, sealed and delivered 
 
 in presence of 
 
 John Browne, jr. 
 
 Jonathan Bosworth, 
 
 John Sassaman, Interpreter. 
 
 "April 10th, 1666. Witnesseth these presents, that Cap- 
 tain Thomas Willet above said hath and doth hereby resign, 
 deliver and make overall and singular the lands above mention- 
 ed, purchased of Wamsitta alias Alexander, chief Sachem of 
 Pokanokett, according unto the bounds above expressed, with 
 all and singular the benefits, privileges, and immunities thereunto 
 appertaining, unto Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Winslow, 
 
52 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Capt. Thomas Southworth, and Mr. Constant Southworth, in 
 the behalf of the Colony of New Plymouth. In witness where- 
 of he doth hereunto set his hand and seal. 
 
 "Thomas Willet. [l.s.]" 
 " Signed, sealed and delivered 
 
 in presence of 
 
 Daniel Smith, 
 
 Nicholas Peck." 
 
 " 6th, 7th mo. [September] 1661. Lieutenant Hunt and 
 ^ Joseph Peck were chosen to view the damage in the Indians' 
 corn upon Kickamuet neck, and Consumpsit neck, and to give 
 the town notice of it." 
 
 The 14th of the 9th mo. [November] 1661. "Lieutenant 
 Hunt and William Sabin were chosen to confer with Mr. Wil- 
 let to know what he hath done about the north side of the town 
 in the behalf of the town." 
 
 27th of the 12th mo. [February] 1661. Samuel Luther was 
 permitted to be a sojourner to buy or hire. 
 
 "Plymouth, 1661. It is ordered by the Court that the ward 
 of Rehoboth shall extend unto Sowamsett* and unto all the 
 neighbours there inhabiting, as to the constable of Rehoboth, 
 his execution of his office, as occasion shall require, which he 
 is required by his orders to do and perform, as well there as in 
 any other part of that constablericke." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. 
 III. p. 234.] 
 
 "The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1662. It was voted that 
 John Woodcock should have two rods of land to build a small 
 house on for himself and his family to be in on the Lord's day, 
 in some convenient place near the meeting-house; and Good- 
 man Paine and Lieutenant Hunt were chosen to see where the 
 most convenient place for it might be." 
 
 December 16th, 1662. A fine of I5. 6cl. was ordered to be 
 imposed on those who neglected to attend town-meeting. 
 
 During this year the town was afflicted with the loss of one of 
 its most influential and useful inhabitants, Mr. John Brown. 
 He died April 10, I662,t at Wannamoiset. The following 
 notice is made of him by Morton in his "New-England's Me- 
 morial" [pp. 295, 296, 297]. " This year Mr. John Brown 
 ended this life ; in his younger years travelling into the low coun- 
 
 * Bristol or Barrington, — probably the former, 
 t Rehoboth Town Records of deaths and burials. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 53 
 
 tries, he came acquainted with, and took good liking to, the rev- 
 erend pastor of the church of Christ at Ley den, as also to sun- 
 dry of the brethren of that church : which ancient amity 
 induced him (upon his coming over to New-England) to seat 
 himself in the jurisdiction of New Plimouth, in which he was 
 chosen a magistrate ; in which place he served God and the 
 country several years ; he was well accomplished with abili- 
 ties to both civil and religious concernments, and attained, 
 through God's grace, unto a comfortable persvvasion of the love 
 and favour of God to him ; he, falling sick of a fever, with much 
 'serenity and spiritual comfort, fell asleep in the Lord, and was 
 honourably buried at Wannamoiset near Rehoboth, in the spring 
 of the year abovesaid." He was first elected to the office of 
 assistant in Plymouth Colony in 1636, which office he ably filled 
 for seventeen years. He was also one of the Commissioners of 
 the United Colonies of New England from 1644 to 1655. The 
 mention of this latter fact may serve to show in what estimation 
 he was held in the colony, when we recollect that only two per- 
 sons were chosen from each colony to that office. He was made 
 a freeman of the colony of Plymouth in 1634.* He was one 
 of the original proprietors of the town, and owned large estates 
 in land both at Rehoboth and Wannamoiset. Mr. Brown was 
 a friend to religious toleration, and was the first of the Plym- 
 outh magistrates who expressed scruples as to the expediency 
 of coercing the people to support the ministry. He was a man 
 of talent, integrity, and piety, and his death was deeply felt 
 through the whole colony. James Brown, who also was assis- 
 tant in 1655, and lived at Swansey, was his son. 
 
 " July 3d, 1663. It was voted by the town to send a letter to 
 Samuel Fuller of Plymouth, that if he will come upon trial 
 according to his ow^n proposition, the town is willing to accept 
 of him ; and in case the town and he do accord, the town is wil- 
 ling to accommodate him in the best way they can for his encour- 
 agement." 
 
 " It was also voted and agreed that his mother should be sent 
 to, to see if she be willing to come and dwell amongst us, to 
 attend on the office of a midwife, to answer the town's necessi- 
 ty, which at present is great." 
 
 Mr. Fuller was a physician residing at Plymouth. 
 
 At the same town meeting, Goodman Searle was accepted as 
 an inhabitant, and a home lot voted to him. 
 
 "Baylies' Hist. Mem. of Plym. Col. vol. II. p. 201. 
 
54 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 In this year the town experienced a severe loss in the death 
 of their learned and venerable pastor, the Rev. Samuel New- 
 man. He died on the 5th of July, 1663. 
 
 "The manner of his death," says Elliot, "was peculiar. He 
 had a certain premonition of it, and seemed to triumph in the 
 prospect of its being near. He was apparently in perfect 
 health, and preached a sermon from these words, Job. xiv, 14, 
 " All the days of my appointed time ivill I wait till my change 
 come.'^ In the afternoon of the following Lord's day, he asked 
 the deacon to pray with him, saying he had not long to live. 
 As soon as he had finished his prayer, he said the time was 
 come that he must leave this world. But his friends seeing no 
 immediate signs of dissolution, thought it was the influence of 
 imagination. But he turned round, saying, "angels do your 
 office," and immediately expired.* This may appear like 
 other marvellous circumstances related in the Magnalia, but 
 it is handed down by persons not connected with that author, 
 and was as much confirmed as any report depending upon tra- 
 dition : and it is said that accounts of the death of Mr. New- 
 man were written at the time and sent to England, as well as 
 propagated through the towns of New-England." 
 
 He was born at Banbury, (Oxfordshire) England, in 1600, 
 of a family " more eminent and more ancient," says Mather, 
 "than most in the realm of England." At the age of sixteenf 
 he entered the university at Oxford, where he received his edu- 
 cation. He commenced his ministry in England ; but, being a 
 puritan, the molestations of the Episcopal clergy compelled him 
 to no less than seven removes in his own country, and finally to 
 his eighth and last remove, to America. He came to New- 
 England in 1636 or 1638. J He spent some time at Dorches- 
 
 • A tradition of this circumstance still exists in Rehoboth, which says, as he 
 pronounced the words, " JVow ye angels of the Lord do your duty ; " he turned 
 and fixed his eyes on a particular part of the room, as though he saw the 
 angels present. 
 
 t Wood's Athenae et Fasti Oxonienses, 3d ed. 4to. London, 1817, with ad- 
 ditions by Philip Bliss, Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, vol. III. p. 
 64d. See also note A, Appendix, where all that is said by Wood concerning 
 Newman is transcribed. 
 
 I Judge Davis, in his edition of the Memorial, p. 217, says that Mr Newman 
 came to New-England in 1G36, and was admitted a freeman in 1638. In a 
 Chronological and Topographical account of Dorche.^ter, furnished by Dr. 
 Harris, of that place, [Mass. Hist. Coll. ix. 191 , 1st Series,] it is stated that 
 Mr. Newman was in the list of church members of that town in 1636. All 
 the other authorities, — Mather, Elliot, Holmes, Neal, &c. place his arrival 
 in 1638. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 55 
 
 ter ; removed to Weymouth in 1639,* where he preached 
 about four and a lialf or five years ; and thence, at the close of 
 the year 1643 or the commencement of 1644, emigrated with 
 a majority of his congregation to Rehoboth, where he passed 
 the remainder of his hfe. 
 
 He was a hard student, an animated preacher, and an excel- 
 lent and pious man. He was ardently beloved by his people, 
 and his death was long and deeply lamented. 
 
 He compiled a Concordance of the Bible, — a herculean 
 labor, — the third f in English that ever was published, and 
 which far surpassed either of the two that preceded it. The 
 first edition of this Concordance was published at London, 
 1643, J in folio. After his removal at Rehoboth, he revised 
 this Concordance and greatly improved it, using in the evening, 
 according to President Stiles, pine knots instead of candles. 
 This edition was published at London, in 1650. A third edi- 
 tion was published at London, in 165S, in a thick folio. || It 
 contains an advertisement to the reader, by Daniel Featly, and 
 another by W. Gouge. These three editions of Mr. Newman's 
 Concordance, which were published during his hfetime, bear 
 his name ; but another edition was published soon after at Cam- 
 bridge, considerably improved, which took the name of the 
 " Cambridge Concordance ,^\ which title it has since borne. 
 
 * See Appendix to Rev. Mr. Bent's sermon at the dedication of the North 
 meeting-house in Weymouth. The notes there found were prepared by the 
 Hon. Christopher Webb, who has in preparation a history of Weymouth, and 
 to whose kindness I acknowledge myself indebted, in this history. 
 
 t See Preface to Cruden's Concordance, and also of Newman's Concordance, 
 3d edition fol. Lond. ]()58. 
 
 + Judge Diivis in his notes to Morton's Memorial says 1640 : I have follow- 
 ed Wood, who gives 1G43. 
 
 II I have seen no mention of this edition by any writer. I found a copy of 
 it in the Athenteum Library, Boston. It is a very thick folio, bearing the 
 name of '"Nkwman's Concordance" stamped on the back. The title pnge 
 says, " A large and compleat Concordance,' &c. by " Samuel Newman, 
 now teacher of the Church at Relioboth in Niw-Enghntd.'' [For the title-page 
 see Appendix, note B.] TlTis Contnins a Concord nice c^ the Apocrypha, 
 which is written separately, and placed in the end of the volume. 
 
 § Cruden, in tlie prei'ace to his Concordance, published at London in 1738, 
 and dedicated to the Queen of Engl.ind, appears to have been ignorant that 
 Newman's Concordance was essentinllv the same as the Cambridge Concord- 
 ance, the latter only a more improved edition of the former, i^pcaking of the 
 various English Concordances that had preceded his, he says the first was by 
 Marbeck, in 15.50, and referred only to chapters; the second by Cotton, in 
 1631 : the third, by Mr. Newman, " more complete ; and lastly we have had 
 one published under the title of the Cambridge Concordance." An author of 
 a life of the Rev. Hugh Peters, (the Rev. Samuel Peters, L.L.D ) erroneously 
 states that Cruden wrote his Concordance at Rehoboth, and tliat it was the 
 first Concordance ever written in the English tongue. [See Appendix, note C] 
 
56 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Thus, as Mr. Newman, while living, is said to have been fraudu- 
 lently deprived of all pecuniary advantage* from so laborious a 
 work; so, when dead, even the author's more common but less 
 substantial recompence of "a name" seems also to have been 
 denied him. 
 
 He is honourably mentioned by Anthony Wood in his " Ath- 
 enae et Fasti Oxonienses;" and Mather, in his "Magnalia," 
 passes the highest encomiums on his learning, industry, and piety. 
 "He loved his church," says the latter, "as if it had been his 
 family, and taught his family as if it had been his church. He 
 was a hard student, and as much toil and oil as his learned 
 name-sake, Neander, employed in illustrations and commenta- 
 ries upon the old Greek, pagan poets, our Newman bestowed 
 in compiling his Concordances of the Sacred Scriptures : and 
 the incomparable relish which the Sacred Scriptures had with him, 
 while he had them thus under his continual rumination, was as 
 well a mean as a sign of his arriving to an extraordinary measure 
 of that sanctity, which the truth produces. But of his family dis- 
 cipline there was no part more notable than this one ; that once a 
 year he kept a solemn day of humiliation with his family, and 
 once a year a day of thanksgiving ; and on these days he would 
 not only enquire of his household what they had met withal to 
 be humbled, or to be thankful for, but also he w^ould recruit the 
 memoirs of his diary." Hospitality was a marked trait in his 
 character ; " and I can tell," says Mather, " when he entertained 
 angels not unawares," referring, probably, to the scene of his 
 death, which has been related. 
 
 It is to be regretted that the diary and papers of this learned 
 and excellent man were unfortunately lost. Mather was able 
 to recover a fragment only, which will be given entire. 
 
 "Notes or marJcs-f of grace, I find in myself; not wherein I 
 desire to glory, but to take ground of assurance, and after our 
 apostle's rules, to make my election sure, though I find them but 
 in weak measure. 
 
 1. I love God, and desire to love God, principally for him- 
 self 
 
 2. I desire to requite evil with good. 
 
 3. A looking up to God, to see him, and his hand, in all things 
 that befall me. 
 
 * A matter of tradition. 
 
 t This extract is italicised precisely as found in the Magnalia. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 57 
 
 4. A greater fear of displeasing God, than all the world. 
 
 5. A love of such christians as I never saw, or received good 
 from . 
 
 6. A grief when I see God's commands broken by any person. 
 
 7. A mourning for not findhig the assurance of God's love, and 
 the sense of his favour, in that comfortable manner, at one 
 time as at another ; and not being ahle to serve God as I 
 should. 
 
 8. A willingness to give God the glory of any ability to do 
 good. 
 
 9. A joy when I am in christian company, in Godly con- 
 ference. 
 
 10. A grief , when I perceive h goes ill with christians, and 
 the contrary. 
 
 11. A constant performance of secret duties, between God 
 and myself, morning and evening. 
 
 12. A bewailing of such sins, which none in the world can 
 accuse me of. 
 
 13. A choosing of suffering to avoid sin." 
 
 Mather concludes his sketch of Mr. Newman with the fol- 
 lowing Latin epitaph : 
 
 " Mortuus est Neander Nov-Anglus, 
 
 Qui ante mortem dedicit mori, 
 
 Et obiit ea morte, quae potest esse, ars bene moriendi." 
 
 The posterity of Mr. Newman were very numerous ; and 
 some of his lineal descendants, bearing his name, are found in the 
 lists of the present inhabitants of the original town of Reho- 
 both.* Antipas Newman, the minister of Wenham, who mar- 
 ried, in 1658, Elizabeth, the daughter of Governour Winthrop, 
 and died Oct 15, 1672, is supposed to have been his son.f 
 Noah Newman J was also his son. He succeeded his father in 
 the ministry, in March, 1668, and continued therein till his death, 
 Af)ril 16, 1676. He married Joanna, '§> daughter of Rev. 
 Henry Flint, one of the first ministers of Braintree (now 
 Quincy.) Her mother was Margery Hoar, sister of Rev. 
 Leonard Hoar, third President of Harvard College. The chil- 
 dren of the Rev. Noah Newman were, Henry, born Nov. 10, 
 
 * Deacon Sylvanus Newman, of Seekonk, is a lineal descendant of the 
 Rev. Samuel Newman. 
 
 t Allen's Am. Biographical and Historical Dictionary. Farmer's Register. 
 
 X Several writers have stated Mns a.s probable ; but I find traditions sufficient- 
 ly strong and clear to assure me of the fact. 
 
 § Farmer's Register. 
 
58 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 1670, Samuel, born Aug. 22, 1672, and Sibil, born March 31, 
 1675. Samuel Newman, probably the oldest son of tlie Rev. 
 Samuel Newman, lived at Rehoboth. He married Basheba 
 Chickering, Dec. 6, 1659, and had eight children; JMary born 
 Jan. 3, 1660, Basheba, born Jan. 19, 1661, Satnuel, born Feb. 
 21, 1662, David, born, Nov. 1, 1665, John, born July 1, 1668, 
 Hopestill, born July 19, 1669, Mary, born Nov. 7, 1670, An- 
 tipas, born March 29, 1673. Hope, (or Hopestill,) a daughter 
 ot" the Rev. Samuel Newman, was born at Weymouth, Nov. 
 29, 1641. She was married to the Rev. George Shove, a 
 native of Dorchester, and third minister of Taunton, and died 
 March 7, 1674, leaving three sons and two daughters. 
 
 Mr. Newman was interred in the burying ground south of the 
 Consrciiational meeting-house in Seekonk. But 
 
 " Not a stone 
 
 Tells where he lies." 
 
 A few rods south of the " Proprietors' Tomb " are two 
 stones, one standing erect, the other lying horizontally upon four 
 stones fixed perpendicularly in the ground, bearing the names of 
 two females of the name of Newman, of an early date ; and 
 beside them are two heaps of stones, raised, apparently, to sup- 
 port flat stones upon the top, a fragment or two only of which re- 
 main : here, it is conjectured, repose the ashes of the first two 
 ministers of Rehoboth, Rev. Samuel and Rev. Noah Newman. 
 The horizontal stone remaining is inscribed with the name of 
 Mrs. Basheba Newman, deceased, August 8, 1687, the wife of 
 Deacon Samuel Newman. \Presu1ent Stiles' Literary Diary. 
 Wood's Athen. et Fast. Oxon. iii. 648. Magnal. iii. 387-392. 
 Holmes' Am. Annals, i. 332 — 333. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 
 ix. 191, 1st Series. Morton's Mem. ed. by Judge Davis, 217, 
 297 — 8. Allen's Am. Biog. &f Hist. Die. and" Elliofs Biog. 
 Die. Farmer's Register of the First Settlers of Neiv-Eng- 
 land. Mass. Hist. Coll. vii. 187, New Series. Baylies' Hist. 
 Mem. of Plymouth Colony, i. 316, ii. 196, 209, 211. John- 
 son's Wonder Work. Prov. chap. x. 127. Pref to Cruden's 
 Concordance. Pref. to Newman's Concordance, 3d ed. Lond. 
 1658, fol. Neal's Hist, of the Puritans, 3 vols. 8vo. ii. 315. 
 Neal's Hist, of New-England, vol. II. chap. viii. p. 341.] 
 
 In September. 1663, " At a meeting of the church and town, 
 it was concluded that Mr. Zachariah Symes should have forty 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 59 
 
 pounds for this year, and his diet at Mrs. Newman's besides. 
 At the same time Stephen Payne, senior, and Lieutenant Hunt 
 were chosen to go down to his friends, to use means for the set- 
 thng of him with us for this present year." 
 
 November 2, 1663. "At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
 those men whose names are here following and appended, were 
 chosen and empowered by the town, either to buy Joseph 
 Peck's house and house-lot, and to set up an addition to it, to 
 make it fit for the ministry, if they judge it convenient for such 
 a use, or to build a new house upon the town's lands, whether 
 they in their wisdom shall judge to be most convenient : Good- 
 man Payne, John Allen, sen., Lieutenant Hunt, Mr. Browne, 
 Anthony Perry, Goodman Walker, Thomas Cooper, jr., Henry 
 Smith." 
 
 "At the same time it was voted, that a rate should be made 
 to raise charges for to build a house for the ministry, when the 
 townsmen shall call for it ; and that the price of corn for the 
 carrying on of the building of the public house shall be, — 
 Indian corn at 3^., rye at 4s., and wheat at 55.; and what cattle 
 are paid towards it is to be good at May-day next, or therea- 
 bouts, all horse kind and hogs being excepted against." 
 
 Nov. 25, 1663. Voted, that Alexander, the Irishman, a 
 brickmaker. should be freely approved among us, for to make 
 brick, and that he should have free liberty to make use of the 
 clay and wood on the commons for that purpose." 
 
 At the same time, "it was voted and agreed upon, that, 
 whereas God by his providence hath lately taken away from us 
 our dear teacher, yet out of his goodness and mercy hath 
 brought amongst us Mr. Zachariah Symes, whom we honour 
 and respect ; yet with reference to the place we live in, we judge 
 it expedient to look out for another godly, able minister to 
 labour with him in the work of the ministry, and therefore do 
 accept of Mr. Willet's proposition, as to embrace any opportu- 
 nity that Providence shall guide him to for that end." 
 
 June 20, 1664. It was voted, " that the public house, in- 
 tended for the ministry, shall be set on the west side of the run, 
 in the middle of the common, being the place appointed for a 
 teacher's lot, being six acres." 
 
 December 20, 1664. Four pounds and seventeen shillings 
 were voted, being the sum which Captain Willet agreed to give 
 Philip for growing corn in the neck, and that Captain Willet 
 should agree with Philip for the year ensuing. 
 
60 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 " Januaiy 24, l664, [1665.*] At a town meeting upon public 
 notice given, it was agreed by vote, that the former power that 
 was granted to Mr. Willet, for to procure an able minister to 
 assist Mr. Symes in the ministry, was further confirmed to 
 him by the town." 
 
 May 22, 1665. " Sam, the Indian that keeps the cows, was 
 admitted by the town as an inhabitant, to buy or hii"e house or 
 lands if he can, in case the Court allow it." 
 
 " This," says Baylies, " is believed to have been the first 
 and only instance of an Indian resident among the English, who 
 was admitted to the rights of citizenship within this colony." 
 
 Whether or not this vote was " allowed by the Court " we are 
 not informed. 
 
 May 22, 1G65. " John Lowell was admitted by the town to 
 buy or hire house or land if he can." 
 
 June 6, 1665. The town voted to pay the Governour their 
 proportion of £50 ; also, that there be a standing council, three 
 in number, with the Governour, and that this council be renewed 
 yearly. 
 
 April 18, 1666. It was voted by the town, "that the 
 late purchasers of land upon the north side of our town shall 
 bear forty shillings in a I'ate of £5, and so proportionable in all 
 other public charges." 
 
 " It was also voted that there shall be a three railed fence set 
 up and maintained, between the late purchased land on the north 
 side of the town, to be set up on all the end of the plain from 
 Goodman Buckland's lands to the Mill river ; and every man 
 that is interested in said purchased lands to bear an equal pro- 
 portion in the aforesaid fence according to their proportion of 
 lands." 
 
 " Voted also to make choice of a committee for the settling 
 and stating of the late purchased lands on the north side of our 
 town, viz : whether such as at present seem questionable are 
 true proprietors of the aforesaid lands : and the committee cho- 
 sen were Capt. Willet, with the townsmen, and those that stand 
 engaged for the payment of the aforesaid purchased lands." 
 
 This committee reported, April 23d. 
 
 It was also voted by the town, " that Mr. Goodman Martin shall 
 enjoy a spot of fresh meadow that lies on the north side of the 
 town, lying at the end of the Great Plain, during his Hfe and his 
 wife's, and at their decease to return to the town." 
 
 ' New Style 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 61 
 
 " At the same time it was agreed between the town and Capt. 
 Willett, that for the forty acres of meadow that he is to have to 
 his larm, on the north side of the town, he is, by agreement made 
 with tiie town, to have high Squisset and low Squisset ; and the 
 bounds of the said Squisset meadows to be according to the sight 
 of the surveyors, the day that they laid out his farm, that is, 
 Henry Smith and William Carpenter ; and he is also to have a 
 piece of meadow at the Seven Mile river, near unto the going 
 out at the highway, and six acres of meadow at the Ten Mile 
 river, and what there wants of the six acres in quality is to be 
 made up in quantity ; the said six acres of meadow on the Ten 
 Mile river lies by the old highway as we go into the bay." 
 
 "April 23, 1666. The committee that was chosen by the 
 town, April 18th, 1666, at a town meeting, for the stating and 
 settling of the late purchased lands, upon the north side of our 
 town, the aforesaid committee being met together, this twenty- 
 third of April, we see cause that there shall be seventy-six whole 
 shares and equal purchasers in the aforesaid lands, and six per- 
 sons that have half shares, which we see cause lo add to the 
 seventy-six whole shares, so that the whole number of shares 
 amounts to seventy-nine shares." 
 
 May 15, 1666. In town meeting, " It was agreed by joint 
 consent, that a third man alone for the work of the ministry 
 should be forthwith looked for, and such a one as may preach to 
 the satisfaction of the whole, (if it be the will of God for the 
 settling of peace amongst us, according to the former renewed 
 counsel sent us from our honored Governor and Assistants.) 
 The meeting was adjourned to the 19th, to make choice of a 
 committee to obtain a " third man alone for the work of the 
 ministry." " Richard Bullock declared his protest against this 
 act, as judging it the sole work of the church." 
 
 May 19, 1666. " At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 
 town concluded to have a meeting upon the last Tuesday in 
 June, to consider of the meadows on the north side of the town, 
 how they may be disposed of for this present year ; it is there- 
 fore agreed by this town, that no man shall mow a load or part 
 of a load of grass, before the town hath disposed of them, upon 
 the penalty of twenty shillings the load or part of a load." 
 
 " May 23, 1666. Mr. Symes was admitted by the town as 
 an inhabitant, to purchase or hire for his money." 
 
 " At the same time Mr. Myles was voted to be invited to 
 preach, viz : once a fortnight on the week day, and once on the 
 Sabbath day." 
 
62 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH 
 
 June 26, 1666. " Stephen Paine, senior, Mr. Browne, and 
 Goodman Allen were chosen Selectmen to answer the Court 
 order." 
 
 The}^ were the first Selectmen chosen by the town. The 
 Townsmen still continued to be chosen as usual. 
 
 "August the 13th, 1666. It was voted and agreed upon by 
 the town that an able man for the work of the ministry shall, 
 with all convenient speed, be looked for, as an officer for this 
 church, and a minister for the town, such a one as may be sat- 
 isfactory to the generality." 
 
 "At the same time it was also voted and agreed upon by the 
 town, that Mr. Myles shall still continue to lecture on the week 
 day, and further on the Sabbath, if he be thereunto legfilly cal- 
 led." vx ■ >- 
 
 " At the same time, the town made choice of Deacon Cooper, 
 Lieutenant Hunt,NNicholas Peck, and Ensign Smith, as mes- 
 sengers; to look out for an able man for the work of the minis- 
 try, according to the vote aforesaid, and they are to go in the 
 first place to Mr. Esterbrook's." 
 
 October 16, 1666. "At a town meeting it was concluded, 
 that the purchased lands on the north side of the town shall be 
 divided between this and the first of May next ensuing." 
 
 It was also voted by the town, "that no person shall fall any 
 trees upon the aforesaid lands on the north side of our town 
 before the said lands be divided, upon the penalty of ten shil- 
 lings for every tree so fallen." 
 
 The same day, "John Doggett, John Woodcock, and John 
 Titus were chosen by the town to see what timber trees are 
 fallen on the late purchased lands, on the north side of our 
 town, and they shall have the forfeiture for their pains, and the 
 trees to those that the land shall fall to." 
 
 December 10, 1666. "At a town meeting it was voted and 
 agreed upon, that Mr. Burkley should continue still amongst us 
 till the first of April next ensuing, upon further trial, in refer- 
 ence to the vote of August 13, — 66, which is in order to the 
 settlement in the ministry, if he be approved of." 
 
 The same day, Thomas Esterbrook was admitted as an in- 
 habitant. 
 
 "June 22, 1667. At a town-meeting it was voted by the 
 town that the meadows lying on the north side of the town shall 
 be for this present year as they were last year." 
 
 Since the disturbances caused in the church at Rehoboth, in 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 63 
 
 1649, by Obadiah Holmes and his adherents, the rehgious affairs 
 of the town had been far from being in a quiet state ; and the 
 number of Baptists, so far from being lessened by persecu- 
 tion, had been gradually increasing. In 1663 it was strength- 
 ened by the arrival of the Rev. John Myles, with a part of his 
 church, from Swansea, in Wales, (England,) whence he had 
 been ejected for non-conformity. This church he had founded 
 at Swansea (Wales) in 1649. On their removal to this coun- 
 try, they brought with them their records, which were in Welch,* 
 large extracts from which, says Benedict, in his History of the 
 Baptists, were made by Mr. Backus, and sent over to Mr. 
 Thomas of Leominster, England, the historian of the Welsh 
 Baptists. In 1663, Mr. Myles formed a Baptist church in Re- 
 hoboth, the fourth formed in America. It was organized in the 
 house of John Buttervvorth, and commenced with seven mem- 
 bers. 'Iheir names were, John Miles, (or Myles, as more fre- 
 quently spelled in the records,) pastor, James Brown, Nicholas 
 Tanner, Joseph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsley, 
 and Benjamin Alby. This measure was offensive to the Con- 
 gregational church of the town, and to the other churches of 
 the colony ; and the interposition of the Court of Plymouth 
 was soon called for to arrest the growing schism. Each member of 
 this new church was fined £5, prohibited from worship, for the 
 space of one month ; and they were advised to remove from 
 Rehoboth to some place where they might not prejudice any 
 existing church. In pursuance with this advice, they removed 
 to Wannamoiset, and erected a house near Kelley's bridge, on a 
 neck of land which is now in the town of Barrington. After- 
 wards they erected another house, on the east side of Palmer's 
 river, about half a mile from the bridge, which is still known by 
 the name of "Myles's bridge." It stood a short distance from 
 the spot where the present house of the same church now 
 stands. In 1667, these Baptists were incorporated into a town 
 
 * Benedict states that these records, in Welch, are still in the possession of 
 this church. The only records which that church now possesses are in Eng- 
 lish. These commence in 1649, at Swansea, Wales, and contain copies of 
 letters addressed to the church by several Baptist churches of England and 
 Ireland. I am inclined to think that the ichole of the original Welch records 
 were sent to England by Mr. Backus, and there translated into English ; and 
 that a copy of the translation was returned to the Swansey church. They are 
 in an excellent state of preservation, and written in a hand altogether too 
 modern for the date which they bear. 
 
64 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 by the name of Svvansey.* This town originally comprised 
 within its limits the present town, together with Somerset, 
 Mass., Barrington, and the greater part of Warren, R. I. 
 
 Mr. Miles continued the minister of Swansea till his death, 
 which occurred February 3, 1683. His wife was Ann, the 
 daughter of John Humphrey. [Baylies^ Mem. of Plym. Col. 
 ii. 2I3, 235 — 250. Allen's Am. Biog. &/■ Hist. Die. Back- 
 us' and Benedict's Histories of the Ba/ptists.] 
 
 On the 30th of March, 1668, Philip, who had succeeded his 
 brother Alexander, as Sachem of the Wampanoags, or Pokano- 
 kets, as they are sometimes called, confirmed to the town the 
 purchase of the " eight miles square," made of Massassoit, or 
 Ossamequin, his father, in 1641, and relinquished all claim and 
 title to the same, by giving the town a quit-claim warrantee 
 deed, f Of this deed the following is an exact copy ; in trans- 
 cribing it the original orthography has been preserved. 
 
 Quit-Claim Deed of King Philip. 
 
 " Know all men by these presents that, whereas Osamequin, 
 Sachem, deceased, did, for good and valluable considerations, 
 in the year one thousand Six Hundred and forty and one, give, 
 grant, convey, assure ence ofFe, and confirm unto Mr. John 
 Brown, and Mr. Edward Winslow deceased, a tract of land of 
 Eight miles square, scituate, lying and being both on the East 
 and west sides of a river now called Palmer's river to the prop- 
 erty and behoof of the townsmen of Seacunck, alias Rehoboth : 
 1 Phillip Sachem, eldest son, heir and successor to the said Os- 
 amequin Sachem, do hereby for my self, mine heires, assigns 
 
 * This name has been written in three different ways, viz : Swansea, Swan- 
 zey, and Swansey. The first is tlie way in which it is written in the earliest 
 records, and is the orthography of the town in Wales, from which this derived 
 its name. 
 
 tThe original deed is still extant, and in the possession of the proprietors of 
 Rehoboth, in the keeping of Capt. Worcester Carpenter, proprietor's clerk. 
 The mark of Philip is large and bold, resembling a Roman p, or, perhaps, 
 more nearly a short dagger. I hope the proprietors will be induced to deposit 
 this deed in the archives of the Rhode Island Historical Society, at Providence. 
 There it would be carefully preserved, and be within only a short distance of 
 Rehoboth. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 65 
 
 and successors remise, release, and for ever quit all manner of 
 right, title, claime or interest that I the said phillip Sachem have, 
 or by any colour or pretence whatsoever might or ought to have 
 to the said tract of lands Eight mile square, lying on the East 
 and west sides of Palmer's river aforesaid, unto Mr, Stephen 
 Paine the elder, Peter Hunt, John Allen, Henry Smith, and 
 others, the select men of the town of Rehoboth ; fFor and to 
 the use of themselves and of all the other Townsmen of the said 
 town, as they are respectively concerned and estated therine, 
 and to the use of all and every of their heires and assigns for 
 ever. And furthermore I the said Phillip sachem do hereby 
 firmly bind my self, mine heires, assigns and successors to free 
 and discharge, secure and save harmlesse the said Stephen Pain, 
 Peter Hunt, John Allen, Henry Smith and the select men afore- 
 said, and all other the Inhabitants of Rehoboth, their heii's and 
 assigns for ever from all former and other bargains, sales titles, 
 and all other incumbrances whatsoever had, made, done or suf-- 
 fered by me the said phillip sachem, or the said Osemequin my 
 father deceased ; or hereafter to be made, done, committed or 
 suffered by me the said phillip sachem, mine heires, assigns or 
 successors. In witnesse whereof I have hereunto put my hand 
 and seal, the thirtieth day of the ffirst Month, Called March, In 
 the yeare of our lord one Thousand Six Hundred Sixty and 
 Eight." 
 
 " be it remembered that 
 Philip aknowledged be- 
 fore the ensealing and 
 delivery hereof that os- 
 emequin receaved full 
 satisfaction of the said 
 Mr. Brown and Mr. 
 Winslow for the said 
 Eight mile square, and 
 fFor the hundred acres, 
 lying on the south side 
 of the bounds of Reho- 
 both, now called by the 
 name of the Hundred 
 acres to the use of the 
 said town. 
 
 "Signed, Sealed 
 and delivered in the 
 presence of 
 
 the mark of Umptakisok Counsellor 
 the mark of phillip Counseller. 
 
 the mark of S Sunconewhew phillip's 
 brother. 
 
 the mark of peebee _ Counsellor. 
 
66 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 The mark of phillip p sachem. 
 
 the mark of ^ Tom Interpreter. 
 
 (seal.) 
 John Myles Junio : Phillip the Sachem did 
 
 acknowledge this deed, 
 John j Landon's mark. this first of June, 1668, 
 
 Before 
 the mark ^ of wm. Hammon. Jos. Winslow, 
 
 Joseph Sabin. Assist. 
 
 April 10, 1668. At a town meeting "it was voted that, 
 whereas the select townsmen did give Philip, Sachem a gratuity 
 at the sealing of an evidence of our eight mile square, the sum 
 of eight pounds twelve shillings ; that the said select townsmen 
 shall make a rate for the payment of it." 
 
 At the same meeting the town chose a committee, " to go 
 and view the meadows that are in the North Purchase, and to 
 acre them out, to divide them into three score and eighteen 
 parts and a half, and to mark and bound out each part, and put 
 in such swamps as in their prudence they think meet, to be laid 
 out in the said division : provided they do it equally as they 
 can. The said committee are Anthony Perry, Philip Walker, 
 Thomas Wilmot, Nicholas Ide ; to be paid by the whole com- 
 pany of purchasers. 
 
 May 13, 1668. " It was voted and agreed upon that the new 
 book of records should be recorded at Plymouth, this next June 
 Court." 
 
 "William Carpenter at the same time was chosen Town 
 Clerk." 
 
 Voted, that the deed given by the Indians to the town "be 
 delivered to the committee of the town, that they may record it 
 at the Court of New Plymouth, the next June Court." 
 
 Voted, " that a committee shall be chosen to draw up a peti- 
 tion to send to the Court at Plymouth, the next General Court, 
 that we might have some redress in respect of the difficulty of 
 the transportation of our county rates. The committee chosen, 
 were Mr. Stephen Payne, sen., Lieut. Hunt, and Ensign Smith, 
 committe to sign this petition in the name of the town." 
 
 It was also voted " that the rates upon the north side of the 
 town be lowered, and part taken off; that is to say, whereas 
 
HISTORY OP REHOBOTH. 
 
 67 
 
 the lands upon the North Purchase paid forty shillings of 5 
 pounds in all rates, that now the said lands shall pay 20 shillings 
 in 5 pounds, until the town see cause to alter it." 
 
 May 26, 1668. " It was voted and agreed upon for the en- 
 couragement of a brickmaker, in the town, the town ordered 
 that if any come, he shall have free liberty of wood and clay, 
 at the half-mile swamp, to make what brick he will." 
 
 The same day lots were drawn for the meadow lands in the 
 North Purchase by the following persons : 
 
 Obadiah Bowen, 
 Samuel Luther, 
 Stephen Paine, sen. 
 John Savage, 
 Goody Hide, 
 Children's lands, 
 Thomas Reade, 
 Preserved Abell, 
 William Carpenter, 
 Gilbert Brooks, 
 Thomas &l Jacob Ormsby, 
 Robert Jones, 
 John Reade, sen. 
 Nathaniel Paine, sen. 
 
 - Robert Wheaton, 
 Widow Carpenter, 
 Benjamin Buckland, 
 Phihp Walker, 
 John Peren, sen. 
 John Ormsby, 
 Jaret Ingraham, 
 Nathaniel Paine, jun. 
 Henry Smith, 
 
 i Nicholas Peck, 
 Jonathan Bosworth, 
 Samuel Carpenter, 
 
 - Richard Whitaker, 
 Mr. Tanner, 
 Stephen Paine, jun. 
 Jonathan Palmer, 
 James Redeway, 
 Nicholas Ide, 
 Deacon Cooper, 
 
 James Gilson, 
 
 Rice Leonard, 
 
 Samuel Newman, 
 
 John Doggett, 
 
 Anthony Perry, 
 
 Thomas Cooper, jun. 
 
 George Kendricke, 
 
 John Butterworth, 
 
 Mr. Myles, 
 
 Richard Bowen, jun. 
 
 Mr. Newman, 
 ■^ Joseph Peck, 
 
 William Sabin, 
 
 Ichabod Miller, jun. 
 
 Mr. Daniel Smith, 
 
 Mr. Browne, 
 
 Robert Miller, 
 
 John Titus, 
 J Nathaniel Peck, 
 
 George Robinson, 
 
 Robert Fuller, 
 
 John Fitch, 
 
 Thomas Willmot, 
 
 William Buckland, 
 
 John Kinslye, 
 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 
 John Miller, sen. 
 
 Joseph Carpenter, 
 j Samuel Peck, 
 
 Sampson Mason, 
 
 John Allin, jun. . 
 
 John Reade, jun. 
 
 John Lowell, 
 
68 HISTORY OP REHOBOTtt. 
 
 Joseph Buckland, Francis Stephens, 
 
 Thomas Grant, Edward Hall, 
 
 Israel Peck, John Woodcock, 
 
 Captain WiJlet, John Allin, sen, 
 
 Jonathan Bliss, Abraham Martin, 
 
 Lieutenant Hunt, Ovid Bullock. 
 
 Eldad Kinsly, 
 During this year, the Rev. Noah Newman, son of the Rev. 
 Samuel Newman, was settled by the church and town as their 
 minister. 
 
 December 4, 1668, the following vote was passed by the town 
 relative to his support ; " that Mr. Newman should have forty 
 pounds a year and his wood provided, to begin last March, for 
 his comfortable maintenance, for the carrying in end the work of 
 the ministry amongst us. Deacon Carpenter, Lieutenant Hunt, 
 and Goodman Roades were chosen to see that the aforesaid order 
 should be accomplished, and to speak to those that are defective 
 In their not doing their duty." 
 
 From the above vote it appears that Mr. Newman commen- 
 ced his ministry in Rehoboth, in March, 
 
 January 1, 1668 — 9.* "It was voted that there should be 
 some land broke and fenced about the minister's house, for the 
 planting of an orchard, and other conveniences ; and the towns- 
 men were appointed to see the thing accomplished," 
 
 May 14, 1669. "It was voted and agreed upon, that the 
 house which was built for the ministry Mr, Newman should en- 
 joy as long as he continues in the work of the ministry amongst 
 us." 
 
 " It was also at the same time voted, that Mr, Newman should 
 also, enjoy the lands, meadows, commons, &lc. of the pastors 
 
 * Style is Old and New. In Old Style the year commenced on the 25th of 
 March. The correction of the calender by Pope Gregory, in 1582, was not 
 adopted by the British Parliament till 175], when it was ordered that eleven 
 days should be struck out of September of 1752, and the third day of that 
 month was reckoned the fourteenth. ^ This latter mode of reckoning is called 
 JVew Style, and the year commenced on the first of January. Before the year 
 1752, there was sometimes a confusion in dates, it being difficult to determine 
 whether January, February, and a part of March closed the year or began 
 another. Hence the mode of double dates, as " Jan. 1, 1G68-9," which is 1669 
 New style. And in order to find the day of the month in New Style, corre- 
 sponding to a given day of any month in Old Style, we must consider the 
 latter as eleven days in advance of the former, and add eleven days to the 
 present date. For instance, the 24th of March 1668, Old Style, corresponds 
 to April 4th, 1669, New Style. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 69 
 
 and teachers, as long as he continues in the work of the ministry 
 amongst us : excepting there shall be another officer chosen and 
 settled amongst us, and then Mr. Newman is to have one of the 
 accommodations of pastors or teachers, and the other officer, if 
 ever any be joined with him, is to have the other accommoda- 
 tions so long as they attend their work." 
 
 " At the same time it was voted, enacted, and agreed upon, 
 that, seeing it is the intention of the town to preserve the house 
 built for the ministry, and to keep it for that use ; the town 
 therefore seeth cause to engage themselves, that, if it should 
 please God, that by his providence he should remove Mr. New- 
 man by death, while he continues in the ministerial work, and 
 should leave a wife and family behind him ; that his wife or 
 family that he leaves behind him, shall have four-score pounds 
 paid to her or them, at their leaving or removing out of the 
 house, and the said four-score pounds to be raised by a rate of 
 the inhabitants of the town, according to their several propor- 
 tions. The former word family, to be interpreted Mr. New- 
 man's children." 
 
 "At the same time it was also voted, that Mr. Newman 
 should have three-score pounds a year paid him yearly, for his 
 comfortable subsistence in the work of the ministry. And Mr. 
 Stephen Pain, senior. Deacon Cooper, and William Sabin, were 
 chosen by the town, desiring them to take some pains to see 
 how it might be raised : that if it might be, it might be raised 
 freely ; for every person whom it concerns to contribute towards 
 it freely ; and that thenceforward persons will take care that it 
 might be effectually accomplished ; and also, that the forty 
 pounds a year which is past be inquired into, to see if it be ac- 
 complished : and if these persons do apprehend that the afore- 
 said way will not effect the thing, then the town are to seriously 
 consider of some other way, that it may be effected for the 
 comfortable carrying on of the worship and ordinances of God 
 amongst us." 
 
 At the same meeting, " the town with one consent declared 
 by vote, that the proposition from the Court about sales of guns, 
 powder, and shot to the Indians, they apprehend it will be 
 greatly detrimental to our English interest, and therefore declare 
 themselves against it." 
 
 July 29, 1669. At a town meeting it was voted "that a rate 
 should be made to answer the warrant from the Court ; and the 
 raters chosen were Mr. Stephen Paine, senior, Lieutenant 
 
70 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Hunt, Henry Smith, Nicholas Peck, Deacon Cooper, Philip 
 Walker." 
 
 " Voted that those that pay butter, shall pay for the trans- 
 portation of butter, and they that pay wheat, shall pay for the 
 transportation of their wheat, and they that pay money, to pay 
 for no transportation of either wheat or butter." 
 
 There was a rate made the 30th of July, 1669, being the 
 first part of the payment of the county rate, amounting to the 
 sum of £13 35. 
 
 November 4, 1669. " It was voted and agreed that there 
 should be a rate made for the purchasing of powder and lead, 
 as much as will make up the town stock, according to the order 
 of the Court, with what there is already. Mr. Stephen Paine, 
 Lieutenant Hunt, Ensign Smith, Philip Walker, and Nicholas 
 Peck, were chosen to make the rate." 
 
 December 12, 1670. At a town meeting, " Deacon Cooper, 
 Lieutenant Hunt, John Reade, senior, and William Sabin, were 
 chosen raters, to make a rate for Mr. Newman's maintenance, 
 according to a former vote." 
 
 Novembers, 1670. "At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
 it was voted that the line should be forthwith run between the 
 North Purchase and the mile and a half given to the town for 
 enlargement." 
 
 The "mile and a half," here referred to, was the subject of 
 considerable dispute between the town of Rehoboth and the 
 proprietors of the North Purchase, being claimed by both. It 
 was given to Rehoboth by a mere verbal grant from commis- 
 sioners of the Colony ; and was at length confirmed to them by 
 the Plymouth Court, in the following act of June, 1668. "This 
 Court have ordered, that a tract of land, containing a mile and 
 a half, lying on the north side of the town of Rehoboth, is al- 
 lowed to be the proper right of the said township. And such 
 lands as are lying betwixt the Bay line and it, is to be accounted 
 within the constablerick of Rehoboth, until the Court shall order 
 otherwise. And that such farms as lyeth within the said liber- 
 ties shall be responsible in point of rating at the Colony's dis- 
 posal." — Plym. Col. Records. 
 
 November 23, 1670. A committee was chosen to meet the 
 Treasurer of Taunton to settle the bounds between the North 
 Purchase, and Taunton North Purchase. The committee were 
 Ensign Smith, William Sabin, and WilUam Carpenter. 
 
 "January 9, 1670-1. At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
 it was voted and agreed, that Capt. Hudson of Boston, and 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 71 
 
 John Fitch (probably of Rehoboth) shall have liberty to build 
 a ware-house at the water side, and a wharf; and Mr. Paine, 
 senior, and Ensign Smith were chosen to appoint them the 
 place and quantity of ground for the ware-house. — John Dog- 
 get also had the like liberty granted him." 
 
 May 12, 1671. "It was voted and agreed upon by the 
 town, that, wdiereas Mr. Newman's maintenance hath not reach- 
 ed unto what hath been engaged unto him by the towne, that 
 there shall be a trial made by contribution every Sabbath day, 
 to see whether it may amount to his comfortable maintenance ; 
 and that the next Sabbath day there be a trial made, and all 
 persons whom it concerns do bring in, the first Sabbath, for the 
 time that is past from the first of March last." 
 
 November 7, 1671. " It was voted that a fence be built to 
 the minister's house, and weather-boards put upon the house for 
 the preservation of it ; and the townsmen were chosen to see it 
 effected, and also they were empowered to make a rate for the 
 payment of it." 
 
 May 16, 1692. "It was agreed and voted that the towns- 
 men are to draw up such particulars as may be necessary for the 
 general good of the town, as instructions for the deputies to 
 manage at the Court." 
 
 February 6, 1673. "It was voted and agreed that the 
 townsmen and Anthony Page should treat with our Reverend 
 Pastor, Mr. Noah Newman, respecting the house and lot that he 
 lives in." 
 
 May 14, 1673. John Woodcock, Thomas Willmarth, Josiah 
 Palmer, Thomas Reade, and John Ormsby, were propounded 
 to the freemen at the town meeting, to take up their freedom, 
 and approved of. 
 
 May 20, 1673. "At a town meeting lawfully warned, it was 
 voted and agreed upon, that the house that our Reverend Pas- 
 tor now lives in, and the lot that the house stands upon shall be 
 his forever, in consideration and in lieu of the four-score pounds 
 that was engaged at Mr. Newman's death ; and that the former 
 act of the town, concerning the four-score pounds, shall be in- 
 valid when the town give our Reverend Pastor assurance of the 
 aforesaid house and lot." 
 
 November 13, 1674. " It was voted and agreed upon, that 
 to every hundred pounds estate rate, such persons shall carry 
 in to our Reverend pastor half a cord of wood for his winter 
 fire." 
 
72 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 " It was also agreed upon, that a due proportion be made upon 
 the polls, for the raising of fifty pounds for our Reverend Pas- 
 tor for the present year." 
 
 "It was also agreed upon that a new meeting-house should be 
 built, and the townsmen were chosen to take into consideration 
 the business of it, and what is material to the furthering of it ; 
 and to bring in their apprehensions the next town-meeting. 
 
 Indian War. 
 
 In 1 675 commenced the bloody and destructive Indian war, 
 known by the name of " Philip'' s Wary Of the miseries of 
 tbis war, Rehoboth, from its proximity to Mount Hope, the res- 
 idence of Philip, or Pometacom,* the prime mover of the war, 
 was destined to suffer its full share. The first blood was spilled 
 within the original jurisdiction of Rehoboth ; and the last of 
 Philip's generals, the stern and intrepid old warrior and coun- 
 sellor, Annawon, was captured within the present limits of the 
 same town. During this war, which lasted nearly two years, 
 the inhabitants of Rehoboth were kept in almost constant 
 alarm ; a number of them were, at different times, slain; and the 
 whole town, the garrison-houses excepted, was at one time laid 
 in ashes. This town was also the scene of Pierce's Fight, one 
 of the most disastrous battles to the English that occurred during 
 the whole war. The events of this war, so far as connected with 
 Rehoboth, as they occupy a prominent place in the hardships, 
 dangers, and sufferings of the early settlers of the town, will be 
 minutely detailed ; and all for this purpose will be brought to 
 our aid which history or tradition can supply. 
 
 During the life of the " good old Massassoit " the relations 
 between the English and the Indians of Pokanoket were pacific, 
 and their intercourse was usually amicable and friendly. His 
 death occurring, as is believed, in the winter of 1661-2, he was 
 succeeded by his eldest son Alexander ; and he dying the same 
 year with his father, Philip, alias Pometacom, the second son of 
 the benevolent old sachem, became, by the order of succession 
 chief of the Wampanoags. Things for a while wore a pacific 
 
 * His Indian name has usually been written Me.tacom ; but this appears to 
 have been an abridgement of his real name, Pometacom. See Drake's Book of 
 the Indians, b. 3, c. 2, p. 13. 3d edit. Boston, 1834. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 73 
 
 aspect, though it is evident, that, from his accession, Philip 
 cherished feelings of jealousy and hostility towards his English 
 neighbours ; and that, sensible of their growing power, and the 
 rapid decrease of the Indians, and seeing the inevitable fate that 
 awaited him and his people, should the English be left to spread 
 themselves thus unmolested, he determined to make one des- 
 perate effort to free himself and his country by a war of utter 
 extermination. The better to effect this, and disguise his in- 
 tentions, he amused the English by professions of friendship and 
 submission ; renewed the treaties which his father had made ; 
 disposed of his lands, and gave quit-claims of those before sold 
 by his father and brother, to raise the means for supplying his 
 men with fire-arms and ammunition ; cultivated the friendship 
 of the neighbouring tribes of Indians, smothering the feuds and 
 reconciling the quarrels of centuries ; and thus, by deluding the 
 English, and strengthening himself by increasing his connexions 
 and alliances, he was preparing secretly and silently the war 
 which was to shake New-England to its centre and deluge the 
 land with blood. 
 
 In the spring of 1671, Philip's hostile preparations and move- 
 ments began to excite the fears of the frontier towns of Plymouth 
 colony. A conference having been obtained with him at Taun- 
 ton, he replied to questions respecting his unusual preparations 
 for war, that they were intended for defence against the Narra- 
 gansetts. But, it having been fully demonstrated before him, 
 that he was on better terms with that tribe than he ever had 
 been, and that he had planned an attack upon Taunton, See- 
 konk, and other places, he was overwhelmed with confusion, and 
 confessed the truth of these charges. So greatly was he in- 
 timidated, that he signed a submission to the English, and deliv- 
 ered to them all the fire-arms which he and his men had with 
 them, promising to send all that he had in his possession : this 
 promise, w^as, however, only to a small extent complied with. 
 
 After this pacification, nothing occurred for more than three 
 years to excite the suspicions of the Enghsh ; yet, during that 
 time, Philip, though more cautious and guarded in his move- 
 ments, was no less active and successful in maturing his grand 
 plan of exterminating the English. He conciliated a peace 
 with the Narragansetts ; visited in person the tribes of New-Eng- 
 land ; and even travelled as far west as the Mohawks, por- 
 traying in vivid colours the encroachments of the whites, and 
 10 
 
74 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 endeavouring to rouse them to make common cause against the 
 EngHsh. 
 
 The Narragansetts had engaged to join Phihp, with their 
 whole strength, amounting to four thousand warriors. The 
 spring of 1676 is said to have been the period agreed upon for 
 the general onset. And had not Philip been obliged, by an 
 unforeseen occurrence, to commence the war before his pre- 
 parations were completed, the overthrow of the colonies, must, 
 in all human probability, have been complete. But his plot 
 having been prematurely developed, he was forced to commence 
 the war under many disadvantages. 
 
 Philip's designs were made known to the English by John 
 Sausaman, an Indian whom Philip had employed for some time 
 as his private secretary. Sausaman had received from the ven- 
 erable Eliot an English education, and had been employed by 
 him in teaching school at Natic, a town of "Praying Indians."* 
 But in consequence of some misdemeanor, Sausaman left Natic 
 and repaired to Philip, at Mount Hope, and was by him em- 
 ployed as his private secretary. Sausaman, naturally shrewd 
 and plausible, managed to gain the confidence of Philip and 
 make himself master of his most secret plans. By the solicita- 
 tions of his former instructor, Mr. Eliot, he was induced to re- 
 turn to his christian friends, and once more to submit himself to 
 the church, from which, during his residence with Philip, he had 
 apostatized. He was received into full communion by the 
 church, and appointed a preacher at Natic. While at Natic, 
 having occasion to visit Namasket (in Middleborough,) he fell 
 in with many of Philip's tribe, and frequently with the chief 
 himself. He soon ascertained to his own satisfaction that the 
 designs of Philip towards the English were of the most dan- 
 gerous character. He secretly communicated his apprehensions 
 to the Governour of Plymouth, at the same time expressing 
 fears for his own life, should the fact of his having made such 
 conmiunications come to the ears of Philip. Many circumstan- 
 ces corroborating the truth of Sausaman's story, Philip and 
 several of his Indians were examined, who, although nothing 
 could be proved against them, " could not," says Hubbard, 
 "free themselves from just suspicion." Sausaman was soon 
 after murdered on Assawampset pond in Middlebury, and his body 
 
 * An appellation given to those Indians who had embraced Christianity. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 75 
 
 concealed under the ice. The murderers, having, after some 
 length of time, been discovered, were executed at Plymouth, 
 three in number ; two of whom denied their guilt ; — but one 
 confessed, immediately before his deatii, that his father, one of 
 the counsellors and immediate friends of Philip, was one of the 
 two that murdered Sausaman, and that he himself only looked 
 on. Thus suspicions were excited that Philip was the instiga- 
 tor of the murder. 
 
 Philip, apprehensive, perhaps, that he might be selected as 
 the next victim to justice, and aware, at least, tliat his plot was 
 discovered, kept his men constantly armed, mai'ching them from 
 place to place and receiving all the strange Indians that he could 
 gather from all quarters. 
 
 The Court of Plymouth took no farther notice of this than 
 to forbid, on a penalty, the lending of arms to the Indians, and 
 to direct a military watch to be established in the towns border- 
 ing on Philip's territory, hoping that Philip, finding himself not 
 likely to be arraigned on account of the murder, would remit his 
 hostile preparations and remain quiet. 
 
 On the 14th of June, at the urgent solicitations of Mr. James 
 Brown of Swansey, (bat formerly of Rehoboth,) the Gover- 
 nour despatched a letter to Philip filled with amicable professions 
 and disclaiming all hostile intentions, but complaining of his 
 movements, and advising him to dismiss all the strange Indians 
 that had resorted to him, and to give no credit to the sinister 
 reports made to him of the English. This letter he answered 
 only with threats and menaces of war. Church relates that 
 the Indians with Philip, " would fain have killed Mr. Brown," 
 who, with Mr. Samuel Gorton and two other men, bore the let- 
 ter, " but Philip prevented it ; telling them that his father had 
 charged him to show kindness to Mr. Brown."* 
 
 Church was also informed at the same time by Peter, the hus- 
 band of Weetamore the " Squaw Sachem of Pocasset," as she 
 was termed, that the Indians with Philip were so impatient for 
 war, that " Philip was forced to promise them, that, on the next 
 Lord's day, when the English were gone to meeting, they should 
 rifle their houses, and, from that time forward, kill their 
 cattle."* 
 
 Church received this information on June 15th, and hasten- 
 ing immediately to Plymouth, communicated it to the Gover- 
 
 * Church's Hist, of Philip's War, ed. by Drake, 1829, page 29. 
 
76 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 nour eaily ihe next morning, that he might expedite his prepar- 
 ations for the defence of the colony. 
 
 Governour Winslow, now convinced that war with Philip 
 was unavoidable, ordered the whole force in the vicinity to 
 march towards Mount Hope, and despatched messengers to the 
 Governour of Massachusetts, informing him of the hostile move- 
 ments of the Indians, and soliciting immediate assistance. 
 
 On the Sabbath, June the 20th, Philip, according to promise, 
 permitted his men to march out into the neighbourhood of Swan- 
 sey, and to annoy the English by killing their cattle ; thus 
 hoping to provoke them to commence the attack : for it is said, 
 the Indians had a superstitious idea, that the party which began 
 first would finally be conquered.* So insolent was the deport- 
 ment and language of the Indians, that an Englishman under 
 the impulse of anger fired f upon one of them and wounded 
 him. J This was the signal to the Indians for commencing open- 
 ly the war. 
 
 An anonymous author,'^) who wrote several letters to London 
 respecting Philip's war, that were published at the time in the 
 form of tracts, although he says nothing of their killing any 
 cattle, relates the following circumstances of this hostile visit of 
 the Indians. " About the 20th of June last, seven or eight of 
 King Philip's men came to Swansey on the Lord's day, and 
 would grind a hatchet at an inhabitant's house there ; the master 
 told them, it was the Sabbath day, and their God would be 
 very angry if he should let them do it. They returned this 
 answer, ' They knew not who his God was, and that they 
 would do it for all him or his God either.' From thence they 
 went to another house, and took away some victuals, but hurt 
 
 * Hutchinson 1.261. 
 
 t Hubbard's Nar. p. 59. The edition of Hubbard to which reference is 
 made in tliis history was printed at Boston in 1775. 
 
 t Tradition informs us, that the Indian who was wounded, after kilhng some 
 animals in a man's field, went to his house and demanded liquor; and being 
 refused, attempted to take it by violence, threatening, at the same time, to be 
 revenged for such usage : this caused the Englishman to fire on him. 
 
 § These tracts are entitled " The present state of JS'tic-England lohh respect to- 
 the Indian If'ar," &c. " faithfully composed by a merchant of Boston, and 
 communicated to his friend in London." They were published at London in 
 1()75 or 167G. A part of them were reprinted at Boston in 1833 by Samuel 
 G Drake ; to whose politeness I acknowledge myself indebted for the loan of 
 a copy of those not reprinted. I have followed the paging of the London 
 edition. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 77 
 
 no man. Immediately they met a man travelling on the road, 
 kept him in custody a short time, then dismist him quietly ; giv- 
 ing him this caution, that he should not work on his God's day, 
 and that he should tell no lies." 
 
 " These things," continues the same writer, " happening with 
 many others of the like nature, gave the Rehoboth and Svvan- 
 sey men great cause of jealousies ; which occasioned them to 
 send to Plymouth and to the Bay (i. e. Boston,) for some 
 assistance, in case they should need it. But before any came 
 to them, they of both towns were gathered together into three 
 houses, men, women, and children, and there had all the provis- 
 ions in common, so that they who had nothing wanted not." 
 
 The " Three houses " into which " the inhabitants of both 
 towns" (Rehoboth and Swansey,) were gathered, and where 
 they rendezvoused during the war, were called garrison-houses. 
 They were fortified and continually guarded in time of danger; 
 and were sometimes so strong, as to enable a few men to sustain 
 a long siege against a large body of savages. The three prin- 
 cipal garrison-houses maintained in Rehoboth and Swansey dur- 
 ing Philip's war, and which were probably meant by the writer 
 List quoted, were, one in Rehoboth North Purchase (now At 
 tleborough,) called ''Woodcock's Garrison," another on the south 
 end of Seekonk Plain (now Seekonk Common,) and the third 
 near Miles's Bridge, in the Northern part of Swansey ; this last 
 was called '' Miles's Garrison," from the Rev. John Miles, the 
 minister of Swansey, whose house was garrisoned. It stood 
 a short distance west of Miles's bridge,* probably near the site 
 of the tavern of Mason Barney, Esq.f Woodcock's garrison 
 was named from John Woodcock, who built the house and oc- 
 cupied it before the war and after it, during his life, for a public 
 tavern. The following is the record of the license granted him 
 for this purpose by the Court of Plymouth. " July 5th, 1670, 
 John Woodcock is allowed by the Court to keep an Ordinary at 
 the ten mile river (so called,) which is in the way from Reho- 
 
 *This bridge is over Palmer's river, about 3 miles north of Warren, R. I. 
 
 t In the year 1833, in digging or enlarging a cellar on this spot, a large 
 number of cannon balls were dug out of the ground ; which leads me to sup- 
 pose, that this was the site of the garrison. It is not mentioned by any histo- 
 rian, that cannon were used by the English at Swansey at the time of Philip's 
 war. But I know of no other purpose for which these balls could have been 
 deposited there. The place where they were found I conjecture to have been 
 the spot of Mr Miles's cellar. 
 
78 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 both to the Bay ; and Hkewise enjoined to keep good order, that 
 no unruliness nor ribaldry be permitted there." [Plym. Colony 
 Record.] 
 
 This garrison was in Attleborough, near the Baptist Meeting 
 House, on the spot where Hatch's tavern now stands. A public 
 house has been kept there, without intermission, from July 5, 1670, 
 to this time, September, 1835, a period of nearly one hundred 
 and sixty Jive years ! It is situated on the Boston and Providence 
 turnpike. The old garrison was torn down in 1806, and a large 
 and elegant building erected on the spot, 58 feet by 60, three 
 stories hieh. The old garrison had stood one hundred and thir- 
 ty-six years, when it was pulled down ; yet a great part of the 
 timber was said to be perfectly sound, — "pierced however," 
 says Dagget, "by many a bullet received in Philip's war." A 
 small remnant, one room of the old garrison, may still be seen 
 adjoining the wood-house. A relic of it also, it is said, is pre- 
 served in the archives of the Mass. Historical Society. For a 
 more particular account of Woodcock and his garrison, see His- 
 tory of Attleborough, by John Dagget, Esq., 1834. 
 
 The principal garrison-house at Seekonk stood on the south- 
 east side of the Common, on the spot occupied by the house of 
 Mr. Phanuel Bishop. 
 
 Several other houses were occupied temporarily as garrisons ; 
 but the three described were the strongest, and were always 
 resorted to in times of the greatest danger. One of these tem- 
 porary garrisons stood on the west side of the road between the 
 house of Mr. Welcome Allen and the Orleans Factory, about 
 fifty rods from the former. Remains of the cellar are still to be 
 seen, and also the well, the stoning of which is standing entire. 
 
 Church mentions a Major Brown's* garrison, where a part of 
 the Plymouth forces, on their arrival at Swansey, were posted. 
 Where this garrison stood it is impossible now to determine ; 
 though I have the impression, from the fact that Mr. Brown's 
 father owned land very largely at Wannamoiset, which had now 
 descended to his son, that it was in the same part of Swansey 
 with Miles's garrison. 
 
 *This was James Brown, son of Mr. John Brown, frequently mentioned in 
 the early history of Rehobolh, (see year 1662.) He was very active during 
 the war; and was one of the Governour's Assistants for the years 16C5 and 
 1666, and between 1670 and 1675. — [Morton's Memorial, ed. by Judge Davis, 
 pp. 297, 315, 318, 348.] 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 79 
 
 Mr. Baylies, in his " Memoir of Plymouth Colony," [vol. II. 
 pt. 3. p. 33,] mentions a garrison at the house of one Bourn, at 
 Metapoiset, twelve miles distant from Svvansey. Though in 
 this he follows Hubbard [133] yet this distance, — "twelve 
 miles," is undoubtedly an error. Hubbard, in another place, calls 
 Metapoiset, "a small neck of land in the bottom of Taunton 
 Bay, in the midway between iMount Hope and Pocasset neck ;" 
 and mentions it as being twelve miles from Rehoboth.* This 
 would make the distance between Miles's garrison and Meta- 
 poiset six miles; the former being six miles distant from Reho- 
 both, and in the direction of the latter. Metapoiset neck is the 
 same as is now called Gardner's neck, in Svvansey, which runs 
 into Mount Hope Bay, early called Taunton Bay. 
 
 The Court of Plymouth, on learning of the hostile visit of the 
 Indians at Swansey, on the Sabbath, June the 20th, besides 
 ordering the forces of the colony to march to that quarter, pro- 
 claimed a fast in view of the threatened difficukies with the 
 Indians, to be observed throughout the colony, on the following 
 Thursday, June 24th. The following is an exact copy of this 
 proclamation ;f and though little connected with the particular 
 history of Rehoboth, yet, as it has never before been published, 
 a desire to gratify the curiosity of the reader may, perhaps, be 
 received as an apology for inserting it. 
 
 " The Council of this Colony, taking into their serious considera- 
 tion the aweful hand of God upon us, in permitting the heathen 
 to carry it with insolency and rage against us, appearing in their 
 great hostile preparations, and also some outrageous carriages, as 
 at other times, so in special, the last Lord's day to some of our 
 neighbours at Swansey, to the apparent hazard if not real loss of 
 the lives of some already ; do therefore judge it a solemn duty, 
 incumbent upon us all, to lay to heart this dispensation of God, 
 and do therefore commend it to all tlie churches, ministers, and 
 people of this colony to set apart the 24th day of this instant, 
 June, which is the 5th day of this week, wherein to humble 
 our selves before the Lord for all those sins whereby we have 
 provoked our good God sadly to interrupt our peace and com- 
 fort, and also humbly to seek his face and favour in the gracious 
 continuance of our peace and privileges, and that the Lord 
 
 * Hubbard's Nar. p. 70. 
 
 t This is transcribed from the Cotton MSS. in the Lib. of the Mass. Hist. 
 Soc. It is in the handwriting of Mr. John Cotton, but subscribed by Mr. 
 Morton. 
 
80 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 would be entreated to go forth with our forces and bless, suc- 
 ceed, and prosper them, delivering them from the hands of his 
 and our enemies, subduing the heathen before them, and return- 
 ing them all in safety to their families and relations again ; and 
 that God would prepare all our hearts humbly to submit to his 
 good pleasure concerning us. 
 
 <'By orders of the Court of N. P. 
 
 " Nathaniel Morton, Secretary. 
 " Plymouth, June 22, 1675." 
 
 Concerning the day when the first English blood was spilled 
 at Swansey, in this war, there seems, among historical writers, 
 to be some discrepancy ; and the time of the arrival of the 
 Plymouth forces at Swansey is also left in doubt. 
 
 They are thus stated in a " Description of Bridgewater,"* 
 publisbed in the Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, vol. VII. p. 156, 
 Second series. " At the commencement of hostilities, June 21, 
 1675, seventeen of their number," (of the people of Bridge- 
 water,) " well armed and furnished with horses, ' the first that 
 were on their march in the country,' went to Metapoiset, a 
 small settlement about twelve miles from Swansey, ' to streangth- 
 en the garrison at that place.' They were met by people from 
 Swansey, driven from their habitations, and filled with terror, 
 wlio advised and persuaded them to return ; but tbey fearlessly 
 pursued their course and accomplished their object. They 
 were in 'many perils' while there, but returned safe; after the 
 greatest part of the garrison, consisting of seventy persons, most 
 of whom were women and children, were safely conducted to 
 Rhode Island. Six persons, who were killed at that time, as 
 they were, with their teams, conveying their corn into the garri- 
 son, were the first that fell in that war." 
 
 In the following quotation from " Baylies' Memoir of Plym- 
 outh Colony," [vol. II. pt. 3d, p. 33,] they are stated to have 
 been slain on the 22d of June. "The Bridgewater company 
 reached Swansey on the twenty-first of June, and were ordered 
 by Capt. Bradford to proceed to Metapoiset, which was within 
 
 *This article was furnished by the Hon. Nahuin Mitchell, late of East 
 Bridgewater, now Librarian ofthe Mass. Hist. Soc. Boston. His authority for 
 this statement, though not cited in the sketch, is, he informed me, in Hub- 
 bard's Narrative, p. 133. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 81 
 
 ihe township of Swansey and next Mount Hope, but twelve 
 miles distant. The design was to strengthen the garrison at the 
 house of one Bourne, where seventy persons were collected, 
 sixteen only of whom were men, the remainder women and 
 children. On their march they were met by a number of peo- 
 ple who had abandoned their houses, and were flying from the 
 enemy, filled with terror, ' wringing their hands and bewailing 
 their losses.' They urged the Bridgewater force to return, 
 and magnified the danger of advancing, but these brave men 
 proceeded and reached Metapoiset in safety. A son of Mr. 
 Brown, the assistant, went with them as a guide. On the next 
 day, a small party, who had been sent out to guard him home, 
 on their return fell in with a party of thirty Indians. As their 
 orders were positively to act only on the defensive, they quietly 
 passed them, and reached the garrison. A party had been sent 
 from the garrison with carts to bring in a quantity of corn from a 
 deserted house ; the guard who had accompanied Mr. Brown, 
 meeting with these carts, informed the drivers that the Indians 
 were out, and advised them not to proceed ; but heedless of the 
 advice, they went on, and were surprised and attacked. Six 
 were killed or mortally wounded. One Jones escaped with a < 
 mortal wound, and barely reached his friends to die in their 
 arms. The noise of the firing was heard at the garrison, but 
 before the soldiers could reach the place, the affair was over. 
 On the next week, fifteen of the soldiers were ambushed by 
 twenty Indians, but they escaped without loss. They remain- 
 ed at the garrison until they were reinforced, and then the house 
 was abandoned, and its inmates transported in safety to Rhode 
 Island. The gathering storm had now burst upon the devoted 
 town of Swansey. The first English blood was shed at Meta- 
 poiset."* 
 
 The following is Church's account of this affair. " An ex- 
 press came the same day (Sabbath, June 20) to the Gover- 
 nour, who immediately gave orders to the captains of the towns, 
 to march the greatest part of their companies, and to rendez- 
 
 * Though no authority is given for this statement, yet I believe it agrees main- 
 ly with Hubbard's Nar. [p. 132 to 135.] except in the date of the shedding 
 of the first blood, which Hubbard makes June 22d. It is to be regretted, 
 that, in a work of so much labor and research as the " Memoirs of Plymouth 
 Colony," the learned and distinguished autlior should have almost entirely ne- 
 glected to give authorities for the historical facts contained in what, had 
 authorities been cited to enable us to accompany the author in his researches, 
 would have been, to the historical treasures of New-England, an invaluable 
 addition . 
 
 11 
 
82 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 vous at Taunton on Monday night, where Major Bradford was 
 to receive them, and dispose them under Captain (now Major) 
 Cudworth of Scituate. The Governour desired Mr. Church to 
 give them his company, and to use his interest in their behalf, 
 with the gentlemen of Rhode-Island. He complied with it and 
 they marched the next day : " (this must have been Monday, 
 June 21st.) " Major Bradford desired Mr. Church, with a com- 
 manded party, to march in front, at some distance from the main 
 body. Their orders were to keep so far before as not to be in 
 sight of the army. And so they did, for by the way they killed 
 a dear, flayed, roasted, and eat the most of him before the army 
 came up with them. But the Plymouth forces soon arrived at 
 Swansey, and were chiefly posted at Major Brown's and Mr. 
 Miles's garrisons, and were there soon joined with those that 
 came from Massachusetts, who had entered into a confederacy 
 with their Plymouth bretheren against the perfidious heath- 
 ens."* 
 
 " The enemy, who began their hostilities with plundering and 
 destroying cattle, did not long content themselves with that 
 game; they thirsted for English blood, and they soon broached 
 ► it ; killing two men in the way not far from Miles's garrison, and 
 soon after eight moref at Metapoiset :J upon whose bodies they 
 exercised more than brutish barbarities, beheading, dismember- 
 ing and mangling them in a most inhuman manner, which gashed 
 and ghostly objects struck a damp on all beholders." [Church's 
 Hist, of Philip's War, pp. 30, 31, 32.] 
 
 In the anonymous letters to London (entitled "The Present 
 
 " * The author seems to be a little before his story concerning the Masachu- 
 setts men, for we know they did not arrive till the 28th June, and their arrival 
 is related before the first men were killed." — Part of a note appended by 
 Drake, the ed. 
 
 t " It was the same day, 24 June, on Thursday, being a fast appointed by 
 the Governour of Plymouth, on hearing what took place the 20th. See H. 
 Adams's Hist, of New-England, p. 120. — J\''ote by Drake. 
 
 t" In Swansey. "-7A. Church, speaking of the march of the English into 
 "the neck," on the 29th of June, says, "They marched until they came to 
 the narrow of the neck, at a place called Keekamuit, where they took down 
 the heads of eight Englishmen that were killed at the head of Metapoiset 
 neck, and set upon poles, after the barbarous manner of those savages." 
 
 A note appended to the word " Keekamuit," in the first edition of" Church's 
 History of Philip's War," says that Keekamuit is the "upper part of Bris- 
 tol." To this Drake has added another: " Now the upper part of Warren, 
 which has been taken from Bristol. It is called on the map of Rhode-Island, 
 Kickemuet, or rather the bay, which makes this neck on one side, is so call- 
 ed. Warren river makes the other side." 
 
 By " Warren river," is probably meant Palmer's river, near its mouth where 
 it widens, forming an arm of Narraganset Bay. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 83 
 
 State of New-England with respect to the Indian War,") once 
 before quoted, it is stated, that " the first that was killed was 
 June 23d : " a man with his wife and son who had adventured 
 to go to his house " to fetch them corn and such like things." 
 "They also the next day," continues the same writer, "killed 
 six or seven men at Swansey, and two more at one of the garri- 
 sons ; and as two men that went out of one of the garrisons to 
 draw a bucket of water, were shot and carried away, and after- 
 wards found with their fingers and feet cut off, and the skin of 
 their heads flayed off." [p. 5.] 
 
 The following account is given by Hubbard of the shedding of 
 the first blood in Philip's war:* — "On the 24th of June, 1675, 
 was the alarm of war first sounded in Plymouth Colony, when ■ 
 eight or nine of the English were slain in and about Swansey ; 
 they " (the Indians) " first making a shot at a company of 
 English as they returned from the assembly where they were 
 met in a way of humiliation on that day, whereby, they killed 
 one and wounded others, and then likewise, at the same time, 
 they slew two men on the highway, sent to call a surgeon ; 
 and the same day barbarously murdered six men in and about a 
 dwelling house in another part of the town : all which outrages 
 were committed so suddenly, that the English had no time to 
 make any resistance." [Hub. Nar. p. 59.] 
 
 " On the morning of June 24th," says Huchinson, " one of 
 the inhabitants of Rehoboth was fired upon by a party of In- 
 dians, and the hilt of his sword shot off. The same day in the 
 afternoon, being a fast, as the Swansey people were coming 
 from public worship, the Indians attacked them, killed one and 
 wounded another, and killed two men who were going for a sur- 
 geon, beset a house in another part of the town, and there mur- 
 dered six more." [Vol. I. p. 5.] 
 
 We have now the principal accounts of this event before us. 
 Though the length and number of the quotations may possibly 
 appear like tedious and useless repetition ; yet they are inserted 
 with the hope, that they may gratify the critical reader, and 
 
 * This account is contained in the early part of his narrative; in the latter 
 part he recapitulates the sufferings and bravery of the people of Bridgewater, 
 from which Messrs. Baylies and Mitchell derive their authority for the state- 
 ments contained in the quotations before given. In the one instance Hubbard 
 states that the first blood was spilled in Philip's war on the 22d of June ; and 
 in the other represents the alarm of war as having been first sounded in 
 Plymouth colony on the 24th, two days later. 
 
84 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 direct the attention of antiquarians and the future writers of this 
 part of our history to this point. 
 
 Neither Church, Huhbard nor Huchinson, informs us of the 
 time of the arrival of the Plymouth forces at Svvansey, nor 
 whether they were there at the tune when the first English 
 were killed : which, according to the least questionable authori- 
 ties, appears to have been on the twenty fourth of June. From 
 Church it appears that the Plymouth forces set out on their 
 march, on Monday, June the twenty-first, and were to rendez- 
 vous at Taunton, Monday night ; which must have given them 
 ample time to have reached Svvansey during the afternoon of the 
 next day, the 22d ; and the slaughter did not take place till the 
 24th. It is possible that, on their arrival at Taunton they might 
 have learned more favourable accounts of Swansey, and there- 
 fore concluded to await the approach of the forces from Massa- 
 chusetts. For, had the Plymouth troops been at Swansey on 
 the 24th, it seems hardly possible, that they could have been so 
 remiss in their duty, as not to have protected the inhabitants 
 while publicly observing the fast ; and had the people considered 
 themselves in great danger, it is little probable that they would 
 have left their garrison houses to have gone to the meeting 
 house, guarded or not guarded. And, had several been slain 
 so near as Metapoiset, before the 24th, the soldiers, having once 
 arrived at Swansey, would have been little likely to have re- 
 turned so soon ; and still less probable is it, that the inhabitants 
 had they considered their situation dangerous, would have ven- 
 tured from their garrisons without sufficient protection, so that 
 had the soldiers once arrived, they would probably have re- 
 mained ; and had the danger been considered sufficient to re- 
 quire their presence, the people would not have gone forth un- 
 protected. Either way, it appears pretty conclusively that no 
 blood was spilled till the 24th ;* and there is reason for suppos- 
 ing that the Plymouth forces were not at Swansey at the time of 
 the first attack of the Indians upon that town. 
 
 Massachusetts, before this, had determined to raise 100 men 
 for the assistance of Plymouth ; but before they marched it was 
 
 *The 24th of June, 1675, seems, by the common consent of historians, to 
 be allowed to be the date of the shedding of the first blood in Philip's war ; 
 and Hubbard, the only authority for an earlier date, tells us that " on the 24th 
 of June, 1675, was the alarm of war first sounded in Plj'mouth Colony, when 
 eight or nine English were slain in and about Swansey." [Hubbard's Narra- 
 tive, p. 59.] 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 85 
 
 thought best to send messengers to Philip at Mount Hope, to 
 divert him, if possible, from his design. But the messengers 
 seeing some of the Swansey men lying murdered in the road, did 
 not think it safe to go any farther, and returned as fast as they 
 could with their intelligence to Boston. On the 26th, a compa- 
 ny of foot under Captain Henchman, and a troop under Captain 
 Prentice, marched from Boston towards Mount Hope. During 
 their march, they observed an eclipse of the moon, and some 
 imagined that they discerned a black spot on the face resemb- 
 ling the scalp of an Indian ; others fancied that they saw the 
 form of an Indian bow. " But after the moon had waded 
 through the dark shadow of the earth," says Hubbard, " and 
 borrowed her light again, by the help thereof, the two companies 
 marched on towards Woodcock's house,* thirty miles from Bos- 
 ton, where they arrived next morning ; and there retarded their 
 motion till the afternoon, in hope of being overtaken by a com- 
 pany of volunteers, under the command of Captain Samuel 
 Mosely ; which accordingly came to pass, so as on June 2Sth, 
 they all arrived at Swansey, where, by the advice ofCapt. 
 Cudw^orth, the Commander-in-chief of Plymouth forces, they 
 were removed to the head-quarters, which for that time were 
 appointed at Mr. Miles' house, the minister of Swansey, within a 
 quarter of a mile of the bridge, leading into Philip's lands. 
 They arriving there some little time before night, twelve of the 
 troop unwilling to lose time passed over the bridge ,f for discov- 
 ery in the enemy's territories, where they found the rude wel- 
 come of eight or ten Indians firing upon them out of the bushes, 
 killing one William Hammond, wounding one Corporal Belcher, 
 his horse being also shot down under him ; the rest of the said 
 troops having discharged upon those Indians that run away after 
 their first shot, carried off their two dead and wounded compan- 
 ions, and so retired to the main guard for that night, pitching in 
 a barricado about Mr. Miles's house." 
 
 This skirmish took place June 28th, the same day that the 
 troops arrived from Boston. Col. Church was in this skirmish, 
 and evinced that firmness and bravery for which he was after- 
 wards so distinguished in Philip's war. The next morning, 
 
 * Woodcock's garrison, on the spot where Hatch's tavern now stands in the 
 town of Attleborough. 
 
 t This was " Miles's Bridge." Mr. Miles's house (which was garrisoned,) 
 stood upon the west side of Palmer's river, a short distance from the bridge ; 
 and the skirmish here related, took place on the east side of the river. 
 
86 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 June 29th, the troops commenced their pursuit of the In- 
 dians. Passing over Miles's bridge, and proceeding down 
 the east bank of the river till they came to the narrow 
 of the neck, at a place called Keekamuit, or Kickemuit, they 
 found the heads of eight Englishmen, that the Indians had 
 murdered, set upon poles by the side of the way.* These they 
 took down and buried. On arriving at Mount Hope the troops 
 found that Philip and his Indians had left the place and gone to 
 the east side of Taunton river. They erected a fort on Mount 
 Hope neck, and leaving in it a garrison of 40 men, the troops 
 with Capt. Cudworth, and some of the Plymouth forces, passed 
 over to Rhode Island, and the rest under Major Savage, returned 
 the next morning to Swansey. The night following (which 
 must have been June 30th,) " Captain Prentice's troop," says 
 Hubbard, [p. 63, Boston ed. 1775,] for conveniency of quarters, 
 as also for discovery, was dismissed to lodge at Seaconke or Re- 
 hoboth, a town of within six miles of Swansey. As they return- 
 ed back in the morning, Capt. Prentice divided his troop, deliv- 
 ering one half to Lieut. Oakes, and keeping the other himself, 
 who, as they rode along, espied a company of Indians burning 
 an house ; but could not pursue them by reason of several fen- 
 ces, that they could not go over till the Indians had escaped, 
 into a swamp. Those with Lieut. Oakes had the like discovery, 
 but with better success, as to the advantage of the ground, so as 
 pursuing of them upon a plain, they slew four or five of them in 
 the chase, whereof one was known to be Thebe, a sachem of 
 Mount Hope, another of them was a chief counsellor of Phil- 
 ip's; yet in this attempt the Lieutenant lost one of his company, 
 John Druce by name, who was mortally wounded in his bowels, 
 whereof he soon after died, to the great grief of his com- 
 panions. After the said troop came up to their head-quarters at 
 Swansey, they understood from Capt. Cudworth that the enemy 
 were discovered upon Pocasset,f another neck of land lying 
 over an arm of the sea, more towards Cape Cod : however it 
 was resolved that a more narrow search should be made after 
 them, both upon Mount Hope and upon the ground between 
 Swansey and Rehoboth to scour the swamps, and assault them 
 if they could find where they were entrenched." 
 
 * Church's Hist, of Philip's War, ed. by S. G. Drake, p. 34. 
 t " The main land over against the easterly end of Rhode Island, where is 
 now Tiverton, ^c. was called Pocasset." [Note to Hubb. Narr.] 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 87 
 
 The troops scoured the country, but found none of the In- 
 dians ; and were soon ordered to march into the Narraganset 
 country, to treat with the Narragansets, who were strongly sus- 
 pected of favouring the interests of Pliihp. 
 
 About the Middle of July, Philip was found encamped in a 
 swamp in Pocasset (now Tiverton, R. I.,) and the Massachu- 
 setts and Plymouth forces marched immediately to attack him. 
 But he retired far into the swamp, where the English found it so 
 difficult and dangerous to approach him, that they abandoned 
 their plan of direct and open attack, and resolved to subdue 
 him by starvation. But, suspecting their designs, Philip, much 
 to the surprise of the English, who now looked upon him as 
 already within their grasp, made good his escape over Taunton 
 river, and directed his flight towards the Nipniucks, a tribe of 
 Indians living principally in Worcester county. But Philip in 
 crossing the great plain of Seekonk was discovered by the peo- 
 ple of Rehoboth, who, headed by the Rev. Noah Newman, 
 their minister, and accompanied by a small party of Mohegans, 
 gave him a close and brisk pursuit, killing tw'elve of his men,* 
 W'ithout sustaining any loss on their part. Hubbard, [p. 73] 
 says, " The Mohegins with the men of Rehoboth, and some of 
 Providence, came upon their rear over night, slew about thirty 
 of them, took much plunder from them, without any considera- 
 ble loss to the English." Mr. Hubbard makes the following 
 mention of Mr. Newman, in relating this transaction : " Mr. 
 Newman, the minister of Rehoboth, deserved not a little com- 
 mendation for exciting his neighbours and friends to pursue thus 
 far after Philip, animating of them by his own example and 
 presence." 
 
 Philip having deserted Mount Hope, and gone to the Nip- 
 mucks, nothing occurred to Rehoboth farther with the Indians, 
 till the spring of the next year, 1676, when we find it the scene 
 of one of the bloodiest battles fought in Plymouth Colony dur- 
 ing Philip's War. This w^as called " Pierce's Fight," from 
 Capt. Michael Pierce, of Scituate, Mass. who commanded the 
 English engaged in it, and who, with his band of brave soldiers 
 fought and bled, with a valour of which the annals of history, 
 ancient or modern, can seldom boast. 
 
 * This number is given by Mr. Baylies as killed by the Rehoboth men. 
 [Vol. II. part 3, p. 39.] 
 
OW HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 The place where this battle was fought is still pointed out. It 
 is between the villages of Pawtucket and Valley Falls, nearer 
 the latter, at a spot, which, I have been told, was formerly called 
 " The Many Holes." It commenced on the east side of the 
 river, but the severest part of the action was on the west, imme- 
 diately on the bank of the stream. Some have placed the site 
 of this battle considerably farther up the river, between the 
 bridge, called "Whipple's Bridge" and " Study Hill," the for- 
 mer residence of Blackstone. But from this battle having been 
 sometimes styled by the older inhabitants " The Battle of the 
 Plain" from its having been fought on the border of the great 
 " Seekonk Plaine ; " the former spot, tradition being equally 
 strong in its favour, seems to possess the highest claims to being 
 the battle ground. 
 
 In the spring of 1676, the Indians, dispersing themselves in 
 small parties through the country, were committing dreadful rav- 
 ages both in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ; and had even 
 penetrated as far as Plymouth, and killed a number of the in- 
 habitants. On this alarm, Capt. Michael Pierce, of Scituate, 
 with a force of sixty-three Englishmen* and twenty friendly 
 Indians from Cape Cod, was ordered to pursue the Indians 
 towards Rhode Island. He proceeded without any rencoun- 
 ter to Seekonk, where he arrived on Saturday the 25th of 
 March. Hearing of Indians in the vicinity, he immediately 
 went in pursuit of them, and came to a skirmish with them, in 
 which he met with no loss, but judged that he had occasioned 
 considerable to the enemy. But as his force was small, he 
 chose, in order, probably, to avoid the danger of surprise in the 
 night, as well as to procure a recruit of men, to retire to the 
 garrison at Seekonk. The next morning, being joined by sev- 
 eral of Seekonk, who acted as guides, he again went out in 
 pursuit of the enemy. A minute and apparently accurate ac- 
 count of this battle is found in the " Continued Account of the 
 
 * This account differs somewhat from that given by Church and Hubbard, 
 who state the number of Enghshmen in Pierce's company to have been fifty. 
 I have before me several accounts of this battle ; but the most minute, and the 
 one on which I have most relied in this description is styled a " Continued 
 Account of the Bloody Indian War, from March till August, 1G7G, printed at 
 London, Octai)er, 1076," now in the possession of Samuel G. Drake, Boston. 
 This pamphlet is part of a series of letters from a merchant in Boston to his 
 friend in London, which were published from time to time as they were re- 
 ceived. They contain a minute detail of many of the principal events of the 
 Indian War. 
 
HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 89 
 
 Bloody Indian War" (leferred to in the last note,) which I shall 
 not do better than present to the reader; that he may have not 
 only the events of olden time, but the garb which they wore. 
 " Sunday the 26th of March," says the author refened tOj 
 " was sadly remarkable to us for the tidings of a very deplorab'e 
 disaster, brought unto Boston about 5 o'clock that afternoon by 
 a post from Dedham, viz : That Capt. Pierce, of Scrtuate in 
 Plymouth colony, having intelligence in his ,2;arrison at Sca- 
 conickt', that a party of the enemy lay near Mr. B/ackstone^s, 
 went forth with 63 English and 20 of the Cape Indians, (who 
 had all along continued faithful, and joyned with them ; ) and, 
 upon their march, discovered rambling in an obscure woody 
 place 4 or 5 Indians, who, in getting away from us, h-.dted as if 
 they had been lame or wounded. But our men had pursued 
 ihem but a little way into the woods, before they found them to 
 be only decoys to draw them into their ambuscade. For, on a 
 sudden, they discovered about 500 Indians, who, in very good 
 order, furiously attacked them, being as readily received by 
 ours; so that the fight began to be very fierce and dubious, and 
 our men had made the enemy begin to retreat, but so slowly, 
 that it scarce deserved that name; when a fesh company of 
 about 400 Indians came in, so that the English and their few 
 Indian friends were quite surrounded and beset on every side. 
 Yet they made a brave resistance for above two hours, during all 
 which time they did great execution upon the enemy, whom 
 they kept at a distance, and themselves in order. For Captain 
 Pierce cast his 63 English and 20 Indians into a ring, and fought 
 back to back, and were double-double distance all in one ring, 
 whilst the Indians were as thick as they could stand thirty deep : 
 overpowered with whose numbers, the said captain, and 55 of 
 his English, and 10 ol" their Indian friends were slain upon the 
 place ; which, in such a cause, and upon such disadvantages, 
 may certainly be styled the bed of honour. However, they 
 sold their vvorihy lives at a gallant rate; it being affirmed by 
 those few that (not without wonderful difficulty and many 
 wounds) made their escape, that the Indians lost as many fight- 
 ing men (not counting women and children) in this engage- 
 ment, as were killed at the battle in the swamp near Narragan- 
 set, mentioned in our last letter, which were generally compu- 
 ted to be abr)ve three hundred." — [P'lge 5 and 6.] 
 
 The number of the hostile Indians slain in this battle, is prob- 
 ably estimated too high. Hubbard, and all the other authori- 
 12 
 
90 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 ties I have examined, state it at one liundred and forty. Hub- 
 bard [p. 121] also relates, that Capt. Pierce pursued the slowly 
 retreating enemy over the river ; and that, finding himself sur- 
 passed by numbers, he withdrew to the side of the river, the 
 better to prevent being surrounded ; but that the Indians, hav- 
 ing a large disposable force, sent a body over the river to attack 
 him in the rear. He farther relates, that, perceiving the danger 
 he was in, Capt. Pierce despatched a messenger to Providence 
 for aid, but that "the message w'as not delivered to them to 
 whom it was immediately sent ; by accident only some of Re- 
 hoboth understanding of the danger, after the evening exercise 
 (it being on the Lord's day, March 26, 1676) repaired to the 
 place, but then it was too late to bring help, unless it were to be 
 spectators of the dead carcases of their friends, and to perform 
 the last office of love to them." There is a tradition in See- 
 konk, that Capt. Pierce sent a written message to Providence, 
 before setting out on his march from the garrison, by a man who 
 attended meeting in that town ; and that the messenger, not ar- 
 riving till after the commencement of public worship, delayed, 
 either through ignorance of the importance of the message, or 
 some other unaccountable cause, to deliver the letter till the 
 close of the morning service. The captain* to whom the letter 
 was directed, is said, on the receipt of it, to have chided tiie 
 messenger severely, and to have declared it too late to render 
 any assistance, as the fate of Capt. Pierce and his men must 
 have been decided before that time. 
 
 Capt. Pierce is said to have fallen earlier than many others ; 
 and it is due to the honour of one of his friendly Indians, called 
 Amos, that he continued to stand by his commander and fight, 
 until affairs had become utterly desperate ; and that then he 
 escaped by blackening his face with powder, as he saw the 
 enemy had done, and so passing through their army unobserved. 
 
 Hubbard, Mather, and others, relate also interesting anecdotes 
 of two or three other of Capt. Pierce's friendly Indians, who 
 escaped by equally cunning artifices and presence of mind. 
 One being closely pursued by a hostile Indian, sought shelter 
 behind a large rock. Thus the two were watching, in awful 
 suspense, to shoot each otl.er. But Capt. Pierce's Indian, put- 
 ting his cap ( n the end of his gun, raised it to the view of his 
 enemy, who immediately fired at the cap, and the next moment 
 
 *Capt. Andrew Edwards. This tradition is mentioned by Backus, Hist, of 
 the liaplists, vol. I. chap. 7. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. ^ 91 
 
 was shot dead by the friendly Indian. Another, in his flight, 
 pretended to pursue an Enghshman with an upUfted tomahawk, 
 holding it in threatening attitude above his head, and thus 
 escaped. A third, being closely pursued, took shelter behind 
 th'e roots of a large tree that had been lately turned out of the 
 ground ; and the hostile Indian, coming up upon the opposite 
 side, was lying in wait to shoot him on his deserting his station ; 
 when the friendly Indian, boring a hole through his broad shield, 
 unobserved by the other, shot him dead. 
 
 It has been generally stated by historians, that have mentioned 
 Pierce's Fight, that every Englishman engaged in it was killed ; 
 but, besides the testimony already quoted from the letters to 
 London, we are fortunately furnished with, probably, the most 
 accurate and authentic account of the losses, that is extant. 
 This is a letter from the Rev. Noah Newman, the second min- 
 ister of Rehoboth, dated the day after the battle, to the Rev. 
 John Cotton, of Plymouth.* 
 
 of the first 
 " Rehoboth, 27 A '76.1 
 
 " Reverend and dear Sir. 
 
 " I received yours dated the 20th of this instant wherein you 
 gave me a doleful relation of what had happened with you, and 
 what a distressing Sabbath you had passed. I have now, ac- 
 cording to the words of your own letter, an opportunity to re- 
 taliate your account with a relation of what yesterday happened 
 to the great saddening of our hearts, filling us with an aweful 
 expectation of what further evils it may be antecedaneous to, 
 both respecting ourselves and you. Upon the 25th of this 
 instant, Capt. Pierce went forth with a small party of his men 
 and Indians with him, and upon discovering the enemy, fought 
 him, without damage to himself, and judged that he had consid- 
 erably damnified them. Yet he, being of no great force, chose 
 rather to retreat and go out the next morning with a recruit of 
 men ; And accordingly he did, taking pilots from us, that were 
 acquainted with the ground. But it pleased the Sovereign God 
 so to order it, that they were enclosed with a great multitude 
 of the enemy, which hath slain fifty-two of our Englishmen, and 
 
 * The original copy of this letter is in the possession of the American An- 
 tiquarian Society at Worcester, Mass. 
 
 1 1 have followed the original as nearly as possible in the date, as well as the 
 rest of the letter. 
 
92 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 eleven Indians. The account of their names is as follows. 
 From Scituate 18, of whom 15 were slain, viz : Capt. Pierce, 
 Samuel Russell, Benjamin Chittenden, John Lothrope, Gershom 
 Dodson, Samuel Pratt, Thomas Savary, Joseph Wade, William 
 Wilcome, Jeremiah Barstow, John EnsiL^n, Joseph Cowen, 
 Joseph Perry, John Rdwse [Rose], Marshfield, 9 slain: 
 Thomas Little, John Eams, Joseph White, John Burrows, 
 
 Joseph Philips, Samuel Bump, John Low, More , John 
 
 Brance. Duxbury, 4 slain : John Sprague, Benjamin Soal, 
 Thomas Himt, Joshua Fobes. Sandwich, 5 slain: Benjamin 
 ]\ye, Daniel Bessey, Caleb Blake, Job Gibbs, Stephen Wing. 
 
 Barnstable, 6 slain : Lieut. Fuller, John Lewis, Eleazer C , 
 
 [probably Clnpp], Samuel Linnet, Samuel Childs, Samuel 
 Bereman. Yarmouth, 5 slain : JuhiMattheivs, John Gage, Wil- 
 liam Gage, Henry Gage, Henry Gold. Eastham, 4 slain: 
 
 Joseph Nessefield, John Walker, John M , [torn off], John 
 
 Fiiz, Jr., John Miller, Jr.* Thomas Man is just returned with a 
 sore wound. 
 
 "Thus sir, you have a sad account of the continuance of 
 God's displeasure against us : yet still 1 desire steadfastly to look 
 unto him, who is not only able but willing to save all such as are 
 fit for his salvation. It is a day of the wicked's tryumph, 
 but the sure word of God tells us his tryumphing is brief. O 
 that we may not lengthen it out by our sins. The Lord help 
 us to joyne issue in our prayers, instantly and earnestly, for the 
 healing and helping of our Land. Our Extremity is God's 
 opportunity. 
 
 " Thus with our dearest respects to you and Mrs. Cotton, and 
 such sorrowful friends as are with you, 1 remain 
 
 " Your ever assured friend, 
 
 Noah Newman." 
 
 Note in the lower margin, probably in the handwriting of Mr. 
 Cotton. 
 
 " From Mr. Newman, March 27, 1676. Newman, Shove, 
 Walley, Maj. Bradford, Capt. Oliver, Keith, Fr. Mather, 
 Math. Mather, Sister Mather, Seaborn, Cotton, Walker, Moody, 
 Mrs. Newman. Read." 
 
 * John Fits, Jr. and John Miller, Jr. belonged to Rehoboth, and also Thomas 
 Man. What is torn off had on it, probably, the name of one from Eastham, 
 and the word Rehoboth. It will be seen that besides what is torn off, there are 
 five names that follow Eastham. 
 
HISTORY OF EEHOBOTH. 93 
 
 It has been stated by several writers, that the celebrated 
 Narraganset chief, Canonchet, was present, and commanded the 
 Indians in this battle.* But if the testimony of Hubbard, who 
 is generally considered as standard authority, be correct, this is 
 a mistake, and Canonchet did not arrive in tlie neiglibourhood of 
 Pierce's Fight till several days after it occurred. For Hubbard 
 [p. 127] in a paragraph, bearing date "the first week in April, 
 1676," mentions Canonchet as setting out, " with but thirty 
 men (the rest declining it) to fetch seed-corn from Seaconk, the 
 next town to Mount Hope, leaving a body of men, not fewer 
 than fifteen hundred, to follow him, or meet him about Seaconk 
 the week after." On tlie succeeding page, the same author, 
 speaking of the capture of Canonchet, Avhich occurred the first 
 week in April, says that at the time of his surprisal by the Eng- 
 lish, he was "diverting himself with the recital of Capt. 
 Pierce's slaughter, surprised by his men a few days before." 
 There is some discrepancy in these two statements ; for, from 
 the former, it would seem that neither Canonchet nor his men 
 left the region of the Connecticut till the first week in April; 
 but as this date is placed at the beginning of the paragraph in 
 which the capture of that chief is related, it may he designed 
 to fix rather the date of that event, than the time when he left 
 the Connecticut : this, from the loose manner in which Hubbard 
 frequently throws in his dates, is perhaps, the more probable. 
 From the latter quotation, we have good ground for supposing 
 that, though Canonchet might have been in the vicinity, yet he 
 was not present at the battle; for it seems that he "was divert- 
 ing himself with a recital of Capt, Pierce's slaughter, surprised 
 by his men a few days before." Had he witnessed the battle, 
 he would hardly have needed " a recital" of it ; or had he com- 
 manded, the historian would not probably have used the ex- 
 pression " surprised by his men." 
 
 Mr. Drake, in his " Book of the Indians," [b. iii. c. 3, p. 
 42—3] says that Canonchet "came down from the country upon 
 the Connecticut river early in March," and states also that he 
 commanded at Pierce's Fight. The renowned accuracy of Mr. 
 Drake, as an antiquarian, almost precludes the idea of question- 
 ing his authority : that he had sufficient for the assertion is 
 hardly to be doubted, though he has not referred us to the 
 
 * Deane's Hist, of Scituate, p. 121-2. Daggett's Hist, of Attleborough, p. 
 49. Drake's Book of the Indians, b. iii. c. 3, p. 43, 3d ed. Boston, 1834. 
 
94 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 source whence he derived it. These authorities are cited, and 
 these statements quoted to direct the attention of those more 
 skilled in antiquarian lore, to this point. 
 
 Nine Men's Mjsery. This name is given to a spot in 
 Cumberland, R. I., where nine men were slain by the Indians, on 
 the same day with Pierce's Figbt. Tbis place is in what is call- 
 ed "Camp Swamp,"* about half a mile from the house of the 
 late Elisha Waterman, Esq. There are two or three traditions 
 respecting this event ; one of which is thus stated by Daggett, 
 [Hist, of Attleborough. p. 52-3.] " A company of nine men 
 were in advance of, or had strayed from, tiieir parly for some pur- 
 pose, when tbey discovered a number of Indians near this spot, 
 whom they immediately pursued and attacked, but a large 
 number of the enemy rushed out of the swamp and surrounded 
 them. The whiles, placing their backs to a large rock near by, 
 fought with desperation till every one of them was killed on 
 the spot. The rest of their party, who were in hearing of their 
 guns, hastened to their succour, but arrived too late to render 
 them any assistance. Their bodies were buried on the spot, 
 which is now designated by a large pile of stones." Another 
 tradition says, that these nine men were part of a company tbat 
 marched from Providence to aid Capt. Pierce, in compliance 
 with a message sent by him to that town, at the commencement 
 of the engagement ; but that they did not reach tlie spot till 
 after the battle ; and that these nine, being in advance of the 
 rest of the company, were surprised and slain by the Indians in 
 the manner above related. The third tradition respecting this 
 event, and the one which seems the most probable, and the best 
 supported by circumsiances, is, that these nine men were a rem- 
 nant of Pierce's brave band, who were taken prisoners by the 
 Indians, and reserved for torture. They were carried to a 
 sort of peninsula of upland, nearly surrounded by " Camp 
 Swamp," and seated upon a rock in a kind of natural amphithe- 
 atre, formed by the elevated ground around it. The savages 
 commenced the war-dance around them, and were preparing to 
 torture them ; but, disagreeing about the manner of torture, 
 they fell into a quarrel among themselves, in which some of the 
 Indians despatched the prisoners with the tomahawk. This 
 story is said to have been related to the English by an Indian 
 
 * This swamp is said to have derived its name from the Indians having fre- 
 quently made it a place of retreat during Philip's war. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 95 
 
 who was soon after this taken prisoner. The Indians, having 
 scalped them, left their bodies upon the rock where they had 
 slain them, and here they remained unburied till they were dis- 
 covered by the English some weeks afler. They were then 
 buried, all in one grave, on the higher ground, fifteen or twenty 
 rods from the rock on which they were slain, A heap of small 
 stones, in the shape of the earth on a newly made grave, still 
 marks the spot where they lie. Around where they fell, and 
 where they are buried, there is a forest of considerable extent. 
 
 Daggett is the only writer who has related this occurrence at 
 " Nine Men's Misery." He was unable to fix the date, but 
 says, " there is some reason for believing that it was at or about 
 the time of Pierce's Fight." 1 have been able to assure myself, 
 on good grounds, that this date is correct. A part of these 
 bones, about the time of the American Revolution, were disin- 
 terred by some physicians from Providence. One of the men 
 was ascertained to be a Bucklin of Rehoboth, from his very 
 large frame, and from a set of double teeth all around. In the 
 town record of deaths and burials, the names of four individuals 
 are recorded, as "slain on the 26th of March, 1676," viz : John 
 Reed, Jr. John Fitch, Jr. Benjamin Buckland, and John Mil- 
 ler, Jr. Between the first two of these nanses and the last two 
 are inserted the names of seven other persons, bearing a later 
 date; which leads me to infer that John Read, Jr. and John 
 Fitch, Jr. were found with the main body of the slain of Pierce's 
 army, and that Benjamin Buckland and John Miller, Jr. were 
 found among the nine, at " Nine Men's Misery," and interred 
 at a later period than the other two. 
 
 March the 28th, 1676, two days after Pierce's Fight, a party 
 of the Indians, crossing the river, laid the town in ashes, burn- 
 ing forty houses and thirty barns.* These houses were around 
 the " Ring of the Town," now called " Seekonk Common." 
 Only two houses were left standing, — the garrison-house, which 
 stood on the spot where the house of Phanuel Bishop now 
 stands, and another house on the south end of the common, 
 which was preserved by black sticks having been arranged 
 around it so as to give it, at a distance, the appearance of being 
 strongly guarded. The houses were set on fire, as tradition in- 
 forms us, early in the evening, and when the sun arose the next 
 morning, it beheld only a line of smoking ruins. 
 
 * Hubbard's Narrative, p. 125. 
 
96 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 The town records give the name of only one person slain 
 by the Indians at this lime: "Robert Beers slain y" 28 March, 
 1676." He was an Irishman, and a brick-maker by trade. It 
 is said that he was a I'eligious, but eccentric and superstitious, 
 man ; and, that on the approach of the Indians, he refused to 
 go into the garrison-house, but sat down in his own house with 
 liis bible in his hand, believing that while he continued reading 
 it, nothing could harm him. He was shot througii tlie window, 
 and fell with his bible in his hand. 
 
 The following mention of the burning of the town by the 
 Indians, on the 2Sth of March, is made in a letter, written, at 
 that time, by the Council of war at Plymouth, to Governour Lev- 
 erett, of JNIassachnsetts Colony. Tiie copy, found among the 
 Winslow papers, has no dale, but fiom the contents it is inferred 
 that it was written on the 31st of March, 1676 :* "Another 
 messenger, with sad tidings, at the heals of the other, from Re- 
 hoboth ; that town in flames, 28 instant, soon after daylight, the 
 enemy having fetch't away sundry cattle the day before and 
 lay all night in their hearing, burnt 60 houses and barns, ap- 
 peared very numerous, and continued lurking thereabout after 
 it." 
 
 The following anecdote is related of a chair, now in the pos- 
 session of Capt. Caleb Abell of Seekonk, which has been in 
 the possession of that family since the burning of the town 
 by the Indians, and is dignified with the appellation of " King 
 Philip's Chair " The Indians set fire to the house of Preser- 
 ved Abell, where Capt. Caleb Abell, one of his descendants, 
 now resides, about dark, and seated themselves around the fire to 
 enjoy the conflagration; and one of the Indians brought out of 
 the house this chair, which is a large, heavy armed chair, for the 
 chief (which is said to have been Philip,) to sit in. On leaving 
 this house and adjourning to another, an Indian threw a fire- 
 brand into the chair, winch consumed the bottom, but left the 
 huge frame, with only scorching the parts to which the bottom 
 was attached. These parts bear evident marks of fire, having 
 been burned in, in some places, nearly half an inch. It is said 
 that, while he was on good terms uitli the English, Philip was 
 in the habit of fiequently visiting this family; and that this chair, 
 which was the "big i.rmed chair of the house," was always 
 brought forth, as a mark of distinction, for his seat. This is all 
 
 *See Morton's Memorial, ed. by Judge Davis, p. 438, Appendix. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 97 
 
 tradition, but it is currently believed, and the existence of the 
 chair and its appearance, give it title to credence. 
 
 The next event of importance, with regard to the Indians, 
 which is connected with the history of this town, is the capture 
 of the haughty and warlike sachem of the Narragansetts, 
 Canonchet, alias Nanuntenoo. He was the chief sachem of 
 the Narrai;ansetts, and son of IVIiantonnomoh, and, according 
 to Hubbard, was " heir to all his father's pride and insolency, as 
 well as of his malice against the English." During '"the first 
 week in April, 1676,"* he left the legion of the Connecticut, 
 with only thirty men, " the rest declining it, to fetch seed-corn 
 from Seaconk, the next town to Mount Hope, leaving a body of 
 men, not fewer than fifteen hundred, to follow him, or meet h'm 
 about Seaconk the week after." From this statement, it would 
 seem that both Canonchet anJ his men were on the Connecticut 
 river till the first week in April ; but we know that Capt. Pierce 
 was "surprised by his men" (i. e. Canonchet's), on the 26ih of 
 ]March preceding. From a remark in the letter, mentioned on 
 the preceding page, contained in tlie Appendix of Morton's Me- 
 morial, b}' Davis, it appears that Philip, instead of Canonchet, 
 marched with some hundreds into the vicinity of Seekonk or 
 thereabouts, at the date of Pierce's Fight : " There seems 
 reason to judge, that the body of the enemy is thereabouts, by 
 the number of them seen about Narragansett, and the cer- 
 tain intelligence given by some of our soldiers, (that escaped 
 from the slaughter made on Capt. Pierce and his men) of tlieir 
 hearing the noise and crying of women and children, a good 
 space distant from the fight, and the intelligence of one of ours, 
 from Rhode Island, on Tuesday last, that Governour Andrewsf 
 advised the Governour there by letter, that by English and In- 
 dian information, he understood, Philip, with some hundreds, 
 were gone down to those parts, and, as he supposed, might be 
 thereabout, by that time his advice might come thither." This 
 letter was probably written on the 31st of March, which was 
 Friday; and the " Tuesday," mentioned, was the 2Sth. This 
 is evident from Pierce's Fight having occurred on the 26th, 
 which was the Sabbath. If the assertion, quoted from the let- 
 ter of the Plymouth Council of war, be correct, there is much 
 
 "Hubbard, p. 127. From Hubbard, I have derived most of what is here 
 related of Canonchet. 
 
 t Sir Edmund Andros, then Governour of New York. 
 
 13 
 
98 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 reason for supposing, that, if any distinguished chief was pres- 
 ent at Pierce's Fight, it was more probably Philip than Canon- 
 chet,and that Canonchet did not leave Connecticut till the first 
 week in April, as stated by Hubbard. 
 
 April 9th,* 1676, Canonchet was found on the Pawtucket, 
 or Blacksione river, not far from the village of Pawtucket; but 
 whether in the town of Pawtucket or Cumberland, I am unable 
 to determine, though the spot where Blacksione resided, in 
 Cumberland, seems to me to answer best the description of the 
 spot where he is said to have been surprised. The following 
 is the principal part of Hubbard's account of his capture. 
 " Capt. George Dennison, of Stonington, and Captain Avery, 
 of New-London, having raised forty-seven English, the most 
 part volunteers, with eighty Indians, twenty of which were Nar- 
 raganseits belonging to Ninigret, commanded by one Catapazet ; 
 the rest Pequods, under Casasinamon, and Mohegins under 
 Oneco, son to Uncas, being now abroad upon their third expe- 
 dition, which lliey began March 27, 1676, and ended on the 
 10th of April following. They met with a stout Indian of the 
 enemy's whom they presently slew, and two old squaws, that 
 confessed Nanuntenoo, alias Canonchet, was not far off; which 
 welcome news put new life into the wearied soldiers, that had 
 travelled hard many days, and met with no booty till now ; 
 especially when it was confirmed by intelligence the same in- 
 stant, brought in by their scouts, that they met with new tracks, 
 which brought them in view of some wigwams, not far from 
 Pautuket, by some called Blackstone's river, in one of which 
 the said sachem was at that moment diverting himself with the 
 recital of Capt. Pierce's slaughter, surprised by his men a few 
 days before. But the alarm of the English, at that time heard 
 by himself, put by that discouse, appalled by the suddenness 
 thereof, as if he had been informed by secret item from heaven, 
 that now his own turn was come. So, as having but seven men 
 about him, he sent two of them to the top of the hill,f to see 
 what the matter was ; but they, affrighted with the near ap- 
 
 * Manuscript letter of the Rev. John Cotton, of Plymouth, dated " Plimouth, 
 April 17, lG7ti," found in the Lit), of the Mass. Hist. Soc. Boston. This let- 
 ter will be given entire at the close of this sketch of the capture of Canon- 
 chet. 
 
 t This "hill," lam constrained to think, was the " study hill " of Black- 
 stone, and the " fair champaigna " over which the English were advancing, 
 " Blackstone's meadow," as there is no other place near, that answers so well 
 the description. See description of study hill, page 6. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 99 
 
 preach of the Enghsh, at that time with great speed mounting 
 over a fair champagna on the other side of the hill, ran by, as if 
 they wanted time to tell what tliey saw. Presently he sent a 
 third, who did the like ; then sending two more on the same 
 errand, one of these last, endued with more courage, or a better 
 sense of his duty, informed him in great haste that all the Eng- 
 lish army was upon him. Whereupon, having no time to con- 
 sult, and but little to attempt an escape, and no means to defend 
 himself, he began to dodge with his pursuers, running round the 
 hill on the contrary side. But as he was running so hastily by, 
 Catapazat, with twenty of his followers, and a few of the English, 
 lightest of foot, guessed by the swiftness of his motion, that lie 
 fled as if an enemy, which made them immediately take the 
 chace after hinn, as for their lives. He that was the swifter 
 pursuer, put him so hard to it, that he cast off first his blanket, 
 then his silver laced coat (given him at Boston, as a pledge of 
 their friendship, upon the renewal of his league in October 
 before) and belt of peag, which made Catapazat conclude it 
 was the right bird, which made them pursue as eagerly as the 
 other fled : so as they forced him to take to the water, through 
 which, as he over hastily plunged, his foot slipping upon a stone, 
 it made him fall into the water so deep, as it wet his gun ; upon 
 which accident, he confessed soon after, that his heart and his 
 bowels turned within him, so as he became as a rotten stick, void 
 of strength ; insomuch as one Monopoide, a Pequod, swiftest of 
 foot, laid hold of him within thirty rod of the river side, with- 
 out his making any resistance, though he was a very proper 
 man, of goodly stature, and great courage of mind, as well as 
 strength of body. One of the first English that came up with 
 him, was Robert Stanton, a young man that scarce had reached 
 the twenty-second year of his age, yet adventuring to ask him 
 a question or two, to whom this manly sachem, looking with a 
 little neglect upon his youthful face, replied in broken English, 
 " You much child, no understand matters of luar ; let your 
 brother or your chief come, him I will answer ;" and was as 
 good as his word ; acting herein, as if, by a Pythagorean me- 
 tempsychosis, some old Roman ghost had possessed the body of 
 this western pagan ; and, like Attilius Regulus, he would not 
 accept of his own life, when it was tendered him, upon that (in 
 his account) low condition of compliance with the English, re- 
 fusing to send an old counsellor of his to make any motion that 
 way, saying he knew the Indians would not yield ; but more 
 
100 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 probably he was not willing they should, choosing rather to sac- 
 rifice his own, and his people's lives to his private humour of 
 revenge, than timely to provide for his own, and their safe- 
 ty, by entertaining the counsels of a peace, so necessary for the 
 general good of all." [Hubbard, pp. 1-27, 128, 12!).] 
 
 He ^^-as'-jif^^fwards carried;to . Stoeiiilgton, Ct. When up- 
 braided Willi his Breach of faith to the English, and with having 
 said that " he ivouldnot deliver up a Wampanoag, or the paring 
 of a fVampanoag-^s nail,'^ and "that he would burn the Eng- 
 lish alive in their houses," he replied that "others were as for- 
 ward for the war as himself, and that he desired to hear no more 
 thereof." When told, his sentence was to die, he said " he 
 liked it well, that he should die before his heart teas soft, or he 
 hatl spuken any thing unworthy of himself." He was shot at 
 Stonington, under the eye of Denison, and the friendly Indians 
 were his executioners. 
 
 The author of the anonymous " Letters to London," cited 
 at page 76, says, speaking of the capture of Canonchet, that 
 " Myantonomy's carriage was strangely proud and lofty after he 
 was taken; being examined why he did foment that war which 
 would certainly be the destruction of him and all the heathen 
 Indifins in the country, &-c. He would make no other reply to 
 any interrogatories, but this ; that he was born a prince, and if 
 princes came to speak with him he would answer ; but none 
 present being such, he thought himself obliged, in honour, to 
 hold his tongue, and not hold discourse with snch persons below 
 his birth and quality. He told them he wished rather to die 
 than to continue under confinement ; that all he desired was not 
 to be tormented, but presently put to death, which he requested 
 might be done by young Uncas that aided us, as acknowledging 
 him his fellow prince ; yet withal threatened, he had 2000 men 
 would revenge his death severely. Wherefore our forces, fear- 
 ing an escape, put the stoutest men to the sword, but preserved 
 JVlyantonomy till they returned to Stonington ; where our Indian 
 friends and most of the English soldiers, declaring to the com- 
 manders their fear, that the English should upon condition re- 
 lease him, and that then he would (though the English might 
 have peace with him) be very pernicious to those Indians that 
 now assisted us. The said Indians, (on these considerations 
 and the mischief and murthers he hath done during this war,) 
 permitted to put him to death ; and that all might share in the 
 glory of destroying so great a prince, and come under the obli- 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 101 
 
 gation of fidelity, each to other, the Pequods shot him, the Mo- 
 he^Miis cut off' his head and quartered liis body, and the INinni- 
 croCts men made the fire and burned liis quaiters ; and, as a 
 token of love and fidelity to the Englisb, presented hi^ head to 
 the council at Hartford." \p. 9.] 
 
 The following letier, written by Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, 
 eight days after the capture of Canoncliet, in which mention is 
 made of that event, and also of the slaughter of Capt. Pierce, 
 and the sufferings of the town by the Indians, deseives to be 
 inserted here; and, as it has never before been published, I shall 
 give it entire, though some paragraphs have no connexion with 
 the history of the town. 
 
 "Plimouth, April 19, 1G76. 
 ''Worthy Sir : 
 
 With refference to the transactions of the last weeke I am 
 exceedingly afflicted to think, that wee should so reele and stag- 
 ger in our counsels as drunken men, and that soe pretious a peo- 
 ple as Rehoboth should be soe forsaken by us, for our own self- 
 ish interests. If I were in your study alone, I would tell you 
 how much blemish some have gotten for being so backward 
 to maintaine a garrison at Rehoboth. This morning the Gov'r 
 (being much encouraged by Capt. Bradford and the treasurer 
 thereunto,) hath sent 2 men post to Rehoboth, to signify that if 
 they will come off", an army from us shall guard them ; but if 
 they will stay, and Judge it necessary for their safety, they shall 
 have from us 40 or 50 men to keepe garrison with them, etc. 
 And truly sir, if your souiherne men shall faile in this, it will 
 be just matter of reproach to them : however, it is resolved 
 helpe shall be sent them, if they accept it. Good news in letters 
 from Stonington to Boston. On Lord's day, Apr. 0, some 
 Connecticut forces, Capt. George Denison being chiefe, tooke 
 and killed 4'2 Indians, of which Quanonshet was one, who was 
 taken in that coat he received at Boston. His head is sent to 
 Hartford, his body is burnt; then also was killed one hostage 
 that run from Hartford, and some chief counsellors ; also 38 
 sachems and 3 Capts. were taken and killed neere Patuxet 
 [Pawtucket]. There was also a fight Apr. 2, by those forces 
 with the IVarragansets ; the issue of that I have not a particular 
 account of. Apr. 12, one woman and 2 children were killed at 
 Wooburne. At Boston the votes for nominations of mao-istrates, 
 for divers old ones run very low. Capt. Gookins hath 446, 
 
102 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 which is but 5 more than Major Ravage hath, who is the last in 
 the nomination of the IS: Mr. Dudley hath 651. An Indian 
 at Boston, who was improved as a messenger to the enemy, 
 being returned, affirms that Capt. Pierce and his killed scores 
 of the Indians that Sabbath day. I must now conclude this 
 letter, having sundry things to transcribe for you, wdiich just 
 now I rec'd from Boston. Our church hath set apart this fol- 
 lowing Wednesday for Humiliation and pr. I am much straitned 
 for time, but my respect to you obliges me to transcribe the en- 
 closed. 
 
 " I rest, he. he. 
 
 "John Cotton." 
 
 The " enclosed " were various particulars relative to the war. 
 The original of this letter is in the library of the Mass. Hist. 
 Society. 
 
 The next notice of the Indians, relative to Rehoboth, found in 
 history, is, that " in the road to Rehoboth, [in their march fi-om 
 WrenthamJ, they assaulted one Woodcock's house, killed one 
 man, and one of his sons, wounded another, and burned his 
 son's house."* The following particulars of this event are 
 given by Daggett in his History of Attleborough [p. 47J : his 
 authority for these facts, he states, is mostly tradition. 
 
 " His sons [i. e. Woodcock's] were at work in a corn-field 
 near the house. The Indians, concealed in a woodf adjoining 
 the field, approached to its borders and fired upon them. The 
 workmen fled to the garrison, leaving the dead body on the 
 field. The Indians to gratify their spite against the family, cut 
 off the son's head, stuck it on a long pole, which they set up on 
 a hill at some distance in front of the house and in full view of 
 the family, to aggravate their feelings as much as possible. 
 From this time Woodcock swore never to make peace with the 
 Indians. He ever after hunted them like wild beasts. He was 
 a man of resolute and determined character ; and tradition says, 
 that not a few fell victims to his vengeance, and a sacrifice to the 
 manes of his murdered son. 
 
 "This attack was in May. J The body of his son, (whose 
 name was Nathaniel) was buried on the spot where he fell, 
 
 * Hubbard's Narrative, p. 146. For a description of Woodcock's garrison, 
 see pa^e 77. 
 
 t " Now the meadow on the east of the turnpike, below the bridge." — JVote. 
 
 i" Nath. Woodcock slain in May, 1676." — Rchobot/i Record of Deaths and 
 Burials. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 103 
 
 nearly in the centre of the yard, which has ever since been re- 
 served for a burying ground." 
 
 Nehemiah Sabin,* of this town, was slain by the Indians, in 
 June: the day on which this slaughter occurred, and the cir- 
 cumstances attending it, I have not been able to learn. 
 
 Tlie two following incidents, relating to the Indians, which 
 are said to have occurred at one of the garrison-houses, dur- 
 ing the Indian war, are so distinctly marked by tradition as to 
 be worthy of preservation. They occurred at the garrison- 
 house, which stood near the house of Mr. Welcome Allen, be- 
 tween that and the Orleans Factory. In what part of the In- 
 dian war they took place is not certain. 
 
 A woman, engaged in " turning cheese," in the upper story of 
 the garrison house, had slipped the boards, which formed the 
 windows-shutter, for the purpose of admitting the light ; and, 
 while in the act of turning a cheese, and as she held it raised 
 edgewise in her hands, an Indian who was lurking near the 
 house, and observed the boards at the window removed, fired a 
 ball at the window, which passed through the middle of the 
 cheese without injuring the woman or any one in the house. 
 
 At another time, when the Indians w-ere known to be prowl- 
 ing in the vicinity of the garrison-house, and had prevented the 
 cows from returning at evening, with the design of drawing the 
 men from the garrison in search of them; one of the men at the 
 garrison, taking a loaded musket, and going out at the door (it 
 being dark), ordered a candle to be set at one of the port holes ; 
 and as the person who placed it there retreated hastily, an In- 
 dian who. was lurking near, observing the light, fired at it, and 
 shot so near that the wind of the ball extinguished the blaze. 
 The man who was watching with the loaded musket at the door, 
 fired at the flash of the Indian's gun, and wounded him, the 
 ball grazing the whole length of his back as he was leaning 
 forward. The Indian, wounded, raised a loud cry, and he and 
 his companions fled with great precipitation. 
 
 "About the end of June," says Hubbard, [p. 169] "news 
 was brought to Boston that Philip, with a small party of his 
 men lurked about Swanzey or Rehoboth, and that he might 
 easily be taken ; an Indian offering to bring them to the place 
 where they might find him ; whereupon soldiers were instantly 
 sent away from Boston, who spent some time in searching all 
 
 *" Nehemiah Sabin slain and buried in June, 1G76." — Rehoboth Record of 
 deaths and burials. 
 
104 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 the woods on that side of the country, but at last were forced to 
 return, liaving missed what they aimed at. Plymouth colony 
 likewise sent out soldiers upon the same account, under Major 
 Bradford, who by tlje help of some Indians of Cape Cod, 
 always true to the English interest, not only escaped an ambush 
 laid for them, whereby most of tliem might have been cut off, 
 but slew many of those that laid in wait for them, without any 
 loss to themselves." 
 
 The Indian war in this quarter was now fast drawing to a 
 close. Philip, the prime mover of the war, was slain on Satur- 
 day morning, August 12, 1676, at Mount Hope; and Anna- 
 wan, the last and bravest of his generals, was taken captive, on 
 Monday evening of the 28th, in Rehobotb. The rock where 
 he was taken is still known to all the country round by the name 
 of ^^ Ami a Ivan's I'ock." This rock lies in the south-easterly 
 part of Rehobotb, near the confines of Dighton, a Cew rods 
 soutl) of the new iurn|)ike from Taunton to Providence, about 
 eight miles from the former, and ten miles from the latter, place. 
 It is on the nonhern bolder of a great swamp, called Squanna- 
 konk, by which it is rendered inaccessible except on the north- 
 ern side. This side can be seen from the turnpike, and is easily 
 ascended, sloping gradually away from its summit to its base, at 
 an angle of about 35'-'. The whole rock extends north-east and 
 south-west 70 or 80 feet, and its height is 25 or 30 feet. It is 
 composed of sand and pebbles. A part of its south-east side 
 projects a liiile over its base, while, on the north-east, it seems 
 at no very distant period, to have tumbled down in large clefts. 
 Near its south-east extremity is an opening of an angular form, 
 resembling the corner of a room, witli sides nearly perpendicular: 
 in this it is said Annawon and his men had encamped. In one 
 of the perpendicular sides of this opening is an excavation or 
 fissure, narrow at the bottom, and widening gradually upwards, 
 and commencing so near the ground as to make a very conve- 
 nient seat. This is called "Annawan's chair;" for it is said 
 that in this Annawan used to sit. Within the large angular open- 
 ing or corner, some years since, stood a large tree, covered for 
 several feet from the ground with the names of many who had 
 visited the rock, and whose passion for immortality liad prompt- 
 ed them "to give in trust their names" to this revei'end senti- 
 nel of the place. But the "September gale" of 1815, pros- 
 trated this ancient chronicler of the rock, and an uprooted stump 
 now marks the place where it stood. It is probable that this 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 105 
 
 tree grew since the days of Annawan, as it occupied a large 
 share of the angle. Small bushes still grow frcni the seams on the 
 top and in the steep side of the rock, as in the days of Church. 
 Till lately a thin scattering wood grew around it ; and near to 
 tlie east and south, was a tliick forest, wliicii seenied to make it, 
 even then, a fitting abode for savages. But these have within a 
 year or two all yielded to " the woodman's axe," and the 
 retreat of Annawan now looks lonely and desolate. It is fre- 
 quently visited by the curious and the gay ; and the rock where 
 the rude Indian once trod is now often pressed by the soft foot of 
 the American fair. The nearest inhabitant to this rock is Dea- 
 con Asahel Bliss. 
 
 Annawan was of the tribe of the Wampanoags, and had been 
 greatly distinguished as a warrior and counsellor under Mas- 
 sassoit, and was " Philip's great captain" in the present war. 
 He is first mentioned in the annals of Philip's war, by Church, 
 in describing the skirmish in which Philip was slain : " One of 
 the enemy, who seemed to be a great surly old fellow, hallowed 
 with a loud voice, and often called out, " lootash ! lootash ! " 
 Captain Church called to his Indian, Peter, and asked him who 
 that was that called so ? He answered, that it was old Anna- 
 wan, Philip's great ca|)tain, cahing on his soldiers to stand to it, 
 and fight stoutly." The best authority for the circumstances of 
 the capture of Annawan is found in the account written under 
 the direction of the old warrior,* to whose valour the glory of 
 the achievement belongs. 
 
 "Captain Church," says the narrative, "had been but a little 
 while at Plimouth, [after the death of Philip,] before a post 
 from Rehoboth came to inform the Governour, that old Anna- 
 wan, Philip's chief captain, was with his company ranging about 
 their woods, and was very offensive and pernicious to Rehoboth 
 and Swanzey. Captain Church was immediately sent for 
 again, and treated with to engage in one expedition more. He 
 told them their encouragement was so poor, he feared his 
 
 *Col. Benjnmin Church was born at Duxbury, (Mass.) in 1030, and died 
 Jan. 17, 1717, in the 7f^th year of his age, at Little Compton. R. I. He mar- 
 ried Miss Ahce Southvvoith, and had hve sons and a daughter. His daring 
 and intrepidity can scarce find an equal in our annals. He was particularly 
 distiniruished in Philip's war, and was afterwards sent on an expedition against 
 the eastern Indians. [Church's Hist, of Philip's war.] "William Church, 
 Esq. of Providence, R. Land Church Gray, Esq. of Seekonk, are lineal de- 
 scendants of this hero; the former by the father's, and the latter by the moth- 
 er's side. 
 
 14 
 
106 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 soldiers would be dull about going again. But being a hearty 
 friend to the cause, he ralhed again, goes to Mr. Jabez Howland, 
 his old lieutenant, and some of his soldiers that used to go out 
 with him, told them how the case was circumstanced, and that 
 he had intelligence of old Annawan's wallv and hannl,and want- 
 ed hands to hunt him. They did not want much entreating, but 
 told him they would 2:0 with him as long as there was one Indian 
 left in the woods. He moved and ranged through the woods to 
 Pocasset. 
 
 " It being the latter end of the week, he proposed to go on to 
 Rhode Island, and rest until Monday; but on the Lord's day 
 morning,* there came a post to inform the captain, that early the 
 same niorning, a canoe, with several Indians in it passed from 
 Prudence Island f to Poppasquash J neck. Captain Church 
 thought if he could possibly surprise them, he might probably 
 gain some intelligence of more game ; therefore he made all 
 passible speed after them. The ferry-boat being out of the 
 way, he made use of canoes. But by that time they had made 
 two freights, and had got over about fifteen or sixteen of his In- 
 dians, the wind sprung up with such violence that canoes could no 
 more pass. The captain seeing it was impossible for any more 
 of his soldiers to come to him, he told his Indians, if they were 
 willing to go with him, he would go to Poppasquash, and see if 
 they could catch some of the enemy Indians. They were will- 
 ing to go, but were sorry they had no English soldiers. <§> So 
 they marched through the thickets that they might not be dis- 
 covered, until they came unto the s;dt meadow, to the northward 
 of Bristol town, that now is, then they heard a gun ; the captain 
 looked about, not knowing but it might be some of his own com- 
 pany in the rear. So halting till they all came up, he found it 
 was none of his company that fired. 
 
 " Now, though he had but a few men, he was minded to send 
 some of them out on a scout. He moved it to Captain Light- 
 foot to go with three more on a scout ; he said he was willing, 
 provided the captain's man, Nathaniel, (which was an Indian 
 
 •August 27th. 
 
 tAn island in Nnrraganset Bay, to the southwest of Warren and Bristol, 
 about six miles in lenopth. 
 
 I A long nnrrow neck or peninsula, extending into the Narraganset Bay, on 
 the west of Bristol, and between Bristol and Warren. 
 
 §They had one or more Englishmen in their company, as will be presently 
 seen. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 107 
 
 they bad lately taken,) might be one of them, because he was 
 well acquainted with the neck, and coming lately from among 
 them, knew how to call them. 
 
 "The captain bid him choose his three companions, and go ; 
 and if they came across any of the enemy, not to kill if they 
 could possibly be taken alive, that they might gain intelligence 
 concerning Annawan. The captain with the rest of his compa- 
 ny moved but a little way further toward Poppnsquash, before 
 they heard another gun, which seemed to be the same way with 
 the other, but farther off; but they made no halt until they came 
 unto the narrow of Poppasquash neck ; where Ca|)tain Church 
 left three men more to watch, if any should come out of the 
 neck, and to inform the scout, when they returned, which way 
 he was gone. 
 
 " He posted the remainder of his company, half on one side 
 of the neck, and the other with himself went on the other side, 
 until they met ; and meeting with neither Indians nor canoes, 
 returned big with expectations of tidings by their scout. But 
 when they came back to the three men at the narrow of the 
 neck, they told their captain the scout was not returned, and had 
 heard nor seen any thing of them ; this filled them with thoughts 
 of what should become of them. By that time they had sat 
 and waited an hour longer, it was very dark, and they despair- 
 ed of their returning to them. 
 
 " Some of the Indians told their captain, they feared his new 
 man, Nathaniel, had met with his old Mount Hope friends, and 
 was turned rogue. They concluded to make no fires that night, 
 (and indeed they had no great need of any,) for they had no 
 victuals to cook, — not so much as a morsel of bread with them. 
 
 " They took up their lodgings scattering, that if possibly 
 their scout should come in the night, and whistle, (which was 
 their sign) some or other of them might hear them. They had 
 a very solitary, hungry night ; and as soon as the day broke,* 
 they drew off through the brush to a hill without the neck. 
 And looking about them, they espied one Indian man come run- 
 ning somewhat towards them. The captain ordered one man 
 to step out and show himself. Upon this the Indian ran right to 
 him; and who should it be but Captain Lightfoot, to their great 
 joy. Captain Church asked him what news? He answered, 
 " Good news ; " they were all well, and had catched ten In- 
 
 * Monday, August 28th. 
 
108 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 dians ; and that they guarded them all night in one of the flank- 
 ers of the old English garrison ; * that their prisoners were a 
 part of Annawan's company, and that they had left iheir lamiliesin 
 a swamp above Metapoiset neck,t and as they were marchmg to- 
 wards tlie old garrison, Lighifoot gave Captain Cliurch a partic- 
 ular account of their exploit, viz : that presently after they left 
 him, they heard another gun, which seemed towards the Indian 
 burying place; and moving that way, they discovered two of 
 the enemy flaying of a horse. The scout clapping into the bi ush, 
 Nathaniel bid them sit down, and he would presently call all 
 the Indians thereabout him. They hid, and he went a little dis- 
 tance back from them, and set up his note and howled like a wolf. 
 One of the two immediately left his horse, and came running 
 to see who was there ; but Nathaniel, howling lower and lower, 
 drew him in between those that lay in wait for him, who seized 
 him. Nathaniel continuing the same note, the other left the 
 horse also, following his niate, and met with the same. When 
 they caught these two, they examined them apart, and found 
 them to agree in their story ; that there were eight more of them 
 come down into the neck to get provisions, and had agreed to 
 meet at the burying place that evening. These two being some 
 of Nathaniel's old acquaintance, he had great influence upon 
 them, and with his enticing story, (telling what a brave captain 
 he had, how bravely he lived since he had been with him, and 
 how much they might better their condition by turning to him, 
 &.C.) persuaded and engaged them to be on his side; which, 
 indeed, now began to be the belter side of the hedge. They 
 waited but a little w^iile before they espied the rest of theirs 
 coming up to the burying place ; and Nathaniel soon howled 
 them in, as he had done their mates before. 
 
 " When Captain Church came to the garrison, he met his 
 lieutenant,! and the rest of his company. And then making up 
 good fires tliey fell to roasting their horse beef, enough to last 
 them a whole day, but had not a morsel of bread, but though 
 salt they had, (which they always carried in their pockets, vs-hich 
 at this time was very acceptable to them). 
 
 * This fort was built in June, 1675, by the Boston and Plymouth troops, who 
 were sent to the defence of Swansey, on the first breaking out of the war. 
 1 111 Swansey. 
 
 i Mr. Jabez Rowland. From this it appears that Church had at least one 
 Englishman with him in this expedition, and we shall presently see that he 
 had another. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 109 
 
 " Their next motion was towards the place where the prison- 
 ers told them they had left their women and children, and sur- 
 prised tliem all, and some otiiers that were newly come to them. 
 And upon examination they held to one story, that it was hard 
 tr) tell where to find Annawan, for he never roosted twice in a 
 place, 
 
 '' Now a certain Indian soldier, that Captain Church had 
 gained over to be on his side, prayed that he might have liberty 
 to go and fetch his father, who, he said, was about four miles 
 from that iilace, in a swamp, with no other than a young squaw. 
 Captain Church inclined to go with him, thinking it might be in 
 his way to gain some intelligence of Annawan ; and so taking 
 one Eno-lishman and a few Indians with him, leaving the rest 
 there, he went with his new soldier to look after his father. 
 
 " When he came to the swamp, he bid the Indian go to see if 
 he could find his father. He was no sooner gone, but Church 
 discovered a track coming down out of the woods ; upon which 
 he and his little company lay close, some on one side of the 
 track, and some on the other. Tliey heard the Indian soldier 
 making a howling for his father, and at length somebody answer- 
 ed him ; but while they were listening, they thought they heard 
 somebody coming towards them : presently they saw an old man 
 coming up with a gun on his shoulder, and a young woman fol- 
 lowing, in the track which they lay by. They let them come 
 up between them, and then started up and laid hold of them 
 both. Captain Church immediately examined them apart, tell- 
 ing them what they must trust to, if they told false stories. He 
 asked the young woman, what company they came from last? 
 She said, " From Captain Annawan's." He asked her how 
 many there were in company with him when she left him ? She 
 said, " Fifty or sixty." He asked her, how many miles it was 
 to the place where she left him ? She said, she did not under- 
 stand miles, but that he was up in Squannaconk swamp.* 
 
 "The old man, who had been one of Philip's council, upon 
 examination, gave exactly the same account. Captain Church 
 asked him if they could get there that night ? He said if they 
 
 * This is a large swamp in the south-easterly part of Rehoboth. It is on a 
 small piece of upland, nearly enclosed by this swamp that "Annawan's rock " 
 is situated. Mr. Drake in his " Book of the Indians " [book iii. c 3, p. 48.] 
 has estimated this swamp to contain "nearly 3000 acres." There are two 
 other swamps near this, one on the north, the other on the south, or south-west, 
 neither being far separated from it, which taken with this, may make nearly 
 the estimate ; but " Squannaconk alone does not contain more than a third of 
 that space. 
 
110 HISTOKr OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 went presently, and travelled stoutly, they might get there by 
 sunset. He asked whither he was going ? He answered, that 
 Annawan had sent him down to look for some Indians, that 
 were gone down into Mount Hope neck, to kill provisions. 
 Captain Church let him know that these Indians were all his 
 prisoners. 
 
 " By this time came the Indian soldier and brought his father 
 and one Indian more. The captain was now in a great strait of 
 mind what to do next; he had a mind to give Annawan a visit, 
 now he knew where to find him. But his company w^as very 
 small, but half a dozen men beside himself, and was under a 
 necessity to send somebody back to acquaint his lieutenant and 
 company with his proceedings. However, he asked his small 
 company that were with him, whether tliey would willingly go 
 with him and give Annawan a visit.'' They told him, they were 
 always ready to obey his commands, &Lc.but withal told him, that 
 they knew this Captain Annawan was a great soldier ; that he 
 had been a valiant captain under Asuhmequin,* Philip's father; 
 and that he had been Philip's chieftain all this war. A very 
 subtle man, of great resolution, and had often said, tliat he 
 would never be taken alive by the English. And moreover 
 they knew that the men that were with him were resolute fel- 
 lows, some of Philip's chief soldiers; and therefore feared 
 whether it was practicable to make an attempt upon him with 
 so small a handful of assailants as were now with him. Told 
 him farther, that it would be a pity, that, after all the great 
 things he had done, he should throw away his life at last. Upon 
 which he replied, that he doubted not Annawan was a subtle 
 and valiant man ; that he had a long time, but in vain, sought 
 for him, and never till now could find his quarters, and he was 
 very loath to miss of the opportunity ; and doubted not but that 
 if they would cheerfully go with him, the same Almighty prov- 
 idence that had hitherto protected and befriended them, would 
 do so still, &c. 
 
 " Upon, this with one consent they said, they would go. 
 Capt. Church then turned to one Cook, of Plymouth, (the only 
 Englishman then with him,) and asked him what he thought of 
 
 *Hisname has been variously written, as Asuhmequin, Ossamequin or Osa- 
 moquin, Oosamequen, Osamekin, Owsamcqnin, Ousainequine, Ussamequen, 
 Wasamegin, &c. But the name by which he is most commonly known in liis- 
 tory, is Massassoit, or Massasoit. For an account of the life of this " good 
 old chief," see Drake s Book of the Indians. 
 
HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. Ill 
 
 it ? He replied, " Sir, I am never afraid of going any where when 
 you are witli me." Then Capt. Church asked the old Indian, 
 if he could carry his horse with him ? (For he conveyed a horse 
 thus far with him.) He replied that it was impossible for a horse 
 to pass the swamps. Therefore he sent away his new Indian 
 soldier with his father, and the captain's horse, to his lieutenant, 
 and orders for him to move to Taunton with the prisoners, to 
 secure them there, and to come out in the Rehoboth road, in 
 which he might expect to meet him, if he were alive and had 
 success. 
 
 " The captain then asked the old fellow if he would pilot him 
 unto Annawan ? He answered, that he having given him his life, 
 he was obliged to serve him. He bid him move on, and they 
 followed. The old man would out-travel them so far sometimes, 
 that they were almost out of sight ; looking over his shoulder, 
 and seeing them behind, he would halt. 
 
 "Just as the sun was setting, the old man made a full stop 
 and sat down ; the company coming up also sat down, being all 
 weary. Captain Church asked, "What news?" He answered, 
 that about that time in the evening, Captain Annawan sent out 
 his scouts to see if the coast were clear, and as soon as it began 
 to grow daik, the scouts returned ; and then (said he) " we may 
 move securely." When it began to grow dark, the old man 
 stood up again, and Captain Church asked him if he would take 
 a gun and fight for him ? He bowed very low, and prayed him 
 not to impose such a thing upon him, as to fight against Captain 
 Annawan, his old friend. But says he, "I will go along with 
 you, and be helphil to you, and will lay hands on any man that 
 shall offer to hurt you." 
 
 It being now pretty dark, they moved close together; anon 
 they heard a noise. Tlie captain stayed the old man with his 
 hand, and asked his own men, what noise they thought it might 
 be? Tliey concluded it to be the pounding of a mortar. The 
 old man had given Captain Church a description of the place 
 where Annawan now lay, and of the difficulty of getting at 
 him. Being sensible that they were pretty near them, with 
 two of his Indians he creeps to the edge of the rocks, from 
 whence he could see their camps. He saw three companies of 
 Indians at a little distance from each other, being easy to be dis- 
 covered by the light of their fires. He saw also the great 
 Annawan and his company, who had formed his camp or ken- 
 neling place, by falling a tree under the side of the great clifFs 
 
112 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 of rocks, and setting a row of birch bushes up against it ; where 
 he himself, his son, and some of his chiefs had taken up lodg- 
 ings, and made great fires without them, and had their pots and 
 ketiles boiling, and spits roasting. Their arms also he discov- 
 ered, all set together, in a place fitted for the purpose, standing 
 up on end against a slick lodged in two crotches, and a mat 
 placed over them, to keep them from the wet or dew. The 
 old Annawan's feet and his son's head were so near the arms as 
 almost to touch them. 
 
 " The rocks were so steep that it was impossible to get down, 
 but as they lowered themselves by the boughs and the bushes 
 that grew in the cracks of the rocks. Captain Church, creep- 
 ing back again to the old man, asked him, if there were no pos- 
 sibility of getting at them some other way ? He answered, 
 " No." That he and all that belonged to Annawan were or- 
 dered to come that way, and none coidd come any other way, 
 without difficulty or danger of being shot. 
 
 "Captain Church then ordered the old man and his dnughter 
 to go down foi'emost with their baskets at their backs, that when 
 Annawan saw them with their baskets, he should not mistrust 
 the intrigue. Captain Church and his handful of soldiers crept 
 down also, under the shadow of those two and their baskets. 
 The captain himself crept close behind the old man, with his 
 hatchet in his hand, and stepped over tlie young man's head to 
 the arms. The young Annawan, discovering of him, whipped 
 his blanket over his head and shrunk up in a heap. The old 
 Captain Annawan started up, and cried out " Howoh."* And 
 despairing of escape, threw himself back again, and lay silent 
 until Captain Church had secured all the arms, &.c. And hav- 
 ing secured that company, he sent his Indian soldiers to the 
 other fires and companies, giving them instructions what to do 
 and say. Accordingly they went into the midst of them. 
 When they discovered themselves, who they were, they told them 
 that their Captain Annawan was taken, and it would be best for 
 them, quietly and peaceably to surrender themselves, which 
 would procure good quarter for them ; otlierwise, if they should 
 pretend tg resist or make their escape, it would be in vain, and 
 they could expect no other but that Captain Church, with his 
 
 * This wnrri signified icehoine. Amonor the tribes of the west the same word 
 is now used to signify approbation. Tims when a speech is made which 
 pleases them, at the end of each paragraph they exclaim, " Hoah ! Hoah ! " 
 Weld's Travels in America. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 113 
 
 great army, who had now entrapped them, would cut them to 
 pieces. Told them also, if they would submit themselves, and 
 deliver up all their arms unto them, and keep every man in his 
 place until it was day, they would assure them that their captain 
 Church, who had been so kind to themselves when they surren- 
 dered to him, should be as kind to them. Now they being old 
 acquaintance, and many of them relations, did much the readier 
 give heed to what they said ; complied and surrendered up their 
 arms unto them, both their guns and hatchets, &;c., and were 
 forthwith carried to Captain Church. 
 
 " Things being so far settled. Captain Church asked Anna- 
 wan, 'what he had for supper? for,' said he, 'I am come 
 to sup with you.' ' Taubut,'' * said Annawan, with a big 
 voice, and looking about upon his women, bid them hasten and 
 get Captain Church and his company some supper. He then 
 turned to Captain Church, and asked him whether he would 
 eat cow beef or horse beef ? The captain told him, cow beef 
 would be the most acceptable. It was soon got ready, and pull- 
 ing his little bag of salt out of his pocket, which was all the pro- 
 vision he had brought with him, this seasoned his cow beef. So 
 that witii it and the dried corn, which the old squaw was pound- 
 ing in the mortar, while they were sliding down the rocks, he 
 made a very hearty supper. And this pounding in the mortar 
 proved lucky for Captain Church's getting down the rocks ; for 
 when the old squaw pounded, they moved, and when she 
 ceased, to turn the corn, they ceased creeping. The noise of 
 the mortar prevented the enemy's hearing their creeping ; and 
 the corn being now dressed supplied the want of bread, and gave 
 a fine relish with the cow beef. 
 
 " Supper being over. Captain Church sent two of his men to 
 inform the other companies that he had killed Philip, and taken 
 their friends in Mount Hope neck, but had spared their lives, 
 and that he had subdued now all the enemy, (he supposed) 
 except this company of Annawan ; and now if they would be 
 orderly and keep their places until morning, they should have 
 good quarter, and that he would carry them to Taunton, where 
 they might see their friends again, &;c. 
 
 " The messengers returned that the Indians yielded to his 
 proposals. 
 
 ** This word Hubbard [p. 185] has interpreted to mean, "tJiank you." 
 
 15 
 
114 HISTOKY OF REHOBOTH, 
 
 ' " Captain Church thought it was now time for him to take n 
 nap, having had no sleep in two days and one night before. So 
 he told his men, that if they would let him sleep two hours, they 
 should sleep all the rest of the night. He laid himself down 
 and endeavoured to sleep, but all disposition to sleep departed 
 from him. 
 
 "After he had lain a little while, he looked up to see how his 
 watch managed, but found them all fast asleep. Now Captain 
 Church had told Captain Annawan's company, as he had order- 
 ed his Indians to tell the others ; that their lives should all be 
 spared excepting Captain Annawan's, and it was not in his pow- 
 er to promise him his life, but he must carry him to his masters 
 at Plymouth, and he would entreat them for his life. 
 
 " Now when Captain Church found not only his own men, 
 but all the Indians fast asleep, Anna wan only excepted, who, 
 he perceived was broad awake as himself; and so they lay 
 looking one upon the other, perhaps an hour. 
 
 "At length Annawan raised himself up, cast off his blanket, 
 and with no more clothes than his small breeches, w alked a little 
 way back from the company." * * * " By and by he was 
 gone out of sight and hearing, and then Captain Church began 
 to suspect some ill design in him ; and got all the guns close to 
 him, and crowded himself close under young Annawan ; that if 
 he should any where get a gun, he should not make a shot at 
 him, without endangering his son. Lying very still awhile, 
 waiting for the event, at length he heard somebody coming the 
 same way that Annawan went. The moon now shining bright, 
 he saw him at a distance coming with something in his hands ; 
 and coming up to Captain Church, he fell upon his knees before 
 him, and offered him what he had brought, and, speaking in 
 plain English said, " Great Captain, you have killed Philip and 
 conquered bis country ; for I believe that I and my company 
 are the last that war against the English, so suppose the war is 
 ended by your means ; and therefore these things belong to 
 you." Then opening his pack, he pulled out Philip's belt, curi- 
 ously wrought with wampum, being nine inches broad, wrought 
 with black and white wampum, in various figures, and flowers 
 and pictures of many birds and beasts. This, when hanged 
 upon Captain Church's shoulders, reached his ancles ; and 
 another belt of wampum he presented him with, wrought after 
 the former manner, which Philip was wont to put upon his 
 
HTSTOBY OF REHOBOTH. 115 
 
 head. It had two flags on the back part, which hung down on 
 his back, and another small belt whh a star upon tlie end of it, 
 which he used to hang on his breast ; and they were all edged 
 with red hair which Annawan said he got in the Mohogs 
 (Mohawk's] country. Then he pulled out two horns of glazed 
 powder, and a red cloth blanket. He told Captain Church 
 these were Philip's royalties, which he was wont to adorn him- 
 self with, when he sat in state; that he thought himself happy 
 that he had an opportunity to present them to Captain Church, 
 who had won them, he. They spent the remainder of the 
 night in discourse. And Captain Annawan gave an account of 
 what mighty success he had formerly in wars against many nations 
 of Indians, when he served Asumhequin, Philip's father, &;c. 
 
 ^' In the morning, as soon as it was light, the captain marched 
 with his prisoners out of that swampy country towards Taunton. 
 He met his lieutenant and company about four miles out of town, 
 who expressed a great deal of joy to see him again, and said it 
 was more than ever they expected. They went into Taunton, 
 were civilly and kindly treated by the inhabitants. Here they 
 refreshed and rested themselves that night. 
 
 " Early next morning, the captain took old Annawan, and half 
 a dozen of his Indian soldiers, and his own man, and went to 
 Rhode Island ; sending the rest of his company, and his prison- 
 ers, by his lieutenant to Plymouth. Tarrying two or three days 
 upon the Island, he then went to Plymouth, and carried his 
 wife and his two children with him." 
 
 Thus was the most daring enterprise successfully achieved by 
 the prowess of a single man. Annawan, being unable to deny 
 but that he had tortured English captives, found no mercy with 
 the English ; and in spite of the intercessions of Church, he was 
 beheaded. This was done while Church was absent from Ply- 
 mouth. Tispaquin, or Tuspaquin, a noble chief of the Narra- 
 ganset tribe, whose capture by Church immediately succeeded 
 that of Annawan, was beheaded with him. The grief and 
 chagrin of Church were great, on finding all his prayers and en- 
 treaties for the life of Annawan utterly disregarded, and the 
 faith of the government, pledged by him to Tispaquin, that his 
 life should be spared, thus shamefully and barbarously trampled 
 upon. ''When Captain Church," says his historian, "return- 
 ed from Boston, he found to his great grief the heads of Anna- 
 wan, Tispaquin, fee. cut off, which were the last of Philip's 
 friends." 
 
116 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Thus fell "the last of Philip's friends," and the last noble 
 chieftains of two once powerful and warlike tribes. Had Rome, 
 in the days of her Ctesar, given them birth, and an Italian sun 
 smiled on their exploits, history would have proudly chronicled 
 their deeds, and poesy hung with fadeless garlands their honour- 
 ed urns. 
 
 " Indulge, our native land, indulge the tear 
 That steals impassioned o'er a nation's doom ; 
 To us each twig from Adam's stock is dear, 
 And tears of sorrow deck an [ndian's tomb." 
 
 DwighCs Greenfield HiU. 
 
 After the death of Annawan, but little worthy of note occur- 
 red in this quarter relating to the Indians. Nearly all the hostile 
 Indians had been either captured or killed, or had submitted 
 themselves to the English ; and expeditions against them were 
 considered rather as hunting excursions than dangerous enter- 
 prises. A few Indians lurking around Rehoboth and Seekonk, 
 were all that were heard of in Plymouth colony. 
 
 "Since the beginning of December last " [1676], says Hub- 
 bard, " news coming down to Boston that mischief was done 
 about Seaconk and Rehoboth, by some remaining Indians there- 
 abouts, kilhng their swine and horses ; several persons of Med- 
 field went out after them, and pursuing them by their track, 
 came upon a small party, of whom they took three, one of 
 which escaped while some of the company were going after the 
 rest. Those that were taken confessed there was about 60 that 
 were lurking up and down in those woods. The said two 
 Indians were brought unto Boston the 8th of January. 
 
 "A commission was formerly granted to Peter Ephraim, an 
 Indian of Natick, to go out in pursuit of them, with 29 of his 
 company; a iew of the English from Medfield went with him, 
 who, being soon tired with marching in the snow, returned. 
 The Indians kept on in their design, and came across a consid- 
 erable party of the enemy, having traced them till they found 
 where they lodged overnight. They surrounded them early in 
 the morning, as their manner is, and then offered them quarter 
 if they would yield ; eight resolute fellows refused, who were 
 instantly shot ; the rest were all seized, the whole number was 
 42. 'i'his was done about the middle of January, since which 
 several such exploits have been done by them." 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 117 
 
 The names of the Rehoboth soldiers who served in Phihp's 
 war have been preserved, and are as follows: 
 
 Those who served under IMajor 
 Bradford, were, 
 
 Preserved Abell, 
 Samuel Perry, 
 \ Stephen Paine, Jun. 
 \ Samuel Miller, 
 Silas T. Alin, 
 Samuel Palmer, 
 James Redeway, 
 Enoch Hunt, 
 Samuel Walker, 
 Nicholas Ide, 
 N^ Noah Mason, 
 ^^amuel Sabin, 
 Thomas Read, 
 Israel Read, 
 George Robinson, 
 Nathaniel Wilmarth. 
 The following catalogue gives the names of those who, at one 
 period of the war, made advances of money, together with the 
 sums they advanced. It shows that many of those, who served 
 as private soldiers in the war, also advanced money to sus- 
 
 Those eno;afred in the Narra- 
 ganset expedition, were, 
 
 John Fitch, 
 Jonathan Wilmarth, 
 ! Jasiel Perry, 
 \ Thomas Kendrick, 
 Monathan Sabin, 
 John Carpenter, 
 John Redeway, 
 '\ John Martin, 
 \ John Hall, 
 xJohn Miller, Jun, 
 John Ide, 
 Joseph Doggett, 
 , Sampson Mason, Jun. 
 
 tain It. 
 
 George Kendrick, 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 Jo. Miller, sen. 
 Joseph Buckland, 
 Wid. Abraham Perem, 
 Rice Leonard, 
 James Gilson, 
 An. Perry, 
 George Robinson, 
 John Perem, 
 William Carpenter, 
 John Titus, sen. 
 Samuel Carpenter, 
 Widow Sabin, 
 John Ormsby, 
 Josiah Palmer, 
 John Butterworth, jun. 
 Thomas Read, 
 Stephen Paine, jun. 
 
 11 135 
 
 .1(1. 
 
 1 18 
 
 8 
 
 6 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 3 
 
 
 
 14 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 G 
 
 4 18 
 
 2 
 
 14 00 
 
 2 
 
 4 12 
 
 ? 
 
 1 13 
 
 10 
 
 8 17 
 
 3 
 
 5 6 
 
 3 
 
 11 19 
 
 5 
 
 1 7 
 
 (3 
 
 2 15 
 
 
 
 1 10 
 
 10 
 
 3 11 
 
 5 
 
 8 14 
 
 4 
 
 10 11 
 
 5 
 
 •/ 
 
 Joseph Sabin, 
 Gilbert Brooks, 
 David Smith, 
 James Redeway, sen. 
 Preserved Abell, 
 William Buckland, 
 Benjamin Buckland, 
 
 with the loss of a gun 
 Samuel Peck, 
 John Fitch, with the 
 
 loss of a gun, 
 Thomas Willmarth, s( 
 Francis Stephens, 
 Joseph Peck, 
 David Beers, 
 John Savage, 
 Richard Martin, 
 Thomas Grant, 
 Deacon Nathaniel Cooper, 8 
 
 £1 
 
 175 
 
 .0(1. 
 
 3 
 
 14 
 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 4 
 
 7 15 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 > 4 
 
 3 10 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 , 8 
 
 
 
 
 
118 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Robert Miller, 
 
 £5 
 
 17s 
 
 Gd. 
 
 Samuel Sabin, 
 
 4 14 
 
 2 
 
 Wid. Mason, 
 
 13 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 Eldad Kingsley, 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 "Wid. Rachael Read, ) 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Wid. Carpenter, 
 
 G 
 
 6 
 
 witii a gun lost, 5 
 
 Daniel Allen, 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 John Kingsley, 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 Samuel Homes, 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 Moses Reade, 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Noah Mason, 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 John Reade, sen. 
 
 13 
 
 18 
 
 11 
 
 John Jonson, 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 William Sabin, 
 
 15 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 Jeremiali Wheaton, 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Nathaniel Paine, 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 Obadiah Bowen, 
 
 2 17 
 
 8 
 
 Samuel Reade, 
 
 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 Nathaniel Foulsom, 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 Thomas Willmarth, jun. 
 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 Eben. Amidown, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 John Willmarth, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 John Crossman, 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 Joseph Chaffee, 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 Benjamin Sabin, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Samuel Bullock, 
 
 
 12 
 
 3 
 
 James Redeway, jun. 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 John Carpenter, 
 
 1 
 
 18 
 
 6 
 
 William Bland ing. 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 John Titus, jun. 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 Daniel Smith, 
 
 37 11 
 
 7 
 
 Nathaniel Chaffee. 
 
 3 
 
 16 
 
 f) 
 
 John Feck, 
 
 4 12 
 
 G 
 
 Robert Fuller, 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 Deacon Walker, 
 
 26 00 
 
 
 
 Richard Bowen, 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 John Allen, jun. 
 
 16 
 
 9 
 
 Rebecca Hunt, 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 John Dogget, 
 
 11 1 
 
 3i 
 
 John Hall, 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Samuel Newman, 
 Total 
 
 4 17 
 
 10 
 
 
 484 5 
 
 5 
 
 This, with a few extracts from tlje town records, closes the 
 history of all the events to be found in the annals of Philip's 
 war, relating to Rehoboth. The history of the town from this 
 period till near the commencement of the war of the Revolu- 
 tion possesses little that is either novel or interesting. A few 
 extracts from the town records are nearly all that we are able lo 
 give on this period. 
 
 "June 12, 1675. The town being met, being lawfully 
 warned, chose the town council and the townsmen to take care 
 for the provision of the soldiers that are put to answer the war- 
 rant ; and that they shall make a rate for the defraying of the 
 charges both for their soldiers clothes and other necessaries, and 
 for any charges about the former soldiers." 
 
 "June 16, 1676. The town engaged a surgeon for three 
 months, who promised to be helpful to the town and do his 
 best endeavour, with the help of God, to cure any of our towne 
 that may be wounded by the enemy ; " and the town was to pay 
 him " three pounds in money, for to procure instruments, and 
 medicines for healing, and also an accommodation of a suitable 
 place, and his diet and twenty shillings a month." 
 
 "Februarys, 1676-7. It was agreed upon by the town, 
 that the county rate should be made as much as the town hath 
 been out of charges relating to the late war, and that the sol- 
 diers' wages be put into it.'' 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 119 
 
 ''November 13, 1677. It was voted that Lieutenant Hunt 
 and Ensign Nicholas Pecke should assist the Deacons to go 
 from house to house to make inquiry, what persons have or will 
 do, for this present year, for the maintenance of our Reverent 
 Pastor ; to see whether it will amount to fifty pounds ; and also 
 to take care that it may be effectually paid in season." 
 
 At the same meeting it was voted also, " that Daniel Smith 
 should write to the young gentleman at Dorchester, to signify 
 to him, that it was the town's desire that he would be pleased 
 to come up and teach a school according to those former invita- 
 tions that our Reverend Pastor made to him." 
 
 " It was also voted, that an invitation might be given to Mr. 
 Man for to be helpful in the work of the ministry for this winter, 
 and that the townsmen should take care for to endeavour to 
 affect it; and if Mr. Man cannot be obtained, then the towns- 
 men shall endeavour to obtain any other suitable person for the 
 work of the ministry this season." 
 
 April 12, 1678. " The town manifested their earnest desire 
 that Mr. Angier might be treated with by the townsmen, and 
 encouraged to tarry with us untill we see how the Lord will deal 
 with our Reverend Pastor ; the towm desiring, that, if it might 
 be, that some hold may be taken of him with speed, that we might 
 not be left destitute : the town manifesting their approbation of 
 him and his labors in the work of the ministry." 
 
 The town also voted, that Deacon Walker, John Woodcock, 
 Anthony Perry, and Samuel Peck should be added to "the 
 committee for finishing the meeting house." 
 
 April 16, 1678,* the Reverend Noah Newman, the second 
 minister of Rehoboth, died, having filled the sacred office from 
 the year 1668 till the commencement of the illness which ter- 
 minated in his death. The little that can now be collected con- 
 cerning him has been given in pages 57 and 58 above.f A 
 letter written by him to Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, on the day 
 after "Pierce's Fight," giving a minute account of those slain in 
 that battle, was given at page 91, in the account of the Indian 
 war. He is supposed to have been interred in the old burying 
 
 * This date is taken from a silver cup in the possession of the Congrega- 
 tional church of Seekonk. The town records give, " Mr. Noah Newsman 
 buried April 18, 1678." 
 
 t There is an error on the 58th page w^ith regard to the year of his death, 
 which was observed too late to correct in its proper place : his death is there 
 placed in 1676. 
 
120 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 ground near the Congregational rneeting-house in Seekonk, 
 though, to mark the spot, 
 
 ■ No stone may tell 
 
 His name, his worth, his glory." 
 
 "April 29, 1678. It was voted that Mrs. Newman, the 
 relict of our late Reverend Pastor, shall have fifteen pounds for 
 this present year, and a sufficiency of wood brought to her gate, 
 if she please still to abide with us, and thus to be paid according 
 to present subscription." It was also agreed upon that the 
 townsmen shall agree with Mrs. Newman in the town's behalf 
 for the diet of Mr. Angier." 
 
 " June 20, 1678. The town unanimously agreed that Mr. 
 Angier should have forty pounds a year for his encouragement, 
 and his diet ; and ten pounds of the forty in money, if God 
 incline his heart to settle amongst us in the work of the minis- 
 try. And this proposal was made for the present, persons man- 
 ifesting themselves to be freely willing for the future to augment 
 to the aforesaid sum, according to their ability and Mr. Angier's 
 necessity. And the townsmen and Deacon Walker were chosen 
 to treat with Mr. Angier about it." 
 
 " Lieut. Hunt and-£nsign Peck were chosen, and desired to 
 go down with Mr. Angler, "the next week, and to do as then is 
 requisite to be done in order to the settlement of Mr. Angier." 
 
 " It was also agreed, that there should be a six-acre lot, in 
 convenient time, laid forth below the burial place, for a build- 
 ing of a house for the ministry." 
 
 It appears from the tenor of the records, that Mrs. Newman 
 soon remo\ed from Rehoboth. She probably removed to 
 Braintree (now Quincy), the place of her nativity.* August 
 30, 1678, there is a vote of the town recorded, appointing sev- 
 eral persons as a committee, "to treat with any person or persons 
 that shall be employed by I\Irs. Newman, concerning her house 
 and lands." January 17, 1678-9, also " It was voted, for the 
 encouragen^.ent of P»Ir. Samuel Angier to settle amongst us in 
 the work of the ministry, if it please the Lord to incline his 
 heart thereunto, to purpose unto him to give him forty pounds 
 in money, eidier to the purchasing of the house and lot which 
 were Mr. Noah Newman's, if it please him to buy it, or towards 
 the building of another house and settling himself." 
 
 It was at the same time " voted by the town that Mr. Angier 
 shall have the use and improvement of all the lands and mead- 
 
 * See page 57. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 121 
 
 dow^s, and all the privileges belonging to the pastors and teach- 
 ers' lots, as long as he doth continue in the work of the ministry 
 amongst us. It was also voted, that Mr. Angier shall have sev- 
 enty pounds a year for his salary, ten pounds of it in money, 
 and sixty in country pay, as it passeth between man and man." 
 
 " June 25, 1679. The town voted, that Mr. Angier shall 
 have, for the two following years, seventy pounds for each year; 
 ten pounds of it in money, and fifteen of the sixty as money, 
 and the rest of it as it passeth between man and man, and a suf- 
 ficiency of wood to be brought to his house." 
 
 " The town chose Gilbert Brooks a deputy to attend the Gen- 
 eral Court." 
 
 " July 24, 1679. The raters chosen were Mr. Daniel Smith, 
 John Peck, Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, and Wil- 
 liam Carpenter." 
 
 " May 18, 1680. Lieut. Peter Hunt and Ensign Peck cho- 
 sen deputies." "Lieut. Peter Hunt, Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
 and Gilbert Brooks, selectmen." " Mr. Daniel Smith, John 
 Reade, Lieut. Hunt, Ensign Peck, Gilbert Brooks, John Peck, 
 and Anthony Perry, townsmen." 
 
 " The townsmen acquainting the town, that they had a treaty 
 with Mr. Edward Howard to teach school, acquainted the town 
 with the said Mr. Howard's terms, viz : twenty pounds a year in 
 country pay, and his diet, besides what the court doth allow in 
 that case. The town then did vote and agree that his proposals 
 were accepted, and that the speediest provisions should be made 
 for his maintenance; Mr. William Sabin freely proffering to diet 
 him the first quarter of the year." 
 
 " It was also agreed upon that William Blanding should have 
 half an acre of land upon the common, to build a house upon 
 the edge of Rocky Hill. Lieut. Hunt, Samuel Carpenter, and 
 John Peck were chosen to lay out the said land, and set the 
 expense of it, and also to perfix him a time when he shall build ; 
 which if he neglect, he shall forfeit the land to the town again." 
 This is the first time that the name " Rocky Hill " occurs in the 
 town records. This name is still given to a hill, or elevation of 
 some extent, about a mile north-west of " Palmer's river" 
 meeting-house ; and from the character of its surface, no one 
 can dispute its title to the cognomen "rocky." 
 
 "October 22, 1680. Voted that the burying place should be 
 fenced in with a stone fence." 
 16 
 
122 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 December 16, 1680. A committee was chosen by the town 
 " to sell the meeting-house ;" this committee consisted of Mr. 
 Daniel Smith, Lieut. Peter Hunt. Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gil- 
 bert Brooks, and Anthony Perry. 
 
 "May 16, 1681. Ensign Nicholas Peck and Gilbert Brooks 
 were chosen dejiuties to the General Court ; and Lieut. Peter 
 Hunt, Ensign Nichoias^JPeck, and Gilbert Brooks, selectmen." 
 
 " The same day it was voted and consented to, that the select- 
 men should endeavour the utmost to re-engage Mr. Howard to 
 keep the school another year." ^ 
 
 "Septembers, IG81. Mr. Daniel Smith, T^nsign Nicholas 
 Peck, Gilbert Brooks, Thomas Cooper, Jr. and William Car- 
 penter, chosen raters for the year. 
 
 May 17, 1682. There is, of this date, recorded in the town 
 book, a meeting of the proprietors of the " North Purchase,'* 
 when William Carpenter was chosen "clerk of the community" 
 and sworn. 
 
 May 25, 1683. " William Carpenter was chosen, and added 
 to the former committee that was chosen by the town to sell the 
 meeting-house." 
 
 December 13, 1683. At a town meeting the townsmen pre- 
 sented Mr. Taylor, a schoolmaster, and the propositions that he 
 and the townsmen treated upon, viz : that he should have for the 
 present year £5 in money, £10 as money, and his diet: upon 
 which the town voted that he should be engaged for the year ; 
 upon which agreement of the town the townsmen met the first 
 of December, 1683, and did fully agree with the said Mr. 
 Taylor for to keep school one year upon the terms aforesaid." 
 
 "May 19,1684. Sergeant Jonathan Bliss was chosen by 
 the town, and added to the committee to sell the meeting- 
 house." 
 
 *,t Lieut. Nicholas Peck and Gilbert Brooks chosen deputies." 
 
 In the year 1685 the court of Plymouth granted to tha town 
 
 a deed of confirmation, of which the following is a literal copy. 
 
 Confirmation Deed from the Colony. 
 
 " New Plymouth, July 7th, 1685. 
 
 "At his Majesty's Court of Assistants, held at New Plymouth, 
 July 7th, 1685. 
 
 "Whereas at his Majesty's General Court, held at New 
 PHmouth, the 4th of June, 1685, it was enacted that the Court 
 
HISTORY OV REHOBOTH. 123 
 
 of Assistants be a committee, impowered to examine, allow, and 
 confirm all claims of lands of former grants for townships and 
 other grants of Court to particular persons ; which, being by the 
 Court allowed, shall pass the scale of the Colony : — And where- 
 as Mr. Daniel Smith as agent of the town of Rehoboth, an- 
 swered at this court, and showed, declared, and made appear unto 
 this Court by several writings and records, that the bounds of 
 the said town of Rehoboth are as followetli : the first grant of 
 the' said township being eight miles square, granted, in the 
 year 1641, unto ^Ir. Alexander Winchester, Richard Wright, 
 Mr. Henry SmitlffMr. Joseph Pecke, Mr. Stephen Paine, and 
 divers others, for the settling of a town, which is now bounded 
 from Putlkett river by a white oak tree marked near a small 
 run, running into the said river; and from thence by marked 
 trees to a great black oak, marked, standing by the edge of the 
 great plaine ; and from thence by marked trees over the seven 
 mile river, and over the ten-mile river unto a pine tree marked 
 with two R. R., and a trench digged ; and from thence over the 
 plaine to a black oak, marked with an R. and an heap of stones, 
 there standing a great rock within five foot of the tree ; and from 
 thence by marked trees to a black oak marked with an R, and an 
 heap of stones standing on a liill near a small pond ; and from 
 thence to a red oak, marked with an R, and a trench digged by 
 the cedar swamp ; and from thence eighty rod by marked trees in 
 the cedar swamp to a corner tree being a cedar tree marked : and 
 for the eastward bounds from thence southerly to a white oak 
 marked with an R, standing by the road v;ay to Taunton ; and 
 from thence to a chestnut tree marked, standing on a rocky 
 island, with a heap of stones ; and from thence strait to the 
 south-east corner, by Mettapoysett ; the south-east line, at the 
 south-west corner, is a small freshet of water running into the 
 salt river, a little southward of a small island in the river, from 
 thence to an oak, marked, by a swamp where Capt. Willet made 
 a bridge : from thence by a marked tree to a white oak marked 
 with an R, and heaps of stones, near to the house where for- 
 merly Richard Whittacrer dwelt : from thence by marked trees 
 to awhile oak, marked, standing in the salt meadows upon a 
 point of upland near to Sowam's river, and over the river to a 
 black oak marked with an R, and a heap of stones by the com- 
 mon road ; from thence by marked trees to a white oak marked 
 with an R ; and from thence a few rods to a great rock with an 
 heap of stones upon the rock ; and from thence over the rocky 
 river by marked trees, to a white oak marked with on R, by Mat- 
 
124 HTSTORY OV REHOBOTH. 
 
 tapoysett river ; and from thence over the river eighty rod, to 
 the south-east corner of the town, there being an heap of stones 
 and a black oak marked : the west side of the town being 
 bounded with Puttukett river on the west, and by the said river 
 unto the Massachusetts hne; and on the northerly side by 
 the said line, until it cross the old road towards the bay, where 
 the marked tree stands with a heap of stones ; and thence a 
 mile and a half east ; and thence by a direct line to the north- 
 east corner of the present bound of Rehoboth ; and so back 
 again home unto the said line between the governments. And 
 this court, having examined the said writings and records, do 
 approve, allow, and confirm all the bounds aforesaid to be the 
 bounds of the said town of Rehoboth forever ; and that all the 
 lands contained within the aforesaid boundaries shall be and 
 remain unto the several proprietors thereof, according to each 
 one's just right and title and interest of or into the same, and to 
 their several heirs and assigns forever : with all and singular 
 the benefits, profits, priviiedges, woods, waters, rights and 
 heredittaments whatsoever, within, between, belonging, or any 
 ways accruing unto the same ; to have and to hold unto the 
 said town and proprietors respectively, to their and his heirs 
 and assigns forever : According to the tenure of the Charter of 
 Letters patents, granted by the Honourable Council at Plimouth, 
 in the county of Dover, for the planting, ordering, and governing 
 of New-England, direcatory from his Majesty king James the 
 first, of happy memmory : and in testimony hereof doth allow 
 the publick seal of this government to be affixed thereunto, for 
 the further confirmation thereof." [Plymouth Col. Rec. of 
 Deeds, vol. v. p. 341.] 
 
 June 11, 1686, the printed laws were publickly read in a 
 town meeting by order of the Governour. 
 
 May 28, 1689. The town "voted that Mr. Angier should 
 have a small tract of low ground, by the meeting house side, to 
 make a garden plot near the orchard that Sam, the Indian, for- 
 merly planted." 
 
 August 9, 1689.C Samuel Peck and Thomas Cooper were 
 chosen deputies, and instructed to endeavour " to procure from 
 the worshipful Major Bradford " a quit-claim deed of the lands 
 in the town of Rehoboth, and to sell enough of the undivided 
 land, belonging to the town to obtain this deed. The following 
 is a copy of the greater part of this deed, with the annexed list 
 of the inhabitants and proprietors of the town ; in the transcribing 
 of which 1 have preserved the original orthography, as in the 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 1 "25 
 
 confirmation deed just preceding. This deed was entered on 
 record at Bristol, April 21, 1735, in the 23d book, folio, pages 
 356 to 360 inclusive. 
 
 Quit-Claim Deed of William Bradford, to the town 
 OF Rehoboth. 
 
 "To all people to whom these presents shall come, William 
 Bradford, of the town of New-Plimouth, in their Majesties 
 colony of New-Plimouth, in New-England in America, Esq'r, 
 the eldest son and next heir of William Bradford, Esq. late of 
 Plimouth, deceased, sendeth greeting, k.c. Whereas the said 
 late William Bradibrd, my honoured Auher, was invested by 
 virtue of a grant by Letters Patent from the Honourable Coun- 
 cil, established at Plimouth, in the county of Devon, in the 
 realm of England, for the planting, ruling and governing of 
 New-England in America, derivating from our late Sovereign 
 Lord, King James the first, in all that part of New-England, 
 tract and tracts of land which lie within and between the limits 
 and bounds of said letters patents, expressed to be granted, 
 given, and confirmed unto the said William Bradford, his heirs, 
 associates and assigns forever; and all lands, rivers, waters, 
 havens, creeks, ports, fishing, and all hereditaments, profits, 
 and commodities, situate, lying, or being, or ensuing within or 
 betv/een any the said limits (viz.) a certain rivulet or rundlet 
 there commonly called Cohasset alias Conihasset towards the 
 north, and the river commonly called Narraganset river towards 
 the south, and the great western ocean towards the east, and 
 between within a strait line directly extending up into the main 
 land towards the west from the mouth of said river called Nar- 
 raganset river to the utmost limits and bounds of a country or 
 place in New-England commonly called Poconochet alias Sow- 
 amset westward, and another straight line extending itself direct- 
 ly from the mouth of the said river Cohasset alias Conihasset 
 towards the west so far up into the main land westward as the 
 utmost limits of the said country or place commonly called 
 Pochanoket alias Sowwamset, do extend with all rights, royal- 
 ties, privileges, franchises, as in said pattent is ratified and con- 
 firmed under the common seal of said Council and signed by 
 the Right Honourable Robert, Earle of Warwick, then President 
 of said Council, bearing date the thirteenth day of January, 
 
12G HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 in the first year of the reign of our late Sovereign Lord King 
 Charles the first, anno Domini 1629, dotli and may more large 
 ajopear, wherein, among other favours, is also expressed the 
 said Council's great respect in said grant, that after so long travel 
 and great pains so hopeful plantations might not only subsist but 
 also might be encouraged to proceed in so pious a work which 
 might effectually tend to the propagation of religion which was 
 also the chief and known ened of their first adventure at their 
 own proper cost through so many foreseen, after-felt difficulties, 
 losses, and pinching distresses, in this then vast, howling desert, 
 and was accordingly attended through the pious care of the said 
 William Bradford, with the advice and consent of such as he took 
 to him, to be his associates in Court or Council, in granting such 
 competent lands to each township as the inhabitants thereof 
 might not only be accommodated for their own subsistence but 
 also be comfortably enabled to give encouragement and mainte- 
 nance to such godly, able minister or preacher of the word as 
 was or should be obtained amongst them : And whereas the 
 said William Bradford, my father, his grants, surrender, or con- 
 veyance of any part of said land and other the premises to his 
 declared associates or assigns, and also his or their grants to 
 particular persons or towniships, and amongst others in the year 
 of our Lord 1641, granted to Joseph Peck, Stephen Paine, 
 Henry Smith, Alexander Winchester, Tliomas Cooper, Gent, 
 and others with them and such others as they should associate to 
 themselves, a tract of land for a plantation or township, former- 
 ly called by the natives Secunke, upwards of forty-five years 
 since settled and planted, now called and known by the name of 
 Rehoboth ; and likewise for several years since the inhabitants of 
 said town did purchase a tract of land, as additional and en- 
 larging of said town, of Thomas Prince, Esq'r. then Gover- 
 nour, Major Josiah Winslow, Capt. Thomas Southworth and 
 Constant Southworth, Esq'r. agent for the colony of New- 
 Plimouth, as may fully appear by an instrument given in the 
 name of the said colony, under the seals of the said agents, 
 bearing date the tentli of April, anno Domini, 1066: the said 
 lands lying within the county of Bristol, in said colony of New 
 Plimouth in New-England, all whicli aforesaid lands are con- 
 tained within the limits and boundaries expressed in the afore- 
 said Pattent or grant from the Council established at Plimouth 
 in the county of Devon, (for the planting, ruling, ordering and 
 governing of New-England,) unto the said William Bradford, 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 127 
 
 his heirs, associates, and assigns, together with power duly to 
 dispose of said lands, for the ends aforesaid, to such as should 
 be admitted inhabitants and proprietors with them in said town 
 of Rehoboth, and such other privileges and immunities as are 
 usually given to the inhabitants and proprietors in other towns 
 within this their Majesties' most ancient colony of New- 
 Plimouth aforesaid, for the more perfect sure-making and better 
 confirmation thereof, — Now Know^ Yee, that I William Brad- 
 ford of New-Plimouth, son and heir to the said Willian\ Brad- 
 ford deceased aforesaid, as well in performance of the true in- 
 tent and meaning of the said William Biadford, my father, in 
 and by the said grant, and for the ends afore mentioned as also 
 for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen pounds in current 
 money of New-England, to me in hand, at or before the un- 
 sealing of these presents, well and truly paid by Daniel Smith, 
 Esq'r. Capt. Peter Hunt, Capt. John Brown, Esq'r. John Peck, 
 Lieut. Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, Thomas Cooper, Samuel 
 Newman, William Carpenter, Samuel Peck, Stephen Paine^ 
 Richard Bowen, and Ensign Thomas Willmath, yeomen, some 
 of the proprietors of said tract and tracts, and most of them 
 ancient inhabitants of said town of Rehoboth, the receipt 
 whereof I do hereby acknowledge, and for divers other good 
 causes and considerations especially at this time moving me, 
 have granted, remised, released, and forever quit-claim, and by 
 these presents for me and my heirs do grant, remise, release, 
 and forever quit-claim, unto the said Daniel Smith, Peter Hunt, 
 John Brown, John Peck, Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, 
 Thomas Cooper, Samuel New'raan, William Carpenter, Samuel 
 Peck, Stephen Paine, Richard Bowen, Thomas Willmarth, and 
 to their heirs and assigns forever, "in the behalf and use of them- 
 selves and all other the allowed inhabitants and proprietors 
 of the said town of Rehoboth, whose names are entered in 
 the town records of Rehoboth as inhabitants or proprietors 
 and by their own desire shall be specified by name in the 
 schedule or list of names hereto annexed, in their and every of 
 their full and peaceable possession and seizen now being accord- 
 ing to their and every of their common or several and respective 
 interest and to their and every of their heirs and assigns forever, 
 all such right, estate, title, interest, possession and demand 
 whatsoever wdiich I, the said William Bradford, have or ought 
 to have," he. 
 
128 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 "A list of the names of tlie inhabitants and proprietors of 
 the Towne of Rehoboth having Rights and Titles to the Meas- 
 uages, Tenements and Lands contained in the above written 
 Instrument hereunto annexed and affixed, which hath been 
 reade and allowed in a full Towne meeting, fFebruary the 7th, 
 1689." 
 
 Inhabitants. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Angeir, 
 Decon Thomas Cooper, 
 --Joseph Peck, sen'r. 
 John ftitch, 
 John Woodock, sen'r. 
 Serj Thomas Reade, 
 Georg-e Kenricke. 
 Nichollas Ide, sen'r. 
 George Robinson, sen'r. 
 Robert Wheaton, 
 Richard Martin, 
 John Peren, 
 Jonathan ffuiler, sen'r. 
 Enoch Hunt, 
 John Hunt, 
 Ephrahim Hunt 
 Rice Leonard, 
 Sam'l. Butterworth, 
 Philip Walker, 
 ffrancis Stevens, sen'r. 
 John Ormsby, 
 Nathaniel ChaiTee, 
 Samuel Sabin, 
 Serj. Preserved Able, 
 Daniell Reade, 
 Israll Reade, 
 James Sabin, 
 John Sabin, 
 Noah Sabin, 
 The Hieres of Thomas 
 
 Kenrick, 
 Samuel Robinson, 
 Mosses Reade, 
 Mr. Christopher Sanders, 
 Jonah Palmer, sen'r. 
 Samuell Palmer, 
 Noah Mason, 
 Samuell Mason, 
 Nicholas Ide, jun'r. 
 Sam'l. Millerd, sen'r. 
 Sam'l. Millerd, jr. 
 Johe Hall, 
 John Redvvay, 
 Sam'l. Carpenter, 
 John Tittus, 
 Samuell Tittus, 
 Joseph Tittus, 
 John Carpenter 
 Thomas Grant, 
 John Willmath, 
 Samuel Blise, 
 
 Inhabitants. 
 
 Jonathan Blise, 
 Joseph Buckland, 
 Samuell Paine, 
 Joseph Browne, 
 William Carpenter, jr. 
 Isack Allen, 
 Thomas Willmath, jr. 
 John Woodcok, jun'r. 
 Iserall Woodcok, 
 Thomas Woodcok, 
 Jonathan Woodcok, 
 Samuel Newman, jr. 
 John Kinsley, 
 Timothy Ide, 
 Jonathan ft'uller, jun. 
 Jeremiah Wheaton, 
 John Shawe, 
 Joseph Sabine, 
 Richard Whiteaker, 
 Samuel Bullock, 
 Thomas Ormsby, 
 Thomas Man, 
 Robert Millerd, sen'r. 
 Mr. Heniy Sweeping, 
 Jathniell Peck, _^ 
 Joshua Smith, 
 John Smith, 
 Richard Evens, 
 James Thurbcr 
 Sam'l. Bowen, 
 Jonathan Willmath, 
 John flVench, 
 Joseph Borsworth, 
 Joseph Peck, jun'r. • 
 Hezekiah Pecke, — 
 Richard Bowen, 
 Thomas Bowen, sen'r. 
 John Marten, 
 Jonah Palmer, jun'r. 
 Samuel Cooper, 
 Nathaniell Perry, 
 John Daggett, 
 Thomas Cooper, 
 Joseph Daggett, 
 NathanielTDa^gett, 
 Nathaniell Whitaker, 
 Eprahim Wheaton, 
 Ablah Carpenter, 
 James Carpenter, 
 Samson Mason, 
 Joseph Mason, 
 
 Inhabitants. 
 
 Joseph Buckland, jun'r. 
 Baruk Buckland, 
 Sillas Titus, 
 Nath. Paine, jun'r. 
 William Robenson, 
 Josiah Carpenter, 
 ffrancis Stevens, jun'r. 
 Richard Bowen, jun'r. 
 Joseph Millerd, 
 Benjamin Millerd, 
 John Bowen, 
 Benjamin Robinson, 
 David Newman, 
 David ffuiler, 
 John Jenkings, 
 John Jonson, 
 Daniell Shepard, sen. 
 David ffreeman, 
 James Wilson, 
 James Welch, 
 John Bullock, 
 John Callender, 
 John Bartlet's heires. 
 
 Orphans. 
 
 Thomas Cooper and Na- 
 thaniell Cooper, sons of 
 Nath. Cooper. 
 
 The Heires of 
 
 Benjamin Buckland, 
 
 Samuell ffuiler, 
 
 The Heires of 
 Eldad Kinsley, 
 
 Jonathan Carpenter, 
 
 David Carpenter, 
 
 Sollomon Carpenter, 
 
 Zacheriah Carpenter, 
 
 Abraham Carpenter, 
 
 The Heires of 
 Robert Joanes, 
 
 Daniell Sabin, son of Ne- 
 hemiah Sabin, 
 
 John ffuiler, 
 
 Abiall ffuiler, 
 
 Benjamin Paine, 
 
 George Robinson, jr. 
 
 Isake Mason, 
 
 Thomas Bowen, 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 129 
 
 TheHeiresof 
 
 William Allen, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 Henry Smith, 
 Abiall Smith, 
 Ebennezar Walker, 
 John Reade and Thomas 
 
 Reade, 
 The Heircs of 
 
 John Reade, jun'r. 
 Eliphellet Carpenter, 
 Rebeka Carpenter, daugh- 
 ter of Abiah Carpenter, 
 Mary Walker, 
 Mary Ormsby, 
 Jacob Ormsby's daughter. 
 The Heires of 
 
 Mr. Pilebeame, 
 James Myles and 
 Nathaniel Myles, sons of 
 
 Mr. John Myles, 
 The Heires of 
 
 John Savage, 
 Philip Amidowne, 
 
 Henry Ammidowne, 
 
 Proprietors not inhabi- 
 tants. 
 
 James Browne, Esq. 
 'J'honias Daggett, Esq. 
 Mr. Nathaniell Paine, 
 Mr. John Allen, sen'r. 
 Mr. Henr^' Newman, 
 Decon John Butterwortli, 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Viall, 
 Daniell Allen, 
 Obidiah 15owen, sen'r. 
 Samuell Viall, 
 William Ingraham, 
 Mr. Nichollas Taner, 
 Mr. Andrew Willet, 
 Mr. Phillip Squire, 
 Obadiah Bowen, jun'r. 
 John Paine, 
 Joseph Chaffee, 
 Henry Sweet, 
 Mr. Samuel Myles, 
 
 Joseph Carpenter, 
 Benjamin Carpenter, 
 John Carpenter, jun'r. 
 Benjamin ffuller, 
 Thomas Wood, 
 Iserail Peck, 
 John Allen, jun'r. 
 Elizabeth Patey, 
 Ens. Tho. Estabrooks, 
 William Howard, 
 John Blakstone, 
 Jarett Ingraham, 
 John Lovell, 
 Mr. Noah fBoaide, 
 Anthony Sprague, 
 The Heirs of 
 
 Humphrey Tiffany, 
 George Webb, 
 Thomas Barnes, 
 Richard Daggerworth, 
 Joseph Woodard, 
 Thomas Patey. 
 
 "December 17,1692, The town council and selectmen of 
 Rehoboth delivered to Ensign Thomas Read 136 pounds of 
 powder and 250 pounds of bullets, to be taken care of by him 
 for the town, and not to be disposed of but by the order of the 
 selectmen of the town." 
 
 " May 1, 1693. ■ Samuel Peck was chosen and elected to 
 serve as the town representative in the great and general assem- 
 
 This was the year after the union of the colonies of Plymouth 
 and Massachusetts Bay under the charter of William and Mary, 
 and Mr. Peck was the first representative from the town to the 
 General Court of Massachusetts. 
 
 "August 15, 1663. It was voted by the town, that as it was 
 their desire, so it should be their utmost endeavour to obtain 
 Mr. Thomas Greenwood to dispense the word of God unto us 
 in the time of our vacancy, until our reverend pastor, Mr. 
 Angier, returns to continue with us. In order hereunto Mr. 
 Samuel Peck and Joseph Browne were chosen by the town to 
 go down to Mr. Greenwood, this week, to do their endeavour to 
 bring him up this week, if it may." " A committee w^as also 
 chosen to agree with Mr, Angier, inbehalf of the town, respect- 
 ing his support and maintenance." 
 
 Mr. Angier was at this time at Cambridge, whither he had 
 removed in the latter part of 1692, or the early part of 1693, 
 assigning, as the cause of his removal, ill health. 
 17 
 
130 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 " September 11, 1693. It was voted that there should be a 
 letter written in the town's name to our reverend pastor, Mr. 
 Angier, that they may know his mind about his return." 
 
 This letter Mr. Angier answered in person; and, despairing of 
 the recovery of his health so as to be able to resume his duties 
 as minister of Rehoboth, he took his leave of his church and 
 people, recommending to them the Rev. Thomas Greenwood 
 as a suitable person to fill the station which he regretted to be 
 obliged to resign. 
 
 Mr. Angier was born in 1655, (probably at Cambridge), and 
 graduated at Harvard College in 1673, and was a member of 
 the board of Fellows of that university. He was settled as the 
 pastor of Rehoboth, in the year 1679, whence he removed, as 
 was before stated, in 1692 or 1693, to Cambridge. His resi- 
 dence at Cambridge was short. Having regained his health, he 
 was chosen on the 28th of August, 1696, by the church in that 
 part of ancient Watertown, which is now Waltham, to be their 
 pastor; and on the 21st of September following, the town con- 
 curred in the choice, and he was installed pastor of Watertown, 
 May 25, 1697. Here, after an eminent and successful ministry, 
 he died, January 21, 1719, aged sixty-five.* 
 
 Mr. Angier married the daughter of the Rev. Urian Oakes, 
 fourth president of Harvard University, and her mother was the 
 daughter of the celebrated Dr. William Ames, author of the 
 " Medulla Theologice,'^ and a professor at the university of 
 Rotterdam. His son, the Rev. John Angier, was the first pas- 
 tor of the east parish of the ancient Bridgewater, where he was 
 ordained, October 28, 1724. He was born in 1701, graduated 
 at Harvard University in 1720, married a daughter of Ezra 
 Bourne, Esq. of Sandwich, and died April 14, 1787, aged 
 eio'hty-six, having been minister of East Bridgewater fifty-two 
 years. His son, Samuel, who graduated at Harvard in 1763, 
 was ordained his colleague at East Bridgewater, December 23, 
 1767, and died January 18, 1805, in the sixty second year of 
 his age. His other son, Oakes Angier, was an attorney settled 
 at Bridgewater, and a man of some eminence in his profession. 
 He left a family, one of whom, John, settled at Belfast, Me 
 
 * For many of the facts here stated respecting the Rev. Samuel Angier, see 
 Mass. Hist. Coll. 2d series, vol. VII, pp. 165, 166, Description of Bridgewater, art. 
 furnished by the Hon. Nahum Mitchell, late of East Bridgewater, now libra- 
 rian of the Mass. Hist. Soc. Boston. See also Baylies' Memoir of Plymouth 
 Colony, vol. II. part iv. chap. 3, pp. 88, 89. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 131 
 
 A daughter of the Rev. John Angier was married to the 
 Rev. Ephraim Hyde, subsequently a minister of Rehoboth. 
 
 " October 1, 1693, the town voted that the former committee 
 chosen by the town, August 15th last, shall be further empow- 
 ered, not only to treat with Mr. Thomas Greenwood for his 
 support and maintenance, while he continues in the work of the 
 ministry among us, but also have full power to treat and agree 
 with him respecting his settlement as the minister of the town. 
 
 Mr. Greenwood complied with the invitation, and was settled 
 as the minister of Rehoboth, in October of 1693. The town 
 agreed to give him "ninety-five pounds of current silver money 
 of New-England towards his settlement ; and, for his comforta- 
 ble subsistence, the contribution of strangers and seventy pounds 
 yearly, to be paid him, one third in current silver money, as 
 aforesaid, and the other two-thirds in beef, pork, and all sorts of 
 merchantable corn, rye, and butter, and cheese, and merchanta- 
 ble boards, at the current price, set upon them yearly by the 
 selectmen of the town." 
 
 The use of the pastors' and teacliei-s' lands was also granted 
 him, so long as he should continue in the work of the ministry 
 in Rehoboth. 
 
 July 6, 1696. Deacon Samuel Newman was chosen repre- 
 sentative to the General Court at Boston. This was the third 
 meeting for the choice of a representative, this year ; a great 
 number having been successively elected, but immediately de- 
 clined serving. 
 
 This year there is mention made of a Doctor Richard Bowen, 
 who was chosen, July 27th, one of the assessors. 
 
 "January 4, 1697. The town voted that the stray Indians 
 should be warned out of town, that are hunting in town." 
 
 " October 4, 1698. The town voted, that a schoolmaster, 
 as the law directs, should be attained, and the selectmen should 
 endeavour the gaining one, and likewise agree with him, when 
 attained, for his encouragement to keep school." 
 
 " November 21, 1698. The selectmen met and ordered that 
 the school-house should be repaired and made fit for to keep 
 school in, and ordered William Carpenter to procure . shingles, 
 boards, and nails, and what else is wanting for fitting it up, on the 
 town's account." 
 
 "March 15, 1699. The selectmen made an agreement with 
 Thomas Robinson, of this town, to keep a reading and writing 
 school, for the term of three months, to begin the first or second 
 
132 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 week in April, at the farthest ; and for his labour he is to have 
 three pounds, half in silv-er money, the one half of it when he 
 has kept half the term, and the other half when his quarter is 
 expired : the last part of his pay in corn equivalent to money.'' 
 
 " December 4, 1699. The selectmen agreed with Mr. 
 Robert Dickson to keep school in Rehoboth for six months, to 
 begin on Tliursday, the seventh of this instant ; he engaging to 
 do his utmost endeavour to teach both sexes of boys and girls 
 to read English, and write, and cast accounts. In consideration 
 of said service, the said selectmen, in the town's behalf, do 
 engage to pay him thirteen pounds, one half in silver money, 
 and the other half in good merchantable boards, at the current 
 aud merchantable price ; the boards to be delivered at the land- 
 ing place, at Samuel Walker's and Sergeant Butlerworth's mill." 
 This landing place was at the cove at the mouth of the Ten- 
 mile river in Seekonk. It is said, that early in the history of 
 the town there were wharves built out into the river near the 
 mouth of this cove, that stores wei'e erected here, and consid- 
 erable trade carried on, and that the people of Providence fre- 
 quently came over here to purchase their goods,''* 
 
 " June 11, 1700. The committee appointed by the town, to 
 procure a schoolmaster for this year, agreed with the Rev. 
 Thomas Greenwood, their minister, to teach the school, for the 
 sum of thirty pounds in current silver money." 
 
 "October 3, 1700. The town voted to repair the meeting- 
 house." 
 
 "April 2, 1701. The town voted to enlarge the meeting- 
 house, by bringing the front gallery two seats farther forward, 
 and the side galleries, each one seat farther forward." 
 
 The name of " Oak Swamp " occurs in the records for the 
 first time this year. 
 
 "November 12, 1703. The town voted, that the school- 
 master, Mr. Joseph Metcalf, shall keep school at Palmer's 
 river half the year, viz : the last six months of this present 
 year, that the said schoolmaster is hired for ; and the inhabitants 
 of that part of the town are to provide a convenient place for 
 the schoolmaster to keep school in." 
 
 May 15, 1704. Benjamin Allen was chosen representative, 
 
 * I had these facts from the mouth of the venerahle Moses Brown of Provi- 
 dence. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 133 
 
 but was "ejected the House of Representatives" (for what 
 reason the town records do not state) ; and, on the 7th day of 
 June,Capt. Enoch Hunt was elected in his place. 
 
 "March 19, 1705. It was voted by the town, that Ichabod 
 Bosworth shall have liberty to set up a hammer to go by water, 
 for the blacksmith's trade, and a shop and coal-house upon the 
 Ox-pasture run, where the foot-path goeth down the hill, at the 
 point of said hill : and the said ]3osworth nor his heirs are not 
 to raise a dam higher than to flow about an acre and a half." 
 
 Mr. John Rogers was employed by the town to teach school 
 during half the year, for the sum of fifteen pounds in current 
 silver money of New England. He was to commence on the 
 9th day of July. 
 
 "March 18, 1706. The town appointed a committee to 
 procure a schoolmaster for one whole year, to be qualified as the 
 law directs." This year, Joseph Avery was employed "to 
 keep school within the Ring of the Green, for a quarter of a 
 year, for seven pounds ten shillings, silver money." 
 
 "October 25, 1708. The town voted that there shall be a 
 pound set up on Palmer's river." 
 
 Mr. John Lynn taught a school in Rehoboth during three 
 months of the year 1708, agreeing to instruct in reading, writing, 
 grammar, and arithmetic, for the sum of seven pounds in current 
 money of New-England. 
 
 Mr. John Lynn entered into another engagement with the 
 town, to teach school one year from the 28th day of February, 
 1709, for the sum of twenty -nine pounds in current money of 
 New-England. The different divisions of the town, in which 
 the school was to be kept successively, this year, and from each 
 of which one of the school committee was taken, are named as fol- 
 lows in the records, with the length of time allotted to each : 
 "The ring of the town" and "the neighbourhood on the east 
 side of the ring of the town," 21 weeks; "Palmer's river," 
 14 weeks; " Watchemoquetneck,"* 13 weeks; "Capt. Enoch 
 Hunt's neighbourhood, " and " the mile and a half," 9 weeks. 
 
 Mr. Lynn was again employed by the town as their school- 
 master in 1710, and received for his services thirty pounds. 
 
 * This name was given to that part of the present town of Seekonk which 
 lies helow the mouth of the Ten-mile river, along the Seekonk or Pawtucket 
 river and Narraganset bay, as far down, probably, as the point of land now 
 called " Bullock's neck," and including it. 
 
134 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 It appears from the town records, that, in 1711, a petition 
 was presented to the General Court " by the inhabitants of the 
 south-east part of the town," (Palmer's river), to have the town 
 divided into two precincts for the support of the ministry, and 
 that each precinct should support a minister. 
 
 This measure the inhabitants of the older part of the town, 
 (now Seekonk), promptly and resolutely opposed. They drew 
 up and presented to the General Court, by way of remonstrance, 
 a long petition, in \vhich they stated, that a former petition of 
 theirs had been represented, in the petition of the people of 
 Palmer's river,* as "a heap of lies and deceits : " this is all we 
 know of the contents of the latter petition ; the other is entered 
 at large on the town records. 
 
 "March 30, 1712. Voted to raise thirty pounds annually, 
 for the support of schools : of which the neighbourhood of 
 Palmer's river should have ten pounds, and be obliged to main- 
 tain an English school; and the old part of the town and 
 Watchemoquet should have the remaining twenty pounds, and 
 be obliged to maintain a grammar school." 
 
 In May, 1713, the General Court recommended to the town 
 of Rehoboth the raising of £120 for the support of two minis- 
 ters, — one at Palmer's river. Against this the majority of the 
 town remonstrated by a petition. 
 
 "September 12, 1715. The town voted to build a new 
 meeting-house, to be fifty feet in length and forty feet in breadth, 
 and twenty-five feet between joints ; the town to pay towards it 
 two hundred and fifty pounds. It is mentioned in another place, 
 that the meeting-house " should be so high between joints as will 
 be needful for two sets of galleries." It was also voted that 
 the new house should stand near the site of the old one. 
 
 "June 11, 1716. Voted that the meeting-house now build- 
 ing should be set up and raised on the east side of the old meet- 
 ing-house, ranging north with the old meeting-house, and thirty- 
 three feet eastward from it." This new house stood, as I have 
 been informed, a few rods south of the present Congregational 
 meeting-house in Seekonk. 
 
 "March 25, 1717. The town voted that John Lyon should 
 have liberty to build a wharf and ware-house, at the point called 
 
 *The neighbourhood of " Palmer's river" was in the vicinity of the Orleans 
 Factory, and extended along the river both above and below it. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 135 
 
 Daggett's point, below the hill." This I think to be the point of 
 land between the Ten-mile river and the Pawtucket, upon the 
 north side of the mouth of the former. 
 
 It appears from the records, in 1717, that the people of 
 Palmer's river, with the permission of the General Court, had 
 commenced building a meeting-house in their part of the town ; 
 and the inhabitants of the older part of the town, seeing them 
 determined on prosecuting their plans, agreed, provided they 
 should be freed from all further expense of erecting this house, 
 to give up for their assistance £50 of the £250, which had been 
 voted by the town for the erection of a meeting-house in the 
 western and older part of it. 
 
 "December 16, 1718. The community," (as the company 
 associated for building the meeting-house in the western part of 
 the town were now called,) " voted, and gave the old pulpit, 
 belonging to the old meeting-house, to the congregation of Pal- 
 mer's river, to be set up in their meeting-house, provided said 
 congregation do accept of said pulpit for the use before men- 
 tioned." 
 
 The new meeting-house, which the people of Palmer's river 
 w^ere now building, stood between the present Congregational 
 meeting-house of Rehoboth and the Orleans Factory, about a 
 half of a mile from the latter, and near the old burying ground, 
 on what is sometimes called " burying-place hill." 
 
 " December 23, 1718. It was voted by the community, that 
 the rules to be observed in seating the new meeting-house for 
 the sabbath are as followeth : firstly, to have regard to dignity 
 of person, and secondly by age, and thirdly according to the 
 charge they bare in respect to the public charges, and what 
 charge they have been at in building the meeting-house." A 
 committee was chosen to seat the house according to the above 
 rules. 
 
 The fifty pounds voted by the the town and " community," 
 to aid in building the meeting-house at Palmer's river, on con- 
 dition that the town were freed from all further expense connect- 
 ed with it, were accepted by the inhabitants of Palmer's river, 
 who also entered into an eneagement to clear the town from all 
 further expense in relation to their house. The following list 
 of the names of those who bound themselves to this agreement, 
 may serve to give us some idea of the number and names of the 
 families who constituted the neighbourhood of Palmer's river : — 
 
136 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Samuel Peck, The mark + of Joshua Smith, jun'r. 
 
 "Jethanial Peck, Solomon Millard, Ichabod Peck,— ^ 
 
 Joshua Smith, Thomas Bliss, Ephraim Millard, 
 
 Samuel Bliss, Wilham Blanding, William Marten, 
 
 Lennox Beverly, Daniel Blanding, Jacob Bliss. 
 
 Benjamin Willson, ^ Solomon Peck, 
 Abraham Carpenter, Nathaniel Smith, 
 
 "December 29, 1718. Voted that the congregation at 
 Palmer's river should have for their use the facing of the old 
 meeting-house gallery, towards finishing their meeting-house." 
 
 "March 28, 1720. Thomas Cathcart, of Martha's Vine- 
 yard, agreed to teach school one quarter of a year, commencing 
 at the middle of August, " for the sum often pounds in money." 
 
 "March 10,1720. Mr. John Greenwood agreed with the 
 selectmen to teach school for the town, six months, for twelve 
 pounds for the first quarter, and the second quarter at the rate of 
 forty-five pounds per year." He was the son of the Rev. 
 Thomas Greenwood, then their minister; he graduated at Cam- 
 bridge in 1717, and, in 1721, was settled as the minister of the 
 western part of Rehoboth, over the church of which his father 
 had been pastor. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Greenwood died September 8, 1720, at 
 half past 2 o'clock P. M., aged fifty years. He was a native 
 of Weymouth, Mass. where his father, of whose christian name 
 I am ignorant, died, according to minutes made by the Rev. 
 Thomas Greenwood, still extant,* September 1, 1693, in the 
 evening. Mr. Greenwood graduated at Cambridge in 1690, 
 was married December 28, 1693, and came to reside in Reho- 
 both the Tuesday following. Mr. Greenwood had six children, 
 viz: Hannah, born Feb. 5, 1694; John, born May 20, 1697, 
 about two o'clock P. M. ; Noah, born April 20, 1699, and died 
 March 26, 1703; Esther, born August 20, 1791, and died 
 Sept. 14; Elizabeth, born April 5, 1704; and Esther, born 
 Saturday, June 25, 1709. Mrs. Greenwood died at Weymouth, 
 January 24, 1735, and was interred the 27th. 
 
 " November 14, 1720. Whereas the church of Christ, in 
 Rehoboth, having made choice of the Rev. Mr. John Green- 
 
 * These are a book of family and church records, which the Rev. John 
 Greenwood bequeathed to the church, and which are still in the possession of 
 the Congregational church of Seekonk. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 137 
 
 wood to preach the gospel amongst us for the present; the 
 question behig put, whether the town would concur with the 
 church's choice; it passed in the affirmative." " Voted by the 
 town to raise seventy pounds per annum till we have a minister 
 settled amongst us." 
 
 "February 13, 1721. A vote was taken for inviting Mr. 
 Greenwood to become the minister of the west part of the 
 town. One hundred and nineteen voted in favour of the meas- 
 ure and only five against it." 
 
 " March 13, 1721 . The towui voted, that the business of both 
 the religious congregations of the town, — the one in the west 
 part of the town, and the one at Palmer's river, — should be 
 managed by the town as the affairs of one church ; and that the 
 expenses of each should be borne by the whole town. The 
 town voted also to raise £200 for the settlement of a minister 
 in each of the two meeting-houses ; £100 to be appropriated to 
 each." 
 
 The meeting-house at Palmer's river was, by this time com- 
 pleted, and on the 29th of November, 1721, a church was gath- 
 ered here, and the Ref. David Turner, of Scituate, ordained 
 their minister. 
 
 " July 8, 1723. Josiah Cotton made an agreement with the 
 town to keep the school in Rehoboth for the quantity of one 
 year, for the sum of £45." 
 
 " May 8, 1727. The town voted a bounty of 5s. to any one 
 who should kill a wild-cat within the limits of the town, and 
 bring the head to any two of the selectmen." 
 
 "April 22, 1728. Voted that the town's proportion of the 
 sixty thousand pounds, that is now in the Province's treasury, 
 should be brought into the town ; and Mr. Samuel Bullock, 
 Mr. Timothy Walker, and Mr. John Willmarth were chosen 
 trustees, to transact about the money." It w^as also voted, 
 "' that this money be let out to the inhabitants of the town by 
 the trvistees ; and that none be allowed to have more than ten 
 pounds, nor less than five." 
 
 June 10, 1728. The Rev. John Greenwood and the Rev. 
 David Turner presented a petition to the town for an increase of 
 their salaries, stating that their present salaries were inadequate 
 to their comfortable support. The town, in answer to their 
 petition, voted to add to Mr. Greenwood's salary £20, and to 
 Mr. Turner's £30, making the sum of the respective salaries of 
 each £100. 
 
 18 
 
138 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 "March 31, 1729. It was proposed for the town's consid- 
 eration, whether it might not be proper to build a house for the 
 entertainment of such poor people as are, or shall be, destitute 
 of a house to dwell in. The town by vote adjourned or deferred 
 the matter till the next general town meeting." 
 
 " May 21, 1733. John Pierce of Rehoboth brought a wild- 
 cat's head before the town, and his ears were cut oft' by Thomas 
 Carpenter, constable, in the presence of one or more of the 
 selectmen of the town of Rehoboth." 
 
 In the year 1734, the town expended for the support of 
 schools £G0. 
 
 During the year 1735, the town obtained leave of the Gen- 
 eral Court to sell the several small pieces of school land, that 
 lay scattered in difterent parts of the town, " provided that they 
 purchased other real estate, in one entire tract, with the pro- 
 ceeds of said sale, to be appropriated for the use of the schools 
 in Rehoboth, and for no other use whatever." 
 
 "November 3, 1735. Thirty pounds were voted towards 
 upholding the grammar school in town." And November 
 6th, sixty pounds were added to the thirty for the support of 
 schools in town. 
 
 " March 29, 1736. Voted to build a work-house for the 
 poor of the town." 
 
 "October 22, 1736. Ten pounds were granted towards 
 the support of the gospel in the north-east part of the town. 
 This was probably granted to a Baptist congregation, though no 
 church was organized (according to Benedict) in this part of the 
 town till 1743, the date of the organization of " Round's 
 church." 
 
 "November 15, 1736. The town voted to raise £140 for 
 the support of the ministry, £70 of which were to be paid to 
 the Rev. John Greenwood, and the other £70 to the Rev. 
 David Turner." 
 
 " March 28, 1737. Forty pounds were voted towards the 
 salary of a schoolmaster; and what is needed more is to be 
 made up out of the town treasury." 
 
 In 1739, £80 were expended for the support of schools. 
 During this year the town voted to give the Rev. John Green- 
 wood and the Rev. David Turner each £200 yearly, in " the 
 present currency." The currency here referred to was proba- 
 bly the bills of credit issued by the General Court of Massachu- 
 setts, and which, as appears by the doubhng of their salaries, 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 139 
 
 had already depreciated one half. The town also voted to grant 
 a salary to the elder of the B;iptist church in Rehoboth. 
 
 "March 31, 1740. Peter Bowen and Ebenezer Cole were 
 chosen to inform of all breaches of an act in addition to an act 
 for the better preservation and increase of deer." 
 
 In the year 1741, a highway two rods wide was laid out by 
 the town, " from Pawtucket Falls till it come to the line 
 between Rehoboth and Attleborough, into the county road lead- 
 ing towards Mendon, laid out on the 3d or 4th day of October, 
 1684." 
 
 In 1742 the town expended £70 for the support of schools: 
 and in 1743, £90 were appropriated for the same object. 
 
 In 1743, the prices of grain, agreed on between the town and 
 the ministers, and at which rates the latter were to receive it in 
 the payment of their salaries, were as follows, viz : wheat at 
 155. per bushel, rye 12s., Indian corn 9s., oats 5s., barley lOs. 
 
 In 1744, £65 were expended for the support of schools, and 
 in the year following, £125. 
 
 The Rev. David Turner, in addition to the duties of a cler- 
 gyman, sometimes practised the healing art, to which he appears 
 to have given some attention before studying divinity. In the 
 year 1746, "the Rev. David Turner is allowed £5 for admin- 
 istering medicine to one of the poor of the town." 
 
 In 1746 the town raised for the support of schools £125, in 
 1747, £170. in 1748, £200, and in 1749, £300. 
 
 "May 23, 1749. Voted that the sum of £40 of bills of 
 credit, of the old tenor, be added to the ministerial tax the pres- 
 ent year, to make up the deficiency occasioned by what is to be 
 paid out of it to ]\Ir. Checkly, minister of the church of Eng- 
 land at Providence." 
 
 In 1750, the town raised for the support of schools £30, in 
 1751, the same sum, and in 1752, £38. 
 
 " May 1752. Voted that the meeting-house in the west part 
 of the town be covered with new shingles, and the south side of 
 the said house be repaired with new clapboarding and new win- 
 dows with sash glass." 
 
 March 25, 1754. The town voted to build a pound at 
 Palmer's river. This year the town expended for the support 
 of schools £38, in the year following, £30, in 1756, £G8, in 
 1757 and 1758 the same sum. 
 
 It appears from a letter addressed to the church by him, that, 
 in 1757 Mr. Greenwood was obliged, in consequence of bodilv 
 
140 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 infirmity to resign his pastoral charge over his church in Reho- 
 both. He also, at the request of the town, relinquished his 
 yearly salary and his claim to the profits of the ministerial lands, 
 on condition of the church, or town, or individuals, becoming 
 responsible for the payment of £20 to him yearly during his 
 life. The following is a copy of his letter. 
 
 Rehoboth, December y® 2d, 1757. 
 
 " To the First Church of Christ in Rehoboih, under my 
 pastoral care. 
 
 '' Brethe7-en : 
 
 " Whereas, by divine Providence, I am rendered unable, 
 through bodily infirmity, to carry on the work of the ministry 
 any longer, after 30 odd years labour therein : and whereas you 
 presented to me the town's resolution, not to grant any support 
 for another minister here, except I release my salary, y® minis- 
 tering lands, and quit my pastorial office : although I think it not 
 reasonable in tiie town to defer it ; yet for peace's sake, and that 
 the gospel might not be hindered, I release my salaiy, from the 
 eleventh day of March next and forever after ; and I also release 
 the ministry lands in said town from any claime or any improve- 
 ment from me after the first of March next, as aforesaid. And 
 by the advice of some ministers and bretheren, called to advise 
 in the affair, and at the desire of this church, I do likewise 
 promise to ask and to receive of this church a dismission from 
 my pastoral oflice over them, as soon as a council of churches 
 can conveniently sit for the orderly doing of it ; provided the 
 church, particular persons, or the town, or any or all of them, 
 will come under obligation, for my support and maintenance 
 during my natural life, to give me twenty pounds annually, to be 
 paid, one half in money, and the other half in specie equal to 
 money; the first year to be paid, the eleventh day of March, 
 A. D. 1759 ; and so from year to year, by the eleventh of 
 March successively, during my natural life, as aforesaid, and that 
 I and my estaie be not taxed towards public charges. 
 
 " John Greenwood." 
 
 These propositions the church and town readily acceded to, 
 and forty-seven individuals pledged themselves jointly to raise 
 annually the support required, agreeing to give yearly various 
 sums each, from "two pounds" to "two bushels of corn" or 
 " two bushels of rye." 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 141 
 
 Mr. Greenwood died December 1, 1766, having lived in 
 Rehoboth between forty-five and Ibrty-six years. He was born 
 at Rehoboth, May 20, 1697, graduated at Cambridge in 1717, 
 was married May 25, 1721, and ordained minister of Rehoboth 
 in the same year. Mr. Greenwood had fourteen children, the 
 most of which died young. 
 
 Mr. Greenwood was succeeded in the ministry by the Rev. 
 John Carnes, a native of Boston, and former minister of Stone- 
 ham. He was installed over the first Congregational church in 
 Rehoboth, April 18, 1759, and was disuiissed by request, June 
 28, 1763. He graduated at Cambridge in 1742. His wife 
 was Mary, a daughter of ]\Ir. John Lewis, of Lynn. He died 
 at Lynn, October 12, 1802, aged 78 years. A more particular 
 account of Mr. Carnes will be given in the ecclesiastical part of 
 the history of the town. From the time of the death of the 
 latter Mr Greenwood, the affairs of the town and the churches 
 became distinct, and will hereafter be so related in our history. 
 
 From 1759 to 1772 the town raised annually for the support 
 of schools £80, with the exception of the year 1767, when 
 £100 were raised. 
 
 Li 1760, the term '■^ dollars''^ occurs in the town records for 
 the first time. 
 
 In 1763, the town "voted to petition the General Court for 
 a lottery, in order to raise a sufficient sum of money to build a 
 work-house for the use of the poor of the town." 
 
 May 14, 1766, the Rev. Ephraim Hyde was ordained pastor 
 of the first Congregational church in Rehoboth, in the place of 
 the Rev. John Carnes, who had taken a dismission. 
 
 In 1772, the town " voted for schooling to be added to the 
 profits of the school land, £93 135." From 1772 to 1778, the 
 town raised annually for the support of schools the sum of £90; 
 in 1778, £200, and in 1779, £300 were raised for the same 
 object. 
 
 Revolutionary Affairs. 
 
 We have now, in our survey of the history of the town, ap- 
 proached the eventful period of the war of the Revolution. 
 Our materials for the history of this period are scanty, as Reho- 
 both can claim the honour of having been the theatre of 
 no interesting event connected with this war ; but, as exhibiting 
 
142 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 the feelings of the people at large, and disclosing the secret but 
 powerful workings of that spirit which achieved our indepen- 
 dence, the (cw facts we are able to give may not be uninterest- 
 ing. Mucii of the spirit of those times may be learned from a 
 general survey of the country ; but the secret workings of that 
 spirit in the minds of the people can be best traced in minute 
 histories of the particidar towns. Here the emotions of the 
 national heart may be felt in the pulsations of the feeblest artery ; 
 and here the firmness of the national arm may be seen in the 
 tension of the minutest cord. And we cease to wonder at 
 wiiat the united strength of the colonies achieved, when we con- 
 template the determined zeal which pervaded the breasts of the 
 smaller communities and of individuals. The bold Declaration 
 of Independence hardly astonishes us, when we consider the 
 proud spirit of independence which breathed through the coun- 
 cils of even the smallest assembly. The humblest citizen of 
 the humblest town in the colonies felt that he contended for his 
 rights, with the king of England, upon equal footing, — for his 
 rights were the rights of man. The glitter of a diadem, the 
 splendors of a throne, and even the magic name of king, in his 
 view, gave to the monarch no title to the privilege of trampling 
 the rights of the subject in the dust ; nor did the name of sub- 
 ject impose the duty of submitting tamely to the abuses and 
 usurpations of power. The elo(juence of Otis had electrified 
 New-England ; beyond the reach of its thunder its lightning 
 had been felt, and had ignited the train which the tyranny and 
 oppression of years had laid. One spirit now breathed throuLdi 
 New-England and inspired every breast. The people thought, 
 and felt, and acted as one. And the sentiment which pervaded 
 alike the colonial assembly, the county convention, and the town 
 meeting, throughout Massachusetts, was a settled and firm resolve 
 to resist to the last extremity every encroachment upon their 
 rights, and to maintain those rights at all hazards. While, with 
 filial affection for the mother coimtry, and true loyalty to their 
 sovereign, they declared that " the prosperity of England they 
 had ever considered as near and dear to them as their own," and 
 prayed " that there might never be wanting one of the illustrious 
 House of Hanover to sway the sceptre of Great Britain and 
 America, so long as the sun and moon should endure;" they 
 omitted not to add the petition, that that sway might be " in 
 rio"hteousness," and a determination "not only to secure their 
 
HISTORY OP KEHOBOTH. 143 
 
 remaining privileges inviolable, but also to obtain a full redress 
 of all their many grievances, and a full restoration and confir- 
 mation of all the rights and privileges they were justly entitled 
 to by nature and the solemn compact entered into with their 
 predecessors, the patentees of the province, and solemnly rati- 
 fied by King William and Queen Mary." 
 
 As an illustration of these remarks, and a proof that the peo- 
 ple of Rehoboth were not wanting in patriotic zeal at this 
 eventful crisis, a copy of the instructions given by the town to 
 their representative, in 1773, is here inserted. These instruc- 
 tions breathe a spirit of noble independence, and glow with the 
 same fire which kindled the eloquence of Faneuil Hall or lit the 
 thunders of Bunker Hill. / 
 
 "To Capt. Joseph Barney, Representative for the town of 
 Rehoboth. 
 
 « Sir, 
 
 " It is evident from the repeated suffrages of the freehold- 
 ers and other inhabitants of this town, that your late conduct in 
 the Genera] Assembly of this Province has met with a favoura- 
 ble reception. With pleasing hopes and expectations we trust 
 you will, in this day of general oppression and invasion of our 
 natural and inherent rights and liberties, join in every salutary 
 and constitutional measure to remove those unconstitutional 
 burdens and grievances, that this Province, and America in gen- 
 eral have long and justly remonstrated against. Nevertheless, 
 we think it our duty to express our sentiments in regard to the 
 encroachments made on our rights and liberties, as stated by the 
 worthy inhabitants of the metropolis of this Province, whose 
 loyalty, vigilance, and ))atriotic zeal, in this time of common 
 danger, has not been ef|ualled in the present nor exceeded in 
 former times ; of which we have the highest opinion, and shall 
 ever acknowledge with gratitude : the particulars of which we 
 do not think expedient to enumerate, but refer you to a pamph- 
 let* (for your careful perusal), sent from Boston to this and 
 every other town in the Province ; which, (upon the most care- 
 ful and critical examination), we humbly conceive very justly 
 states our rights and privileges as men, as subjects, as christians, 
 
 * This was a pamphlet published by Mi. Otis, entitled "the Rights of the 
 British Colonies asserted and proved." 
 
144 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 and the unparalleled encroachments made on them by a ministry, 
 who, fond of arbitrary sway, in open violation of the most 
 sacred contract and agreement, entered into with our predeces- 
 sors, the patentees of this province, and solemnly ratified by 
 king William and queen Mary, have hitherto with impunity 
 profanely violated the faith and promise of a king, on whose 
 royal word we made the most firm and indubitable reliance, and 
 have involved this province and continent in the utmost distress 
 and calamity, and in its consequences have deeply affected the 
 parent state, whose prosperity and happiness we have ever con- 
 sidered as near and dear to us as our own. And it now is, and 
 ever has been, our earnest desire and prayer, that there may 
 never be wanting one of the illustrious House of Hanover to 
 sway the sceptre of Great Britain and America, in righteousness, 
 so long as the sun and moon shall endure. 
 
 "We, your constituents, desire and expect that you exert 
 yourself to the utmost of your ability, not only to secure our 
 remaining privileges inviolable, but also to obtain a fidl redress 
 of all those many grievances, so justly complained of, — a full 
 restoration and confirmation of all the rights and privileges we 
 are justly entitled to by nature and the solemn compact, afore- 
 said ; that generations yet unborn may knovv^, that this town 
 have not been dormant, while the enemies thereof have been 
 vigilant and active, to wrest from them every privilege and bles- 
 sing, that renders life worthy of enjoyment. 
 
 " We trust you will be vigilant even among your bretheren, 
 lest some of them, through sinister views or ambitious designs, 
 be induced to barter away and betray our dear-bought privileges 
 and liberties, together with this our paternal inheritance, estab- 
 lished whh so much toil, and raised to such a height of glory, 
 and transmitted down to us at no less price than the blood and 
 treasure of our ancestors. Though we hope and presume, 
 there will not be found a man in that august assembly, so aban- 
 doned, so profane, so enthusiastic, so mad, as to disturb the 
 repose of the pious dead, and bring upon himself not only the 
 just indignation of all the virtuous, but the ire of that dread Sov- 
 ereign, beneath whose aweful frown audacious monarchs and 
 their minions tremble. 
 
 " We present these hints to your judicious consideration, and 
 wish that not only you, but all the true friends to the English 
 constitution, may be guided in the path of wisdom and equity, 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 145 
 
 and never be diverted from the steady pursuit of the true inter- 
 ests of yourselves, your king, your country, and posterity. 
 " Ephraim Starkweather, \ 
 Nathan Daggett, i Committee 
 
 Ihomas Carpenter, 3d, V j. 
 
 T 1 T> -'i I i Correspondence J^ 
 
 Joseph Undgham, 1 -^ 
 
 Wilham Cole, / 
 
 The following are some of the most interesting votes and 
 resolves passed by the town during the period of the revolution, 
 and having relation to that war. 
 
 "July 25, 1774. Voted by a great majority, that the sura of 
 £5 35. &d. be drawn out of the town treasury, for the use of 
 the committee of this province, that are to meet in the General 
 Congress ; it being Rehoboth's proportionable part of the money 
 to be ordered out of the treasury by the selectmen." 
 
 " Voted not to purchase any goods, imported from Great 
 Britain, after the 31st day of August next, until the act for 
 blocking up the harbour of Boston be repealed, and the govern- 
 ment be restored to its former privileges." " Likewise voted 
 that the town clerk transmit a copy of the transactions of this 
 meeting to the clerk of the Corresponding Committee in 
 Boston." 
 
 " September 19, 1774. The town chose Maj. Timothy 
 Walker and Capt. John Wheeler delegates to attend the propo- 
 sed Provincial Congress, on the second Tuesday of October 
 next, at Concord, or any other time or place that the major 
 part of the delegates of said province may agree upon.*" 
 
 * From the records in the secretary's office we have the following account of 
 the different Provincial Congresses : — 
 
 First Congress. 
 Convened at Salem, Oct. 7, 1774 ; adjourned the same day. 
 Convened at Concord, Tuesd. Oct. 11 ; adjourned Sat. loth, same month. 
 Convened atCambridge, Mond. Oct. 17; adjourned Sat. 29th. do. 
 Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Nov. 23 ; dissolved Sat. Dec. 10th. 
 
 Second Congress. 
 Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Feb. 1775; adjourned Thursd. 16th, -flame 
 month. 
 
 Convened at Concord. Tuesd. March 22 ; adjourned Sat. April 15th. 
 Convened at Concord, Sat. April 22; adjourned the same day. 
 Convened at Watertown, Mond. April 24 ; dissolved May 29th. 
 
 Third Congress. 
 Convened at Watertown, May 31, 1775; dissolved July 19tb. 
 19 
 
146 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 " October 3, 1774. The town cliose Capt. Thomas Carpen- 
 ter a delegate for the Provincial Congress, in the room of Capt. 
 John Wheeler, that is dismissed." 
 
 "November 21, 1774. Voted to accept of, and abide by, the 
 results of the Provincial Congress." "Voted that every con- 
 stable, collector, or person, who have in their hands, or that may 
 hereafter have, any of the province's monies, that they pay the 
 same to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow, instead of the Hon. 
 Harrison Gray, Esq. and that they produce his receipt, which 
 shall be a full and effectual discharge for the same, agreeable to 
 a resolve of the Provincial Congress, October 28th, 1774 : to 
 the whole of which resolve we promise and engage faithfully to 
 adhere in all its parts." 
 
 "January 2, 1775. The town chose Maj. Timothy Walker 
 and Capt. Thomas Carpenter delegates to attend the Provincial 
 Congress to be holden at Cambridge, on the first day of Feb- 
 ruary next." 
 
 The Rev. Ephraim Hyde's parish (then the first Congrega- 
 tional society in Rehoboth, now the first in Seekonk), contribu- 
 ted £6, " for the relief and support of the poor of Boston, 
 sufferers by means of the Boston Port-Bill." 
 
 The receipt of £10 is acknowledged by Henry Gardner, 
 Esq. treasurer of the Provincial Congress, as a " part of the 
 province's tax, set on the town of Rehoboth by the General 
 Court." 
 
 "May 26, 1775. Voted to raise two companies in this town 
 to be ready on any special alarm ; one company to be raised in 
 the westerly part, and the other in the easterly part of said town. 
 Likewise voted that every soldier, enlisting to be a minute man, 
 on alarm shall have three shillings a day, he finding himself, 
 if called into service, until they come to draw provisions out of 
 the provision stores, ; and then to have two shillings a day, for 
 each day, until they return home again except they shall be paid 
 by the province." "Also voted that the selectmen divide the 
 town stock of ammunition, the one half for the west part of the 
 town, the other half for the east part." 
 
 "June 12, 1775. Voted that the selectmen provide for the 
 poor of the town of Boston, that are, or shall be, sent to this 
 town, upon the town's credit." " Also voted that there be fifty 
 men in each special alarm company, exclusive of officers ; and 
 that the captains of each company provide a man with a horse- 
 cart and two horses, in order to carry the baggage of the compa- 
 nies in case of alarm." 
 
HISTOKY OF KEHOBOTH. 147 
 
 November 6, 1775. The town " voted to borrow four 
 pieces of cannon of Capt. John Lyon and Mr. Nathan Dag- 
 p-ett ; " and voted " the sura of £G0 to defray the charges of 
 mounting said cannon, and providing ammunition and other 
 utensils that shall be needful for the same." Also chose " a 
 committee, to wait on a committee of the town of Providence, 
 to consult on fortifying Hog-pen Point." 
 
 " November 13, 1775. Voted it expedient to fortify Hog- 
 pen Point, and chose a committee to oversee the business." 
 This point is in Seekonk, and traces of the fortification are still 
 to be seen. 
 
 "January 1, 1776. The town voted to raise the sum of 
 £118 ll5. to procure a town stock of powder and small arms." 
 
 " February 12, 1776. Voted to encourage the manufacturing 
 of saltpetre in private families, by affording them the materials 
 they can get without doing damage." 
 
 Considerable quantities of saltpetre, it is said, were manufac- 
 tured in the town during the period of the revolution ; and a 
 manufactory was set up near the Cove Factory, in Seekonk, for 
 the purpose of making it. 
 
 " April 14, 1774. Voted to raise a bounty of £20 to every 
 soldier that shall enlist into the continental army, for three 
 years, or during the war, provided they enlist into the said army 
 within ten days." This bounty, by vote of the town, May 19, 
 1777, was extended to every soldier that had enlisted for the 
 same term, since the former vote, or who should enlist within 
 twenty days of the last date. And by another vote, passed 
 June 30th, the same bounty was farther extended to all who 
 should enlist into the continental army within two months from 
 that date. 
 
 "May 18, 1778. Voted to raise the sum of £720, for the 
 raising of soldiers for the continental army, for nine months." 
 
 " September 7, 1778. Voted to grant the sum of £463 45. 
 for clothing, purchased by the selectmen, agreeable to an order 
 of Court, for the continental soldiers that enlisted into the 
 service." 
 
 "' April 19, 1779. A committee was appointed by the town, 
 to provide for the soldiers' families." 
 
 " May 5, 1779. Voted that the sum of £1200 be raised by 
 a tax, this spring, and paid into the town treasury, to be order- 
 ed out of said treasury by the selectmen, to the committee that 
 take care of the soldiers' families, if needed." 
 
148 HISTORY OF REIIOBOTII. 
 
 " May 19, 1779. Voted to raise the sum of £3,000 for 
 providing men, when called for from the authority, to go into 
 the service as soldiers." 
 
 "October 23, 1780. Voted to raise the sum of £26,400 
 for the purpose of raising the town's quota of beef." This 
 quota was 42,106 pounds. These immense sums were required 
 to be raised, in consequence of the great depreciation of the 
 value of the paper currency issued by the Continental Con- 
 gress.* The whole amount of money raised by the town, this 
 year, for its necessary charges, was the sum of £50,527 45. 
 
 " April 1, 1782. Voted that the town treasurer be instruct- 
 ed to sell the new emission money, three dollars for one hard 
 dollar." 
 
 This year, from the town, " The Hon. John Hancock had 23 
 votes for Governour," and "Doct. Joseph Bridgham had 11 
 votes for Governour." 
 
 From the " Journals and Resolves of Massachusetts," we 
 glean the few following additional particulars respecting the 
 number of men, he. to be furnished by Rehoboth, at several of 
 the different times, when drafts of men were called for: — For 
 the re-enforcement, voted to be raised in Massachusetts, and 
 " sent to the camp at Cambridge or Roxbury, as his Excellency 
 General Washington shall direct," the proportion of Rehoboth 
 was 74 men. The proportion of Rehoboth of the men, raised 
 by Massachusetts " for filling and completing the fifteen battal- 
 ions of continental troops," was 24. Rehoboth's proportion of 
 the men to be raised " for re-enforcing the continental army," 
 according to a resolve passed June 8, 1779, was 22. In 1781, 
 Massachusetts was ordered to raise 4,626,178 lbs. of beef, of 
 which the proportion of Rehoboth was 42,106 lbs. Of the 
 4,726 men voted to be raised by Massachusetts, June 1780, for 
 three months, for re-enforcing the continental army, the propor- 
 tion of Rehoboth was 60. 
 
 We shall conclude this sketch of the revolutionary affairs of 
 the town, by giving the names, as far as practicable, and time 
 of service of those who were drafted or enlisted into the army, 
 during the revolution, together with such trifling sketches of 
 
 * Congress iirst issued bills of credit in June, 1775. At the end of eighteen 
 months they began to depreciate. Towards the close of 1777, the depreciation 
 was two or three dollars for one ; in ]778, five or six for one ; in 177!), twenty- 
 seven or twenty eight for one ; in 1780, fifty or sixty for one ; soon to one 
 hundred and fifty for one, and finally several hundreds for one. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 149 
 
 their services as could be obtained. The names are given pre- 
 cisely as found in the pay and muster rolls, and returns, &.c. now 
 in the State House of Massachusetts.* 
 
 " A muster roll of Capt. Samuel Bliss's company of minute 
 men, from Rehoboth, from the 19th of April to the 27th, — each 
 eight days service : 
 
 Samuel Bliss, Capt. 
 Aaron Walker, Lieut. 
 Joseph Allen, Ensign, 
 Aaron Read, Sergeant, 
 James Bullock do. 
 
 Noah Allen, do. 
 
 Christopher Ormsbee, do. 
 Nathan Wheeler,f 
 Jonathan Nash, 
 Elijah Perry, 
 Peter Read, 
 John Brown, 
 Samuel Munroe, 
 William Fairbrother, 
 Benjamin Comer, 
 William Allen, 
 Oliver Jones, 
 Samuel Allen, 
 Joseph Ingals, 
 Thomas Campbell, 
 John Dryer, 
 
 t 
 
 Nathan Turner, 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Ephraim Bliss, 
 Levi Lewis, 
 Valentine Wheeler, 
 Jonathan Macomber, 
 Abel Hix, 
 Preserved Bullock, 
 'Laben Lake, 
 Jonathan Drowne, 
 Ezekiel Hix, 
 Joseph Allen, 
 Jacob Fuller, 
 Comfort Stanley, 
 Oliver Peck,,**—' 
 Amos Bliss, 
 Philip Peck, - 
 Solomon Peck, — " 
 Elnathan Lake, 
 Josiah Perry, 
 Ichabod Wade." ^ 
 
 Christopher Blanding, 
 "A muster roll of Capt. John Perry's company 
 men, from 19th of April, to the 27th, 1775: 
 
 of minnit 
 
 John Perry, Capt. 
 John Paine, Lieut. 
 James Bucklin, Ensign, 
 John Wilson, Sergeant, 
 John Smith, do. 
 
 Miles Shorey, 
 Aaron Lyon, 
 Preserved Abell, 
 
 Caleb Walker, 
 James Hill, 
 William Bridgham, 
 Richard Fairbrother, 
 Jonathan Read, 
 Samuel Jones, 
 Enos Walker, 
 Amos GofF, 
 
 * For a copy of these rolls I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Eleazer 
 Homer, of Boston, 
 t Those to whose names no title is affixed, in these lists, are private soldiers. 
 
150 
 
 HISTORY OP REHOBOTH. 
 
 Comfort Hill, 
 
 Wm. Ingraham, 
 
 Lemuel Perin, 
 
 Demos Bishop, 
 
 James Campbell, 
 
 Peter Whitaker, 
 
 Ezra Read, 
 
 John Williams, drummer, 
 
 Isaac Fuller, 
 
 Joseph Wheaton, 
 The following'is a list of the 
 er's regiment, enlisted for eight 
 1775. Col. Walker belonged 
 his officers : 
 
 Jonathan Barney, 
 
 Simeon Bowen, 
 
 John Ingraham, 
 
 Elkanah French, 
 
 Barzaleel Bowen, 
 
 James Medbury, 
 
 Robert Abell, 
 
 Elezer Bowen, 
 
 Amos Read, 
 
 William Carpenter." 
 officers in Col. Timothy Walk- 
 months from April and May of 
 to Rehoboth, and also a part of 
 
 Timothy Walker, Esq. Col. 
 Nathaniel Leonard, Lieut. Col 
 
 Staff Officers. 
 
 Abiel Mitchell, Major. 
 
 John Perry, 
 Samuel Bliss, 
 Silas Cobb, 
 Francis Liscomb, 
 Blarcy Williams, 
 
 John Paine, 
 Aaron Walker, 
 Isaac Smith, 
 Matthew Randall, 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Peter Pitts, 
 Caleb Richardson, 
 John King, 
 Oliver Soper, 
 Samuel Tubbs, jun. 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Samuel Lane, 
 Zebedee Raiden, 
 Enoch Robinson, 
 Noah Hall. 
 
 Mason Shaw, 
 Jacob Fuller, 
 Daniel Parker. 
 
 Simeon Cobb, 
 John Shaw. 
 
 Thomas Williams, 
 Joel Tubbs. 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 John Cook, 
 Henry Briggs, 
 Solomon Stanley, 
 Abraham Hathaway. 
 
 The following are lists of two companies in this regiment 
 from Rehoboth : 
 
 " A list of men under Capt. Samuel Bliss, who enlisted for 
 
 Thomas Bucklin, 
 Joseph Allen, 
 Isaac Fisher, 
 Seth Pratt, 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 151 
 
 eight months from April and May, 1775, in Colonel Timothy 
 Walker's regiment. 
 
 Samuel Bliss, Capt. 
 Aaron Wheeler, Lieut 
 Joseph Allen, Ensign, 
 Aaron Read, Sergeant, 
 James Bullock, do. 
 Noah Allen, do. 
 
 Christopher Ormsbee, do. 
 Nathaniel Bliss, Corporal, 
 Nathan Wheeler, do. 
 Jonathan Macomber, do. 
 Elijah Perry, do. 
 
 James Wheeler, drummer, 
 Cyriel Smith, fifer, 
 Joseph Allen, 
 Samuel Allen, 
 William Allen, 
 Ephraim Bliss, 
 Charles Bliss, 
 David Bliss, 
 Levi Baldwin, 
 Thomas Baldwin, 
 Preserved Bullock, 
 Isaac Burr, 
 Samuel Baker, 
 Christopher Blanding, 
 
 Eliphalet Corbin,* 
 James Cole, 
 Thomas Campbell, 
 John Dryer, 
 William Fairbrother, 
 Simon GofF, 
 Abel Hix, 
 Joseph Ingals, 
 
 * Ide, -- 
 
 Oliver Jones, 
 Labin Lake, 
 Levi Lewis, 
 Samuel Munroe, 
 Jonathan Nash, 
 David Perry, 
 Sylvester Peck, 
 Peter Read, 
 Nathaniel Round, 
 Richard Round, 
 Comfort Robinson, 
 David Turner, 
 Nathan Turner, 
 Valentine Willmot, 
 Jonathan Drown." 
 
 " This roll," says a note appended to it, " was made up to 
 the 1st of August, 1775, and paid by the State, and afterwards 
 was paid by the United States for the other five months." 
 
 Samuel Allen was the only one that deserted from this com- 
 pany : he deserted June 27, 1775. 
 
 " A muster roll of the company under command of Capt. 
 John Perry, in Col. Timothy Walker's regiment [torn off] to 
 the first of August, 1775, enlisted for eight months : 
 
 John Perry, Capt. John Willson, Serg't. 
 
 John Paine, Lieut. John Smith, do. 
 
 James Bucklin, Ensign, Miles Shorey, do. 
 
 * Some of these names were very diflkull to decipher, and some impossible. 
 I have retained the orthography. 
 
152 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 Robert Sutton, do. 
 Amos GofF, Corp'I. 
 Lemuel Perrin, do. 
 James Hill, do. 
 David Lawrence, do. 
 John Williams, drummer, 
 James Bly, fifer , 
 Preserved Abell, 
 James Alger, 
 George Allen, 
 Squire Allen, 
 William Bridgham, 
 Demos Bishop, 
 Isaac Bowers 
 Charles Bovvers, 
 Asa Bowers, 
 Gideon Brown, 
 Sylvester Bowers, 
 Jonathan Barney, 
 Rufus Bucklin, 
 Josiah Blake, 
 Barzilla Bowen, 
 Barzaleel Bowen, 
 James Campbell, 
 Thomas Cole, 
 
 Shubel Chaffee, ■ 
 William Daggett, 
 Richard Fairbrother, 
 Isaac Fuller, 
 Wm. Fuller, 
 Jonathan French, 
 Sylvester Fuller, 
 Jonathan Hays, 
 Stephen Hill, 
 Comfort Hill, 
 Wm. Ingraham, 
 Samuel Jones, 
 Aaron Lyon, 
 John Medbury, 
 John McMullen, 
 Amos Richardson, 
 Ezra Read, 
 Enos Walker, 
 Peter Whitaker, 
 Joseph Wheaton, 
 John Walker, 
 Peter Walker, 
 Caleb Walker, 
 Epliraim Whitaker." 
 
 In September of 1776, a regiment was raised in this town 
 and some of the adjoining towns, and marched under the com- 
 mand of Col. Thomas Carpenter of Rehoboth, to join the army 
 of Washington at White Plains. They arrived there some time 
 before the battle ; but I have been informed by one of the regi- 
 ment, that they were not present in the action, but distant a few 
 miles, drawn up under arms, in momentary expectation of orders 
 to march to the scene of battle. 
 
 Previous to the battle of White Plains, a trifling skirrrish 
 occurred between a small detachment of the British and Col. Car- 
 penter's regiment, a few particulars of which I had from the 
 surgeon's mate, * who was present and witnessed it. Col. Car- 
 penter's regiment were stationed on a gently elevated hill, to 
 watch the movements of a detachment of the British army 
 
 * These facts I had from my grandfather, the late Doct. James Bliss of Re- 
 hoboth, who performed the duty of surgeon's mate in this regiment. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 153 
 
 which was in the vicinity, (Unfortunately I am able to give 
 neither the date nor place of this skirmish.) About one o'clock, 
 P. M. a part of this detachment, considerably superior to Col. 
 Carpenter's men in numbers, was seen in motion towards them. 
 They advanced with " quick step," and, displaying the most 
 exact discipline in their movements, formed themselves into a 
 line in front of our regiment, and halted within convenient mus- 
 ket shot. The British commenced the fire, and a few shots 
 were exchanged on both sides, without serious injury to either. 
 Three of Col. Carpenter's men, however, were slightly wound- 
 ed. The British then returned by as rapid a movement as 
 they came, having been apprised by " the tories," of the ap- 
 proach of a large division of the American army under Gener- 
 al Lincoln.* " On the approach of the British," says my in- 
 formant, " I never saw so many pale faces in my life, or heard 
 so many and so importunate complaints of unfitness for duty ; 
 but the moment they began to retreat, courage revived, and all 
 hearts were strong and brave. Some ran from the ranks in 
 pursuit of the enemy at whose approach they had just now 
 quailed, and continued to follow them for some distance, loading 
 their pieces and discharging them upon them. One soldier by 
 the name of Fuller, (if I mistake not,) who was the foremost of 
 those in pursuit, coming up with two British soldiers who were 
 just leaving a house, in which they had delayed to obtain refresh- 
 ments, and levelling his musket at them, called out to them in 
 a most determined tone, " throw cloivn your gims, or I'll shoot 
 you through." They, whether from fear or other motives, in- 
 stantly obeyed ; and Fuller, in all the joy and pride of triumph, 
 led back two gigantic British prisoners to the colonel. Colonel 
 Carpenter, surveying the Goliath-like dimensions of the prison- 
 ers, and contrasting them with the inferior stature of their captor, 
 inquired of Fuller, how he managed to take them ? " Why, 
 Colonel," answered he very good humouredly, '^ I surrounded 
 them.'^ 
 
 Col. Carpenter's regiment were out on service at this time 
 only three months. One of the companies in this regiment, 
 was raised partly in Attleborough and partly in Norton, and was 
 under the command of Capt. Elisha May f of the former town. 
 
 * There must have been a mistake in the name, for Gen. L. did not join 
 Washington's army till the next year, 
 t Daggett's Hist, of Attleborough, p. 82. 
 20 
 
154 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 From the time that the British first took possession of Rhode 
 Island, in December, 1776, till they finally evacuated it, — a 
 period of more than two years, the militia of this town and 
 vicinity were subject to frequent diafts of men, and were fre- 
 quently called out on alarms. Drafts were made in January, 
 February, March, May, June, July and August, of the year 
 1777. The men were stationed principally at Rowland's Fer- 
 ry, (Tiverton) and at Warwick. One company, if not more, 
 marched from this town to Rhode Island, in Oct. 1777, and 
 served one month in Spencer's " secret expedition." 
 
 In Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, in August, 1778, 
 Col. Carpenter, with a large detachment of his regiment, march- 
 ed to join Sullivan's army on the Island, and distinguished them- 
 selves for their bravery. The following is a copy of the orders 
 issued by the Council of Massachusetts to Cols. Hawes, Car- 
 penter, Daggett, Hathaway, Sproat and Wilhams, at this time,, 
 for a draft of men. 
 
 "State of Massachusetts Bay. 
 
 " Council Chamber, Aug. 18th, 1778. 
 
 " Whereas Major General Sullivan has represented to this 
 board, that by reason of the absence of the French troops, 
 which he expected would cooperate with him, he is in pressing 
 need of a re-inforcement : therefore 
 
 " Ordered, That the following Colonels be, and are, hereby 
 directed to detach from their respective regiments the several 
 numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form them into com- 
 panies of sixty-eight men each, including one captain, two sub- 
 alterns, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and one 
 fifer, and see that they be equipped, armed and accoutered as 
 the law directs, and order them to march immediately to the 
 island of Rhode Island, and there to do duty during the cam- 
 paign on said Island, viz : from Col. Hawes' regiment, one hun- 
 dred and fifty men, including officers and one major ; from Col. 
 Carpenter's regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including of- 
 ficers ; from Col. Daggett's regiment, one hundred and fifty 
 men, including officers and one colonel; from Col. Hathaway's 
 regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers and one 
 lieutenant colonel ; from Col. Sproat's regiment, one hundred 
 and fifty men, including officers ; from Col. WiUiams' regiment^ 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 155 
 
 one hundred and fifty men, including officers ; and make return 
 to the council without loss of time. 
 
 " A true copy, 
 Attest, John Avery, D'y Sec'y." 
 
 Col. Carpenter was in the action on Rhode Island, Aug. 29, 
 1778, and was distinguished for his activity and bravery. It 
 is said, when the Americans advanced to the first charge, that 
 Col. Carpenter pushed on the charge with so much bravery, 
 that the enemy, opposed to him, gave back, and he was drawn so 
 far in advance of the army, that the British made an attempt, by 
 despatching a division around the side of a hill opposite to him, 
 to attack him in the rear, and cut him off from the main army ; 
 but that being apprised of his danger by one of the aids * of 
 General Sullivan, he very dexterously managed to fall back in 
 good order, with the line of the main army, and thus, probably, 
 avoided falling into the hands of the enemy. Several of the 
 soldiers of Col. Carpenter's regiment, belonging to Rehoboth, 
 were slain in this action. The names of three of them were, 
 Medbury, Peck, and John Dryer. These three fell on one 
 spot. Benjamin Smith, of Svvansey, was wounded by the 
 bursting of a bomb-shell. 
 
 From the " list of the six months men, raised to re-inforce 
 the continental army, in the year 1780," we have the following 
 list of names from Rehoboth : they marched to West Point, and 
 served under continental officers. 
 
 Peter Bannister, in the 11th division., Francis Fuller, in the 11th division. 
 
 Jonathan Robinson, do. 'Arthur Thnrber, do. 
 
 Comfort Bishop, do. Nathan Turner, (serg.) do. 
 
 '\ Shubael Peck, (fifer) do. Gideon Brown, do. 
 
 Sylvanus Bishop, do. Samuel Cranston, do. 
 
 jf ^^-sr Nathan Monroe, do. Francis Mesuzen, do. 
 
 Job Freeman, do. Samuel Edwards, do. 
 
 Constant Perry, do. Nathan Walker, in the 12th division. 
 
 Joseph Daggett, do. Ephraim Read, do. 
 
 Jacob Ingalls, do. Samuel Shorey, do. 
 
 John Pierce, do. Obed Robinson, do. 
 
 Isaac Bowen, do. Remembei- Carpenter, do. 
 
 Thos. Pierce, do. Timothy Titus, do. 
 
 Ephraim Emerson, do. Jesse Whitaker, do. 
 
 *The person who related to me this anecdote, and who was an eye witness 
 of the scene, said that this aid, just as he had given his orders, and was leaping 
 his horse over a fence to aid Col. Carpenter in conducting his retreat, was 
 struck with a musket ball in his forehead, and fell lifeless from his horse. Th^ 
 name lie did not recollect. 
 
156 
 
 HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 
 
 Ezra GofF, in the 12th division. 
 Benjamin Tupp, do. 
 Tlios. Campbell, in the 32d do. 
 Spencer Bears, do. 
 
 Cato Hunt, (negro) do. 
 John Healy, do. 
 
 David, (negro) in the 32d division. 
 John McLean, do. 
 
 Obadiah Bowen, do. 
 
 Ephraim Bowen, do. 
 
 Tho. Carpenter, 2d, do." 
 
 The following alphabetical list of the names of those who 
 enlisted into the continental army, from Rehoboth, at various 
 periods of the war, with the names of the captains under whom 
 they served, and the time for which they enlisted, will close this 
 brief sketch of our revolutionary afi'airs. This list is taken 
 from the " alphabetical list of enlistments for the continental 
 army, from various towns and for various periods." 
 
 Names. 
 
 Capts. 
 
 Time. 
 
 Names. Capts. Time. 
 
 Barney Nathaniel, 
 
 Slade 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Campbell Thos. Carpenter, 3 yrs. 
 
 Brown Benjamin, 
 
 do. 
 
 during 
 
 Chaffee Shubael, do. dur'g war. 
 
 
 
 the war. 
 
 Chaffee Comfort, do. 3 yrs. 
 
 ""Bliss Samuel * 
 
 do. 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Chaffee Noah, do. do. 
 
 Bliss Alien, 
 
 Cole, 
 
 do. 
 
 Carpenter William do. do. 
 
 Bliss Samuel, jr. 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Campbell John, do. do. 
 
 Bliss Joshua, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Cor])s John, do. do. 
 
 Brown Daniel, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Dryer Israel, Cole, do. 
 
 -Bullock Comfort, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Dryer Jonathan, Cole, 3 yrs. 
 
 Bullock Jacob, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Deland Edward, Carpenter, do. 
 
 Buffington Benjam 
 
 n, do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Franklin William, do. during war. 
 
 Bullock David, 
 
 do. 
 
 15 mo. 
 
 Fuller Amo?, Cole, 3 yrs. 
 
 Bullock Jonathan, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Fairbrother Rich'd, Carpenter, do. 
 
 BIy James, Carpenter. 3 yrs. 
 
 Gladding James, Hix, do. 
 
 Burn Moses, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Gladding James, jr. do. do. 
 
 Bicknell Turner, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Gladding Ebenezer, do. do. 
 
 Barney Paul, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Goff Israel, do. do. 
 
 Bliss Elisha, 
 
 Maitii] 
 
 . do. 
 
 Greenwood Thomas, Hill, do. 
 
 Bliss David, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Horton William, Bullock, do. 
 
 Baker Samuel, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Hicks Chase, do. 15 mo. 
 
 Bishop Oliver, 
 
 Hull, 
 
 do. 
 
 Hiudel John, Carpenter, during 
 
 Bowen Isaac, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 war. 
 
 Bowen Thomas, 
 
 do. 
 
 8 mo. 
 
 Hill Stephen, Hill, 3 yrs. 
 
 Carpenter John, 
 
 Hix, 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Ingalls Joseph, Hix, do. 
 
 Cole Isaac, 
 
 Cole, 
 
 do. 
 
 Ide Nathan, Carpenter, do. 
 
 Cole Jacob, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Jones John, Bullock, do. 
 
 Cole James, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Lewis Levi, Hix, do. 
 
 Cole Zephaniah, 
 
 Bullock, 15 mo. 
 
 Lyndley John, jr. Bullock, do. 
 
 * Samuel Bliss, who afterwards bore the title of Captain, was General 
 Washington's steward at Morristown, in the winter of 1777. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 157 
 
 Names. 
 
 CaptSi Time. Names 
 
 Lyon Aaron, 
 
 Bullock, 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Sage James, 
 
 Cole, 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Medbury Ben. 
 
 Franklin 
 
 , do. 
 
 Turner Constant, 
 
 Hix, 
 
 do. 
 
 Michell , 
 
 Bullock, 
 
 do. 
 
 Turner Amos, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 McMelleu John, 
 
 Hill, 
 
 do. 
 
 Turner Nat. 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Negro Caesar, 
 
 Cole, 
 
 do. 
 
 Thresher Noah, 
 
 Bullock, 
 
 do. 
 
 Newton Francis, 
 
 Bullock, 
 
 do. 
 
 Thresher Joseph, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Newton John, 
 
 Martin, 
 
 do. 
 
 Thompson Edwar 
 
 d, do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Ormshee Joseph, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Thresher Charles, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Peck Sylvester, 
 
 Hix, 
 
 8 mo. 
 
 Turner Allen, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Perry Samuel, 
 
 Cole, 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 True Solomon, 
 
 Hix, 
 
 do. 
 
 Pierce Jesse, 
 
 Bullock, 
 
 do. 
 
 Whittaker Nat. 
 
 Franklin 
 
 do. 
 
 Peck Gains, 
 
 Carpenter, 
 
 during 
 
 Wheeler Sam. 
 
 Hix, 
 
 do. 
 
 
 
 war. 
 
 Wheeler Jesse, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Perry Jesse, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Willmarth Valentine, do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Pearce Philip, 
 
 IVIartin, 
 
 do. 
 
 Willmarth Benj. 
 
 do. 
 
 8 mo. 
 
 Perry Samuel, 
 
 Hill, 
 
 8 mo. 
 
 Waldren James, jr 
 
 . Bullock, 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Round John, 
 
 Hix, 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Whittaker Jo. 
 
 Carpente 
 
 r, do. 
 
 Round Isaac, 
 
 Cole, 
 
 do. 
 
 Wheeler James, 
 
 Martin, 
 
 do. 
 
 Round Wm. 
 
 Bullock, 
 
 do. 
 
 Whelen Luther, 
 
 Bullock, 
 
 ]5 mo. 
 
 Round Oin, 
 
 Martin, 
 
 do. 
 
 White Jabez, 
 
 Hix, 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Renough Charles 
 
 Hill, 
 
 do. 
 
 Walker Nathan, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Ryle Nicholas, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Wilford Nicholas, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Reves Pompey, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Weeks Moses, 
 
 do. 
 
 during 
 
 Smith , 
 
 Peck, 
 
 do. 
 
 
 
 war. 
 
 Saunders Jesse, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Wilson Jno. 
 
 do. 
 
 3 yrs. 
 
 Smith Sam. 
 
 Hix, 
 
 do. 
 
 Whittaker Rufus, 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Capts. Time. 
 
 Affairs succeeding the Revolution. 
 
 In 1784, the town voted, "in addition to the money ah'eady 
 granted for schooling, £20 for a grammar school." 
 
 "March 21, 1785. Voted to choose a committee to regu- 
 late the fishery in the river, called Palmer's river." The fish 
 caught here were shad, bass, and alevvives. Before the erec- 
 tion of the dam across Palmer's river, at the Orleans Factory, 
 shad and alevvives used to ascend the river as far as Rehoboth 
 village. 
 
 Rehoboth, in common with the other towns of the colonies, 
 felt severely the pressure of the times which immediately suc- 
 ceeded the war. The large drafts made on the town for men 
 and money to carry on the war, the scarcity of money and the 
 great depreciation in the value of the paper currency with which 
 the officers and soldiers had been paid for their services, the in- 
 crease of public and private debts, the decay of business, and 
 
158 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 the want of confidence in the government, overwhelmed the 
 people with a multitude of embarrassments public and private, 
 under which it seemed to them impossible to rise. These em- 
 barrassments, which were styled ^' grievances/^ and which were 
 the natural results of the long and protracted war through which 
 they had just passed, were charged upon the government ; 
 whence, too, they vainly looked for that relief, which could be 
 found only in industry and economy. At the commencement of 
 the war ever}^ sacrifice, required by the public good, was most 
 cheerfully made, and every privation endured. The iron rod 
 of tyranny was seen suspended over us, and all thoughts were 
 lost in that of parrying the impending blow, and crippling the 
 arm which threatened to deal it. But now, the danger being 
 removed, that patriotism which had merged all interests in one, 
 the general good, began to give place to views of private inter- 
 est ; and the people, who had sacrificed long and nobly on the 
 altar of liberty, now began to look for an answer to their vows, 
 and to expect the immediate fruition of all those bright hopes 
 which had started into existence anew on every mention of the 
 sacred name of freedom. They looked for liberty, like the 
 Hercules of fabled story, to strangle serpents in its cradle ; and 
 to shower upon them, in its infant reign, all the blessings which 
 its matured and experienced manhood has since been able to 
 secure. In this they were disajjpointed. The state govern- 
 ments were embarrassed with heavy debts, contracted by the 
 war; and the general government, held together only by the 
 frail and feeble tenure of the confederation, was ready to fall 
 with the least internal commotion, and was, to all efficient pur- 
 poses, powerless. This state of things, so different from what 
 they had so long and so fondly anticipated from the return of 
 peace and the establishment of their independence, the people 
 charged upon the government, calhng in question both its ad- 
 ministration and the principles of its constitution. The cries 
 for reform were loud and vehement on every side, and a large 
 party was formed hostile to the existing state government, who 
 soon pushed their claims at the point of the bayonet. This par- 
 ty was headed by Daniel Shays, from whom this opposition re- 
 ceived the name of " Shays^ rehtlUon.''^ A majority of the 
 people in Rehoboth, as will be seen from the votes passed by 
 the town at this time, favoured the opinions of this party. 
 
 "June 19, 1786. Voted to choose a committee to meet 
 with other towns' committees, in the county of Bristol, in a 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 159 
 
 county convention, to consult on the rights of the people of said 
 commonwealth, and to petition the General Court for redress of 
 grievances, or to take any other measures, that the convention, 
 when met, shall judge to be the right of the people of this com- 
 monwealth." The town chose for this committee Capt. Phanuel 
 Bishop, Maj. Frederick Drown, and Mr. Willian\ Daggett." 
 
 "December 25, 1786. The town voted tliat they wished to 
 have an alteration in the present system of government in the 
 commonwealth of Massachusetts, by a majority of 110 of what 
 then voted." 
 
 "January 22, 1787. Voted that the selectmen be in- 
 structed to remove the powder and other town stock, that is 
 now at Col. Thomas Carpenter's, as soon as conveniently may 
 be." Col. Carpenter was a staunch friend of the government. 
 
 The names of the following persons are registered in the 
 tow-n records, as having taken the oath of allegiance to the com- 
 monwealth, and delivered up their arms, during March of 1787. 
 These men belonged to the party of Shays, and had probably 
 taken arms against the government. 
 
 Joseph Porter, Joseph Bowen, William Fairbrother, 
 
 Sirfteon Round, James Cole, Laben Lake, 
 
 Nathan Hix, 2d, Timothy Fuller, Nathaniel Thurber, 
 
 Cyril S riii.h, Jacob Bliss, jr. Daniel Short, 
 
 Hezekiah Smith, Square GofF, jr. James Bullock, 
 
 Oliver Smith, Benjamin Monroe, ^Nathan Newman, 
 
 Benjamin Bowen, Jabez Round, 3d, Samuel Carpenter, 
 Jacob Cole, Charles Round, Jarvis Peck, 4 
 
 Ezra Thayer, James Martin, Luke Bowen, 
 
 Jacob Bliss, Isaac Burr, Asa Bowen, 
 
 Israel Hicks, Laben Briggs. John Hopkins. 
 
 Abiel Horton, Amos Cole, 
 
 November 26, 1787. The town chose Capt. Phanuel Bish- 
 op, Maj. Frederick Drown, and William Windsor, Esq. dele- 
 gates to the State Convention, to meet at Boston, the second 
 Wednesday of January, 1788, " to consult on the Federal 
 Constitution, recommended by the late Federal Convention, 
 which set at Philadelphia the summer past." 
 
 This year "voted to raise £120 for schooling; £20 to be 
 applied to the support of a grammar school." 
 
 "March 17, 1788. Voted to provide a w'ork-house for the 
 accommodation of the poor of this town." 
 
160 HISTORY OF REITOBOTH. 
 
 The votes for Govemour, this year, were 102 for John Han- 
 cock, and 263 for Elbridge Gerry. 
 
 The same sum was raised for schools for the three succeeding 
 years as in the preceding year, and £20, as before, yearly de- 
 voted to the support of a gramniar school. 
 
 April 2, 1792. The town raised for the support of schools, 
 "including the Latin school," £150. Also "voted that the 
 selectmen be empowered to procure such grammar schools as 
 shall answer the law, in the different parts of the town, for 
 learning the Latin and Greek languages." 
 
 April 1, 1793. The town voted to raise for the support of 
 schools, £150. 
 
 " October 6, 1794. Voted that the treasurer of this town be 
 directed to pay to each non-commisioned officer and soldier, 
 raised for this town's quota of eighty thousand men, ordered by 
 Congress to be raised, forty shillings each, when they are order- 
 ed to march out of this town on a campaign, and forty shillings 
 each to every man aforesaid, for every month they shall con- 
 tinued in the camp, after one month from the time they shall 
 march : the money to be paid in one month after their return 
 from service." 
 
 This army of " eighty thousand men " were raised to repel 
 the threatened invasion of France ; and Washington was placed 
 at their head. 
 
 " February 24,1794. Voted to remonstrate with the Legis- 
 lature of Rhode Island against a bridge being built over Kelley's 
 Ferry, near Warren." 
 
 May 6, 1795. A motion for petitioning the General Court, 
 to incorporate the west precinct of Rehoboth into a separate 
 town, was carried by vote in the negative. Voted to raise 
 £175 for the support of schools, of which £25 was to be ap- 
 propriated to a grammar school. 
 
 In 1796, the town voted for the support of grammar, and 
 common schools, ,^'666,66. The sum of ,^666 was thence 
 raised yearly for the support of schools till 1804. In 1804, 
 1805, and 1806, 1^*666,77 was raised for the same purpose; and 
 in 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, ,|*700 was raised, and in 1811, 
 $800. 
 
 "The Fighting Town Meeting." 
 
 A town meeting was held in May, 1811, which, from the 
 violent measures to which party animosity gave way, has since 
 
 I 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 161 
 
 borne the appellation of " The Fighting Town Meeting." 
 This disgraceful incident in our history would have been passed 
 over in silence, if to have done so had been consistent with the 
 character of a faithful historian, whose business it is to give not 
 only the truth, but the whole truth. 
 
 The following report, prepared by the committee on contested 
 elections, appointed by the House of Representatives, furnishes, 
 probably, the best account of this meeting which we can possi- 
 bly obtain : this report will be therefore given entire. 
 
 "Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
 
 " In the House of Representatives. 
 
 ''February 13, 1812. 
 
 "The committee on contested elections, in the case of the 
 remonstrance of Stephen Bullock and four hundred and three 
 others, inhabitants of the town of Rehoboth, in the county of 
 Bristol, against the election of Elkanah French, Caleb Abell, 
 John Medbury, Sebra Lawton and Timothy Walker, returned as 
 members of this House from said town, report — 
 
 " That they find, that on the thirteenth day of May now last 
 past, a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Rehoboth was 
 holden in pursuance of a warrant, issued fourteen days before, 
 for the choice of one or more representatives to the present 
 General Court ; that, at this meeting, motions were made, sec- 
 onded, and put, in order to obtain a decision on the questions, 
 whether the town would send one representative or five repre- 
 sentatives ; that the votes appeared to be so equally divided at 
 the first trial, that the selectmen declared they could not decide 
 on which side was the majority ; that afterwards it was agreed, 
 that each voter in favor of sending five, should take by the 
 hand a voter in favor of sending one, and march out of the 
 house ;* and Capt. Cushing and Mr. Kennicut were appointed 
 to count the files, and determine the question upon an inspection 
 of those, on either side, who should be without partners ; that 
 
 * This motion was made by Dr. James Bliss. 
 21 
 
162 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 
 
 after the said two gentlemen had counted two hundred and nine- 
 ty-eight files, they were interrupted by Elkanah French, Esq, 
 who told them it was impossible to decide the question in this 
 mode, it being evident, as he said, there was a mistake, that the 
 question was not understood, for he saw " republicans " on the 
 side for sending one. It was observed by Capt. Gushing in 
 reply, that there could be no mistake ; that they had already 
 counted off five hundred and ninety six with correctness, and 
 that, in a few minutes, the counting would be finished and a 
 decision made ; but Mr. French persisted in his interference^ 
 took Capt. Gushing aside, and they were in conversation for 
 some time. In the mean while, many thinking the counting was 
 finished, left their places, and went into the meeting-house to 
 hear the result declared, and shortly after, all the others follow- 
 ed ; the selectmen, on being called upon to declare the result, 
 observed, they could not decide, for the counting was not com- 
 pleted. It appears there were from fifteen to twenty -five per- 
 sons without partners, and that these fifteen to twenty-five con- 
 stituted the majority for sending one representative ; but wheth- 
 er this fact was known by the selectmen, the committee cannot 
 determine. After these ineffectual attempts to obtain a decision 
 on either question of sending one or five, it appears, that a 
 motion for dissolving the meeting, and a motion for its adjourn- 
 ment to Saturday, the eighteenth day of the same May, were 
 regularly made, and submitted to the freemen for their decision. 
 On the house being polled, the selectmen declared there were 
 331 for dissolving the meeting, and 327 for adjourning until 
 Saturday ; and there being a majority of four for dissolving the 
 meeting, it was dissolved accordingly. 
 
 " The committee further find, that on the next day, (to wit, 
 on the ] 4th of the same May,) the selectmen, upon a petition 
 signed by fifteen inhabitants, issued their warrants for a town 
 meeting, to be holden on Saturday the 18th day of the same 
 month, at 12 o'clock, noon, at the east meeting-house, for the 
 purpose, as expressed in the warrant, of sending one or more 
 representatives to the General Gourt ; that notifications to that 
 effect were given verbally, or by reading copies of the warrant 
 by the constables to the inhabitants they found at home, or met 
 in the highways ; and when an officer did not find a voter at his 
 home, and had not met him elsewhere, he stated verbally the 
 purpose and time of the meeting to the wife, or other person or 
 persons he found at the domicil of the qualified voter. It ap- 
 pears that notifications were not posted at the meeting-house, 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. li63 
 
 and no public day intervened from the issuing the warrant until 
 the time of the meeting. The committee also find, that the 
 uniform manner of calling town meetings in Rehoboth, for fifty- 
 two years last past, has been by posting notifications at each 
 meeting-house in said town, so long before the intended meet- 
 ing, as to have two public days intervene between the time of 
 posting up the notifications and the time of the meeting, and that 
 this mode was never deviated from until the present instance. 
 
 " The committee further find, that at the meeting on the 18th 
 of May, immediately after the petition and warrant were read, a 
 motion was regularly made and seconded, that the town should 
 send one representative and no more ; and immediately follow- 
 ing this motion, another was made and seconded to send five ; — 
 that Elkanah French, Esq. (the presiding selectman at this 
 meeting) declared in a loud voice as follows — "I will hear none 
 of your motions, and I will put none of your motions. I will 
 manage this meeting according to my own mind. If you do not 
 like my proceedings, or if I do wrong, prosecute me ; bring in 
 your votes for from one to five representatives." That at the 
 time the first motion was made, or the instant before, a voter 
 put his ballot into the box ; and this voter swore to his bleeif, 
 that his vote was in, the moment previous to the first motion 
 being made. 
 
 " The committee further find, that the meeting was unusually 
 orderly and quiet, until the declarations of refusal to put motions 
 were made by said French as aforesaid ; that, consequent upon 
 those declarations, much confusion and tumult ensued ; some 
 insisting that the motions should be put and decided before any 
 votes were received ; others insisting upon voting, and others, 
 that they should not vote ; and in some instances, personal con- 
 tests arose between the voters, and blows were given ; that the 
 selectmen ordered one person, who appeared to them to be the 
 most riotous, to be carried out of the meeting by the peace of- 
 ficers, and he was by them carried out without any resistance 
 being offered them, excepting that made by the individual him- 
 self; that most of the tumult and confusion was immediately in 
 front of the seat of the selectmen ; that the presiding selectman 
 repeatedly called for order, and declared, that unless there was 
 order, he would turn the box in five minutes ; that for a short 
 time after the tumult commenced, the noise was so great, that it 
 was with difficulty either the moderator or any other person 
 could be heard. 
 
164 tilSTORY OF REHOBOTH-^ 
 
 " The committee also find, that when six or eight ballots were' 
 in the box, a motion was made and seconded for an adjourn- 
 ment of the meeting for half an hour, afld reasons in support of 
 the motion were assigned to this effect: — "That it was evident 
 there was much agitation and confusion in the meeting, caused 
 by the refusal to put the former motions ; that the question 
 "how many representatives the town would send," had, at all 
 previous town meetings, been submitted for decision to the free- 
 men as a matter of course ; that a refusal in this instance, was 
 altogether unexpected, and considered by many as a gross in- 
 fringement of the rights of the people, and that an adjournment 
 for a short period would give opportunity for tumult to subside, 
 passions to cool, and the electors to vote with regularity." This 
 motion also was, by the said Elkanah French, utterly refused to 
 be put. He declared he would not put it, and ordered the 
 mover to sit down and hold his tongue. 
 
 " The commitee further find, that the presiding selectman or- 
 dered the aisles to be cleared, and repeated his calls for order^ 
 and for votes to be brought in ; and that he ordered the voters 
 to come up the western aisle, vote, and then go down the east- 
 ern aisle. They also find that the manner of the elector's voting 
 at the east meeting-house has, uniformly, for twenty-two yearSy 
 been, to come up the eastern aisle, vote, and then go down the 
 western aisle ; that, consequently, the eastern aisle was very 
 much crowded with voters, who were there in the expectation of 
 passing up that aisle, voting, and of going down the western, as 
 usual ; that when the order was given to go down the eastern 
 and come up the western aisle, six or eight who had voted en- 
 deavored to force themselves down the eastern aisle, and formed 
 a phalanx at its head, which contributed to the confusion. 
 
 " The committee further find, that after the presiding select- 
 man had received a few ballots, Nathaniel Drowne, Esq. one of 
 the selectmen, declared the town had a constitutional right to 
 send six representatives r that upon this declaration, the said 
 French turned the votes then received out of the box upon the 
 table and ordered the voters to bring in their votes for from one 
 to six representatives ; that after the voting had proceeded a 
 short time under the last order, the said French took up the votes 
 which had been turned out, and returned them to the box, and 
 they were counted with the others. 
 
 " The committee further find, that after the order was given 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH- 165 
 
 as aforesaid, to bring in votes for from one to six representatives, 
 votes to the number of six or seven were received by the select- 
 men, and deposited in the ballot box ; which votes were not 
 received directly from the hands of the voters, but were collect- 
 ed by one Thomas Bowen, (after he had himself voted) from 
 persons in the crowd, and were by him delivered to the afore- 
 said Nathaniel Drowne, who put them into the box; that in 
 other instances, votes were passed from hand to hand over the 
 heads of voters, until they arrived at, and were deposited in the 
 ballot box. 
 
 " The committee further find, that the votes of five or six 
 qualified voters were by them offered to the presiding select- 
 man, and were by him refused to be received ; that, in most of 
 these instances, no reasons were assigned for the refusal ; in one 
 instance, he assigned as a reason, that he was about turning the 
 box, and that he would not receive any more votes ; but after 
 he had thus said, and thus refused, he did receive the votes of 
 three persons, other than those he had refused as aforesaid, and 
 then turned the box, and made declaration, that the whole num- 
 ber of votes was twenty-five ; that Caleb Abell, John Med- 
 bury, Sebra Lawton, Elkanah French, and Timothy Walker 
 had 23 votes, and were chosen, and that Peter Hunt had two 
 votes, and then left his seat ; and immediately Nathaniel 
 Drowne, Esq. one of the selectmen, made declaration that all 
 the above six were elected, and the meeting was dissolved. 
 
 "The committee further find, that at the time the box was 
 turned, the tumult and confusion had, in some degree, subsided, 
 and that no assault or personal violence was made upon, nor of- 
 fered to any of the selectmen, either in going to or returning 
 from the meeting ; and that the authority vested in the select- 
 men by the constitution and laws, was not wrested from them 
 during the meeting. 
 
 " The committee also find, that at the meeting and while the 
 selectmen were calling for, and receiving votes, the leaf of the 
 table of the Deacons' seat was violently broken down, and the 
 breastwork of the pew pressed in toward the Selectmen, and 
 blows were aimed over the heads of some persons at the presi- 
 ding Selectman, which, in the opinion of the witness, adduced 
 to this fact, would have reached him unless he had avoided 
 them by reclining towards the pulpit. 
 
 " The committee further find, that there were between six 
 and seven hundred qualified voters present at the meeting, 
 
166 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 twenty-five of whom voted — and one witness testified that in 
 his opinion, no more votes would have been given in ; but when 
 it was demanded of the voters if their votes were in, the ans- 
 wer No ! no ! was generally given ; that the time which elap- 
 sed from commencing to receive votes, until the box was turned 
 and the result declared, was not more than twelve minutes, and 
 that the time from the opening to the dissolving of the meeting 
 was twenty eight minutes, and that immediately after the disso- 
 lution of the meeting, the aforesaid Elkanah French, Esq. upon 
 some one expostulating with him on his conduct, openly declared 
 he intended to manage the meeting according to his own mind, 
 and that he had done it. 
 
 " The committee have the honor to exhibit the above state- 
 ment of all the facts which can be considered material ; long as 
 it appears, it is as much condensed as possible from the mass of 
 documents and evidence adduced in the case — and they feel 
 themselves obliged respectfully to suggest, that in their very 
 elaborate inquiry into, and minute and laborious investigation of 
 the facts and circumstances attending this election, they have 
 been actuated by an anxious desire to discharge their duty with 
 great care and fidehty, in a case of much more than ordinary 
 import, whether considered as affecting the rights of the people 
 of this Commonwealth, the immunities of the large and respect- 
 able town of Rehoboth, the privileges of the sitting members — 
 or as affording precedents for the governing of towns in the ex- 
 ercise of the elective franchise in the choice of representatives. 
 
 " Upon mature consideration of the aforegoing facts, and a 
 careful application of the principles of the Constitution and law 
 to them, the committee report, that the su|)posed election of 
 representatives to this House from said town of Rehoboth, on 
 the eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thous- 
 and eight hundred and eleven, is altogether void and of no 
 effect, and consequently that the seats of Caleb Abell, John 
 Medbury, Elkanah French, SebraLawton and Timothy Walker, 
 Esquires, returned as members as aforesaid, be declared va- 
 cated. 
 
 " All which is respectfully submitted by order of the com- 
 mittee. 
 
 " Charles Davis, Chairman. 
 
 "On the question, Shall this report be accepted? the yeas 
 were 208, nays 181." 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 167 
 
 Such are the details of this disgraceful town meeting. It has 
 been repeatedly urged, and with reason, that, for the honour of 
 the town, the record of this event should be suppressed, and not 
 again be made public, to revive, perhaps, animosities that time 
 had long since buried, and to garnish and perpetuate a monu- 
 ment of disgrace. But it should be recollected, that history is 
 a record of the past, for the instruction of the present and 
 future ; and that valuable lessons may be drawn as well from 
 the errors as from the virtues of mankind. A faithful chart will 
 point out not only the path which should be pursued, but also 
 the shoals which must be avoided. The report of the " Com- 
 mittee on Contested Elections," being sufficiently minute, has 
 been made use of in narrating this event, as not being liable to 
 the charge of partiality, and involving no more personalities 
 than are absolutely necessary in giving the leading facts. Much 
 amusing anecdote might be given of the scuffle in the meeting- 
 house, and of individual prowess, did not the recital necessarily 
 lead too much to personalities. 
 
 This meeting gave rise to the division of the town in 1812, 
 the year succeeding, when the west part was incorporated into 
 a separate township, with the name of Seekonk. 
 
 The majority of the town, as appears from a vote passed 
 February 3, 1812, opposed the division. The votes were 18 
 for, and 328 against, the measure. At the same meeting also, 
 James Ellis, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Kennicut, were chosen 
 agents by the town to oppose, at the General Court, the divi- 
 ding of the town. 
 
 March 16, 1812. The town voted to raise ^400 for school- 
 ing, and ^200 for military stores; and also voted " that the 
 school money be divided according to the number of children 
 (or inhabitants) under twenty-one years of age." 
 
 In 1813, §400 were raised for schools, §100, for military 
 stores, and §1200, for the support of the poor. In 1814, the 
 same sums were raised for schools and for military stores. 
 
 In 1815, §450 were raised for schools; and in 1816, 1817, 
 and 1818, §600 were raised yearly for the same purpose. 
 
 In 1819, the town " voted to raise §600 for grammar, and 
 common schools, including money received for school land and 
 the interest on school notes." 
 
168 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 The same sum was raised from the years 1820 to 1824 in- 
 clusive, and has been about the average sum raised yearly since, 
 though perhaps somewhat increased for the last few years. 
 
 A list of the Deputies to the Court of Plymouth, and of the 
 Representatives to the General Court of Massachusetts, with 
 the names of the Town Clerks who have served the town at 
 different periods, so far as they can be obtained, will close the 
 civil history of Rehoboth. 
 
 List of the Deputies to Plymouth Court from 
 Rehoboth. 
 
 1646, 
 1647, 
 
 1648, 
 
 1649, 
 
 1650, 
 
 1651, 
 
 1652, 
 
 1653, 
 
 1654, 
 
 1655, 
 
 1656, 
 
 1657, 
 
 1658, 
 
 1659, 
 
 1660, 
 
 1661, 
 
 Walter Palmer. 
 j Walter Palmer, 
 I Stephen Paiue. 
 ^ Robert Titus, 
 I John Doggett. 
 ^ Robert Titus, 
 ( Stephen Paine. 
 ^ Robert Titus, 
 ( Stephen Paine. 
 ^ Stephen Paine, 
 I Richard Bowen. 
 { Stephen Paine, 
 I Thomas Cooper. 
 ^ Stephen Paine, 
 I Thomas Cooper. 
 ^ Stephen Paine, 
 I Peter Hunt. 
 ^ Stephen Paine, 
 ^ Peter Hunt. 
 { Stephen Paine, 
 I William Carpenter. 
 i Stephen Paine, 
 I William Sabiu. 
 ^ Stephen Paine, 
 I Thomas Cooper. 
 J Stephen Paine, 
 I William Sabin. 
 \ William Sabin, 
 I Peter Hunt. 
 J William Sabin, 
 ) Peter Hunt. 
 
 1662, 
 1663, 
 1664, 
 1665, 
 1666, 
 1667, 
 1668, 
 1669, 
 1670, 
 1671, 
 1672, 
 1673, 
 1674, 
 1675, 
 1676, 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 Henry Smith. 
 ', Peter Hunt, 
 
 Stephen Paine. 
 I Peter Hunt, 
 ' Stephen Paine. 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 Stephen Paine, 
 i Stephen Paine, 
 ' Jams Brown, 
 i Peter Hunt, 
 
 Henry Smith. 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 Henry Smith. 
 
 Philip Walker, 
 
 Nicholas Peck. . -'' 
 
 Stephen Paine, 
 
 William Sabin. 
 
 Stephen Paine, 
 
 William Sabin. 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 Daniel Smith. 
 
 Peter Hunt, 
 
 Anthony Perry. 
 
 Ensign Henry Smith, 
 
 Daniel Smith. 
 
 Ensign Henry Smith, 
 
 Daniel Smith. 
 
 Daniel Smith, 
 
 Nathaniel Paine. 
 
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 169 
 
 1677, 
 1678, 
 1679, 
 1680, 
 1681, 
 1682, 
 1683, 
 1684, 
 
 < Nathaniel Paine, 
 \ Daniel Smith. 
 
 ^ Daniel Smith, 
 \ Nicholas Peck. 
 
 < Nicholas Peck, -^ 
 I Gilbert Brooks. 
 
 < Nicholas Peck, "^ 
 ) Peter Hunt. 
 
 \ Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
 I Gilbert Brooks. 
 I Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
 I Capt. Peter Hunt. 
 
 < Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
 I Capt. Peter Hunt. 
 
 J Lieut. Nicholas'Peck, 
 > Gilbert Brooks,' 
 
 Lieut. Nicholas Peck, 
 Gilbert Brooks. 
 Lieut. Peck, 
 Gilbert Brooks. 
 
 < Lieut. Nicholas Peck, 
 ( Samuel Peck. 
 
 < Gilbert Brooks, 
 
 I Christopher Saunders. 
 
 < Christopher Saunders, 
 I John Woodcock. 
 
 ^ Christopher Saunders, 
 I Mr. Samuel Peck. • * 
 
 List of Representatives to the General Court of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 i«no # S Mr. Samuel Peck, "" \ 
 
 1717, 
 
 IWo, 
 
 I Joseph Browne. 
 
 1718, 
 
 1694, 
 
 Stephen Paine. 
 
 1719, 
 
 1695, 
 
 Dea. Samuel Peck. 
 
 1720, 
 
 1696, 
 
 Dea. Samuel Newman. 
 
 172 . 
 
 J 697, 
 
 Dea. Samuel Newman. 
 
 17J.i 
 
 1698, 
 
 Dea. Samuel Newman. 
 
 u^:^, 
 
 1699, 
 
 John Hunt. 
 
 1724, 
 
 1700, 
 
 Mr, John Peck. 
 
 1725, 
 
 1701, 
 1702, 
 
 
 1726, 
 1727, 
 
 Serj. Moses Reade. 
 
 1703, 
 
 Stephen Paine. 
 
 1728, 
 
 1704, 
 
 Benjamin Allen. 
 
 1729, 
 
 1705, 
 
 Col. Samuel Walker. 
 
 1730, 
 
 1706, 
 
 
 1731, 
 
 1707, 
 
 John Brooks. 
 
 1732, 
 
 1708, 
 
 Ensign Moses Reade. 
 
 1733, 
 
 1709, 
 
 Mr. Daniel Smith. 
 
 1734, 
 
 1710, 
 
 Ensign Timothy Ide. 
 
 1735, 
 
 1711, 
 
 Mr:' Daniel Smith. 
 
 1736, 
 
 1712, 
 
 Lieut. Noah Peck. 
 
 1737, 
 
 1713, 
 
 Lieut. Moses Reade. 
 
 1738, 
 
 1714, 
 
 Lieut. Moses Reade. 
 
 17.39, 
 
 1715, 
 
 Lieut. Moses Reade. 
 
 1740, 
 
 1716, 
 
 Capt. Moses Reade. 
 
 1741, 
 
 Mr. Nathan Browne. 
 Mr. Daniel Smith, Esq. 
 I ■■ iiiiel Carpenter, 
 l^aniel Carpenter. 
 Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
 Mr. Jethnial Peck. ^ 
 Mr. Jethnial Peck.— 
 Mr. Francis Willson. 
 Mr. Joseph Peck. 
 Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
 Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
 Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
 Mr. Jethnial Peck. ' 
 Mr. Jathniel Peck. 
 Mr. Jathniel Peck. 
 Samuel Browne, Esq. 
 Mr. James Bowen. 
 Mr. James Bowen. 
 Mr. John Hunt. 
 Mr. Joseph Peck. 
 Mr. James Bowen. 
 Mr. Joseph Bosworth. 
 Mr. Jonathan Kingsley. 
 Mr. Joseph Peck. 
 Mr. Daniel Barney. 
 
 * Plymouth Colony was annexed to Massachusetts by the charter of Wil- 
 liam and Mary, in 1692. 
 
 22 
 
ITO 
 
 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 1742, 
 
 174:J, 
 1744, 
 1745, 
 1746, 
 1747, 
 1748, 
 1749, 
 1750, 
 1751, 
 1752, 
 1753, 
 1754, 
 1755, 
 1756, 
 1757, 
 1758, 
 1759, 
 1760,. 
 1761, 
 1762, 
 176;^ 
 1764, 
 1765, 
 1766, 
 1767, 
 1768, 
 1769, 
 1770, 
 1771, 
 1772, 
 1773, 
 1774, 
 
 1775, j 
 
 1776, 
 1777, 
 
 1778, j 
 
 1779, 
 
 1780,. 
 
 1781, j 
 
 1782, 
 
 1783, j 
 
 1784, 
 1785, 
 
 1786, 
 
 1787, . 
 
 Capt. Joseph Wheaton. 
 Mr. Daniel Barney. 
 Capf. Dan. Cari)enter. 
 Mr. Daniel JJarney. 
 Mr. Daniel Barney. 
 Mr. Daniel Barney. 
 Dan. Carpenter, Esq. 
 Mr. Daniel Barney. 
 Mr. Nalhaniel Smith. 
 Mr. Nathaniel Smith. 
 Mr. Israel Nichols. 
 Mr. Israel Nichols. 
 Mr. Aaron Kingsley. 
 Capt. Aaron Kingsley. 
 Capt. Aaron Kingsley^ 
 Capt. Timothy Walker. 
 Ca{)t. Timothy Walker. 
 Capt. Timothy Walker. 
 Mr. Noah Sabin, jun. 
 Mr. Noah Sabin, jim. 
 Aaron Kingsley, Esq. 
 Capt. James Clay. 
 Capt. James Clay. 
 Capt. James Clay. 
 Capt. James Clay, 
 Capt. James Clay. 
 Capt. James Clay. 
 Capt. James Clay. 
 Capt. Joseph Barney. 
 Capt. Joseph Barney. 
 Capt. Joseph Barney. 
 Capt. Joseph Barney. 
 
 Mr. E|)li. Starkweather, 
 Cajrt. Thomas Cai-penter. 
 
 Mr. Eph. Starkweather, 
 Col. Shubael Peck. 
 
 Mr. S. Peck. " 
 Shubael Peck, Esq. 
 Mr. Daniel Carpenter. 
 Capt. Stephen Bullock. 
 Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
 Daniel Carpenter, Esq. 
 Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
 Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
 Stejjhen Bullock, Esq. 
 Mr. Phanuel Bishop, 
 Mr. Frederick Drown, 
 ' Mr. William Winsor. 
 
 C Capt. Phanuel Bishop, 
 
 1788, < Major Frederick Drowriy 
 ( Capt. John Bishop. 
 
 1789, Major Frederick Drown,. 
 
 1790, Major Frederick Drown. 
 
 1791, Major Frederick Drown. 
 
 1792, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. Esq. 
 
 1793, Hon. Phanuel Bishop, Esq. 
 
 1794, Phanuel Bishop, Esq. 
 
 1795, Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
 
 1796, Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
 
 1797, Hon. Phanuel Bishop, Esq,^ 
 
 1798, Phanuel Bishop. 
 
 1799, Frederick Drowne. 
 
 1800, Frederick Drowne. 
 
 1801, Frederick Drowne. 
 
 1802, Frederick Drowne. 
 
 1803, Frederick Drowne. 
 
 1804, Frederick Drown. 
 
 1805, David Perry. 
 
 1806, David Perry jun. 
 
 1807, Elkanali French, jr. 
 
 1808, Elkanah French, jun. 
 
 1809, Peter Hunt. 
 
 I' David Perry, 
 Elkanah French, 
 
 1810, «^ Timothy Walker, 
 
 John Medbury, 
 ^ Sebray Lawton. 
 
 f Elkanah French, 
 Timothy Walker, 
 John Medbury, 
 I Sebray Lawton, 
 (Caleb Abell. 
 C Samuel Bliss, 
 1812, ^ Hezekiah Martin, 
 ( Joseph Wheaton. 
 C Hezekiah Martin, 
 1813, } Joseph Wheaton, 
 ( Samuel Bliss, 2d. 
 
 1814, Peter Carpenter. 
 
 1815, Dr. James Bliss. 
 
 1816, Dr. James Bliss. 
 
 1817, Jeremiah Wheeler. 
 
 1818, Thomas Carpenter, 2d. 
 
 1819, David Perry. 
 
 1820, Dr. James Bliss. 
 
 1821, David Perry. 
 
 1 822, none. 
 
 1823, none. 
 
 1824, Lemuel Morse. 
 
fllSTORT OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 171 
 
 3825, Lemuel Morse. 
 
 1826, none. 
 
 1827, Joseph Nichols. 
 
 1828, Josepli Nichols, 
 C Samuel Bullock, 
 
 1829,^ Caleb Cushing, 
 ( Joseph Nichols. 
 C Samuel Bullock. 
 
 1830,^ Caleb Cushing, 
 ( Joseph Nichols. 
 
 18.11, 
 18t^2, 
 
 i8a-{, 
 
 1834, 
 1835, 
 183b', 
 
 none. 
 
 Lloyd Bosworth. 
 
 Lloyd Bosworth. 
 
 Lloyd Bosworth, 
 
 Samuel Bullock. 
 
 none. 
 
 Capt. Richard Goff, Jr. 
 
 Abel Hoar. 
 
 List of Senators from Rehoboth. 
 
 1781, Hon. Eph. Starkweather, Esq. 
 
 1782, Hon. Eph. Starkweather, Esq. 
 
 1783, Hon Eph. Starkweather, Esq. 
 1788, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 
 
 1789, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 
 
 1790, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 
 
 1807, Hon. David Perry. 
 
 1808, Hon» David Perry. 
 
 Town Clerks. 
 
 No Town Clerk is mentioned by nanie in the town records 
 till the year 1651, when Peter Hunt was chosen to the office. 
 But previous to this date the records appear to have been writ- 
 ten by the same hand ; and it appears from various returns n.ade 
 by the town clerk and on record at Plymouth, that the first who 
 filled that office in Rehoboth was William Carpenter, and that 
 lie retained it from the date of tlie commencement of the tovva 
 records in October, 1643 till 1649, when Mr. Hunt was proba 
 bly cho?en.* 
 
 Richard Bowen was chosen town clerk in September, 1654; 
 Richard Bullock, in January 1659, and agreed to perform the 
 office "for 165. a year, and to be paid for births, burials, and 
 marriages besides." William Carpenter (probably son of Wil- 
 liam Carpenter who served at first,) was chosen town clerk in 
 May, 1668, and served, with the exception of 1693, when 
 Stephen Paine supplied his place, till March, 1703. Daniel 
 Carpenter was chosen in 1703, and held the office 3 years. 
 In March 1706 Daniel Smith was chosen, and in March 
 1708 Daniel Carpenter was again chosen, and continued to fill 
 the office till 1730. In 1730 Ezekiel Read was chosen, and 
 continued in the office, with the exception of 1751, 1752, and 
 1753, till 1762. In March 1762 Jesse Perrin was chosen, and 
 continued till 1787. In March 1787 Lieut, (afterwards Capt.) 
 
 •-See note, page 42. 
 
173 HISTORY or REHOBOTH, 
 
 Philip Walker was chosen town clerk, and filled the office till 
 1801, when Capt. Caleb Abell was chosen, and continued till 
 the division of the town in 1812, when he fell within the limits 
 of Seekonk, where he has since been continued in the same 
 office. In 1812 James Blanding Esq. was chosen town clerky 
 and has filled the office to the present time. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 The civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the town were, in the 
 early part of our history, so inseparably interwoven, that we 
 have already anticipated much of what properly belongs to 
 this division. The history of the first established church in 
 Rehoboth (now the First Congregational Church in Seekonk,) 
 has already been much of it given : the remainder will be found 
 under the history of Seekonk. Under this division will be 
 given an account of the First Congregational Church in Reho- 
 both (formerly the second), and of the numerous Baptist church- 
 es which have at different times been organized here. 
 
 First Congregational Church. 
 
 In the year 1711 the inhabitants of the south-east part of the 
 town, called the " Neighbourhood of Palmer's river," petitioned 
 the General Court to have the town divided into two precincts, 
 for the support of the ministry, and that each division support a 
 minister. This measure the people in the other and older part 
 of the town opposed by a petition which has been mentioned at 
 page 134. In May, 1713, the General Court recommended to 
 Rehoboth to raise £l20 for the support of two ministers, — one 
 at Palmer's river. In 1717, the Court granted permission to the 
 people at Palmer's river to build a meeting-house in their part 
 of the town. This house was commenced in 1717, and stood 
 on a small elevation about half a mile north-west of the Orleans 
 factory : the spot is sometimes called now Burying-place Hill. 
 ■"^ Jethnial Peck,''Capt Samuel Peck, and Jonathan Bliss, gave, 
 March 27, 1717, each an acre of land for the site of the meet- 
 ing-house. The town relinquished, for their aid, £50 of the 
 £250 which had been voted for the erection of a new meeting- 
 
174 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 house in the older part of the town. This grant was made, 
 however, with the proviso, that the town should be freed from 
 all further expense in erecting the Palmer's river meeting- 
 house. The following individuals of the " Neighborhood of 
 Palmer's river" entered into an engagement, in writing, to free 
 the town, on the receipt of the £50, from all further expenses 
 that might otherwise accrue to it from the building of the meet- 
 ing-house : 
 
 V Samuel Peck, Thomas Bliss, 
 
 -Jethnial Peck, William Blanding, 
 
 Joshua Smith, Daniel Blanding, 
 
 Samuel Bliss, Solomon Peck, 
 
 Lennox Beverly, Nathaniel Smith, 
 
 Benjamin Willson, Joshua Smith, jr. 
 
 Thomas Ormsbee, -~Ichabod Peck, 
 
 Jonathan Bliss, Ephraim Millard, 
 
 Samuel Whitaker, William Marten, 
 
 Abraham Carpenter, Jacob Bliss. 
 Solomon Millard, 
 
 This congregation at Palmer's river received also, as a present 
 from the " community " for erecting the new meeting-house in 
 the west part of the town (now Seekonk,) the pulpit and the 
 facing of the galleries of their old meeting-house. This new 
 meeting-house was completed in 1720 or 1721 ; and a church 
 was organized, November 29, 1721, consisting of ten members, 
 (all males),* under the pastoral care of the Rev. David Turner, 
 a native of Scituate. The business of the two churches and 
 societies was, by vote of the town, of March 13, 1721, " man- 
 aged by the town as the affairs of one church," and " the expen- 
 ses of both were to be borne by the whole town." They con- 
 tinued to be managed thus till the year 1759. Mr. Turner 
 received for a settlement £100. His salary at first was £70 ; 
 in 1728 it was increased to £100 : in 1736 it was £70; and in 
 1739, £100. During his ministry, which continued about 
 thirty-six years, one hundred and seventy persons were, by 
 
 * Their names were, David Turner, (pastor,) Elisha May, Thomas Ormsby, 
 (deacons,) Jethniel Peck, Samuel Peck, Benjamin Willson, Solomon Millard. 
 Samuel Fuller, William Blanding, Joseph Willson. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 175 
 
 profession and recommendation, added to the church.* Mr. 
 Turner graduated at Harvard in 1718. On leaving the univer- 
 sity, he first studied medicine, which he occasionally practised 
 after entering the ministry. He was a man of talent, of much 
 shrewd wit, but singular and eccentric. He had several chil- 
 dren, who inherited their father's ready wit ; but his sons were 
 in general profligate, and the name here is now extinct. He 
 died August 9th, J 757, in the 63d year of his age, and was 
 buried in his church-yard, the "Old Burying -place." His 
 tombstone, which stands near the eastern side of the church- 
 yard, about an equal distance from the north and south ends, 
 bears the following inscription : 
 
 " In Memory of 
 the Reverend Mr. 
 DAVID TURNER, 
 
 Pastor of the Second 
 
 Church in Rehoboth, 
 
 who departed this 
 
 Life on y® 9th Day of 
 
 August, AD. i757, in 
 
 y® 63d Year of his Age, 
 " Watch and Pray because 
 You know not the hour." 
 
 In his last illness Mr. Turner sent for the Rev. Robert Roger- 
 son, who had been employed to preach to his congregation since 
 he had become incapable through illness and infirmities, and 
 said to him : " Mr. Rogerson, I rejoice to find that the people 
 are so well pleased with you and your preaching ; but you must 
 remember that, though it is ' Hosanna ! ' ' Hosanna ! ' to-day 
 it will be ' Crucify Mm!' • Crucify him!' to-morrow." 
 
 He lived in the house where his successor, Mr. Rogerson, 
 since lived, and where the family of the late Capt. John Roger- 
 son, the son of the latter, now resides. 
 
 This church and congregation was incorporated by an act of 
 the General Court, passed January 2, 1759, into a separate 
 society, by the name of "the Second Precinct in Rehoboth." 
 The first meeting of the precinct was held February l^ih, of 
 
 *For some of the facts given in the account of this church I am indebted to 
 a sermon preached on its centennial anniversary by the Rev. Otis Thompson, 
 its minister at that time. 
 
176 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 the same year, when William Bullock was chosen Precinct 
 clerk, and Dea. Thomas Carpenter, Dea. Moulton, Stephen 
 Moulton, Lieut. Ephraim Hunt, Capt. Nathaniel Bliss, and 
 William Blending, Precinct Committee. 
 
 February 26, 1759, the precinct concurred with the church 
 in the choice of the Rev, Robert Rogerson for their minister, 
 and voted to give him £75 settlement, to be paid in equal sums 
 of £25 yearly, for three years, and £60 yearly for his regular 
 salary. 
 
 Mr. Rogerson was ordained over the church and society, July 
 2, 1759. His salary varied from £60 to £93 yearly. 
 
 March 18, 1773, the precinct " voted that the old meeting 
 house should be sold, or pulled down, provided that a new one 
 can be built upon the plaine near Timothy Readvvays."* 
 
 May 9, 1773. " Voted to build a new meeting-house, 50 
 feet long and 40 feet wide." " Likewise chose Capt. Thomas 
 Carpenter, Capt. Joshua Smith, Mr. Daniel Bliss, jr. Mr. Isaac 
 Brown, Mr. John Brown, 2d, Ensign Ezra Perry, Mr. Thomas 
 Baldwin, Mr. Ephraim Bliss, Mr. Nathaniel Bliss, jr., a com- 
 mittee to carry on and see to the building of the above meeting 
 house. 
 
 Thomas Carpenter, 3d, presented a plan for the meeting 
 house, which was accepted, with some slight alterations. It was 
 voted to sell the pews to the highest bidder; and, October 25, 
 1773, they were sold at public auction, for between £5 and 
 £15 each. 
 
 In 1776 a large and valuable legacy was bequeathed to the 
 precinct, in trust, for the support of the pastor of the church, 
 iDy Lieut Ephraim Hunt. This bequest is supposed to have 
 been worth about ^10,000. 
 
 In 1792, an act was passed by the General Court, " to repeal 
 an act, entitled ' An act to invest the Committtee of the Second 
 Precinct in Rehoboth with corporate powers for certain purposes 
 therein mentioned,' and to incorporate a number of the inhabit- 
 ants of said Precinct, by the name of the Catholic Congrega- 
 tional Church and Society in the second precinct in the town of 
 Rehoboih." 
 
 The Rev. Robert Rogerson, the second pastor of this church, 
 died March 20, 1799, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. 
 
 * Mr. Headway lived on the farm, since the residence of the late Dr. James 
 Bliss. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 177 
 
 He had been pastor about forty years, during which time thirty- 
 six persons had been added to the church. 
 
 Mr. Rogerson was the son of Robert Rogerson, and was born 
 at Portsmouth (England), of a respectable fiimily; and at the 
 age of four years was removed to London, where, or in the 
 vicinity of which, he received his education ; but whether at 
 Cambridge, or in the metropolis, is not ascertained. At the age 
 of nineteen he came to America, as an assistant to a collector 
 of the revenue, and in this capacity served one year in Virginia. 
 After this he taught school for several years on the eastern 
 shore of Virginia, prosecuting, in the mean time, the study of 
 divinity. He then came to New England. In 1765 he receiv- 
 ed the degree of Master of Arts at the university of Cambridge, 
 Mass. He commenced his ministry at Brookline, where he 
 preached one year. He then came to Rehoboth, and preached 
 a year for the first Congregational church, in what is now See- 
 konk. The year following he commenced preaching for the 
 Congregational church in the west part of the town, and was 
 ordained minister of this church, July 2, 1759. While preach- 
 ing in what is now Seekonk, he became acquainted with, and 
 married, the daughter of Col. Thomas Bowen of the same 
 place, then Mrs. Betsey Sweet, a young widow with one child.* 
 Their family numbered three sons and three daughters. The 
 names of the sons were, Robert, Thomas, and John. Robert 
 was for many years a respectable physician in Boston, and died 
 a few years since in Attleborough. Thomas became a wealthy 
 planter in Virginia, and died in 1833. Capt. John Rogerson, 
 who lived on the paternal inheritance of his father, died in 1835. 
 Of his daughters, Lydia, the eldest, now Mrs. Bullock, w^idow 
 of Mr. Eleazer Bullock, late of Rehoboth, alone survives. 
 Another daughter married Mr. Charles D'Wolf of Bristol, 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 Mr. Rogerson was a man of much learning, and faithful in the 
 discharge of his duties as a minister and a christian. Under his 
 ministry his church and society were prosperous and united. 
 
 The successor of Mr. Rogerson was the Rev. Otis Thompson. 
 He was born at Middleborough, (Mass.) Sept. 14, 1776, and 
 graduated at Brown University in 1798. He was immediately 
 appointed tutor in that institution, and filled the office two years. 
 
 * Afterwards the wife of Capt. Joseph Wheaton of Rehoboth. She died in 
 1835 at a very advanced age distinguished for her piety and christian virtues. 
 
178 HISTORY OF REHOBOl'li/ 
 
 He then directed his attention to the study of divinity. On the 
 death of Mr. Rogerson, after having supphed the pulpit as a 
 candidate, one year, he was invited by the church and society 
 to become their pastor, and was ordained September 24 j 1800. 
 For a long time after his settlement, Mr. Thompson's services 
 as a pastor and preacher were highly acceptable to his church 
 and society, and no less succcessful and beneficial ; and a 
 degree of union and harmony prevailed, which might have just- 
 ly excited for this church the envy of many of its sister church- 
 es. During the first twenty-one years of his ministry, seventy 
 seven persons were added to the church. The total number of 
 persons, that, in 1821, — a century from its organization, had 
 been enrolled in the list of its members, v.as three hundred and 
 three. The number of members in 1821 was fifty-six, of v<liom 
 eighteen were males, and thirty-eight females.* The year 1800 
 is noticed by Mr. Thompson in his century sermon, as a period 
 of more than usual attention to the concerns and duties of reli- 
 gion. Forty individuals were added to the church, which, consid- 
 ering the the number of families then belonging to the society, 
 which did not exceed fifty, was a great addition for one year. 
 
 In 1825 the harmony of the church and society was disturbed 
 by the commencement of a series of difficulties which have 
 kept in a state of commotion the society and a majority of the 
 town for much of the time since: but it is devoutly to be hoped, 
 both for the honour and welfare of the town, that these difficul- 
 ties are now at an end. The result of these dissensions was the 
 exclusion of Mr. Thompson from his pastoral office. 
 
 To give the history of these difficulties, in minute detail, 
 would occupy too much space, and what might be devoted to 
 better purposes ; and, in addition to this, their recent occur- 
 rence, the personalities which their recital must involve, and 
 the delicate circumstances of their origin, are a more than suf- 
 ficient apology for passing them over briefly. 
 
 Some unpleasant circumstances having occurred between Mr. 
 Thompson and one of the members of the church, (or rather 
 between their families), the other members of the church at- 
 tempted a reconciliation, but to no purpose. For the breach 
 continued daily to widen, and in a short time the whole church, 
 with the exception of one member, who left, and joined a neigh- 
 bouring church, had taken sides either with the pastor or with 
 
 *Mr. Thompson's Century Sermon, p. 19. 
 
ECCLKSIASTICAL HISTORY. 179 
 
 the member first mentioned. Two or three ecclesiastical coun- 
 cils were called on the part of the members disaffected with Mr. 
 Thompson, who decided that the pastoral relations between him 
 and his church ouo;ht to cease. The society also voted "to 
 dismiss the Rev. Otis Thompson from his pastoral relation with 
 said society." The meeting-house was then closed against him, 
 and another minister was procured by the society to supply their 
 desk. Mr. Thompson continued to preach regularly every Sab- 
 bath to a small number that assembled in a school-house near 
 his residence, and finally brought an action against the society 
 for the recovery of his salary from the time of his dismissal : 
 the case was decided in his favour. At length an accommoda- 
 tion was agreed upon between him and the society, he agreeing 
 for the sum of .^1,000, to relinquish all further claims on the 
 society. Attempts have since been made on the part of Mr. 
 Thompson and his friends, but without success, to revive the old 
 precinct, and wrest from the church and society a part or the 
 whole of the funds which are now in their possession. The 
 income of these funds is about adequate to the support of one 
 minister. 
 
 Mr. Thompson, at the time of his ordination, had 'a hun- 
 dred pounds settlement,' and was to receive an annual salary of 
 $350. In 1816 his salary was increased to ,f 500. 
 
 Mr.Thom pson's first wife was Miss Rachel Chandler of 
 Plympton (Mass.), who died Sept. 16, 1827, aged 47, and by 
 whom he had four sons and five daughters. September 30, 
 1828, he married Miss Charlotte Fales, of Bristol, R. I, Mr. 
 Thompson has had, in years past, fifteen or twenty students in 
 divinity, has had printed several funeral and ordination sermons, 
 and published, about ten years since, " A Review of Mr. 
 Andras's Essay on Divine Agency." He commenced the 
 " Hopkinsian Magazine," a monthly of 24 pages 8vo., in Jan. 
 1824, as sole editor and proprietor, and continued it with the 
 omission of one year (1830), till the close of 1832, — making 
 four large 8vo. volumes. 
 
 The successor of Mr. Thompson, and the present pastor of 
 the church, is the Rev. Thomas Vernon, a native of Newport, R, 
 I., and son of the late Samuel Vernon. He graduated at Brown 
 University in 1816, studied theology at Andover Seminary, was 
 licenced to preach in 1822, and ordained over this church, Sep- 
 tember 13, 1826. In 1831 he married Miss Adelaide A. Win 
 throp, of Bristol, R. T. 
 
180 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 The church and society, at the commencement of his ministry 
 here, were in a distracted and divided state. Brother had been 
 set against brother, and the harsh voice of discord had nearly 
 drowned the "still small voice" of the religion of Prince of 
 Peace. But, by prudent and judicious management, union and 
 harmony were in some measure soon restored, and the religious 
 concerns of the people assumed a more prosperous and agreea- 
 ble aspect. Bible-classes were formed, and two Sabbath schools 
 organized, one of which has already a good library. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCHES. 
 
 " It is probable," says Benedict, [vol. I. p. 429] in speaking of 
 Rehoboth, " that there have been Ba])tists in this town from 
 about 1G50, when Obadiah Holmes* separated from the parish 
 worship ; but no church was gathered in it until 1732, when 
 one f arose near its south-east corner, under the ministry of Air. 
 John Comer, formerly pastor of the first Baptist church in 
 Newport, R. I. By the year 1794, no less than seven Baptist 
 churches had been formed in Rehoboth ; most of them were 
 small, and hardly any two of them were united in their views 
 of doctrine and discipline. Elhanam Winchester, who after- 
 w-ards distinguished himself by the propagation of the doctrine 
 of Universal Restoration, was, for a few years, pastor of one of 
 them. The youngest of thesef is that at the lower end of the 
 great Seekonk Plaine, within about three miles of Providence, 
 which is supplied by Mr. John Pitman of that town." The 
 majority of these small churches have greatly declined, and 
 some of them have become utterly extinct. Brief notices will 
 be given of them all. 
 
 Oak Swamp Church. 
 
 This church was gathered, January 20, 1732, by the Rev. 
 John Comer, who had formerly been pastor of the first Baptist 
 church in Newport, R. I. He removed from Newport to 
 
 "'• See Ecclesiastical history of Seekonk. t Oak Swamp Church. 
 
 i Now the Baptist church of Seekonk. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 181 
 
 Rehoboth in August of 1731, and was installed over the church 
 he had collected here, July 26, 1732. The Rev. Ephraim 
 Wheaton, of Svvansey, preached the installation sermon from 
 Thess. V. 12, 13, and gave him the right hand of fellowship. 
 November 30th, Mr. Comer baptized fifteen persons, chiefly 
 converts under his preaching. In less than two years from the 
 date of its organization this church numbered ninety-five mem- 
 bers. Mr. Comer died of consumption, May 23, 1734, in the 
 30th year of his age. 
 
 Mr. Comer was born at Boston, August 1, 1704, and was the 
 son of Mr. John and Mrs. Mary Comer. His father died July, 
 1706, in North Carolina, where he had touched on his voyage 
 to England. John was then nearly two years of age, July 1, 
 1708, his mother was married to Mr. John Philips of Boston, 
 by whom she had two children, a son and a daughter. In 1709, 
 Mr. Comer says, his mother told him, "that he had read his 
 Bible half out." In 1714 his mother and father-in-law remov- 
 ed to South Carolina for the purpose of obtaining some property 
 left by Mr. John Comer for his son's liberal education. But 
 no sooner had his father-in-law got possession of this property 
 than he appropriated it to his own use. He soon died in a sin- 
 gular manner, which John says was considered a judgment of 
 God for defrauding the fatherless. He was walking in a very 
 dark night with a long pipe in his mouth, when he fell, and the 
 pipe-stem, running down his throat, broke off", and no means that 
 could be devised, could get it out. He continued from Saturday 
 till Monday, when he died. John, though exceedingly desi- 
 rous of an education, was now reduced to the necessity of learn- 
 ing some useful trade for support! May 1718, he says, " I 
 went to learn the glover's trade of Mr. Benjamin Harris of Bos- 
 ton "; — with him he continued two years and one month. "In 
 this time," said he, " I had opportunity to read and did improve 
 it." "This year" [1719] says he, "I composed a set dis- 
 course (which was the first) from the words in Eccl. xii. 1, 
 "Remember me," &lc. "In July 1720," says he, "I was 
 put by my grandfather to Mr. Zechariab Fitch, to the same 
 trade. He, seeing me read much, said to me and to others, ' I 
 see you w^ont do for me, for you read too much.' At this time 
 I applied myself to my grandfather, to go on in my studying, 
 but he refused. I prevailed upon the Rev. Dr. Increase Math- 
 er to go and talk with him ; which being done he consented to 
 it." "In December of this year, [1720] I began my grammar 
 
182 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 with my old schoolmaster, Mr. Angler ; being sixteen j^ears and 
 four months old. Thus I set out upon my studies." His 
 grandfather died Monday, August 7, 1721. "He committed 
 me," says Mr. Comer, " to the care and inspection of Mr. John 
 Webb, and by will bequeathed to me £.500. This sum ^vas to 
 bring me up, and introduce me comfortably into the world, which 
 it did." In 1723, an intimate friend of his, Mr. Ephraim Craft, 
 who had been a member of Mr. Webb's communion, in Boston, 
 but had now embraced the principles of the Baptists and joined 
 Mr. Callender's church, persuaded him to read " Stennett on 
 Baptism," and give the subject a thorough examination. Tills 
 resulted, some years afterwards, in his conversion to the princi- 
 ples of the Baptists. In 1723 he was admitted into Yale Col- 
 lege, " containing," says his journal, " about fifty students." 
 The summer of 1724, by permission of the faculty of the college, 
 he studied with the Rev. Mr. Barnard, a Congregational minis- 
 ter of Andover, with whom he had studied a shoit time previous 
 to entering college. "January 1, 1725, was baptized by Mr. 
 Callender, and admitted into full communion with the Baptist 
 church in Boston." " So I tarried in Boston that winter, and 
 resolved to go no more to college ; but to follow my studies 
 privately, and to keep for a time a school in the country, if any 
 presented. Accordingly a school presenting itself at Shawamet, 
 on the lower end of Swansey, and considering there was a Bap- 
 tist church there, about eight miles distant, I accepted the 
 motion." He left Boston, Thursday May 5, 1725, and reach- 
 ed Swansey the next day, "sending his horse back by the post." 
 " Saturday the 8th," says he, " I visited the minister, Mr. 
 Ephraim Wheaton, and was invited by him to preach the next 
 Lord's day, which I accepted, having been earnest with the 
 Lord for the bestowment of suitable gifts and graces for so 
 sacred an office." In June he engaged to teach the public 
 school one quarter, at the rate of £44 a year. He preached, 
 during the time that he was engaged in teaching, regularly one 
 sermon on the Sabbath, to lighten the labors of the Rev. Mr. 
 Wheaton, who had become infirm through age. In August 
 [1725] he was invited by the church in Swansey to preach to 
 them regularly, having before preached only at the request of 
 their pastor ; but having reason to believe that some few persons 
 were secretly hostile to his settlement, he accepted a similar 
 invitation from the first Baptist church in Newport, R. I., and 
 was ordained, May 19, 1795, colleague with the Rev. William 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORV. 1 S3 
 
 Peckham. He was married, January 20, 1726, to Miss Sarah 
 Rogers of Newport, by whom he had three children, John, 
 Sarah, and Mary ; these married into the Kennicut, Mendal, 
 and Cranston famihes. Mr. Comer remained at Newport only 
 about three years, when he removed to Rehoboth and founded 
 the church at "Oak Swamp," as before related. The cause 
 of his leaving Newport was his preaching the indispensibility of 
 the laying on of hands to all baptized believers. This gave 
 offence to some of the church and caused a violent opposition 
 to his preaching. " Nevertheless," says a historian,* " they 
 whom he made angry venerated the man for his piety and pop- 
 ular talents." Mr. Comer kept a journal and was curious in 
 noting all the remarkable events that came within his knowl- 
 edge. This swelled into two volumes of the folio size, which 
 are now deposited in the cabinet of the Rhode Island Histori- 
 cal Society. To this journal I am principally indebted for the 
 facts here given of Mr. Comer. He had formed the design of 
 writing the history of the American Baptists, and for this pur- 
 pose had entered into correspendence with the distinguished 
 clergymen of that denomination, both in England and America, 
 and had even travelled as far south as Philadelphia, in collect- 
 ing the materials to prosecute his plan. The materials col- 
 lected by him were made use of both by Backus and Benedict 
 in their histories. 
 
 Several quotations from Mr. Comer's journal have already 
 been given in this sketch ; the following were written after his 
 settlement at Rehoboth, and may serve as a specimen of his 
 minute chronicling of the events which transpired around him, 
 interspersed with prayers, religious reflections, he. 
 
 " Saturday, Jan 1, 1732. This day I began a new year in 
 a new place, though not a new employment ; for my delight of 
 soul is in serving my dear Redeemer in the sacred service of 
 the ministry, which I prefer and extol above every thing else, 
 (though I acknowledge unfit, unworthy in myself). O Lord, 
 who is sufficient for these things ? Sufficiency is alone of God. 
 On him I rest and rely. Continually, Lord, grant me this year 
 new supplies of thy spirit ; and, as I renew a new year, I en- 
 treat 1 may find my desires renewed to glorify and serve thee." 
 
 " Lord's day, Jan. 16, 1732. This day Mr. John Luther's 
 house was burned down about 1 1 o'clock, A. M. in Swansey." 
 
 * Ecclesiastical Hist, of Rhode Island, by Morgan Edwards, in MS. now in 
 the archives of the Rhode Island Hist. Soc. 
 
184 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 " Thursd. Jan 20, 1732. This day a Baptist church was 
 gathered in Rehoboth, and I was chosen to the pastoral office." 
 
 " Wednesday, 26th. Tliis day I was pubhckly installed 
 pastor over the Baptist church in Rehoboth. The elder and 
 messengers of the church of Swansey assisted. Elder Ephraim 
 Wheaton preached from 1st Thess. v. 12, 13, and gave me the 
 rig] it hand of felloivshij}." 
 
 "Lord's day, February 13. This day I preached at New- 
 port for Mr. John Callender, in my old congregation ; it being 
 the first time since we parted." 
 
 "Mond. 14. This night, about 11 of the clock, Mr. Hugh 
 Cole, jun. left his hay, and every thing belonging to him, in the 
 fire, save his family, who narrowly escaped (through God's dis- 
 tinguishing goodness), some in part, and others not at all cloth- 
 ed, in an extreme cold night, in Swansey." 
 
 " Tuesd. 15. This day for the extremity of cold may 
 deserve to be chronicled." 
 
 " Lord's day, 20th. This day, about 1 P. M., my wife's 
 mother, Mrs. Sarah Rogers, departed this life, and I have grace 
 to hope she died in the Lord." 
 
 " Lord's day, 27th. This day another house was burned in 
 Swansey, at 9 A. M." 
 
 " Thursd. March 16, 1732. This day in the town of Reho- 
 both, one John Abel cut his own throat with a razor, about sun- 
 rise : he had been ill in body some time." 
 
 " April, Wednesd. 8,1732. This day a remarkable snow 
 fell, between 2 and 3 feet deep : the deepest we had this 
 year." 
 
 With this the journal closes. Some leaves appear to have 
 been torn off. Mr. Comer lived more than two years after the 
 date of this last memorandum. Li his death his church expe- 
 rienced an irreparable loss, and soon fell into a decline from 
 which it never but partially recovered. 
 
 On the 4th of June, 1736, Nathaniel Millard, was ordained 
 as the successor of Mr. Comer ; but according to Backus [vol. 
 IL p. 385,] he was a man of unsound principles, who, in six 
 years after, abandoned his wife, and formed an adulterous con- 
 nection with a woman of abandoned character, with whom he 
 left the town. 
 
 In 1745, Rev Samuel Maxwell, who, at his own request had 
 been dismissed from Swansey, in 1739, took the charge of this 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 185 
 
 church. He was dismissed from it in less than four years. 
 [Backus, vol. II. p. 384, vol. III. p. 148.] 
 
 August 3, 1748. Rev. John Paine was ordained over this 
 church. [Backus, vol. II. p. 175.] 
 
 The Rev. Richard Round, who had preiviously formed a 
 church in the north-east part of the town, preached to this 
 church for several years before his death, which occurred May 
 18, 1768, at the age of 62. He is said to have been a pious 
 and good man. 
 
 In 1795, this church had been dissolved. The church and 
 congregation to which Mr. Winchester preached, afterwards 
 worshipped for a time in the house of this church. 
 
 Round's Church. 
 
 This church is located in the north-east part of the town, 
 and was formed by the Rev. David Round. During the first 
 year of its formation it embraced forty members. Mr. Round, 
 their first pastor, was ordained, July 13, 1743. He preached 
 the gospel faithfully till his health failed, when he removed to 
 the southern part of the town for the benefit of the sea air. 
 About this time a division took place both in this church and 
 the one founded by Mr. Comer at Oak Swamp. A part of the 
 members of each worshipped at Round's meeting-house, and 
 the other part, at Oak Swamp, where Mr. Round, having re- 
 gained his health, preached to them until his death. May 
 18, 1768. 
 
 After the removal of Mr. Round there was no regular preach- 
 ing here, — and, in fact, the church was considered only as a 
 branch of Elder GofF's church, of Dighton, till a church was 
 again formed (or at most revived) by the Rev. Sylvester 
 Round, about the year 1782 — 3. Mr. Round continued the 
 pastor of this church till his death, October 26, 1824, since 
 tvhich date no regular meeting has been sustained ; and the 
 the number of members is so small and so scattered as scarcely 
 to deserve the name of a church. This church, as formed by 
 the latter Mr. Round, was called the " six principled Baptists."* 
 
 * For most of the facts stated respecting this church and the two following, 
 I am indebted to Dr. Menzias A. Randall, who resides in the north-east part 
 of Rehoboth. 
 
 24 
 
186 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 
 
 Mr. Round was born in Rehoboth, April 10, 1762, and, in 
 1780, married Miss Mehitable Perrv, also of Rehoboth. 
 
 Reformed Methodist Church, 
 
 After the death of the Rev. Sylvester Round, in 1824, there 
 was no preacher located in the vicinity of his church till 1826, 
 when the Rev. Lorenzo D. Johnson, from Vermont, came and 
 commenced preaching; and, in the year 1827, organized a 
 church, called " Reformed Methodist." Mr. Johnson preach- 
 ed here till 1829, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Benja- 
 min M'Cloth. Mr. M'Cloth supplied the desk till 1834. His 
 ministry was highly successful and useful. He was succeeded 
 by the Rev. Joseph S. Eldridge, who is the present pastor of 
 the church. Mr. Eldridge was born at Harwich, (Mass.), and 
 married Miss Rhoda Shares, of Chatham, (Mass.) The condi- 
 tion of this church since its formation has been highly pros- 
 perous. It numbers now 77 members, and embraces a society 
 of 3 or 4 hundred. It has erected a neat and commodious house, 
 finished in good taste. 
 
 Iron's Churcb. 
 
 This church is in the north-west part of Rehoboth, near to 
 Attleborough. It was formed after a revival of religion there, 
 October 2, 1777. The Rev. James Sheldon, of Providence, 
 was ordained their pastor, September 6, 1780. He purchased 
 a farm in the vicinity, for sixteen hundred dollars ; but, after he 
 had paid a thousand dollars of the sum, he was pressed for the 
 remainder of it, in the trying year of 1786, so as to be compel- 
 led to sell it again, with the loss of about seven hundred dol- 
 lars. He soon removed his family back to Providence ; though 
 he often came and preached to this church, for several years, till 
 he obtained a dismission, in 1792, and removed into the State 
 of New York. This church obtained occasional supplies of 
 preaching, from time to time, till the Rev. Jeremiah Irons was 
 ordained their pastor, September 24, 1795. He was born in 
 Gloucester, R. I., October 14, 1765, and is believed to be still 
 living somewhere in the western states. [Backus, vol. III. pp. 
 150 — 1.] After the period of Mr. Irons leaving Rehoboth, the 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 187 
 
 desk was occasionally supplied by Reverends William Northrop 
 and Daniel Hix (or Hicks,) for a few years, till the Rev. 
 Samuel Northrop was located here, who supplied the pulpit till 
 his death, in 1812. He was born in North Kingston, R. I., 
 and died in Rehoboth. Since his death the desk has been occa- 
 sionally supplied by Reverends Timothy Morse and Reuben 
 Allen, of New-Hampshire, John M. Yeamshaw, of Mass., 
 and J. S. Mowry, of R. I. Mr. Mowry is the present minister. 
 The church numbers at present, about 90 members, and is of 
 the denomination called " Free-will Baptists." 
 
 HicRs' Church. 
 
 This church, like most of the others we have spoken of, re- 
 ceived its name from its fouuder, the Rev. John Hicks. He 
 was born in Rehoboth, May 10, 1712, and was ordained the 
 first pastor of this church, November 10, 1762. In 1780 this 
 church consisted of 106 members. In 1784 it embraced 100 
 members, and Mr. Hicks was still its pastor. In 1795 he was 
 still living, but so infirm, through age, as to be unable to preach. 
 His eldest son, Jacob, born at Rehoboth, January 1, 1740, was 
 pastor of a church which grew out of this, under the preaching 
 of the Rev. Elhanan Winchester. 
 
 The origin and history of this church, formed by Mr. Win- 
 chester, is thus stated by Backus, vol. HI. pp. 149, 150: 
 "Another church was raised out of the other [the former], in 
 the following manner. A powerful work began among them in 
 the fall of 1771, and elder Hicks baptized forty persons, and 
 then was taken sick in the winter, and Mr. Winchester came 
 and baptized twenty more ; and such power appeared to attend 
 his ministry, that many were taken in with the opinion, that 
 baptism by immersion ought not to be held as a term of com- 
 munion in the church. A council was called upon it, in Sep- 
 tember, 1772, and they who were not convinced by them, form- 
 ed another church, and ordained Mr. Jacob Hicks as their 
 pastor, January 20, 1773. He is the eldest son of their old 
 pastor, and was born January 1,1740. This division caused 
 much unhappiness for many years ; but both societies have 
 usually held their worship together, in late times, and they now 
 
188 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 
 
 [1795] meet in the same house that was first built for Mr. 
 Comer's church.-'* 
 
 The Re\^ Elhanan Winchester, who preached a short time 
 to this church, and who afterwards distinguished himself as the 
 author and able advocate of wn? versa/ restoration , and the found- 
 er of a religious sect, deserves to be noticed here. 
 
 He was born in Brookline, Mass., September 19, 1751. 
 Though not favoured with the advantages of an academical 
 education, yet, naturally fond of books and studious from a boy, 
 by making the most of the means within his power, he acquir- 
 ed, as Backus expresses it, " a considerable measure of human 
 learning." He made a first attemptf at preaching in Rehoboth, 
 at the age of nineteen. His preaching in Rehoboth caused a 
 division in the church to which he was preaching, and from it 
 another was formed, over which he was ordained pastor, Sep- 
 tember 4, 1771, before he was twenty years old. Though he had 
 himself been baptized by immersion, nnd had, at the first, joined 
 a close communion church, he insisted zealously on all christians 
 communing together. But, soon after his ordination, being per- 
 suaded by a Baptist clergyman to believe that he was in an 
 error in regard to communion, Mr. ^Vinchester declared to his 
 church, " that he could no more administer the ordinance of 
 the supper to any who were only sprinkled in infancy, though 
 he was still willing to discharge all the duties of his office to 
 them . that he could do with a good conscience." [Backus, vol. 
 HI. pp. 152 — 5.] Upon hearing this declaration, the majority 
 of his church refused to let him preach another sermon among 
 them ; and, in May, 1778, ordained for their pastor the Rev. 
 Jonathan Chaffee. They styled their communion "large com- 
 munion,''^ and the other, " close communion.^' In December, 
 1772, Mr. Winchester called a council of Baptist churches, 
 who advised him to confess what they considered an error, to 
 his church, and then to ofier himself as a member to some other 
 Baptist church. He followed their advice and was received 
 into the Baptist church in Bellingham, Mass. He afterwards 
 preached at Newton, Mass., and was, according to Allen [Am. 
 Biog. and Hist. Die.,] the first minister of the Baptist church in 
 that place. After this he travelled extensively, and preached 
 through all the country as far south as South Carolina. In 
 
 "Oak Swamp church. 
 
 f This fact 1 had from a lady still living, who heard his first sermon. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 189 
 
 1778 we find him on the Pedee river in that State, zealously- 
 teaching the Calvinistic doctrines, as explained by Dr. Gill. In 
 the following year his labours were usefid among the negroes. 
 In 1781 he became pastor of a Baptist church in Philadelphia ; 
 but ' the fathers of it,' perceiving that he had imbibed the doc- 
 trine of universal salvation, soon rejected him. His party, hav- 
 ing become the majority, sued for the meeting-house and par- 
 sonage ; but, after a long lawsuit and much cost, they were 
 defeated, and the property was secured to the original church. 
 After this Mr. Winchester visited New-England, where he spent 
 a year ; and then returning to Philadelphia, he embarked for 
 England, in July, 1787. While in London, he published his 
 Dialogues on universal restoration, which gained him much 
 celebrity on both sides of the Atlantic. He returned to Amer- 
 ica, and landed at Boston, in July, 1794 ; and Backus remarks 
 of him, in 1796 : — "he is spreading his doctrines in this coun- 
 try, which makes it needful to hold up light against them." 
 He died at Hartford, Conn., in April 1797, aged 45. Besides 
 his Dialogues, he published a volume of hymns, 1776 ; a plain 
 political catechism for schools ; a sermon on restoration, 1781 ; 
 and lectures on the prophecies. An American edition of the 
 latter, 2 vols. 8vo. was published in 1800. 
 
 Pierce's Church. 
 
 This church was in the south-east part of Rehoboth. In 
 order to form it, about thirty persons were dismissed from the 
 second Baptist church in Swansey, who ordained the Rev. 
 Daniel Martin for their pastor, February 8, 1753. The Rev. 
 Nathan Pierce was soon ordained with him. Mr. Martin pub- 
 lished a sermon, in 1770, against "particular election, and effi- 
 cacious grace in conversion." An answer to this was published 
 the next year, " which," says Backus, " was convincing to 
 many minds." Mr. Martin died at an advanced age, Novem- 
 ber 17, 1781 ; and Mr. Pierce died in 1794. Rev. Thomas 
 Seamens was a colleague with Mr. Pierce for a number of years 
 before his death, and was still minister of this church in 1795, 
 but the number of its members was small. 
 
HISTORY OF SEEK ON K 
 
 In 1812 the west part of Rehoboth was, by an act of the 
 Legislature, passed the 26th of February of that year, mcor- 
 porated uito a distinct township, resuming its ancient Indian 
 name, SetJconli.* The reason of this division was the great 
 extent of the old town, and the difficulty and inconvenience 
 thence consequent on the assembling of the town for the trans- 
 action of their public business. The history of Seekonk, be- 
 coming from this period distinct, or, at least, a branch of the 
 history of the original town, is necessarily so related. The civil 
 history consists chiefly in extracts from the town records. The 
 following is the 
 
 Act of Incorporation. 
 
 " Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
 of the same, that the westerly part of Rehoboth in the county 
 of Bristol, as described within the following bounds, with 
 the inhabitants thereon, be, and they are hereby incorpo- 
 rated into a separate town, by the name of Seekonk, viz : 
 Beginning at a rock in the line between the towns of Attlebo- 
 rough and Rehoboth, which is the northeast corner boundary of 
 the west precinct in said Rehoboth ; thence south, four degrees 
 west, until it strikes the line between the towns of Swanzey and 
 said Rehoboth ; thence westerly, by Swanzey line, till it strikes 
 the line between the said Rehoboth and the State of Rhode 
 Island and Providence Plantations ; thence following the line 
 between the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 
 and said Rehoboth, till it comes to the southwest corner of the 
 town of Attleborough ; thence easterly by the line between the 
 towns of Attleborough and Rehoboth to the first mentioned 
 
 * For the derivation and meaning of this word, see note page 1, Hist, of 
 Rehoboth. 
 
192 HISTORY OF SEEKONKi 
 
 bounds ; — and the said town of Seekonk is hereby vested with 
 all the powers and privileges, rights and immunities, and subject 
 to all the duties to which other towns are entitled and subjected 
 by the constitution or laws of this Commonwealth. 
 
 " Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That of all state and couri-' 
 ty taxes which shall be levied and required of said towns, pre- 
 vious to a new valuation, the said town of Seekonk shall pay one 
 half thereof. 
 
 "Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, that all the expenses ari- 
 sing for the support of the poor of said town of Rehoboth, 
 with which it is now chargeable, together with such poor as have 
 removed out of said town prior to this act of incorporation, but 
 who may hereafter be lawfully returned to said town for sup- 
 port, shall be equally divided between the towns of Seekonk 
 and Rehoboth ; and when the said town of Seekonk shall be 
 organized, the paupers, whether the same be suppoi'ted in whole 
 or in part only, shall be divided as nearly as may be, and one 
 half of the number delivered over to the overseers of the poor 
 of that town, to be by them in future supported. 
 
 " Sec. 4. Be it further enacted. That Elkanah French, Esq. 
 be, and he is hereby authorized to issue his warrant, directed to 
 some suitable inhabitant of Seekonk, requiring him to notify and 
 warn the inhabitants thereof, qualified to vote for town officers, 
 to meet at such convenient time and place as shall be expressed 
 in said warrant, to choose all such officers as towns are by law 
 authorized to choose in the months of March or April annually. 
 And that the said Elkanah French, Esq. be, and he is hereby 
 authorized and empowered to preside at said meeting during the 
 election of a moderator, to exercise all the powers, and to do 
 all the duties which town clerks by law have and do perform in 
 the election of moderators of town meetings." 
 
 This act passed 26th February, 1812. 
 
 A warrant was issued, and, pursuant thereunto, a meeting of 
 the legal voters of Seekonk was holden in the old meeting 
 house, on Monday March 16, 1812, at ten o'clock A. M. for 
 organizing the town and choosing town officers. Caleb Abell 
 was chosen moderator of the meeting, and town clerk for the 
 ensuing year ; and Capt. Allen Cole, town treasurer for the 
 year. The meeting then adjourned to the 23d instant, at the 
 same hour and place as the foregoing. 
 
 March 23, 1812. At the adjourned meeting of the town, it 
 was voted " to choose three selectmen for the ensuing year, one 
 
HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 193 
 
 of them to be in each of the three militia companies." Messrs. 
 Peter Hunt, Worcester Carpenter, and Allen Munroe were 
 chosen selectmen. 
 
 " Voted to choose a committee of three, to join a committee 
 chosen by the town of Rehoboth, to make a settlement with 
 the late town treasurer ; and, by vote, Messrs. Calvin Martin, 
 James Ellis, and Benjamin Ormsbee were said committee." 
 
 " By vote, chose Messrs. Lewis Wade and James Bliss con- 
 stables for the ensuing year." 
 
 " Voted that the town meetings in Seekonk be notified in the 
 usual mode and manner that town meetings were notified before 
 the division of the town of Rehoboth, till further order be 
 taken thereon." 
 
 " Meeting adjourned till the sixth day of April next." 
 
 April 6, 1812. " The town voted to choose two constables 
 in addition to the two chosen at a former meeting ; and, by vote, 
 Messrs Amos Read and Nathaniel Viall were said constal3les." 
 
 At the same meeting were chosen, "surveyors of highways," 
 " fence viewers," " surveyors of plank and timber, and corders 
 of wood and bark," and " field drivers." 
 
 " Voted that the present selectmen be overseers of the poor, 
 and assessors for the year ensuing." 
 
 Monday, Oct. 5, 1812. "Voted to put up the collection of 
 taxes to be bid off by those that would collect the lowest, they 
 giving bonds to said town agreeable to a vote." 
 
 Nov. 2, 1812. In town meeting, " voted to choose by nomina- 
 tion a committee of three, to divide all public personal property 
 that belongs to the towns of Seekonk and Rehoboth, and poor 
 persons, agreeable to the act of General Court of this Com- 
 monweahh, incorporating said town of Seekonk ; — and chose 
 James Ellis, Esq. and Deacon Joseph Bucklin on said com- 
 mittee." 
 
 Sept. 7, 1812. In towm meeting, "motion being made and 
 seconded to give to each detached non-commissioned officer and 
 soldier belonging to Seekonk, five dollars per month in addition 
 to what the general government allows, as wages ; — vote taken 
 thereon declared in the negative." 
 
 " Voted to choose a committee to report to the town, what 
 
 sum will be necessary for a town grant for schoohng, and for the 
 
 expenses of said town for the year ensuing ; and also on the 
 
 mode of collecting taxes ; — and by vote chose Messrs. Caleb 
 
 25 
 
194 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 Abell, Thomas Kennicutt, Peter Hunt, Elkanah French, and 
 Ohver Starkweather, said coniuiiitee. 
 
 This committee reported, Oct. 1, 1812, "the sum of three 
 hundred and fifty dollars for the support of schools, to be appor-' 
 tioned by the assessors to the several school districts, according 
 to rateable polls and estates ; for the purchase of the town stock 
 of powder, and support of the poor, and the necessary expenses 
 arising in said town, the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars.'* 
 
 Voted in town meeting, the same day, " that the simr of six- 
 teen hundred dollars be assessed on the polls and estates imme- 
 diately." 
 
 March 15, 1813. At a meeting of the town, the following 
 town officers were elected for the ensuing year: — Oliver Stark- 
 weather, moderator ; Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, 
 town treasurer; Messrs. Peter Hunt, Worcester Carpenter, and 
 Allen Munro, selectmen. 
 
 April 5, 1813. " Voted to put out the poor persons belong- 
 ing to the town of Seekonk, at auction, to the lowest bidder." 
 
 May 10, 1813. Chose Messrs. Amos Read, James BlisS;, 
 and John Barns, constables for the ensuing year. 
 
 June 7, 1813. " Voted unanimously to grant the sum of one 
 thousand dollars for the purpose of building the town house." 
 
 This year the town voted to raise the sum of 350 dollars for 
 the support of schools. 
 
 March 21, 1814. In a town meeting holden at the house of 
 James Bliss, innholder, the following town officerswere chosen : 
 Oliver Starkweather, moderator; Caleb Abell, town clerk; Otis 
 Carpenter, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, Worcester 
 Carpenter, and Allen Munro, selectmen. 
 
 Monday, Oct. 3, 1814. "Messrs. Tristram Burgess, William 
 church, and Richmond Bullock, a committee from the town of 
 Providence, in behalf of said town of Providence, requested 
 liberty to build a breastwork on land belonging to the town of 
 Seekonk and Rehoboth, at a place called Kettle Point; and to 
 solicit the citizens of Seekonk to assist in building said fortifica- 
 tion. By vote, granted the request of said committee so far as 
 related to Seekonk, and chose a committee of seven to request 
 the citizens to assist in raising the fortification." 
 
 This year the town raised for the support of schools 350 dol- 
 lars ; to replace military stores that might be drawn out, 200 
 dollars. The whole sum raised for town expenses was ^2400. 
 
HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 195 
 
 The old meeting-house was this year torn down, the timber, 
 Stc. sold, and the proceeds devoted to defraying the expenses of 
 erecting the town house. The old meeting house brought the 
 town about 120 dollars. 
 
 The first meeting in the new town house was holden Monday 
 Nov. 7, 1814. 
 
 Monday, March 20, 1815. At the annual town meeting the fol- 
 lowing town officers were chosen : Deacon Joseph Bucklin, mod- 
 erator ; Caleb Abel, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, town treasurer ; 
 Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, and Caleb Mason, 
 selectmen. 
 
 Raised for the support of schools, this year, »9400; for the 
 support of the poor and incidental expenses, ^'900. 
 
 March 18, 1816. At the annual meeting for the choice of 
 town officers, the following were elected : — Capt. Lemuel Car- 
 penter, moderator ; Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, 
 Town Treasurer ; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, 
 and Caleb Mason, selectmen. 
 
 Raised, this year for the support of schools ,^^400; for sup- 
 \yoYt of the poor, and incidental expenses, ^'1200. 
 
 March 17, 1817. At the annual meeting for the choice of 
 officers the following were elected ; Capt. Lemuel Carpenter, 
 moderator ; Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, town 
 treasurer; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, and Caleb 
 Mason, selectmen. 
 
 Raised, this year, {j^400 for the support of schools; for the 
 support of the poor, and incidental expenses, .^1100; and for 
 a county tax, ^5 400. 
 
 March 16, 1818. At the annual meeting the following choice 
 of town officers was made, viz : Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis 
 Carpenter, town treasurer ; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel 
 Allen, and Caleb Mason, selectmen. 
 
 April 6, 1818. A petition of some of the inhabitants for 
 "straightening the highway to Pawtucket," was granted by the 
 town, provided the town " be put to no expense on account of said 
 straigiitening or alteration in said highway." The old highway 
 to be discontinued where it is not wanting. The following sums 
 of money were raised by the town this year, viz : for the sup- 
 port of schools, ^'400 ; for the support of the poor, ^'900 ; for 
 the county tax, ^400 ; for town officers and other expenses of 
 the town, ^200. 
 
 March 15, 1819. The following town officers were chosen, 
 
196 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 viz : Caleb Abell, town clerk ; William Hammond, town treas- 
 urer; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, and George 
 W, Walker selectmen. 
 
 May 10, 1819. Messrs. Eliphalet Slack, Benjamin I. Wal- 
 cott, Oliver Starkweather, David Bucklin, Elijah Jngraham, and 
 Ebenezer Taylor were chosen fire-wardens. 
 
 The following sums of money were raised by the town this 
 year, viz: for support of schools, ^400; for county tax, 
 .*^554,80; for support of the poor and other town expenses, 
 ^1045,20 ; expenses of work on the town house, ,^'100. 
 
 March 20, 1820. The follo\\"ing town officers were chosen, 
 viz : Caleb Abell, town clerk ; William Hammond, town treas- 
 urer ; Messrs. David Bucklin, Samuel Allen, and George W. 
 Walker, selectmen. 
 
 April 3, 1820. " Voted to choose a committee of three 
 persons, to make examination, to know what privilege the in- 
 habitants of Seekonk have to pass and repass to and from the 
 shore, at or near Bullock's point, so called, in Seekonk." 
 
 This committee reported, "that, on examination of the rec- 
 ords, they could not find that the inhabitants of Seekonk had any 
 right to pass or repass to the shore near said point." 
 
 Raised, this year, for the support of the poor, and other 
 expenses, i|{) 1300 ; for the support of common schools, ^'400 
 *•' including money the school lands rent for the presei^t 
 year." 
 
 July 3, 1820. "Voted to choose a committee of three per- 
 sons, to examine the records, to know what authority the pro- 
 prietors have, as proprietors, to sell lands ; and by vote chose 
 Messrs. Tristram Burgess, Robert Daggett, and Lemuel Carpen- 
 ter, said committee." " Voted that said committee be instruct- 
 ed to ascertain whether said proprietors have sold, or are about 
 to sell, any lands, rights, or privileges, which belong to the town; 
 and report to the town at the next adjournment of the meeting." 
 This committee reported at the next Mai'ch meeting : their 
 report, which is an able one, is recorded, Seekonk Records, 
 vol. L 226. 
 
 July 31, 1820. "Voted to choose a health officer; and, by 
 vote, chose Uriah Benedict said health officer." 
 
 Oct. 16, 1820. Joseph Sisson, jr. and Robert Daggett were 
 chosen delegates to meet in convention with the delegates from 
 the other towns, at Boston on the third Wednesday of Nov. 
 next, for the purpose of revising the constitution of the State. 
 
HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 197 
 
 March 19, 1821. Chose Caleb AbeU, town clerk; William 
 Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. David Bucklin, Nathaniel 
 Read, jr. and George W. Walker, selectmen. 
 
 June 4, 1821. JMessrs. Uriah Benedict and Edward Wal- 
 cott were chosen health officers for the village of Pawtucket. 
 
 Raised this year for the support of the poor and town expen- 
 ses, ,^'1400; for the sujjport of schools, ,'^*400, "including 
 money school lands rent for the present year." 
 
 March 25, 1822. Caleb Abell chosen town clerk ; William 
 Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. David Bucklin, Nathaniel 
 Read, jr., and Samuel Allen, selectmen. 
 
 Raised this year, i^'1500 for town expenses; and ^400 for 
 the support of schools. 
 
 March 17, 1823. At the annual meeting for the choice of 
 town officers the following were elected : Caleb Abell, town 
 clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert 
 Daggett, Nathaniel Read, jr., and Samuel Allen, selectmen. 
 Chose ten persons fire-wardens for the village of Pawtucket. 
 
 This year, the town raised ,^^1600 for town expenses, and 
 ^500 for the support of schools. 
 
 March 2, 1824. The following town officers were chosen, 
 viz: Caleb Abell town clerk; William Hammond, town treasu- 
 rer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, Simeon Walker, and Samuel 
 Allen, selectmen. 
 
 May 10, 1824. "Voted to purchase a hearse and harness, 
 a large and small pall, and a suitable house to keep them in." 
 
 August 28, 1824. Voted to raise ^500 for the support of 
 schools, and ^'1600 for the support of the poor and other neces- 
 sary expenses. 
 
 January 3, 1825. " Voted to choose three persons, as a com- 
 mittee to petition the General Court to revise the act of incor- 
 poration, so as to put the town of Seekonk on equal standing 
 with the town of Rehoboth, respecting the undivided real estate 
 belonging between the two towns." " Elkanah French, Esq. 
 Thomas Kennicutt, Esq. and George W. Walker, were chosen 
 said committee." 
 
 March 21, 1825. Caleb Abell chosen town clerk ; William 
 Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, Simeon 
 Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, selectmen. 
 
 April 4, 1825. Voted the sum of f 17,00 for the support of 
 the poor and other town expenses, and ^600 for the support of 
 schools. 
 
198 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 March 7, 1826. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk ; 
 William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, 
 Simeon Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, selectmen. ■*■ 
 
 "Voted to raise ^'1700 for tlie support of the poor and other 
 town expenses, and ^'700 for schooling." 
 
 April 17, 1826. Voted ^'2000 for the repairing of highways 
 and bridges. 
 
 June 15, 1826. "Voted that it is not expedient to have a 
 jail built in the town of New Bedford, at the expense of the 
 county ; and appointed a committee of three, viz. Messrs. Caleb 
 Abell, Seth Whitmarsh, and Simeon Walker, to draft a remon- 
 strance to the General Court, against building a jail in the town 
 of New Bedford, at the county expense." 
 
 March 5, 1827. At the annual meeting, the town chose 
 Caleb Abell town clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; 
 Messrs. Robert Daggett, Simeon Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, 
 selectmen. 
 
 May 14, 1827. Voted to raise fl700 for the support of 
 the poor and other town expenses, and ^700 for the support of 
 schools. 
 
 May 14, 1827. Voted to raise $2000 for the repairs of 
 highways and bridges. 
 
 Oct. 22, 1827. A petition was presented, at the town meet- 
 ing, by the inhabitants of Pawtucket village, for a division of 
 the town, that they might be incorporated into a separate town- 
 ship ; but a vote being taken, it was passed in the negative by a 
 large majority ; and a committee was chosen to draft a remon- 
 strance to the General Court against the proposed division. 
 Messrs. Seth Whitmarsh, Simeon Walker, and John Newell were 
 chosen said committee. 
 
 March 3, 1828. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk; 
 William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. William Ide, Sim- 
 eon Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, selectmen. Afterwards 
 chose Church Gray selectman, in place of William Ide, who 
 declined. 
 
 May 5, 1828. Voted the sum of $500 for schooling, and 
 $1500 for the support of the poor and other expenses. At a 
 subsequent meeting a part of this vote was reconsidered, and 
 the sum of $1100 for the support of the poor was substituted 
 instead of $1500. 
 
 March 2, 1829. The town chose Caleb Abell, town clerk ; 
 
HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 190 
 
 William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Chmch Gray, 
 Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, selectmen. 
 
 Voted ,f 1300 for the repairs of highways and bridges. At a 
 subsequent meeting, Seth Whitmarsh was chosen selectman, in 
 place of Jesse Medbury, who declined serving. 
 
 June 29, 1829. The town voted to raise ^'500 for the sup- 
 port of schools, and ^1750 for support of the poor and other 
 town expenses. 
 
 August 31, 1829. "Voted to choose a school committee, to 
 consist of three persons to serve in said town the present year, 
 provided they will serve in said oflice without any expense to 
 said town of Seekonk ; and, by vote, chose Messrs. James O. 
 Barney, Henry H. Brown, and Benjamin C. Grafton said com- 
 mittee." 
 
 March 1, 1830. At the annual meeting, the town chose 
 Caleb Abell town clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; 
 Messrs. Church Gray, Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, 
 selectmen. 
 
 The town raised this year ^1300 for the repair of highways 
 and bridges. 
 
 Voted to dispense with the school committee this year. 
 
 August 10, 1830. " Voted to grant the sum of ^1000 for 
 the necessary expenses of the town, and ^500 for schooling, 
 including the rents of school lands." 
 
 Nov. 1, 1830. " Voted that the selectmen of the town be a 
 committee in behalf of said town, to agree with some suitable 
 person, to make a survey of said town, agreeable to the act of 
 this Commonwealth, on the best terms they can have said sur- 
 vey made." 
 
 This survey was made by Joseph Capron, Esq. of Attle- 
 borough. 
 
 March 7, 1831. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk; 
 William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Church Gray, 
 Simeon Walker and Jesse Medbury selectmen. 
 
 Voted to raise the sum of ^1300 for the repair of highways 
 and bridges. 
 
 April 4, 1831. Voted to raise the sum of $1200 for town 
 expenses, and $500 for the support of schools. 
 
 May 11, 1831. In favor of the amendment of the constitu- 
 tion of the State 52 votes were cast, and opposed to the amend- 
 ment, 16 votes. 
 
 March 5, 1832. The town chose Caleb Abell town cleric; 
 
200 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Lewis Walker, 
 Caleb Peck, and Jesse Medbury selectmen. 
 
 " Voted that the committee, chosen by the town to purchase a 
 farm, to keep the poop of said town upon, be requested to pro- 
 cure a farm agreeable to the vote of said town." Church Gray, 
 Samuel Allen, and Simeon Walker, were the committee who 
 made the purchase. 
 
 Voted to raise tiie sum of ^1300 for repairing highways and 
 bridges. 
 
 April 2, 1832. " Toted to raise the sum ^500 for the sup- 
 port of schools ; for the support of the poor, and to pay the 
 interest on the money hired on account of the town farm, and 
 other current expenses, ,<|5l200; and for money to be paid 
 towards the principal of the sum hired on account of the town 
 farm, the sum of .'^eoo. 
 
 March 19, 1832. "Voted that when the deed of the town 
 farm is received, that has been agreed for, that the treasurer be 
 authorized to hire a sum of money not exceeding six hundred 
 dollars, to pay for the repairs of the buildings and purchasing 
 stock and materials to be put on the town farm, and for in-door 
 moveables for the house on said farm." 
 
 Oct. 13, 1832. "Voted that the town consent that Moses 
 Brown may straighten the road near Central Bridge, leading 
 from said bridge to John Daggett's, by making a good road at 
 his own expense, three rods wide, on his own land ; beginning 
 at the road leading from said bridge to William Ide's and run- 
 ning easterly in the southerly line of Freelove Butterworth's 
 land, until it intersects with the old road at the northerly corner 
 of John Daggett's land." "And the town consented that 
 Moses Brown inclose and improve the old road adjoining his 
 land, when the new road is finished; and the town is permitted 
 to improve and manage the same, as the other town roads." 
 
 March 4, 1833. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk ; 
 William Hammond, town treasurer; Messrs. Lewis Walker, 
 Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury selectmen. 
 
 April 1, 1833. Voted to raise the sum of $1300 for the 
 repairs of highways and bridges. Voted also to raise $500 for 
 the support of schools, and $1900 for town expenses, and for 
 paying towards the farm bought by said town. 
 
 March 3, 1834. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk; 
 William Hammond, town treasurer ; and Messrs. Lewis Walker^ 
 Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, selectmen. 
 
HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 201 
 
 April 7, 1834. Voted the sum of ^1300 for repairing high- 
 ways and bridges ; ^500, for the support of schools ; and 
 ^1400, for town expenses. 
 
 April 7, 1834, " Voted to choose a committee to regulate 
 the fishery in the Runin's river; and, by vote, Messrs. Nathan 
 yc Munroe, Seth Whitm-arsh, Cyrel Read, and Peter H. Wheaton, 
 were chosen said committee." 
 
 April 28, 1834. '< Voted that the public good and conveni- 
 ence require that there should be innholders and retailers of 
 ardent spirits in the town of Seekonk : and also by vote, passed 
 the following resolution, namely : Resolved that the town of 
 Seekonk approve of the doings of their selectmen, in returning 
 innholders and retailers to the county commissioners, to be licen- 
 sed ; also, Resolved that the town of Seekonk disapprove 
 of the doings of the county commissioners of the county of 
 Bristol, in refusing to grant any licenses to innholders and re- 
 tailers, for the sale of ardent spirits in said county ; and consider 
 it an usurpation of power, and contrary to the spirit of the law 
 of the Commonwealth." 
 
 August 11, 1834. « Voted that the selectmen of the town, 
 for the time being, be a committee, to see that the Boston and 
 Providence Rail-Road Corporation make no encroachments on 
 any property belonging to said town, and to conduct for said 
 town as they may think proper." 
 
 Nov. 16, 1834. " Voted, that if the Boston and Providence 
 Rail Road Company will build a bridge over the rail-road over 
 the common, and cause all the necessary roads leading to it to 
 be laid out at their expense, and give the town a bonus of 
 ^1000; in that case, the selectmen are authorized to make a 
 contract with the proper agent of the rail-road." 
 
 March 2, 1835. At the annual town-meeting the following 
 officers were elected for the ensuing year, viz : Caleb Abell, 
 town clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; Lewis Walker, 
 Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, selectmen. 
 
 Representatives of Seekonk. 
 
 1812, Oliver Starkweather. 1815, none. 
 Q,o 5 Peter Hunt, 1816, Oliver Starkweather. 
 
 Ibid, •^ OHver Starkweather. 1817, Oliver Starkweather. 
 1814, Oliver Starkweather. 1818, OUver Starkweather. 
 26 
 
HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 1719, George W. Walker. 
 
 1820, Peter Hunt. 
 
 1821, Peter Hunt. 
 
 1822, Calvin Martin. 
 
 1823, Robert Daggett. 
 
 1824, Robert Daggett. 
 
 1825, Robert Daggett. 
 
 1826, Robert Daggett. 
 
 1827, Robert Daggett. 
 
 1828, Robert Daggett. 
 
 1829, Weston Carpenter. 
 
 1830, 
 1831, 
 
 1832, 
 
 1833, 
 1834, 
 1835, 
 
 1836, 
 
 C Wooster Carpenter,^ 
 I Seth Whitmarsh. 
 Wooster Carpenter, 
 Seth Whitmarsh. 
 Nathaniel Reed, 
 Seth Whitmarsh. 
 Church Gray. 
 Church Gray. 
 Church Gray. 
 Capt. Lewis Walker, 
 William D. Hunt. 
 
 LIST OP SENATORS FROM SEEKONK. 
 
 1815, Hon. James Ellis. 
 
 1816, Hon. James Ellis. 
 
 1817, Hon. James Ellis. 
 1821, Hon. Oliver Stark- 
 weather. 
 
 1822, Hon. Oliver Stark- 
 weather. 
 
 1823, Hon. Oliver Stark- 
 weather. 
 
 1833, Hon. Seth Whitmarsh. 
 1836, Hon. Seth Whitmarsh- 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 The ecclesiastical history of Seekonk has been partly anti' 
 cipated in our history of Rehoboth; as the Congregational 
 church of Seekonk was the earliest, and for a long time the 
 only, church in Rehoboth ; and the mingling of civil and eccle- 
 siastical affairs, in the early period of our history, made it 
 necessary, in order to give a connected view of the proceedings 
 of the town, that the provisions made by it for the support of 
 the gospel, and which occupy so large a space in our early town 
 records, should be given in connection with its civil history. The 
 ecclesiastical history of this town embraces the history of two 
 churches, the Congregational, and the Baptist. 
 
 The Congregational Church. 
 
 The existence of this church is coeval with the first perma- 
 nent settlement of Rehoboth, and its history embraces a period 
 of one hundred and ninety two years. It was a colony from 
 the church of Weymouth, (Mass.) ; and as it constituted a 
 majority of that church, including also its pastor, it might very 
 justly claim to be considered the principal branch : if so, its 
 history goes back into the past, considerably more than two cen- 
 turies. But whether we consider this as the original church, mi- 
 grating to Rehoboth, or, (as by way of courtesy to the older 
 town, we perhaps should do,) a colony from that church ; a 
 brief notice of the churches in Weymouth, up to the time of 
 this emigration, will not be out of place, in a sketch of this 
 church. As the best notice we are able to give, we shall insert 
 a part of some notes, appended to a sermon, delivered at the 
 dedication of the North meeting house in Weymouth, Novem- 
 ber 28, 1832, by the Rev. Josiah Bent, jun, pastor of the first 
 church in Weymouth. These notes, to which we have had 
 occasion before to refer, were famished by the Hon. Christopher 
 Webb, of Weymouth. 
 
204 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 "A permanent settlement, at Wessagusset, afterwards caTlecf 
 Weymouth, was made in August or September of the year 
 1623, by Capt. Robert Gorges, with a considerable company : 
 among whom was Mr. William Morrill, an Episcopalian clergy- 
 man. Some of the company went to Virginia; some returned 
 to England with Capt. Gorges, and some remained. Mr. Mor- 
 rill staid about two years ; the last of which, and probably some 
 part of the first, he spent in Plymouth, and then returned to 
 England. As one object of this settlement was to promote the 
 Episcopal forms of worship, and as he had a superintending 
 power, as it was called, over all the churches, it seems not too 
 much to say that this company were Episcopalians. Some 
 time in the next year, 1624, came from Weymouth in England, 
 an additional number of settlers, ' who,' says Mr. Prince, ' are 
 another sort of people than the former. They have the Rev. 
 Mr. Barnard, their first non-conformist Minister, who dies a- 
 mong them.' How long he ministered to them is not known. 
 It might have been about 1 1 years ; viz : from the time of 
 their arrival, to the arrival of Mr. Hull in 1635. He is several 
 times mentioned in the book of Records, and always by the 
 name of Mr. Barnard, without any other appellation. 
 
 "On the 6th of May, 1635, Mr. Joseph Hull, a minister 
 from England, with twenty one families, came and settled in 
 Weymouth. In September following, he took the freeman's 
 oath. In 1638, he represented the town of Hingham in the 
 General Court ; and on the 5th of May, 1639, preached his 
 farewell discourse at Weymouth. He did not, however, preach 
 in Weymouth much over a year, if any ; for Mr. Thomas Jen- 
 ner was there on the 12th of January, or June, 1636, and in 
 December following, took the freeman's oath. On the 9th of 
 January, 1637, according to Hubbard and Winthrop, ' divers 
 of the ministers and elders went to Weymouth to reconcile the 
 differences between the people and Mr. Jenner, whom they 
 had called there for their pastor, and had good success.' The 
 13th of May, 1640, he represented Weymouth in the General 
 Court ; but left the place soon after, and went and resided for 
 a time in Maine. The duration of his ministry in Weymouth, 
 must have been very short. His name is often mentioned in 
 the Records. 
 
 " Mr. Robert Lenthal, whom the people had invited to be- 
 come their minister, was in Weymouth previously to the 30th 
 of January 1638, a sufficient lexigth of time to disseminate his 
 new doctrines, mske prc^I;^t<^B, gad collect a strong party to 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 205 
 
 oppose the new organization of the Church, which took place 
 on that day. Mather undoubtedly was right in saying he was 
 there in 1637. It may then be considered as an historical fact, 
 that Mr. Hull, Mr. Jenner and Mr. Lenthal, were in Weymouth 
 at the same time. It is said that Mr. Lenthal, in 1640, went 
 to Newport ; and after residing there for a time, returned to 
 England. The duration of his ministry in Weymouth, could 
 not have exceeded a year and an half; and probably was much 
 shorter, and, like that of his predecessors, subject to much in- 
 terruption and unpleasant occurrence. 
 
 " Mr. Lenthal was succeeded in the ministry by Mr. Samuel 
 Newman, in whom all the people united ; and this put an end 
 to the commotions and troubles of the five preceding years. He 
 was born at Banbury, in England, in 1600; was of Oxford 
 University, and an able minister to seven different churches. In 
 1638, he came to New England, spent some time at Dorchester, 
 and then came to Weymouth, in 1639; where he preached 
 about four and an half or five years ; and then emigrated to Re- 
 hoboth, with a majority of his church ; where he died, July 5, 
 1663. His name is several times mentioned in the Town Re- 
 cords ; but nothing relating to his ministry or emigration." 
 
 The Rev. Samuel Newman, as stated above, and as we have 
 seen in our civil history of Rehoboth, was minister of the church 
 at Weymouth, before the removal of a majority of its members 
 to ' Seacunke ;' came with the first settlers of our town, and con- 
 tinued their minister till his death, July 5, 1663. [For a full 
 account of Mr. Newman, see, supra, History of Rehoboth. 
 p. 25, and pp. 54 — 8, inclusive.] 
 
 During Mr. Newman's ministry, a schism broke out in his 
 church, deserving of mention here, which occasioned considera- 
 ble dissension in the religious affairs of the town. The leader 
 on the part of the schismatists, as they were then denominated, 
 was Obadiah Holmes, a native of Preston,* in Lancashire, 
 (England). The precise date of his emigration to this country 
 is not known. He was admitted to the church in Salem, 
 (Mass.) March 24, 1639 ;f from this he was excommunicated, 
 and, in 1646, removed with his family to Rehoboth, and became 
 a member of Mr. Newman's church. Disliking his discipline, 
 and some of his tenets, Mr. Holmes and eight others withdrew 
 
 * Morgan Edwards' Ecclesiastical Hist, of R. I., in MS., in the possession of the 
 R. I. Hist. Soc. at Providence. From this I have derived many of the facts here re- 
 lated. Mr. Benedict was probebly indebted U> tie same source 
 
 t Farmer's Register. 
 
206 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 their connection from this church, and established, in 1649, 
 what they called a new church. They soon declared for the 
 principles of the Baptists, chose Mr. Holmes for their minister, 
 and were re-baptised, as it is supposed, by the Rev. Mr. Clark, ^ 
 of Newport. Mr. Newman excommunicated them, and incited 
 the civil authority against them. Four petitions were lodged at 
 court against them : one from Rehoboth, signed by thirty-five 
 persons ; one from Taunton ; one from all the clergymen in the 
 colony but two ; and one from the government of Massachusetts. 
 The Plymouth magistrates merely ordered them to desist from 
 practices disagreeable to their brethren ; and Mr. Holmes and 
 Joseph Torrey were bound, the one for the other, in the sum of 
 ten pounds, for their appearance at court. One of the compa- 
 ny promised to comply with the requisition, and was dismissed. 
 This occurred in June, 1650. At the next October court, a 
 bill of indictment was found by the grand jury, against John 
 Hazell, Edward Smith and his wife, Obadiah Holmes, Joseph 
 Torrey and his wife, the wife of James Mann, and William 
 Buell and his wife, for continuing their meeting from house to 
 house, on the Lord's day, contrary to the order of court. 
 
 Soon after this Mr. Holmes removed to Newport, R. I., 
 where he succeeded Mr. Clark, minister of the first Baptist 
 church there, in 1652 : a part of his adherents in Rehoboth 
 removed with him. 
 
 On July 21, 1651, a short time before his removal to New- 
 port, Mr. Holmes and some of his associates were seized at 
 Lynn, and the next day sent to Boston, and confined in jail, 
 charged with the crimes of preaching the gospel, and administer- 
 ing the sacrament while under sentence of excommunication, re- 
 baptizing persons who had been before baptized, disclaiming 
 against the sprinkling of infants, and such like charges. These 
 charges being proved against him, he was fined by the court 
 £30, to be paid by the first day of the court of Assistants, or 
 to be well whipped, and to be kept in prison till it should be 
 paid, or security given in for it. He refused to pay the fine, 
 and would not even consent to let his friends pay it for him ; 
 saying, that, 'to pay it would be acknowledging himself to have 
 done wrong, whereas his conscience testified that he had done 
 right.' He was accordingly whipped publicly, September, 1 65 1 , 
 receiving thirty lashes. In a manuscript of governor Joseph 
 Jenks, written more than a hundred years ago, he says, " Mr. 
 Holmes was whipped tliirty' stripes, and in such an unmerciful 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 207 
 
 manner, that in many days, if not some weeks, he could take 
 no rest, but as he lay upon his knees and elbows, not being able 
 to suffer any part of his body to touch the bed whereon he lay." 
 Immediately on his being released from the whipping post, his 
 friends coming up to congratulate him for the fortitude with 
 which he had suffered, two of them, John Hazell and John 
 Spur, were apprehended, under the pretence that they meant to 
 show contempt for the authorities, and were sentenced to pay 
 each forty shillings, or to be whipped. They had determined 
 to choose the latter, but their friends paid their fines, and they 
 were released. John Hazell belonged to Rehoboth, whither 
 he came from Boston. He was upwards of sixty years old, and 
 died a few days after he was released, and before he had 
 reached home. 
 
 Mr. Holmes died at Newport, October 16, 1682, aged 76 
 years, and was buried in his own field, where a tomb was erected 
 to his memory. His wife's name was Catharine. He had 
 eight children, — Mary, Martha, Lydia, Hopestill, John, Oba- 
 diah, Samuel, and Jonathan ; and his descendants, in 1790, 
 were estimated at 5000. Obadiah was a judge and a preacher 
 in New Jersey, and died at Cohansey. John was a magistrate 
 in Philadelphia. One of Obadiah's sons was living in New- 
 port, in 1770, at the age of ninety-five. A great-grand-son of 
 Mr. Holmes stated to Morgan Edwards, to whose manuscripts I 
 have twice referred, that there was a manuscript in the posses- 
 sion of the family, which removed into New Jersey, from which 
 a full history of his life might be obtained. 
 
 In September, following the death of the Rev. Samuel New- 
 man, the Rev. Zachariah Symes was employed to preach, for 
 " forty pounds a year, and his diet." By reason of the infirm 
 health of Mr. Symes, the town voted " it expedient to look out 
 for another godly, able minister, to labor with him in the work 
 of the ministry." The same vote was repeated May 15, 1666. 
 " May 23, 1666, Mr. Symes was admitted by the town, as an 
 inhabitant, to purchase or hire for his money." At the same 
 meeting, the Rev. John Myles,* minister of the first Baptist 
 church in Swansey, (which church was organized and contin- 
 ued a while, in Rehoboth), was invited to preach " once a fort- 
 night on the week day, and once on the Sabbath day." Mr. 
 Myles was employed to lighten the labors of Mr. Symes. In 
 
 * For an account of the Rev. John Myles, and the organization of his church, see 
 tujira, History of Rehoboth, pp. 63—4, inclusive. 
 
208 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 the year 1666, we find a Mr. Burkley invited to continue his 
 labors among the people, '• in order to the settlement in the 
 ministry, if he be approved of." 
 
 In March, 1668, the Rev. Noah Newman, son of the Rev. 
 Samuel Newman, was ordained over this church, and continued 
 its pastor till his death, April 16, 1678, a period of ten years. 
 [For the remaining particulars respecting Mr. Newman, see 
 svpra, pp. 57, 58, 87, 91, 119.J 
 
 The successor of Mr. Newman was the Rev. Samuel Angler. 
 He commenced preaching here during Mr. Newman's last ill- 
 ness ; was settled in 1679 ; and, in consequence of ill-health, 
 removed in 1692, or 1693, to Cambridge, the probable place of 
 his nativity. [For a further account of Mr. Angier, see, supra, 
 History of Rehoboth, pp. 130 — 1.] 
 
 Mr. Angier was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Greenwood, 
 a native of Weymouth, (Mass.), and a graduate of Cambridge. 
 He was settled over this church, in October, 1693, and contin- 
 ued its pastor till his death, September 8, 1720, aged fifty 
 years. [For a further account of Mr. Greenwood, see, supra, 
 History of Rehoboth, p. 136.] 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Greenwood was succeded in the pastoral 
 office by his eldest son, John, who was born at Rehoboth, May 
 20, 1697 ; graduated at Cambridge in 1717 ; was married May 
 25, 1721, and ordained minister of Rehoboth the same year. 
 He had fourteen children, most of which died young. [See 
 supra. History of Rehoboth, pp. 136 — 141, inclusive. 
 
 The next minister of this church was the Rev. John Carnes, 
 who had previously been settled over a church at Stoneham, 
 (Mass.) He was born at Boston, in 1724, graduated at Cam- 
 bridge, in 1742, and was installed over this church, April 
 18, 1759. 
 
 He commenced preaching in Rehoboth in the autumn of 
 1758. We find on the church records, bearing date of Novem- 
 ber 9, 1758, a vote of the church, appointing " Deacon Read to 
 signify their choice to Mr. Carnes, and desire him to continue 
 to preach among them." 
 
 At the installation of Mr. Carnes, the following churches 
 were present, viz : the first church in Lynn, the first and second 
 churches in Attleborough, the church in Bristol, the church in 
 Medfield, the third church in Dedham, and the church in War- 
 ren. The introductory prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. 
 Townsend, of Warren; the Rev. Mr. Henchman, of Lynn, 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 209 
 
 ^preached the installation sermon ; the Rev. Mr. Balch, of Ded- 
 ham, gave the charge ; the Rev. Mr. Thatcher, of Attlebor- 
 ough, made the prayer after the charge ; and the Rev. Mr. Burt, 
 of Bristol, gave the right hand of fellowship. 
 
 From the following record, in the church book, it would seem 
 that some opposition was made by a party, though doubtless 
 the minority, to the settlement of Mr. Carnes. " The council 
 that installed Mr. Carnes, was a mutual council, chosen by those 
 that were for his settlement, and by those that opposed it. 
 And the votes of the council were unanimous, and in favour of 
 pastor and church." 
 
 " The disaffected," according to the language of the records 
 above referred to, " continuing, after Mr. Carnes's settlement, to 
 make difficulty, councils were called, and results drawn up, and 
 published ; from which it appears that the objections made by 
 the aggrieved were trifling." — "Upon the 28th of June, 1763, 
 a council of eight churches met, at the desire of the parties ; 
 and, as every thing in dispute was left to the final decision of 
 this council, the parties bound themselves to abide by the result 
 of the said council." 
 
 The following is a copy of the agreement to this effect, signed 
 by " the aggrieved brethren," with their names attached : 
 
 " Rehoboth, June 28, 1763. 
 
 " Whereas it has been doubted whether the aggrieved 
 brethren of the Church and Congregation, in the first parish in 
 Rehoboth, have sufficiently bound themselves to abide by the 
 result of the Ecclesiastical council, this day convened in this 
 place, by virtue of letters missive, signed by the pastor, in the 
 name of the church, dated, Rehoboth, May 20, 1763 : We, the 
 said aggrieved brethren, of the said Church and Congregation, 
 do hereby promise and oblige ourselves to submit all manner of 
 difference between us and the pastor and Church aforesaid, to 
 the judgment and final decision of the Rev. Mr. Gay, pastor, 
 and Jacob Cushing, Esq., delegate, of the first church in Hing- 
 ham ; the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton, pastor, and James 
 Halsey, delegate, of the new brick church, in Boston ; the 
 Rev. David Hall, pastor, and John Fry, delegate, of the first 
 church in Sutton ; the Rev. Nathan Webb, pastor, and John 
 Spring, delegate, of the church in Uxbridge ; the Rev. Andrew 
 Elliott, pastor, and William Parkman, delegate, of the north 
 church in Boston ; the Rev. William Vinall, pastor, and Na- 
 27 
 
210 
 
 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 thaniel Cogshall, delegate, of the first church in Newport ; the 
 Rev. Elisha Fish, pastor, and Josiah Dean, delegate, of the 
 church in Upton ; and the Rev. Amos Adams, pastor, and 
 Eleazer Williams, Esq., delegate, of the first church in Roxbu- 
 ry, — the council, convened as aforesaid, or the major part of 
 them ; and that we will abide by the result and determination 
 of said council : — 
 
 " Aaron Read, 
 Eleazer Carpenter, 
 Nathan Read, 
 Elijah Kent, 
 John Humphry, 
 Obadiah Read, 
 John Walker^ 
 Samuel MaxweUy 
 James Clay, 
 Richard Whitaker^ 
 Stephen Fry, 
 John Smith, 
 Allen Jacob, 
 John BarstoWy 
 Elkanah French, 
 John Greenwood, jun., 
 Jabez Carpenter, jun., 
 Moses Walker, 
 Timothy Read, 
 Richard Spear,. 
 Robert Abell, 
 
 " A true copy. 
 
 John Rowland, 
 Caleb Walker, 
 John Rowland, Jun., 
 Aaron Read, jun., 
 Jesse Newman, 
 Nathaniel Carpenter, 
 David Perrin, 
 Abraham Walker, 
 William Bucklin, 
 Stephen Allen, 
 Samuel Mason, 
 John Bowen, 
 Nathaniel Wheaton,.^ 
 Joseph Bridgham, 
 Ebenezer Carpenter, 
 Nathan Daggett, 
 Joshua Abell, 
 James Daggett, 
 James Read, 
 Jonathan Carpenter, 
 Comfort Walker. 
 
 ^' Attest, Amos Adams, 
 
 Scribe 
 
 of the 
 
 CouncilJ*^ 
 
 The council not only cleared, but commended the pastor, 
 and blamed " the aggrieved. " The following extracts from 
 their report will serve to give their opinion of Mr. Carnes's con- 
 duct in their own words : — " Upon a review of the several arti- 
 cles alleged against Mr. Carnes, the evidences by which they 
 are supported, and his answer to them, we with pleasure ob- 
 serve that nothing has appeared inconsistent with either his 
 christian or ministerial character. We have reason to conclude 
 that he hath been uncommonly supported under his continued 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 211 
 
 trials and temptations, discovered a serious spirit, and endeav- 
 oured in the midst of numberless discouragements, to carry on 
 the great design of his ministry." — " Now, since it appears to 
 this council that the Rev. Mr. Carnes was regularly installed a 
 pastor over the First church of Christ in Rehobolh, by a coun- 
 cil mutually chosen, and nothing has been objected to his doc- 
 trine, or morals, or ministerial abilities, during the five years he 
 has been among them, we must judge that he has done nothing 
 to merit a dissolution of the pastoral relation between him and 
 his people ; that, therefore, it would be unjust to the Rev. Mr. 
 Carnes, and injurious to tlie church under his care, a majority 
 of whom, it appears, still adhere to him, to remove him from 
 them." 
 
 " The aggrieved instead of abiding by the result of this coun- 
 cil," say the church records, " agreeable to their obligation, 
 made application to the general court, and by misrepresentations 
 otitained a committee to come to Rehoboth, to enquire into all 
 matters of controversy, and to endeavor to bring about an ac- 
 commodation. Accordingly this committee came, and there 
 was a public hearing of every thing in dispute ; after which a 
 committee was chosen by each of the parties, to draw up a plan 
 of accommodation. And these committees not agreeing, Mr. 
 Carnes, of his own accord, made proposals in order to make 
 peace by his own removal. He left the matter to the commit- 
 tee, and proposed a removal upon certain conditions, which will 
 appear by the following copies : — 
 
 " ' A Copy of the Form of Mr. Carnes's Removal, drawn up 
 by the Court's Committee, and voted by the Church. 
 
 " ' At a meeting of the Church of Christ, in the First Pre- 
 cinct in Rehoboth, Nov. 24th, 1764 : Thomas Clapp, Esq., 
 moderator, 
 
 " ' The Church taking into consideration the Rev. Mr. John 
 Carnes's request for a dismission from his pastoral office over 
 this church and congregation, do hereby express our hearty sor- 
 row for the occasion of it, which is not any fault that is found in 
 his ministry or moral conduct, but an unhappy alienation of the 
 affection of many of his people towards him, and constrains us, 
 contrary to our inclination and the good opinion which we have 
 always had of him, to comply with his request ; and accordingly 
 do hereby vote his dismission from his pastoral relation over this 
 church, testifying on his behalf, that his conversation, while with 
 us has been blameless as becometh the gospel, and hath in all 
 things approved himself an able and faithful minister of Jesus 
 
212 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 Christ ; and as such do recommend him to all christian people, 
 where God in his providence shall call him to preach his holy 
 word, or to settle in the work of the gospel ministry.' " 
 
 " * Copy of the Result of the Committee from the General 
 Court. 
 
 " * Rehoboth, Nov. 24th, 1764. 
 
 " ' We, the subscribers, appointed and chosen, to hear all mat" 
 ters of difference and controversy between the Rev. Mr. John 
 Carnes and the First Precinct in Rehoboth, where he is minister, 
 and to endeavor an accommodation between them ; and after a 
 full hearing of all parties, and all objections against him, we do 
 hereby testify to the world on his behalf, that there was nothing 
 offered, or so much as pretended to be offered, against his mor- 
 al character; but his whole conduct, through so many trials and 
 temptations, (human frailties excepted,) appeared to be blame- 
 less. But there appeared an unhappy alienation of affection in 
 his people to him, and incurable, which was the true cause of 
 our advising to his separation ; and, in our opinion, he hath in 
 no measure forfeited his ministerial character ; but, from the tes- 
 timony of many of his people, we have reason to believe, that 
 in the course of his ministry he hath approved himself a good 
 minister of Jesus Christ. And, notwithstanding any thing that 
 has appeared to us, we can, and do, recommend him as such to 
 all christian people. 
 
 *' ' George Leonard,^ 
 
 Benjamin Lincoln, 
 
 Daniel Howard, ^Committee.'* 
 
 Thos. Clapp, 
 
 Edward Sheaffe, 
 
 In compliance with his request, and with the advice of the 
 above committee, Mr. Carnes was dismissed from his pastoral 
 connection with this church, December 4, 1764, by a council, 
 convened at his house by the desire of the church. 
 
 Mr. Carnes soon left Rehoboth, and removed to Boston, the 
 place of his nativity, where he remained till the evacuation of 
 that city by the British troops, in July of 1776. He then en- 
 tered the American army as chaplain, and continued to the 
 close of the war. 
 
 He then removed to Lynn,* (Mass.), where h« received the 
 commission of a justice of the peace, and was nine years elected 
 
 • Hist, of Lynn, by Alonzo Lewis, pp. 194—^5 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 213 
 
 a representative to the General court. In 1788, he was a mem- 
 ber of the convention to ratify the constitution of the United 
 States. " He sustained through hfe," says Mr. Lewis, " a 
 good reputation, and was esteemed a patriotic and useful citi- 
 zen. His wife was Mary Lewis, daughter of Mr. John Lewis, 
 of Lynn ; and on removing to Lynn, after the death of her fa- 
 ther, he fixed his residence at the ' Lewis place,' in Boston 
 street. He had several children, two of whom, in 1829, were 
 living in Boston, — John, the eldest son, and Mary Wardsworth, 
 the youngest daughter. Mr. Carnes died at Lynn, October 20, 
 1802, aged 78 years. 
 
 The next minister of this church was the Rev. Ephraim 
 Hyde, who was ordained May 14, 1766. He was a native 
 of Pomfret, Ct. ; graduated at Yale College, in 1758 ; 
 was pastor of this church seventeen years, and died October 
 11, 1783; aged forty-five years. — He married, in 1767, 
 Mary Angier, daughter of the Rev. John Angier, the first min- 
 ister of the east parish of Bridgewater. His children were, 
 Ephraim, who resided in East Bridgewater, where he died in 
 1834; John, Samuel, Ezra and Mary. Mary died in 1790, 
 aged 15. On the death of her husband, Mrs. Hyde, with her 
 children, returned to Bridgewater, where she died in 1788, aged 
 forty-eight. John is a physician, and he and Samuel went to 
 Freeport, Me. Ezra married Patty, daughter of Joseph Ames, 
 of Bridgewater, in 1805. He lived and died in Boston, and 
 after his death his family returned to Bridgewater. Ephraim, 
 the eldest son of the Rev. Mr. Hyde, married Mary Dresser, 
 of Pomfret, Ct. Their children were, Mary, born 1795; 
 Ledyard, born 1796; EHza, born 1798 ; Augustus, born 1801 ; 
 Nathan Dresser, born 1803; and Orinda, born 1805, and died 
 1812. EHza married Wallace Rust, Esq., of East Bridgewa- 
 ter; Augustus follows the seas ; Nathan D. married, in 1833, 
 Elizabeth C. Mitchell, daughter of the Hon. Judge Mitchell, of 
 East Bridgewater, and resides in Boston.* The Rev. Mr. 
 Hyde was much beloved by his people to whom his labors 
 were highly useful. He was interred in the old burying ground 
 near his church. 
 
 Mr. Hyde was succeeded by the Rev. John Ellis. He was born 
 at Cambridge, (Mass.), in 1727, and graduated at Cambridge 
 University in 1750. He was settled as a minister, at Norwich, 
 
 ' * I have been enabled to give the genealogy of Mr. Hyde's family a little more mi- 
 nutely than usual, by aid of Judge Mitchell's MS. Hist, of Bridgewater. 
 
214 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 Ct., till the commencement of the Revolutionary war, when he 
 entered the American army as chaplain, and continued during the 
 whole war. He was installed over this church March 30, 1785, 
 and dismissed, at his own request, in 1796, in consequence of 
 old age and infirmities. After his dismissal, he returned to 
 Norwich, where he died in 1805 or 1806, at the age of seven- 
 ty-eight. His son, James Ellis, Esq., graduated at Brown uni- 
 versiiy ; became a distinguished lawyer ; located himself for a 
 while at Rehoboth, whence he removed to Taunton, where he 
 now resides. 
 
 During Mr. Ellis's ministry, a long series of difficulties arose 
 between him and the precinct, which, from the degree to which 
 they engrossed the attention of the majority of the town at the 
 time, as well as from their singularity and interest, deserve, per- 
 haps, more than a passing notice. The following is a brief ac- 
 count of these occurrences. 
 
 Difficulties in the first Precinct in Rehoboth, and 
 AN Account of the " Long Meeting." 
 
 In giving an account of these unpleasant occurrences, destruc- 
 tive alike to the interests of religion, and the peace and pros- 
 perity of society, I have endeavoured to divest myself of the 
 prejudices of party, and to state the truth, on whatever side it 
 may have been found to lie. A narrative of these difficulties 
 was published and circulated in a pamphlet at the time of their 
 occurrence, by James Ellis, Esq. son of the Rev. John Ellis ; 
 and which, notwithstanding the author's almost insurmountable 
 temptations to partiality, is said to be, to a good degree, a fair and 
 impartial statement. Of this I have here made a free use, re- 
 touching only what might seem to take the tinge of party. 
 
 ' In the year 1784, the first precinct in the town of Rehoboth 
 being destitute of a Congregational minister, applied to, and en- 
 gaged the Rev. John Ellis to supply them. 
 
 ' After having preached with them upon probation, the church 
 gave him a call to settle with them ; and on the tenth day of 
 November, A. D. 1784, the inhabitants of the precinct, at a 
 lawful meeting, called for that purpose by vote, unanimously con- 
 curred with the church in the choice of Mr. Ellis. The precinct 
 at the same meeting, voted the sum of ninety pounds, (which 
 at an after meeting they, by vote, raised to one hundred pounds,) 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 215 
 
 should be given Mr. Ellis for his yearly salary, while he con- 
 tinued in the work of the ministry among them ; they also voted 
 to raise the sum that might be necessary to discharge the salary, 
 by an assessment on the polls and estates of the inhabitants of 
 the precinct. The precinct soon after, by a committee chosen 
 for that purpose, officially informed Mr. Ellis of these proceed- 
 ings, and that the union of the inhabitants in the choice of him 
 was very great. 
 
 ' Mr. Ellis having received this information, appeared on the 
 27th of December, 1784, in open meeting of the precinct, and 
 gave his answer in common form, signifying his acceptance of 
 their unanimous choice, and his perfect confidence in the punctu- 
 al fulfilment of their promises. Pursuant to the aforesaid call 
 and answer, on the 30th day of March, 1785, Mr. Ellis, by a 
 mutual council called for that purpose, agreeably to the known 
 usages and customs of the Congregational churches in the com- 
 monwealth of Massachusetts, was installed to the pastoral care 
 and charge of the church and congregation, in the first precinct 
 in the town of Rehoboth. 
 
 ' Precinct matters now assumed an agreeable aspect, love 
 and friendship were prevalent ; the people rejoicing in their 
 pastor, at the same time he was rendering thanks to Almighty 
 God, who had made him the subject of their unanimous choice. 
 Great and conspicuous was their christian fellowship ; their good 
 order and unity seemed so well established, that their happiness 
 and tranquility appeared to the prophetic eye to be commensu- 
 rate with life.' 
 
 But these bright prospects were soon overshadowed with 
 clouds, which were ere long to pour their fury upon the heads 
 of both minister and people. 
 
 At his settlement, as has been already noticed, the inhabit- 
 ants of the first precinct in Rehoboth, contracted to give Mr. 
 Ellis one hundred pounds annually, for his support during his 
 ministry among them ; and voted to raise the same sum, or 
 whatever part of it should be found needful, by taxation. This 
 was, of course, their free and voluntary act. About thirty pounds 
 of the salary were raised from funds held by the precinct. 
 These funds the committee of the precinct, in the capacity of 
 trustees, had power to loan and receive interest from, ' which 
 they were bound to apply to the support of a Congregational 
 minister, residing and officiating in the work of the gospel min- 
 istry within that precinct.' 
 
216 HISTOBY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 All things went well with the people, for some time ; and all 
 were contented, so long as the minister could preach without 
 calling for his salary. Thus affairs continued for four years, the 
 salary unpaid, the minister distressed, and the debt of the pre- 
 cinct accumulating. Mr. Ellis, compelled by necessity, began 
 to call for the payment of his salary ; and the precinct, at the 
 annual March meeting, four years after the instalment, made 
 grants of money sufficient to discharge it, and ordered the same 
 to be raised by assessments. But here their labours stopped, 
 and went not beyond their vote ; ' and in no one instance,' says 
 the Narrative, ' was an assessment made and carried into com- 
 plete execution. Though they begun a good work, yet, being 
 destitute of the grace of perseverance, they failed in its final 
 completion, and brought difficulties to themselves and all con- 
 cerned.' 
 
 ' A number of the precinct expressed great dissatisfaction at 
 the ungenerous usage of Mr. Ellis ; and, by their request a 
 meeting of the precinct was called, and, when assembled, they 
 chose assessors, and ordered seventy-one pounds, twelve shil- 
 lings and four pence, to be assessed in the mode pointed out in 
 the vote before recited ; this sum, together with the interest 
 money, was sufficient to discharge the first year's salary.' 
 
 ' The assessors, pursuant to their appointment, made the as- 
 sessment, and delivered the rate-streaks to an officer, with a 
 warrant, directing him to make an impartial collection. This 
 procedure offended some, and disgusted others : to support a 
 minister by a tax was now judged criminal. While the minis- 
 ter could live without his salary, and no one was called upon for 
 his support, all was peace — all was harmony and friendship; 
 he was a christian indeed. Reverse the scene, and mark the 
 change. As soon as an assessment is made for the salary, and 
 the collectors call on the assessed for the money, various com- 
 plaints are heard ; many think it a grievous thing to pay a minis- 
 ter, — a hireling, as he is termed, is an odious being — such an 
 one cannot be a good man ; new discoveries are made, new 
 principles of religion are adopted ; in short, they are quite of- 
 fended with a minister who has the audacity to request a fulfil- 
 ment of their contract.' 
 
 It should here be remarked that the precinct, at this time, 
 were by no means all Congregationalists. There were six or 
 seven Baptist churches in the different parts of the town, to 
 which some of the inhabitants of the precinct belonged. The 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 217 
 
 ^sks of these in some instances, were supplied by men who 
 had rushed from the plow into the pulpit, exchanging the ' frock 
 of tow' for the ' gown of black,' or in some cases literally re- 
 taining it ; and, with scarcely learning enough to read their 
 texts, had commenced open war upon the whole educated min- 
 istry, declaiming strongly against ' dictionary larning,' ' black 
 coats,' ' fat salaries,' 3ind ^ hireling priests,' These men la- 
 boured on their farms or in their shops during the week, and on 
 the Sabbath preached for little or no compensation. Their zeal 
 made way for their arguments to the understandings, while their 
 practice addressed itself to the pockets of many. Aside from 
 these things, others were decidedly opposed to supporting the 
 ministry by a tax, who would, perhaps, have given liberally to 
 a subscription for that purpose. Such was the state of things 
 when Mr. Ellis came to Rehoboth. Backus, speaking of Mr. 
 Ellis's salary, and the mode of raising it, says, " this sum was 
 voted by but little naore than twenty men, and near three hun- 
 dred men were taxed to pay it." These meetings were regu- 
 larly called, and if the majority of the individuals of the precinct 
 did not attend, but suffered themselves to be ruled by the mi- 
 nority, it was their own fault ; and, provided a quorum assem- 
 bled, the whole precinct were bound to abide by their proceed- 
 ings. If they had made contracts, and voted to raise money to 
 fulfil them, there was no alternative for the precinct, so far as 
 the past was concerned, but to discharge them according to 
 agreement, in the same manner as though the whole precinct 
 had voted in making them. The past could not be remedied ; 
 the future alone, if the voice of the majority had not been ex- 
 pressed, was at their control, either to continue the present 
 course, or strike out a different one. But the majority of the 
 precinct, being dissatisfied with Mr. Ellis, on his calling for his 
 salary, endeavoured to provide not only for the future, but flat- 
 tered themselves that by their vote they could annul also the 
 past. A meeting of the precinct, after having been legally 
 warned, was holden Sept. 7, 1789, at which it was voted, " that 
 all collections of money, by way of tax, be postponed till further 
 orders of the parish ; and that the treasurer and collectors of 
 said parish are directed by said parish to govern themselves ac- 
 cordingly." And at another lawful meeting of the precinct, 
 holden March 8, 1790, it was voted, " that the precinct assessors 
 call on the former collector for his rate streaks, together with his 
 28 
 
<>Ig 
 
 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 warrant and money, and an account of what money he has cof- 
 lected, and of whom collected." 
 
 ' By the assessment made and collected, as has been related, 
 Mr. Ellis was not benefited, for no part of the money collected 
 was paid to him, though to raise the arrearages of his first year's 
 salary, were the ostensible objects of the assessment.' 
 
 Mr. Ellis's situation now was far from being pleasant. ' It 
 was now five years since his instalment, and he had received 
 but a very inconsiderable sum towards his salary ; his friends 
 had voluntarily afforded him some supphes ; but as to any help 
 or assistance from the precinct, as such, their last before-men- 
 tioned votes and proceedings forbade his indulging the least 
 hope or expectation.' 
 
 Placed In such a situation, his only alternative to recover his 
 salary, for the support of his family and the payment of the 
 debts he had necessarily contracted, was to commence a suit at 
 law. Averse to such a disagreeable resort, he for a long time 
 delayed it, hoping that some settlement would be made ; but 
 seeing that out of the question, in compliance with the advice 
 of his friends, he brought his action against the precinct for the 
 recovery of his salary. The precinct chose agents "to appear 
 at court, and defend the suit, brought by the Rev. John EHis, 
 to recover his salary." The action was tried at a court of 
 Common Pleas, by a jury, who gave in for the plaintiff, estab- 
 lished the contract, and judgment was rendered thereon. The 
 precinct then appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court, where 
 they were again defaulted, and the plaintiff had judgment. 
 
 These decisions were by no means gratifying to the precinct ; 
 and they next endeavored to get rid of their minister. At a 
 meeting held Feb. 7, 1791, the precinct voted agreeably 
 to the third article in the warrant for the meeting, that 
 the precinct do not agree that the Rev. John Ellis shall of- 
 ficiate as a minister in said precinct, at the expense of said pre- 
 cinct ;" also voted " That the precinct clerk notify the Rev. 
 John Ellis of the same, by giving him an attested copy." '' Thus 
 they flattered themselves,' says the Narrative, ' that they had 
 . iischarged their minister, and boasted much of their novel and 
 short method of dismission.' 
 
 At this period, the church and other friends of Mr. Ellis^ 
 living in the precinct, were called by the precinct, "The socie- 
 ty attending on the Rev. Mr. John Ellis's preaching ;" the other 
 
 I 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. S19 
 
 Jiiba^itants of the precinct, who were on the opposition, styling 
 themselves " The Precinct," and considering themselves, by- 
 virtue of tlieir vote last aforesaid, wholly discharged from their 
 original contract. At a meeting lawfully called, and holden 
 Sept. 5, 1791, by the precinct, they passed the following vote, 
 viz. " That if the society attending on the Rev. Mr. John 
 Ellis's preaching, will settle with the aforesaid Mr. Ellis, and 
 pay him his demand from time to time, as it becomes due, for 
 his services as their minister, and pay all costs and charges, the 
 precinct hath been put to, on account of the action said 
 Ellis hath brought against said precinct, for his back salary, 
 and save the precinct harmless, so that neither tax nor suit shall 
 he brought against the inhabitants of said precinct for the sup- 
 port or maintenance of the Rev. Mr. Ellis aforesdd, in future ; 
 then, and in that case, the payment being made as aforesaid, 
 the precinct doth agree, that the society aforesaid shall an- 
 nually receive the interest arising on the precinct's money, so 
 long as they continue the Rev, Mr. John Ellis as their minis- 
 ter ; and that said society enjoy the privilege of the precinct's 
 meeting-house on sabbath days, to attend public worship in, so 
 long as they continue the aforesaid Mr. Elhs to preach in said 
 house." 
 
 The society took no notice of this offer, knowing that the 
 property, from the conditions on which it was given, belonged to 
 the Congregational society, and felt themselves under no ob- 
 hgation to the precinct for offering to give them what necessari- 
 ly belonged to them, (they being the only Congregational soci- 
 ety in the precinct), on condition that they would pay the pre- 
 cinct's debts. 
 
 We now approach what is called " The Long Meeting.''^ 
 At a meeting of the precinct, Sept. 26, 1791, it was voted, 
 *' That the door-keeper be directed by this precinct not to open 
 the doors of the meetinghouse in said precinct after the 17th 
 day of October next, on any pretence whatever, except for some 
 public town-meeting, or funeral occasions, or by order of the 
 trustees of said precinct, or by request of the committee hereaf- 
 ter to be chosen to supply the desk in said house." At the 
 same meeting the precinct chose a committee to supply the 
 desk. One of this committee was a member of a Baptist church 
 in Providence, the second constantly attended the Baptist meet- 
 ing, and the third publicly declared himself a Baptist. 
 
 The time fixed upon by the precinct for closing the meeting- 
 
gSu HISTORY OF SEEKONK^ 
 
 house doors, was the week in which the Supreme Judicial Court 
 was to sit in the county of Bristol, when it was expected that 
 Mr. Ellis would obtain judgment to recover his salary. Mr. 
 Ellis and his people continued to meet as usual in the house for 
 worship till the sabbath after the vote was to go into effect. On 
 this day they assembled as usual, but found the doors shut and 
 doubly barred, and that no admittance could be obtained without 
 violence. Some of the leading men of the precinct party ap- 
 pearing, they were requested for the key, that Mr. Ellis and his 
 church and people, mightenter, to celebrate the public worship of 
 God. This they refused, saying that it could be had only in the 
 the way pointed out by the precinct in their last mentioned vote^ 
 After waiting till they were satisfied that no admittance would 
 be given, Mr. Ellis and his people retired, and the meeting- 
 house remained shut during the day. 
 
 'The sabbath following, being the 31st of October, A. D, 
 1791, Mr. Ellis, at the request of his church and people, re- 
 paired to the meeting-house. When he arrived the doors were 
 again found shut and barred, and also people of the disaffected 
 party placed at each door, to prevent any admittance. The 
 particulars of this transaction are too many to be given in detail ; 
 suffice it to say, that after waiting, perhaps a quarter of an 
 hour, the doors were opened, and a certain man, by the name 
 of Northrop, from Narraganset, (a place so called, in Rhode 
 Island state), a Baptist elder, who had been previously engaged 
 by the disaffected, entered the pulpit. Soon after Mr. Ellis 
 came in and advanced towards the pulpit ; but when he came 
 to the stairs, he was so violently opposed by two men, seated on 
 them for that purpose, that he found it impracticable to pro- 
 ceed. The persons on the stairs who made resistance, were or- 
 dered by authority to withdraw, but they did not obey. The 
 men who were seated on the stairs, and made the forcible re- 
 sistance, were afterwards called upon, in a legal manner, to an- 
 swer for their conduct in that particular, and were adjudged 
 guilty of a breach of the peace, and sentenced to pay costs of 
 prosecution, amounting to ninety-Jive pounds, fifteen shillings, 
 and eleven pence, — a high price for a seat upon the stairs in a 
 decayed meeting-house.' 
 
 On the next sabbath the precinct employed the Rev. Isaac 
 Backus, a distinguished Baptist minister of Middleborough, and 
 author of the history of the Baptists that bears his name, — to 
 preach for them ; and at the same time doubled the number of 
 
ECCLfiSlASTlCAL HISTORY. 2St 
 
 the guard on the pulpit stairs. Mr. Ellis and his society being 
 now convinced that the object of the precinct was to introduce 
 and establish a Baptist denomination, and wholly shut them out 
 of the meeting-house, repaired to Mr. Ellis's house, and were 
 compelled for a while to worship in private houses. 
 
 Here it should be observed, that at the time when the precinct 
 passed the vote for shutting up the meeting-house, they also 
 voted and ordered their trustees, " to sell the securities belong- 
 ing to the precinct (as they worded the vote) for the most they 
 would sell for in money." * The same securities were a part of 
 the fund ; and by the express condition on which they were 
 lodged and entrusted with the committee of the precinct, they 
 were absolutely forbidden to use or expend any part of the 
 principal, for any purpose whatever.' 
 
 At a lawfully warned meeting of the precinct, Dec. 5, 1791, 
 it was voted, "That one of the former chosen to supply the desk, 
 on his request be dismissed, and another chosen." The one now 
 chosen was a member of a Baptist church in the town of Swan- 
 zey ; so that two of the present committee were now professed 
 Baptists, and the third a nominal one. They also directed the 
 same committee to agree with the Rev. Philip Slade, a Baptist 
 minister, to supply the desk in the meeting-house of the pre- 
 cinct, as a precinct minister, for the term of three months from 
 the time of passing the vote. 
 
 Mr. Ellis and his society now became convinced that no rea- 
 sonable accommodation was to be looked for from the precinct, 
 and that redress must be sought from another, and a higher 
 source. 
 
 'In this situation, considering the benefit of the fund, and the 
 use of the meeting house to be of importance to them and their 
 posterity, Mr. Ellis's church and people applied to the General 
 Court of the Commonwealth ; and by a petition expressive of 
 the facts, and representative of their peculiar situation, suppli 
 cated them to incorporate the petitioners into a body politic ; 
 vested Avith equal and similar powers, privileges and immuni- 
 ties, as precincts then were, or might be, in the Commonwealth. 
 The precinct made great opposition, and used every means to 
 prevent the prayer of the petitioners being granted. This may 
 be collected from the following vote, passed at a lawful meeting 
 of the precinct, May 21st, 1792, in this form, viz : " That the 
 agent chosen by said precinct to appear at the General Court, 
 is directed to use his best endeavours to prevent a petition 
 
222 HISTORY OF SEEKONKe 
 
 presented to said court, for an act of incorporation, by Ephraim 
 Starkweather and others, passing ; and employ counsel, if ne- 
 cessary, for that purpose." ' 
 
 The General Court, believing the petitioners to have been in- 
 jured, and that their religious rights had been invaded, granted, 
 by a great majority, the request of the petitioners. The follow- 
 ing are the title and preamble to the act of incorporation : 
 
 *' Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
 
 " In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
 ninety-two. 
 
 " An Act to incorporate certain persons, by the name of the 
 Congregational Society, in the Jirst precinct, in the 
 town of Rehoboth, in the county of Bristol, whereof the 
 Rev. John Ellis is the present pastor — and for repealing 
 an Act made and passed in the year of our Lord 1762, en- 
 titled, ' An Act to invest the committee of the first precinct 
 in Rehoboth, with corporate powers for certain purposes 
 therein mentioned.^ 
 
 " Whereas in and by said act, the said precinct, in their cor- 
 porate capacity, are authorized annually to appoint a committee, 
 who shall be a body corporate, by the name of the trustees in 
 the first precinct in Rehoboth, with power and authority to re- 
 ceive the sum of six hundred pounds, and the same to manage 
 and conduct, until the same, with other additional funds, shall 
 amount to the sum of twelve hundred pounds ; and the interest 
 of said sum to appropriate and pay to the minister of the Con- 
 gregational church, residing and officiating in the work of the 
 ministry, within the said precinct forever. And whereas, from a 
 change in the religious sentiments and professions of the inhabit- 
 ants of said precinct, those who constitute said church, and are 
 adherents to the Congregational order or denomination of chris- 
 tians, are become the minority of said precinct, by means 
 whereof, the fitness and propriety of said precinct's appropri- 
 ating said committee or trustees cease : And the persons 
 hereafter named, being the church aforesaid, and the principal 
 part of said Congregational order or denomination of christians, 
 having petitioned this court to be incorporated, for the purpose 
 of managing and conducting the funds and estate of every de- 
 scription, holden for, or belonging to the said Congregational so- 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY- 223 
 
 diety, or appropriated to the support of a minister of the Con- 
 gregational church, residing and officiating in the work of the 
 ministry within the said precinct. 
 
 " Therefore he it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 
 resentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
 of the same, That the aforesaid recited act, and every clause 
 and part thereof, be, and are hereby repealed." 
 
 The court then proceeded to incorporate the petitioners, 
 mentioning them severally by name, being seventy-one in num- 
 ber. And by said act of incorporation, among other things, it 
 was enacted, " That said petitioners, and all such other inhabit- 
 ants of the said first precinct in Rehoboth, as by a major vote 
 of the society, hereby constituted, be admitted to the benefits 
 thereof, at a regular meeting of the qualified voters, called for 
 that purpose, be, and they are hereby incorporated into a dis- 
 tinct religious society, by the name of the Congregational So- 
 ciety in the first precinct in the town of Rehoboth ; and are 
 hereby vested with all the powers, privileges and immunities, 
 that precincts or parishes within this commonwealth do, or may 
 enjoy. Further, it is enacted that the trustees of said Congre- 
 gational society shall be, and they are, hereby, empowered to 
 take, hold, receive, and manage, all the estate and rights of 
 property of every kind, both real and personal, which do, or 
 hereafter may, appertain and belong to the Congregational soci- 
 ety, or are legally appropriated to the use and support of a Con- 
 gregational minister in the first precinct in Rehoboth ; and also 
 such other grants, appropriations, and donations, real or per- 
 sonal, as have been, or hereafter may be, made for the pur- 
 poses aforesaid. And said trustees, in the said capacity, are 
 empowered to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, to 
 answer and be answered unto, to defend and be defended against, 
 in all courts and places, and before all persons and judges what- 
 soever, in all singular suit and suits, causes and actions, of what 
 kind soever." 
 
 The bill, after three readings in the House of Representa- 
 tives, and two in the Senate, passed to be enacted, and was ap- 
 proved by the governor, June 23, 1792. 
 
 The trustees of the incorporated society now called on the 
 trustees of the precinct for the possession of the meeting house, 
 and also demanded the monies which had been entrusted with 
 them for the support of a Congregational minister, residing 
 and officiating in the work of the ministry wnthin said precinct. 
 
224 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 The precinct refused compliance ; but continued to hold the 
 meeting house, and make what use of the monies they pleased. 
 The incorporated society now appealed to the strong arm of the 
 law, for the recovery of what had been decided to be their 
 rights. Two actions, for this purpose were commenced ; one 
 for the recovery of the fund, which was brought in the common 
 course of civil actions ; the other, for obtaining possession of 
 the meeting house, was brought under the statute of forcible en- 
 try and detainer. To recover, in this form of action, it was ne- 
 cessary for the Congregational society to prove, in addition to 
 * forcible entry,' that the house was forcibly detained from them. 
 Although the society were satisfied, that, should they attempt 
 to enter and take possession of the house, they would be resist- 
 ed and prevented ; still they must make the attempt, and show 
 that they were forcibly excluded, in order to convince others. 
 To reduce this to a certainty, the society resolved to assemble 
 at their usual time on the sabbath, and, by their trustees, intro- 
 duce their ordained minister, Mr. Ellis, and request him, in be- 
 half of the society, to officiate. From an attempt of this kind, 
 arose the story of " The Long Meeting ;" an occurrence of 
 such novel and interesting scenes, that I shall give it entire, in 
 the words of the * Narrative,' which was written from actual ob- 
 servation. 
 
 " The story is, in brief, as follows : — On a succeeding sab- 
 bath, the trustees of the society called upon Mr. Ellis, and re- 
 quested him to officiate for the society that day. He complied 
 — was conducted to the meeting house, and introduced to the 
 desk. Some of the inhabitants of the precinct had previously 
 possessed themselves of the house. Elder Philip Slade, with 
 certain others, were in the desk. The trustees informed the 
 people assembled, that they had requested Mr. Ellis, their right- 
 ful and ordained minister, to attend and officiate ; whom the 
 church and society wished to hear. No sooner had this infor- 
 mation been given, and the request made, than the elder rose, 
 and began reading aloud ; and, by the elevation of his voice, 
 and the rapidity of his utterance, seemed to drown all other 
 voices, and not to give an opportunity for any other person to 
 be heard. 
 
 " In this way the meeting continued for some time ; at length, 
 an opportunity offering, one of the trustees rose and command- 
 ed silence — urged the right of the society to use and occupy 
 the house without molestation. He was not regarded — reason 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. dS5 
 
 had lost her empire — frenzy and blind enthusiasm were her 
 substitute. The elder, with his assistants, were in constant em- 
 ploy^ — reading, singing, and exhorting, were the different 
 branches of the exercise. In fine, nought could be heard but 
 loud vociferations — raised cantations, and frightful exhorta- 
 tions — issuing from warm hearts, and warmer passions. The 
 astonished temple, with its new occupants, trembled and 
 mourned ; the direful dirge being echoed and re-echoed ; not 
 Etna's eruptions are more dreadful, or the howl of beasts of 
 prey more alarming to the lonesome traveller, than such worship 
 to a man of sober, serious reflection — who contemplates the 
 Being he worships as possessed of divine attributes ; — who re- 
 gards the heart, and observes the motives that prompt to wor- 
 ship. The enthusiastic reflects not — enthusiasm is reason run 
 wild ; whatever is novel — whatever is strange and alarming, 
 increases the enthusiasm, and is thought really and truly divine; 
 hence the invention is prompt, the zeal fervent, and neither 
 flesh or spirit can have rest. 
 
 "Mr. Ellis, observing these proceedings, and noticing the zeal 
 and warmth of those who officiated ; sensible that he should not 
 be permitted to perform the duties of the sanctuary without dis- 
 turbance, retired from the house, and left the zealots to perform 
 and conclude their exercises at pleasure. The meeting was 
 continued much in the same manner as before ; singing, reading 
 and exhorting, made a complete chain of exercise from 
 nine of the clock in tlie forenoon, to nine of the clock in the af- 
 ternoon. At this time there seemed to be a breakage in the 
 tone, and one of the trustees of the society then observed that 
 he thought it an unseasonable hour, for the people to continue 
 assembled — he desired them to retire that the house might be 
 shut and secure. At the same time he informed the people, 
 that a lecture was appointed to be holden there the next morn- 
 ing at nine of the clock ; still many refused to leave the house, 
 and several continued in possession of it through the night. 
 Early the next morning the meeting was begun and held much 
 in the same manner it was the day before. At nine of the 
 clock in the forenoon, the trustees waited on Mr. Ellis and in- 
 troduced him to the pulpit, and informed the people, that agree- 
 ably to appointment the evening before, they had repaired to the 
 house for the purpose of holding a lecture, and wished the 
 people to observe that order and decorum suitable on such at 
 occasion. As soon as these words were uttered, clamor, jar* 
 29 
 
226 HlSTfVRY OF &EEKO^Fff<r 
 
 gon and confusion ensued. Some time after the trustees re^ 
 Slewed their request ; observed the illegality and injustice of 
 any people forcibly, and in a tumultuous way, preventing the 
 society from the use and occupation of their house. They 
 commanded silence, and demanded the peaceable possession ; 
 warning any one who should further interrupt, that he would be 
 dealt with as a transgressor of the laws of the commonwealth. 
 His admonition was disregarded, and a mixture of exercise again 
 begun. 
 
 " The trustees waited for some time, expecting that there 
 would be a cessation, or that the exercises would be concluded ; 
 but finding their zeal, ardor, enthusiasm and warmth increasing 
 with their continuance in exercise ; that requests and demands 
 for the quiet and peaceable possession of the house were of no 
 avail — the trustees, with Mr. Ellis, retired once more from the 
 noise and confusion, and never formally took possession of the 
 house again, till they obtained it by judgment of law. The 
 meeting, however, did not thus end ; it was continued for near 
 a fortnight, day and night. A variety of characters exhibited 
 on this emergency, and a variety of matters were exhibited. 
 If it was not a school of morality, it was of novelty and 
 wonders, 
 
 " At sometimes singing, at other times exhorting ; and a third 
 part of the exercise, was reading, with a mixture of sympathize 
 ing sighs, sounds and tones. Sometimes, to complete the rarity, 
 they resolved into a precinct meeting ; a moderator was chosen 
 — this could be easily done on this occasion, though notification 
 had not been given. At some times, not more than three per- 
 sons would be in the pulpit, at other times the pulpit was 
 crowded, and the stairs thronged with reinforcements. Being 
 thus prepared, there was scarcely any cessation ; for when one 
 performer was fatigued or exhausted, another was at hand to 
 supply his place. When they were generally fatigued, and the 
 bodies had become weak, through constant and unwearied exer- 
 tions, and required sustenance^ provisions were supplied ; if the 
 spiritual part failed, the corporeal part was sure to be refreshed 
 and invigorated ;■ this naturally led them to conclude that every 
 needed aid was granted. Thus the meeting was continued, and 
 such was their worship. What soul could be benefited, or what 
 being glorified thereby, I am at a loss to determine. 
 
 " This was all done under an idea, that they possessed a true 
 zeal for pure and undefiled religion. Was the cloak sufficient 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. Sa? 
 
 \o cover the deception ? Could not the eye of reason, by an 
 impartial investigation, penetrate the mask, and discover motives 
 very foreign from religious ones? The meeting, however, 
 ■finally came to an end ; those persons of the society, who had 
 attended and observed their proceedings, retired ; the others 
 ceased their worship and left the house." 
 
 The society, by the process entered into by them against the 
 precinct, under the statute of forcible entry and detainer, ob- 
 tained possession of the meeting house. This induced the pre- 
 cinct to procure a writ of ejectment. This form of action 
 brought the title of the meeting-house regularly and legally in 
 question, the decision of which would be final to both parties. 
 This, and the action for the recovery of the fund, were pending 
 for a long time. Ancient records were searched, and hidden 
 things brought to view. They at length came to a trial ; and 
 in both the society were successful. In the one they recovered 
 their costs ; it appearing that the precinct, as a precinct, had 
 no title to the meeting-house they had sued for ; in the other, 
 the said society had judgment to recover the funds sued for, and 
 their costs ; it appearing that ' the intentions of the original do- 
 nors, in giving the fund, were for the benefit of Congregation- 
 alists, and none other.' From both of these decisions the 
 precinct appealed to the Supreme Judicial court ; at which 
 court, at Taunton, in the October term, 1794, both cases were 
 tried and determined. " The court, knowing the disputes had 
 been of long continuance ; that a great number of people felt 
 interested in the event ; and that, for the peace and order of the 
 inhabitants in the aforesaid precinct, it was necessary that there 
 should be a final and solemn decision in the actions, granted ev- 
 ery reasonable and legal indulgence to the parties, A very 
 full and candid hearing, continuing for two days and a half, was 
 given both by judges and jurors. All records, from the settle- 
 ment of the town of Rehoboth, were brought into view, the 
 facts fully stated, and the law candidly considered. Counsel, 
 learned and experienced in the law, were employed on both 
 sides. The judges, in their several charges to the juries, in a 
 summary, though plain manner, stated the facts, explained the 
 points of the law referred to, and insisted upon in the trials. 
 The juries to whom the causes were committed, returned ver- 
 dict in favour of the society ; thereby comporting with the ver- 
 dicts of the juries at the court of common pleas." Thus were 
 these long and unpleasant contentions, at last, terminated. 
 
HISTORY OF SEEKONK, 
 
 Mr. Ellis was succeeded by the Rev. John Hill, a native of 
 Lewistown, in the state of Delaware. He was born February 
 11, 1759; was educated at Lewistown ; and began to preach No- 
 vember 29, 1787. He was employed as an itinerant preacher, 
 in the Methodist connexion, in the southern and New England 
 states, (in the latter he preached principally in Lynn, Waltham, 
 and Boston,) till about the year 1795 ; when he dissolved his 
 connexion with the Methodists, and taught a school, for eight 
 years, in Warren, R. L He was installed over this church, 
 September 22, 1802. Here, in addition to his pastoral duties, 
 he kept a private school throughout the year, and was a popular 
 teacher of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages, and also 
 of the various departments of English literature. Mr. Hill was 
 very much beloved by the people of his charge, and especially 
 by the children and youth. He continued his pastoral services, 
 and preached on the Sabbath preceding his death, which occur- 
 red in 1816. His wife was Miss Roby Bowen, who was born 
 in Coventry, R. I., November 29, 1766. They were married 
 September 1, 1794 ; and had two children, Sarah (now de- 
 ceased,) and Maria V. Mrs. Hill still survives, and resides in 
 Seekonk. 
 
 The next settled minister was the Rev. James O. Barney^ 
 the present pastor. He was born at Providence, R. I. Septem- 
 ber, 30, 1795; graduated at Brown university in September, 
 1821, and was ordained over this church, February 4, 1824. He 
 married Miss Eliza Lathe, of Charlton, Mass., in May, 
 1825. 
 
 The present state of the church and society is prosperous ; 
 and, connected with it, and under the supervision of the pastor, 
 is an interesting and flourishing sabbath school, with a fine juve- 
 nile library. 
 
 Baptist Chukch. 
 
 The first meeting for discussing the propriety of attempting to 
 establish a Baptist church in this part of the town, and, after a 
 resolution had been formed to that effect, for devising means to 
 accomplish it, was held on the 17th of December, 1793.* 
 
 * For most of the facts in the history of this church, I am indebted to the kindness of 
 Mr. Zenas B. Newman, a graduate of Brown university, and formerly a member of 
 this church. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 229 
 
 After several meetings, the church was organized, November 27, 
 1794, consisting of forty members. The first minister who 
 preached to this church, was the Rev. John P. Jones, a member 
 of the Baptist church in Newport, R. I. After preaching 
 nearly a year, in the capacity of a licentiate from the afore-men- 
 tioned church, he was ordained as pastor, March 18, 1795. 
 Messrs. Caleb Mason and Charles Peck were at the same time 
 appointed deacons. Mr. Jones continued to perform his pasto- 
 ral duties with satisfaction and success, till August 25, 1798, 
 when the decline of his health compelled him to relinquish 
 them. His successor was the Rev. John Pitman, who had oc- 
 casionally assisted Mr. Jones. In 1801, the church enjoyed a 
 revival of religion, and considerable additions were made to its 
 numbers. In December, 1807, Mr. Joseph Bucklin was ap- 
 pointed deacon, and also in March, 1808, Mr. Samuel Brown. 
 With the exception of the year 1815, Mr. Pitman supplied the 
 desk regularly, from 1798 till his death, in July, 1822. In 
 December, 1815, Mr. David Brown was elected deacon, which 
 office he still sustains. This last-mentioned year is noticed 
 as the date of another revival in this church. In 1819, Messrs. 
 Sylvanus Newman and John Read were appointed deacons. 
 The former still continues in the office, but the latter has for 
 several years been in the ministry. During the autumn of 
 1822, the church enjoyed no regular preaching; and in the 
 winter of 1823, it was supplied by two clergymen, one of whom 
 was the Rev. Ezra Going. From October 5, 1823, till 1828, it 
 enjoyed the permanent labors of the Rev. Bartlett Pease. During 
 the year 1829, the desk was supplied by several different clergy- 
 men, among whom was the Rev. Mr. Green, who previously, as 
 well as subsequently, preached to the Baptist church in Digh- 
 ton. In May, 1829, the Rev. Benjamin Grafton, of Plymouth, 
 Conn., became the pastor of the church, and continued till 
 July, 1831. Mr. Grafton now preaches in Taunton. Mr. 
 Grafton was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Bestor, who continued 
 till August, 1833. In August of this year, Mr. Viall Medbury 
 was chosen deacon. In September, 1833, the church invited 
 the Rev. Henry Clark, a licentiate from the church at Harwich, 
 to supply them for a season. His labors were so successful that 
 during the year 1834, between sixty and seventy members were 
 added to the church. Mr. Clark was ordained over this church 
 in 1834. 
 
 Mr. Clark was the son of Seth Clark, and was born in Can- 
 
230 HISTOllY OF SEEKONK. 
 
 terbury, Windham county, Conn., in November, 1810; was 
 educated at the hterary and theological institution, at Hamilton, 
 N. Y., and was married to Miss Mary Tillinghast Doane, of 
 Warwick, R. I., in January, 1834. 
 
 This church now consists of 207 members. 
 
 Lyceum. 
 
 A Lyceum was established in Seekonk in the winter of 1834, 
 which has been sustained ever since with great spirit and inter- 
 est. Besides the resources of its own members, it is enabled 
 from its proximity to Providence, to avail itself of the aid of the 
 learned and scientific men of that city, and of the able professors 
 of Brown university. During the last year, a neat and commo- 
 dious building was erected by the members of the Lyceum, for 
 their meetings. 
 
 Seekonk Classical Institute. 
 
 A school with the above title, in which the classics and 
 higher English branches, with the modern languages, are taught, 
 was established in the village of Seekonk, in the autumn of 
 1835, and is now in successful operation, consisting of about 
 thirty scholars. 
 
HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 
 
 In 1828, the north-west part of Seekonk was, by an act of 
 the Legislature, and in compliance with a petition of a majority 
 of the inhabitants of that part of the town, incorporated into an 
 independent township, resuming its ancient Indian name, Paw- 
 tucket.* The following is a copy of the 
 
 Act of Incorporation. 
 
 "Sec 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of 
 the same, That the north-west part of the town of Seekonk, 
 within the following lines, namely : beginning at a bend of the 
 Seekonk river, about forty rods south of the mouth of Beverage 
 brook, so called, thence running a due east course till it strikes 
 the Ten^mile river, so called, thence by said river till it comes 
 to the Attleborough line, including the island on which Kent's 
 factory is situated, also the bridge a few rods north of said 
 Kent's factory, which shall in future be supported by said town 
 of Pawtucket ; thence westerly on the Attleborough line till it 
 comes to the Rhode Island line ; thence southerly on said 
 Rhode Island line till it comes to the first corner, with all the 
 inhabitants living thereon, be incorporated into a town by the 
 name of Pawtucket, with all the powers and privileges, and 
 subjected to the duties and requisitions, that towns within this 
 commonwealth do, or may enjoy, or be subject to. 
 
 " Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That the inhabitants of the 
 said town of Pawtucket shall be holden to pay all arrears of 
 taxes, which have been assessed upon them by the town of See- 
 konk, together with their proportion of all debts due from said 
 town of Seekonk, prior to the date of this act ; and the said 
 town of Pawtucket shall be entitled to receive their proportion 
 of all debts and taxes due to the said town of Seekonk, when 
 
 *For the signification of the word Pawtucket, see supra, Hist. ofRehoboth, p. !. 
 
232 HISTORY OF PAWTTJCKET. 
 
 collected and paid into the treasury of said town ; and the said 
 town of Pawtucket shall be entitled to hold their proportion, 
 according to the last valuation, of all the real and personal prop- 
 erty, including the legacy of the late Eliphalet Slack, belonging 
 to the town of Seekonk before the passing of this act, except 
 so much of said property as is hereafter mentioned ; and, 
 whereas, by an act of this General Court passed the twenty- 
 sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
 eight hundred and twelve, entitled an act to establish the town 
 of Seekonk, it is enacted that all the expenses arising for the 
 support of the poor, which had become chargeable to the 
 town of Rehoboth, together with such poor as have removed 
 out of said Rehoboth prior to the said act, but who might there- 
 after be lawfully returned to said town for support, shall be 
 equally divided between the towns of Rehoboth and Seekonk. 
 
 " Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said town of Paw- 
 tucket shall be held to pay one third of the expenses to which 
 the said town of Seekonk may hereafter become liable in con- 
 sequence of said provision, and when the said town of Paw- 
 tucket shall be organized, the paupers supported by said town 
 of Seekonk, in pursuance of said provision, whether the same 
 be supported in whole or in part only, shall be divided as near- 
 ly as may be, and one third thereof delivered over to the over- 
 seers of the said town of Rehoboth, to be by them in future 
 supported, and all persons who may hereafter become charge- 
 able as paupers to the said towns of Seekonk and Pawtucket, 
 shall be considered as belonging to that town on the limits of 
 which they had their settlement at the time of the passing of 
 this act, and shall in future be chargeable to that town only. 
 
 " Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, that the poor now supported 
 by the town of Seekonk, and all such who may hereafter be 
 returned for support, in virtue of having acquired a settlement 
 in said town, shall be supported by the town within the territo- 
 rial limits of which they have acquired their settlement. 
 
 " Sec 5. Be it further enacted, That until a new valuation is 
 taken by the commonwealth, the state and county taxes, and 
 any reimbursements required by the commonwealth for the rep- 
 resentation of the present and past years, of the said town of 
 Seekonk, which may be called for from said towns of Seekonk 
 and Pawtucket, shall be paid jointly by said towns, and in the 
 proportion of two thirds for said town of Seekonk, and one third 
 for said town of Pawtucket. 
 
 " Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the said town of Paw- 
 
HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 233 
 
 mieket shall have no claim in the town-house, and also a certain 
 parcel of real estate, known by the name of Kettle Point, and 
 is owned by the towns of Seekonk and Rehoboth ; and the said 
 town of Pawtucket shall not be liable to pay any expenses that 
 have, or may accrue, on occasion of said estate, and the said 
 town of Seekonk shall also retain to their own use, the school 
 fund, so called. 
 
 " Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That any justice of the 
 peace, in the county of Bristol, be, and is hereby authorised to 
 issue his warrant, directed to some suitable inhabitant of Paw- 
 tucket, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants of the said 
 town of Pawtucket, to asseinble and meet at such convenient 
 time and place as shall be appointed in said warrant, for the 
 choice of such officers as towns are by law required to choose 
 and appoint at their annual town meetings. 
 
 " Approved by the governor, March 1, 1828." 
 
 The first town meeting of the inhabitants of Pawtucket, was 
 held March 17, 1828, when the following town officers were 
 elected : — Oliver Starkweather, moderator ; David Bucklin, 
 Elijah Ingraham, and Remember Kent, selectmen ; James C. 
 Starkweather, town clerk ; and William Allen, town treasurer. 
 
 The second annual meeting was held April 6, 1829, when 
 the same officers were re-elected. At the next annual meeting, 
 April 5, 1830, George W, Hill was chosen town clerk; the 
 other town officers were the same as in the two preceding 
 years. 
 
 At the fourth annual meeting of the town, April 4, 1831, 
 Amos A. Tillinghast was chosen town clerk ; Elijah Ingraham, 
 Wellington Kent, and John Burbank, selectmen ; and William 
 Allen, town treasurer. 
 
 At the fifth annual meeting, April 2, 1832, Amos A. Til- 
 linghast was chosen town clerk ; Wellington Kent, Amos Arnold, 
 and Asa Draper, selectmen ; and Edward Walcott, town 
 treasurer. 
 
 At the sixth annual meeting, April 1, 1833, the same town 
 officers were re-elected, with the exception of the treasurer, 
 whose place was supplied by Ira D. Ellis. At the annual meet- 
 ing, April 7, 1834, the officers of the preceding year were re- 
 elected. 
 
 April 6, 1835, at the eighth annual town meeting, Thomas 
 Esten was chosen town clerk j Wellington Kent, Ira Draper, 
 30 
 
234 HISTORY OF PAWTIICKET. 
 
 and John Craine, jr. selectmen ; and Ira D. Ellis, town 
 treasurer. 
 
 It is readily foreseen that the materials for the history of 
 Pawtucket, as a separate and independent township, must ne- 
 cessarily, from its recent existence as such, be very scanty and 
 limited. '' Pierce's Fight," which took place a short distance 
 above the village, on the Pawtucket or Blackstone river, was 
 related in our history of Rehoboth, at pp. 87 to 93, and also 
 the capture of Canonchet, supposed to be taken near the same 
 spot will be found at pp. 97 to 101, of the same. We have 
 already given the few facts respecting its history that the re- 
 cords of the town afford. The previous notices that we find of 
 Pawtucket relate to the viUoge of Pawtucket ; but as the por- 
 tions of the village, on both sides of the river, grew up together, 
 whatever may throw light upon the growth of the whole, will 
 help to ex hi hit that of the part which falls within the incorpora- 
 ted town. 
 
 The following is a description of the village of Pawtucket, as 
 it was in 1810, by Dr. Dvvight, found in his travels, vol. II. p. 
 27—8. 
 
 " In the northwestern corner of Rehoboth there is a compact 
 and neat settlement on the Pawtucket, or Providence river. 
 This, with another on the western bank, form what is called 
 North Providence ; although this name, in strict propriety, be- 
 longs only to the latter. This village is well built, and vv^ears 
 a flourishing aspect. The river is a large mill-stream ; and 
 just below the village becomes navigable for boats. Directly 
 under the bridge commences a romantic fall, which, extending 
 obliquely down the river, furnishes a number of excellent mill- 
 seats. Of this advantage the inhabitants have availed them- 
 selves. There is probably no spot in New England, of the 
 same extent, in which the same quantity, or variety, of manu- 
 facturing business is carried on. In the year 1796, there were 
 here three Anchor-forges, one Tanning Mill, one Flowering 
 Mill, one Slitting Mill, three Snuff Mills, one Oil Mill, three 
 Fulling Mills, one Clothier's Works, one Cotton Factory, two 
 Machines for cutting nails, one Furnace for casting hollow ware; 
 all moved by water, one Machine for cutting screws, moved by 
 a horse, and several forges for smiths' work. 
 
 " The whole descent of the river is said to be fifty feet. The 
 principal fall is about thirty. The mass of rocks, by which it is 
 
HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 235 
 
 produced, is thrown together in the wildest confusion. When 
 we passed this place, the river was low. In 1807, while cross- 
 ing the ferry, just beloWj in an oblique direction near a mile in 
 extent, I had a remarkably fine view of this cr.taract. The 
 river was full, and fell in a circuitous extent of little less than 
 two hundred feet, and in a great variety of forms of wildness 
 and grandeur. 
 
 ** Most of the manufactures at this place have been carried 
 on successfully. The number of workmen employed, the num- 
 ber of buildings, and the mass of capital, have therefore contin- 
 ually increased. But in the year 1806, the deluge of rain, 
 which fell in the beginning of February, raised the river to an 
 unprecedented height ; and swept away in a moment the labo- 
 rious efforts of many years." 
 
 The following notice, extracted from a gazeteer of Rhode Isl- 
 and and Connecticut, published at Hartford in 1819, may serve 
 to give us another birds-eye view of the village of Pawtucket, 
 nine years later than the date of the one proceeding : — 
 
 " The village of Pawtucket is situated in the north-east sec- 
 tion of the town [North Providence,] four miles northeast of 
 Providence, on the border of the Seekonk river; its site being 
 principally the declivity of a hillj and it is highly romantic and 
 picturesque. The river here affords numerous natural sites lor 
 manufacturing establishments, mills and hydraulic work: . of 
 almost every description, which are scarcely rivalled, and whicl^ 
 are occupied to a great extent. The rapid march of manufac- 
 turing and mechanical industry, which the short annals of this 
 place disclose, has few examples in our country, and has pro- 
 duced one of the most considerable and flourishing manufactur- 
 ing villages in the United States. The river here forms the 
 boundary line between the two states, and the village is built 
 upon both sides of it ; being partly in Rhode Island and partly 
 in Massachusetts. That part of the village which is in this state 
 [Rhode Island,] is principally built on four streets ; and com- 
 prizes eighty-three Dwelling-houses, twelve Mercantile stores, 
 two Churches, a Post Office, an incorporated Bank, an Acad- 
 emy, and two or three flourishing schools. Of the ten Cotton 
 Mills in the town, three are at this place, and upon an exten- 
 sive scale. There are six shops engaged in the manufacturing 
 of machinery, having the advantage of water power, and vari- 
 ous other mechanical establishments, affording extensive employ- 
 ment, and supporting a dense population. Upon the Massa- 
 
236 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 
 
 chusetts side of the river, there is a village of nearly equal sho 
 and consequence, for its manufacturing and other interests." 
 
 As early as 1712, we find, in a report, made to the Massa- 
 chusetts legislature, by a committee consisting of three of the 
 Council and two of the House of Representatives, respecting 
 the most advantageous location for a bridge proposed to be 
 erected by the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, over 
 Pawtucket river, a mention made of" Iron Works " near " Paw- 
 tucket Falls." And it is probable, that the excellent water 
 privileges at the falls early attracted the attention of the first 
 settlers, and that mills were erected here at an early date ; but 
 the village was small and of comparatively little importance, till 
 the introduction of Cotton manufactures by the late Samuel 
 Slater, in 1790. Since that period the growth and prosperity 
 of the village have been unrivalled. 
 
 As the village of Pawtucket owes its present flourishing con- 
 dition — principally to Cotton Manufactures,, and these were first 
 introduced by Mr. Slater ; we shall give such facts as we have 
 been able to learn respecting him, followed by a statistical view 
 of the manufacturing establishments in the town of Pawtucket. 
 
 Samuel Slater was born in England, June 9, 1768 ; emi- 
 grated to America in 1789 ; and, in connexion with Messrs. 
 Moses Brown and William Almy of Providence, established the 
 first factory in this country for spinning cotton.* He com- 
 menced the spinning of cotton in 1790, in a building near Paw- 
 tucket Bridge, and occupied it about twenty-one months^ and 
 then removed to the factory now cafled the " Old Mill/' from 
 its being the first erected for the business in the country. This 
 building is now owned by Messrs. Almy and Jenkins ; and some 
 of the old machinery, used at the starting of the factory by Mr. 
 Slater, is still in operation, and is exhibited to the numerous 
 visiters to the establishment. 
 
 Establishing, as he did, the first cotton factory in the country, 
 Mr. Slater had, of course, the whole market to himself; and, 
 so great was the demand for his manufactures, that he frequently 
 had money lodged in his hands for months before he could an- 
 swer the orders of his correspondents. Thus circumstanced, 
 every thing in his hands turned to money. His business profi- 
 table, without competition, and he alone master of the art, he 
 
 * For Ihe facts in this sketch of Mr. Slater I am indebted to- Messra. Ronsmaniere, 
 editors of the Pawtucket Chronicle. 
 
HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 237 
 
 pushed steadily forward in the path of success, the unrivalled 
 favorite of fortune. 
 
 At the time of his death, he owned one third of the manu- 
 facturing village of Slatersville, the Steam Mill in Providence, 
 the whole town of Webster, and other immense tracts of landed 
 property, besides a large amount of bank stock ; all of which, 
 it is said, has been estimated by Moses Brown of Providence 
 at ^1,200,000. This estimate is said to have been founded on 
 a schedule of his property, exhibited by Mr. Slater to Mr. 
 Brown in 1829. 
 
 " Mr. Slater," says the Pawtucket Chronicle, " was not 
 exactly a generous man. He gave little to public institutions, 
 and regarded not the appeals of private individuals. His ob- 
 ject was gold ; and no man was more indefatigable. Buona- 
 parte never pursued schemes of conquest, never followed the 
 phantoms of ambition more constantly, than did Samuel Slater 
 his business. With him there was no second object to divide 
 his thoughts. Like a shrewd, worldly man, he never boasted 
 of his riches. When the President visited him two years ago, 
 he told him he understood he had made a very large fortune ; 
 " Why," said Mr. S., "■ I have made, I think, a competency ! " 
 An answer that opens an avenue into the very heart of his char- 
 acter.'* 
 
 Mr. Slater is said to have been the first who established Sab- 
 bath Schools in this country. Reading, writing, and arithme- 
 tic \yere taught to the children in these schools. 
 
 He had two wives, and left four children, all by his first wife, 
 who was a daughter of the late Oziel Wilkinson of Pawtucket 
 village.* 
 
 COTTON FACTORIES, &c. 
 
 Yellow Mill. — -The first cotton factory that was erected 
 upon the east side of the river, in the village of Pawtucket, was 
 " the Yellow Mill." It was erected in 1805 by the "Paw- 
 tucket Cotton and Oil Manufacturing Company," but is not 
 now in operation. The basement story is now occupied as a 
 machine shop. 
 
 * Should further facts come inta my hands, in season, as I expect, relative 
 to Mr. Slater, they will be inserted in the Biographical Sketches. 
 
238 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 
 
 Great Stone Mill. — This factory was re-built in 1827, a 
 wooden building, erected for a factory, at quite an early date, 
 having been consumed by fire, on the present site, in 1824. It 
 contains 60 looms, 2000 spindles, employs 70 hands, and man- 
 ufactures yearly 400,000 yards of cloth, No. 35. 
 
 Stone Factory. — This factory was erected in 1813, by the 
 same company that built the "Yellow Mill." It is now divid- 
 ed into four departments, and owned and occupied by four 
 different firms, viz. John Burbank, Starkweather k, Clafllen, 
 John F. Walcott, and Edward Walcott. John Burbank has in 
 operation 40 looms, runs 1500 spindles, employs 40 hands, and 
 manufactures annually 300,000 yards of No. 30 printing cloths. 
 Starkweather h Claflen have in operation 50 looms, run 1700 
 spindles, employ about 50 hands, and manufacture yearly about 
 350,000 yards of printing cloths. Edward Walcott has in op- 
 eration 34 looms, runs 1200 spindles, employs about 40 hands;, 
 and manufactures annually 225,000 yards of printing cloths. 
 The estimate of John F. Walcott's part of the factory is nearly 
 the same as that of the latter. 
 
 White Mill. — This, sometimes called the " Wilkinson Fac- 
 tory," was built in 1813, by Wilkinson, Green, &i Co. The 
 inside of this building, (the walls of which are of stone,) was 
 burned out in 1824, the same time that the wooden factory, on 
 the site of the " Great Stone Mill," was burned. It is now 
 owned by Geo. Wilkinson, who has in operation 59 looms, 
 2000 spindles, employs 50 hands, and manufactures yearly 
 450,000 yards. 
 
 Kent's Factory. — This factory is owned by R. &. W. Kent, 
 and was erected in 1809. They have in operation 15 looms, 
 354 spindles, employ 16 hands, and manufacture yearly 
 100,000 yards. 
 
 Ingraham Factory. — This factory was built in 1825 by the 
 " Pawtucket Calico Manufacturing Company," and is now 
 owned by Dwight Ingraham. He has now in operation 24 looms, 
 1000 spindles, employs 20 hands, and manufactures annually 
 220,000 yards. The building is now only partially filled with 
 machinery, and Mr. Ingraham contemplates doubling the amount 
 soon. 
 
HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 239 
 
 Franklin Print Works. — The buildings occupied by these 
 works, were used for upwards of twenty years after their erection, 
 for bleaching, and were erected by the " Pawtucket Calico Man- 
 ufacturing Company." They are now owned by Crawford Al- 
 len, of Providence, and were first filled with machinery for the 
 printing of calicoes, in 1833. They employ 225 hands, and 
 turn out annually 4,600,000 yards of printed calicoes. 
 
 Pawtucket Bank. — This bank was incorporated June 13, 
 1814, and has a capital of .^100,000. The president is Elijah 
 Ingraham, and the cashier, Amos A. Tillinghast. 
 
 Pawtucket Acabemy. — This institution was incorporated 
 in 1832, with power to hold real estate, not exceeding in value 
 eight thousand dollars, and personal estate not exceeding in 
 value twelve thousand dollars, to be devoted exclusively to the 
 purposes of education. The building is neat and commodious, 
 and enjoys a romantickly fine location. The school, since the 
 commencement of its operations, has been under the care of 
 Mr. Joseph Hale, a graduate of Harvard University. The 
 mode of instruction is judicious and excellent, and the school 
 sustains a decidedly high character. The number of pupils is 
 limited to forty. 
 
 Pawtucket Bridge. 
 
 In the spring of 1712, a proposal was made by the General 
 Assembly of Rhode Island, to the legislature of Massachusetts, 
 " for building a bridge over Pawtucket river, partly at the 
 charge of that colony, and in part at the charge of this province ; " 
 which was accepted, and " a vote was passed thereon for raising 
 a committee to inquire where the bridge may be best set, and 
 of the benefit and advantage it will be, when erected, to this 
 provmcej for travel and commerce." 
 
 [Mass. Rec. vol. ix. p. 200.] 
 
 March 20. 1712, it was "ordered that Isaac Winslow, Na- 
 thaniel Payne, and John Gushing, Esqrs. of the council, with 
 such of the representatives as shall be named by the House, be 
 a committee to inquire of the place where the bridge may best 
 
240 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 
 
 be placed, and of t!io benefit and advantage it will be, when 
 erected, to tliis province for travel and commerce." 
 
 [Ibid. p. 259.] 
 
 May 29, 1713, the committee reported as follows: viz. 
 " We are humbly of opinion, that a place called Pawtucket 
 Falls, near the Iron works on said river, is the most suitable 
 place to erect said brid^^c, and when built, may be of benefit to 
 some parts of tiiis province, especially it will be of service for 
 travellin;;^ into the Narraj^anset country, Connecticut, and 
 New York, at all times of the year, particularly in the win- 
 ter season, when, by reason of the risin;,^ of the water, and f^reat 
 quantity of ice coming down the river, it is made very difiicult 
 and hazardous, wliich, if there be a bridge, will make travelling 
 more easy and safe. 
 
 Isaac Winslow, ~' 
 
 Natl). Payne, 
 
 Sam'l Thaxter, >Committee." 
 
 Joseph Brown. 
 
 Noah Peck, ^ 
 [Vol. ix. pp. 273, 274. 
 
 " In the House of Representatives, voted, that Nathaniel 
 Paine, Esq., Messrs. Moses Read and John Rogers, be a com- 
 mittee to consider and compute the charge of a highway to 
 Pawtucket bridge, and lay the same before this court; and 
 that the further consideration of the account of building of said 
 bridge, be deferred until the vouchers thereof be produced, or 
 the said account be returned, examined and allowed, by the 
 government of Rhode Island, neither of which are yet done." 
 
 [Vol. X. p. 22.] 
 
 " Upon reading an account presented by Joseph Jenks, 
 amounting to £223 14s. lid., being the expense of building a 
 bridge over Pawtucket river, 
 
 " The House of Representatives resolved that the sum of 
 £51 19s. 5^(1. be further allowed out of the public treasury, to 
 Jose|)h Jenks, accomptant ; which, with £G0, already paid by 
 this province, is one half of his accompt, and is in full of what 
 this province pays to the building of said bridge." 
 
 [Vol X. p. 40.] 
 
HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 241 
 
 *' The report of the commiitee appointed to consider and 
 compute the charge of a highway to Pavvtucket bridge : viz. 
 In pursuance of the written vote or order, we the subscribers, 
 on the 28th of May, 1716, went to the bridge at Pawtucket, 
 where we met with the persons tliat were interested in the 
 lands where the highway should go ; and, having discoursed 
 with them, and viewed the same, do report that a way of two 
 rods wide be left on the north side of the land belonging to Jo- 
 seph Buckland, jr., beginning at the foot of the bridge, and so 
 to run through the land of Henry Smith, till it comes to said 
 Smith's house, being in length ninety-two rods, is about two 
 acres and a half, only allowing a turn to be made to the north- 
 ward, about fifty rods from the bridge, to escape a great rock, 
 which land we are of opinion is worth £3 per acre ; and the 
 making of a fence the length of said way, if made of stone wall, 
 will be worth 5s. per rod, to be allowed to the owner of said 
 land ; which way then to run from said Smith's house northward 
 about a quarter of a mile, when it will meet with a way that was 
 formerly laid out by Rehoboth, which leads into the county 
 road by the great plain. The land, being two acres and a halt, 
 we value at 20s. per acre, without any charge of fence. 
 " Given under our hands, the 14th of June, 1716. 
 Nathaniel Payne, ^ 
 Moses Read, > Committee." ' 
 John Rogers, ) 
 
 Upon the report of this committee, the House of Representa- 
 tives passed the following resolve : — " Resolved, that the com- 
 mittee's report be so far accepted, that the highway be laid out 
 and settled according thereto, and that the sum of £10 be al- 
 lowed and paid out, of the public treasury, to purchase the land 
 thereof, according to the said report, and that 24s. be paid out 
 of the public treasury, for their service and expenses." 
 
 [Vol. X. pp. 75, 76.] 
 
 " June 19, 1725. 
 "In the House of Representatives, resolved that the sum of 
 £15 be allowed and paid out of the public treasury, to Capt. 
 Jno. Foster, of Attleborough, to be employed for the repairing 
 of the Province's part of the bridge over Pawtucket river, be- 
 tween Rehoboth and Providence, part of the repairs belonging 
 31 
 
242 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 
 
 to the colony of Rhode Island, the said Foster to account for 
 the expenses of the money." 
 
 [Vol. xii. p. 402.] 
 
 "In the House of Representatives, May 30, 1730, voted 
 that Col. Church, Capt. Foster, and Mr. Peck, be a committee 
 in behalf of this government of Rhode Island, in demolishing 
 the great bridge over Pawtucket river, it being represented as 
 very hazardous.'* 
 
 [Vol. xiv. p. 372.] 
 
 " Sept. 18, 1730. Charles Church, Esq., for the commit- 
 tee appointed to demolish Pawtucket bridge, by an order en- 
 tered July 1, 1730, gave in the following report,- viz : 
 
 " The committee within named, repaired to the great bridge 
 over Pawtucket river, on the 21st of July, 1730, and there 
 joined with William Jettks, Es^., empowered and appointed 
 on the part of the government of Rhode Island and Providence- 
 plantations, and by order of both governments, we then and 
 there demolished the said bridge." 
 
 [VoL xiv. f. 396. 
 
 A new bridge was soon erected. — ^This is the history of the 
 old bridge. Though somewhat long, it may perhaps inteyesfi 
 the curious reader. The bridge has been frequently repaired^ 
 •nd, lastly, within a few years. 
 
 Repbesentatives.. 
 
 1828, James C. Starkweather. 
 
 1829, James C. Starkweather. 
 
 1830, James C. Starkweather. 
 
 1831, Elijah Ingrahara. 
 
 1832, Remember Kent. 
 
 1833, Remember Kent. 
 
 1834, Remember Kent. 
 
 1835, Remember Kent. 
 
 Senators. 
 
 1829, Hon. Elijah Ingraham. 1836, Hon. J. C. Starkweather. 
 
 1830, Hon. Elijah Ingraham. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
 
 The ecclesiastical history of Pawtucket comprises the hislo- 
 s-y of three churches, viz: — Elder Potter's churchy Elder 
 green's charch, and the Congregational church. But two of 
 these are now located in the town, one having beea removed to 
 Jhe west side of the river- 
 
 Elder Potter's Church, 
 
 The first church organised wiihui the limits of this town, was 
 gathered by the Rev. Ray Potter, and was styled a " Free-Will 
 Baptist Church." The following is a notice of its organization, 
 extracted from the " Life of Ray Potter, by himself," and de- 
 rived originally from the records of the church : — • 
 
 ^' Book of Records of the Church of Christ, in PawtucJcetj 
 Massachusetts, commonly called Free- Will Baptist ; constituted 
 October 7, 1820, under the watch and care of Elder Ray 
 Potter." 
 
 •'■' Oft the evening of the 7th of October, 1820, a number of 
 brethren and sisters, lately baptized by Elder Ray Potter, 
 (whose names will be hereafter specified,) together with deacon 
 Gardner Buffington, and his wife, Mary Buffington, and her 
 daughter, Harriet Buffington ; all of whom had formerly been 
 members of the church of Christ, in Swanzey, Mass. ; also, 
 brother Daniel Green, formerly a member of the Calvanistic 
 Baptist church in Pawtucket, and Elder Ray Potter, assem- 
 bled at the house of deacon Gardner Buffington, in the village 
 of Pawtucket, on Seekonk side, Mass., for the purpose of 
 joining or embodying themselves together, as a church of 
 Christ. 
 
 " After prayer to Almighty God, to be owned, and blessed, 
 and directed by his holy spirit, in the present very solemn and 
 
244 IIISTORT OF PAWTUCKET. 
 
 Important undertaking, we proceeded to consider the subject for 
 which we met. After conversing upon the subject of church 
 government, and what was to be understood by a visible church 
 of Ciirist, the following persons joined hands, thereby manifest- 
 ing that they united themselves together as a church of God ; 
 taking the scriptures of truth as their only book of discipline, 
 and rule of faith and practice. [Here follow the names, which 
 it is unnecessary to transcribe.] 
 
 " After the persons above referred to had united as a 
 church, they unanimously admitted Elder Ray Potter, as one 
 of their members, and likewise as an under shepherd, to take 
 the watch and care of the church. It was also agreed that 
 deacon BufTrngton should officiate in said office in the church. 
 The church also chose Elder Ray Potter for their clerk. 
 
 '* Althougii the church has chosen for its pastor Elder Ray 
 Potter, who is likewise considered as a preacher in the Free- 
 will connexion, yet it is understood that the church is consti- 
 tuted upon the principle of having the privilege and authority 
 to order its own concerns, without being restricted or biased by 
 pny other church or churches whatever. 
 
 " The above record was written, and laid before the church, 
 in meeting, and duly approved by them. 
 
 Witness, Ray Potter, C/crAr." 
 
 A division soon took place in this church, a part of the mem- 
 bers adhering to Mr. Potter, and the others uniting with the 
 Rev. Daniel Green, one of the original members of this church ; 
 and whom his party selected for their minister. Immediately 
 pn this division a controversy arose, as to which party the meet- 
 ing house, that had been erected for the original church, should 
 belong, Tlie decision was left to referees, who declared in fa- 
 vor of the party adhering to Mr. Green. From this division 
 arose the two churches, now generally known by the names of 
 " Elder Potter's " and " Elder Green's." Elder Potter's 
 church, who by the decision of the referees, above alluded to, 
 lost their right in the meeting house first erected, after worship- 
 ping for a while in a school house in the village, built for them- 
 selves a new house of worship. 
 
 Mr. Potter was born in Cranston, R. I., June 22, 1795, and 
 was a son of Col. Andrew Potter, who died at Coventry, R. I., 
 in ] 829, aged sixty -seven years. He commenced his ministry 
 in Providence. Mr. Potter published "Memoirs of his Life, 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 245 
 
 and Religious Experience," in 1829; and at different times, 
 before and since that date, has published also several pamphlets, 
 both doctrinal and controversial. 
 
 Elder Green's Church. 
 
 The history of the origin of this church has already been an- 
 ticipated, in speaking of Elder Potter's.* It was organized in 
 Seekonk, (now Pawtucket,) in 1820, and the present number 
 of members is 100. 
 
 The Rev. Daniel Green, who has been the minister of this 
 church since its commencement, (or at least since its existence 
 independent of the preceeding church,) was born in Pawtucket, 
 R. I. April IG, 1793, and is the son of the late Timothy Green, 
 Esq. of the same place. 
 
 Congregational Church. 
 
 This church was organized April 17, 1829. The following 
 sketch of the formation and history of this church is printed 
 with their " Confession and Covenant." 
 
 ^' The Pawtucket Congregational Church was originally com- 
 posed of but nine individuals — one male, and eight females. 
 All these were members of the Church of Christ in Attlebo- 
 rough, under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Ferguson. In 
 April, 1829, they were dismissed from that Church, with Chris- 
 tian affection and commendation, for the purpose of being organ- 
 ized into a distinct branch of the Christian Church, to be loca- 
 ted in the village of Pawtucket. That purpose was effectuated 
 by a regularly convened ecclesiastical council, on the 17th of 
 the above named month. 
 
 " On the day of their organization, the Church elected the 
 Rev. Asa T. Hopkins, their Pastor. The Society, by whose 
 munificence a beautiful and commodious house in which the 
 Church were to worship had been previously erected, unani- 
 mously seconded the call of the Church. The Pastor elect 
 
 * I have been able to obtain facta respecting these churches very fully only 
 on " one side of the question; " and have not, therefore, given so complete a 
 hiitory, as I should otherwise have done. 
 
246 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 
 
 signified his acceptance of iheir united invitation on the 17th of 
 July, and was ordained on the 5th of August, following. 
 
 "On the 15th of July, 1831, Remember Carpenter, and 
 Otis Read were elected Deacons — the former having discharged 
 the duties of that office, by appointment, from the organization 
 of the Church, to the period of his election : and on the 17th 
 of the same month, these brethren were publicly and solemnly 
 inducted into their office, conformably to primitive example. 
 See Acts vi. 6. 
 
 " Since its organization, this Church has been favored, in 
 two instances, with the special effiisions of the Holy Spirit, the 
 results of which have been considerable accessions to its num-= 
 hers, and a happy increase of the spirit of benevolence. These 
 doings of a faithful covenant-keeping God, the Church record, 
 and would ever remember, with admiring gratitude and humble 
 praise. 
 
 "In March, 1830, the Church constituted itself into a Tem- 
 perance Association. All its members are pledged to abstain 
 from the use of Ardent Spirits, except for medical purposes ; 
 and no person who traffics in them, or who uses them habitually, 
 can be admitted to membership." 
 
 Mr. Hopkins was dismissed, at his own request, in 1832, and 
 the Rev. Barnabas Phinney was installed in his place, January 
 1, 1833. Mr. Phinney took his dismission from this church, 
 January 5, 1836. 
 
 Mr. Hopkins is a native of the state of New York, gradua- 
 ted at Yale College, and studied divinity with the Rev. Dr. 
 Hawes, of Hartford, Ct. He is now settled over a church in 
 Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Phinney is a native of Lee, Mass. He is now at West- 
 borough, in this state. 
 
 The church has now no settled minister, but is regularly and 
 constantly supplied by clergymen of the first rank in the vicin- 
 ity. The present number of members is 140. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 f Under this head are included sketches of several individuals, whose history, 
 being unconnected with either the civil or ecclesiastical history of either of 
 the three towns, I had not occasion to relate in connexion with them. Sketches 
 of the Lawyers and Physicians, who have resided, or may now reside, within 
 the limits of Rehoboth, Seekonk, or Pawtucket, will come under separate di- 
 visiona of this head, as also the Graduates of some of our Colleges.] 
 
 Samuel Metcalf Fowler^ for some years the able editor 
 of the " Pawtucket Chronicle," was a native of Rehoboth, and 
 a son of Dr. Isaac Fowler, deceased. Being obliged to labor 
 for a subsistence, he selected the printing business as the best 
 adapted to his talents. Nor did he err in supposing that that 
 profession might one day throw him into a situation where the 
 peculiar bent of his mind would find full scope to display itself. 
 He learned his trade in Providence, where he continued a while 
 afterwards ; and then located himself in the village of Pawtucket^ 
 where he published the " Pawtucket Chronicle," as editor and 
 proprietor. He continued to conduct this paper with great 
 ability and spirit, till siezed with a consumption which termina- 
 ted his life, August 26, 1832, at the age of twenty-seven. He 
 composed with great facility ; but it is related of him, that he 
 seldom penned an article on paper, but went to his case, and 
 put his thoughts directly into type. Nor did these original arti- 
 cles, thus composed, often betray haste or carelessness. But 
 this manner of literally composing his ideas, probably applied 
 only to the shorter editorial articles ; as his longer and more 
 laboured productions are written with much care, both of thought 
 and language. The following anecdote is related of one of his 
 early attempts at this double mode of composition. While em- 
 ployed as an appremice in the office of one of the Providence 
 journals, and yet a mere boy, he set up in this manner, and put 
 into the form, without the knowledge of the editor, an article 
 replete with keen, polished satire, and bitter invective, against 
 
248 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 one of the leading politicians of Providence. The paper was 
 issued, and the editor had hardly discovered the article, and 
 learned, with no small surprise, the author of it, before in came 
 the irritated politician, foaming with rage, and demanding in the 
 bitterest language the writer of the " accursed article." " Who 
 is he ? where is he — the rascal ? " reiterated he in the highest 
 fit of passion. " Nobody ivrote it," replied the editor very 
 calmly. " Nobody ! ejaculated the infuriated politician." " The 
 author of it," returned the former, with a coldly indifferent, and 
 sarcastic smile, " is my hoy yonder." The man after casting 
 a half glance at the diminutive and stripling form of the youth- 
 ful Junius, made good his retreat in silent vexation and cha- 
 grin. 
 
 His fancy was sprightly and fertile, his thoughts luminous^ 
 and his language forcible and appropriate. In his more labored 
 satirical articles there is no faint resemblance to the style of 
 Junius, the author of all others whom he most admired, and took 
 for a model. In violence of invective, severity of remark, and 
 bitterness of sarcasm, he excelled. In these he was at home ; 
 and sported with words, as the whirlwinds of autumn, with the 
 seared and withered leaves of the forest. But his invective too 
 often degenerated into cruelty, his remark into prejudice ; and 
 his wit, which, meteor-like, could soar aloft, and gleam along 
 the heaven, or scathe with the lightning, too often descended to 
 quench its brightness in the murky and putrid vapors of the stag- 
 nated marsh. But notwithstanding these prominent blots on his 
 editorial character, as a man he had many and warm friends, 
 and few enemies. Nature had lavished on him her gifts with 
 an unsparing hand ; and had fortune favored him with a more 
 finished education, and the experience which years alone can 
 give, he would have been remembered, when others, — the " flat- 
 tered of the houp-," had been long forgotten. 
 
 Samuel Robinson, M. D., a distinguished geologist, was 
 born in Attleborough, March, 1783, and lived there till about 
 twenty years of age. He then went to Hanover, N. H., to 
 study medicine with the celebrated Dr. Nathan Smith, profes- 
 sor in Dartmouth College, and remained there about two years. 
 He then went to Berkley, near Taunton, and commenced prac- 
 tice, where he continued only one year. He then removed to 
 North Carolina, to a place called Indian-town, about ten or 
 twelve miles from Elizabeth City. Here he followed his pro- 
 
ROBERT THE HERMIT. 249 
 
 fession twenty years, and became distinguished both as a sur- 
 geon and physician. An anecdote, related of him, shows him 
 to have been also a benevolent man. The leg of a poor man 
 required amputation ; and an amputator could not be obtained, 
 for want of sufficient fee-money. Dr. Robinson, hearing of the 
 circumstance, travelled fifty miles to perform the operation, 
 without taking any compensation. The wife of the poor man, 
 afterwards having twins, and both sons, named one of them 
 Samuel, and the other Rohinson. 
 
 While in Carolina his health became poor, and he was induced 
 to travel with the hopes of amending it. He travelled in the 
 Carolinas, Virginia, and the Middle and New England states ; 
 and was instrumental in founding twenty-seven bible societies. 
 He then came to Pawtucket, Providence, and the vicinity — 
 his health remaining feeble — and devoted himself to the study 
 of Mineralogy. He made a somewhat valuable collection 
 of minerals, and published, in 1825, " A Catalogue of Ameri- 
 can Minerals, with their localities," including all that were 
 known to exist in the United States and British Provinces. In 
 this the locality, — county, town, neighborhood, &;c. is distinctly 
 marked, and the book serves as an excellent travelling compan- 
 ion to the practical geologist. It is an octavo of 316 pages. 
 
 He resided in Pawtucket and the vicinity, making his home 
 at his brother's, Mr. Dan Robinson's, between two and three 
 years ; and finally went, on the approach of cold weather, to 
 St. Augustine in East Florida, where, within a few months, he 
 died, February, 1827.* 
 
 " Robert the Hermit." By this appellation was known 
 a singular and eccentric being, who for many years lived in a 
 rude cell, on the east side of Seekonk river, near India Bridge, 
 leading the solitary life of a recluse. The following notice of this 
 mysterious man and his eccentricities appeared in the " Provi- 
 dence Literary Cadet," of June 1826, and was probably from 
 the pen of the editor of that paper, at the date nicnlioned: — 
 
 " Beneath a mountain's brow, the most remote 
 And inaccessible, by Shepherds trod, 
 In a deep cave, dug by no mortal hands, 
 An Hermit hved, — a melancholy man. 
 Who was the wonder of our wand'ring swains i 
 Austere and lonely — cruel to himself 
 
 * For the facts in this sketch I am principally indebted to the kindness of 
 Joseph Hale, A. M., Principal of the Pawtucket Academy. 
 32 
 
250 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 They did report him — the cold earth his bed, 
 
 Water his drink, his food the Shepherd's alms, 
 
 I went to see him, and my heart was touched 
 
 With reverence and with pity. Mild he spake, 
 
 And entering on discourse, such stories told, 
 
 As made me oft re-visit his sad cell," Homes' Douglas. 
 
 " On the declivity of a hill, which overlooks the pellucid 
 waters of the Seekonk River, in a rude cell, resides a Hermit, 
 whose history is as inexplicable as his affected account of him- 
 self is mysterious. His name is Robert, but to what country 
 he belongs, or what are the inducements which have led him to 
 lead the solitary life of a Hermit, no one knows, and the fact 
 puts conjeclure at a hazard. Certain it is, however, that he is 
 not a native of New-England ; and that he is not by education 
 or by ()rinciple attached to our habits or our institutions, the 
 whole course- of his life, since he lias been with us, has abun- 
 dantly proved. 
 
 " It is now about eighteen years, since he first visited us, and 
 took up his abode in a thick pine grove, which threw its luxuri- 
 ant foliage over the brow of Arnold's Hill, and from that day to 
 this, he has carefully avoided answering any questions, which 
 might lead to a discovery of his history, or gratify the curiosity 
 of the inquirer. 
 
 " Months, years and days pass by him imnoticed and unregard- 
 ed, and it is only on extraordinary occasions, that he emerges from 
 the confines of his solitary hermitage. In the Spring he some- 
 times occupies himself in laborious employment, such as attend- 
 ing gardens for the neighborhood ; but so regardless is he of 
 the things of this world, that he cares not whether his labors 
 are rewarded or not, by those who receive the benefits of them. 
 
 " Unused to the luxuries or extravagancies of life, he contents 
 himself with the simplest food, alid such as the bountiful hand 
 of nature supplies. The meats and intemperate liquids of social 
 life, are unknown to him, 
 
 " But from the mountain's grassy side 
 
 A guiltless feast he brings ; 
 A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied, 
 
 And water from the springs." 
 
 " In summer he cultivates a small lot of land, which he is 
 kindly allowed to possess, by the Hon. Mr. Burges, the owner 
 of the estate on which the hermitage is located ; but he rarely 
 allows the plants to arrive at maturity, before he plucks them 
 from the earth, and throws them to the cattle that feed around 
 
ROBERT THE HERMIT. 2S1 
 
 his lonely mansion. What should induce him to thus destroy 
 what he has often been at great labor to cultivate, he assigns no 
 reason, nor can any one form a reasonable conjecture. His 
 cell is decorated with various shells and bones, and is scarcely 
 capable of accommodating himself alone ; and the furniture with 
 which it is supplied, consists of a stool, an oaken bench, on 
 which he reposes, and two or three pieces of broken delf ware. 
 It is as gloomy, as darkness and solitude can make it, and appears 
 to be admirably fitted for a misanthrope and a recluse. 
 
 " In winter he seldom emerges from his solitary mansion, but 
 silently and patiently waits for time to introduce the vernal 
 Spring, and to bring about that joyful season, when once more 
 he can rove around the adjacent woodlands and meads. The 
 rays of the sun never enter the portals of his domicil, and at 
 mid-day it assumes all the darkness of midnight. Content with 
 his situation, and at peace witli all, he quietly looks forward for 
 the arrival of that day, when he shall " bid the waking world 
 good night," and find in countries unexplored, that happiness 
 which life has denied him. 
 
 "His cell is surrounded by a thick set hedge, wrought of 
 wild briars and hemlock, and displays much ingenuity and taste. 
 tt is in a most romantic situation, some distance from any human 
 habitation, and not often annoyed by the gaze of the curious, or 
 the mischievous visits of the boys, for they all love poor Rob- 
 ert. It is well worth the trouble of those who are fond of the 
 curious, and are pleased with noticing the excentricities of frail 
 mortality, to visit the abode of ' Robert the Hermit.' " 
 
 Robert was born, according to his own narrative,* at Prince- 
 ton, N. J., in 1769 or 1770. His mother was of African de- 
 scent, and he was born consequently to a heritage of bondage. 
 He had no brother, and but one sister ; and from her and his 
 mother he was separated and included in the patrimonial portion 
 of his master's oldest daughter, on her marriage to a Mr. John 
 Voorhis, by birth a German. When about four years of age, 
 his master removed to Georgetown, D. C, taking his slaves 
 with him, and thus removing Robert beyond all knowledge of 
 his mother and sister. At the age- of fourteen or fifteen, his 
 
 * A small pamphlet, entitled " Life and Adventures of Robert the Hermit, 
 of Massachusetts," was written and published in 1829, by Henry Trumbull. 
 To this I am principally indebted for this sketch, the language of which I 
 have mostly employed ; as it is said to have been '• taken from hi« own 
 mouth." 
 
252 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 
 
 master apprenticed him to a shoe-maker ; but, finding that he 
 made little proficiency in the art, recalled him upon his planta- 
 tion, and employed him principally in gardening, until about 
 the age of nineteen. At that age he became attached to a young 
 female, (an orphan by the name of Alley Pennington,) a native 
 of Cecil county, Md. She also expressed an attachment for 
 him, and a willingness to become his partner for life, provided 
 he could obtain his freedom. This his master agreed to grant 
 him for the sum of fifty pounds. Robert now determined on 
 purchasing his freedom, and communicated his determination 
 and the ultimate object of it, to a professed friend by the name 
 of James Bcvens, who immediately paid the sum stipulated for 
 his ransom, on condition that the bill of sale should remain in 
 his hands, until such time as Robert should be enabled, by the 
 fruits of his industry, to repay him principal and interest. 
 
 " Feeling myself,"' says Robert, in the words of the narra- 
 tive before referred to, " now almost a free man, I did not, as 
 may be supposed, suffer many hours to elapse before I hastened 
 to bear the joyfiil tidings of my good fortune, to one, who, as I 
 had anticipated, received it with unfeigned demonstrations of 
 joy ; and who, so far from exhibiting an unwillingness to fuUfil 
 her promise, yielded her hand without reluctance or distrust. 
 We were married, lawfully married, and more than three years 
 of domestic felicity passed away, without a misfortune to ruffle 
 our repose, in the course of which the Almighty had not only 
 been pleased to bless us with two children, but myself with so 
 great a share of good health, as to have enabled me by my in- 
 dustry, to earn and refund a very considerable portion of the 
 fifty pounds paid by Bevens for my freedom. Of these sums I 
 had neither made any charge, nor took any receipts : in this I was 
 brought to see my error, but, alas ! too late. 
 
 "Bevens, as I have stated, was a man in whom I had placed 
 implicit confidence, and indeed until the period mentioned, sup- 
 posed him, as regarded myself, incapable of any thing dishonor- 
 able, much Il'SS of being the author of as great an act of cruelty 
 and injustice, as ever was recorded in the catalogue of human 
 depravity ! 
 
 "It was late one evening, an evening never to be forgotten 
 byme, wlule sitting in the midst of my innocent and beloved 
 family, amused with the prattle of my eldest child, and enjoy- 
 ing all the felicity which conjugal love and parental affection 
 are productive of, that this monster in human shape (Bevens) 
 
ROBERT THE fir.RMIT. l>53i 
 
 accompanied by another, entered, seized nnd pinioned me, and 
 gave me to understand that 1 was intended for a southern mar- 
 ket ! It is impossible for me to describe iny feehngs, or those 
 of my poor distracted wife, at that moment ; it was in vain that 
 I intreated, in vain that I represented to Bevens that he had al= 
 ready received a very great proportion of the sum paid for my 
 freedom ; to which the ruffian made no otlier reply than pro- 
 nouncing me a liar, dragged me like a felon from my peaceable 
 domicil — from my beloved family — -whose shrieks would have 
 pierced the heart of any one but a wretch like himself." 
 
 At eleven o'clock at night Robert was secretly hurried on 
 board a schooner, put in irons, and carried to Charleston, S. C. 
 Here he was sold at auction ; but succeeded in soon making his 
 escape to Philadelphia, by secreting himself within the hold of 
 a sloop bound for that port. The voyage occupied nearly four 
 days, during which time he took no nourishment ; and finally 
 managed to leave the sloop, as he had embarked, without the 
 knowledge of the crew. But soon after arriving at Philadelphia, 
 he was suspected of being a runaway slave, thrown into prison, 
 where his master getting knowledge of him, he was again sent to 
 Charleston, and exposed for sale by his new master. He was 
 purchased by a Dr. Peter Fersue. After serving this last mas- 
 ter about eighteen months, Robert again succeeded in secreting 
 himself, in a manner similar to the one above related, in the hold 
 of a brig bound for Boston. He continued secreted till the fifth 
 day, when hunger and thirst compelled him to discover himself 
 to the crew. The following is his account, taken from the 
 " Narrative," of his introduction to the sailors, and his reception 
 and treatment on board. 
 
 " 1 seized a fragment of a hoop, with which I crawled to, and 
 commenced thumping upon, a beam near the hatchvfay, at the 
 same time hallooing as loud as the strength of my lungs would 
 admit of. Soon I was heard by the hands on deck, and while 
 some broke out in exclamations of wonder and surprize, others 
 ran affrighted to the cabin, to proclaim to the captain the fact 
 that " the brig was most certainly haunted, and had become the 
 habitation of bodiless spirits, as one or more were at that mo- 
 ment cvying out lamentably in the hold ! " Bodiless spirits they 
 no doubt concluded they must be, for the hatches being so well 
 secured with a tarpaulin, none other, as they supposed, could 
 have obtained access. 
 
 " The captain less superstitiously inclined, ordered the hatches 
 
254 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 to be immediately raised, but so great was the terror of tlie 
 sailors, that it was sometime before any could be found of suffi- 
 cient courage to obey. 
 
 " The hatches were no sooner removed than I presented my- 
 self to their view, trembling through fear, pale as death, and 
 with hardly strength sufficient to support myself! My appear- 
 ance was indeed such as almost to confirm the superstitious 
 opinion of the sailors, that the brig must certainly be haunted, 
 for in me they beheld, as they supposed, nought but an appari- 
 tion ! the ghost, probably, of some unfortunate shipmate, who 
 on a former voyage for some trifling offence, had been privately 
 and wickedly precipitated from the brig's deck into the ocean ! 
 Such indeed is the weakness and superstition peculiar to many 
 of that class of people, who follow the seas for a Hvelihood. 
 
 " Those on board became however a little less intimidated, 
 when I assured them that I intended them no harm, and was no 
 other than one of the most unfortunate and miserable of human 
 beings, who had sought that means to escape from unjust and 
 cruel bondage ! and then briefly related to them, at what time 
 and in what manner 1 succeeded in secreting myself unnoticed 
 in the brig's hold ; where it was my intention to have remained, 
 if possible, until her arrival at the port of her destination — and 
 concluded with begging them for mercy's sake, to grant me a 
 bucket of fresh water ! for, indeed, such, was my thirst, that a 
 less quantity it appeared to me would have proved insufficient to 
 have allayed it. 
 
 " The captain (who very fortunately for me, proved to be a 
 Quaker, and with all the tender feeling peculiar to that excellent 
 class of people) gave orders to his men to treat me with kind- 
 ness, and to assist me on deck, for I had now become so weak 
 and emaciated by long fasting, that I was scarcely able to help 
 myself. " Thy wants shall be supplied, (said the good captain, 
 addressing himself to me,) but such is thy present weakness, that 
 thee must eat and drink sparingly ^^ or it may be worse for thee !" 
 This man was truly in practice, as well as by profession, a 
 Christian — for had he been my father he could not have 
 treated me with more tenderness and compassion. He would 
 allow me but a single gill of water at a draught, and that quan- 
 tity but twice in an hour, although five times that quantity would 
 not have satisfied me — and the food allowed me was apportioned 
 accordingly. 
 
 "In two days after, we reached Boston, where I was landed, 
 
ROBERT THE HERMIT. 255 
 
 with permission of the captaui to proceed whither I pleased ; 
 not however until he had imparted to me some friendly advice^ 
 to be cautious with whom I associated on shore, and as I valued 
 my liberty, not to frequent such parts of the town as were in- 
 habited by the most vicious and abandoned of the human race. 
 With this, he presented me with some change, and bid me 
 farewell, and never to my knowledge have I since had the hap- 
 piness to meet with this good man ; who, long ere this has pro- 
 bably been numbered with the just, and if so, is now I trust 
 reaping the reward of his good deeds in another and better 
 world." 
 
 From Boston he proceeded to Salem, where he shipped, as a 
 sailor, on board a vessel for India. Returning in safety, he 
 shipped again on the same voyage, which proved also prosper- 
 ous. On the return from his second voyage, he married a 
 daughter of the woman at whose house he had usually boarded 
 while in Salem. Her name the " Narrative " does not give, but 
 says they were married by " a Justice Putnam, of Danvers." 
 Having made a comfortable provision for his family in his ab- 
 sence, he embarked on a third voyage for India, which, like the 
 others, proved prosperous. After remaining at home about three 
 months, he shipped in the Herald, Capt. Derby, bound from 
 Boston to Canton.- On this voyage he was absent eighteen 
 months; but on his return, he found (according to his own state- 
 ment) a most unaccountable change in the feelings of his wife 
 towards him. " Cold indeed," says he, " was the reception that 
 I met with. So far from expressing, or manifesting, the least 
 degree of joy or satisfaction on the occasion (although I had 
 been between one and two years absent), I was insultingly told 
 by her that, ' if I had never returned she would have been the 
 last to lament it.' " The cause of this sudden change he pro- 
 fesses himself unable to account for. He then, in his own words, 
 " started in quest of new friends and a new home." He stopped 
 at Providence, and obtained a berth on board one of the packets 
 plying between that place and New York, in which business he 
 continued, wnth the exception of a small part of the time em- 
 ployed on shore, eight or nine years. 
 
 At the expiration of that period, he set out for the south, 
 judging that the length of time that had intervened since his 
 escape, would remove all probability of his being recognized. 
 In this he was correct ; for he walked the streets at noon-day, 
 unnoticed and unknown ; so great a change had twenty years 
 
256 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 effected. But of his wife and children he could obtairt no sat- 
 isfactory information. All that he could learn was, that soon 
 after his disappearance, their sufferings and privations became so 
 great, that his wife, in a fit of desperation, was supposed to have 
 put an end to her own existence ; and that her helpless children 
 did not long survive her. From this moment he formed the 
 determination to retire from a world that had no longer aught to 
 attach him to it^ and to live the life of a recluse. 
 
 " With this determination," says he, " I returned direct to 
 Rhode Island, and soon after selected a retired spot well suited 
 to my purpose, being an extreme point of uninhabited land (Fox 
 Point) situated about one mile south of Providence bridge — 
 there I built me a hut and dwelt peaceably therein for several 
 years, and until annoyed and discommoded by the youth of the 
 town, and by labourers employed in levelling the hill in the 
 neighborhood of my dwelling — I then applied to and obtained 
 the consent of the gentleman (Hon. Tristam Burges) to whom 
 the land belongs, to build this hut, and permission to improve 
 the spot of ground enclosed during my life — here in solitude I 
 have dwelt more than six years. Once or twice a week (and 
 sometimes oftener) I leave my recess, cross over the bridge into 
 Providence, converse a little with those with whom I have be- 
 come acquainted, obtain a few necessaries, and return again well 
 satisfied to my peaceable dwelling." 
 
 The following descripiion of the personal appearance of Rob- 
 ert, his habits, and manner of living, his cell, and his religious 
 belief, are in the words of Mr. Trumbull's narrative ; and, as 
 we have pursued the history of this singular and unfortunate be- 
 ing so far, may, perhaps, interest the reader. 
 
 " Robert is apparently about 60 years of age,* a little" short 
 of six feet in height, inclined to corpulency, his features per- 
 fectly regular, and of a complexion but a shade or two darker 
 than that of many who profess to be, and pass for, whites. In 
 his early years he states that it was much more fair, but of late 
 years, having been so much exposed to the smoke of his cell, 
 has become much changed. The lower part of his face is cov- 
 ered with a thick and curly beard, of a jet black, and of uncom- 
 mon length : his garments, or many of them, are of his own 
 manufacture, and whenever a breach appears in any one article, 
 it is either closed by him in a bungling manner, with needle and 
 
 * 1829. 
 
ROBERT THE HERMIT. 257 
 
 twine, or a patch is applied without regard to the quality or col- 
 or of the cloth. The tattered surtout coat commonly worn by 
 him, in his excursions abroad in winter, in imitation of the mil- 
 itary, he has fancifully faced with red, in which, with a cap of 
 the same cloth and with his long beard, it would not be very 
 surprising if he should sometimes be viewed by strangers, as 
 some distinguished ambassador from the court of Tombuctoo, or 
 one of the loyal subjects of the Grand Seniour, clad in the mil- 
 itary costume of his country. 
 
 " Robert is remarkably abstemious, and otherwise correct in 
 hjs habits, never known to be guilty of profenity, is civil and 
 agreeable in his manners, polite and condescending to all who 
 visit him, and always willing to gratify the Curiosity of such as 
 feel disposed to inspect the internal part of his cell ; and ever 
 grateful for presents made him. He appears perfectly reconciled 
 to, and satisfied with, his retired situation, and on the writer's ex- 
 pressing some surprise that he should prefer a secluded life, to 
 that of the enjoyment of society, he observed that he had been 
 too long the subject of the frowns and persecutions of a portion 
 of his fellow beings, to derive that pleasure and satisfaction from 
 their society which the less unfortunate might naturally enjoy. 
 
 " The walls of his cave or cell, are constructed principally of 
 round stones of inconsiderable size, rudely thrown together, and 
 externally have as much the appearance of being the produce 
 of nature as of art ; and although they form a square of thirty 
 or forty feet in circumference, yet are so thick and m'assy, as to 
 enclose only a single apartment of not sufficient size to contain 
 more than two or three persons at a time, and so low as not to 
 admit of their standing erect, and indeed is in every respect of 
 much less comfortable construction than many of our pig pens. 
 About the centre there is a fire place rudely formed, from which 
 proceeds a flue in form of a chimney ; and at the extreme end 
 of his cell Robert has constructed a berth or bunk, in which, 
 filled with rags and straw, he reposes at night. Beside the fire 
 place stands a block, detached from the but of an oak, which 
 not only serves him for a seat and table, but being partly hollow, 
 inverted, for a mortar, in which he occasionally pounds his corn, 
 and of which wlien sufficiently refined, he manufactures his 
 bread. In cooking utensils Robert is quite deficient; the one 
 half of an iron pot is the only article made use of by him, in 
 which he prepares his food ; a small piece of iron hoop serves 
 him for a knife, and a few articles of damaged delf ware, and 
 33 
 
258 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 an old sea bucket, for the conveyance of water from a neighbor- 
 ing spring, are nearly the whole contents of his wretched hoveL 
 The materials of which the roof is constructed, are similar to 
 those which compose the walls of his cell ; and althotJgh of 
 many tons in weight, is altogether supported by a few slender 
 half decayed props, on the strength of which depends the life 
 of poor Robert j should they fail, without the possibility of an 
 escape, his hut would instantaneously become his grave. 
 
 " To his gloomy cell there are but oite or two apertures or 
 loopholes, for the admission of light, which in winter are com- 
 pletely closed^ as is every crack and crevice, with seaweed j this- 
 renders the apartment stilJ more dark and gloomy than it other- 
 wise would bc^ as when the door is closed to expel the cold^ 
 Robert remains within, day and night, in almost total darkness.^ 
 In summer Robert employs a considerable portion of bis time in 
 the cultivation of a small spot of ground, contiguous to his huty 
 of 7 or 8 rods square, which he has inclosed m an ingenious 
 mannei' with small twigs and interwoven branches of hemlock 
 and juniper ; the soil is so extremely barren and unproductive, 
 that it seldom })Toduces annually more than three or four bushels 
 of potatoes, a peck or two of corn, and a few quarts of beans ; 
 yet with this smalt crop, Robert is apparently better satisfied 
 and more thankful than many, whose insatiable thirst for worldly 
 gain leads them, not to an acknowledgment of gratitude due the 
 Supreme Author of all good gifts, but rather, in imitation of the 
 one of whom we read, to most bitter complaints, that their barns 
 are not of sufficient size to contain their abundant crops. 
 
 " Having been told that Robert devoted a portion of his time 
 to reading, I offered to present him with a Bible, and some reli- 
 gious Tracts, for which he appeared grateful, but informed me 
 that he was already in possession of both ^ the gift of a pious lady 
 of Providence ; which led me to make some enquiries as regard- 
 ed his religious sentiments — his opinion of the existence of a 
 Supreme Being — of the immortality of the soul — of future re- 
 wards and punishments, &£c. to which be unhesitatingly replied, 
 that he never doubted the existence of a Supreme Being, from 
 whom although invisible to us, nothing could be concealed, and 
 to whom he believed we were all accountable beings, and would 
 hereafter receive rewards or punishments according to the deeds 
 of the body. From this belief he said he derived great conso- 
 lation ; for, although great had been his trials and troubles in this 
 world, he was not without a hope, that by complying with the 
 
ROBERT THE HERMIT. 259 
 
 terms of the gospel of a blessed Redeemer, he might be permit- 
 led in another to participate in those eternal enjoyments which 
 were the promised rewards of the faithful." 
 
 By the generosity of some individuals, Robert afterwards had 
 a more comfortable habitation erected, and where he terminated 
 his life. 
 
 In his last sickness he was comfortably provided for by the 
 Selectmen of Seekonk ; and the expenses of his burial were also 
 defrayed by the town. 
 
 Nathan Smith, M. D., Professor in the medical schools of 
 Dartmouth, Yale, and Bowdoin colleges, was born at Rehoboth, 
 September 30, 1762. While he was still young, his parents 
 removed to Chester, Windsor county, Vermont, where they re- 
 mained until their death. Of liis early life we know little, ex- 
 cept that it was spent in acquiring the elements of education at 
 the common country schools, and in aiding his father in agri- 
 cultural pursuits on his farm. The following neatly drawn and 
 animated sketch of the life and hxbors of Dr. Smith, is extract- 
 ed from an eulogium,* pronounced on the occasion af his death, 
 by J- Knight, M. D., professor o[ anatomy and physiology, in 
 Yale College, 
 
 " Before he arrived at the period of manhood, in some of the 
 latter years of the revolutionary war, he joined a body of the 
 Vermont militia, which was stationed on the frontiers of that 
 state, to repel the incursions o[ the Indian tribes of the neigh- 
 borhood, and to keep them in check. How long he continued 
 in this service is not known. He frequently alluded to the hard- 
 ships and privations which he endured, while encamped in what 
 was then a wilderness, with few of the necessaries, and none of 
 the conveniences of life. While on this expedition he was 
 shot at, and narrowly missed, by an Indian lying in ambush. 
 These privations and dangers were not, however, peculiar to 
 hira, but were endured in common with many thousands of oth- 
 ers of the hardy and enterprising inhabitants of our frontier set- 
 tlements, during that perilous period, when property and life 
 were exposed to all the dangers of savage warfare. While re- 
 siding at his father's a portion of his time was occupied with 
 what was then almost a necessary employment ; securing the 
 game, and destroying the beasts of prey of the neighboring for- 
 
 * For a copy of this eulogium, and for soma additional facts respecting Dr. 
 Smith, I am indebted to the kindness of professor Silliman. 
 
260 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 ests. In tliesG pursuits, small parties of young men were often 
 absent from home for many days. On one of these excursions, 
 he was left by his companions, in mid winter, at a distance from 
 home, with a slender stock of provisions. \\ hile waiting for 
 their return, his supplies were exhausted, and what was more 
 unfortunate, a sudden thaw came on, which, softening the sur- 
 face of the snow, then many feet in depth, rendered travelling 
 impracticable. Here he was detained several days, subsisting 
 entirely on the unsalted rtesh of some game which he had taken. 
 By the time the impediments to travelling wcreremoved, he 
 found himself afflicted in consequence of exjiosure and im- 
 proper food, with a severe and distressing diseas*'. With diffi- 
 culty he reached the nearest house, where, and at his father's, 
 he was, for many months, confined by sickness. Thus his life 
 passed on in a course of laborious industry, and of hardy enter- 
 prize, until he arrived at the age of twenty-four years. What 
 his mental acquirements at this period were, we have no means 
 of judging. And, although from the limited means of instruc- 
 tion which he enjoyed, we cannot rate them high, yet, from the 
 fact that he was engaged during some of the winter months, as 
 teacher of a school in the vicinity, we are warranted in the be- 
 lief, that they were more than were ordinarily obtained by the 
 young men of the period, in that country. 
 
 " At this time an event occurred, which gave a new direction 
 to his thoughts and his life. This event, trivial in its nature, 
 and apparently casual, led him to the study, and finally to the 
 practice, of a profession, which, for more than forty years, he 
 adorned and improved. The events to be stated, add one 
 more to the many well known cases, which show, by how small 
 and apparently inoperative means, a wise overruling Providence 
 controls and directs the affairs both of individuals and of nations. 
 Mr. Smith was present, almost without design on his part, at a 
 surgical operation performed by Dr. Josiah Goodhue, then, and 
 for years afunwards, the most celebrated surgeon in (hat region. 
 By witnessing this operation, his attention was directed to the 
 structure of the human body, and his curiosity excited to learn 
 more of a subject at once so novel and interesting. Shortly 
 after, he mentioned to Dr. Goodhue his desire to engage in the 
 study of medicine, and requested permission to enter his office 
 as a student. The Doctor judiciously inquired of him, for they 
 were almost strangers to each other, what had been his previous 
 course of life, and what were his acquirements. The reply 
 
NATHAN SMITH. Sf)! 
 
 was, until last night, I have labored with my hnnds during my 
 life. Dr. Goodhue told him kindly, that he was not in the hab- 
 it of receiving young men as students, who had not received 
 some preparatory education : giving him as the reason for this, 
 that the profession of medicine was in alow state in that part of 
 the country, and that to elevate it in reality and in public esti- 
 mation, young men properly qualified only, shoidd be encour- 
 aged to engage in it. In conclusion, he stated to Mr. Smith, 
 that if he would place himself under the tuition of some person 
 capable of instructing him, and acquire so nmch literary infor- 
 mation, as would enable him to enter the freshmen class of 
 Harvard College, he would then receive him as a student. This 
 judicious advice was happily followx^d. He selected the Rev. 
 Mr. Whiting of Rockingham, Vt. as his instructor. With him 
 he remained until the required condition was fulfilled. For 
 three years after this he was a pupil of Dr. Goodhue, then re- 
 siding in Putney, Vt. The assiduity and success with which 
 he pursued his professional studies, are fully attested by his in- 
 structor, who always regarded him, with that esteem and affec- 
 tion, which can be excited in the mind of an instructor, only by 
 diligence and good conduct on the part of the pupil. These 
 kind feelings were fully reciprocated by Dr. Smith. He always 
 spoke of this, his early friend, in the warmest terms of esteem 
 and gratitude, as well for his early advice, as for his subsequent 
 instruction, and for his countenance and support after he engag- 
 ed in the practice of his profession. That respectable gentle- 
 man still lives, and will mourn at the tidings of the death of a 
 favorite pupil and devoted friend. 
 
 " Dr. Smith commenced the active duties of his profession 
 at Cornish in N. H. After practising, with what reputation or 
 success we are not fully informed, for two or three years, he 
 visited Harvard University, for the purpose of availing himself 
 of the advantages which that celebrated institution afforded. 
 Here, he attended the several courses of lectures on Medicine 
 and surgery, as well as those on Natural Philosophy, and other 
 means of instruction, to which peisons, not members of the aca- 
 demical department, could gain admission. At the close of the 
 term at Cambridge, he read an inaugural dissertation on ' The 
 Circulation of the Blood,' which was received with high appro- 
 bation, and, at the request of the faculty, w^as published. Hav- 
 ing received the degree of Bachelor of Medicine from this 
 University, he returned to Cornish, and engaged anew, with in- 
 
369 BIOGRAPHICAL SKRTCHFS. 
 
 creased information and enlarged means of usefulness, in the 
 practice of his profession. 
 
 " At this period the medical profession, in that vicinity was at 
 a low ebh. The country itself, was to a great extent a wilder- 
 ness, throughout which were interspersed flourishing towns and 
 villages. This state of the country was a type of the medical 
 profession. The large majority of the physicians were unedu- 
 cated and unskilful. This was true with respect to all of New- 
 Hampshire, except Portsmouth and its vicinity, as well as the 
 neighboring state of Vermont. There were physicians and 
 surgeons, respectable for their talents and attainments, scattered 
 over this region ; but they were few when compared with the 
 whole number. This state of his favorite profession was pain- 
 ful to the benevolent and enterprising mind of Dr. Smith. In- 
 stead of merely taking advantage of it, to elevate himself by 
 the ignorance of others, he early engaged, with his usual vigor, 
 to correct it. The most obvious and effectual means to remedy 
 this evil, was to furnish those who were about to enter upon 
 the profession, with an opportunity of obtaining a correct pro- 
 fessional education. To accomplish this object, he projected 
 the plan of a medical institution in connexion with Dartmouth 
 College, located at Hanover in New Ham.pshire. The plan 
 was soon completed, and Dr. Smith was appointed professor of 
 medicine. For several years, the business of instruction in the 
 various branches of medicine and surgery, as well as the aux- 
 iliary sciences, was performed by him alone. To qualify him- 
 self more thoroughly for this employment, which he probably 
 foresaw was to occupy a large portion of his future life, he de- 
 termined to derive larger stores of knowledo:e from what had 
 been long considered as the fountain of medical science ; the 
 school of Edinburgh. He accordingly left a practice which 
 had then become lucrative, and again became a pupil, seeking 
 instruction from those who were well qualified to give it. He 
 spent about a year in Great Britain, partly, in attending a full 
 course of Medical Lectures in Edinburgh, where the elder 
 Monro and Dr. Black were then active teachers ; and partly in 
 witnessing the practice of the hospitals in London. That this 
 visit was full of interest and improvement to him cannot be 
 doubted. He was perhaps in the best state to be improved by 
 it. He was of mature years, had studied and practised enough 
 to know, not only in general what every physician should learn, 
 
NATHAN SMITH. ggS 
 
 but, what in particular was necessary for him ; and he was ar- 
 dent and zealous in the cause of his profession. His course^ 
 after his return to his native country, was one of almost unri- 
 valled success. The medical school, which he was the means 
 of estabhshing, flourished in a high degree, under his auspices, 
 and those of the able professors who were, in the course of a 
 few years associated with him. The number of puj)ils, which, 
 for several years after the establishment of the school was about 
 twenty, gradually increased, so that for many of the last years 
 of his connection with it, the average number was not far from 
 sixty. These, upon the completion of their education, were 
 scattered over the neighboring parts of New Hampshire and 
 Vermont, and other more distant places in JSew England. They 
 gradually occupied the stations rendered vacant by the death of 
 the older members of the profession, and by the loss of business 
 of those who were incompetent. Thus, that portion of the 
 country became filled with a race of young, enterprising, intelli- 
 gent physicians, who all justly looked up to Dr. Smith, as 
 their friend and professional father. This, together with his de- 
 servedly high, and continually increasing reputation, as a kind, 
 attentive, and skilful physician and surgeon, necessarily drew 
 upon him a vast amount of business. Every physician, espe- 
 cially all who had been his pupils, desired him as their coun- 
 sellor : the sick and the friends of the sick, looked to him as 
 their last resort in all cases of difficulty. 
 
 " The labor which he endured in traversing, for the most part 
 on horseback, such an extensive country, then, in part, almost 
 a wilderness, over mountainous regions, and roads which were 
 often nearly impassable, at every season and in every vicissitude 
 of weather ; the good which he accomplished, in affording ad- 
 vice and instruction, and by imparting a portion of his own 
 vigor and energy to the younger members of the profession, as 
 well as the more direct benefit which he afforded to the sick and 
 distressed, can scarcely be estimated. 
 
 " Thus he continued his laborious and successful exertions in 
 the business of instruction at Hanover, and in the practice of 
 his profession, in that vicinity, until the autumn of 1813. At 
 this time, he accepted the invitation, which had been previously 
 given him, to occupy the chair of a professor, in the Medical 
 Institution of Yale College, then just established in this city. 
 From that time to the present, he has delivered an annual 
 course of lectures, on the Theory and Practice of Physic and 
 
264 
 
 HiOGllAPHICAL SKETCHES). 
 
 Surgery, to the class of medical students in this Institutiort. 
 Since that period, he has also delivered a course of lectures on 
 the same branches at Dartmouth College ; one at the Vermont 
 University in Burlington ; and two at the recently established 
 and flourishing Medical Institution of Brunswick College in 
 Maine. 1o trace the career of Dr. Smith, as an instructor, and 
 as a practitioner of physic and surgery, since his removal to this 
 city, would be only to repeat the account which has been given 
 of him, while residing in Hanover. To this place have resort- 
 ed for many years past, from seventy to ninety young men ; 
 and it is no injustice to Dr. Smith's associates, to say, that a 
 principal object lias been, to learn from his wisdom and experi- 
 ence, the practical parts of their profession. Here, the sick and 
 unfortunate, from every part of the country, have collected to 
 receive the benefit of his skill. In addition to his practice in 
 the immediate vicinity, he has been called to visit, professional- 
 ly, every county, and almost every town in the state, as well as 
 many more distant places in the neighboring states. Thus his 
 life has been one continued scene of active, laborious and use- 
 ful exertion. '^ 
 
 About the middle of July, 1829, Dr. Smith was seized with 
 a severe illness, which left him in very precarious health. He 
 continued weak and debilitated through the remainder of sum- 
 mer and autumn ; but, with the exception of a few days, dis- 
 charged his accustomed arduous duties. On the 13th of the 
 succeeding January, he first perceived a slight numbness of the 
 left hand, with other symptoms of paralysis, which gradually in- 
 creased, until the morning of the 26th, at six o'clock, when, af- 
 ter a long and brilliant career of usefulness, he slept the sleep 
 of death. He was then in the sixty-seventh year of his age. 
 He was interred in the burying ground at New Haven, where a 
 neat marble monument, after the model of that of Scipio at 
 Rome, has been erected over his grave. 
 
 " That Professor Smith, " — to borrow still farther the elegant 
 language of Dr. Knight, " was no ordinary man, the story of 
 his life already told, most conclusively proves. In early life he 
 was a poor boy, in a comparatively obscure village, with a lim- 
 ited education, and still more limited means of advancing it. 
 Thus he remained, until past the period when most men are 
 fixed in their situation for life. At this time his mind received 
 a new impulse. He resolved to render himself useful and dis- 
 tinguished. Having chosen his profession, he entered at once, 
 
NATHAN SMITH. 265 
 
 tvlth the decision which marked his character through hfe, upon 
 the work of preparing himself for it. The means of acquiring 
 an education were furnished almost entirely by his own exer- 
 tions. He appears for many years, to have laboured to acquire 
 property, Only to expend it in advancing his knowledge of lite- 
 rature and medicine. Following this purpose with untiring 
 zeal, he obtained a medical education, such as was then almost 
 unknown in New England. With the same zeal, activity and 
 intelHgencej he entered upon the practice of his profession, and 
 subsequently upon the business of instruction. By pursuing 
 this course his reputation gradually increased, until he became 
 more extensively known, than any other medical man in New 
 England. Indeed it is doubted whether any other man in New 
 England, of any profession, possessed so large a number of 
 personal acquaintances and friends. 
 
 "His acquaintance was not only extensive, but reached to eve- 
 ry rank in society. The poor knew him as their benefactor ; 
 the sick, as their skilful, attentive physician ; the rich were 
 honored by his society ; and the wise and the good received him 
 as their friend and companion. 
 
 " At the same time, his influence over medical literature was 
 equally extensive. This influence was exerted, through his 
 large acquaintance among medical men, by his advice and ex- 
 ample, as well as more directly through the medium of the va- 
 rious medical schools, which were favored with his instructions. 
 By means of his influence thus exerted, he effected, over a 
 large extent of country, a great and salutary change in the 
 medical profession. The assertion, that he has done more for 
 the improvement of physic and surgery in New England, than 
 any other man, will, by no one, be deemed invidious. If the 
 accomphshment of objects so important, w^ith means so limited ; 
 the raising and sustaining so high and extensive a reputation, 
 from so humble an origin ; the advancing in such a degree, one 
 of the liberal professions, over so large a country, be not marks 
 of strong native talent, fostered by industry, I know not where 
 indications of such talent can be found." 
 
 Dr. Smith possessed a strong, discriminating, and inquisitive 
 mind ; a retentive memory ; a remarkable power of reducing 
 all the knowledge which he acquired, to some useful practical 
 purpose ; an undaunted moral courage ; a delicate and tender sen- 
 sibility ; and a feeling and benevolent heart. His manners were 
 pleasing and interesting ; he possessed high social qualities ; and 
 34 
 
266 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 in all companies — learned or unlearned, polished or othenvise, 
 his free and animated conversation, his fund of lively anecdote, 
 and the acuteness of his remarks upon all subjects, whether re- 
 lating to the common affairs of life, or the more important con- 
 cerns of morals and literature, rendered him a welcome guest. 
 His works, entitled '' Medical and Surgical Memoirs," were 
 published, 8vo., 1831. One of his sons, Nathan R. Smith, is 
 a distinguished jDhysician at Baltimore, and a professor in the 
 Baltimore Medical College. A second, Dr. Solon Smith, re- 
 sides at Sutton, Mass. ; and a third, Dr. Morven Smith, at 
 Westfield, Mass. 
 
 Benjamin West, L. L. D., a distinguished mathematician 
 and philosopher, was born at Rehoboth in the year 1730. His 
 grandfather came from Great Britain, and settled in the part of 
 Rehoboth adjoining Swansey. His father, who was a respecta- 
 ble farmei'j removed, wiiile Benjamin was but a boy, to Bristol, 
 R. I, In that village he received all the education, which was 
 not the fruit of his own unaided and persevering exertions, from 
 the Rev. Mr. Burt, From his earhest years he discovered a re- 
 markable fondness and aptness for mathematical studies. His 
 pecuniary resources were very limited ; and Mr. Burt, who could 
 discover in the expanding mind (jf the boy the germ of the fu- 
 ture eminence of the man, kindly furnished him with books, and 
 did whatever was in his power to foster bis rising genius. 
 
 Frowned on by fortune, but gifted by nature with powers 
 above the ability of gold to purchase, his uncommon acquisitions 
 were the admiration of his contemporaries, and secured to him 
 a reputation, which few, with no greater advantages, have ever 
 attained. The mathematics, in their several departments, were 
 his favorite study, though he made respectable, and even exten- 
 sive, acquisitions in general knowledge. 
 
 About the year 1753, he removed to Providence, where he 
 opened a school. This, however, after some time, he relinquished; 
 and, from an expectation of improving his pecuniary circumstan- 
 ces, engaged in mercantile pursuits. While in this occupation, 
 he opened the first book-store in Providence. He continued in 
 this business till the commencement of the Revolutionary war, 
 when, in consequence of the embarrassment of his affairs, he 
 was obliged to relinquish commercial business entirely, and seek 
 some other employment for the support of his family. During 
 the w^ar Mr. West was a zealous patriot ; and. Providence being 
 
BENJAMIN WEST. 267 
 
 a depot for military stores anil supplies for the American army, 
 he was engaged in manufacturing clothing for our troops till very 
 n«ar the close of the war. During all this time, however, he 
 found some leisure for study, and applied himself to his favorite 
 pursuit with an unyielding energy. About the year 1763, he 
 commenced the publication of an almanac, the astronomical cal- 
 culations designed for the meridian of Providence ; and contin- 
 ued to publish it annuaMy till about 1793. In, or about, the 
 year 1766, he calculated an almanac for the meridian of Halifax, 
 (Nova-Scotia); and continued to furnish annually the copy of 
 an almanac calculated for that meridian, until near the close of 
 his life in 1813, with the exception of a short period during the 
 Revolutionary war. As early as 1766, he made some very 
 accurate observations upon a comet that appeared that year, 
 which he communicated to Piofessor Winthrop of Cambridge. 
 The transit of Venus, which occurred on the 3d of June, 
 1769, and that of Mercury, which happened in November fol- 
 lowing, afforded him a favorable opportunity of establishing a 
 more extended and permanent reputation, as a mathematician 
 and astronomer. He published a tract on the transits of these 
 planets ; and also funiished a communication respecting them to 
 the Royal Society of [jondon. The reputation which he had 
 by this time acquired led him to a correspondence with some of 
 the most distinguished scientific men in the country, on various 
 mathematical and astronomical subjects. In 1770 he received 
 the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Harvard University. 
 In 1770 he was unanimously elected a memberof the American 
 Academy of Arts and Sciences, and received their diploma. 
 He was also made an honorary member of the American Philo- 
 sophical Society at Philadelphia. Soon after the close of the 
 Revolutionary war, he resumed the business of teaching a school, 
 and continued in this employment till 1786, v. hen he w^as elected 
 Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy in Brown University ; 
 but did not enter upon the actual discharge of the duties of his 
 professorship, until 1788. During this interval, he officiated as 
 Professor of Mathematics, in the Protestant Episcopal Academy 
 at Philadelphia. Whilst here he enjoyed the society and friend- 
 ship of the distinguished scientific men of that city ; and among 
 the number were Franklin and Rittenhouse. In 1788, he en- 
 tered upon the duties of his professorship at Providence ; and 
 at the commencement, in 1792, the degree of Doctor of Laws 
 was conferred upon him for his distinguished services in the 
 cause of science. The duties of his professorship he continued 
 
268 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 to discharge, with equal credit to himself and advantage to the 
 institution, till the year 1799, when he retired from a situation 
 to which he had imparted honor. In 1802, Mi'. West was ap- 
 pointed Post-master at Providence, which situation he filled till 
 his death, that occurred August 13, 1813, in the 83d year of 
 his age. 
 
 Besides his observations on the transits of the planets. Mer- 
 cury and Venus, Mr. West furnished several articles, which are 
 to be found in the memoirs of the literary societies with which 
 he was connected. He also left behind him many writings 
 which he contemplated issuing from the press. He collected, 
 with much expense, a library, containing many i are and valuable 
 works in the several departments of science, to which he was 
 passionately attached. His wife was Elizabeth Smith, daughter 
 of Benjamin Smith of Bristol, R. I. He left one son and three 
 daughters. — [Alderi's Collection of Am. Epitaphs and Inscrip- 
 tions, Vol. IV. jj. 85, No. 689. Gazetteer of Connecticut 
 and Rhode Island, by C. Pease and John M. Niles, Hart- 
 ford, 1819.] 
 
 Rev. Josephus Wheaton, A. M. was a native of Reho- 
 both, and son of Capt. Joseph, and Mrs. Sarah S. Wheaton. 
 He early evinced a taste for study and reading, which led him, 
 by his own unaided exertions, to acquire a liberal education. 
 He graduated at Brown University, September 1812. In 1813, 
 while pursuing his studies pi'eparatory for the ministry, he was 
 appointed a Tutor in the University, and sustained the place 
 with ability and respect, two years ; when he accepted an invi- 
 tation from the Congregational Church in Holliston, (Mass.) to 
 become their pastor. He continued in Holliston till his death, 
 which occurred February 4, 1825, at the age of thirty seven. — 
 At the uni\ ersity, says a fellow student, (Rev. Jacob Ide,) "he 
 was distinguished as a scholar of superior abilities, diligent ap- 
 plication to his studies, amiable disposition, and engaging man- 
 ners." — " Never," says the same friend, " was I acquainted with 
 a man who more cordially despised every thing like meanness, 
 or who w^as himself less liable to an imputation of this disgust- 
 ing trait of character." His manners were dignified and concil- 
 iating ; and politeness with him seemed to be, not the effect of 
 studied habit, but tlie overflowing of a benevolent heart. His 
 attainments as a scholar were highly respectable. He was a 
 great admiier of the classics ; and it was his usual practice to 
 read, every day, a portion of some favorite author of antiquirv 
 
THOMAS WII.LKTT. 2fi9 
 
 As a minister he was useful and beloved ; and lils memory is 
 still held in grateful remembrance by his church and society in 
 HoUiston, to whom he was devotedly attached. — He married^ 
 January, 1816, Miss Mary Ide, the daughter of Mr. Daniel, 
 and Mrs. Sarah Ide, of Seekonk, an amiable and accom- 
 plished lady. She was a native of Frankhn, and was born 
 October 1, 1790. Her father died in her infancy, at Seekonk, 
 whither he had removed but a short time before ; and her moth- 
 er, who still survives, was afterwards married to Peter Hunt, 
 Esq. of the same town. Mrs. Wheaton died of consumption, 
 July 28, 1817, at the age of tv.'enty six, leaving one child, ason 
 four months old. — Afterwards Mr. Wheaton married Miss Abi- 
 gail F. Fales, a lady of Wrentham, to which town, on the death 
 of her husband, she returned, and where she continues to reside. 
 He left two children, by his second wife, a son and a daughter : 
 a third, and the youngest, died during Mr. VVheaton's last illness, 
 a few weeks before its father. — [Rev. Jacob Lie's Funeral Ser- 
 711071 of Mr. Wheaton, and Hev. Benjamin Wood''s Sermon 
 on the Death of Mrs. Mary I. fflieaton.] 
 
 Horatio G. Wheaton, M. D. a native of Rehoboth, and 
 a younger brother of the former, and who like him could boast 
 of having depended, for his education, on his own exertions, 
 graduated at Brown University, in September, 1820, and studied 
 medicine under Dr. J. W. Whitridge, of Charleston. He fell 
 a victim to the yellow fever, and died at Charleston^ where he 
 had just entered on the practice of his profession, October 8, 
 1824, during his elder brother's last sickness. He was distin- 
 guished as a scholar of fine talents, and a young man of high 
 promise. 
 
 Capt. Thomas Willett, one of the principal men in 
 Plymouth colony, and the first English mayor of the city of 
 New York, was one of the last of the Leyden company who 
 came to this country, and arrived at Plymouth about 1629.* 
 He was then but eighteen or nineteen years old ; had been 
 bred a merchant ; and, as the greater part or the whole of his 
 
 * In a copy of " Alden's Collection of Epitaphs," vol. ii. p. 219, now in the 
 possession of the Hon. Nath'l M. Davis, of Plymouth, that had formerly belong- 
 ed to his uncle, the renowned antiquarian, Samuel Davis, I found the follow- 
 ing note in the margin, in the hand writing of the latter : " Mr. Willett came 
 to Plymouth about 1G29, and lived there till about 16G4, then went to Swan- 
 sey. S. D." That Mr. Willet emigrated to this country, as early, certainly, 
 as 1629, we have clear evidence, fromWinthrop's Journal, vol. i. p. 322, where he 
 is mentioned as being at Kennebec that year, as we shall see on the next page. 
 
270 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 life had been spent in Holland, he had acquired an intimate 
 knowledge of the niaiiiiers, customs, and language of the Dutch : 
 a circumstance which made him ' so acceptable ' to the Dutch 
 of New York. On his arrival, he was sent by the people of 
 Plymouth, who had established a trading house at Kennebeck, 
 to superintend their business as agent. While residing there 
 Governor Winthrop relates of him, [Winthrop's Journal, Sav- 
 age's ed. vol. i. p. 322,] the following curious anecdote: — • 
 " At Kennebec, the Indians wanting food, and there being 
 store in the Plymoutli tradine; house, they conspired to kill the 
 English there for their provision ; and some Indians coming in- 
 to the house of Mr. VVillett, the master of the house, being 
 reading in the bible, his countenance was more solemn than at 
 other times, so as he did not look cheerfully upon them, as he 
 was wont to do ; whereupon they went out and told their fel- 
 lows, that their purpose was discovered. They asked them 
 how it could be ? The others told them that they knew it by 
 Mr. Willett's countenance, and that he had discovered it by a 
 book that he was rea(Hng. Whereupon they gave over their de- 
 sign." He continued at Kennebec probably about six or seven 
 years. He then married a lady at Plymouth, and removed, as 
 there is some reason to believe, to Dorchester ;* and thence, 
 between the years 1641 and 1646, returned to Plymouth. In 
 1647, he became the successor of Miles Standish, in the 
 command of the military company at Plymouth.f In 1651, 
 he was elected one of the Governour's Assistants, and was 
 annually continued in that office till 1665 ; when the pressure 
 of other duties obliged him to decline, and James Brown, of 
 Svvansey, was chosen his successor. In February, 1660, we 
 find Mr. Willett an inhabitant of Rehoboth ; and obtaining lib- 
 erty of the town to take up large tracts of land in its vicinity. J 
 In 1661, empowered by the Court of Plymouth, and having 
 
 *"I find,'" says Daggett, [Hist of Attleborough, p. 130], " the following 
 on the Boston Records, (copied firom Dorchester,) by which it appears that 
 there was a Thomas Willett in the latter town— probably the same. His 
 wife, perhaps, resided there during his absence at Kennebeck. ' John, son of 
 Thomas Willett and Mary his wife, born 8th, 5th mo. 163-; Jonathan, born 
 27th 5th mo. 1738,— dyed 15th, 6th mo. ib. ; Mary, born 26th, 6th mo. 1639; 
 Mehitible, born 14th, 1st mo. 1641.' " 
 
 If we compare this note with the date of Mr. Willett's marriage, (1636,) 
 and with the dates of the births of his children, recorded at Plymouth, and 
 found near the close of the present sketch, we shall see that it is quite prob- 
 able that our Mr. Willett resided for a while in Dorchester. 
 
 t Old Colony Records. 
 
 t See supra, p. 50. 
 
TIJOMAS WILLETT. 271 
 
 obtained, as just mentioned, the consent of ibe town of Relio- 
 both, he purchased of Wamsitta, or (as he was called by the 
 Enghsh) Alexander, the elder son of Massassoit, the large tract 
 of land, afterwards called Rchoboth North Purchase, now At- 
 tleborough and Cumberland. This tract he relinquished into 
 the hands of the Plymouth colony, in 1666. In addition to 
 this, he was also the original purchaser of Taunton North 
 Purchase, (now Norton, Mansfield and Easton), as well as of 
 many other tracls of land in the vicinity. 
 
 On the surrender of New York to the English, under Col. 
 NicoUs, in August, 1664, by the Dutch governor Stuyvesant* 
 Capt. Willett attended the Commissioners of Appeals — Nich- 
 olls, Carr, Cartwright, and Maverick, — to that city ; and ren- 
 dered them great service, by his acquaintance with thecustomsy 
 usages and languaoe of the Dutch, in organizing the new gov- 
 ernment. Judge Davis informs us, [Memorial, p. 311], that 
 " Col. Nicolls, in a letter to Gov. Prince, written from New 
 York, the spring after the reduction of the Dutch settlements, 
 requests that Captain Willett may have such dispensation from 
 his official engagements in Plymouth colony, as to be at liberty 
 to assist in the modelling and reducing the affairs, in those settle- 
 ments, into good English. He remarks that Mr. Willett was 
 more acquainted with the manners and customs of the Dutch, 
 than any Englishman in the country, and that his conversation 
 was very acceptable to them." He performed his duties here 
 to the entire satisfaction of all concerned ; and his services were 
 so highly appreciated, and he rendered himself so popular with 
 the people, that, after the organization of the government, he 
 was elected the first English mayor of the city of New York. 
 He was elected a second time to the office. So much confi- 
 dence had the Dutch in his integrity, that he was by them cho- 
 sen umpire, to determine the disputed boundary between New 
 York and New Haven. 
 
 The town records of Rehoboth, of the dates of December 
 20th, 1664, and January 24th, 1665,* mention Mr. Willett as 
 a resident of the town, as he is chosen to some offices : this 
 must have been at the time, that, according to previously cited 
 authority, he was engaged at New York. We know that he 
 still retained his plantation at Rehoboth ; and, in order to recon- 
 cile the two statements, we must suppose that Mr. Willett, while 
 employed and holding his office at New York, spent some part 
 of his lime at Rehoboth ; where, after having completed his 
 * See supra, pp. 59, 60. 
 
272 TiiOMAS WILLETT. 
 
 term of office at tlie foniier place, lie returned to reside. Hd 
 was appointed to an office by the town in April, 1666. In 1667, 
 Mr. Willett's name appears the first on the list of individuals td 
 wliom liberty was granted ' to become a township by the name 
 Swansea.' In the settlement of that town Mr. Willett may 
 justly be considered the most prominent man ; and he and the 
 Rev. John Myles are usually styled the fathers of it. He con- 
 tinued to reside on hi? plantation in Swansey during the re- 
 mainder of his life. 
 
 Capt. Willett married Mary Brown — 'generally supposed to 
 be the daughter of Mr. John Brown the elder, at Plymouth, 
 July 6, 1636. Their children were, Thomas ;* Hester, born 
 July 6, 1647 ; Rebeca, died April 2, 1652 ; James, born No- 
 vember 24, 1649 ; Andrew, Samuel, Hezekiah, who died the 
 26th of July, 1651 ; Hezekiah 2d, born November 16, 1652, 
 and slain in Philip's war. James married Eliza, daughter of 
 Lieut. Peter Hunt of Rehoboth, April 17, 1673 ; Hezekiah 2d 
 married Anna, daughter of Mr. John Brown 2d, of Rehoboth, 
 January 7, 1675. John Saffin, who had resided in Scituate and 
 Swansey, married a daughter of Capt. Willett, and settled in 
 Bristol, R. I. ; and Samuel Hooker,f of Farmington, Ct., mar- 
 ried another daughter. 
 
 Several of Mr. Willett's descendants have distinguished them- 
 selves in the history of the country. His grandson Francis was 
 a prominent man in Rhode Island colony. Another descendant, 
 his great-grandson, the late Col. Marinus Willett, served with 
 distinguished honor in the Revolutionary war ; and was also 
 Mayor of the city of New- York. Memoirs of his life have been 
 recently published by his son, William M. Willett. 
 
 Capt. Willett died in Swansey, August 4, 1674, at the age 
 of sixty three. He was buried at the head of Bullock's Cove, 
 in what is now Seekonk, where a rough stone still stands to 
 mark the spot, on which is legible the following brief, and rude- 
 ly-carved inscription : 
 
 58^crf Inetl) tfte hoUv of tiie iDortf)a» ^Tfjomas SUSffUctt, 3Ssq. tol)o Ufeti August 
 
 ve HVtf) fn je 1 1: f to 1 1) Year of J)fs afle ^nno=* 
 
 iM!Ft)o teas ti)c first ^ajor of 'Nclu Yorfe, anlr ttofce URr sustafn 
 
 tl)c place. 
 
 His wife Mary died about 1669, and is buried by his side. 
 
 * For this account of Mr. Willett's family I am indebted to Daggett's Hist, of At- 
 tleborough. 
 t Baylies' Memoir of Plymouth Colony. 
 
LAWYERS PHYSICIANS. 273 
 
 LAWYERS.* 
 
 Apollos Ciishman, Esq. was born at Middleborougli, in 1782 ; 
 graduated at Brown University, September, 1802 ; and com- 
 menced the practice of law in Pawtucket, in 1815, where he 
 now resides. 
 
 Collins Darling, Esq., was born at Bellingham, Norfolk 
 county, October 14, 1785 ; graduated at Brown University, 
 September, 1810; practised law one year at Providence, R. I. 
 and removed to Pawtucket, April, 1815, where he has since 
 followed his profession. 
 
 Hon. James Ellis, son of the Rev. John Ellis, was born at 
 Rehoboth ; graduated at Brown University, September, 1791 ; 
 commenced the practice of law at Rehoboth (in the part now 
 Seekonk) ; thence removed to Taunton, and was appointed 
 County Attorney, and held the office till it was merged in that 
 of District Attorney. 
 
 Peter Brown Hunt, Esq., was born at Rehoboth, (now See- 
 konk,) February 1, 1794 ; graduated at Brown University, 
 September, 1816 ; was admitted to both the Massachusetts and 
 Rhode Island bars ; commenced practice in Seekonk in 1819, 
 and died April 28, 1831. 
 
 Ezra WilJcinson, Esq., was born in Wrentharn, (Mass.,) 
 graduated at Brown University ; practiced law for a while at 
 Seekonk, and then removed to Dedham, (Mass.) where he is 
 now in the practice of bis profession. 
 
 PHYSICIANS. 
 
 [Of some of our Physicians I am able to give little more than the name, 
 without being able to tell the time they were in town, where they were born, 
 &.C. ; but the little that I could gather, is here inserted.] 
 
 In July, 1663, the town sent an invitation to Samuel Fuller, 
 
 * These notices, as well as those of Physicians and Graduates, which fol- 
 low, are not so complete as I could wish, for want of sufficient materials at 
 hand. 
 
 35 
 
274 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 a physician residing at Plymouth, to come and settle at Reho- 
 both ; but whether he accepted the invitation or not, I am not 
 able to determine ; though, as his name does not occur on the 
 town books, if he came, he could not have resided here long. 
 
 The Rev. David Turner occasionally practiced medicine, in 
 addition to the duties of the clerical profession. 
 
 Col. Thomas JBowen, who lived about the time of Mr. Tur- 
 ner, was also a distinguished physician. 
 
 Dr. Joseph Bridgham lived in the part of Rehoboth now 
 Seekonk ; practiced medicine, and died December 4, 1789, 
 aged 57. The Hon. Samuel Bridgham, mayor of the city of 
 Providence, is a son of Dr. Bridgham. 
 
 Dr. Isaac Fowler settled in Rehoboth about fifty-tw^o years 
 since, and commenced the practice of medicine. He married, 
 March 30, 17S6, Miss Vashti Bi'ow^n, daugliter of Dea. John 
 Brown, of Rehoboth, and had twelve children. He was res- 
 pectable in his profession, and distinguished for his humanity 
 and benevolence. He died March 8, 1808, in the 49th year of 
 his age. Mrs. Fowler died April 18, 1832, in the 66th year 
 of her age. 
 
 Dr. John Frederick Rodliff, was born in Germany ; settled 
 in the part of Rehoboth now Seekonk, in the practice of medi- 
 cine ; and died June 13, 1808, in the 59th year of his age. 
 
 Dr. James Bliss was born at Rehoboth, April, 1757 ; studied 
 medicine with Drs. Brownson and Blackinton ; commenced prac- 
 tice in Wrentham, at about the age of twenty-one, and remained 
 there one year, during which time he was married to Miss Han- 
 nah Guild, of Attleborough ; then removed to Rehoboth, where 
 he was very successful in his profession, and esteemed as a skil- 
 ful physician. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Deane, of Digh- 
 ton. He had twelve children, all by his first wife. At the age of 
 about nineteen, he was for several months surgeon's mate in 
 Col. Carpenter's regiment, in the war of the Revolution. He 
 w^as a man of sound judgment, strict integrity, and great indus- 
 try and economy. He died, September 29, 1834. 
 
PHYSICIANS. 275 
 
 Dr. George A. Bolton, a skilful physician, who resided in 
 that part of Rehoboth now Seekonk. He received a medical 
 degree at Brown University, in 1817. 
 
 Dr. Thayer practiced medicine for a while in Re- 
 hoboth (now Seekonk), whence he removed to the west. His 
 wife was Miss Caroline Matilda Warren, somewhat celebrated 
 as a writer. She wrote ' The Gamester/ with some other small 
 works of fiction. She wrote in the Providence Patiiot, some 
 very pretty poetry under the signature of the ' Maid of the 
 Grove.' 
 
 George TV. Bliss, M. D., a native of Rehoboth, was the son 
 of Capt. Asa, and Mrs. Polly Bliss ; received a medical diplo- 
 ma at Brown University in 1822, and commenced practice in 
 Seekonk, August, 1823. He died March 29, 1829, aged 39 
 years. 
 
 Dr. Addington Davenport, was the first practitioner in Paw- 
 tucket, Mass. ; commenced about 1805 or 1806; married Miss 
 Eliza N. Kegj^^eday, only daughter of Mr. David Kenneday, of 
 Pawtucket. He died about the year 1813. He was a man 
 well read in his profession, as also in history and poetry ; and 
 possessed a fine literary taste. 
 
 Dr. TVheelock, the second physician of Pawtucket, removed 
 to the village, and remained there about two years, (1813 and 
 1814). He finally removed for want of patronage. He mar- 
 ried a Miss Allen. 
 
 Artemas Johnson, M. D., graduated at Brown University, 
 commenced practice about the year 1815; married the widow 
 of Dr. Davenport. He died December, 1827. 
 
 Dr. Isaac Hartshorn, commenced the practice of medicine in 
 Pawtucket. in ] 828, and after remaining about two years, re- 
 moved to Providence. 
 
 Dr. Darius Carpenter, was born at Rehoboth, in the part 
 now Seekonk, October 4, 1785 ; studied medicine with Dr. 
 George A. Bolton, of Seekonk ; attended medical lectures at 
 Brown University, but took no degree ; commenced practice in 
 
276 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Seekonk in 1816. He married Miss Anna Carpenter, of See- 
 konk, November 9, 1817 ; died of pulmonary consumption, 
 July 16, 1833. 
 
 Dr. John S. Galiip, practiced medicine a short time in See- 
 konk, and then removed to Woodstock, N. H., where he is 
 now in practice. 
 
 Practicing Physicians. 
 
 Dr. Royal Carpenter was born at Rehoboth ; studied medi- 
 cine with Dr. Isaac Fowler; commenced practice in Rehoboth 
 in 1808 J was married in 1834. 
 
 Dr. Calvin Martin, Seekonk. 
 
 Dr. TheopMliis Hutchins, Seekonk. 
 
 Dr. Bullock, Rehoboth. 
 
 Menzias R. Randall, M. D., was born at Easton, Mass., 
 received a medical degree at Harvard University, and also at 
 Brown, September, l8rM, and commenced practice in Rehoboth 
 the same year. He married Miss Eliza Edson of Easton, who 
 died Jan. 8, 1833. In JMarch 1834, he was again married to 
 Miss Almira Guild, also of Easton. 
 
 Draper Carpenter, M. D., was the son of Daniel Carpen- 
 ter, and born in Rehoboth, (now Seekonk,) December 30, 
 1791 ; graduated at Brown University, September, 1821 ; re- 
 ceived a medical diploma at the same institution in 1824; com- 
 menced practice in Seekonk in the same year, and in Pawtuck- 
 et in 1827. 
 
 Ira Barrows, M. D., graduated at Brown University, Sep- 
 tember, 1824: commenced the practice of medicine in Paw- 
 tucket, in 1827 ; and married Miss Frances A. Bartlett, of 
 Smiihfield, only daughter of Mr. Oliver Bartlett. 
 
 Benoni Carpenter, M. D., was born at Rehoboth, March 
 
GRADUATES OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. 277 
 
 12, 1805; graduated at Brown University, September, 1829 ; 
 received the degree of M. D. at the University of Pennsylva- 
 nia (Philadelphia) ; commenced the practice of medicine in 
 Seekonk, August, 1832; married Miss Adeline Everett of 
 Wrenlham, June 4, 1833. 
 
 GRADUATES OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. 
 
 [This list is doubtless incomplete, as there were probably graduates at this 
 institution from Rehoboth at an earlier date than 1791 ; and there may be 
 some since that date, whose names I have not obtained.] 
 
 Grad- 
 uated. 
 
 1791. Hon. James Ellis. [See sketch of Lawyers.] 
 
 1796. Col. Abraham Blanding, Esq., born at Rehoboth, No- 
 vember 18, 1775. After graduating he studied law with 
 Judge Brevard, of Camden, S. C, where he commenced 
 the practice of law, and continued till 1815 or 1816, then 
 removed to Columbia, S. C. He married, about the year 
 1808, Miss Betsy Martin, of Camden, who died in 1812. 
 He afterwards married Miss Mary Caroline Desaussure, 
 of Columbia. 
 
 1798. Rev. Otis Thompson. [See Ecclesiastical Hist, of Re- 
 hoboth. 
 
 1801. William Blanding, M. D., born at Rehoboth, Februa- 
 ry 27, 1773; graduated at Brown University, in 1801 ; 
 studied medicine ; practiced a short time in Attleborough ; 
 then removed to Camden, S. C. ; in 1805, married 
 Susan Carpenter, daughter of Capt. Caleb Carpenter, of 
 Rehoboth, who died in 1809. He afterwards married 
 Miss Rachel Willet, of Philadelphia, in which city he now 
 resides. 
 
 1805. Rev. Sylvester S. BucWin, born at Rehoboth (in the 
 part now Seekonk), now minister of a Congregational 
 church in Marlborough, (Mass.) 
 
278 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 1805. John StarTiweathcr, M. D. son of the late Hon. Oliver 
 Starkweather, of Pawtucket, now practicmg physician in 
 Upton, Worcester county, (Mass.) 
 
 1810. Collins Darling, Esq. [See sketch of Lawyers.] 
 
 1812. Rev. Josephus Whcaton. [See Biographical Sketches.] 
 
 181C. Peter Brown Hunt, Esq. [See sketch of Lawyers.] 
 
 1816. Rev. Thomas Vernon. [See Ecclesiastical Hist, of 
 Rehoboth. 
 
 1816. Caleh Miller, M. D., now deceased, took only a medi- 
 cal degree at this institution, — was distinguished as a phy- 
 sician and surgeon. 
 
 1817. George A. Bolton, M. D. [See sketch of physicians.] 
 
 1820. Horatio G. Wheaton, [See Biographical Sketches.] 
 
 1821. Rev. James O. Barney. . [See Ecclesiastical Hist, of 
 Seekonk.] 
 
 1821. Draper Carpenter, M. D. [See sketch of Physi- 
 cians. 
 
 1821. Rev. Augustus B. Reed, son of Dea. Augustus Reed, 
 of Rehoboth, settled pastor over a Congregational church 
 in Ware, (Mass) ; married Miss Borden of Fall- 
 river. 
 
 1822. Thomas Kinnicutt, Esq., born in Rehoboth (now See- 
 konk) ; now a lawyer at Worcester, (Mass.) 
 
 1822. Samuel Starkweather, Esq., son of the late Hon. Oli- 
 ver Starkweather, of Pawtucket ; was tutor one year in 
 Brown University ; now in the practice of law at Cleave- 
 land, (Ohio), and collector and inspector of that port. 
 
 1822. George W. Bliss, M. D. [See sketch of Physicians.] 
 
I 
 
 GRADUATES OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. 279 
 
 1824. Ira Barroivs, M. D. [See sketch of Physicians.] 
 
 1824. George A. Bucldin, son of Mr. George Bucklin, was 
 born at Rehoboth (now Seekonk) ; graduated at Brown 
 University, September, 1824 ; first read law, thea 
 studied medicine with Dr. Wells, of Columbia, S. C. ; 
 died of yellow fever, in 1829, while on his passage from 
 New Orleans to Texas. 
 
 1824. Shuhael Peck, born at Rehoboth ; died soon after he 
 left the university. 
 
 1824. Johnson Gardner, M. D., now practicing physician in 
 Pawtucket, R. I., was the son of Mr. James Gardner, of 
 Rehoboth, and born November 22, 1799. He entered 
 Brown University, and pursued the principal part of the 
 regular course of study ; but, being obliged by ill health 
 to suspend for a while his studies, he left the University 
 before taking the first degree. He afterwards studied 
 medicine with Dr. Lewis Wheaton of Providence ; re- 
 ceived the degree of M. D. at Brown University, in 
 1824 ; commenced practice in Pawtucket, in September of 
 the same year; and married, June 8, 1829, Miss Phebe 
 Lawton Sisson, only child of Mr. Aaron Sisson, of See- 
 konk. 
 
 1824. Menzias R. Randall, M. D. [See sketch of Physi- 
 cians.] 
 
 1824. Hiram Bucklin, M. D., son of Mr. George Bucklin, 
 of Seekonk, received a medical degree at Brown Univer- 
 sity in 1 824 ; now practicing physician at Valley Falls, 
 Smithfield, R. I. 
 
 1824. Rev. Benjamin C. Wade, horn at Seekonk; graduated 
 at Brown University, September, 1824; was settled as 
 the minister of a Baptist church, in Woburn, (Mass.) 
 
 1826. Zeyial Bliss, A. M., son of Jonathan Bliss, of Reho- 
 both, deceased ; read a course of law ; but is now engag- 
 ed in manufactures, in Johnson, R. I. 
 
 I 
 
280 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 1829. Benoni Carpenter, M. D. [See sketch of Physi- 
 cians.] 
 
 1829. WiUiam Blanding Carpenter, A. B., born at Seekonk 
 in 1810; graduated at Brown University, September, 
 1829, (with the salutatory addresses) ; commenced the 
 study of medicine with Dr. Usher Parsons, of Providence ; 
 died of hermorrbage from the lungs, January 3, 1830. 
 He was a scholar of fine promise. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 A. p. 54. 
 
 The following notice of the Rev. Sanniel Newman is found in " Wood's 
 Athf,n.e kt Fasti Oxomenses,"3(I edition, London, 4to. 1817, with addi- 
 tions by Pliilip Bliss, Esq. Fellow of St. John's Collef>e, vol. III. p. G48.* 
 
 " Samuel Newman, a learned divine of his time, received some educa- 
 tion in this university ; but, being puritanically atfected, he left it, went 
 into New England, became a Congregational man, minister of the cburch 
 of Reholioth there, a zealous man in the way he professed, indefatigable 
 in his studies, and marvclously read in the holy scriptures. He hath 
 written, 
 
 '■^ A Concordance of the Bible. Lond. 1G43, 50. in a large thick fol. 
 [!?o(ll. C. 2. !). Th. 15. S. Printed also at Cambridge, 1682, Bodl. G. 6. 
 17. Th.] and dying in December, or thereabouts, in sixteen hundred and 
 sixty and three, was buried at Kelioboth. — I find one Sam. Newman, 
 born at or near Chadlington, in Oxlijrdshire, who was entered into Mayd. 
 coll. in the condition, as it seems, of a servitour, in the latter end of 1616, 
 aged 16 years, and to have taken a degree in arts as a member of S. Edm. 
 hall, and soon after to have left the luuversity. Whether this Sam. New- 
 man be the same with him who wrote the Co7icordance before mentioned, 
 I cannot affirm, [)ecanse I have been informed by the letters of Mr. In- 
 crease jMather, ]tresident of Harvarden coll. in New England, dated 6 
 Jan. 1690, that he thinks Mr. Sam. Newman, author of the Concordance, 
 was born in Yorkshire, and that [as he takes it,] he was iu the 65tli year 
 of his age when he died." 
 
 " [Samuel Newman was born at Banburv, 1600; ob. in New England 
 July 5, my^. V. Hist, of ,Vew England, lib. 3, Baker.] " JVotc by the Ed. 
 
 " [I slioidd not have otlered my readers this meagre note, but Cotton 
 Mather's History ojWciv England is not in the J3odleian library. 1 have, 
 however, hopes that the next editor of the Athene may have the use of 
 the book, since I have repeatciUy urged the propriety of procm-ing it.] " 
 
 Jbid. 
 
 The following is an extract from a letter of Anthony Wood, author of 
 
 * Tliere is a copy of this edition of the "Athene," in the library of Harvard Uni- 
 versity, and also in the splendid private library of I'homas Dowscj-Esq. — Cambridge- 
 port. 
 
 36 
 
J282 APPENDIX. 
 
 " AxHENic ET Fasti Oxonienses," to Rev. Dr. Increase Mather, respect- 
 ing Mr. Newman ; and may be found in the Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. VII. p. 
 187, New Series. 
 
 " Sir your kind and civil letter I have received for which I doe by these 
 returne yon thanks. As for the age of Sam. Newman (65) it agrees with 
 my manuscript, but the county, you say wherein he was borne (York- 
 shire) doth not. For my Sam. Newman, whom I take to be him of Re- 
 hoboth and author of the Concordance, was borne in Oxfordshire." 
 
 The letter of which this is an extract is dated 
 
 " From mv lorlginj neare 
 Werton Coll. in Oxford. 
 1:2 June, 1090." 
 
 Wood was probably misled by the incorrectness of the date of the 
 death of Mr. Newman, and his age, erroneously stated to him by Dr. 
 Mather, to su])})ose the two Samuel Newmans mentioned in his sketch 
 might be different individuals; whereas it is very evident, that the 
 accounts both relate to the same jierson, and that the " Sam. Newman," 
 who " entered Magd. coll. in the condition of a servitour," in 1616, at the 
 age of 16, was the same with " him of Rehoboth, and author of tlie Con- 
 cordance." 
 
 B. p. 55. 
 
 The following is the title-page of the third edition, London, 1658, with 
 an extract from one of the two advertisements to the reader. 
 
 A LARGE 
 AND C031 PLEAT 
 
 CONCORDANCE 
 
 TO THE BIBLE 
 
 /JV EJ\rOLISH. 
 
 According to the last Translation. 
 
 A like Worke formerly performed by CLEMENT COTTON. 
 
 Now this third impression corrected and annexed in many things form- 
 erly omitted, for the good both of Scholars and others ; far exceeding 
 the most perfect that was ever extant in our Language, 
 both in ground-work and building. 
 
 By SAMUEL NEWMAN, now Teacher of the Church at Rehoboth in Mw- 
 England. 
 
 The manifold use and benifit of this Work is sufficiently declared in the 
 PREFACES to the READER. 
 
 John, 5,39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye tMnk ye have eternal life ; and they ure they 
 
 ichich testifie of me. 
 Acts, 11, 17. These loere more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word 
 
 with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things 
 
 were so. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed for Thomas Dowme?, and Andrew Croak, and are to be eold at the Green Dragon 
 in St. Paul's Church-yard. 
 
 1658. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 283 
 
 The first advertisement to the reader is written by Daniel Featly ; 
 and the second (for there are two,) by W. Gouge. 
 
 The following is an extract from the latter, giving an account of the 
 concordances that had been written in English, previous to this one. 
 
 "There have been many years since English Indexes of proper Hebrew 
 and Greek names, with their significations, and Ihbles of the princi])al 
 points contained in the Bible ; and some so large, as they carry the Title 
 o{ Concordances ; ( amongst which the hr\e( Concordance lately collected 
 by Mr. John Dorordmm, Bachelor in Divinity, and allowed by Authority to 
 be bound with the Bible in all Volumes, may well deserve the precedency;) 
 yet have they come short of j)erfect Concordances^ 
 
 Then follows an account of the concordance compiled by Clement 
 Cotton. " He made his first essay in the year 1622, on the New Testa- 
 ment, according to the English Translation, begun at Geneva, in Queen 
 Marie's dayes, by such learned divjnes as there found great entertainment ; 
 and in the year 1G27, he added thereunto a Concordance of the Old Tes- 
 tament, according to tlie last and best English Translation. But oliserving 
 how inconvenient it was, that one part of his Concordance should be of 
 one Translation, the other of another, like the Bear, he still continued to 
 lick over his works ; and in the year 1631, published A compleat Concor- 
 dance of the whole Bible, according to the aforesaid last Translation." 
 He next added to these a concordance of the Apocrypha. Cotton's, 
 however, the writer states to be deficient in many respects, and points 
 out the particidars ; but says that Newman's is more perfect than any be- 
 fore published in the English language. 
 
 On the outside of the first lid is stamped in gilt letters 
 
 SVB 
 AVSPICHS 
 WILHEMI 
 
 in. 
 
 On the back is stamped Newman's Concordance. 
 
 C. p. 55. 
 
 The following is the statement referred to, in the life of the Rev. Hugli 
 Peters by the Rev. Samuel Peters, L. L. D. in which the authorship of 
 the Concordance written at Rehoboth (or Seekonk), is ascribed to Cruden. 
 
 "The Rev. Mr. Cruden, an eminent scholar in the university of Cam- 
 bridge, England, being a meek and pious man, but also a puritan, emi- 
 grated to Boston and was settled by Dr. Mather and Mr. Cotton, at a i»lace 
 called Rehoboth, four miles east of the town of Providence, in the state 
 of Rhode Island, the most barren soil in Massachusetts; for Mather and 
 Cotton acted like moderators or bisho])s at that time in Boston, and named 
 the town Rehoboth, because the word means, " the Lord hath made room 
 for his beloved." It also was a frontier against the Pequod Indians, at the 
 head of a creek em])tying into Narragansett bay ; where were plenty of 
 fish and oysters, on which the settlers might live and protect Boston, if 
 the Indians did not scalp them. 
 
 "This pious clergyman, with his pious com]ianions, not knowing their 
 danger, went and formed the settlement of Rehoboth : the scite being 
 pleasant, the air salubrious, and the ])rospect horrible. But the imiocence 
 of Cruden and his followers conciliatecl the savages, and they became 
 friendly. They built a church, and encircled it with a set of houses like 
 a half moon, facing the creek, where they worshipped the Creator with 
 
284 APPENDIX. 
 
 great devotion, and Cniden tauglit tlieir children tlie arts and sciences 
 gratis. That town is yet famous in New-England for the education of its 
 children. In that l^arren soil, Cruden spent a nsefid life, and made to him- 
 self a name in tlie christian church, that will last as long as the Bihie. 
 There he formed the first Concordance of the Old and New Testaments, 
 which was ever made in the English tongue. It was ado])t('d and printetl 
 by the university of Cambridge in England, and, with additions and im- 
 provements, has passed through many editions, still under the name of 
 Cruden's Concordance. 
 
 " The ingenuity and Herculean lalior disjdajed in this necessary index 
 of the bible even astonished the old and new Avorld : but ('ruden got no 
 money for the copy, either in New or Old England; yet he gained ever- 
 lasting fairie in Christendom, and Butler, in his liudibras, fixed immortal- 
 ity on Cruden's wisdom, ])erseverance and patience, in tnaking his Con- 
 cordance, at Rehoboth, bordering on Seckonk Plain, us barren as the 
 JVumidian sands, by his sarcastic distich ; viz. 
 
 " Hehrcw roots arc found 
 
 " To flourish best in barren ground." 
 
 Alluding to Cruden's ingenuity at Rehoboth, and to the wisdom of JMoscs 
 on Mount Sinai. 
 
 " Cruden's posterity are numerous and resjiectable in New-England. 
 His eldest son retiuuied to England, and was nuich esteemed Ijoth in the 
 pulpit and out of it ; and one of his sons was the eminent and venerable 
 })resbyterian nfinister of the church near Covent Garden, so highly insulted 
 by Lord George Gordon, one of his ])arishioners in 1780, because he ])rayed 
 extempore, and sung by i)ook, and ])reached by notes; which his lordship 
 said, j^roved an absurdity, fijr Cruden ])rayed by the Spirit, but did not 
 sing and ])reach by the Spirit." 
 
 It would be a waste of time to merely point out the errors in this short 
 statement ; and besides, they are too gross and apparent to escape the most 
 casual observation. The extract is made only to sliow its absiu'dity, and 
 as a curiosity, to excite the surprise of the reader, that an author, though 
 he sought not for truth, should not sometimes, by accident at least, stmiihle 
 upon it. IIow otu" author could have confounded the events in the lives 
 of two individuals, who lived at the distance of a centiu-yfrom each oth- 
 er, it is inip(!ssil)le to conceive; as well as to detect in the ijuotation from 
 Biuler, any very obvious reference, to either Newman, Cruden, Moses, or 
 Seckonk Plain. The following are the lines referred to: the poet, in set- 
 ting forth the literary acrpiirements of his hero, says, 
 
 " For Hebrew roots, aitho' thevTe found 
 To flourisli most in barren ground, 
 He had sucli plenty, as sufHc'd 
 To make some think him rirrumrised." 
 
 Hudibras, Ft. I., Cant. I., line 59. 
 
 The following quotation froiTi " Jolmsori's irondcr-working Providence 
 of Sion''s Savior, in JVetv-Ensrland,''^ if deficient in poetiml excellence, is 
 at least more definite as to the person it would immortalize ; and, as J\Ir. 
 Peters has attemitted toctdl for our worthy minister a sjjrig of iinniortal- 
 it)", (thouiih he made a slight mistake in the name,) Ave shall be excused 
 for reaching forth the band to pluck another, bearing his own image and 
 supei'scription. VVe give it by way of curiosity. 
 
APPENDIX. 285 
 
 '■ With little flork doth Newman park away;* 
 The righteous Hps sure might a many feed ; 
 Remov'st for gaine ? it's most where most men stay ; 
 Men part for land, why laud least helps at need." 
 
 ' Chap. X.p. 130. 
 
 [We here give a brief notice of the Factories, &c. in Rehobotli and 
 Seekonk, the materials for which were not obtained in season to be in- 
 serted in their proper place.] 
 
 Orleans Factory. The Cotton Factory on Pahner's River, Reho- 
 both, is situated at the head of tide water, and was luiilt in the year 1811, 
 by a comjjany which was afterwards incorporated by the name of tlie 
 " Pahner's River Manufacturing Co." Tlie principal stock-holders in this 
 company were, Asa Bidlock, and Barnard Wlieeler, Esqs. and Capt. Israel 
 Niciiols and others of Rchoboth; Thomas Church and John How, Esqs. 
 and Capt. Benjamin Norri.s, of Bristol; and Richmond Bullock, Esq. of 
 Providence. The business of manufacturing cotton was prosecuted by 
 this comj)any with various success for a number of years, when they 
 leased out the estate to Mr. Nathan Sweetland for several years, until 
 about 1821 or 1822 ; at which time they sold out the whole Company's 
 property to Ebenezer Idc and others. They continued the business under 
 the name of the Ide Manufacturing Co. until 1825, when they became 
 embarrassed and sold the real and personal estate separately. David Wil- 
 kinson, Esqr. and others purchased the real estate, and gave it a thoroiiLdi 
 ref)air and |)ut in new machinery, consisting of 48 looms with spindles 
 and preparation to supply them. The spindles consisted entirely of the 
 kind called mules, and this was the first successful attem})t to use this 
 kind of sj)indles, for warp as well as weft in this country. This com- 
 pany assumed the name of the "Orleans Manufacturing Co." and com- 
 menced the making of fine cloths for calico printing, which were then in 
 good demand. They continued to prosecute that business with gooil 
 success, until the memorable embarrassments which pervaded the man- 
 ufacturing interest throughout New England, in 1829 and 1830, when 
 Messrs. David Wilkinson and Co. who were the principal owners, failed, 
 and the estate was sold to Mr. Benjamin Peck, (who had been concerned 
 in the former company,) and others %vho continued the business imder 
 the same name, until November 10, 1832, when the principal factory 
 building was entirely consumed by fii-e with the most part of the ma- 
 chinery. The same company rebuilt the mill the year following ujjon 
 the same foundation with stone. It is 72 feet by 40, two stories higli, 
 with attic and basement stories, and contains 60 looms, with spindles aiul 
 preparation to sujjply the same. It is now owned by Messrs. Benjamin 
 Peck and James H. Mumford of Rehoboth, and Asa Pierce, Esq. of 
 Providence. 
 
 Rehoboth Union Manufacturing Company. The building of this 
 company was erected in 1809. The company consisted of Dexter 
 Wheeler, Richard GofI", Stej)hen Carpenter, Thomas Carj)enter, 'James 
 Carpenter, and Peter Carpenter. The number of .spindles is 3G0, hands, 
 about 14, and the number of pounds of yarn manufactured per week is 
 550. The principal owners now are Nelson and Darius GofT, and Ste- 
 
 ^ Referring to his removal, with a purl of lils church, from Weymouth to Seekonk. 
 
286 APPENDIX. 
 
 phen Carpenter. The first agent was .Tames Carpenter, the second, David 
 Anthony, and the present is William Marvel. 
 
 Seekonk Central Factory was erected in the spring of 1810. The 
 present occupants are Henry Stone 6c Co. They manufacture from 6 
 to 7 thousand yards of sheeting per week, and employ 60 hands. The 
 number of spindles is 2009, and of looms, 42. This factory is situated on 
 the ten-mile river, one mile from its mouth. 
 
 Hunt's Mills, Seekonk, embrace a Grist and Saw Mill, Carding Ma- 
 chines, Clothier's Works, and a small Cotton Factory. This factory runs 
 864 spindles, 21 looms, manufactures printing cloths, and emjiloys about 
 20 hands. It was erected in 1822. 
 
 Cove Factory, Seekonk, contains. 3000 spindles and 72 looms, employs 
 about 60 hands, and manufactures cloths, of No. 30. The present occu- 
 pants are J3osvvorth, Blake & Co. 
 
 [Robert the Hermit. Since the account of Robert the Hermit, 
 found in our Biographical Sketches, was in type, I have been favored, 
 through the kindness of Albert G. Greene, Esq. of Providence, with some 
 farther yiarticulars respecting the life of that anchorite after the date of 
 the j)ublication of the Memoir from which our account was derived. 
 They are as follows :] 
 
 Soon after the publication of the "Narrative," by Mr. Trumbull, in 
 1829, the ])roceeds from the sale of which were intended for the relief of 
 Robert, Mr. T. contracted with a carpenter to build a comforta- 
 ble dwelling for him. While this was in progress, the hut in whicii he 
 dwelt was consumed by fire, originating in the carelessness or mischief 
 of some idle boys. After the loss of liis hut, Robert was prevailed u])on 
 to take up his quarters in a neighboring house, until his own was com- 
 pleted. He removed to his new dwelling, in the winter of 1830. His 
 health soon after began to fail, and his illness terminated in consumption. 
 In March 1832, it was remarked by the occupants of the toll-house at the 
 " Lower Bridge," as it is called, that he had not been seen for several 
 days; and on going to his house, they found him in an almost dying con- 
 dition. He said that he had not suffered much, except from the want of 
 water. Every assistance was rendered him until his death, which took 
 place on Sunday, April 1, 1832. 
 
 The following are exact fac-similes of the original signatures of three 
 of the signers of the compact for the government of the town, found at 
 page 28; viz. JVulter Palmer, Ralph Shtphtrd, and the Rtv. Samuel 
 jVewman. 
 
 w 
 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Abell, Robert, ordered to keep an ordinary ^j45. 47 
 
 Academy (Pawtucket.) 239 
 
 Angier, Rev. Samuel,. 119. 121. 124. 129, 130. 208 
 
 Annawan, capture and death of, 104-116 
 
 Annawan's rock, 104-5 
 
 Attleborough, [see Rehoboth North Purchase.] 
 
 Attleborough Gore, 1 ; battle on, 87. 94 
 
 Bank (Pawtucket,) 239 
 
 Barney, Rev. James O 228 
 
 Black.stone, Mr William, 2-14 
 
 Blackstone, Mrs. Sarah, 7,8 
 
 Blackstone, John, 12, 13 
 
 Brick-rnaker, 59. 67 
 
 Bridge (Pawtucket,) 23!>. 242 
 
 Brown, Mr. John, 35. 45, 46-7. 52-3 
 
 Brown, James, 53. 75. 78 
 
 Brown University, graduates of, 277-280 
 
 Burying-places, 120, 121 
 
 Canonchet, capture and death of, 97. 101 
 
 Carnes, Rev. John, 141.208. 213 
 
 Chair, Philip's, anecdote of, 96 
 
 Church, Capt. or Col 75. 81-2, 85-6, 105. 116 
 
 Clark, Rev. Henry, 229 
 
 Classical Institute (Seekonk,) 230 
 
 Comer, Rev. John, 180-5 
 
 Comjjact signed by the first settlers of Rehoboth, 28 
 
 Concordance, Newman's, 55-6. 281-5 
 
 Confirmation Deed of the Colony, 122-5 
 
 Cotton, Rev. John, letter of, 101-2 
 
 Cotton Factories, 237-9. 285-6 
 
 Courts established at Rehoboth, 40 
 
 Deed of Wamsitta or Alexander, 51 
 
 Deed of Philip, 64-6 
 
 Deed of William Bradford, 125-9 
 
 Deer, 139 
 
 Deputies to Plymouth Court, list of, 168-9 
 
 Division of land, 27. 34. 33. 48-9. 67 
 
288 IN"DEX. 
 
 EccLF.siASTicAL Affairs. Hchoboth. First Congregational Church, 173-180. 
 
 Baptist Churches — Oak Swani]» Church, 180-5. 
 
 Round's Church, 1 85— Reformed Methodist, 186, 
 
 Iron's Church, 18(3-7 — Hick's Church, 187-9 — 
 
 Pierce's Church, 189. 
 
 Srekonk. Congregational Church. 203. 228 — 
 
 Baptist Church, 228. 23"!. 
 
 Pnwtucliet. Elder Potter's Church, 243-4 — 
 
 Elder Green's Cinirch, 245 — Conoreo-ational 
 
 Church, 245-0. 
 
 Eldridge, Rev. Joseph S 18G 
 
 Ellis, Rev. John, 213. 227 
 
 Fast proclaimed on the eve of Philip's War, copy of the proclamation, 7!) 
 
 Fences, 24. 30. 32. 3(J, 37. (30 
 
 Fighting Town Meeting, account of, 160-7 
 
 Fisheries, 38. 157. 201 
 
 Fowler, Sanuiel Metcalf, 247-8 
 
 Fuller, Dr. Samuel, 53 
 
 Garrison-houses, 77-8 
 
 Goats, 40 
 
 Grafton, Rev. Benjamin, 2211 
 
 Grass, time of mowing regulated, 45. 61 
 
 Grain, prices of, 43, 44. 5!J. 139 
 
 Green, Rev. Daniel 245 
 
 Greenwood, Rev. Thomas, 121). 131. 136. 208 
 
 Greenwood, Rev. John, 136, 137. 140-J . 2U8 
 
 Hazel, John, 22, 23, 24, 37 
 
 Hicks, Rev. John, 187 
 
 Hicks, Rev. Daniel, 187 
 
 Highways, 32. 40, 41, 42. 45. 139. 200 
 
 HiU, Rev. John, 228 
 
 Holmes, Obadiah, 46. 63. 205-7 
 
 Hopkins, Rev. Asa T. 245-6 
 
 Hunt, Lieut. Ephraim, bequest of, 1 76 
 
 Hyde, Rev. Ephraim, 141. 2J3 
 
 Indians, 35. 43, 44. 49, 50-1 , 52. GO. 69. 72-1 18 
 
 Indian 'War 72-1 18 
 
 Irons, Rev. Jeremiah, 186 
 
 Johnson, Rev. Lorenzo D 186 
 
 Jones, Rev. John P 229 
 
 Labor, prices of regulated by the town, , 29 
 
 Laws publicly read by order of the Governor, 1 24 
 
 Lawyers, sketches of, 273 
 
 Library of Mr. William Blackstone, , 8 
 
 Long Meeting, 214-227 
 
 Lyceum (Seekonk,) 230 
 
 Magistrates first appointed at Rehoboth, 47 
 
 Manton'sNeck, 17. 30. 38 
 
 Martin, Rev. Daniel, 1S9 
 
 Mason, Sampson, 48 
 
 Maxwell, Rev. Samuel 1^4 
 
 M'Cloth, Rev. Benjamin, ]f^(> 
 
 Meeting-houses, 26.41.49.72.132.139 
 
INDEX. 289 
 
 Millard, Rev. Nathaniel, 184 
 
 Military Stores, 43. 70. 146-7. 159. 167 
 
 Military company first organized, 44 ; its officers, 45. 
 
 Ministers 21. 54-8, 59. 61, 62, 63-4. 68-9. 71 . 87. 119, 120. 
 
 130. 136. 141. 174. 189. 204. 230. 243-6. 
 
 Mowry, Rev. J. S 187 
 
 Myles (or Miles,) Rev. John, 61, 62, 63-4 
 
 Newman, Rev. Samuel, 21. 25. 28. 31. 46. 48. 54-8. 205, 281-5, 286 
 
 Newman, Rev. Noah, 57-8. 68-9. 71. 87. 119, 120. 208 
 
 letter of, respecting Pierce's Fight, 91-2 
 
 Nine Men's Misery, 94-5 
 
 North Purchase (Rehoboth,) 1, 49; boundaries of, 50; deed of, 51 ; items, 60, 
 
 61,62.66,67.70. 122. 
 Northorp, Rev. William, 189 
 
 Paine, Rev. John, 185 
 
 Palmer's River, neighborhood of, 134, 135 
 
 Parsonage built, 59 
 
 Pawtucket, meaning of the word 2; town incorporated 231 ; description of the 
 village and falls of, 234-6. 
 
 Peck, Mr. Joseph, 47 
 
 Philip (King) gives a quit claim of Rehoboth, 64-6 ; permits his men to march 
 out to Swansey to annoy the English, 76 ; attacks the English 
 at Swansey, 80-4 ; crosses Seekonk Plain, and is attacked by 
 the people of Rehoboth, headed by the Rev. Noah Newman, 87; 
 burns Rehoboth, 95-6. 
 
 Physicians, 53. 118. 131. 139 
 
 Physicians, sketches of, - 273-7 
 
 Pierce, Capt. Michael, fights with the Indians, and is slain with nearly all his 
 
 men, 87.94 
 
 Pitman, Rev. John 229 
 
 Poor-house, 1 aS. 1 59 
 
 Potter, Rev. Ray, 243-4 
 
 Pounds, 47. 139 
 
 Quit-claim deed of King Philip, G4-6 
 
 Quit-claim deed of William Bradford, 125-9 
 
 Rehoboth, original extent of, 1 ; meaning of the word, 31 ; purchased of Mas- 
 sasoit, 21-3 ; first permanent settlement of, 23-5 ; incorporated, 31 ; 
 burned by the Indians, 95-6 ; Seekonk taken from it, 167. 
 
 Representatives, list of, 169. 171. 201-2. 242 
 
 Revolutionary aifairs, .141-157 
 
 Revolutionary Soldiers, alphabetical list of, 156-7 
 
 Rock, Roger Williams', 19 ; Annawan's, 104-5 
 
 Robert the Hermit, 249. 259. 286 
 
 Robinson, Dr. Samuel 248-9 
 
 Rogerson, Rev. Robert, , 176-7 
 
 Round, Rev. David, 185 
 
 Round, Rev. Sylvester, 185 
 
 Sam the Indian, 60 
 
 Schools, 119. 121, 122. 131, 132, 133, 134. 136. 138, 139. 141. 
 
 157. 159, 160. 167, 168. 194. 201. 
 
 Senators, lists of, 171 . 202. 2^12 
 
 Seekonk, meaning of the word, 1 ; Roger Williams settles here, 17; Philip 
 plans an attack upon, 73 ; the town incorporated, 191-2. 
 
 Shav's Rebellion, 157-9 
 
 ^ 37 
 
290 INDEX. ; - 
 
 Sheldon, Rev. James, 186 
 
 Plater, Samuel, 236-7 
 
 Smith, Dr. Nathan, 259. 266 
 
 Spring, Roger Williams', 17. 18 
 
 Stevenson, John, 8. 13, 14 
 
 Study Hill, description of, 6 
 
 Swansey, 1. 63-4. 76-7. 80-6 
 
 Symes, Rev. Zachariah, 58-9. 61. 207 
 
 Thompson, Rev. Otis, 177-9 
 
 Town Clerks of Rehoboth, 42. 45. 49. 171-2 
 
 Trip-hammer allowed to be set up, 133 
 
 Turner, Rev. David, 137. 139, 174-5 
 
 Vernon, Rev. Thomas, , 179 
 
 Wachemoquit cove, 35 
 
 Wachemoquit neck, 35. 37. 39 
 
 Wampum used as currency, 43, 44. 49 
 
 Wamsitta or Alexander sells Rehoboth North Purchase, 50-2 
 
 Wannamoiset, 1. 35 
 
 Wa wepoonseag, 7 
 
 Welsh Records, 63 
 
 West, Benjamin, 266-8 
 
 Weymouth, notice of the first church at, 204-5 
 
 Wharves built, 71. 134 
 
 Wheaton, Rev. Josephus, 268-9 
 
 Wlieaton, Horatio G 269 
 
 Wild-cats, , 137, 138 
 
 Williams, Roger, 14. 21 
 
 Willett, Capt. Thomas, 50-2. 59. 269. 272 
 
 Winchester, Rev. Elhanan, 187-9 
 
 Wolves, 37. 44 
 
 Woodcock's garrison,. • . .77-8 
 
 1 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Attleborough. 
 
 George Bliss. 
 Jonathan Bliss. 
 Joseph W. Capron. 
 Zenas B. Carpenter. 
 John Daggett, Esq. 
 Leprelet Dean. 
 Paschal Handy. 
 Hartford Ide. 
 Seneca Sandford, Esq. 
 
 Boston, 
 
 Rufus Adams. 
 
 Alanson Bigelow. 
 
 Alden Bradford, Esq. 
 
 Le Baron Bradford, 2 copies. 
 
 Amos Baker. 
 
 Alfred Bragg. 
 
 Thomas Burnham. 
 
 C. C. Dean. 
 
 Hon. John Davis. 
 
 Samuel G. Drake. 
 
 Rev. Joseph B. Felt. 
 
 Nathan D. Hyde, 3 copies. 
 
 Moses Kimball. 
 
 Charles Lowell, D D. 
 
 Hon. Nahum Mitchell. 
 
 Dr. Richard D. Mott, 2 copies. 
 
 Oliver L. Perkins. 
 
 Capt. William C. Rogers. 
 
 Hon. James Savage. 
 
 Daniel P. Simpson. 
 
 Lemuel Shattuck. 
 
 Joseph A. Whitmarsh. 
 
 Charles Whitney. 
 
 Bristol, (R. L) 
 
 Horatio Bullock. 
 George E. Warren. 
 
 Bridgevv^ater (East.) 
 
 Bartholomew Brown, Esq. 
 George H. Brown. 
 Aaron Hobart, Esq. 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 Frederick A. Eddy. 
 
 Henry Chapin. 
 
 Josiah Quincy, L. L. D. 2 copies. 
 
 Rev. Jared Sparks. 
 
 Concord, (N. H.) 
 
 John Farmer, Esq. 
 
 Cumberland, (R. L) 
 
 Oren A. Ballou, A. M. 
 Henry P. Baldwin. 
 JohnB. Walker. 
 Aaron White, jr. Esq. 
 
 Dedham. 
 
 Sylvester W. Talbot. 
 Dr. Jesse Wheaton. 
 David Wight. 
 Ezra Wilkinson, Esq. 
 
 DiGHTON. 
 
 Samuel O. Case. 
 Nathaniel Pierce, jr. 
 Miss Maria M. Talbot. 
 
 Fall River. 
 
 Richard W. Batt. 
 James L. Bliss. 
 Hiram Bliss. 
 Samuel Carpenter. 
 
292 
 
 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 Samuel Chace. 
 William I. Gray. 
 John K. Read. 
 Nathan Read. 
 
 HlNGHAM. 
 
 Hon. Solomon Lincoln. 
 
 HOPKINTON. 
 
 Elias Nason. 
 
 Lexington. 
 
 Ambrose Wellington. 
 
 New Bedford. 
 
 Daniel Ricketson, Esq. 
 
 Pawtucket. 
 
 William Allen. 
 Joseph A. Allen. 
 Holder Aimy. 
 Edmund Bayley, Esq. 
 Freeman Bahery. 
 Philander Baker. 
 Asa Bates. 
 William Bayley. 
 Nalium Bates, jr. 
 Rev. David Benedict. 
 Albert Bliss. 
 Samuel P. Bliss. 
 Draper Carpenter, M. D. 
 Hiram W. Chase. 
 C. R. Croade. 
 Daniel R. Clarke. 
 Edward W. Curtis. 
 Addington Davenport. 
 Edward Dana. 
 Ira Draper. 
 A. T. Dunham. 
 Thomas Esten. 
 William T. Esten. 
 Ira D. Ellis. 
 Squire French. 
 Rev. Daniel Green. 
 Johnson Gardner, M. D. 
 Joseph Hale, A. M. 
 Joseph Healy. 
 Ferdinand llorton. 
 Elijah Ingraham. 
 Albert C. Jenks. 
 Lewis T. Jenks. 
 Mrs. £. N. Johnson. 
 Henry W. Kingman. 
 Seba Kent. 
 
 Wellington Kent. 
 
 F. F. Lefavour. 
 
 Robert G. Levi'is. 
 
 Barney Merry. 
 
 William Mitchell. 
 
 J. W. Miller. 
 
 Horace Miller. 
 
 Ellis B. Pitcher. 
 
 Earned Pitcher. 
 
 Charles B. Ripley. 
 
 John B. Read. 
 
 Alvin O. Read. 
 
 Harvey G. Robinson. 
 
 Hon. J. C. Starkweather, 3 copies. 
 
 Jenerson Smitli. 
 
 Simeon Smith. 
 
 Elbridge G. Snow. 
 
 Rodney Sibley, 3 copies. 
 
 William Sweet. 
 
 Rev. George Taft. 
 
 Amos A. Tillinghast. 
 
 Wheaton Ware. 
 
 James Weeden. 
 
 John H. Weeden, Esq. 
 
 Russell D. Walker. 
 
 John F. Walcott. 
 
 Edward S. Wilkinson. 
 
 David B. Warren. 
 
 William W. Wilkinson. 
 
 George Wilkinson. 
 
 Philadelphia, (Pa.) 
 
 Joshua Coffin. 
 
 Plymouth. 
 
 Hon. Nathaniel M. Davis. 
 James Thacher, M. D. 
 Winslow Warren, M. D. 
 
 Providence, (R. I-) 
 
 Oliver Angell. 
 
 William Aplin. 
 
 S. A. Aplin, jr. 
 
 George Baker. 
 
 Hon. Samuel W. Bridgham. 
 
 Hon. Tristam Burges. 
 
 Joseph R. Brown. 
 
 John E. Brown. 
 
 Samuel Billinofs. 
 
 Calvin J. W. Bullock. 
 
 Thomas F. Carpenter, Esq. 
 
 Newton Carpenter. 
 
 Josiah Chapin. 
 
 Samuel Curry. 
 
 Walter R. Danforth, Esq. 
 
 George Dana. 
 
 1 
 
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 293 
 
 Thomas C. Glading. 
 J. W. D. Hall. 
 John Howland, Esq. 
 Moses Brown Ives. 
 Robert H. Ives. 
 Samuel D. Lindsey. 
 Charles E. Newell. 
 Usher Parsons, M. D. 
 Thomas Pierce, jr. 
 Samuel W. Peckham, Esq. 
 William E. Richmond, Esq. 
 William R. Staples, Esq. 
 Moses R. Suares. 
 George A. Taylor. 
 Samuel Thurber. 
 William Viall. 
 N. Viall, jr. 
 Josiah Wardwell. 
 
 Rehobotu. 
 
 Caleb Barney. 
 James Blanding, Esq. 
 George Bliss, 2 copies. 
 James Bliss, Esq. 
 Elijah Bliss. 
 Asahel Bliss. 
 James Bliss, 3d. 
 George W. Bliss. 
 Adolphus F. Bliss. 
 Ira Bliss. 
 
 Benjamin Bowen, jr. 
 Amos M. Bullock. 
 Salmon D. Bullock. 
 W. K. Bullock. 
 Asaph Carpenter. 
 Stephen Carpenter. 
 William Carpenter. 
 William Cole. 
 George Cole. 
 Simeon Cole. 
 S. W. Drown. 
 Israel Drown, jr. 
 Daniel Edson. 
 Otis Goff. 
 Darius Horton. 
 James Horton. 
 Lewis L. Hicks. 
 Elnathan Jones. 
 William Marvel, 2d. 
 James H. Mumford. 
 Mrs. Hannah B. Peck. 
 George W. Peck. 
 Benjamin Peck. 
 Gideon Peck. 
 Gilbert Pierce. 
 Noah Pierce. 
 Cyreal Peck. 
 Otis Perry. 
 
 Levi Eaton, Esq. 
 
 Hon. James Fenner. 
 
 Albert G. Greene, Esq. 
 
 Rufus W. Greene, Esq. 
 
 Menzias R. Randall, M. D. 
 
 Samuel W. Remington. 
 
 Gustavus A. Read. 
 
 John R. Rogerson. 
 
 Farnum A. Sumner. 
 
 Rev. Otis Thompson. 
 
 Benjamin Thurber. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Vernon, 2 copies. 
 
 Joseph Watson. 
 
 William H. Watson. 
 
 William Watson. 
 
 Jonathan Wheaton, jr. 
 
 Col. Joseph Wheaton. 
 
 N. Wever. 
 
 Seekonk. 
 
 Caleb Abell. 
 
 Comfort Allen. 
 
 Wheaton Allen. 
 
 Otis Allyn. 
 
 Lewis Allen. 
 
 Rev. James O. Barney. 
 
 Joseph C. Brown. 
 
 John Brown. 
 
 Henry Brown. 
 
 Almond O. Bourne. 
 
 William Bowen. 
 
 Ebenezer Bishop. 
 
 Miss Huldah Bucklin. 
 
 Rev. Henry Clark. 
 
 Benoni Carpenter, M. D. 
 
 Penuel Carpenter. 
 
 Sanger Grossman. 
 
 Job Carpenter. 
 
 Samuel S. Daggett. 
 
 Miss Hannah B. Daggett. 
 
 VTilham Ellis. 
 
 Ezra French. 
 
 Ezra W. French. 
 
 George W. French. 
 
 Church Gray. 
 
 Simeon Grant. 
 
 William Hammond. 
 
 Thomas Handy. 
 
 Allen Hunt, Esq. 
 
 Daniel I. Hunt. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Hunt, 3 copies. 
 
 William D. Hunt. 
 
 William Ide. 
 
 Jabel Ingraham. 
 
 Mrs. Hannah Jacobs. 
 
 Samuel Kent. 
 
 Elnathan Lake. 
 
 Obadiah Lyon. 
 
294 
 
 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 Wheeler Martin, Esq. 
 Dr. Calvin Martin. 
 George A. Miller. 
 Thomas Munroe, jr. 
 Jesse Medbury. 
 Zenas B. Newman. 
 Edward Peck. 
 Calvin J. Peck. 
 Nelson Perren, M. D. 
 John Perren. 
 David Perren. 
 Daniel Perren, ' 
 Nathaniel Read, jr. 
 David Ryder. 
 Henry A. Stone. 
 Mrs. Hannah Walker. 
 Alfred Walker. 
 Peter H. Wheaton. 
 Joel Whitaker. 
 
 Stow. 
 
 Rufus Hosmer, Esq. 
 Jonathan Newell, M. D. 
 
 Tadnton. 
 
 Hon. Francis Baylies. 
 
 Thomas H. Carpenter. 
 Benjamin R. Dean, Esq. 
 Hon. James Ellis. 
 
 Upton. 
 
 Dr. John Starkweather. 
 
 Valley Falls. (Smithfidd, R. I.) 
 
 Adolphus Beals. 
 
 Hiram Bucklin, M. D. 2 copies. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Fessenden. 
 
 Watertown. 
 
 Samuel Barnard, jr. 
 Jeremiah Russell, jr. 
 
 Warren, (R. I.) 
 
 Alfred Bosworth. 
 
 Rev. George Hathaway. 
 
 4 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 
 
 ao-e 10th, line 15th, for " in classic ground," read « on classic ground. 
 " 48th, hnes 11 and 23d, for " 1757," read " 1657." 
 « 57lb, line 33d, for " April 16, 1676," read " April 16, 1678. 
 
I 
 
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