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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE ^i^' 
 
 LIFE, DEEDS AND 0]IARACTER 
 
 MATHEW CRADOCK. 
 
 BY DAV;[J) -R,OBERT.S. 
 
 ( From the Proceedings of the Essex Institute. 
 
 SALEM- -'^' 
 
 WM. IVKS AND GEO. W. PEASE, PRINTERS, 
 
 OBSBRVER OFPICE 
 
 IS56. 
 
fc 
 
 7 
 
 (2g§ 
 
IIISTOHICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 During the latter part of the reign of James 1st, and the 
 beginning of that of Charles 1st, (while Strafford and Laud 
 had the control of affairs in England) events transpired, -which 
 ultimately resulted in the permanent planting of the colonies of 
 Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. 
 
 The arrival of the Mayflower is an epoch in history, and 
 especially in the history of this continent. 
 
 So also may the transfer of the government of Massachusetts 
 from London, with its charter, under John Winthrop, be 
 regarded as another epoch in American History. 
 
 Both events are and ever will be memorable. The Rock of 
 Plymouth has alike inspired the pen of history and tongue of 
 the orator. The 101 persons, who landed at Plymouth, seeking, 
 under Brewster, an asylum in the Avilderness, where they could 
 escape from the persecution consequent upon the reformation, 
 and worship God freely, suffered as only martyrs for opinions' 
 sake and the freedom of conscience can suffer. 
 
 The Plymouth Landing preceded in time if not in importance 
 the transfer of the charter of King Charles 1st ; which last, as 
 an historical event, has become conspicuous above most others, 
 as it has led naturally to the erection in America of an Inde- 
 pendent Republican Government. 
 
 A survey of tlie circumstances attending this act, and the 
 particular instruments by which it was brought about, cannot 
 fail to be of interest, if dealt with in a manner befitting their 
 intrinsic importance. 
 
 Religious intolerance had driven Rev. John Robinson and 
 his followers into exile from England, first to Holland and 
 afterward a portion of them to America. 
 
 In this country, the great plague of 1(.U7 had so diminished 
 
the numbers of the native Indians Avho had heretofore roamed 
 through our fields and forests, as to render the planter's new 
 home here measurably safe and secure. 
 
 Toil, danger, disease and other exposures, were to be endured; 
 but the courage, spirit and enthusiasm of the adventurers 
 proved equal to all emergencies. Conant, Palfrey, Balch, 
 AVoodbury and Trask Avere at Cape Ann, before even Endicott 
 was sent over by the London Company. Abandoned by Rev. 
 John Lyford (who had returned to Virginia,) all but Conant 
 were about giving up in despair. But Conant's strong will and 
 determination persuaded and detained his desponding companions. 
 Counselled by Rev. John White to hold out for aid and supplies, 
 they bravely awaited the next tidings from England ; and the 
 opportune arrival of Endicott infused into them new life and 
 hope ; with and under him a local government was framed 
 which answered every purpose, until Winthrop came along 
 with the original charter. 
 
 Then was planted that political seed, the growth of which 
 from blossom to bud and fronife^ to fruit, all may now trace 
 historically in the recently published Records of Massachusetts. 
 By whose hand that seed was selected and whose agency at 
 London was paramount in wrapping it up in the folds of that 
 Parchment, (the charter of King Charles 1st) is the particulai* 
 subject which I incline to discuss for a while and to which I 
 invite your attention. 
 
 The original patent was granted to Sir Henry Roswell and 
 others — three of whom sold out — and, through the influence of 
 Rev. J. White, a company was formed and a government was 
 organized (consisting of a Governor, Deputy Governor and 18 
 assistants) — and Matliew Cradock, a London Merchant, of vast 
 resources, great business capacity, and ardent and enthusiastic 
 in the pursuit of any enterprise undertaken by him, was the 
 first selected chief and Governor of the Company at London. 
 He it was, who selected John Endicott (his cousin by inter- 
 marriage) as the trusted agent and Governor of the Colony to 
 reside in New Endand. 
 
lie first •' himself conceived " and submitted to the company 
 the proposition to transfer the charter to New England. lie 
 gave way for the choice of a new Governor and was of course 
 greatly instrumental in selecting and delegating Winthrop as 
 the local Governor under the charter, to reside in New England, 
 and ultimately by his agent and men (in conjunction witli the 
 Governor) in founding, on the Mystic River, the ancient town 
 of IMedford. 
 
 With these preliminary remarks, and with only fragmentary 
 scraps at my command, I will now endeavor to present the 
 result of all that I have gleaned, illustrative of the origin, life, 
 pursuits and character of Mathew Cradock, 
 
 He was of an old English family. Originally the name -was 
 supposed to be Caradoc. His geneaology is traceable back to 
 the year 1446, to John Cradock 1st, who married Jane Dor- 
 rington, through a John 2d, Richard, Thomas 1st, Thomas 2d, 
 William and his fiither Mathew. The father was born 1563, 
 married Dorothy Greenway (of Dorsetshire) and had two sons, 
 our Mathew and Samuel, who was a clerk at Thistleton, in 
 Rutland Co., had the entire confidence of his brother and was 
 made his residuary legatee by will. 
 
 Governor Cradock was twice married ; first to Damaris, 
 daughter of Richard Winne, of Salop, by whom he had a 
 daughter, also named Damaris, baptised November 1st, 1623, 
 and who was afterward married to Thomas Andrews, a leather 
 seller of London. 
 
 His second wife was Rebecca (daughter of Thomas Jordan, 
 a London merchant) by whom he had three children, Mathew, 
 Thomas and Mary, who were severally baptized in 1632, 1634 
 and 1637. These and the time of his daughter's baptism are 
 the only positive dates we can find, except the date of his will, 
 which was November 9th, 1640. 
 
 Taking these dates and that of his father's birth, (1563,) 
 we are only able to infer that his age, when we first find him, a 
 character in life and a maVked personage in history (and then, 
 
6 
 
 1634, a rich, leading London merchant) was about 80. or, as 
 nearly as I can by hypothesis arrive at the truth, l)etween 25 
 and 40 years of age. 
 
 He had also a sister Sawyer ; but how a sister, whether his own 
 or by marriage, neither conjecture nor the fragments of family 
 history yet discovered have enabled me to decide. At all events, 
 she is spoken of in his will as having largely shared his affection 
 and esteem, and so provided for as to be placed beyond actual 
 •want in the world. No mention is made of her in the published 
 genealogical tables, though she is named in the Governor's will. 
 Her daughter (Dorothy) is also a legatee and her other 
 children. So then, the Governor, his brother Samuel and 
 sister (Sawyer) were all of the Governor's immediate family. 
 
 Nor^does it appear that, at the time of making his will, any 
 of his children were of age or married, or that the three children 
 by his second wife were even then living Damaris alone is 
 named, and she was then IT years of age. and unless by her, 
 there were no immediate descendants of the Governor himself: 
 and of course the name of Cradock is borne only by collateral 
 branches of the family. 
 
 His brother, Samuel, left sous ; one of whom was afterward 
 Rector of North Cadbury, in the County of Somersett, and suc- 
 ceeded to the Wickham Brook estate. 
 
 A notion has existed that the Governor died about 1644. 
 This I deem erroneous, for reasons which I will state : 
 
 In 1639, 2 (5) Mathcw Cradock conveys to Thomas May- 
 hew "^ water mill in Watertown." 
 
 1640, he was chosen a member of Parliament. 
 
 1640, November 3, Parliament was assembled. 
 
 1640, June 29, M. C. takes from Thomas Dexter, "mort- 
 , gage of farm in Lynn." 
 
 1641, April 26, M. C. conveys messuage in Mystic to 
 Josias Daws ton. 
 
 1640, November 9. M. C. made his will. 
 
 1642, Septoinlier 2, Rebecca Cradock takes conveyance of 
 •' 9 acres in Watertown," from Robert Saltoustall. 
 
Same date, Rebecca C. executrix of 'SI. C.'fS last will, &c., 
 takes •' mortgage of house in Lynn," from Thomas Dexter. 
 
 1G44, March 1. Richard Glover and his wife Rebecca exe- 
 <f/(r (til ii/dc/iiurc. 
 
 1045, February 12, Richard Glover and his wife Rebecca, 
 constitute Nicholas Davison their attorney. 
 
 1046, December 00, N. Davison as att'y, for R. G. and his 
 wife, releases "farm and ware in Lynn,"" to Richard Leader, for 
 undertakers of the Iron Works. 
 
 1647, 18 (1) N. Davison, att'y to •' Mrs. Rebecca Cradock, 
 alias Glover, sole executrix," &c., of M. Cradock, grants to 
 Thos- Mayhew 1000 acres INIartin's Vineyard, and 500 do in 
 Watcrtown. 
 
 1650, June 6, N. Davison, att'y for Mrs. Rebecca Cradock, 
 alias Glover, grants house, &c., in Marblehead, to Wm. Walton. 
 
 1652, June 2, Rebecca Whitchcott, wife of Benjamin W., 
 D. D., demises to Edward Collins J Medford estate, for 50 years, 
 for £120, payable at the house of Francis Archer, Cheapsidc, 
 London; — one half June 3rd, 1653, the other one half June 
 3rd 1654 ; and Wm. Crowther, Esq., Thomas Jordan, mer- 
 chant, (her father) Thomas Horton, D. D., and John Jolliffe, 
 merchant, appointed her trustees before her intermarriage with 
 Dr. Benjamin Whitchcott, join in the demise. 
 
 In the list of members of Parliament, for 1640, against the 
 name of Mathew Cradock, is this entry — '•' deceased 1640." 
 
 This would seem to be conslusive against the notion of his 
 decease in 1644 ; and if Cobbett's Parliamentary History be in 
 this respect an accurate transcript of the House Journal, then 
 he must have died prior to 25th March, 1641. But unfortu- 
 nately the conveyance to Josias Dawston, April 26th, 1641, to 
 be found recorded in the Suffolk Registry of Deeds,' made by 
 Cradock himself, and not as usual by his attorney, and signed 
 with his own name, is quite incompatible with this hypothesis, 
 and so obscurity must still hang upon the precise period of his 
 decease. 
 
 This much however seems logically deducible from the 
 above dates and transactions — that Governor Cradock died after 
 the year 1640, and before September 2nd, 1642, when convey- 
 ances were made to " Mrs. Kehecra Cradoch\ executrix. 4*c." 
 
This pliraseology, the Governor's prior decease, and lapse of time 
 sufficient to enable the widow to probate the will, and take 
 upon herself the administration of her husband's estate, all 
 strengthen and confirm the position. 
 
 Thus much for the date of his decease —and the foregoing 
 dates will enable others (if disposed) to pursue the subject far- 
 ther, especially if they shall have occasion or opportunity to 
 get access to the Parish Records of St. Swithen's, London. 
 
 Of Richard Glover, nothing seems to be known. Dr. Whitch- 
 cott is spoken of by Tillotson as an accurate and thorough 
 scholar. He sided with the Parliament against the King, and 
 in the changes consequent upon Cromwell's success, he was 
 appointed the head of King's College, thus displacing its former 
 master, Dr. Collins. 
 
 Here let us turn and contemplate the situation, condition 
 and business in life, of Governor Cradock. Educated for mer- 
 cantile pursuits, having himself served an apprenticeship in 
 Broad Street, London, pursuing his calling with assiduity and 
 with a devotion, too, which is always an earnest of success — 
 in middle life discovering every symptom of having acquired 
 ample wealth, with his house in the city and seat in the coun- 
 try, ships to fit out, cargoes to buy, wages to pay, instructions 
 to write, masters and officers to select, books to balance, clerks 
 to oversee, merchandise in England to look after, lands in New 
 England to improve and cultivate, money to furnish for his own 
 business and money also to advance for the Company, with 
 man servants and maid servants to direct, he still finds time to 
 preside at the Company's Courts in London, — takes part in 
 their discussions and engages with heart and bravery in what 
 time has proved to be one of the noblest of colonizing enter- 
 prizes. In this project, the Company had to feel its way and 
 always under Cradock' s lead, both in council and disbursements ; 
 for in whatever he engaged, it was always with his whole heart. 
 He was ever ready with men or money, with materials or assu- 
 rances, as partner or on his own hook, to ship for the Company 
 or himself, to furnish or buy supplies, assorted or other cargoes; 
 
9 
 
 if the Company were at a ilead-lot-k in its fmnnccs. lie would 
 advanoe the requisite funds ; wlion tlie Company couhl send 
 hut two ships, he wouM himself send a third; if tiie Company 
 could not pay seamen's wages, he would ; instead of permittiuf^ 
 delay, his mercantile mind secured dispatch ; that the ships 
 (being at great cost) would not return empty, he wrote to 
 instruct Endicott to secure in advance, beaver, fish, sumac, 
 sarsaparilla, timber and other commodities, for return cargoes ; 
 and also 300 firkins of good sturgeon, which (if well cured) 
 would secure the voyage. 
 
 Every resource, shift, expedient and contrivance of a mer- 
 cantile, administrative and diplomatic mind even, he, on some 
 occasion displayed. When a larger ship (the Eagle, afterward 
 named the Arabella,) Avas wanted, beside his share of the joint 
 stock, lie himself subscribes for l-8th on his own private account. 
 In general subscriptions, when others wrote for <£20, up to j£100, 
 he would write for j£150, and so was it in almost every emer- 
 gency of the early proprietors. If any gulf of embarrassment or 
 of difiiculty was to be bridged over, he was ready to build the 
 bridge or to take the lead in building it. Instant in season and 
 out of season, at all times and with every variety of aid to promote 
 the " main aim and purpose " of the plantation, and if possible 
 to christianize the natives. These his great tasks and risks, 
 immense liabilities and heavy disbursements were assumed and 
 borne cheerfully, and unhesitatingly ; and accordingly the rec- 
 ords show that his many services Avere in due time appreciated 
 and properly recognized by those most benefitted by them, and 
 therefore the more capable of appreciating them. 
 
 Thus the Company in its second general letter say — "As 
 our Governor hath engaged himself beyond all expectation, in 
 this business, not only in his particular by great sums disbursed 
 for the general, to supply the wants thereof, so our desire is 
 that you endeavor to give all furtherance and friendly accom- 
 modation to his agents and servants there.'' 
 
 So in voting him land on the Mystic River, opposite the Ten 
 Hills Farm of Governor Winthrop. So later in our colonial 
 
10 
 
 liistory, avIipu Avas voted to his Avidow. (Rebecca Wliichcott), 
 .£679.0.4, -wliicli appeared to be a balance due to the (Jovernor 
 in his life time, and Avhicli Avas ultimately thus' paid as some 
 return for his heavy disbursements. 
 
 Moreover the many and great services of Gradock were ren- 
 dered to the plantation in its infancy, when aid was most 
 needed. He selected his " loving friend and cousin. *' John 
 Endicott, as the pioneer and first local Governor of the Com- 
 pany, lie first proposed and counselled the transfer of the 
 charter. He concurred in the appointment of Winthrop, and 
 consented to serve as one of a committee to settle the accounts. 
 When Winthrop appeared and presided at the Company's 
 Courts, in London, Cradock joined them in the subordinate 
 capacity of assistant. Pride he undoubtedly had, but no false 
 pride. In this respect, he was a marvel of self-abnegation and 
 devotion to duty. He could readily change position, but with 
 a change of position there came no change of devotion to duty. 
 He continued still the same constant friend of the enterprise. 
 Nothing seemed to swerve him from his main purpose; as prin- 
 cipal or subordinate, he remained still constant and true. Other 
 men, of probity and worth, also rendered many and great services. 
 Conant, Rev. John White, Endicott, Winthrop, Dudley, 
 Saltonstall, Johnson, Humphrey and others, were conspicu- 
 ous and efficient in our early history. Their agency is fully 
 appreciated and must ever be historically recognized. But honor- 
 ing, applauding and appreciating them all, conceding to their ser- 
 vices, all and severally the full measure of merit and applause 
 which the most exacting family friendship or love of historical 
 truth can claim or desire, yet, without disparagement to any or 
 all, could the whole extent of the risks, services and sacrifices 
 of Mathew Cradock be fully known, could his private and 
 public letters and correspondence be brought before the public, 
 could all that was said and done by him for the Company by, 
 himself in London, or through his agent (Nicholas Davison) 
 here be put upon the page of history, — a flood of light would 
 
11 
 
 be shed upon an otherwise somewhat obscure passage in our 
 early liistory, and the conjecture might be hazarded, (if not a 
 confident belief entertained), that (Jradock would, by general 
 consent, be recognized as the Father of this Colony ; and it 
 would not be that others merit was less, but because Cradock's 
 ability was greater. All served faithfully, according to their 
 several ability, but Cradock with like fidelity and according to 
 his greater wealth and abundance. 
 
 Meanwhile, other events transpired. Time wore away and 
 England was being drained by the constant emigration to 
 America. The first Stewart (James 1st), by the despotism of 
 Buckingham in ecclesiastical afiairs, had driven the band of 
 Puritans, under John Robinson, to Leyden ; the second Stew- 
 art (Charles 1st), had adopted the same despotic rule in his 
 government and had pressed into his service that ferocious 
 minion of power, Archbishop Laud. Hence, to check emigra- 
 tion and oppress the Colonies, the passenger list was required to 
 be exhibited to the Lord Treasurer and Privy Council, and their 
 approbation of it was a prerequisite, before any ship bound to 
 America could be licensed to depart. 
 
 Before the transfer of the charter to New England, the colo- 
 nists at Plymouth and Cape Ann had suffered much. Though 
 the plague of 1617 had greatly diminished the number of 
 native Indians and the great Sachem had died, yet his Squaw 
 Sachem and three sons, George, John and James still survived 
 and ruled as Sagamores, and could muster 15 or 20 men, whereas 
 formerly they could rally 100 or 200. The colonists were furnish- 
 ed'with arms and instructed to use them in self-defence — and 
 they were instructed also not to be over confident in their 
 security, but to remember Plymouth, and rely somewhat upon 
 the rifle. 
 
 February 16, 1628, was written Governor Cradock's letter "* 
 
 to his cousin John Endicott. This probably reached New Eng- 
 
 and by some fishing craft. The first and second general letters 
 
 of the Company bear date April 17 and May 28, of the same 
 
 year. Both referred to the Governors and were written at 
 
 \' 
 
12 
 
 leisure by Rev. John White or Counsellor Whyte, on both of 
 whom the Company much leaned for counsel. But the Gov- 
 ernor's letter preoccupied the ground — more brief and less 
 minute, yet equally comprehensive and exhausting all the chief 
 topics — written with dispatch but touching every subject and 
 adopted in the Company's two letters as part and parcel of 
 them. And here again we sec tlie master spirit. In the first 
 patent, Sir Henry Roswell appeared, but it was only in name. 
 Cradock's lot and part in the business, when he appeared, Avas 
 not only a name but a reality. Cradock's name was equivalent 
 to action ; and wherever that appeared, ihei'e was action. That 
 first dispatch of his to Endicott was significant of his over- - 
 shadowing agency and acknowledged supremacy in the Company 
 affairs, and of the unbounded confidence of his associates in his 
 judgment and capacity. 
 
 /•'' This letter is dated "From my house, SAvithen's lane, near 
 London Stone, Feb. 16, 1628, Stllo Angliae," — and Avhere is 
 that lane ') Look at the map of London and you'll find, not far 
 from London Bridge, the very spot, where 228 years ago, 
 that letter was first penned by its author. 
 
 In a little curved street, within the Roman walls of the old 
 city of London proper, between King Williams' and Cannon 
 Streets, with the Exchange, Mansion House and Bank of Eng- 
 land in sight or hard by, Lombard, Broad and Threadneedle 
 streets at the North, the Tower a few squares East, and St. 
 Paul's Church not many more squares West, (a lane, where in 
 modern days the Rothschilds pay out their foreign loan dividends 
 and by their purse control the policy of the nations and the 
 destiny of the people of Europe,) in that semi-circular obscure 
 lane, Cradock's brain first conceived this -letter to Endicott 
 (saved as by a miracle to the present day) which embodied the 
 hopes and mirrored the policy of future millions of men, 
 
 St. Swithen's Lane indeed ! so typical of toil and treasure 
 two centuries ago, and now so famous for its more than princely 
 banking inhabitants, was well worth the search it cost mc to find 
 it on the map. In this vicinity was passed the early and later life 
 
of (jradock. In Broad street he served his apprenticeship ; in 
 Swithen's Lane was his house when Governor of the New 
 England plantation ; and there he elaborated his great ideas and 
 poured out with lavisli liberality his exhaustless treasures, to 
 found in the wilderness beyond the waters, a future nationality 
 which might rival in wealth and defy in power the oldest gov- 
 ernments of Europe. 
 
 The settlement of Virgina, the Carolinas, New York, New 
 Jersey, New Hampshire and Plymouth, in point of time pre- 
 ceded that of Massachusetts, while Connecticut, Rhode Island, 
 Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware followed. The transfer 
 of the government (with the charter,) an idea conceived by 
 Cradock himself, operated powerfully to promote the progress 
 of New England in all the arts which tend to spread civiliza- 
 tion and organize society. This, after all, the crowning act of 
 his life, stands out in bold relief. It brought Winthrop and 
 Saltonstall and Dudley and Nowell and Johnson and other 
 men of mark to our shores. These were the early pioneers and 
 patriots. What a picture the historic limner could produce 
 of this group of worthies ! 
 
 Endicott, who had nobly led the way and joined Conant and 
 others (already here) was also a patriot in the colonial cause. 
 Practically supplanted by Winthrop, he still, though returned to 
 the ranks, served as faithfully in the capacity of assistant, as he 
 had in that of Governor de jure et de facto. He submitted 
 with grace to his year's suspension like a true law-abiding and 
 order-loving citizen. At the end of the year, he was at once 
 restored to the post of assistant, and afterwards many times 
 elected Governor. 
 
 So with Dudley, who was sometime Deputy, then Assistant, 
 then Governor ; then again assistant ; and so with Bellingham, 
 Hayncs and others ; — all patriotic and devoted men^true, in 
 all stations and under all circumstances, to the best interests of 
 the Colony and the spread of true religion. No change of de- 
 votion followed any change of position. 
 
 And these were selected and approved men of Cradock. His 
 
14 
 
 knowledge of uieii seems to have been equal to liis judgment and 
 capacity for business. His plans, so well matured, were ulti- 
 mately well carried out by reliable men and means, discreetly 
 and wisely selected. This, to the earnest seeker after historical 
 truth, imports a praise in behalf of Cradock of no insignificant 
 value. Ilis means were well adapted to his ends, rendering 
 him eminently worthy of a place in history. By his labors 
 and liberality, a people was planted here; (where agriculture, 
 manufactures and commerce have since flourished:) whose mili- 
 tary and naval power have astonished Europe, and whose terri- 
 torial possessions have spanned the western continent from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. 
 
 The will of Governor Cradock fiirnishes us also a key to his 
 character. Its main purposes are benevolence, justice and re- 
 gard for personal and family friends. It may be found recorded 
 at length in the Middlesex Records, B. 2, L. 322. 
 
 But, though he never came to New England, he is the 
 recognized founder of the ancient town of Medford. There he 
 started the fisheries, had his agent, built a bridge, impaled a 
 park, erected what is called "the Garrison House or Fort," now 
 standing, employed shipwrights and built vessels. 
 
 At Ipswich and Marblehead he also had fishing establish- 
 ments. 
 
 In 1629, six shipwrights, two coopers and cleavers of timber 
 and two gardeners were sent to be paid and employed " at 
 halves" by Cradock and the Company. 
 
 In 1630, he sent over Richard Waterman " to supply good 
 venison." 
 
 In 1633, the General Court granted to him and Winthrop 
 "the Wear at Mystic." 
 
 In 1634, his house was burnt at Marblehead, were he cm- 
 ployed AUerton and others with eight boats in fishing. 
 
 In the same year, the General Court, on the 4th March, 
 voted ' ' all the ground, as well upland as meadow, lying and 
 being between the laud of Mr. Nowcll and Mr. Wilson on tiu; 
 East, and the partition betwixt Mistick bouudf> on the West; 
 
ir, 
 
 Iiountlcd -with Mistick rivov on the Sontli imd the rocks on 
 the North, is granted to Mr. Mathew Cradock, merchant.to enjoy 
 to him and his heirs forever." 
 
 1035, General Court paid him £55. 
 
 H)35, March 3, Voted, former grant to M. Cradock =' shall 
 extend one mile into the country from the river side in all 
 j)laces,"' making 3500 acres. 
 
 All cattle Avere imported by him and Avere tlie joint property 
 of him and the company, and so of the ship building materials, 
 
 1638, another 1000 acres were granted to him. 
 
 1641, June 2, John Oldham's 500 acres were " to be set 
 out" to M. Craifcck. 
 
 As the founder of Medford, he is long to be remembered. 
 Memorials still exist of the man and merchant. After the 
 " Wear at Mistick" was granted to him, he had there early his 
 agent, employed men in fishing and ship building, Avas fined 
 for their neglect in training, built a bridge over the Mystick, 
 built his house, and impaled a park ; all which look very much 
 like a contemplated future residence hero, though he never 
 came. 
 
 Had Cradock (between the years 1623 and 1641, within 
 the only eighteen years of which we can find any trace of him,) 
 crossed the Atlantic and visited this western wilderness, how 
 would he 'have been greeted by the people of that age ! The 
 Colonists of those days knew full Avell the extent and value of 
 his services. Nothing would have been conjecture. His name 
 and deeds would have been fresh and familiar to the living of 
 that day ; as the old chief of their courts and councils in Lon- 
 don, he would have been received with open hearts and arms, 
 by Endicott, and Winthrop, and Dudley, and Johnson, and 
 Nowell, and Humphrey, and all then living, and who had acted 
 with him as assistant or otherwise in the old country. 
 
 It would not have Ijcen necessary to grope among the musty 
 files of neglected history, for a fragmentary scrap here and 
 there, to revive his name ; but the living memories of that age 
 and generation Avould have supplied all deficiencies and filled up 
 
IG 
 
 and rounded to a perfect fulness the history, character and man. 
 Mathew Cradock would have been presented to us on a canvass, 
 and by artists which would have left nothing doubtful as to liis 
 proportions, name and history. 
 
 We could then have seen and known what manner of man he 
 was ; where and when he was born ; with whom he served his 
 apprenticeship in Broad street, whether it was with a merchant, 
 skinner or leather dresser ; what Avas the amount of his wealth, 
 and how he acquired it ; whether he served in the Parliament 
 of 1640, or died before taking his seat ; what family he left 
 behind him and their history to this day ; how much he risked 
 and lost to serve the Plantation ; what he gained by fishing or 
 lost by ship-building ; who served him at Medford, Ipswich and 
 Marblehead, and with what success : why the General Court 
 paid him £55 in 1635, and left .£679 6 4, unpaid, to bo 
 claimed by his widow; why his rates Avero forborne "till the 
 next ship arrives;" what, up to 1640, he did in England ; how 
 much he admired or abhorred the government of the StoAvarts, 
 under Buckingham, Strafford and Laud's administration; 
 whether or not with John Hampden, he resisted payment of 
 ship moneys and opposed the tonnage and poundage tax ; Avhat 
 he said and how he bore himself before the privy council ; 
 whether he ever contemplated i visit to Ncav England or cast 
 carelessly his bread upon the waters, never intending to follow, 
 but leave the seed planted by Endicott and Winthrop, under 
 the Charter, to fructify and germinate as it might in this 
 goodly heritage of thrift and freedom. 
 
 These and many other things might, I say, have been made 
 matter of history and not left to conjecture, had Governor 
 Cradock visited our shores. Fortunate Avill it be, if this or 
 other publications, shall arrest the attention of investigators of 
 biographical or historical truth, and turn their minds and 
 thoughts to making further explorations, so that valuable 
 researches may yet be made and desirable results attained. 
 
 2^9 89^1 
 

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