P5 v^ :«»' ■0^ o > C3 cS* -i 0^ ■» ^■^ '/grm:'^^ 'V 0^ ' ^^ %.# - ^ '-^r. ^1 **-,■»„ v^ :« c"^ '^ < ^ ^ , .V .0 ^ ^' r^^&C/^"'' %. c.'^'^ .^^ . ._ '"°. ^ ^.^^^^ ^■^^ r^o^ ■t- . j^. .A %-^^ .^0 V ^ v\ .. ^ ' « >f .-^^ .0 ^ -^^ ^%^ ^ qN o^ \d^ 0^ ^^ -•'^" -^--y?:^^%'^^ ^%'^'K^\.^^.^ '^ - .0- .. "^^^ ''^.. ..^'o r- !>;■ />^MM^ - xO ., K^^^ S^'^ ,0 :^. .^' ^ijS^'^ ^ -j^' ':j. %" " --> ,^%. ' « « <p b. 0' c-^-./'^b/^^' / ^'^1!%^"^. f ^.fi: '^^ ': '^.^ c^- "^'^ -b^' 0' '/'-Ci .5,.%. '^^. J^' .\ o3 ^O f .^^^Mt^: / f. THE PURITANS DEDICATED TO THE INDIANA SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDENTS Copyrighted t9i7 by THE BUTLER PRINTING HOUSE NOBLESVILLE, INDIANA 0£C 17 1917 ©CI.A47 9 697 7'U . / . O o o :z; o o g 3 < THE PURITANS AN HISTORICAL POEM OF America and the Birth of Freedom WITH NOTES BY P. DeLEON |:A4.4J BUTLER PRINTING HOUSE NOBLESVILLE, INDIANA ^-t-^ ■^^v DEC ! 7 1917 THE PURITANS An Historical Poem of AMERICA AND THE BIRTH OF FREEDOM OUR PILGRIM FATHERS 1 — The Puritan Pilgrims! what a name to conjure with, men of Earth! Three hundred years ago they came and gave to Free- dom that new birth Which makes Autocracy unbend before a Sovereign people's will In Church and State — but hark ye! how our God his wonders did fulfill: 6— From England into Holland fled, with grievance naught against their king — To worship as their conscience led chose they a home- less wandering. They, weak in numbers and in wealth, save in the wealth to dare and bear — Low-born but loyal Englishmen, who liked not Holland's tongue and gare. 7 TH¥. PURITANS Each longed in deed of sterling worth, to show allegi-' ance to his king — 10 — Not in mere gold or founts of youth like Spanish venture sought to bring, But in sweet homes across the Deep, to make his king- dom track the sun — In more of lasting worthiness than brutal conquest ever won. Across old Plymouth's bar they saiUd, led on by Free- dom, all aflame, Like pillar' d fire in Egypt's land whence God of Hosts with bondsmen came. 15 — And in a wilderness of sea, uncharted and unknown to man. Sought they Virginia's northern bounds, which then was where the Hudson ran. But glad they were, in those fierce gales, to land on any friendly shore, Albeit, so bleak and far away from that fair port on which they bore, Tho' weak in flesh, not one would land upon that welcome, wave-dashed beach, 20 — Till solemn compact pledged they all, to God and King, and each to each. First written constitution that! — mark well the place and mark the day Where Freedom found a Hemisphere, eons prepared, to eons stay! 8 OUR PILGRIM FATHERS But superstition later came with all of bigot* s trail of woe, Which epidemic world-wide ran, nor spared the Puri- tans a blow. 25 — The witches burnt at Salem-town, and Roger Williams forced to flee; The Quaker persecutions, rank, and Blue-laiv multi- misery, All teach how our Forefathers were but erring flesh, the like as ive, Possessed though of the strength omd will to break the fetters and go free. When human beings average well, their lapses, all, should be forgot — 30 — For Peter thrice denied the Christ, and Moses brake the stones God wrought. Perfection doth prd^laim the God we worship not from love but fear — To err reveals a tie of kin which our affections hover 7iear. The bulwarks of Free Government, and equal rights twixt Man and Man, O'er-balance far the weaknesses, charged up against the Puritan. THE PURITANS 11 OUR DEBT TO THE PURITANS 35 — They gave us Liberty of Speech, and right to publish as we thought, Implanting rev'rence for a God, in worship as our conscience taught. As childhood shapes the life of Man, ivho late returns, tho' far may stray From living principles instilVd — so Nations in like orbits play. Most favor' d this our Nation was, and ive who in her precincts divell, J^O — That Freedom sang her cradle-song and taught her lips a God to spell. As like a comet, she may roam, and seem intent to loose her way — The laws that bind will bring her home, where she was safe, initially. The sons and daughters of our wars, who fan the patri- otic flame. Inspired are with noble zeal, and we their honor loud proclaim. J^5 — Descendants of the Puritans, who first set foot on Ply- mouth Rock! The honor, and chief burden, yours, that Doors of Freedom still unlock! . 10 EVIDENCE OF DIVINE GUIDANCE in EVIDENCE OF DIVINE GUIDANCE Three years before the Pilgrim feet gave Plymouth Rock enduring fame The neighbors of Mas-sas-so-it were much cmcerned by star-like flame Which swept its lurid tail across, in ill-foreboding path, the sky 50 — From East to West along that course which Stars of Empire travel by. In fright Patuxit Indians cried — who owned the land where soon would be A Nation born to set the World, in civics and religion, free — In fright at recent prophet-words, which they had scoff'd till lurid loom Of omen through a comet high, foretold the coming of their doom. 55 — "Though like the sands" a Seer had said, ''in numbers now, your tribe may boast. For wickedness you are condemned to quickly vanish from this coast!'' As whirl-wind drops its funnel-end and picks out victims from the sky — So came a plague which swept that tribe as flies before a Winter die. it 1. THE PURITANS Passed thus Patuxit title-claim, ere Puritans assert their will 60 — On corn-land cleared and ready by the hand of God, for them to till. Yet, some there were who grumbled loud because they missed a warmer clime, With shores less bleak and better soil, where bare existence took less time. But we, in retrospect can see, with fuller knowledge as our guide. How Providence took them in hand and journeyed with them., side by side. 65 — He guided them to that one spot where Indian rights no challenge gave. And spared them all uncertainty of purchase or of conquest grave. Their sandy loam and easy soil — so needful where no beasts were owned — Good Fortune found there on that coast, — else more in labor they had groaned. By game in season princely fed — by fish the finest in the Sea — 70 — And friendship ofMas-sas-so-it, — could I sar el more in favor be? 12 THEIR SPECIAL PREPARATION IV THEIR SPECIAL PREPARATION The hand of God is further shown in binding them for His great plot, Not by the ties of wealth or blood, but by ideals for which they wrought. In common faith they all were bound, of high estate or low degree — When 'cross the German Ocean fled they into Holland to be free, 75~With rustic Scrooby fades away the joy of farm and rural life, And Leyden makes them artisans at loom and press, in Labor's strife. And there, sequestered from the V/orld by habit, thought and language, strange — Did Providence inscrutable, the desfny of this Earth arrange! Ten years of common labor meant, all autocratic seeds were dead, SO— And Liberty's majestic tree was raised on equal rights, instead. The People there came to their own, for Ages sought, which Man did pray — And from that spark a flame was blown, which circles 'round the World today. J3 THE PURITANS Without probation such as that, to colonize would all been vain. When liberty means license, oft, to those whom Time alone can train. 85 — Not forty years, but ten, were they as Israel in the Wilderness — *'For Glory of our God and King'', as oft their records do confess. Came pestilence and famine, both, in one short year at Plymouth Bay, Which put to proof their trust in God, and swept their numbers half away. Their leader to our Promised Land, like Moses — saw but not enjoyed — 90 — They laid him 'neath the barley field, which stealth and strategy employed To hide depleted numbers from the Indian bands which skulked and pried Till Squanto's friend brought him to them, and he became their friend and guide. 14 SQUANTO MIRACUOUSLY SAVED SQUANTO MIRACUOUSLY SAVED AND SENT TO THEM He told ' them how a plague had swept the brave Patuxits from the land — And taught them how to plant the corn — a fish to Jer- tilize each stand, 95 — He brought Mas-sas-so-it to them, and other Chief- tains f near and far — Who kept the peace for fifty years, till breaking out of Phillip's War. He showed them where to cast for fish, the cod and millet — bass, beside; He proudly counted them as friends, and never left them till he died. This S quanta was near Plymouth born, but spared the plague and tribal fate 100 — By special Providence of God, in circumstance strange to relate: 15 1. THE PURITANS Kidnapped by white man ere the plague, — intent to sell him into Spain, Was rescued, he, hy British' ship, and years in England did remain. With knowledge got of Eyiglish ways, and mind im- proved — as British boast — Good Squanto when the chance occurred, was landed on his native coast 105 — In time to help the Puritans, without whose aid they all had died: Let those who study miracles not turn this modern one aside. t6 ORIGIN OF OUR THANKSGIVING DAY VI THE ORIGIN OF OUR THANKSGIVING DAY The setting of our Day of Thanks, vjhich Presidents do yet proclaim, Was founded on a miracle which Pilgrims saved ere famine came. Their genWous natures over-taxed ivith feeding Weston's hungry men 110 — Till hope of life next winter through must on that summer's corn depend. So labored they from morn till night — whole families with good heart and will. And planted as the Indians taught — a fish well cover'd in each hill. With season's start, as they could wish, the corn was standing fair and green. But sun of summer laid it lovj, by drought as like no man had seen: 115 — As Bradford wrote, it ''languished sore" and some was ''parched like withered hay" — In humble prayer and great distress, they set apart a solemn day. It pleased the Lord to hear their prayer, and gracious speedy answer make; Hot was the morn and afternoon — no sign of rain the sky to break 17 THE PURITANS Yet, evening clouds came on apace, and shortly after that, a rain — 120 — Siich sweet and gentle showers as made them rejoice in glad refrain. Its great abundance soaked the Earth, without a wind or violence Which made the Indians marvel much, as did all others, then and since. And afterwards, the season through, came showers right and weather rare Which so built up the corn and fruits that harvest time was full and fair. 125 — Such comfort and rejoicing caused a day of thanks to be proclaimed Which each year since — three hundred times — by proclamation has been named. And as each year's Thanksgiving Day increasing mercy does reveal Decendants of the Puritans a special choice and charge should feel Of greatest weight on them imposed by reason of their blood descent 130 — To fight for that Democracy which God in trust their Sires lent. 18 DEBTS OF THE PURITANS VII THE DEBTS OF THE PURITANS. The Puritans were hound in debt for transportation and support To 'Venturers whom Cushman coax'd Dame Fortunes, fickle hand to court. Half of their increase first vms pledged, of buildings, land, and goods, as well. Conditioned on such further aid as their distresses might compel. 135 — But human-nature, then as novo, let idle pledge out- strip the will And London merchants promised more than they were ready to fulfill. Most men who lay a dollar down expect that hand to pick up two. Or break their pledges wantonly, regardless of the harm they do. Before the Speedwell and its mate weighed anchor and put out to Sea IW — Part of the Pilgrims' food vjas sold to make up a difficiency Which owners of the vessels asked before the voyage would begin — But Christian courage falters not at any sacrifice to win. 19 THE PURITANS The London purses tighter dosed as word of pestilence and need Came hack to make the hazzard more, and failure hovered close, indeed. ' 11^5 — But He who notes the sparrow's fall and counts the hairs upon the head; Who sendeth rain upon the Earth and Elijah by the ravens fed Approved them by His miracles and led them to a fovored spot Where dusky neighbors friendly came and much their halting strangeness taught. 20 THEIR HOPE OF RELEASE FROM DEBT VIII THEIR HOPE OF RELEASE FROM DEBT Thanksgiving Day commemorates the answer to a day of prayer 150 — Which drought and famine threatening y was followed by a harvest rare. The tide of their affairs was turned toward the better from that year, And surplus traded they for furs which Europe bought at prices dear. Their greatest aid to Indian trade was in the wampum money made Like beads from multi-colored shells which red-men coveted and laid 155 — Strange patterns out, in mystic lore, for pipes of peace and belts of war: And as their surplus slowly grew, they pushed their enterprises far Along the coast now known as Maine, and traded up the Kennebeck Where never knavish Whites had been, the Indian confidence to wreck. 21 fHE PURITANS Soon many from the North came down that river in the early Spring 160 — With otter, beaver and rich furs, to trade for much-loved wampum string And corn and peas, which shifless ways made them impotent oft to raise — As Pilgrims' wealth increasing grew, God's mercy held them in amaze! They visioned their release from debt to those Adven- tures who gave A grudging part of promised aid, and still withheld when need was grave. 22 MYLES"STANDISH SENT BACK TO ENGLAND IX MYLES STANDISH SENT BACK TO ENGLAND 1S5 — Myles Standish, they to England sent, commissicn'd to investigate The fairest terms for their release, in payments and low interest rate. The outcome was a bond to pay a stated sum in yearly parts Subscribed by undertakers, eight, of solid men with staunchest hearts; And a monopoly of the trade by Patent Grant to them was made 170 — With Indians on the Kennebeck, 'gainst competition's threatened raid. 23 1HE PURITANS X JOHN ROWLAND CHOSEN COMMANDER ON THE KENNEBECK A goodly house they built of logs, hard by where whirling waters run, And he who in the Mayflower came as servant, but more apt the son By widowed marriage of that man — the chief est servant of them all — Whose judgment in the face of death when raging waters did apall 175 — Saved him when cast into the Sea by lurching of the broken ship — Was chosen fittest to command their fortunes on each trading trip, John Howland justified their choice, by profits from the Kennebeck, Which, year by year, made rapid growth, till competi- tion gave it check. For, much success was never known, but imitators sought to reap 180 — Of harvest where they had not sown, an unearned in- crement to keep. The Gov'nor and Assistants six, with undertakers of the debt. Took counsel on their Patent Grant, how competition should be met. 24 MYLES STANDISH URGES RESISTANCE MYLES STANDISH URGES RESISTANCE TO INVADERS Myles Standish urged them to assert, with force suf- ficient for the fray, The full intendment of their grant, and interlopers drive away: 185 — ^'John Hoivland, a staunch man we have, an under- taker of the debt; Assistant to our Governor — let him a goodly number get Whose wisdom hath his confidence, nor tested valor known to shrink, Wise in discretion," Standish spake, "'who have God's grace to act and think, And with a Christian courage make our mandate to such wayward men 190 — Respected ere faint-heartedness, encourage them to sin again!" So said Myles Standish, arid his words had weight with those he counseled with Who list not of the tragedy which Fate man oft encom- passeth. 25 THE PURITANS XII THE DREADFUL FIRST WINTER AT PLYMOUTH O'er crowded in the Mayflower-ship, the Pilgrims landed weak and sore By resaon of their tardy trip, and hard conditions which they bore. 195 — These made them all susceptible to dread pneumonia's quick embrac3 When Winter's cold and landings wet, remaining vigor soon erased. The shacks they quickly improvised let cold and water penetrate Till half a dozen scarce were left on sick and dying ones to wait. Whole fam'lies sivept, or mayhap one — a son or daughter, young, was left, WO — So, scarce in teens when parents died, was Bess of Tilleys sore bereft. She solace found in virgin rare, who, like a second mother mixed Real tears of sorrow with her own, mid smiles of comfort oft betivixt. Thus Desire Minter, she whose name, bespoke things hoped that never came. Let one unslfish duty more her life of sacrifice lay claim. 26 JOHN ROWLAND'S COURTSHIP XIII JOHN ROWLAND'S COURTSHIP OF DESIRE MINTER 205 — Both maids attended on the sick, and nursed John Rowland day by day Till he had mended and had learned to lean upon them heavily. He thought about his lonely state, and pondered theirs of worse degree Till conscience bade him break his vow, a life-long widower to be. As Laban put the elder first whe n Jacob served him seven years 210 — John Rowland's sober sense of right scorned that which fancy oft endears. Tho' Bess, like cherries turning red, near changed temptation to desire He dreamed of her paternally, — not as a lover all afire. And with good conscience bravely spoke, to her the elder of the twain. How God approved the marriage state which they to- gether should attain. 27 THE PURITANS 215 — The woman yet has not been born who could not sense the lover's ring In tone and actions, not in words, which oft another message bring. Desire Minter felt the lack of burning passion maidens court Which made refusal easier she at all hazzards must report. "You do me o're much honor, John,'' Desire replied in sober strain, 220 — *'Tho God hath called my kindred home, I durst not of His will complain. ''Your place is high in my esteem, and I exalted am to know The great respect you hold me in, which doth uplift my spirit so. "But love goes not from man to maid, nor maid to to man at beck and will. And in your effort to be just, you let not your affections fill 225 — "That place an all-wise Providence intended when His children ynate — Besides, my heart controls my hand, and binds me to another's fate." Her speech, as like a thunder-bolt, first dumb'd her suitor with amaze 28 JOHN ROWLAND'S COURTSHIP But soon in seeming paradox, his heart was shouting ''Lord he praised!" He visioned siveet Elizabeth, in solace, while with calm he spake: 230 — "/ knew not, you were pledged to wed, else I had not presumed to make *' Proposals in the best of faith, which lack to you sincerely — No person else has raised a voice in challenge of my verity!" Man-like, he tried to simulate an anger that he did not feel; He first was piqued, then forced to join, when laugh from maiden's lips did peal: 235 — ''Pray, John, let not your dignity upset the balance of your mind But let your love go out to Bess who fits in temperment your kind, "That she is not distaste to you, nor you to her, I fairly know She needeth loving hands to guide, and tenderness in turn will show; "I could not marry you, good John, beacuse I have no heart to give, 2U0 — To Moses Talbot I am pledged, so long as both of us may live. 29 THE PURITANS " He is his aged mother's staff, in England where from childhood grew We up together and have loved, since each about the other knew. " He is adherent to our faith, which grieveth Mistress Talbot sore — She laycth all the blame on me, and I shall see him — never more!'* 21^5 — No further speech the maiden gave, but sobbed as tears of meynory flowed, While Howland, wrapped in retrospect, forgot her presence as he stood. 30 JOHN ROWLAND'S VISION XW JOHN ROWLAND'S DOUBLE VISION. Bachcard in thought, their history scanned, — their seeming desolation here — The odium upon them heaped, since days of youth mid England's cheer Dissenters they, whom Defoe charged king James — too leniently inclined 250 — Toward human greed ivhich takes an ell — hred regicides of CromiuelUs kind, And nurtured on New England shore a colony of malcontents Refusing Mother Country's tax while asking much in their defense. Such as Defoe, through narrovj eyes, saw England's church man's greatest boon — But not the eaglet in the West to'ard human liberty had flown. 255 — Hail! Hail! The Mayflower, Carlyle writes, poor, common-looking, hired ship; Yet what ship ''Argo" built by gods can match the marvel of her trip? 3f THE PURITANS She had the great Promethean spark — the life-spark giving, timely birth To transatlantic Saxon men — in greatest nation of our earth! The Golden fleece our Pilgrims sought was freedom from Established church — 260— Sought they, like Saul, a little thing and found a great one in their search. They had the fire of heaven sent in power which they dreamed not of: Let all men honor Puritans, since God first honored them above. Defoe — Carlyle — each later born than those events they differ on — John Rowland vizualized both sides, in that brief 7noment near their dawn. 32 THE HAND OF FATE XV THE HAND OF FATE 265 — From Hovdand and his child-wife, young, a numerous progeny descend — They christened their first-born, Dcoire, in honor of its mother's friend Who, health fast foiling, year by year, good Doctor Fuller WMde it clear Must back to England soon return, ivhere winter's chill VMS less severe. As Fate ivould have it, when she sailed, she passed her lover on the way, 270 — Whose mother, dying, left him free to seek her in America. By Hoidands he was well received, in more of love than mere respect. And with the expedition went to right the wrongs at Kennebeck, 33 THE PURITANS A'V7 . THE HOCKING AFFAIR. John Howlaud ?/.' their largest barque, which midships had bee)i spliced to tiro. With Alden second in command, sailed out of Plymouth with a crcic 275 — Of care- picked men who oft had joined with him in enterprise to tnj That courage ajui devotion which the Puritan was k}!ow)} best bi/. John Hocking, Piscataway man from colony of Lords Saye and Brooke — His barque well fdled with Indian goods, a place above the Pilgrims took Between their house on Kennebeck and portage-falls of Ne-quam-kick: ^80 — There, trad i tig. afiswered protest made, with loud defiance foul and thick With insult, daring them to do their worst to put him from that place And with much fiourish of his guns, he fiung defiance in their face. **Go cut his cable" orders came, *\ind suffer him not there to ride But down the rapid water drift with current and the ebbing tide!" 34 THE HOCKING AFFAIR :285 — Three men, with Moses Talbot, ivent, right read'ly in a swift canoe And cut his cable, whom, on deck, svjore what in ven- geance he would do. At Thomas Savory first he aimed, then changed as they sicung near his bow. And put his gun to Talbot's head with fierce invectives meant to cov;e. John Rowland, seeing, called to him, ''Shoot not my man, but for your mark 290 — Take me who gave them the command to cut the cable of your barque! *'They but obey — give me the blame if any wrong was do:ie to you — Shoot me — not them — / stand full fair^shoot me, if shoot you're bound to do!'' But Hocking neither looked nor heard; he shooteth Moses in the head — And when the news to England came, by that one bullet two were dead! 295 — John Hocking, crazed, his pistol took, but by the Lord his hand was staid From doing further hurt by shot from Pilgrims* barque. Himself was laid In death upon his moving ship — noiv swiftly drifting out to sea: Like it, he had his cable cut-and drifted into — mystery. 35 THE PURITANS *'Thou shall not kiW the Scripture saith, and of that law men have more dread SOO — Th^n all commandments Moses wrote, tho' none in briefer words are said. Malign report the Pilgrims charged with wilful murder and intent - Li)rds Sai/e and Brooke were much incensed, and Aldenj soon to Boston sent Was there within a prison thrown and laid till Standish went his hail 7\) stand in court on viurder charge, which did on fuller kiwfwledge fail. S05 — The lives of Moses and Desire, in hope deferred upon this earth. But tipifij that sacrifice of those who gave our country birth. Unlooked for troubles hampered them — which but a few we here relate — Their work aful faith in what they did, brought them success where failures wait. Their daily lives of righteousness confused the hopes of lying tongues 310 — Aiid made a name for Puritans which through all ages will be sung. P. De Leon. 36 NOTES (The marginal numbers refer to lines of the poem.) S — 12 "The Puritans in Holland did not forget — could not forget that they were Englishmen. During their ten years of residence at Leyden thoy did not ceafje to long for a return to the country which had cast them out. Though ruled by a heartless monarch and a bigotfid priest- hood, England was their country still. The unfarriiliar language of the Dutch grated hur.'jhly on their ears. They pined with unrest, conscious of tlieir ability and willing- ness to do something which should convince even King James of their patriotism and worth. It was in this condition of mind that about the year 1617 the Puritans began to meditate a removal to the wilds of the New World. There, with hon'ir--t purpose and prudent zeal, they would extend the dominions of the Englifsh king." Kidpath's History of the United States, paj;e 8!) 16 — 22 At the time of the coming of the Puritans to America the northern boundery of Virginia v/as considered to extend to the mouth of the Hud.son River. "It had been the intention of the Pilgrims to found their colony in the beautiful country of the Hudson; but the tempest carried them out of their course, and the first land seen was the desolate Cape Cod. On the 9th of November the vessel was anchored in the bay; then a meeting was held on board and the colony organized under a solemn com.pact. In the charter v.hich they there made for themselves the emigrants declared their loyalty to the English Crov.'n, and covenanted together to live in peace and harmony, with equal rights to all, obedient to just laws made for the common good. Such was the simple but sublime constitution of the oldest Nev/ England State. A nobler document is not to be found among the records of the world." Ridpath's History, page 91. 48 Mas-sas-soit, father of King Phillip, was the chief of the 37 THE PURITANS tribe of Wompanaog Indians, nearest neighbors to Ply- mouth. He entered into a treaty of peace \^ith the Puritans in 16-1 which continued !cr more then 50 years. He remained their fast friend while he lived. Bradiords' History of Plymouth Plantation vScribner^ page 111, 51 In 1617. the Patuxit tribe of Indians, then occup>-ing the country where the Pl\-mouth colony was planted, was nearly depopulated by a great plague. One of the early chroniclers has written! "Some of the ancient Indians, that are survi\'ing at the wTiting hereof. do aifirm that about some two or three years before the first English arrived here, they saw a blazing star, or comet, which was a forerunner of this sad mortality, for soon after it came upon them in extremity. Thus God made way for his people, by removing the heathen and planting thejn in the land." Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers, page 36. 5o A Frenchman who had been captured by the Indians and mistreated by them, upon learning their language told them God would punish them for their \^ickedness. "But they derided him and said they were so many that God could not kill them. His answer was. that though they w-ere never so many. God had many )A-a>-s to destroy them that they knew not. Shortly after his death came the plague. a disease they never heard of beiore. and mightily swept them away." Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers, page -ill. 60 — 70 'It has been supposed by some that our ancestors were not fortunate in the selection of their plantations, and that they would have found much better land on the other side of the bay. But this is a mistake, for no part of Mas- sachusetts could be better suited to their condition. Had they settled down upon a hard and heavj*. though rich soil, what could they ha\-e done with it? They had no ploughs, nor beasts of the plough, and >-et their chiel subsistance was to be derived from the ground. The Pl\-mouth lands were free, light, and easy of tillage, but 3S NOTES hard enough for poor pilgrims to dig and plant. The land yielded well, being new and unworn, And for fish, they could scarcsly have been better supplied; and the forests were as well supplied with game as elsewhere. Here they were also favored by the Prince of the country. The character of Massassoit was humane, and his friendship sincere. The treaty which he made with them, he faith- fully performed all his life long, whereas,in other localities, they might have fallen by savage violence. And, more- over. Divine Providence seems to have opened the door to the pilgrims at Plymouth by removing the native inhabitants, so as to make a place for their settlement there," Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers, page 28, note. 75 The Puritans, escaping from English persecution into Holland, settled in the city of Leyden. Many of them had been farmers living in the vicinity of the town of Scrooby, in England. At Leyden they took up weavihg, printing and other trades. 79 The Puritans remained about 10 years at Leyden, in Hol- land, before sailing for America. 89 John Carver, chosen by the Pilgrims for first Governor of Plymouth colony, died in the Spring of 1621. 90 Nearly half of the Pilgrims died during their first Winter and Spring in America, and, that the Indians might not know their weakness by counting the graves, the Puritans leveled the surface of the burial field and planted it to grain. 92 In March, 1621, an Indian speaking broken English came boldly among the Puritans. His name was Samosot. Soon afterwards he brought Squanto or Tisquantum, who could talk better English, and who remained with the Puritans until he died; and was of great holj) to them. Squanto brought Massassoit, the friendly Chief. Bradfords' History, page 110. 99—106 Bradford's History, pages 111—112. 109 John Weston, one of the merchants who helped the Pil- grims in London, brought over a colony of about "60 lusty 39 THE PURITANS men" in 1622, to start a colony of his own, and while he continued his voyage down to Virginia he left this large number of extra mouths all of the Summer of 1622, for the Puritans to feed, instead of bringing them needed assis- tance. Bradford's History, page 137. 110—125 Bradford's History, page 152. 131 — 148 The Puritans were too poor to pay for their own transpor- tation to America. A number of London merchants formed a stock company and their partly paid subscrip- tions furnished most of the first passage money. Part of it, however, had to be made up at the last minute before the ships' masters would put out to sea, by the sale of a quantity of the food supplies which the Puritans were taking with them. The merchants were known as the "Adventurers" and were under agreement to send supplies until the Colony became self supporting. This was not done, however, and nearly resulted several times, in dis- aster to the Colony. The Puritans had agreed that one- half of everything which they possessed at the end of six years, including lands and buildings, should belong to the Adventurers. 149 — 164 A good harvest in 1623, followed a day of prayer for rain when drought had threatened the Puritans with famine. They set apart a day for thanks after harvest, which in- augurated our present Thanksgiving Day. The abundant harvest gave the Colonists a surplus to trade to the In- dians for furs which Europe coveted. The Colonists also learned how to make wampum beads which the Indians coveted and could not get enough of. Pushing out for new territory in which to trade, they established them- selves as the first white traders on the Kennebeck river in Maine, where they prospered and began to glimpse a chance for paying off their debt to the Adventurers. Bradford's History, pages 152-235-223. 165 — 168 Captain Myles Standish was sent to England in 1625, but did not succeed in reaching an agreement on the debt with the Adventurers. In 1626, as Governor Bradford wrote, 40 NOTES "This year they sent Mr. Allerton into England, and gave him order to make a compensation with the Adventurers, upon as good terms as he could (unto which some way had been made the year before by Captain Standish) ; but yet injoyned him not to conclude absolutely till they knew the terms, and had well considered of them; but to drive it to as good an issue as he could, and refer the conclusion to them." An agreement was reached in 1627, by which the obligation was fixed at 1800 pounds, payable 200 pounds yearly. Governor Bradford wrote (page 215): "This agreement was very well liked of, and approved by all the plantations, and consented unto; though they knew not well how to raise the payment and discharge their other ingagements, and supply the yearly wants of the plantation, seeing they were forced for their necessities to take up money or goods at so high interests. Yet they undertook it, and 7 or 8 of the chiefs of the place be- came jointly bound for the payment of this 1800 li. (in the behalf of the rest) at the several days." The names of the undertakers of the debt, of the colony, were William Bradford, Myles Standish, Isaac Allerton, Edward Wins- low, William Brewster, John Rowland, John Alden and Thomas Prence. 169 The patent grant covered all of the territory from Cobise- conte, where Gardiner, Maine, now stands, to the falls or rapids of Ne-quam-kick, near the present Winslow, Maine, and 15 miles on each side of the river Kennebeck. "And by virtue of the authority to us derived by his said late Majesties Letters patents, to take, apprehend, siese, and make prise of all such persons, their ships and goods, as shall attempt to inhibite or trade with the savage people of that countrie within the severall precincts and limits of his and their several plantations, etc." Bradford's History, page 304. 171_175 John Rowland. According to tradition he married the daughter of John Carver, who was chosen to be their first Governor — "the chiefest servant of them all"— in whose family Rowland came in the Mayflower; Bradford says 41 THE PURITANS as a servant, but evidently not in a menial sense, judging from the prominent part which he took in affairs from the start. The daughter died before the voyage to America. The Mayflower encountered several severe storms, in one of which John Rowland was washed over board but was saved by his presence of mind in grasping and holding to a rope, "Ye Topsail Halliards we hung overboard," by which he was drawn on deck through "several fathoms" of the engulfing billows. — Signers of the Mayflower Com- pact, page 29. "One of the main beams of the midships was bowed and cracked, which put them to some fear that she would not be able to perform the voyage", but by a screw which one of the passengers happened to have "the said beam was brought into place again; which being done, and well se- cured by the carpenter, they resolved to hold on their voyage." Chronicles of the Pilgrim- Fathers, page 19. 193 — 199 "But that which was sad and lamentable, in two or three months' time half their com.pany died, especially in Jan- uary and February, being the depth of winter, wanting houses and other comforts, being infected with the scurvy and other diseases, which this long voyage and their in- commodate condition had brought upon them, so as there died, sometimes two, sometimes three, on a day, in the aforesaid time, that of one hundred and odd persons, scarce fifty remained. Of those that did survive in this tim.e of distress and calamity that was upon them, there was sometimes but six or seven sound persons, who (to their great commenda- tion be it spoke) spared no pains night to day to be help- ful to the rest." Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers, page 35. 200 "John Tillie and his wife both died a little after they came ashore; and their daughter Elizabeth married with John Rowland, and hath issue as is before noted." Bradford's History, page 412. 42 NOTES 203 Desire Minter came in the Mayflower as a member of Governor John Carver's family, to which family John Rowland also belonged. Bradford's History, page 407. 249 — 254 Daniel Defoe, best known as the author of "Robinson Crusoe" was at one time a popular essayist. In his "Shortest Way with the Dissenters" he wrote (about 1700) : "The first execution of the Laws against Dissenters in England, was in the days of King James I; and what did it amount to? Truly, the worst they suffered was, at their own request, to let them go to New England, and erect a new colony; and give them great privileges, grants, and suitable powers; keep them under protection, and defend them against all invaders; and receive no taxes or revenue from them! "This was the cruelty of the Church of England! Fatal lenity! It was the ruin of that excellent Prince, King Charles I Had he so rooted the Puritans from the face of the land, which he had an opportunity early to have done; they had not had the power to vex the Church, as since they have done." 250 Human greed is such that it has crystalized into the proverb "Give an inch, will take an ell." 255—262 The writings of Thomas Carlyle, 265 In 1650, William Bradford wrote (Bradfords' History, page 410) "John Howland, married the daughter of John Tillie, Elizabeth, and they are both now living and have 10 children, now all living; and their eldest daughter hath 4 children. And their 2 daughter, 1 all living; and other of their children mariagable. So 15 are come of them." John Hov/land was born about 1593, and died at Plymouth March 5, 1673. He married at Plymouth before 1624, Elizabeth Tilley, who was born about 1607, and died at Swansea, Dec. 31, 1687. 267 "This year (1627) it pleased God to visit Plymouth with an infectious fever, of which many fell very sick, and up- wards of twenty died, men, women, and children, and 43 THE PURITANS sundry of them were of their ancient friends; amongst the rest, Mr. Samuel Fuller then died, after he had much helped others, and was a comfort to them; he was their surgeon and physician, and did much good in his place, being not only useful in his faculty, but otherwise, as he was a godly man, and served Christ in the office of a deacon in the church for many years, and forward to do good in his place, and was much missed after God removed him out of this world." Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers, page 117. 268 "Desire Minter returned to her friends, and proved not very well, and died in England,." Bradford's History, page 410. 273 The Puritans, needing a larger boat to hold more goods on their trading trips, and the ship-carpenter who built the two small boats which they had, being dead, an ingenious house-carpenter of their colony "tooke one of the bigest of their shallops and sawed her in the middle,and so length- ened her some 5 or 6 foote, and strengthened her with timbers, and so builte her up, and laid a deck on her; and so made her a conveniente and wholesome vessell, very fitt and comfortable for their use, which did them service 7 years after." Bradford's History, page 213. 277—304 Bradford's History, pages 304 to 309. The Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 2 page 11, gives the following account of the "Hocking affair" which happened in April, 1634: "Mr John Howland went up to him (Hocking) with our barke and charged the said Hocking to waye his Ankchors and depart who answered hee would not with fowle speeches. Mr. Howland tould him that hee would not now suffer him ther to ride, John Hocking demanded what he would doe whether he would shoot; Mr. Howland answered no but he would put him from thence and ordered three of his men goe cutt his cable, and bad Moses Talbott goe with them who accordingly went very reddyly and brought the Canow to Hockings cable he being upon the deck came with a carbine & a postole 44 NOTES in his hand Sz presently presented his piece at Thomas Savory but the Canow with the tide was put nere the bow of the barke which Hocking seeing presently put his piece almost to Moses Talbotts head, which Mr. Rowland seeing called to him desiring him not to shut his man but take himselfe for his mark saying his men did but that whihc hee commanded them and therefore desired him not to hurt any of them if any wrong was done it was him- selfe that did it and therefore coled again to him to take him for his marke saying he stod very fayer but Hocking would not heare nor looke towards our barke but presently shooteth Moses in the head, and presently tooke up his pistell in his hand but the lord stayed him from doing any further hurt by a shot from our barke him.self was presently strooke dead being shott neare the same place in the head wher he had murderously shot Moses." 45 %;'-'/;^-..% ^ "'^^Z .-'^i^?)," ;'*..^'^: - 8 1 \ \ vv ^ •^^^%.. :> \^ -^A .^^^^^N ,-^ > '" ^>^^<^-"/';^-«,v-'-"\>^.=.-> ^..^^' /^" .••^'- .^«i,^,. .gf&^'. U. ,•*.■* ,^J\%^ A^^% •^. >.^^ -*^ ."I #^ c N° -f. .* s