Book ■ P-.g--?.?^ HISTORY OF BRADFORD, MASS., THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE CLOSE OF 1820, BY GARDNER B. PERRY, A. M. I (As contained in liis Historical Sermon delivered Dec. ■8^ 1820.) Hateruill, Mass : C. C. MORSE & SON, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 1873. ^^ Most of the facts contained in this discourse have been gathered by per- sonal enquiry. It is not improbable there may be a trifling inaccuracy in some of the dates, though I can hardly think after all that has been done to get to the truth, there will be found many very important errors on this subject. But as the memories of men are not always to be depended upon, it may be proper to observe, I have endeavored to state the truth, and be- lieve I have taken proper pains to ascertain it. With these observations, I now commit the discourse to my beloved people, for whose entertainment it was at first written, with my best wishes for their temporal and spirit- ual welfare. THE AUTHOR. DISCOURSE. 2 KINGS XX. 20. And the rest op the acts of hezekiah, and all his might, and HOW he madk a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into THE city, are they NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OB THE CHR0NICLE3 OF THE KINGS OF JUDAH ? X HE countenance afforded in this and many other pas- sages of scripture, to the habit of recording what men do, and the improvements they make in the various business of life, will be my support in calling your attention this day to some of the events connected with the history of this town. It is well knoAvn to you, that two hundred years have now rolled away, since the first settlement was made in Plymouth by a company of men, whose object, as ex- pressed by themselves, was " to walk in all the ways of God made known or to be made known to them, accord- ing to their best endeavours." This prepared the way for others to come ; and in the year 1628, the proprietors of that section of this country, which constitutes tlie great- er part of this commonwealth, sent over Mr. Endicotte with about a hundred planters, who arrived at the place now called Salem, the 6th of September the same year, and laid the foundation of that town. The next summer, this new Colony received an accession of above three hundred planters more, and with them, two eminent di- vines, Mr. Francis Higgiuson and Samuel Skeltou. Soon after their arrival, that is, on the 6th of August, the per- sons proposing to unite in church rehition, gave their public assent to a confession of faith, and then solemnly convenanted with God and each other, to walk in the or- dinances of Christ. Messrs. Higginson and Skelton were then set apart as ministers of said church, the former as teaclier, the latter as pastor, at which solemnity the church at Plymouth assisted by their delegate. This was the first church fully organized in New England ; that at Plymouth, the onl}^ one of an earlier date, had not a regular pastor till after this. On the 30th of Jul}^, 1636, Governor Winthrop, Lieutenant Governor Dudley, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Wilson, entered into a formal and solemn covenant of faith and practice, according to the gospel and laid the foundation of the first church in Charlestown, where on the 27th of August following, Mr. Wilson was ordained pastor, which was the first ordination in this state. In March, 1633, John Winthrop, son of the gov- ernor, with twelve men began a plantation at what is now called Ipswich, the next year a church was formed, and in April, the people being without a minister, the governor walked there on foot from Boston, spent the sabbath and exercised himself by way of Prophesying^ that is in public teaching and exhortation. In 1634, Nathaniel Ward, from England, became their minister, and on the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1639, Mr. Nathaniel Rogers was settled in the same place as colleague with Mr. Norton, who succeeded Mr. Ward, and it was this last circumstance which led to the settlement of Rowle}^ of which this town formerly consti- tuted a part ; for when INIr. Ezckiel Rogers, with about sixty industrious families came from Yorkshire, in England, to this country, he was influenced in his choice of a place of settlement, by a desire of being near and enjoying the company of Nathaniel Rogers, who we have mentioned as settled in Ipswich. Mr. Rogers arrived in this coun- try in the fall of 1628. He called the place of his settle- ment Rowley, after the place where he had formerly served in the gospel of Christ. As many of your auces- tors sat under his ministry, you will feel a special interest in him when you attend to a short account of his life. He was a man of considerable note, as is evident from his preaching the election sermon in 1643, only about four years after his arrival. He was abundant in his labours, and for several of the first years of his ministry enjoyed much peace and comfort with his people, saw the work of God flourish and grow among them. But after the settle- ment of a colleague, which happened about ten or twelve years after his arrival in this country, and which seemed to be necessary from the numerous calls he had to attend to, there arose jealousies and contentions among his people, which rendered the remainder of his life unhappy. He experienced also domestic affliction, buried two wives, all his children, and had his house and most of his papers burned on the night following his third marriage. This last circumstance renders our information concerning the early history of this town less perfect than it would other- wise have been. He lost also the use of his right arm by a fall from his horse, and was obliged, late in life, to learn to write with his left hand. But he seems, throuGfh the grace of God, to have been generally patient and submis- sive under these manifold tribulations, and to adopt what I suppose was his own expi'ession on the subject, ' to have believed and expected after having made the voyage of tliis life over a troubled sea, he should reach the haven of ever- lasting rest.' His last sickness was of a lingering nature, which he boie with christian patience, and died January 22, 16G8, aged 70. He left his property, which was consid- erable, to tlio town of Rowley, for the support of the gos- pel. His will, which I have seen, is still in good preser- vation.* Many of the inhabitants who came with INIr. Rogers, were weavers ; and soon after their arrival in tiiis country they set up a falling mill, em|)loyed their children in spin- * A part of this propert3\ in cun?equcnce of the towns not havin;^ com- plied with a oouditioa contained in the Will, has lullen tuLiarvard College. 6 ning cotton, and were the first who manufactured cloth in North America. Just at what time this part of the town was settled I have not been able to ascertain. It was not however long after the first settlement in Rowley, and as it appears by some of the younger families who came to that place. The first house built in the town, was on the north of the road leading to Haverhill, and about 40 rods above Mr. Francis Kimball's, where the cellar may yet be seen. It was owned by a Mr. Jackson, whose christian name was probably "William . The first meeting for town affairs on record, was held the 20th of February, 1668. The name then given to this town was Merrimack. It was afterwards called Row- ley Village. At a meeting held January 7, 1672, the vote passed to call the town Bradford, and the town was incor- porated by this name in 1673. But though as we have said the first meeting on record was in 1668, it does not appear that this was, by any means, tho first time the peo- ple on this river, met by themselves in town affairs, for at that time they had a meeting house erected and also a parsonage. Many circumstances render it probable that almost from the first settlement, though connected with Rowle}^ and acting with them in many common concerns, yet living at such a distance, they held town meetings, among themselves, chose their own officers, and managed all those concerns which did not interfere with the in- terest of the other settlement in town, according to their own discretion. And among the circumstances which renders this opinion plausible, is that liradford and Box- ford, though making but one town with Rowley, were not within the first patent granted to Mr. Rogers, but were tiie next year granted to him and to Mr. John Phil- lips, at the very earnest requestof Mr. Rogers. Bradford is al)out 8 miles Ifjng and 3 wide, and contains about 10,000 acres, and 1650 inhabitants. The soil is generally good and sufficiently various for the cultivation of most productions common to this lati- tude. The town is bounded on one side its whole length by the Merrimack, a most beautiful river, whose waters afford considerable quantities of salmon, shad, bass, stur- geon, alewives and a variety of other fish. And in the spring there is a vast number of seines employed in taking these inhabitants of the flood. The salmon caught here are esteem-ed the best of any taken in the waters of the northern states, and often fetch from 75 to 100 cents a pound in the market at Boston. Th*? quantity of fish is at present much less than formerly. To an admirer of the works and ways of God, hardly any thiug can be more in- teresting than what is called the run of eels in this river. This generally takes place between the two run of shad. They go up the river the beginning of May, in a ribl)aiid or stream of about a foot wide upon the average, and three or four inches in depth, and every year in the same course. They are from two to six inches in length, move with con- siderable velocity, and continue to pass along without interruption for about four days ; almost an inconceivable number must pass during this time ; they are from the salt water, but how far they go up or what becomes of them I have not yet learned. And now when upon the subject of the river, I think it proper to observe, that though in various Avays this town in common wath others upon its brinks, derive great advantages from this noble stream, it is obvious to any person who will take the trouble to reflect upon the sub- ject, tliat these advantages are much less than they niiglit, indeed ought to be. I will mention among other things, that while there is not probabl}' a more convenient place in the county of Essex for the lumber trade, nor one where, from local circumstances enterprise and industry in that business, would with more certainty be crowned with suc- cess than is afforded upon its banks in this parish ; yet it is a fact, that for the want of such an establishment, the people, even in this town, to say nothing of Boxford, 8 Rowley, West Newbury, Andover, &c. are often put to inconvenience for articles of this description. And the same observation may be extended to the heavy articles of foreign merchandize, such as salt, molasses, sugar, iron, &c. It would be easy to refer to other particulars. But it is hoped this observation will draw the attention of some enterprising person of our town, or of some other place, to the subject. The principal business done in this town, for many years after its settlement, was the cultivation of the land. And from the productive nature of the soil, the inhabi- tants had much encouragement to do this. ]\Iany of them set out large orchards, some of the trees in which grew to a great size. Several are spoken of and remembered, which in bearing years, yielded apples from which six and seven barrels of cider were made, and a few from eight to ten barrels. One of the largest of these was on land now owned by Mr. Jonathan Balch, a grandson of the first pastor of this church, by whom cider of a very superior quality was made, familiarly called Arminian Cider, and which for many years bore the highest price in market of any made in the state. Formerly there were considerable quantities of peaches and plumbs produced in this town, but for several years past, trees of this description have not flourished. There is however at present an apparent change for the better, and the present appearance is, that persons may now cultivate these trees with the hope of enjoying the fruit of them. There was a time between the years 1700 and 1790, when less attention was paid to the cultivation of fruit, than the real interest of the town required, the stately trees which the fathers had planted, yield in great abun- dance, and the iidiabitants seem hardly to have thought these could ever fail, and were therefore less careful to provide for those that should come after them, than their fathers had been before. At the present there is an in- creased attention to this subject, several very fine young orchards of engrafted fruit now ornament our town. 9 The winter pear, formerly called the Warden pear, was introduced into this town by Mv. AVooster, brother to Francis Wooster, grandfather of Samuel Wor- cester, D. D. of Salem, a man who from his singular in- genuity, was familiarly called doctor. But whether he cultivated this pear from the Dnmmer trees in Bj-field, or imported it, cannot be certainly ascertained, though the last is the most probable. Trade and Manufactories. The first store of any con- siderable importance in this town was opened by Moses Parker, Esq. who for many years did business to a consid- erable extent, and whose store, it is said, was furnished with a very great variety of merchandize. There are now about seven or eight stores of greater or less extent in which may be had most of the articles required in com- mon life, and upon as good terms as in any other place jn this part of tlie county. Ship building has been and would still be, were it not for the present depressed state of commerce, a very im- portant branch of business liere ; ships of rising four hun- dred tons may be safely launched. And with what is publicly known on the subject, it will not appear a matter of boasting, to say, our ship carpenters are well taught and skilful mechanics. The business was commenced by Mr. John Atwood, from Boston, in 1720. The manufactory of leather is carried on to considerable extent, five tan yards are now in full operation. This bus- iness was first commenced by Shubel Walker, in the upper parisli, in the early settlement of this town, but is now almost entireW confined to the cast })arish. Laige quantities of slioes are manufactured here, and sent to the soutliern and middle states, the West Indies, &c. About loO men are constantly employed in this busi- ness, beside many who emploj' the winter in it, who it is sujiposed make 50,000 pairs of shoes and boots yearly. This business as a trade, furnishing shoes for market, was commenced by Daniel Hardy, now of Pelhani, about sixty 10 years since, who used to send his shoes to Portsmouth. He was followed by Thomas Savory, Esq. and Nathaniel Mitchell, who carried on the business extensively, sending their shoes to the southern states, and to the West Indies. About the time of the French revolution, Moses Savory and a Mr. Gage, went in the same business, from which time it has been one of the most important articles in the business of this town. In 1798, William Tenny, Jr. commenced chaise mak- ing, since which time considerable has been done at that business, and is now doing, and perhaps never by more skilful and industrious mechanics than at present. Thomas Carlton, about the year 1760, set up a fulling mill on Johnson's creek, above Aaron Parker's upper mill where he carried on the dressing of cloth. In this fac- tory Mr. Benjamin Morse partly learned the trade, who in connection with his sons, has for many years, and to a considerable extent, carried on the business, and in a man- ner creditable to themselves and much to the public satis- faction. A small quantity of chocolate, was about thirty years since, manufactured by Jesse Atwood. Brass and pewter buckles and sleigh bells, were to a considerable amount made here by Stephen Foster, and others for some years before and after the revolution. Nothing however is done at this business now. Coopering business has been carried on in this town at different times to a gi eater or less extent, very little how- ever has been done at it for some years. This business is about to be revived by Jotham Hunt, Avho is making preparations for that purpose. During the revolutionary war, salt petre was made in this place by Deacon Samuel Tenny. In 1800, was commenced the manufactory of Straw Bonnets, which is now carried on to a considerable ex- tent in tliis town, and much to the advantage of those who are emploj-ed in it. 11 A considerable quantity of Tobacco is manufactured in this town. This business was commenced in 1770, by Moses Parker, Esq. a man excelled by few in real mechan- ical powers of mind. When he commenced this business, he was but about thirteen 3'ears of age, and never had enjoyed but one opportunity of seeing the machinery used in this work. Mines, (j-c. — I have not learned that any other than iron mine has been known to exist in this place, of this there is apparently a large quantity in the east part of the town. Clay of different qualities is found in many parts of the town, suitable for the common purposes for which it is used. There is one bed in the east part of the town, of a finer quality, which I have reason to believe might be worked to advantage in making the finer articles of the Potter. There are two springs in the east parish, one on the land of Thomas Savory, Esq. the other on that of Isaiah Jewitt, the waters of which are empregnated with iron, and if properly improved and secured from other water, might no doubt be used to advantage by persons afflicted with disorders for which calybiate waters are prescribed. It being the opinion of some who professed to have knowledge and experience on the subject, that there was mineral coal and lead in the hill between the east meet- ing house and the river, an attempt was made to ascer- tain the fact in 1808, and a considerable time and prop- erty expended, but without success. But I can hardly suppose any one acquainted with mining, would from look- ing at what was done, consider this failure as any very positive evidence that there is none there. 3Iills, ifc. — Johnson's creek affords the greatest and in- deed the only considerable means for water works in this town, and it has been considerabl}- improved for this pur- pose, for on it have stood, or are now standing, four saw mills, five grist mills, three fulling mills, two bark mills. 12 The first of these was a grist mill, standing below the road leading from Mr. Daniel Kimball's to deacon Thomas Morse's, and was set up by Edward Carlton, the first person born in Rowley, or his fatlier, probably about the year 1670. This mill is not now standing, nor is the place where it stood occupied. In 1780, deacon Phin- eas Carlton, built a mill luwer dt)\vn the stream, just on the opposite side of the creek from that on which Mr. Aaron Parker's upper mill now stands, and had tlie sluice dug which is now in repair. This was done, by job for 70 dollars, by Cuff Dole, a person of color, of remark- able strength, steady habits, and who died in the com- fortable hope of a blessed immortalit3\ In 1750, Joseph Kimball and Eliphalet Hardy, set up the lower mill so called, and as it was a work of con- siderable magnitude to build the damn, and the mill great- ly needed, the inhabitants volunteered their services, some men only of common property, subscribing and afterwards performing from fifteen to twent}^ days labor. In 1790, Retier Parker built a tanyard near the low- er mill, and contrived to have the stone with which the bark is ground, moved by water instead of horses, as Avas the practice at that time, certainly a useful improve- ment. All these, with the exception of a part of the lower mill, have become the property of Aaron Parker, Esq. a man of ingenuity and enterprise, wlio has improved them in a manner highly creditable to himself, and to the advantage and convenience of the public. lie has also attached a rolling and fulling mill, to his upper grist mill, and has a bark mill running with such perfection, that it will grind as much bark in two hours, as could be ground in a whole day by the former mill, though as we observed, that was a great improvement u[)on the i^en- er.d practice of the day. In 1()81, this town received proposals from Richard Whonies, of Rowley, and John Perle, of Marblehead, 13 to set up a corn mill upon this creek, a little above the mill built by the first Mr. Carlton, which proposals were well received by the town, and considerable subscriptions were made to forward the design, upon condition, that said Whomes and Perle would set up a good and sufli- cient mill, and that the people in this town sliould be served in their turn, in preference to those from out of town, and also that sufficient passage be left for fish, which conditions were agreed to, and the mill accordingly set up. This mill is not standing at present. The first saw mill was owned by the Carlton famil}^, but when built I have not learned. It must have been in the early settlement of the town. It stood across the road above the place of the first grist mill. And it is a fact worthy of notice, that the mud sills of the three first mills are still remaining, and can be seen, though it must be about 150 years, perhaps more, since they were put down. In 1784, Mr. Francis Kimball built a saw mill, and Mr. Benjamin Morse a fulling mill near the mouth of the creek, the latter of which is now standing and in full operation. Besides these, there have been five or six saw mills in different parts of the town, and one grist mill, upon temporary streams. One of the saw mills on the farm of David How, has recently been put in good repair. I shall take this opportunity to observe, that though much use is made of the water of Johnson's creek, yet a much more considerable advantage might be derived from it. Several mills more might with perfect conven- ience stand upon it. The convenience of the public does certainly call for the ei-ection of a carding mill. Another saw mill would find full employ, indeed it would be easy to show how enterprising individuals might get wealth, and the community be better served, by enlist- ing in their service, the force of this water which God in his goodness causes to How down this stream for the use of men. 14 Hoads, S^c. The first committee upon record, for lay- ing out highway in this town, were sergeant John Gage, Joseph Pike, John Griffin, who were appointed in the year 1668. How far these persons were concerned in laying out our roads, it is impossible for us now to say. It is certain, whoever were the agents in this business, they committed an error in making them so narrow ; an inconvenience greatly felt, but which I am happy to observe, the town is taking measures, as far as may be, to remedy. Several have already been widened in part, and have been given orders for the widening others. Though this measure will be attended with considerable expense and labor, it will, beyond doubt, be ultimately found a measure of economy as well as beauty and con- venience. Our roads, though narrow, are, in general, well made, and the bridges all in good repair. And I cannot but think that a stranger passing through this town, will from the state of the roads, the good order in our public houses, the appearance of our fields, and the beauty of the river, find as much to entertain the mind and please their fancy, as in most towns in this county. It was the early policy of this town, and a good policy it is, to restrain cattle, &c. In order to carry this reg- ulation into effect, as well as for other obvious pur- poses, they voted the 5th of January, 1685, to build a pound, with gate, lock and key, to be set up the next spring, on such part of the meeting-house land, as the selectmen should judge most convenient, which order was carried into effect. The present pound occupies a different place, and was built after the west parish built their present meeting. house, who seem, for some reason unknown to me, to have had the expense of this to defray. At the same meeting in which the vote passed to call this town Bradford, instructions were given to the se- lectmen, to provide a burying-ground, who, it seems, 15 were furnished with the Ijind now improved for that purpose, in the west parish, by the liberaKty of John Haseltine, Jr. of Haverhill, upon condition the town would keep it fenced, which condition was however, the same year given up by his son Samuel, of Bradford ; so the town now holds it without condition. The burying ground in this part of the town, is a present to the parish, from Mr. Samuel Jewitt, and the first person buried there was Mrs. Martha Hale, in 1723. As we learn from the inscription on the stone at the foot, If you will look, it may appear She was the first that was buried here. Schools, ^c. — There is much reason to suppose, this town was furnished with schools in part, at the public expense, and that the provision for these, was among the " prudentials " intrusted to the selectmen, from the earliest date. There is however, no vote of the town recorded on this subject, till the year 1701, when it was voted, the selectmen should provide a school, according to their discretion, and that they should assess the town for the expense of the same. The next year it was voted that those who sent to school, should pay two pence a week for those that learned to read, and four pence for those that learned to write, the additional expense to be paid by the town. The person's name who kept, was Ichabods, the next whose name is mentioned, was Master White, who commenced in 1723, and received 24Z. 10s. a year. His successor was Hobey, who was followed by a Mr. Merrel. All these persons kept through the year, and most of them for several years each, and as far as we can judge, were well qualified for the business. The first school-house was built on the meeting-house land, 22 feet long, 18 feet wide and 7 feet posts, and cost 25Z. The building committee, were Jonathan Wood- man, sergeant Robert Haseltine and Nathaniel Walke:^. 16 There are at present seven school-houses in six districts, in which are kept twenty four months of man's sciiool annually, and in summer there is good provision made for the instruction of small children. In June 7, 1805, the town accepted a report made by their committee appointed for that purpose, consist- ing of Moses Parker, Daniel Stickney, Bradstreet Par- ker, Thomas Savory, Esq. and Samuel Tenny, for the better management of the town school. The regulations recommended in this report, have, by experiment, been found good and useful; and under the advantages now afforded the children and youth, for the acquisition of knowledge, competent to the common concerns of life, they are certainly making very encouraging progiess. And I do not think I am influenced by prejudice, or judge without some knowledge on the subject when I say that I have never known children in common life, so forward in learning, us those in the districts which come under my immediate inspection. And as the reg- ulations through town, are the same, it is presumed the same observation may be extended to all. It would be an additional improvement, both in re- gard to economy and the advancement of our children, were the committee empowered to prescribe in all cases, the books which should be used. And there can be but little doubt, but the same observation would hold true in regard to the towns furnishing the necessary station- ary to be used in schools. The greatest inconvenience, we experience, is the un- equal division of the school districts, an evil which I do not know can well be remedied ; but being an evil which all now feel, will I hope, teach all that in the course of years, individuals can be benefitted in no surer way, than by consulting the general good. Beside these public schools, there is an academy in the west parish, founded in 1803, and chiefly supported by inhabitants living in that part of the town. This 17 institution has, for several years past, enjoyed a large share of public patronage, the best evidence we can have of its being esteemed, by those who have no motives for partiality, a good institution. God has also sent his blessings upon it. Several considerable revivals of reli- gion have taken place there among the students, and many, who came in pursuit of human science, have there learned that fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, and acquired that good understanding, which all have who keep his commandments. Near 2500 youth have received instruction within its walls ; numbers of whom have performed or are now performing parts in the theatre of life, honorable to themselves, and useful to the world. Among whom, you will not expect, I should fail to name, Mrs. Harriet Newell, who in life, took a part in carrying the gospel to a land shadowing in darkness, and whose writings, published since her death, have been the happy instrument of exciting the attention of many, to the obligations they owe to the heathen world. This academy is under the direction of eleven trus- tees, viz: — Rev. Jonathan Allen, A. M. Pres. Rev. Isaac Braman, Col. James Kimball, Mr. Edward Kimball, Joseph Chadwick, Esq. Rev. Joshua Dodge, Dea. John Hasseltine, Mr. Moses Kimball, Hon. John Varnum, Rev. Gardner B. Perry, Mr. William Tenny, and has funds to the amount of about two thousand dollars. Since its foundation, the following persons have held the place of principal instructors in the two apartments. Rev. Samuel Walker, Rev. Samuel Guile, Rev. Abra- ham Burnham, Samuel Morrell, Samuel Peabody, Dan- iel Hardy, Luther Baily, Hon. Samuel Adams, Richard Kimball, Rev. Ebenezer P. Sperry, Nathaniel Dike, Jo- seph Noyes, and Benjamin Greenleaf the present pre- ceptor. In the female apartment. Miss Hannah Swan, Mary Boardman, Harriet Webster, Betsey Allen, Charlotte 18 Gage, Abigail C. Hasseltine, the present precep- tress.* There are two libraries in this town, in which there is a respectable number of well chosen books, besides several little collections owned by small associations. The Washington Benevolent Society, is an institution now exclusively devoted to literary improvement, and the business is conducted, as I have much reason to suppose, in a manner higlily useful to the members. And I must say with its present cast, it is highly de- sirable, that the J^oung men should more generally be- come members of it. It is by no means designed, and it is far from being desirable, that it should be confined to one part of the town, though hitherto most of its members have been of this parish. And I cannot but think, that the young men, who do not avail them- selves of the advantages of this or some similar institu- tion, will, in the course of a few years, find themselves considerably behind tliose in real information, who every month assemble for improvement in useful knowledge. The following persons have received a public educa- tion — T'ears. JVames. Colleges. Residence. 1698 Rev. Thomas Symmns, A. M. Harvard, Bradford, dec. 1736. Rev, Samuel Webster, S. T. D. Harvard, Salisbury, Ms. dec. 1774. Rev. Benj. Thurston, A. M. Harvard, Exeter, N. H. dec. 178-2. Benj. Parker, A M.M.D, M.M.S.Soc. Harvard, Bradford, 1789. Daniel Hardy, Jr. A. M. Dartmouth ,V%\\\^va.. N. U. 1790 Samuel Walker, Esq. Harvard, Rutland, Vt. 1791. Aaron Hardy, A. M. Z)«;-/';«o«/'//,Bost()n, dec. 1800 John Dutoh, /?«/-//«(?«///, Bradford, 1800. Rev. Daniel Kimball, A. M. Harvard, llinsham, Ms. 1803 Rev. David T. Kimball, A. M. Harvard, Ipswich, Ms, 1801. Leonard Kimball, A. M. Harvard, Baltimore, 1808 Nathaniel K Hardy, Z>«/'/;«o«///, Pembroke, dec, 1808. Frederic Muzzy, Esq. Columbia, N. York City, dec. 1810. Riciiard Kimball, A. M. /^rtr/wo/^///, Ipswich, Ms. 1812. (jleorge Parker, A M. Harvard, Southward, 181;'). Rev. Alonzo Phillips, A. M. Middlebury ,Vx\x\gg\,ovl, Ms. ISl.'i Rev. David Tenny, A. M. Harvard, Mi.««ionary, dec. 18'20 James Kimball, Jr. 7l//VA//c(^«/-r,Andover, 1821. Stephen ^lor.se, Z>rtr////o/////, Bradford. * It may not be iinproper to notice, that since this di.ecourse was writ- ten, a building has been erected in the east parisli, designed among other useiul purposes, for an academy, in which it is hoped to afl'ord youth, who may resort here, the common advantages of such institutions. 19 Title to the Soil, ^c. — So far as the government of the colony was concerned, we have already seen, that our ancestors became in rightful possession of the land, in virtue of the patent granted to Mr. Rogers. And the settlement was made according to the acknowledge- ment of his descendants, with the full " knowledge, li- cense and liking " of *Maschonomontic, alias Mas-^hon- nomit, the chief Sagamore and native proprietor of all the land between the Merrimack and Naumkeag or Bass rivers. But there was no actual purchase of the land from him. In consequence of this, his descendants and heirs, Samuel English and Joseph English, grand-chil- dren, and John Umpee, his nephew, set up a claim to the soil in 1700, which claim was allowed by the town, and a committee consisting of John Tenny, Joseph, Bai- ley, Richard Kimball, Sen. Phillip Atwood and John Boynton, was chosen the 2ocl of November that year, to treat with these persons, and purchase the land at the town's expense. This they did for the sum of Ql. 10 shillings, and took a deed for the land, signed by these three persons, dated 13th January 1701. Samuel English putting down for his mark, the sign of a ser- pent, Joseph English, that of a bow and arrow, and John Umpee, that of a new moon. Those therefore, who now possess landed property here, may comfort themselves with the reflection, that so far as the original possessors are concerned, they have a just title to it, a reflection which must yield no small satisfaction to those who wish to do justly by all. In consequence as it is presumed, of tlie wise and equita- ble dealings of the flrst settlers, and their immediate de- scendants, with the aboriginal inhabitants, next to the restraining influence of God's spirit, the people in this town were never much molested by them. I have found * Maschonnomit, or as it is spelt in some other records, Maschanomet, was one of the five Sagamores, who in 1643, signed an instrument by which they put themselves and people under the government of the Mas- sachusetts Uolony. 20 but one record of any violence experienced from them. This is contained in a note attached to one of the town books, by Shubel Walker, who was then town clerk, a man admirably fitted for that ofiice, being a very fine writer, and very accurate in the duties of his office ; he served the town several years. He observes in this note, that Thomas Kimball, was shot by an Indian, the od of May, 1676, and his wife and five children, Joannah, Thomas, Joseph, Prescilla and John, were carried cap- tive. These however, he observes in another note, re- turned home again the 13th of June the same year. Mr. Kimball's house stood on the road leading to Box- ford, between Mr. Nathaniel Woodman's and Mr. Pea- body's, about twenty rods towards Boxford, where the well and cellar still remain. It is traditionally reported, that the Indians, who committed this violence, set out from their homes, near Dracutt, with the intention of killing some one in Rowley, who they supposed had in- jured them, but finding the night too far spent, they did not dare to proceed further, and so avenged them- selves on Mr. Kimball, for an injury another man had done them. There was also a Mr. Nehemiah Carlton, shot from across the river, at the time of the attack upon Haverhill. And it is said farther, that one of the workmen employed in felling timber on the Haverhill side of the river, for building the house now owned by Reuben Carlton, was also shot. Beside these I have heard of no particular injury received from tliem. There must have been a considerable settlement of Indians in this town, as is evident from the number of bones found in and about the hill near Paul Parker's. The last of these who resided here, was Papahana, who lived to a great age, in a huj: near the mouth of Johnson's creek ; the people of the last generation, knew liim well. The name of the tribe to which this settlement belonged, is not certainly known, but is supposed to be the Paw- tucet. 21 There were three garrison houses built at an early period in this town, one of brick at the west end of the town, near the place where Mr. John Day's house now stands. One where the parsonage was afterwards built, opposite the burying-ground, in the west parish. The third where widow Rebecca Foster's house is ; this was palisaded. The inhabitants of the town, often passed the night in these houses, when from any cir- cumstance they apprehended danger from the savages. There was also a block house on the neck so called, near the falls, in which, during times of danger, the in- habitants watched by turns. Town Officers. — One thing which contributes greatly to the respectability, the moral habits, and indeed to the prosperit}^ of a town, is the appointment of suita- ble men to transact its public concerns. And I am happy to observe, that the records of this town, carry with them strong internal evidence, that such has been the character of a very great proportion of the men, who have, at different periods, had the conducting of its affairs. In the early settlement of the town, the se- lectmen appeared to have been considered the fathers of the town ; and accordingly were from year to year, for a great period, empowered by the town, to manage all its "prudential affairs according to the best of their discretion." And if any opinion can be gathered from the town rec- ords, they merited the confidence placed in them. I do not find an instance, in Avhich there is the least evi- dence of any dissatisfaction on the part of the town, for what they did, unless the raising a school committee in the year to manage the concerns of the schools, which had, before this, been left with the selectmen, was such. The first who served in this office, were ser- geant John Gage, Robert Hasseltine, Joseph Pike, John Griffin, John Tenny. Agreeable to the discretionary power entrusted to the selectmen, we find them giving directions concerning the height of fences, &c., things now regulated by law. 22 And as I perhaps shall not find a more convenient place, I will observe here, that Thomas Kimball was at the first meeting in this town, chosen constable, Samuel Wooster, Benjamin Gage, Benjamin Kimball, David Hasseltine, overseers, Joseph Pike, clerk. And at the same meeting, it was voted, that the houses of Benja- min Gage and Thomas Kimball, " shoald be legal places for posting up any order or other business of public con- cernment to the whole town." And this remained the order of the town, for any thing that appears, with the exception of one year, when the meeting-house was made the place for such notifications, till the division of the town into parishes. I mention this because it makes known the parts of the town, which were then the places of most resort and most business. And also as an evidence that the people of those days, thought the setting up such notifications on meeting-houses to be read sabbath days, was bringing religious and secular things too much together. In 1707, the town voted there should be two consta- bles instead of one, as before, chosen from the two parts of the town, and that the twenty-five shillings that had been given yearly for this service, should be divided be- tween them. This is the first act of the town, which looks like any acknowledgement of a claim to public notice, from local circumstances, and was the commence- ment of a practice, in regard to town ofiices, which has prevailed to the present time, and by which the two parts of the town have acted together with a great de- gree of harmony and good feeling, and which I ear- nestly hope they will ever continue to do. And it v." as this measure which led the way in the division of the town into parishes, which took place about twenty years after. Puhlie Order. — There are few circumstances in the lives of men, better calculated to give a correct view of their character, than their regard to public order. And 23 I am happy to find, that a commendable regard to this, is evident in all the doings of this town. At the first, meeting, it was voted " that whoever did not ap- pear at town meeting, at the time set for such meeting, should pay six pence for every hour he was " defective," and if any one in meeting should speak without leave obtained from the moderator, he should pay the same sum for every "offence." On the 11th of January, 1668, "it was further voted, that when the town are assem- bled in town meeting, that no one should leave the house without liberty obtained, under the penalty of twelve pence per hour, and that no act passed by the town after sunset shall be of value." In March 1699, a vote was passed to preserve order in the meeting-house, and for this purpose it was or- dered, that seats shonld be assessed to individuals, and that if any should refuse to take the seat assigned him, after proper notice, he should be fined five shillings for every day of public assembly, from which vote there were but two dissenting voices, viz : Joseph and Jacob Hardy. In 1708, when the new meeting-house was to be seated, the town instructed the committee appointed for that purpose, to place the men above 60, according to their age, and all others according to their rates, having no respect to the rates of sons and servants. In 1818, a vote was passed unanimously in this parish, recommending to all, to go into the meeting-house dur- ing the tolling of the bell on days of public worship, and also to make as little noise as practicable in mov- ing the falling seats. I refer to this as an evidence, that the people retain the same good ideas of public order, which so highly recommends the first settlers in this town, and to remind those who may have forgot- ten this resolve, that it stands yet, as the expression of the sense of the parish, concerning what is decent to be done in and about the house of God. And it is pleasing to observe, that there appears to be an increas- 24 ing attention to the recommendation contained in this vote. Health. — Bradford has been as much favoured in this respect, as towns in general. So far as is known, there never has been a specifick local disorder here ; as far back as we have records, about one in ten of the deaths has been of persons rising eighty years ; for the few years past the proportion has been rather greater. In this parish since my settlement, full one, out of eight of the deaths, has been of those, who, by reason of strength, had lived to four score years ; and I am happy to say, that in most of these, old age was honourable, because found in the ways of righteousness. In 1736, this town, in common with several other parts of New England, was visited with the throat dis- temper, which in one year, carried oif in this parish, forty-seven children, and nine grown persons. And it is said that only two families entirely escaped the dis- order, one of which was that of their Rev. Pastor. And I apprehend it is from this circumstance, connected with the French war, so called, which made another draft ui^on persons of the same generation, that there are fewer persons of from 86 and upwards living now, than there was in the former generation, and less than there is a prospect of being in the generation now fol- lowing them, in this county, and perhaps in other parts of New-England. This appears to me, at least, a much more probable reason for the present diminution among aged people, than the one generally given, that people do not now live as long, as in the early settlement of the country. In 1762, the throat distemper returned again, when about twenty-three were taken away by it, in a short time. And in 1794, fifteen more died of the same dis- order. May God, in his great mercy, forbid that this judgment should return any more to this place. May the rising generation be aaved from the pestilence which 25 walketh in darkness^ and from the distruction which wasteth at noon-day. In May 1777, the small-pox made its appearance in this place. The first person that died with it, was Jere- miah Hardy. The town built a pest house on the road passing by Mr. Benjamin Jaquis's, south of his house, and removed those to it, who had taken the disorder. Fourteen had the disorder and ten died. Just about the time those, who recovered, were permitted to return to their homes, the pest house was consumed by fire ; but the town, though it instituted an enquiry, was not able to ascertain by what means the fire was communicated to it. What is called the revolution in this country, and by which we became a free and independent people, is a subject of so much general interest, the young will be glad to be informed, and the old to be reminded, what part this town took, in that glorious and ever memo- rable affair. The first public measure upon record, is the choice of captain Daniel Thurston, in 1774, to set in the provincial congress, which was to meet at Con- cord the 11th of October, that year. And at a subse- quent meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Bradford, duly warned and legally as- sembled, it was voted to give to captain Daniel Thurs- ton, the representative of the town of Bradford, in gen- eral assembly, the following instructions. " Sir, we, his majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Bradford, in town meet- ing legally assembled, this 7th of January 1775, take this opportunity to express our very great uneas^iness, at the infringements of our natural and constitutional rights, by many of the late measures of the British ad- ministration ; particularly those of the taxation of the colonies, and the granting of salaries to the judges of the Superior Court, measures adapted as we apprehend, to lay a foundation in time, to render property preca- 26 rious and to introduce a system of despotism, which we cannot view, but with the utmost aversion, and to which we cannot submit, while possible to be avoided. We recommend it to you as our representative in general as- sembly, to use your influence to obtain redress of all our injuries ; and in particular to enquire whether the support of the judges of the Superior Court, has been adequate to their services, office and station ; and if not, to use your influence in obtaining suitable grants and establishments, as may be thought sufficient to remove all pretence, that government is not sufficiently sup- ported among ourselves, which was voted unanimously. We .also vote the thanks of this town, to the town of Boston, for the care and vigilance they have discovered for the rights and privileges of this province, as men, as christians, and as subjects. Voted, that the town clerk, be directed to transmit a copy of these instruc- tions, &G. to the committee of correspondence in Bos- ton." Dudley Caelton, William Greenough, Benjamin Gage, Jr. Thomas Webster, Amos Mulliken. Committee to make report. As the difficulties between this and the mother coun- try increased, and it had become a serious question, whether the united colonies should declare themselves independent, a meeting of the town was called " to see whether the town would advise or give Dudley Carlton, their representative, any instructions relative to the hon- ourable congress declaring the United Colonies inde- pendent states." And the town met accordingly on the 20th of June 1776, when they appointed Thomas Web- ster, John Burbank, capt. Nathaniel Gage, Benjamin Muzzy, John Savory, to consult and report to the meet- ing, what ought to be done ; which committee reported, 27 that they should send to their representative the follow- ing instructions, viz : To Dudley Carlton, Esq. representative from the town of Bradford, in general assembly, " Sir- When we consider the despotick plan of gov- ernment, adopted by the king, ministry and parliament of Great Britain, to enslave these American colonies. When we consider, instead of redressing our grievan- ces, they have turned a deaf ear to the repeated peti- titions and remonstrances of all the United Colonies, and have also been and are still endeavoring to enforce their arbitrary plan upon us, by spilling our blood, by burning our towns, by seizing our property and by in- stigating the savages of the wilderness, and the negroes to take up the cause against us. When we consider these things, it raises our indignation, that we who have always been loyal subjects to the king of Great Britain, should be so unconstitutionally and inhumanly treated ; such tyranical impositions and abuses of power, we cannot as men submit to. Therefore utterly despairing of a happy reconciliation ever taking place between Great Britian and these colonies, you are hereby desired, as our rep- resentative, to use your utmost endeavour, that our del- egates in general congress be instructed to shake off the tyrannical yoke of Great Britain, and declare these United Colonies indej3endent of that venal, corrupt and avaricious court forever, provided no proposals for a happy reconciliation be offered, which the honorable congress think proper to accept, and we hereby engage that we will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, en- deavour to defend them therein." Which report was accepted so far as it appears unan- imously, and accordingly sent. This town united also b}' unanimous vote, in the ex- ertions which were made through this state, to procure an universal observance of an act of the state, to pre- vent monopoly : And at the same meeting, gave the 28 selectmen discretionary power to purchase guns and powder. In the same year they met to choose some one firmly attached to the American cause, to secure this and the other United States, against the danger to which they were exposed by internal enemies, and Abra- ham Day, Jr. was made choice of for this purpose. As it would not be possible to go through all the meas- ures the town took in this work, I will remark that during the continuance of the war, the people of the town appear to have been ready and willing to do their part in the toil, and bear their part of the expenses of that war ; which remark is abundantly supported by their numerous votes to raise money, provision and men, whenever called upon by the proper authorities, and from their prompt assistance, without any call, when the exigencies of the country seemed to require. After the cessation of hostilities, when this country had virtually obtained the object contended for, it be- came a question, what course should be taken in regard to those who had left the country during the war. The sentiment of this town on the subject, may be learned from the following resolution, passed May 17th, 1783, viz : " That the representative from this town the en- suing year, be instructed to use his utmost endeavour, to prevent any person or persons returning to live in this commonwealth, who have conspired against or ab- sented themselves from the United States, during the continuance of the war with Great Britain." The sen- timent expressed in this vote, prevailed generally at that time, but has not borne the test of more cool delibera- tion. After the declaration of independence, it became a subject of great concern, to define the principles and fix upon the form of government in this commonwealth. And there were measures taken to get the minds of the people, on the subject of a new constitution, and of the manner it should be formed. The result this town 29 came to, is expressed in the following resolution, " that we are not willing, nor do we consent, that the house of representatives and council acting in one body, as proposed in a resolve of the house, passed September 17, 1776, should agree on, and enact a constitution, and form of government for this state, but we are willing and do desire that the honourable council, and the hon- ourable house of representatives, each acting in their respective capacities proceed to form a plan of govern- ment for this state, and exhibit attested copies of the same, to the several towns, for their inspection and ap- probation, before it be ratified and confirmed." In 1779, when delegates were to be chosen for the formation of a constitution, this town made choice of Peter Russel, Esq. to meet with the convention, to be assembled for that purpose on the 1st of September, and instructed him, when the constitution was formed, to deliver a copy of it to the selectmen, in order to have it laid ^before the town for their inspection. The con- stitution being formed and sent to the people in 1780, the people voted to accept it, requiring however, that the word protestant should be inserted after the word christian in the qualification for governor. There were eleven votes against the third article, the rest appears to have been adopted without dissent. In 1795, when the time had arrived for the revision of the constitution, according to a provision made in it, if the people desired it, there was but one vote in favour of a revision. This year, as you know, there has been a new pro- posal for alteration, arising professedly from this circum- stance, that one large portion of this state has been sep- arated from it. A majority of votes was given in favor of revision. And there being found to be a majority in the state, this town voted to send to the Convention, and for this purpose, made choice of Daniel Stickney, and Jesse Kimball, Esquires. The Convention is now in 30 session, and the revision going on perhaps not with all the speed the public expected, but with a spirit and talent which promises a happy issue. Religion, — At what time the people upon this river, be- gan first to enjoy the worship of God by themselves, does not appear from any record that I have found. Rev. Mr. Zechariah Symmes, must have resided in this town in capacity of a religious teacher, at least about fourteen years before his ordination. For in the first legal town meeting of which we have a record, held in 1668, it was voted, that the selectmen chosen that year, should have power to carry on and finish the minister's house according to Mr. Symmes' direction, though he was not ordained till 1682. And for his support, the first year, he received forty pounds, the next year fifty, which ap- pears to have been his yearly salary, till the time of his ordination. The one half of this was to be paid in wheat, pork, butter and clieese, the other half in malt, Indian corn or rye. And the town appear to have been desirous to make his circumstances altogether comforta- ble, for in 1669, they voted to defray the expense of bringing his goods to town, gave him forty acres of land near Indian hill, and appointed sergeant Gage, John Simmons and David Haseltine, to lay it out. And fur- ther appointed Robert Haseltine and Samuel Wooster, to gather the tax, and take care to have Mr. Symmes' work done, and to attend to such other things as he should stand in need of during the year. And a committee was appointed for the same purpose from year to year, during his and the greater part of his successor's ministry in this place. Indeed provision for the full and respectable en- joyment of religion, and for the comfort of those who min- istered to them in holy things, formed a very prominent trait in the character of the first settlers in this town. Hardly a meeting of the town passed without doing some- thing on this subject, and all manifesting a liberality which docs them honor. In accordance with what was a princi- 31 pal object with them, they appointed in 1677, Samuel Wooster, John Tenny, John Simmons and Richard Hall, to join with Mr. Symmes "to advise to what might be thought best for the further carrying on the affairs of re- ligion, and to prepare for the settlement of the ordinances of God, in this place." And in 1681, it was voted and consented to, "that the Rev. Mr. Symmes have liberty at his discretion, to call out any two men of the inhabitants of the town, to assist him in catechising the youth, and also to go with him to see who of the heads of the fami- lies or others, would join the church." That the last part of this resolve may be understood, it may be necessary to observe, that it was now in contemplation to form a church in tliis town, for tliongh the inhabitants of this town had enjoyed, as we have noticed, the ministry of the word, they had not the holy sacrament, for their re- ligious teacher, Mr. S^anmes, had not yet been ordained ; the pious were united with tlie church at Rowley, Ha- verhill, and perhaps with other neighboring societies, the object therefore of this resolution was to see who would take up their connections with other churches, and unite in forming one in this place, and further to ascertain whether tliere were not other serious persons disposed to unite with them. Having ascertained each other's feelings on this subject, and found, as their consequent doings prove, the minds of professors favourable to such a plan, they called in the pastors of several churches to advise with them about the propriety of the measure they had in contemplation. The result of their deliber- ations we have in the following instrument. "The question being proposed to us whose names are under-written, whether the minister and j)eople at Brad- ford, should promote without delay a coalition of them- selves into a church and society, we answer in the affirm- ative, provided that the people do their utmost in tak- ing effectual care, that he that preaches the gospel among them, live on the gospel according to 1 Cor. ix, 14, that 32 so he may provide for his own household, as 1 Tim., v, 2, provided also, that their present teacher accept of office work among them so long as he finds he can comforta- bly discharge his duty, in all the relations he stands to God, his people and in his family, and that when he finds he cannot discharge his said duties respectively, the people shall freely release him of his engagement to them, after leave of council taken in the case : for hereby is a door opened for the worker to work the whole work of God, as an officer of Christ in that place, as others in office do in their places according to the 1 Cor. xvi. 10, for he worketh the work of God as I also do ; hereby also is a better opportunity both for the worker and those that are taught to walk in all the com- mandments and ordinances of God blameless : Luke i, 6. That they may be found walking in the truth as we have received commandment from the father, 2 John 4. Dated 31st Oct. 1682. This was subscribed by the Rev. Elder John Higgin- son, William Hubljard, John Brak, Samuel Phillips, John Richerson, John Hale, Edward Payson. And at a legal town meeting, November 28, 1682, it was voted and' granted, that this resolve of the Rev. Elders, be entered in the town book as what was ascented to by all the inhabitants in the town. To the conditions proposed by these reverend Elders, the town made the reply contained in the following in- strument, which also contains the call they made to Mr. Symmes, to settle with them. "We, tlie inhabitants of Bradford, met together at a legal town meeting, loth March, 1682, in thankfulness to God for his great mercy in setting up his sanctuary among us, do hereby engage ourselves, jointly and singly, and do engage our chiklren after us, as far as we may, by our parental authority, to endeavor by our and their utmost power, to uphold the faithful ministry of the gospel of Jesus Cln-ist, in this town of Bradford, so long 33 as we and they shall live; and for the encouragement of the same, to contribute a lil)eral and honorable main- tenance towards it, as the rule of the gospel doth re- quire, to the utmost of our and their ability, which God shall be pleased to bless us and them with from time to time. And for the encouragement of our present minister, we do covenant and promise to give and allow to him, so long as he shall continue with us as our minister, the full sum of sixty pounds per annum, if God be pleased to preserve us in our present capacity, and for to be paid in our present state annually, as fol- lows: the first half in wheat and pork, butter and cheese, allowiug at least to this half, one pound of butter for every milch cow and one cheese for a family; the other half to be in malt, Indian or rye, except what he will- ingly excepts in other pay; the first payment to be made the second Thursday in October, the other payment to be made the third Thursday in March ; and if any un- foreseen providence shall hinder, then to take the next convenient day the week following. We further grant liberty to him, to improve for his best advantage, what land we shall accomplish or ob- tain for our, ministry. We grant him also liberty to feed his herd of cattle on our lands during his abode with us, which shall have the same liberty as our own cattle have. We engage to procure for him, at our own charge besides the annual stipend, sufiicient fire- wood every year in good cord wood, he allowing six pence per cord, to bring it seasonably and cord it up in his yard. We engage also to furnish him yearly with ten sufficient loads of good hay if he need them at piice current among us, and to bring it in the summer time and also to supply him with sufficient fencing and good stuff which he may hereafter need, at a reasonable lay. We engage that there be conve- nient highways provided and legally stated, to the sev- eral parcels of land, which we have given him ; as to 34: the five acres of meadow and the forty acres of upland, we bought of Benjamin Kimball. We do also engage that two men shall be chosen from year to year for the comfortable carrying on of his affairs, and that these two men shall have power to require any man at two days warning, according to his proportion, to help car- ry on his necessary husbandry work. We also engage that these agreements, together with any legal town acts, confirming the annual stipend and other concerns of our present minister, be duly and truely, in manner and kind as above specified without trouble to himself. This was voted and granted to be entered in the town's book, at a legal town meeting the 13th Janu- ary, 16 S2, as attests, Shubal Walker, Recorder.''^ During the time these things were doing by the town, those who intended to unite in church relation, Avere preparing themselves for this solemnity, as we learn from the following instrument, which they tailed an act of Pacification, viz: — "We, whose names are subscribed, being awfully sen- sible that we live in an age, wherein, God hath in part, executed the dreadful threatenings to take place in the earth, and wherein satan the great makebate and au- thor of contentions, doth by God's holy permission ex- ceedingl}^ rage even in the visible church of God, and wherein the wicked one is sowing the tares of discord almost in every christian society, (the sad effects of which, Ave who are the inhabitants of Bradford, have for some years past experimentally felt, and have yet the bitter remembrance thereof,) we being now (through the rich and undeserved mercy of God in Christ Jesus) under hopeful probability of setting up a church of Christ Jesus in Bradford, do take this occasion, as to ex- press our hearty and unfeigned sorrow and humiliation for what unchristian differences have broken forth among us, to the dishonor of God's name, the grief of his Spirit and to the obstiuctins: of the word and kinodom of 35 Jesus Christ among us, and to the hindering of our own peace and edification ; so also in the name of God and by his gracious help, seriously and solemnly do engage and promise for the future to forgive and forget, to the utmost of our endeavors, all former unchristian animos- ities, distances, alienations, differences and contests, pri- vate or more public, personal or social that have risen among us, or between us and other people, to pass a general act of amnesty and oblivion upon them all, and not to speak of them to the defamation of each other at home in Bradford town, much less abroad in any other place, nor to repeat or revive them, unless call- ed by scripture rule or lawful authority to mention them for the conviction or spiritual advantage of each other. Besides, we promise, tlirough the grace of God, that in case God in his most wise and holy prov- idence, should permit any offences for the future to break forth among us, (wliich we desire God, in his infinite mercy would prevent, as far as may be for his glory and our own good,) that we will then conscientiously en- deavour to attend scripture rules for the healing and re- moving them, and those holy rules in particular Levit. xix, 17, 18, Math, xviii, 15, &c. and so bring no matter of grievance against each other, to our minister and to our church, but in a scriptural and orderly way and manner. That we may be helped inviolably to observe this our agreement, we desire the assistance of each other's mutual, both christian and church watch, that we may be monitors or as it were remembrancers to each other of this branch of our covenant; as also through instant and constant pra3^ers of each other, that God would enable us carefully to observe this instrument of our pacification and our conditional obligation to church and order, that God's name may be honored by us, and we may experience God's connnanding his blessing upon us, even life forevermore. — Private fast, April 20, 1682, then was this vote passed." 36 Having thus as they hoped sanctified themselves, and all things being ready, they united together in fellow- ship the 27th of December 1682, the day Mr. Symmes was ordained. It is much to be regretted, that part of the covenant they took is. missing. What remains I will present to you. * * By the power of his Holy Spirit, in the ministry of his word, whereby we have been brought to see our misery by nature, our inability to help ourselves, and our need of a Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we desire now solemnly to give up ourselves, as to our only Redeemer, to keep us by his power unto salvation. And for the furtherance of the blessed work, we are now ready to enter into a solemn covenant with God and with one another, that is to say, we do give up our- selves' unto (rod whose name alone is Jehovah, as the only true and living God, and unlo the Lord Jesus Christ, his only son, who is the Saviour, Prophet, Priest and King of his church and Mediator of the covenant of grace and to his Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and to bring us unto salvation at the last. We do also give up our offsprings unto God ia Christ Jesus, avouch- ins: him to be our God and the God of our children, humbly desiring him to bestow upon us that grace, whereby both we and they may walk before him as be- comes his covenant people forever. We do also give up ourselves one unto another in the Lord, according to the will of God, engaging ourselves to walk together as a right ordered church of Christ, in all the ways of his worship, according to the rules of his most holy word, promising in brotherly labor, faithfully to watch over one another's souls and to submit ourselves to the gov- ernment of Christ in his church, attending upon all liis holy administrations according to the order of the gospel, so far as God hath or may reveal it to us by liis word and Spirit. 37 Zacheri.vh Symmes, Samuel Haseltine, >