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 , DECEMBER 1820. 
 
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 PASTOR OF TII^ FIRST CHURCH IX IPSWICH, M\=^ 
 
 PtBLISHEn BY RJ'.ai'EST. 
 
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 .?RT\TEDAT THE GA^JETTE AXD PATRIOT 01 PICK 
 
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A DISCOURSE. 
 
 PART FIRST. 
 
 WHEN we survey this vast continent; when we consider 
 the number, power, and wealth of its inhabitants ; its cities, its 
 fruitful fields, and institutions of learning, and the progress made 
 in arts and sciences ; and reflect that 330 years ago it was total- 
 ly uaknown to the civilized world, and that 220 years ago there 
 was no permanent English settlement upon it ; our minds are 
 filled with wonder, astonishment, and delight. With hearts, 
 warmed with pious gratitude, we should exclaim. What hath 
 God wrought ! 
 
 The discovery of thfe country, by Columbus, in 1492, was 
 one of the most interesting and important events, recorded in 
 modern history. 
 
 The conquest of South America was marked with avarice, in- 
 justice, and perfidy, disgraceful to humanity, and distressing to 
 benevolence. W^ho can read the history of the conquest of 
 Mexico and Peru, and not bleed with pity at the fall of the great 
 and generous Montezuma, nnd the brave Guatemozin and Ata- 
 
hiialpa, and burn with indignation at the depredations of the in- 
 trepid, but treacherous and inhuman Cortes and Pizarro f 
 
 The first settlers of JVorth Amejica were actuated by love of 
 rehgious hberty. — The settlements of JVew England were occa- 
 sioned by those religious disputes which attended the reformation 
 from popery in the land of our fathers. The rise of popery is 
 commonly reckoned from A. D. 606, when Pope Boniface 3d 
 procured the title of universal bishop. From that time profound 
 ignorance reigned. The most entire subjection to the pope was 
 required. Early in the 13th century, a decree passed, that all 
 heretics, meaning all who maintained any sentiments, different 
 from those of the church of Rome, should be burned. Vast 
 numbers were burned, and some for presuming to doubt, wheth- 
 er the bread, used in the eucharist, was the real body of Christ. 
 Just before the reformation, the pope declared himself the sov- 
 ereign of the world, as well as the supreme head of the church ; 
 and undertook to dispose of different parts of the earth at his 
 pleasure. John Wicldiff, who appeared a little before the year 
 1400, was the morning star, and Martin Luther, who shone about 
 the year 1520, was the sun of the reformation. 
 
 In 1534, Henry 8th, King of England, renounced the author- 
 ity of the pope, and caused himself to be proclaimed, under 
 Christ, the supreme head of the church of England. He did 
 nothing however to purify the church from popish errors 
 and superstitions ; but destroyed indiscriminately papists and 
 protestants, who refused to acknowledge his own supremacy. 
 
 Edward 6th, son and successor of Henry 8th, the Josiah of 
 his day, gave new spirit and strength to the protestant cause, and 
 became its bright ornament and firm support. 
 
 Edward was succeeded by his sister Mary, a bigoted papist, 
 who persecuted the protestants with unrelenting fury. " The 
 bloody scene," says Dr. Goldsmith, '' began by the martyrdom 
 of Hooper, bishop of Gloucester, and Rogers, prebendary of St. 
 Paul's. They were condemned to be burned, Rogers in Smith- 
 field and Hooper at Gloucester. Rogers, beside the care of his 
 
own preservation, lay under very powerful temptations to deny 
 his principles, and save his life. For he had a wife, whom he 
 tenderly loved, and ten children. But nothing could move his 
 resolution. Such was his serenity after his condemnation, that 
 the jailers, we are told, waked him from a sound sleep upon the 
 approach of the hour, appointed for his execution. He desired 
 to see his wife ; hut Gardiner told hirn, that, being a priest, he 
 could have no wife. When the faggots were placed around him, 
 lie seemed no way daunted, but cried out, ' I resign my life 
 whh joy in testimony of the doctrine of Jesus. '■^" This was A, 
 D. 1555. 
 
 On the accession of queen Elizabeth, who was a protestant, 
 the reformation begun by Edward was partially restored. 
 " Then was established that form of religious doctrine and ec- 
 clesiastical government which still subsists in England." The 39 
 articles were adopted in 1563. And the clergy were required 
 to subscribe, not only to these articles, but also to the ceremonies 
 prescribed by authority. This many of the greatest and best 
 ministers refused to do. And this refusal marks the epoch of 
 non conformity. The church of England, retaining, as was 
 thought, some remains of the Romish superstitions, " they who 
 desired a further separation from those superstitions and a more 
 pure and perfect form of religion were denominated puritans." 
 Elizabeth wished to preserve the ornaments and habits worn by 
 the clergy, when the Romish religion and rites prevailed. But 
 many of the puritan clergy refused to wear them, as they con- 
 sidered them badges of popery, and for this refusal, in which 
 ihey acted conscientiously, they were deprived of their ojfhces, 
 imprisoned, and variously persecuted. 
 
 " The puritans disapproved of the bishop s ' affecting to be 
 thought a superior order to presbyters, and claiming the sole 
 right of ordination, and the sole exercise of ecclesiastical disci- 
 pline. They complained of the exorbitant power and jurisdic- 
 
 - Goldsmith's History of Enjrland, 
 
tion of the bishops and their chancellors, in their spiritual courts, 
 as derived from the law of the pope and not from the word of 
 God. They lamented the general access of all persons to the 
 Lord's table, and the expression in the funeral service, to be 
 pronounced over the worst as w^ell as the best of men — in sure 
 and c&'tain hope of the resurrection to eternal life. They disap- 
 proved of some of the church festivals or holy days in comme- 
 moration of particular saints, without any scripture example. 
 They were unwilling to conform to certain rites and ceremonies, 
 as the sign of the cross in baptism, it being no part of the insti- 
 tution, as recorded in scripture, and it having been abused to su- 
 perstitious purposes by the church of Rome." To these things 
 prescribed by authority they could not conscientiously conform 
 and submit. It is well known, says Dr. Mather, that "nearly five 
 and twenty hundred faithful ministers of the gospel were silenced 
 in one black day, because they would not comply whh some 
 things by themselves counted sinful, and by the imposers con- 
 fessed indifferent. And it is confirmed by a modest calculation, 
 that this persecution procured the untimely death of three thous- 
 and non-conformists, and the ruin of three score thousand fami- 
 lies within five and twenty years. "^ " There was no essential 
 difference in doctrine between the conformists and the puritans ; 
 but the latter insisted on the natural right of every man to judge 
 for himself, and make profession of that rehgion, which he ap- 
 prehends to be most agreeable to truth, as far as it does not af- 
 fect the peace and safety of the government he lives under." 
 The puritans are thus characterized by Mr. Neal. " They were 
 men of undissembled piety and devotion ; mighty in the scrip- 
 tures ; zealous for the protestant religion ; of exemplary lives ; 
 far remote from the liberties and fashionable vices of the day, 
 and indefatigably diligent in instructing those committed to their 
 care. They were the most pious and devout men in the land : 
 men of prayer, in secret and public, as well as in their families. 
 Their manner of devotion was fervent and solemn. They de- 
 
 * Mathers Mag 
 
pended on the Divine Spirit, not only to teach them iiow tu 
 pray, but what to pray for. They had a profound reverence for 
 the holy name of God ; and were great enemies not only to pro- 
 fane swearing, but also to foolish talking and jesting. Tiiey 
 were strict observers of the Lord's day ; spending the whole of 
 it in acts of private and public devotion and charity. It was a 
 distinguishing mark of a puritan in the days of queen Elizabeth, 
 to see him going to church twice a day with his bible under his 
 arm, and while many others were at plays and interludes, at rev- 
 els, or walking in the fields, or at the diversions of bowling, 
 fencing, &z:c. on the evening of the Sabbath ; these with their 
 families were employed in reading the scriptures, singing 
 psalms, catpchising their children, repeating sermons and pray- 
 ers. Nor was this the work of the Lord's day only ; but ihey 
 had their hours of family devotion on tiie w^eek days, esteeming 
 it their duty to take care of the souls, as well as the bodies of 
 their children and servants. They were circumspect, as to eat- 
 ing and drinking, apparel and lawful diversions; frugalin house- 
 keeping ; industrious in their particular callings ; honest and ex- 
 act in their deahngs ; and solicitous to give to every one his 
 
 own." 
 
 Elizabeth was in many respects a wise and politic queen. 
 Her administration was marked by an energy, which command- 
 ed the respect of all foreign nations, and contributed greatly to 
 the renown of her own. She held the balance' of Europe. She 
 commanded the veneration of her age ; and has secured the 
 admiration of posterity. She was however in religious things a 
 perfect tyrant. She was cither ignorant of the rights of con- 
 science, or disposed to trample them underfoot. She exercised 
 the same persecuting spirit toward the puritans, which her sister 
 had exercised toward the protestants. 
 
 Under the administration of James 1st, successor to Elizabeth, 
 the puritans were persecuted with great cruelty. Many there- 
 fore fled from their native country, to enjoy religious liberty. 
 The puritan church in the north of England, in 160G, was divid- 
 
8 
 
 ed into two distinct cliurclies ; to one of which belonged Mr. 
 John Robinson, afterward its minister, and Mr. William Brew- 
 ster, afterward its ruling elder. This church, being exceedingly 
 harrassed for its non-conformity, sought an asylum in Holland. 
 After residing there 12 years, in the cities, Amsterdam and Ley- 
 den, they meditated the design of removing to America. Hav- 
 ino" offered many addresses to heaven for direction, they resolved 
 to cross the Atlantic. It being thought expedient that a few of 
 them should go first, and the rest follow at a convenient time, a 
 majority of them, with Mr. Robinson, remained at Holland, 
 while Mr. Brewster, and one hundred others, 18 of whom were 
 women, and 42 children and servants departed. The season of 
 separation was most interesting. " The night before their de- 
 parture was spent in fervent and affectionate prayers and in that 
 pathetic intercourse of soul, which the feeling heart can better 
 conceive than describe. The affecting scene drew tears from 
 the eyes of strangers. When the time, at which the voyagers 
 were about to depart, arrived, they all with their beloved pastor 
 fell on their knees, and with eyes, hands, and hearts, raised to 
 heaven, fervently commended their adventuring brethren to the 
 blessing of the Lord."* 
 
 They sailed from Plymouth, England, Sept. 6th 5 and arrived 
 at this country Dec. 11th, Old Style, answering to Dec. 22d, 
 New Style, 1620. Before landing, having devoutly offered 
 their grateful acknowledgments to God for his protecting care, 
 they formed themselves into a body politic, and chose Mr. John 
 Carver their Governor. In thankful remembrance of the chris- 
 tian friends, whom they found in the last town they left in their 
 native country, they called the place of their settlement Plym- 
 outh.f That was the first town settled in New England. 
 
 My friends and brethren, it is now winter. Desolafion reigns 
 around us. But we have warm habitations and things conveni- 
 
 * H. Adams' Hist, of N. E. — For Mr. Robinson's parting address, sec 
 NeaVs Hist, of the Puritans, vol. 2, page 146. 
 t Holmes' American Annals. 
 
ent for us. Not so our venerable forefathers, who, 200 years 
 ago landed on these then dreary shores. " They sat down on 
 bare creation, witliout a house to shelter, orti friend to welcome 
 them." With hearts of sensibility, behold them, after a tedious 
 voyage across the Atlantic, 101 in number, three thousand miles 
 from their native country, at the commencement of a gloomy 
 winter, in a land uncultivated, and inhabited by savage men and 
 savage beasts ; the only English settlement in North America, 
 being the Virginia colony, planted 13 years before, and that at 
 the distance of several hundred miles. A mortal sickness, oc- 
 casioned by fatigue, and cold, and want of all things, raged among 
 them, and swept away about half their number before the open- 
 ing of the next spring. But, in the principles and motives, which 
 induced them to leave their native country, and especially in the 
 exercise of faith in God, they found firm support under all their 
 trials and hardships. Divine providence smiled upon them, by 
 disposing several Indian chiefs, and particularly the powerful 
 Massassoit, to make peace with them the year after their arrival. 
 In four years their number was 180, and they had erected 32 
 dwelling houses. The fifth year they received the heavy tidings 
 of the death of their beloved pastor. Mr. Robinson is charac- 
 terized as a man of distinguished natural abilities, of a well culti- 
 vated understanding, eminent piety, and a mild, candid, and 
 amiable temper. Mr. Neal stiles him the father of the Inde- 
 pendants. 
 
 '* The new colonists made it their principal object to form 
 churches on what they supposed to be tiie gospel plan." Thus 
 they laid the foundation of the first church in Plymouth. " They 
 aimed wholly," says Mr. Hubbard, ■'^" at the primitive pattern 
 described in the word of God, and the practice of the apostolic 
 churches." They embraced the congregational system, because 
 they thought it agreeable to the christian scriptures. It was 
 their firm belief, that " no churches and no church officers have 
 any authority from scripture to control other churches and 
 church officers ; and that all r^inrch members have equal rights 
 
 ■■ History of New England, 
 
 9. 
 
10 
 
 and privileges." In doctrine they agreed essentially with the 
 church of England and the reformed churches generally. They 
 were strictly Calvinistic. " They were a plain, industrious, 
 conscientious, and pious people. Tho' their piety was fervent ; 
 yet it was also rational, and disposed them to a strict ob- 
 servance of the moral and social duties."^ The learned mea 
 among them were men of superior abilities and undaunted for- 
 titude. The respectable names of Carver, Bradford, Winslow, 
 Prince, and others, are immortalized in the annals of New En- 
 gland."! 
 
 Let us, my friends, delight to read their history, and endeav- 
 or to profit by the lessons of wisdom they have left us. By 
 cherishing ardent love of liberty ; by bearing trials and suffer- 
 ings with fortitude ; by promoting solid and useful learning ; by 
 avoiding profligacy of manners and every vice that degrades oui 
 nature, and practising every virtue that adorns it; by maintaining 
 supreme reverence for rehgion, and clinging with unalterable at- 
 tachment to its sacred institutions 5 let us show ourselves sons 
 of these pilgrims. And let us relate the history of their suffer- 
 ings and their virtues to our children, and charge them, in re- 
 membrance of their pious progenitors, to imbibe and cherish 
 those religious principles, which are the foundation of all that is 
 great and good, amiable and happy. 
 
 * Note. Are Calvinistic sentiments of good moral influence ? So long 
 as the history of New England is read, the lives of those who laid the founda- 
 tions of its civil and ecclesiastical order, formed under the influence of those 
 sentiments, will answer — Yts. 
 
 t H. Adams' History of New England. 
 
11 
 
 PART SECOND. 
 
 The foiindalion of the Massachusetts colony was laid A. 
 D. 1G2S. Its sctdement was projected expressly for the pur- 
 pose of providing for non-conformists a safe retreat, where they 
 might enjoy religious liheriy in matters of worship and of disci- 
 pline. The company, to wiiom this section of New England 
 had been sold, sent over about oiie hundred people, under the 
 government of Capt. John Endecot, to carry on the plantation of 
 Naumkeak, afterward called Salem. The colonists called that 
 town Salem, as an expression of the jieaceful asylum, which they 
 found in the American wilderness. That was the first perma- 
 nent town in Massachusetts. It was a primary object with the 
 new settlers to form a church at Salem upon the same general 
 plan of order and discipline with that at Plymouth. 
 
 The first ■^church in Salem was gathered in 1G29. Its first 
 ministers were IMr. Francis Higginson and Mr. Skellon. In 
 1G30, Gov. Winthrop arrived at Salem at the head of about 
 1500 persons of various occupations, many of whom were men 
 of wealth and quality, ■f 
 
 The growth of the Massachusetts, was much more ra- 
 pid than that of the Plymouth colony. For in ten years after 
 the setdement of the Plymouth colony, the number of inhabit- 
 ants did not exceed 300 ; but in ten years from the commence- 
 ment of the Massachusetts more than 20,000 persons had 
 arrived, and 300 ships had been employed in their transporta- 
 tion. 
 
 The towns, next to Salem in the order of settlement, were 
 Charlestown, Dorchester, Boston, Ro^ibury, Lynn, Watertown, 
 Cambridge, and Ipswich.\ 
 
 * Note. For the original covenant of that church see Mather's Ma^. Vo). 
 1, page 66. 
 
 t Amrriran AnnaK". X Davis'' Dis. before Mass. His. Socjetv. 
 
12 
 
 The remainder of this discourse will be occupied with the set- 
 tlement and the ecclesiastical history of this town. 
 
 As no records of this church, dated further back than A. D. 
 1739, have ev^er fallen into my hands, the ecclesiastical history, 
 proposed, must be collected from various sources, and cannot in 
 all respects be so full and satisfactory, as is desirable. The fol- 
 lowing sketch is the result of considerable investigation of the 
 most authentic sources of information, to which I have been able 
 to find access : 
 
 The earliest notice which I find of this town is in 1611. 
 " This year Mr. Edward Harlie and Nicolas Hobson sailed to 
 North Virginia, and visited ^Agawam, where the natives used 
 them kindly. "■[• The next earliest mention of it, which I have 
 seen, is contained in the following extract from Belknap's Biog- 
 raphy, article Carver. It refers to the pilgrims on board the 
 Mayflower, Capt. Jones, while lying at Cape Cod Harbor, Dec. 
 1620, and casting about for a place of settlement. " Others 
 thought it best to go to a place called Jlgawam. 20 leagues 
 northward, where they had heard of an Jexcellent harbor, good 
 fishing, and a better soil for planting." 
 
 June 13, 1630, Gov. Winthrop had an interview with the 
 Sagamore of Agawam on board the Arabella, when lying at an- 
 chor off Salem harbor. "In the morning," says the Governor || 
 " the Sagamore of Agawam and one of his men came aboard, 
 and staid with us all day." Thus a favorable opportunity was 
 presented to the Governor to treat with the Indians of this town, 
 if he were disposed to avail himself of it.^ 
 
 * The Indian name of this town. 
 
 1" Prince's Annals. \ As to the excellence of the harbor they were mis- 
 informed. II Winthrop's Journal. 
 
 Did our fathers obtain this territory from the natives by fair purchase ? 
 According to Gov. Winslovv it was the general practice of the Plymouth 
 colony, till the commencement of the Indian wars, to purchase of the natives 
 all the land they possessed. For, said he, in 1676, " I think I can truly say, 
 that before these present troubles broke out, the English did not possess one 
 foot of land in this colony, but what was fairly obtained by honest pur- 
 chase of the Indian proprietors.'" — [Hubbard's Indian Wars.] This probably 
 was equally true with respect to the Massachusetts colony. That Ipswich 
 
13 
 
 At a session of the General Court, holden at Charlestown, 
 Sep. 7, 1630, It was ordered, " that a warrant he sent immedi- 
 ately to Agawam to command those, who were planted there, 
 immediately to retire."* This might refer to fishing establish- 
 ments, made here by ships, which came annually from England. 
 Such establishments were then made at Cape Ann and other 
 places. 
 
 In March 1033, John Winthrop, Esq. a worthy son of Gov. 
 Wintlirop, began a plantation here.f Mr. Hubbard informs us 
 that " the Governor and his Council, being alarmed by some 
 companies of Frenchmen, who were sent into these parts, agreed 
 with all expedition, to hasten the planting of Agawam, one of 
 the most commodious places in the country for cattle and tillage, 
 lest an enemy should prevent them, by taking possession of the 
 place. To that end the Governor's son was ordered forthwith 
 to go and begin a plantation there, although he had only twelve 
 men' allowed him to make the attempt, which was that spring ef- 
 fected."t 
 
 " In April 1G33, Gov. Winthrop," || a man preeminent for pie- 
 ty, wisdom, integrity, and liberality, in fine, for every virtue that 
 can adorn a christian statesman, " went on foot from Boston to 
 
 was obtained by purchase appears from the two following votes in iiie town 
 records : — In 1700, voted, that Col. John Wainwright, Col. John Appleton, 
 &c. be a committee to treat with Maj. Gen. "Winthrop about the deed of this 
 town, wliich the Indians gave to his father, and to procure the same for the 
 town's benefit. — Vol. 2, leaf 48. — Vo^ed, that Captain Appleton, and our two 
 representatives (Nehemiah Jewett, Esq. and *Dea. Nathaniel Knowlton) treat 
 with the Hon. Wait Winthrop, Esq. Mith respect to Masconomo's deed of A- 
 gawam, made to his honored father, Governor of Connecticut colony, vol. 2, 
 leaf 77. * For some notice of the Deacon see the Appendix. No. 1. 
 
 * Prince's Annals, t Winthrop's Journal 
 
 X In Prince''s Annals are nine of their names, viz. : William Clark, Robert 
 Coles, Thomas Plowlet, John Biggs, John Gage, Thomas Hardy. TVilliam Per- 
 kins, Mr. Thorndike, and William Sargeant. 
 
 y For the lives of Gov. Winthrop, his son John, and the principal govern- 
 ors and magistrates, who were shields to the churches of New England, until 
 A. U. 1686, see Mather''s Magnalia. Those who laid the foundations both 
 of our civil and ecclesiastical order, were highly respeclable for intelli- 
 gence and integrity. 
 
14 
 
 Agavvam ; and, because the people there wanted a minister, he 
 spent the Sabbath," and in the language of that day, ''exercised by- 
 way of prophecy." The Governor pursued his course through 
 almost a trackless desert. November, the same year, " Rev. 
 John Wilson, by leave of the congregation of Boston of which 
 he was the pastor, went to Agawam, to teach the people of that 
 plantation, because they had yet no minister."* 
 
 August 5, 1634', by order of General Court this town was in- 
 corporated by the name of Ipswich.f This name was designed 
 as a grateful memorial of the kindness which its first settlers re- 
 ceived at Ipswich, in England, whence they embarked for this 
 country .'I The same year this church was gathered. It was 
 the ninth church in the Massachusetts. 
 
 Its first pastor was the Reverend Nathaniel Ward. He was 
 born in Haverhill, in England, A. D. 1570 ; was son of John 
 Ward, a minister of the established church ; and educated at 
 the University in Cambridge. He was a practitioner of law be- 
 fore he commenced the work of the ministry. Travelling with 
 certain merchants into Holland, Germany, Prussia, and Den- 
 mark, he became acquainted with David Paroeus, a distinguished 
 scholar and divine, through v;hose influence he turned his atten- 
 tion from law to divinity. After pursuing a course of theological 
 studies at Heidelberg, he returned to England, and was settled 
 in the ministry in Standon, in Hertfordshire. Dec. 12, 1631, he 
 was ordered before the bishop to answer for his non-conformity, 
 and forbidden to exercise his clerical office. He came to this 
 country in June 1634, and the same year took the pastoral 
 charge of this church. He appears to have sustained his special 
 relation to the church only two or three years, though he preach- 
 ed more or less to the people for eleven years. He returned to 
 England in 1647, and was settled in Shenfield, near Brentwood, 
 where he ended his days, aged 83. Mr. Ward appears to have 
 been a man of piety, though of great eccentricities. He was 
 
 * Winlhrop's Journal. 
 
 t Ipswich town records. 
 
 + Morse's and Parish's llistorj of Nev/ England. 
 
15 
 
 certainly a man of abilities and learning. In 1641, he preached 
 the election sermon. The same year the General Court esta- 
 blished 100 laws, called The ho(hj of Liberties, which were 
 drawn up by Mr. Ward.* As a writer he is iiovv chiefly known, 
 as the author of The simple cobler of ^^gawam ; a book full oi 
 wit and satire, which he composed in this town, and published 
 in England.! So prone was iNIr. Ward to indulge a facetious 
 humor, that Cotton Mather stiles him St, Hilary. His natural 
 humor was often indulged to excess. The simple cobler, tho' 
 eagerly sought by those who delight in the curious, does him no 
 honor as a divine. He was deficient in candor toward those 
 who differed from him in opinion. In his view toleration was a 
 crime. He was father of Rev. John Ward, of Haverhill, in this 
 county, a minister of superior piety and excellence. J The 
 celebrated Gyles Firmin married a daughter of Mr. Ward and 
 settled in Ipswich, as a physician. 
 
 During most of the first year of Mr. Ward's ministry at Ips- 
 wich, he was assisted by Rev. Thomas Parker, a minister emi- 
 nent for piety and learning, who was invited by the people to be 
 setded as his colleague, but who declined the invitation, || and 
 was soon after settled as the first minister of Newbury. Mr. 
 Hubbard says, that " the plantation at Agawam was, from the 
 first year of its being raised to a township, so filled with inhabit- 
 ants, that some of them presently swarmed out into another place 
 a little further eastward," meaning Newbury. 
 
 Rev. John JVorton was settled colleague with Mr. Ward in 
 1636. He continued in his relation to this c^iurch and people 
 till about the year 1653, when, after much solicitation on the one 
 hand, and opposition on the other, the civil authority at last, in- 
 terposing, he was obtained by the old church in Boston, as suc- 
 
 * American Annals. 
 
 t Mr. Samuel Baker of this town has a copy of it. 
 
 \ The lives of many learned and pious miuisters, wlio commenced their 
 work in England before they caine to this country are contained in i\lather"'3 
 Magnalia. To that work the reader is referred for the fullest account in any 
 one author, of Mr. Ward, Mr. JSorton, the fir&t Mr. Rollers, and Mr. Cobbett. 
 
 |l Town records. 
 
16 
 
 cessor to the venerable Joliii Cotton. Mr. Norton was born in 
 Starforcl, Hertfordshire, Eng. May 6, 1606. In early childhood 
 he exhibited evidence of superior talents ; wrote Latin with cor- 
 rectness and elegance, when under 14 years of age ; and was 
 one of the finest scholars at the University of Cambridge, where 
 he received his education. He was a man of profound and 
 various learning ; a most accurate grammarian, an acute reason- 
 er, and an universal scholar. His natural temper was too cho- 
 leric ; but it was so sweetened by the grace of God, as to render 
 him uncomm.only pleasant and amiable. After his conversion, 
 which, according to Cotton Mather, took place under^the minis- 
 try of Rev. Jeremiah Dyke, of Epping, his attention, which 
 had previously been much occupied with literary and scientific 
 pursuits, was exclusively devoted to the study of theology. Ex- 
 perimentally acquainted with repentance, faith, and holiness, 
 he preached on these subjects with power and effect. As a 
 preacher, he was sentimental, elegant, and impressive. He 
 was a firm pillar in the christian temple. But, notwithstand- 
 ing all his excellence, a storm of persecution drove him to 
 this country. He arrived at Plymouth, October 1635, and was 
 invited to settle in that plantation. But declining that invitation, 
 he removed to Boston early in 1636, where he was much res- 
 pected, and his counsel sought by the civil magistrates in their 
 most difficult affairs. In the course of the year he accepted an 
 invitation to settle in this town. While he was here, he wrote a 
 defence of the government, adopted by the churches of New 
 England, in Latin. He had a principal part in forming and re- 
 commending the Cambridge Platform, adopted in 1647. He 
 wrote also a treatise on the sufferings of Christ.* While min- 
 ister of Boston, he was eminently useful. After the restoration 
 of Charles 2d, Mr. Norton was sent, as one of the agents of 
 Massachusetts for the purpose of addressing him in behalf of 
 the colony. He sailed for England in February 1662, and re- 
 turned in the following September, and died suddenly, April 5, 
 1663, being about 57 years old. 
 
 * For his various publications see Allen's Biographical and Historical Dic- 
 tionary, 
 
17 
 
 Mr. Norton's sermons were usually composed with great care. 
 In his extemporaneous, devotional exercises, there was a fulness, 
 variety, and fervor, seldom equalled. Dr. C. Mather observes, 
 that " it even transported the souls of his hearers, to acconipany 
 him in his devotions, wherein his graces would make wonder- 
 ful sallies into the vast field of entertainments and acknowledg- 
 ments, with which we are furnished in the new covenant for our 
 prayers. I have heard of a g odly man in Ipswich, he adds, 
 who, after Mr. Norton's going to Boston, would ordinarily travel 
 on foot from Ipswich to Boston for nothing but the weekly lec- 
 ture there ; and he would profess that it was worth a great jour- 
 ney to be a partaker in one of Mr. Norton's prayers." 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Rogers was settled as colleague w^ith Mr. Nor- 
 ton, Feb. 20, 1638. He was the second son of the Rev. John 
 Rogers, of Dedham, born about the year 1598. He was edu- 
 cated at the Grammar School in Dedham till about 14 years 
 old, when he was admitted into Emanuel College in Cambridge, 
 where he was a diligent student and a distinguished scholar. 
 He was an early subject of grace. " To all his other learning," 
 says Dr. Mather, " there was that glory added, for the crown of 
 all, the fear of God, the principles of which were instilled into 
 his young soul, w^ith the counsels of his pious mother, while he 
 sat on her knees, as well as his holy father, when he came to 
 riper years. From his very childhood he was ^exemplary for 
 the success, which God gave unto the care of his parents, to 
 principle him with such things'as made him wise unto salvation." 
 He was settled in Assington, in Suffolk, where he continued five 
 years, preaching the gospel in a very fahhful, interesting, and 
 successful manner, and enforcing his instructions by a very ex- 
 emplary and holy life. Mr. Neal,f speaking of those who left 
 their country, according to our Saviour's advice, lohen they per- 
 secute you in this city, flee ye into «7io//zer, mentions Mr. Rogers, 
 who, " seeing the storm which had driven his neighbors from 
 their anchor, and being fearful of his own steadfastness in the 
 
 * The Doctor might have used a more appropriate word. 
 + History of the Puritane. 
 3 
 
18 
 
 hour oi" trial, resigned his hvingiiito the hands of his patron, and. 
 forsaking the neighborhood of his father, and all prospects of 
 worldly advantage, cast himself and his young family upon the 
 providence of God, and embarked for New England, where he 
 arrived about the middle of Nov. 1636. He was invited to set- 
 tle in Dorchester ; but, as those good men, who accompanied 
 him, came with a desire of enjoying his ministry, and could not 
 be accommodated there, he accepted an invitation to settle in 
 this town.* He preached his own installation sermon — the text, 
 who is sufficient for these things ? A sermon, says Dr. Mather, 
 " so copious, judicious, accurate, and elegant, that it struck the 
 hearers with admiration." He further speaks of him '' as a re- 
 markably modest man, tho' one of the greatest, that ever set foot 
 on the American strand ; as equal to Norton, in his greatest ex- 
 cellencies ; as worthy of being compared with the very best 
 ministers, which make the best days of New England ; as little, 
 if any, behind the chiefs of them all." 
 
 Mr.. Rogers was subject to much bodily infirmity and mental 
 depression. The removal of his worthy colleague to Boston 
 greatly depressed his spirits. He died July 2, 1655, aged 57. 
 The morning previous to his death, he blessed his family, spake 
 cheerfully of heavenly things, and uttering these, as his last 
 words, my times are in thy hands, died in peace. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard speaks of him in the following terms : " By 
 this" (a prevailing epidemic) " was put a period to the life and 
 labors of that reverend, learned, holy, and worthy minister of 
 the gospel, Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, pastor of the church at Ipsr 
 wich, to whom it may be honor enough to say, he was the son 
 of Mr. John Rogers, the famous preacher at Dedham, of whom 
 
 * Those ministers, who fled from persecution in England to thi^ counfr}'-, 
 were generally attended or folIo%ved by a number of pious and intelligent peo- 
 ple, who had enjoy*;d their ministry in their native country. Many such at- 
 tended or followed Mr. Ward, Mr. Norton, and Mr. Rogers, to this town. 
 Seventeen male members of Mr. Rogers' church came to this town, and sat 
 down under his ministry. The following, according to tradition are some of 
 their names : William Goodhue, Nathaniel Hart, Nathaniel Day, Robert 
 Lord, Messrs. Warner, Quilter, Waite, Scott, Littlehale, Lambert, Luroax, 
 Bradstrfet, Dane, and Noyc?. 
 
19 
 
 it might be affirmed, that he was the only Boanerges of his age. 
 Bui this, his son, treading in his father's steps, was, though net 
 his oldest son, yet heir of a double portion of his spirit, and wor- 
 thy to have transmitted more honor to his posterity, than he re- 
 ceived from those before him, by reason of his eminent learning, 
 singular piety, holy zeal, with other ministerial abilities. But, 
 being always burdened with many bodily infirmities, he was 
 never able to polish any of his lucubrations, to render them fit 
 for the public, so as thereby the church of God was deprived of 
 his elaborate studies, further than his auditory reached, who 
 were his epistle, seen and read of all that knew them. Indeed 
 his ministry and that of his worthy colleague had such authority 
 in the hearts of the hearers, that none of them, though a great 
 auditory, were in the time of their ministry, or since (in 1682) 
 ever leavened with any corrupt doctrine or heretical principle, 
 which God grant may still continue.*" 
 
 Mr. Rogers left many precious monuments of his ministry in 
 the hearts of his people ; so many, says Dr. Mather, that " he 
 justly reckoned that well instructed and well inclined people his 
 crown." He published a letter to a member of the House of 
 Commons in 1643, in which he urged a reformation in ecclesi- 
 astical affairs. He also left in manuscript a vindication of the 
 congregational church government in Latin. 
 
 Happy and flourishing in virtues and in graces were this 
 church and people under the ministry of these two able and 
 faithlii servants of Christ. Hear what Dr. Mather says of thib 
 church at that day : " Here was a renowned church, consisting 
 mostly of such illuminated christians, that their pastors in the ex- 
 ercise of their ministry might think that they had to do, not so 
 much with disciples, as with judges. Glorious was the church 
 at Ipswich now in two such extraordinary parsons with their dif- 
 ferent gifts, but united hearts, carrying on the concerns of the 
 Lord's kingdom in it." 
 
 After the death of Mr. Rogers and the removal of I\Ir. Nor- 
 ton, Rev. Thomas Cobbet was settled over thi? church and peo- 
 
 * History of New England, pa^'* -35 1. 
 
20 
 
 pie. He sustained his relation to them from 1656, till Nov. 
 1685, the time of his death. Mr. Cobbett was born in Newbury, 
 Eng. in 1608, and educated at Oxford. He was a pupil of the 
 famous Dr. Twiss. After experiencing a storm of persecution 
 for his non-conformity, he came to this country in 1637, in the 
 same vessel with Rev. John Davenport. He was immediately 
 settled at Lynn, colleague with Rev. Mr. Whiting, and thence 
 removed, through want of a competent support, to this town. It 
 is mentioned by Dr. Elliot,* as an evidence of his possessing 
 extraordinary qualifications for the pastoral office, that he was 
 " chosen to succeed two such eminent divines, as Mr. Rogers 
 and Mr. JVorton, one of whom was removed to Boston to stand 
 in the place of the great Cotton, while the other was called to 
 dwell in his everlasting habitation. He excited great attention 
 to religion in this town, was fervent in spirit, persevering in du- 
 ty, and adorning his profession by his example." 
 
 He wrote many books, which were highly commended at his 
 time. He wrote on the fifth commandment, as also on the first 
 and second. He wrote on the duties of civil magistrates ; like- 
 wise a vindication of the government of New England against 
 their aspersors. He also wrote a learned defence of infant 
 baptism, highly commended by Mr. Cotton, in his preface to 
 Norton's answer to the enquiries of Apollonius, he. His book 
 on prayer is said to have been most excellent. Dr. Mather 
 stiles it " a large, nervous, golden discourse ;" and says, " of 
 all the books, written by Mr. Cobbet, none deserves more to be 
 read, or to live till the general burning of the world, than that of 
 prayer.'' He speaks of him as a man, mighty in prayer. " That 
 golden chain," says he, " one end of which is tied unto the tongue 
 of man, and the other to the ear of God, our Cobbet was al- 
 ways pulling at ; and he often pulled to such marvellous pur- 
 pose, that the neighbors were almost ready to sing of him, as 
 Claudian did upon the prosperous prayers of Theodosius — Oni- 
 mium dllecte Deo, If New England had its Noah, Daniel, and 
 
 Biographical Dictionary. 
 
21 
 
 Job, to pray wonderfully for it, Cohbet was one of them." The 
 inscription on his tombstone was appropriate : 
 
 Sta, viator ; Thesaurus hie jacet, 
 THOMAS COBBETUS, 
 
 cujus 
 Nosti preces potentissimas, ac mores probatissf mos, 
 Si es Nor. Anglus. 
 Mirare, si pietatem colas ; 
 Sequere, si felicitatem optes. 
 
 To a respected friend I am indehted for the following trans- 
 lation : 
 " Stay, passenger, for herfe 
 A treasure lies ; 
 A Gobbet's precious dust : 
 If to New England thou belong, 
 His powerful prayers, his life, to all approved, 
 Need not to thee be told. 
 If piety attract thee, him admire. 
 Him follow^ if to glory thou aspire." 
 
 Mr. Cobbet left three sons, Samuel, Thojiias, and John, and 
 one daughter, Elizabeth. 
 
 Mr. Cobbet, the year of his ordination, 165G, was assisted in 
 the ministry by Mr. William Hubbard, who was settled as his 
 colleague, probably in 1657.''^ In the book of Wonder-Working 
 Providences, mention is made of William Hubbard, a represen- 
 tative in the General Gourt, from this town. He is mentioned 
 as one of the ablest speakers in the Assembly, in 1G37, as sec- 
 ond to none in solid argument. This gentleman is supposed to 
 have been the father of our Mr. Hubbard. 
 
 He was born in England in 1621, and graduated in the first 
 class at Harvard College, in 1642, and died Sept. 14, 1704, 
 
 * Ipswich town records. The records do not mention the lime of his ordi- 
 nation. But it clearly appears from them, that in 1656 the town conterriplat- 
 ed settling him, and that in 1659 he had been some time settled. In the pre- 
 face to Hubbard^s History of New England, his ordination is incorrectly stated 
 »t about 1666 or 1667. 
 
22 
 
 aged 83. " He was certainly," says his ^biographer, " for 
 many years the most eminent minister in the county of Essex ; 
 equal to any in the province for learning and candor ; and supe- 
 rior to all his cotemporaries, as a writer." It is a decisive proof 
 of his high literary character, that after the death of President 
 Rogers, although Dr. Increase Mather was living in the neigh- 
 borhood, Mr. Hubbard was sent for, at this distance, to preside 
 at the commencement at Harvard College. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard published an election sermon, " among the very 
 good ones ;" a fast sermon ; a funeral discourse with memoirs 
 of Major Gen. Daniel Denison ; a narrative of the Indian wars 
 from 1607 to 1677 ; a testimony to the order of the gospel in 
 the churches, (in connexion with the venerable Higginson.) He 
 wrote also q history of New England ; a manuscript copy of 
 which he left with the General Court, in 1682, and which was 
 pubhshed in 1815. This is a history of New England from 
 its discovery to 1680. " It is the original source from which 
 several of our earliest historians derived much of their informa- 
 tion." 
 
 Notwithstanding the distinguished eminence of Mr. Hubbard, 
 as a scholar and a preacher, very little seems to be known of 
 him in the town where he labored for nearly half a century. 
 The principal reason may be, he out-lived his public labors. 
 And was remembered by the infirmities of his age rather than 
 by the strength of his powers in the days of his usefulness.f 
 
 After the death of Mr. Cobbett, Mr. John Denison, a native 
 of this town, assisted Mr. Hubbard in the ministry. J He preach- 
 ed as a candidate and as a settled minister, from 1686 to 1689, 
 when he died. His early death was deeply lamented by his af- 
 
 * Dr. Eliot. The reader is referred to Elliot's and Allen's Biographical 
 Dictionaries for a concise account of Mr. Hubbard and most of his suc- 
 cessors. 
 
 t See Mr. Frisbie's letters, Plis. Coll. Vol. 10, page 35. 
 
 t Town records, Oct. 17, 1704. The town voted to give the 20 pounds, 
 for which the old meeting house was sold to defray Mr. Hubbard's funeral 
 charges. 
 
fectionate flock. Dr. Cotton Mather describes liim'^ as •• a gen- 
 tleman of uncommon accomplishments and expectations, of 
 whom the church in Ipswich hoped, that under his shadow they 
 should sit many years. He was to them a pastor, of whose 
 fruit they tasted with an uncommon satisfaction." 
 
 In 1688 Mr. John Rogers assisted in the work of the ministry 
 here, and so continued to do till his ordination, which took place 
 Oct. 12, 1692.f He was born Julv 7, 16GG, and graduated at 
 Harvard College in 1684, and died Dec. 28, 1745, in the 80th 
 year of his age. Those who are now Hving among us, and arc 
 85 years old, were ten years old when Mr. John Rogers died. 
 Possibly some may remember him. Mr. Wigglesworth, of the 
 Hamlet, now Hamilton, who is justly stiled an eminent divine, 
 preached his funeral sermon, and thus delineated his character : 
 *' As to natural endowments, he was blessed with a clear appre- 
 hension and sound judgment ; was of a thoughtful and inquisitive 
 temper of mind ; in the diligent improvement of which advan- 
 tages, through the blessing of God, he acquired much valuable 
 knowledge ; especially much of that knowledge the lips are to 
 keep, and the pastor after God's own heart to feed his flock 
 w^ith. His private conversation was edifying and pleasant. He 
 had a conspicuous degree of prudence, necessary to well manag- 
 ing and administering the affairs of Christ's household. He was 
 robust, useful, and active in old age, being enabled to labor in 
 word and doctrine to the last, and quit the stage in action." 
 
 In 1706 Mr. R. preached the Election Sermon. In 1739 he 
 preached a funeral discourse, occasioned by the death of Hon. 
 John Appleton, Esq. entided " The perfect and upright man 
 characterized and recommended.''^ 
 
 * In a sermon, preached at Boston, July 14, 1726, occasioned by the death 
 of Mrs. Elizabetli Cotton, daughter of Hon. Nathaniel Saltonstall, Esq. of Ha- 
 verhill, sister of the Ilon.^^irdon S. Esq. Governor of Connecticut, who was 
 first married to Rev. John Dcnison, of Ipswich, by whom she had Col. John 
 D. of this town, and afterward to the Rev. Roland Cotton of Sandwich, by 
 whom she had ten children. She was a most excellent christian woman. A 
 copy of this sermon is in the hands of Mi^^s Susan Farley, of Ipswich. 
 •■ Town record*. 
 
24 
 
 In 1703, while Mr. Hubbard was living, but so infirm as to 
 discontinue the work of the ministry, Mr. Jabez Fitch was set- 
 tled a third pastor with him and Mr. Rogers.* On account of 
 the alledged incompetency of his support, he withdrew from his 
 pastoral relation in 1724, and about two years after was resettled 
 at Portsmouth, N. H. where he continued about 20 years, and 
 died Nov. 22, 1746. He was son of Rev. James Fitch of Nor- 
 wich, Con. who w^as a minister eminently " distinguished for the 
 penetration of his mind, the energy of his preaching, and the ho- 
 liness of his life." The son was graduated at Harvard College, 
 in 1694. He w^as for some years a tutor of that College, and 
 afterward a fellow. He had a taste for historical researches, and 
 began to make a collection of facts relative to New Hampshire. 
 Dr. Belknap had access to his papers. His publications con- 
 sisted of a sermon, occasioned by a great earthquake, Oct. 29, 
 1727 ; another at the ordination of Rev. John Tucke at Gos- 
 port, Isle of Shoals, in 1732 ; two sermons designed to make a 
 religious improvement of the throat distemper, which prevailed 
 in 1735 and 1736 ; and an account of that disease, as it appear- 
 ed in New Hampshire.f 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Rogers was born in Ipswich in 1701 ; gradu- 
 ated at Harvard College in 1721, and ordained colleague with 
 Rev. John Rogers, Oct. 18, 1727; and after his death carried 
 on the work of the ministry alone, till near the time of his own 
 death, which occurred May 1775, in the 74th year of his age. 
 
 This Mr. Rogers was well known to many of you, my friends. 
 As a man and as a minister you loved and respected him. His 
 name and worth are in very affectionate remembrance. There 
 was in him a suavity of manners, which attracted the society and 
 conciliated the esteem of the young ; a modesty, which gave 
 confidence to the reflecting ; a dignity w^hich commanded the 
 respect of all ages, and characters ; a store of various knowledge 
 and a talent for communicating it, which rendered him interest- 
 
 * Town records. 
 
 t Mr. Fitch married a daughter of Col. John Appleton of this town, bj 
 
 whom he had a number of children, one of whom was a preacher of the gos- 
 pel. The circumstances relating to Mr. Fitch's removal from Ipswich, are 
 contained in (he records of the toAvn, and of ihejirst parish. 
 
25 
 
 iiig and instructive in every circle and on every occasion. In 
 the language of one, who was intimately acquainted with him, 
 *' it is hard to say, whether the great or good was his predomi- 
 nate character. There was in him an uncommon measure and 
 and a rare combination of both. He had a very discerning 
 mind, and was blessed with advantages for acquaintance with 
 men and things. He exhibited generally something superior in 
 turn of thought and m.anner of conversation. The great things 
 of the gospel were his favorite subjects. As a preacher, he 
 avoided vain philosophy and subtle disputings. When his heart 
 was most moved, there appeared an energy of address rai-ely to 
 be met with. In his latter days he was for some time taken off 
 from his labors, and his mental Giculties were impaired. — ^The 
 people of his charge, and the neighboring churches lamented his 
 departure with a condolence that was lively and expressive." 
 
 Mr. Rogers was a successful as well as a powerful preacher. 
 In five years of the united ministry of his father and himself, viz. 
 from 1741 to 1746, 149 persons were admitted to the church. 
 In 174G this church consisted of more than 300 members." 
 This was before the secession of the South Church. 
 
 Mr. N. Rogers as well as Mr. John Rogers published a ser- 
 mon, occasioned by the death of Hon. J. Applet£)n, Esq. enti- 
 tled, " The character, commendation and reward of a faithful 
 servant of Jesus Christ. "f He also published a sermon de- 
 
 * For their names see the church records of N. Rogers. 
 
 t Both of these Sermons are in the hands of tlie Hon. Jolin Heard, Esq. 
 Ipswich. The following extract is given with a view to preserve among iis 
 a specimen of Mr. N. Rogers' manner of writing, and the remembrance of 
 Mr. Appleton's virtues. " His Lord betrusted him with a good stock of 
 talents and lengthened out his time for using them to an uncommon period, 
 about 87. And who ever improved to better advantage his abilities in all his 
 stations and relations of life, public and private, religious and civil ? Verily he 
 obtained mercy to be faithful to the death. — Me had an early sense, not onl} 
 of his Lord's authority, but also of his excellenc}', beauty, and amiablcuess^ 
 His heart even appeared full of ardent love and pious affection, as well as 
 humble subjection to him ; and his life a steady, uniform practice of all 
 piety and christian virtue. He always entertained the highest vv-neration for 
 4 
 
26 
 
 iiverecl at the ordination of Mr. John Tradwell at Lynn, and 
 another delivered after the death ofDea. Samuel Williams. 
 
 Nathaniel Rogers was son of John R. his senior colleague, 
 who was son of John R. preacher of the gospel and President* of 
 Harvard College, ivho was son of Nathaniel Rogers, the first 
 minister of that name at Ipswich, who was son of John R. minis- 
 ter of the gospel at Dedham, Eng. ivho was grand-son of John 
 Rogers, of London, prebendary of St. Paul's, who was burned at 
 i^mithfield in the manner already stated. 
 
 The branches of this family are numerous. No name has 
 been more conspicuous among the divines of New England than 
 Rogers. But none of them have been willing to appear as au- 
 thors ; a circumstance honorable indeed to their modesty and 
 humility, but much to be regretted by their posterity, who might 
 have been delighted and edified by their writings. 
 
 Mr. Rogers w^as succeeded by Rev. Levi Frisbie. The in- 
 teresting character of this worthy servant of Christ was justly 
 delineated in his funeral sermon by Rev. Asahel Huntington, of 
 Topsfield, which is in your hands. His character, as a chris- 
 
 his Lord^s day and institutions ; and attended them with a constancy, dili- 
 gence, reverence, and affection, hardly to be paralleled. And his private 
 devotions were as peculiar. — He was also strictly just, righteous, faithful, 
 obliging, kind, and condescending in all his relations and offices ; whether as 
 a counsellor or judge, a husband, a father, or a master, a christian friend or 
 neighbor, extending his respects unto all his Lord's commandments. — Ye are 
 all witnesses and God also, how niously, devoutly, holy, wisely, justly, kindly, 
 charitably, nieekl}', humbly, and unblamably, he ever behaved among you. 
 And I doubt not but from the inward sense of your souls you are all ready to 
 pronounce him a faithful servant to his Lord, and with one consent joyfully 
 to congratulate him upon the distinguishing honors and rewards he will in- 
 herit forever." This gentleman was father of Nathaniel Appleton, D. D. 
 pastor of the Church in Cambridge, of whom it is said, '^ NeAv-England can 
 furnish few instances of more useful talents and of more exemplary piety, 
 united with a ministry, equally long and successful." See Eliot's Biog. Die, 
 Many by the name of Appleton have been among our most distinguished and 
 mo«t useful citizens. 
 
 * Of President Rogers it is said, " So sweet was his disposition, that the 
 title of delicicR huniani generis might have been given him ; and his real pietv 
 set olF with the accomplishments of a gentleman, ivas like a 'gem set in 
 gold." Eiiot's Eiog. Die 
 
27 
 
 tian and as a minister, are better known to many of you than to 
 me. My acquaintance with him xf'as confined to that part ol 
 his life, during which his nervous system was so disordered, that 
 no just estimate could be formed of his talents or his worth. He 
 introduced me to this pulpit, Sept. 21, 1805,* and officiated that 
 day at the breaking of bread, which was the last office he ever 
 performed in this house of prayer. He departed this life Feb. 
 25, 180G. The following sketch, written by onef who was inti- 
 mately acquainted with him, during his whole ministry here, 
 appeared in the Panoplist soon aftef his decease. 
 
 "Mr. Frisbie, was born at Branford, Con. April, 1748, and 
 at the age of 16 or 17 years, being considered a pious youth of 
 promising talents, was taken under the patronage of Rev. Elie- 
 zer Wheelock with a special view to the missionary service. 
 To this he willingly devoted himself. His studies, even at 
 school, were directed to this work, partly at Lebanon, which 
 was then the residence of his patron, and partly at Bethlehem 
 with Dr. Bellamy. In 1767 he entered Yale College, where 
 he continued more than three years. He finished his collegiate 
 studies at Dartmouth, and was there graduated in the first class 
 in 1771. In 1775 he was ordained and commenced his mis- 
 sionary career. He went to the southward, and afterward to 
 Canada. But the convulsed state of the continent at that period 
 obstructed his progress, and left him at liberty to settle where 
 Providence should open a door. In 1775 he came to Ipswich, 
 and on the 7th of Feb. 1776, succeeded the venerable Nathan- 
 iel Rogers in the pastoral ofiice. Great harmony attended his 
 settlement, and has continued generally ever since, much to the 
 honor both of pastor and of people. They are ^^itnesses, that 
 he approved himself for thirty years an unexceptionabJe evan- 
 gelical preacher. They will remember the many important 
 messages, he brought tliem, and that seriousness of manner. 
 
 * fi.e writer of this discourse, r^Her prearfiing the greater part of a year, 
 was ordained Oct. 8, 1806. Number of church memhi-is at that time 53 — • 
 Since admitted 75 — Present numbetS?. 
 
 t Rev, Joseph Dana, T). D. 
 
28 
 
 accompanied with lively conception and easy natural expression, 
 which rendered him entertaining, as well as profitable. His 
 prayers were not less edifying than his preaching. He gave 
 himself to the ministry ; went to it with prayerful dependence 
 on divine help ; read much, thought and conversed much ; so 
 that his profiting was more and more visihle. God in great 
 mercy at different periods blessed his labors, especially between 
 the years 1798 and 1801, when numbers were admitted to his 
 communion. In the church he presided with gravity and hu- 
 mility. In his catechisings and visits to the sick he was tender 
 and affectionate. He wept with them that wept. At large 
 among his people he displayed the heai't of a friend. As he 
 was easy of access to all, so he had a facility in gaining access 
 to all, and adapting himself even to children. His conversation, 
 beside being instructive in religious things, conveyed much 
 general information* He was pleasantly sociable, and he was 
 guarded : in the moments of greatest relaxation uncommonly 
 innocent. For tenderness to the character of others he was 
 remarkable. In his friendship he was sincere and faithful, much 
 endeared in all his domestic relations, upright in all his trans- 
 actions. He had a tenderness of conscience, which often made 
 him diffident of himself, but gave confidence to others. 
 
 The loss of his * family and flock is great. The vicinity is 
 greatly bereaved. His brethren lament him. The society for 
 propagating the gospel has in him lost a worthy member. Zion 
 mourns. But to him it is believed death is a blessed release. 
 Thanks to free grace through a Redeemer, there remaineth a 
 rest for the people of God ; a crown for the faithful servant:" 
 
 Mr. Frisbie published an oration on the peace in 1783 ; an 
 oration at the interment of Rev. Moses Parsons, of Byfield, 
 father of Judge Parsons ; two sermons on a day of public fast- 
 ing ; a thanksgiving sermon ; an eulogy on Washington ; and a 
 
 * The parish, agreeably to their practice from the beginning, discharged 
 Mr. Frisbie''s funeral expenses. In addition to which they presented his- 
 family $100, to procure suitable mourning apparel. Mr. F. left a widow, one 
 son, and two daughters. The son was, for several years, a Tutor, and a 
 Professor in Harvard College. He and his youngest sister died in 1822. 
 
29 
 
 sermon before the society for propagating the gospel among the 
 American Indians. 
 
 These, my brethren, are the men, who have from generation 
 to generation cultivated the vine, which in 1634 God's right 
 liand planted here. These are the watchmen who for almost 
 200 years lifted up their warning voices on this wall of Zion. 
 Where is there a church in New England which can name a 
 succession of pastors, embracing more talent, learning, piety, 
 fidelity, and solid worth than Norton, Rogers, Cobbct, Hub- 
 bard, Dennison, Rogers, Fitch, Rogers, Frisbie ^ The doc- 
 trines of the puritans, carried into their happy practical resuhs, 
 w^ere firmly maintained by all these venerable servants of 
 Christ. The native depravity of the human heart ; regeneration 
 by the word and spirit of God ; justification by fahh working 
 by love ; the divinity and atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; 
 these and their kindred doctrines have been preached by all 
 those who have been set over this people in the Lord, and em- 
 braced, it is believed by every member of this church, and by 
 nearly if not quite every member of this society from the begin- 
 ning ; and it is devoutly to be hoped, in the spirit of the vener- 
 able Hubbard, that they will continue to be dispensed and receiv- 
 ed here, till time shall be no more. Should doctrines essentially' 
 different be inU'oduced ; while as becomes descendants from 
 puritans, you ever maintain the rights of private judgment, and 
 try all principles advanced by the holy scriptures ; you will natur- 
 ally inquire, which is more probable, that all your fathers were in 
 error, or that they are so, who come to you with new doctrines.^ 
 And you will not hastily receive doctrines essentially diflerent 
 from those, which your fathers transmitted to you, unless they 
 are attested by a piety more deep and fervent, and by a 
 practice more pure and exemplary. 
 
 From the first planting of this church till the death of Rev. 
 John Rogers, viz. in 1745, this society constantly supported two 
 ministers. The town in their address to the })copIe of the Ham- 
 let, when they were about io be set ofl', as a parish, said, '• We 
 hope it will be considered by them tiiat we have two ministers 
 to maintain, whose salaries must not be diminished ; and as 
 
30 
 
 there have been two ministers here maintained from the foun- 
 dation of the town, so we hope there will continue to be to the 
 end of the world. If it should be otherwise, it will be a shame- 
 ful degeneracy from the piety of our ancestors."* In addition 
 to two ministers, this town, for many years, employed a weekly 
 lecturer. 
 
 After the death of Rev. John Rogers, Mr. John Walley re- 
 ceived a call to settle, as colleague with Rev. Nathaniel Rogers; 
 but, difficulties arising,! a separation took place ; the South 
 Parish was formed, and incorporated in 1747, and the same year 
 Mr. Walley was ordained over it. He was a native of Bos- 
 ton, and an alumnus of Harvard College. He was dismissed, 
 at his own request, February 22, 1764, and afterwards settled 
 in Bolton, Massachusetts, where he died. Mr. Walley was a 
 minister sound in doctrine, and respectable for talents and 
 character. Rev. Joseph Dana, the present minister of the 
 South Parish, was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, graduated at 
 Yale College in 1760, and ordained November 7, 1765. He 
 received the degree of D. D. from Harvard College in 1801. 
 
 Between the people of the First aud South Parishes there 
 appears to be no essential difference of religious sentiment. 
 While many societies, living in the vicinity of each other, are 
 divided, not only in sentiment, but also in affection, there sub- 
 sists between the people of these societies, living intermingled 
 v^^ith each other, that friendship and union, which are the honor 
 and the happiness of both. May this friendship and union be 
 perpetual. As to religious things, this town from the beginning 
 has, vvith little interruption, known. How good and hoiv pleasant 
 it is for hreiliren to dwell together in unity ! 
 
 It is well known that Essex and Hamilton formerly consti- 
 tuted a part of this town and parish. Essex was separated by 
 act of incorporation, as parish in 1679, and as town in 1819. 
 This was the second parish in Ipswich, called till the time of 
 its incorporation, as a town, Chebacco. The church was organ- 
 
 * Town Records, vol. 2, page 104. 
 
 t For }"iarticvi]ars see Town Parish Records. 
 
ized September G, 1681. Its first minister was the Rev. John 
 Wise ; who was born in this country in 1G52, graduated at Har- 
 vard College in 1673, and ordained early in the year 1682. 
 He died April 8, 1725, aged 73 years. Rev. Theonhilus Pick- 
 ering, successor to Mr. Wise, was born in Salem, September 
 28, 1700, graduated in Harvard College in 1719, ordained Oc- 
 tober 23, 1725 ; died October 7, 1747. During his ministry a 
 separate society was formed, January 20, 1746, and a church 
 established INIay 20, 1746. This was then the fourth church in 
 Ipswich. Mr. John Cleaveland was ordained over it, February 
 25, 1747. He was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, April 22, 
 1722, and died April 22, 1799. How fahhfully he preached 
 the word, and how earnesly he wrestled with God in prayer, is 
 well known to many of you, my friends. Mr. Nehemiah Por- 
 ter was ordained in the place of Mr. Pickering, January 3, 1750, 
 and was dismissed June 1766.* The two churches and socie- 
 ties in Chebacco were re-united under Mr. Cleaveland in 1774, 
 and have continued united ever since. Mr. Josiah Webster, a 
 native of Chester, New Hampshire, an alunmus of Dartmouth 
 College, succeeded Mr. C. in the ministry, being oxdained No- 
 vember 13, 1799, and was dismissed July 23, 1806. Rev. 
 Thomas Holt was installed January 25, 1S09, and dismissed 
 April 20, 1813. Mr. Robert Crowell, the present minister of 
 Essex was born at Salem, educated at Dartmouth College, or- 
 dained August 10, 1814.f 
 
 Hamilton was separated by act of incorporation, as a parish, 
 October 14, 1713; and as town, June 20, 1793. The church 
 was embodied October 27, 1714, styled, The Third Church in 
 
 * Mr. Porter was afterwards settled in Aslifield, Massachusetts, where he 
 died February 29, 1820, in the one hundredth year of his age. This vener- 
 able servant of Christ did not wholly discontinue his public labors, before the 
 last year of his life. In June, 1819, Mr. Thomas Shepherd wus ordained his 
 colleague. On that occasion Mr. Porter witli a firm and steady btep ascend- 
 ed the pulpit stairs without aid ; engaged with great fervency in the conse- 
 crating prayer, and in a distinct, audible, and appropriate manner, pave a 
 dying charge to his beloved /lock. For u sketch of his life, see the Boston 
 Recorder, No. 33, vol. 5. 
 
 t See Mr. CrowclP' Sermon, givin; an historical sketch of the Seconal Parish 
 in Ipswich. 
 
32 
 
 Ipswich. 'J 'he same day Mr. Samuel Wiggleswortii was ordain- 
 ed. He died September 3, 1768, in the 80th year of his age. 
 and in the 54th year of an able, faithful and successful ministry. 
 He was graduated at Harvard College in 1707. Rev. Manasseh 
 Cutler LL. D. present minister of Hamilton, was graduated at 
 Yale College in 1765, and ordained September 11, 1771. He 
 and bis predecessor have supplied the desk more than a cen- 
 tury.* 
 
 Linebrook parish composed partly of Ipswich and partly of 
 Rowley, was incorporated in 1746. Mr. George Leslie, its first 
 minister, was born in Scotland, educated at Harvard College, 
 ordained in 1749, and dismissed in 1779. Mr. L. wrote his 
 sermons with great care, and was esteemed an able and good 
 preacher. His successor, Mr. Gilbert T. Williams, was the son 
 of a very respectable clergyman of Windham, New Hampshire, 
 an alumnus of Harvard College, ordained in 1789, and dismissed 
 in 1813. The church in Linebrook is almost extinct. Two 
 females are all that remain of a church once respectable for 
 numbers and for graces. Unhappy divisions in sentiment ren- 
 der the little society inadequate to the support of a gospel 
 minister. 
 
 A Baptist Society was incorporated in 1817. They have had 
 no settled minister. A few families in the northern part of the 
 town belong to the first parish in Rowley. 
 
 The leading men in this town from its settlement to the pres- 
 ent time, have felt the importance of maintaining the institutions 
 of Christianity, and set a laudable example of attendance on pub- 
 lic worship. Our pious ancestors took possession of this place 
 in the name of the Lord. To him they consecrated every spot, 
 where they spread their tents, where they erected their habitations. 
 If " God sifted three nations, that he might bring choice grain 
 into this wilderness," a goodly portion of the choicest grain was 
 planted here. The ancient fathers of this town were eminent 
 for piety and integrity. They felt that religion was the great 
 
 See Dr. Cutler''s century sermon, delivered at Hamilton, Oct. 27, 1814. 
 
33 
 
 concern of man. They were sensible that that portion of their 
 property was best appropriated, which was devoted to their 
 spiritual instruction, and that of their rising offspring. Knowing 
 that the Lord hath appointed that they who preach the gospel 
 should live of the gospel^ it was their pleasure to give to those 
 faithful men, who devoted their time to the service of their souls, 
 an honorable support. The expense* of public worship and in- 
 struction was burdensome to them, just as the air is burdensome, 
 which, while it presses upon us with great weight, sustains oui 
 life and promotes its comfort. The word of God ivas precious 
 in their day. They remembered and hallowed the Lord's day. 
 They loved his holy temple. They earnestly desired to dwell 
 in the house of the Lord all the days of their life, to see the beau- 
 ty of the Lord, and to enquire at his temple. They came to 
 sacramental lectures in full assembly. They generally conse- 
 
 * Men in general receive a full compensation in this life for what they ex- 
 pend in supporting public instruction. But you ask, If my soul be had, of i/* 
 what advantage to me is the preached gospel, which I aid in supporting i" 
 Much, various ways. Your property commands a higher price. You sleep 
 better in jour beds. Your possessions and yo\ir life are more secure against 
 robbers and assassins. Your wives, daughters, and sisters are more secure 
 against invaders, worse than mere assassins. You are more happy in the lo- 
 ciety of your friends. Your minds, and those of your children and friends, 
 are more enlarged and more enlightened. You are treated with greater 
 kindness by those around jou. You enjoy better laws, and a better adminis- 
 tration of those laws, for the principles and spirit of Christianity, as inculcated 
 by its appointed teachers, are infused into those laws and that administra- 
 tion. You have more confidence in the declarations of men. You see every 
 where a better state of morals. The society, where you dwell is actually 
 more wealthy in consequence of the more industrious habits, formed and 
 cherished under the constant dispensation of christian doctrines and precepts- 
 In fine, as a man, as a citizen, as a member of human society, your security^,. 
 peace, and happiness are greatly increased by means of the general influence 
 of christian knowledge, through the stated ministry of the word. Leaving 
 the everlasting concerns of the soul, then, out of view, you are bound, as a 
 man and as a cilisen^ to aid in the support of this institution. Cut wh\^, my 
 friend, shall your precious soul be lost ? Is not the gospel aMt to make you 
 ivisc to salvation ? Why will you die ? If the preached gospel, besriJes con- 
 ducing to your temporal good, be the means of your 5:d'.ation : is it not eiw 
 titled t«^ a liberal support ? 
 
 LOFt 
 
34 
 
 cralud theii- children and households to the Lord, and mahitain- 
 ed family worship and instruction. In their social interviews 
 lh(iy remembered, that God heard them ; in their worldly trans- 
 actions they considered, that God saw them. They were very 
 pure from immoral practices ; very conscientious and exemp- 
 lary in their conduct. Both in principle and practice they were 
 puritans. But, my friends, has there not been a departure from 
 the good ways, in which your fathers walked ? Are there not 
 some in this town, who totally neglect the public worship of 
 God ? Do not the ivays of Zion mourn, because so feiv attend 
 her solemn feasts ? Where is that " glorious church of illumi- 
 nated christians" which existed here in the days of Norton and 
 Rogers ^ or in the days of John and Nathaniel Rogers ? How- 
 small the number, now presented for baptism ! There has been 
 a decrease in the proportion of four to one, since the time of the 
 last Mr. Rogers. How many families now call not on the name 
 of the Lord ! How many pews are entirely empty ! and, more 
 lamentable still, how many seats of professing christians are 
 empty, on days of preparatory lecture ! Where is the man 
 at the present day, (those excepted whose official duties call 
 them) who frequently, I do not say, ivalks to Boston, to attend 
 th#!r^,day lecture, but who rides to Essex or Hamilton, to unite 
 in the quarterly concert of prayer for the prosperity of Zion, 
 throughout the limits of ancient Ipswich, and for the influences 
 of the Spirit upon all nations.^ How many now live without 
 the fear of God, and in the practice of many vices, which are 
 baneful in their influence on society ! Is here not a cloud of 
 witnesses, testifying in a manner not to be misunderstood, that 
 in this highly favoured spot there has been a deplorable depar- 
 ture from primitive purity and zeal ? Do the present genera- 
 
 * In 17G0 llio second church in Ipswich, then under the pastoral care of the 
 Rev, Mr. Cleavcland agreed to spejid one day every quarter of a year in a 
 congregalional fasting and prayer for the outpouring of God's spirit upon 
 Ihein and tipon all natiorjs, agreeably to the concert of prayer first entered 
 into in Scotland, some years before. The four churches in town soon enter- 
 c.i] into the def-i£;n ; and this was the origin of the quarterly fast, still kept up 
 in ]i>tvvich, and the towns dismembered from it. 
 
35 
 
 lion fully maintain the character of sons of pilgrims, wlio left 
 pleasant dwellings, beloved friends, and all the common deligl.it:^ 
 of life, and traversed a wide ocean that in this then howling wil- 
 derness, they might uninterruptedly enjoy religious privileges, 
 and people a new world with a race of christians f 
 
 My friends, there is not a town in New England under strong- 
 er obligations to serve the Lord, than this. You are children of 
 the covenant. INIany of your fathers are with God. You tread 
 on ground, consecrated by the prayers and tears of pious pro- 
 genitors, through successive generations. For you, their un- 
 born posterity, they wrestled in their supplications. You inhabit 
 a place, on which showers of divine grace have copiously de- 
 scended. Here the word of God has been preached 2L'ith the 
 Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven. Here at different periods 
 have been powerful revivals of religion.* Here many precious 
 immortals have been trained up for glory. Cherish an affec- 
 tionate remembrance, as of your pious ancestors in general, so 
 in particular of those, who with demonstrations of religious jov 
 early erected temples f for God's worship here, and laid iIk^ 
 foundation for the promotion of rehgion in future time. Hold 
 
 *■ The loss of the church records preven<ya parficulitr stulcmcnt of lliese 
 revivals. 
 
 t The first meeting house stood (accnrdinsr to (riidition) on the south side 
 of the river, near the spot where the dwelling hoii.se of the Hon. John. 
 Heard, Esq. now stands. This was erected poon after the estahii^hinent 
 of this church. It was designed and calculated for short (continuance. The 
 second house stood on the north i^ide of the river near the. place \\]\f re the 
 present house stands. While that house was standing, a h-Jl w;is presented 
 to the town by iMr. Richard Saltonstnll. The third house wu^ built in loOC, 
 by Mr. \braham Tilton for 1 100 pounds. it occupied the same spot wUh 
 that now standing: ; and was of the same length and height, and 13 feti wider. 
 About the time that this house was built a new bell was purchased, the old 
 one given in exchange, and tlie deficiency supplied by subscription. 1 he 
 present house was built in 1749. Dimensions — G6 feet long, 47 wide, and 20 
 stud. It is pleasantly situated in the centre of the village, on a rising cround 
 and, considering the time when it was erected, is a good piece of architecture. 
 The clock and the bell, lately purchased, are owned in equal projjortions by 
 the first and the south parishes. The mn f itjj ]in\\f^r- on thf .south .»ide of the 
 river was built in 1747. 
 
jj6 
 
 fast their sacred principles, and copy their pure examples. Di- 
 rect your eyes toward heaven. Behold those venerable ser- 
 vants of Christ, whose characters have been brought into view, 
 with thousands of ransomed souls, whom, as humble instruments, 
 they led to glory, looking down upon you, ta see how you value 
 and improve the precious privileges they transmitted to you. 
 
 My christian friends, let us cherish a respectful regard for this 
 ancient church. While we entertain sincere affection for all the 
 churches of the Redeemer, esteeming them one family in him, 
 let us hold in high veneration a church, which in 1634, was huilt 
 upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles^ Jesus Christ 
 being the chief corner stone, and which, for more than 180 years 
 has been a firm pillar and ground of the truth. Let us lament 
 its decline from its former prosperity. Be it our fervent prayer. 
 Return, O Lord, look down from heaven, behold and visit this 
 vine, and the vineyard, which thy right hand hath planted, and 
 the branch which thou madest strong for thyself. Be it our ear- 
 nest desire, that the gospel may be enjoyed here, its institutions 
 honored and improved, and true religion promoted, till the earth 
 be dissolved in the last conflagration. 
 
'37 
 
 APPENDIX No. 1. 
 
 Deacons of the First Church in Ij)swich, 
 
 THE ancient church records being lost, an entire hst of the 
 names of the Deacons, and a correct statement of the time, they 
 severally officiated, cannot be given. As they were generally 
 leading men in town affairs, their names are occasionally men- 
 tioned in the records of the town. From this source I have de- 
 rived most of the information I am able to give of those, who of- 
 ficiated before the year 1746. 
 
 Mr. John Shatswell, who came to this town in 1634, was for 
 some time a Deacon in the church. Mr. William Goodhue, 
 who is supposed to have come with Mr. Rogers in 1637, has 
 the title, Deacon, in 1658, and probably sustained the office 
 much earlier. He died at a very advanced age in 1699 or 1700. 
 He was high in reputation, as a man of piety, integrity, and wis- 
 dom. For many years he served the town with ability, as a se- 
 lectman, moderator, and representative in General Court : as 
 did also his oldest son Joseph, who was likewise a Deacon of 
 this church, and who died a little before his father, Sept. 2, 
 1697. Of like respectability was his son William, who was one 
 of the first Deacon's of the 2d church in Ipswich. Deacon 
 Whipple was in office in 1651. Deacon Moses Pinicry from 
 1660 to 1683. Deacon Thomas Knovvhon from 1667 lo 1678. 
 Deacon Jewetfin 1677. Deacon Robert Lord in 1682. Dea- 
 con Thomas Low in 1696. Deacon Jacob Foster from 1697 
 to 1709. Deacon Nathaniel Knowlton, (a man of great distinc- 
 tion) from 1700 to 1723. Deacon Abbot from 1710 to 1715. 
 Deacon John Staniford in 1721. Deacon Thomas Norton, (a 
 distinguished citizen) from 1727 to 1737. Deacon Jonathan 
 Fellows from 1727 to 1736. Deacon Aaron Potter in 1737. 
 
 In a list of church members, taken by the last Rev. Mr. Rog- 
 
38 
 
 ers, in 1746, 1 find the widow of Deacon Caldwell. In the same 
 list are the names of Deacon Daniel Heard, Deacon Mark Has- 
 Jcell, Deacon Aaron Potter, and Deacon Samuel Williams, who 
 were then in office. April 26, 1763, Messrs. Jeremiah Perkins 
 and Joseph Low were chosen Deacons. Deacon Low died, 
 July 3, 1782; and Deacon Perkins, Jan. 13, 1790, aged 88. 
 In 1781, Mr. John Crocker and Mr. William Story, Jun. were 
 chosen to the same office. Deacon Story resigned his office, 
 May 22, 1788, and the same day Mr. Aaron Perkins was cho- 
 sen in his stead. August 19, 1790, Deacon Crocker having de- 
 clined serving in his office on account of lameness, Mr. Caleb 
 Lord was appointed to this office. Deacon Lord died May 27, 
 1804. Deacon Crocker died April, 1806. Mr. Thomas 
 Knowlton was chosen July 12, 1801, and Mr. Mark Haskell, 
 Oct. 11, 1804.— Church records. 
 
 Character of Deacon Samuel Williams, abridged from Mr. 
 Rogers' funeral sermon. 
 
 He v/as a godly and faithful man, though he thought himself 
 the least of all saints. He seemed to have much of the holy 
 image of God renewed in his soul, and to make it his great care 
 to live and grov/ in conformity to the divine nature and will. 
 He appeared to have always a deep sense of the glorious God 
 upon his mind, to walk in his fear all the day long, and to govern 
 himself in all his transactions by a present view to his glory. 
 With pious care he sanctified the christian sabbath, attending 
 with delight on all its institutions and duties. He endeavored 
 constantly to walk before his house in an upright way, and by 
 precept and example to bring up his children for God. Prayer 
 was his delight. It was his stated practice to retire three times 
 a day for secret prayer. His conversation with christians was 
 spiritual, edifying, and quickening. As an officer of the church 
 he was kind and faithful. He manifested a very tender spirit in 
 his visits to the sick, to the widow, and the fatherless. He 
 managed his affiiirs with discretion, and with a careful attention 
 to the improvement of his time. He w^as very conscientious in 
 all his transactions. In his sight, holiness was the perfection of 
 
39 
 
 beauty, and sin the greatest evil. He followed alter holiness ; 
 and deeply lamented his remaining sinfulness. He died Feb. 
 5, 1763, aged 03. The text, on which father Rogers preached, 
 on the occasion of his death, ably delineating the character of 
 the godly and faithful man, was very appropriate : Help, Lords 
 for the godly man ccascih, for the faithful fail from among the 
 children of men. 
 
 The following testimony to the worth of Deacon Lord, I 
 found in the hand writing of my immediate predecessor : — 
 " May 27, 1804, died Deacon Caleb Lord, a member and 
 officer of the first church in Ipswich — a man singular and re- 
 markable for his christian honesty, godly simplicity, and virtuous 
 moderation. He appeared to be but little attached to this 
 world, to live a life of piety and devotion, and to have a deep 
 sense of divine things upon his mind. All people seemed to 
 have charity for him as a man of undeviating honesty and un- 
 affected piety ; and few or none ever found any thing in his 
 temper or practice, as a ground of censure or a subject of re- 
 proach." 
 
46 
 
 APPENDIX, No. 2. 
 
 A Catalogue of JYatives of Ipswich, ivho have received a^ 
 
 College Education. 
 
 HARVARD COLLEGE. 
 
 Where settled. 
 1649 *JoHN Rogers, Mr. Prceses, If. C. 
 
 1659 *Ezekiel Rogers. 
 
 1660 ^William Whiltingham. 
 
 1684 *Rev. John Denison, Mr. Ipswich. 
 
 1684 "^Rev. John Rogers, Mr. Ipswich. 
 
 1687 *Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, Mr. Portsmouth, JV. H. 
 
 1698 *NATHANiELHuBBARD,Mr.Jwc?g'e of Superior Court,Mass. 
 
 1700 *Rev. Jeremiah Wise, Mr. Berwick, Me. 
 
 1710 *Jolin Denison, Mr. 
 
 1711 *Rev. John Rogers, Mr. Kittery, Me, 
 
 1712 *Rev.NATHANiEL Appleton, Socius,S.T.D. Cambridge. 
 
 1717 *Henry Wise, Mr. Merchant, Ipswich. 
 
 1718 *Francis Cogswell, Mr. Merchant, Ipswich. 
 1721 *Rev. JVathaniel Rogers, Mr. Ipswich. 
 1725 *Rev. Daniel Rogers, Mr. Tutor, Exeter, JV. H. 
 1725 *Rev. Daniel Rogers, Mr. Littleton. 
 1725 *Samuel Rogers, Mr. Physician, Ipswich. 
 1725 *Joseph Manning, Mr. Physician, Ipswich. 
 1*828 ^Joseph Wise, Mr. Physician, Ipswich. 
 1730 *Iiev. John Dennis, Mr. Cape Cod. 
 1735 *Rev. Aaron Smith, Mr. Marlborough. 
 1738 *Edward Eveleth, Mr. 
 
 1738 *Daniel Staniford, Mr. Grammar School-Master, Ipswich, 
 1742 *Jol]n fWainwright, Mr. Preacher of the Gospel. ■ 
 
 t It is st'.pposed that several of this name, who were graduated at Harvard 
 College, were from this town. It is probable that many of various names, 
 unknown to the author, are omitted. 
 
41 
 
 1742 *John Denison, Mr. 
 
 1742 *Andre\v Burley, Mr. 
 
 1744 *John Amiable, Mr. 
 
 1745 *Rev. JVehemiah Porter, l\Ir. Ipswich &f AsJificIcl. 
 1752 *Samuel Wiggleswortli, Mr. Physician, Dover, JV. H, 
 1758 * Joseph Howe, Mr. Grammar School-Master, Ipswich, 
 1758 *Rev. John Treadwell, Mr. Lynn. 
 
 1761 Edward Wigglesworth, Mr. 
 
 1766 Ebenezer Potter, Mr. 
 
 1772 Dauiel Staniford, Mr. Preacherof the Gospel. 
 
 1772 Samuel Smith', Mr. Physician, Hampton. 
 
 1772 Thomas Burnam, Mr. Grammar School-Master, Ipswich. 
 
 Ill A Josiah Smith, Physician, Newburyport. 
 
 1777 *Nathaniel Dodge, Mr. 
 
 1778 Nathan Dane, L.L. D. Counsellor at Law, Beverly, 
 1782 Nathaniel Rogers, Mr. 
 
 1784 *George Stacy, Mr. 
 
 1786 'Rew. Nathaniel Howe, Mv. Hopkinton. 
 
 1786 *DLidley Hubbard, Mr. Counsellor at Law, Berwick. 
 
 1786 Porter Lummus, Mr. 
 
 1787 Ephraim Kendall, Mr. 
 
 1788 *Rev. Oliver Dodge, Pomfret, Conn. 
 1790 Rev. David Smith, Mr. Ameshury. 
 
 1790 *Daniel Staniford, Mr. Tutor, School- Master, Boston. 
 
 1793 *Charles Cutler, Mr. 
 
 1794 *Rev. Joseph McKean, Mr. L.L. D. Professor of Rheto- 
 
 ric and Oratory at Harvard College, S.H.S. 
 
 1794 *Joseph Perkins, Mr. Counsellor at Law, Salem. 
 
 1795 Amos Choate, Mr. Register of Deeds, Salem. 
 
 1795 John Heard, Mr. Counsellor at Law, Boston, 
 
 1796 Rev. Samuel Dana, Mr. Marblehead. 
 1798 *Jonathan Ingersoll. 
 
 1798 Natlianiel Lord, Mr. Register of Probate, Ipswich. 
 
 1802 *Levi Frisbie, Mr. Tutor and Professor of Harvard Col- 
 lege, A. A. S. 
 
 1806. Joseph G. Cogswell, Mr. Tutor, P. D. Goct. Bibliotli. 
 
 Mineral, ct Geol. Prof. A. A. S. 
 6 
 
43 
 
 1810 *John Dudley Andrews, Mr. 
 
 1810 Rev. Edward Andrews, Mr. • Norwich, JV, F. 
 
 1810 *Joseph Swasey Farley. 
 
 1812 George Washington Heard, Mr. Merchant, Ipswich, 
 
 1818 George Choate, Mr, Physician. 
 
 DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, 
 
 1788 Joseph Dana, Mr. Counsellor at Law. 
 
 1788 Rev. Daniel Dana, S. T. D. President of Dart. College. 
 
 1793 Mark Newman, Mr.Preceptor of Phillips Acad. And. Mer, 
 
 1819 Rufus Choate, Tutor. 
 
 BROWN COLLEGE. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Appleton, N. BrooJcfield. 
 
 Rev. *Ebenezer Dutch, Bradford, 
 
 Jonathan Kinsman 
 Francis Quarles, preacher of the gospel. 
 
 BOWDOIN COLLEGE. 
 
 Nathan D. Appleton, Counsellor at Law, Standish, Me. 
 
43 
 
 APPENDIX No. 3. 
 
 SUCCESSION' OF MIJVISTERS. 
 
 FIRST CHURCH. 
 
 J^anies. 
 Re?. Nathaniel Ward 
 
 John G#ten «^^ir'^(fft 
 Nathaniel Rogers 
 Thomas Cobbet 
 William Hubbard 
 John Denison 
 John Rogers 
 Jabez Fitch 
 Nathaniel Rogers 
 Levi Frisbie 
 David T. Kimball 
 
 Tvne of Settlement 
 
 Time of Removal. 
 
 *^e;e 
 
 1634 
 
 
 83 
 
 1G36 
 
 Dijnis'd.aboutl653 
 
 57 
 
 Feb.20, 1688 
 
 Dec'd.July 2, 1655 
 
 57 
 
 1656 
 
 Nov. 1685 
 
 77 
 
 Probably in 1657 
 
 Sept. 14, 1704 
 
 83 
 
 Probably in 1687 
 
 Decea5pd 1689 
 
 
 Oct. 12, 1692 
 
 Dec. 28, 1745 
 
 80 
 
 1703 
 
 Withdrew in 1724 
 
 
 Oct. 18, 1727 
 
 Dec'd. May 1775 
 
 74 
 
 Feb. 7, 1776 
 
 Feb. 25, 1806 
 
 58 
 
 Oct. 8, 1806 
 
 
 
 Second Church ( Chebacco, now Essex.) 
 
 Rev.John Wise 
 
 1682 
 
 Dec'd. April 8,1725 
 
 73 
 
 Theophilus Pickering 
 
 Oct. 23, 1725 
 
 Oct. 7, 1747 
 
 47 
 
 John Cleaveland 
 
 Feb. 25, 1747 
 
 April 22, 1799 
 
 77 
 
 Nehemiah Porter 
 
 Jan. 3, 1750 
 
 Disms'd. June, 1766 
 
 100 
 
 Josiah Webster 
 
 Nov. 13, 1799 
 
 July 23, 1806 
 
 
 Thomas Holt 
 
 Jan. 25, 1809 
 
 April 20. 1813 
 
 
 Robert Crowell 
 
 Aug. 10, 1814 
 
 
 
 Third Church (Now Hamilton.) 
 
 Rev. Samuel Wig:glesworth j 
 
 Manas'h.Cutter,LLD. | Sept. 11, 1771 
 
 Oct. 27, 1714 I Dec'd. Sep. 3,1768 
 
 80 
 
 South Church. 
 
 Rev.John Walley 
 
 Joseph Dana, D, D. 
 
 1747 I Dis'd.Feb.22,1764 
 Nov. 7, 1765 I 
 
44 • 
 
 Church in Linebrook. 
 
 J^amcs. 
 Rev. George Leslie 
 
 Gilbert T. Williams 
 
 TiTiie of Setllement 
 1749 
 1789 
 
 Time of Removal. 
 
 i Dismissed 1779 
 
 1813. 
 
 SUCCESSIOJV OF JlUmSTEjRS 
 
 ^ge. 
 
 IN THE FIRST CIJURCH 
 
 [N ROWJ.EY. 
 
 
 Kev. Ezekiel Rogers 
 
 Dec. 3. 1639 
 
 Dec'd Jan.23,16ei 
 
 70 
 
 Samuel Phillips 
 
 » , ' 1650 
 
 April 22, 1^96 
 
 72 
 
 Samuel Shepherd 
 
 1665 
 
 Apri'l7, 1668 
 
 26 
 
 Edwa'rd Payson 
 
 Oct. 25, 1682 
 
 Aug. 22, 1732L 
 
 76 
 
 Jcdediah Jewett 
 
 Nov. 19, 1729' 
 
 May 8, 1774 
 
 69 
 
 Ebenezer Bradford 
 
 Aug. 4, 1782 
 
 Jan. 3, 1801 
 
 
 DavidTullar 
 
 Dec. 7, ^803 
 
 Dis'd.Oct.17,1810 
 
 
 James W. Tucker 
 
 June 24, 1812 June 24, 1817 | 
 
 , 
 
 Willard Holbrock 
 
 July 22, 1.818 
 
 1 
 
 «•» 
 
 »®< 
 
 ■p. S. The author intended to have added a general histori- 
 cal sketch of this ancient town, with biographical notices, &:c. 
 But, as the materials for this purpose were increasing on his 
 hands to an inconvenient sizp^to be .inserted in an appendix to 
 a long discourse, he concluded to omit 'it. He hopes hereafter 
 to publish a pamphlet bn this subject,'if it shall be thought desi- 
 lable.' He will be greaUy obliged to his respected townsmen or 
 others, who will furnish him with information proper to be in- ^ 
 sorted, as he will to any, who will point out <o him any error, as- 
 lo facts or dates, in'the preceding ecclesiastical sketch. 
 
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