The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol. 1, No. 1, January 1847

Chapter II: Part 2

Text size

(67) VIII. ISABELLA,⁴ b. March 2, 1731, m. Benjamin Warren of
(148) Chelmsford, Jan. 10, 1754, d. Dec. 26, 1793, a. 63.
He d. at Hollis, N. H., Aug. 20, 1800, a. 71. They had 6
children.

(68) IX. EDWARD,⁴ ESQ., b. Feb. 24, 1734, m. Sarah, dau. of Samuel
(82) Brown, d. Aug. 4, 1804, a. 70. She was b. Feb.
20, 1736, d. Aug. 19, 1811, a. 75.

The following obituary notice of this gentleman appeared
in the Boston Repertory of Aug. 10, 1804. "Died at
Billerica, on the 4th inst., in the 71st year of his age,
EDWARD FARMER, Esq., who many years represented that town
in the General Court. He ever combatted the enemies to
the Laws and Constitution of his Country, both foreign
and domestic. He was a firm patriot in our Revolutionary
war, and commanded a party of militia at the capture of
Burgoyne, and cheerfully obeyed the call of Government, in
the insurrection of 1786. On the 6th his body was carried
to the meeting-house, preceded by a volunteer company
completely uniformed, and followed by a long train of the
citizens of Billerica and the towns adjacent. Appropriate
hymns were sung, a suitable lesson was read from the
scriptures, and after a well adapted prayer by the Rev. Dr.
Cumings, his remains, as attended above, were escorted to
the mansions of the dead, and deposited with his fathers,
with military honors. He left a numerous family to bemoan
his loss."

(69) X. JOHN,⁴ Lieut., b. Dec. 7, 1737, m. 1st, June 5, 1764, Hannah
(87) Davis, b. Sept. 7, 1741; 2ndly, widow Sarah Adams,
originally Russell, b. Jan. 18, 1751. His first wife d.
Feb. 12, 1787, a. 45. He d. at Billerica, Jan. 9, 1806, in
his 70th year.

RICHARD,⁴ (19) who m. Hannah Knibb, had,
(70) I. RICHARD,⁵ Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, b.
May 4, 1735, d. Sept. 8, 1797, a. 62.

(71) II. JOHN,⁵ in holy orders.

(72) III. THOMAS,⁵ b. May 10, 1744, d. at Leicester, England,
1824, a. 80.

(73) IV. JOSEPH,⁵ of Leicester, a Lieut. Colonel.

(74) V. HANNAH,⁵

(75) VI. SARAH,⁵

(76) VII. MARY,⁵ who m. Rev. and Hon. Richard Byron, at one time
heir apparent to the baronial honors of the Byron family.

OLIVER,⁴ (66) who m. 1st, Rachel Shed, had,
(77) I. RACHEL,⁵ b. April 29, 1758, m. Nicholas French, Sept. 28,
(95) 1779. He d. at Merrimack, July 21, 1823, a. 73.

(78) II. OLIVER,⁵ b. June 12, 1760, m. Hannah Sprague, Nov. 30,
(101) 1786. She was b. March 14, 1764.

(79) III. JOHN,⁵ b. Dec 1, 1762, m. Lydia, dau. of Josiah
Richardson[21] of
(107) Chelmsford, Jan. 24, 1788. She was b. Dec. 7, 1763.
He was a deacon, and resided in Chelmsford, (where all
of his children were born) until Sept, 1803, when he
removed to Lyndeborough, N. H., where he remained until
Nov. 18, 1806, at which time he removed to Merrimack, and
died there, Nov. 17, 1814, a. 52. By his 2nd wife, Hannah
Abbott, he had,

(80) IV. HANNAH,⁵ b. Sept. 17, 1767, m. William Rogers of Billerica,
(154) (her cousin) Dec. 10, 1789. She was b. May 25, 1759.

(81) V. REBECCA,⁵ b. Nov. 29, 1768, d. Jan. 8, 1792, a. 23. A
poem on her death was written by Dr. Timothy Danforth of
Billerica.

(82) VI. JEREMIAH,⁵ b. April 10, 1771, m. Clarissa, dau. of Timothy
(172) Foster, Oct. 13, 1816. She was b. April 16, 1785.

EDWARD,⁴ (68) who m. Sarah Brown, had,

(83) I. EDWARD,⁵ b. Dec 1, 1760, d. Aug. 23, 1802. He m. Rizpah
(176) Baldwin, March 25, 1784. She d. July 29, 1791. He m.
2ndly, Elizabeth Brown, of Concord.

(84) II. SARAH,⁵ b. March 6, 1763, d. Jan. 28, 1766.

(85) III. JONATHAN,⁵ b. May 28, 1764, d. Oct. 11, 1798.

(86) IV. SARAH,⁵ b. Oct. 3, 1767, m. Reuben Baldwin, Nov. 13,
1787. He was drowned, May 13, 1807, leaving 8 children.

(87) V. JESSE,⁵ b. Oct. 18, 1770, d. in Boston, Feb. 6, 1815, a. 44.
(181) He m. Margaret Franksford, July 26, 1803. She was b.
Aug. 26, 1781.

JOHN,⁴ (69) who m. 1st, Hannah Davis, had,
(88) I. HANNAH,⁵ b. Sept. 26, 1764.

(89) II. REBECCA,⁵ b. Dec. 2, 1766, d. May 29, 1788.

(90) III. ABIGAIL,⁵ b. Dec 22, 1768.

(91) IV. POLLY,⁵ b. Jan. 14, 1775.

(92) V. JOHN,⁵ b. Dec 4, 1776, d. Sept. 1, 1778.

(93) VI. LUCY,⁵ b. Oct. 4, 1780. By his 2nd wife, (Mrs. Adams,)
he had,

(94) VII. JOHN,⁵ b. Dec 11, 1791, m. Susan, dau. of Deacon Moses
Gerrish, and resided [in 1824] in Boscawen, and was Lieut.
Colonel of the 21st regiment of N. H. militia.

(95) VIII. HANNAH,⁵ b. Dec. 15, 1794, m., and lived in Boscawen,
in 1824.

RACHEL,⁵ (77) who m. Nicholas French, had,
(96) I. Oliver Farmer,⁶ b. Jan. 1, 1780, d. July 25, 1803,
a. 23.

(97) II. John,⁶ b. May 27, 1783.

(98) III. Nicholas,⁶ b. Sept. 7, 1785.

(99) IV. Rachel,⁶ b. Sept. 10, 1788, d. July 14, 1792.

(100) V. Hannah,⁶ b. Aug. 4, 1791.

(101) VI. Rachel 2nd,⁶ b. June 25, 1795.

OLIVER,⁵ (78) who m. Hannah Sprague, had,
(102) I. OLIVER,⁶ b. May 12, 1788.

(103) II. ASA,⁶ b. Dec 13, 1793.

(104) III. HANNAH,⁶ b. May 17, 1795.

(105) IV. ZADOCK,⁶ b. Oct. 28, 1796.

(106) V. REBECCA,⁶ b. March 30, 1798.

(107) VI. RACHEL,⁶ b. Sept. 13, 1804.

JOHN,⁵ (79) who m. Lydia Richardson, had,
(108) I. JOHN,⁶ b. June 12, 1789, d. at Concord, N. H.,
where he had long resided, Aug. 13, 1838, a. 49. [This was
the eminent Genealogist and Antiquary, the original author
of this Genealogical Memoir of the family, to whom all New
England is so deeply indebted for his labors.]

(109) II. MILES,⁶ b. Jan. 18, 1791, m. Sophia H., dau. of Major
(188) Turner Crooker, July 4, 1816. She was of Amherst, N. H.

(110) III. CHARLOTTE,⁶ b. July 20, 1792, m. Capt. James Riddle of
(174) Merrimack, Aug. 3, 1815. She d. Aug. 6, 1825, a. 33,
while on a visit at Quincy for her health, and was interred
at Bedford, N. H.

(111) IV. MARY,⁶ b. Aug. 31, 1794.

(112) V. JEDIDIAH,⁶ b. April 5, 1802.

ABIGAIL,⁴ (61) who m. Jonathan Richardson, had,
(113) I. Abigail,⁵ b. April 14, 1741.

(114) II. Jonathan,⁵ b. June 3, 1743, d. July 2, 1743.

(115) III. Jonathan,⁵ b. Nov. 25, 1744.

(116) IV. Thomas,⁵ b. Sept. 3, 1747.

(117) V. Oliver,⁵ b. Feb. 15, 1750.

(118) VI. Benjamin,⁵ b. March 3, 1753, d. Feb. 23, 1773.

MARY,⁴ (62) who m. William Baldwin, had,
(119) I. Sarah,⁵ b. July 5, 1742.

(120) II. John,⁵ b. Jan. 13, 1744.

(121) III. William,⁵ b. April 12, 1748.

(122) IV. Thomas,⁵ b. Feb. 27, 1751, d. June 12, 1796.

(123) V. Micah,⁵ b. Oct. 1, 1753.

(124) VI. Mary,⁵ b. April 15, 1756.

(125) VII. Nahum,⁵ b. May 16, 1759.

(126) VIII. Oliver,⁵ b. Feb. 12, 1762.

SARAH,⁴ (63) who m. Edward Jewett, had,
(127) I. Edward,⁵ b. Nov. 29, 1741, lived in Rindge, N. H.

(128) II. Sarah,⁵ b. May 29, 1744.

(129) III. Oliver,⁵ b. March 24, 1747.

(130) IV. John,⁵ b. Nov. 6, 1749, d. Feb., 1802.

(131) V. Jesse,⁵ b. Nov. 17, 1752.

(132) VI. Abigail,⁵ b. Oct. 11, 1755.

(133) VII. Isabel,⁵ b. Sept. 29, 1758.

(134) VIII. Joseph,⁵ b. May 10, 1761, m. Sarah Woods, sister of Rev.
(166) Dr. Woods of Andover. He resided in Ashburnham, Ms.
[See (164) onward.]

BETTY,⁴ (64) who m. Zebadiah Rogers, had,
(135) I. Betty,⁵ b. May 1, 1752.

(136) II. Zebadiah,⁵ b. March 18, 1754.

(137) III. John,⁵ b. Oct. 15, 1756.

(138) IV. Josiah,⁵ b. April 28, 1759.

(139) V. Lucy,⁵ b. April 21, 1761.

(140) VI. Sybil,⁵ b. Nov. 4, 1763, d. Nov. 15, 1770.

(141) VII. Micajah,⁵ b. Nov. 15, 1770.

REBECCA,⁴ (65) who m. Samuel Rogers, had,
(142) I. Rebecca,⁵ b. Feb. 11, 1752.

(143) II. Samuel,⁵ b. March 5, 1754, died in Virginia, in the
service of the U. States, Oct. 18, 1781.

(144) III. Abigail,⁵ b. July 31, 1756.

(145) IV. William,⁵ b. May 25, 1759.

(146) V. Thomas,⁵ b. Aug. 12, 1762, d. May 1, 1804. a. 41.

(147) VI. Rachel,⁵ b. May 23, 1765, m. Samuel Whiting, Esq., Jan.
(193) 22, 1789.

(148) VII. Ezra,⁵ b. May 9, 1768.

ISABELLA,⁴ (67) who m. Benjamin Warren, had,
(149) I. Isabella,⁵ b. Oct. 15, 1754.

(150) II. Benjamin,⁵ b. March 12, 1758.

(151) III. Tabitha,⁵ b. Jan. 2, 1763.

(152) IV. Abigail,⁵ b. May 16, 1765.

(153) V. Sarah,⁵ b. Sept. 28, 1767.

(154) VI. Rebecca,⁵ b. Feb. 14, 1773.

HANNAH,⁵ (80) who m. William Rogers of Billerica, had,
(155) I. William,⁶ b. Dec. 23, 1790.

(156) II. Jeremiah,⁶ b. Oct. 26, 1792.

(157) III. Calvin,⁶ b. Aug. 30, 1794.

(158) IV. Hannah,⁶ b. May 11, 1796.

(159) V. Charles,⁶ b. May 25, 1798, d. May 28, 1799.

(160) VI. Rebecca,⁶ b. May 18, 1800.

(161) VII. Sukey,⁶ b. April 1, 1802.

(162) VIII. Harriet,⁶ b. April 17, 1805.

(163) IX. Louisa,⁶ b. Aug. 23, 1808.

(164) X. Elvira,⁶ b. Aug. 5, 1810.

SARAH,⁴ (63)--[In giving her children at
(126) the following children were accidentally omitted.]
(165) IX. Rachel,⁵ b. Jan. 8, 1765, d. Feb., 1766.

(166) X. Josiah,⁵ b. April, 1767, d. Sept., 1775.

Joseph Jewett,⁵ (134) son of Sarah
(63) by Edward Jewett, had,
(167) I. Ivers,⁶ of Ashburnham, now [1823] Major General of
the 6th division of the Massachusetts militia.

(168) II. Joseph,⁶ of Baltimore, Md.

(169) III. Milton,⁶ who died in 1817.

(170) IV. Polly G.,⁶ wife of Rev. Otis C. Whiton.

(171) V. Merrick A.,⁶ grad. Dart. Coll. in 1823.

(172) VI. Sarah Farmer,⁶ m. Aaron Hobart of Boston

JEREMIAH,⁵ (82) who m. Clarissa Foster, had,
(173) I. SARAH CLARISSA,⁶ b. Feb. 27, 1818.

(174) II. TIMOTHY FOSTER,⁶ b. Aug. 10, 1824.

CHARLOTTE,⁶ (110) who m. Capt. James Riddle, had,
(175) I. Charlotte Margaret,⁷ b. Feb. 20, 1817.

(176) II. Mary Ann Lincoln,⁷ b. ---- 1823.

EDWARD,⁵ (83) who m. 1st, Rizpah Baldwin, had,
(177) I. JOHN,⁶ b. July 27, 1786, d. March 6, 1808, a. 22,
a worthy and promising young man.

By his 2nd wife, Elizabeth Brown, he had,
(178) II. ELIZABETH,⁶ b. June 20, 179-.

(179) III. EDWARD,⁶ b. Sept. 26, 1795.

(180) IV. RIZPAH,⁶ twin with Edward.

(181) V. JACOB B.,⁶ b. Oct. 30, 1801.

JESSE,⁵ (87) who m. Margaret Franksford, had,
(182) I. MARGARET,⁶ b. Nov. 11, 1804.

(183) II. HARRIET,⁶ b. Feb. 17, 1806.

(184) III. HENRY,⁶ b. Aug. 17, 1807.

(185) IV. JESSE,⁶ b. Nov. 9, 1809.

(186) V. WILLIAM,⁶ b. Aug. 11, 1811.

(187) VI. GEORGE WASHINGTON,⁶ b. Sept. 25, 1812.

(188) VII. CATHARINE SMITH,⁶ b. Jan. 13, 1814.

MILES,⁶ (109) who m. Sophia Crooker, had,
(189) I. CHARLES AUGUSTUS,⁷ b. July 9, 1817, d. June 4, 1818.

(190) II. SARAH,⁷ b. at Salem, Sept. 22, 1820.

(191) III. MARY JANE,⁷ b. at Dover, Ms. Jan. 20, 1823.

(192) IV. CAROLINE VALENTINE,⁷ b. at Dover, Feb. 4, 1825.

(193) V. CHARLOTTE RIDDLE,⁷ b. at Boston.

Rachel,⁵ (147) who m. Samuel Whiting, Esq., had,
(194) I. Harriet,⁶ b. Oct. 20, 1789.

(195) II. Ann,⁶ b. Oct. 20, 17--.

(196) III. Catherine,⁶ twin with Ann.

(197) IV. Augustus,⁶ b. March 2, 1795, grad. II. C. 1816.

(198) V. Mary Ann,⁶ b. May 25, 1800.

APPENDIX.

_Extracts of Letters from_ Rev. Thomas Farmer, _Rector of Aspley-Guise, in Bedfordshire, England_, _to_ John Farmer _of Concord, N. H._ Dated July, 1822.

* * * * *

DEAR SIR,--Having lately been to visit my relations at Leicester, my native place, I saw for the first time a letter from you, desiring an account of your Genealogy; and, being satisfied of our consanguinity, you will allow me to hope that you may cross the Atlantic, and visit this village, of which I am the Rector, and which is situated but little more than 40 miles from London, and near the Duke of Bedford's magnificent Park and Palace.

I am possessed of the papers which formerly belonged to my uncle, Dr. Richard Farmer, who certainly was a most ingenious and classical scholar, and perhaps the best annotator on England's immortal bard. You may know that he was Master of Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge. There I was educated, and there I saw him die, after a very long protracted illness, on the 8th of September, 1797. The loose papers, from which I shall send you extracts, are in Dr. Farmer's hand-writing.

My father, Thomas Farmer, is now at Leicester, and is the only male issue of his generation. He was born on the 10th of May, 1744. I was born on the 21st of August, 1771, and am the only issue left, and I am in possession of land in the vicinity of Nuneaton, sharing it equally with Mr. Arnold of Ashley, no great distance from Daventry, in the County of Northampton.

Of the present owner of Ancely, or Astly, I know nothing; but in the old papers, I find John Farmer of Ancely, in the County of Warwick, passes a time, Sept. 1st, 1604, and that a John Farmer, in 1663, [1633?] contracts marriage with Isabel Barbage of Great Packington, in the County of Warwick, and that Isabel, in after marriage articles, is stiled "_now of New England_;" that John Farmer of Nuneaton married Sarah Daws of Tamworth, and settles the estate at Ancely upon her. Richard F., son of John and Sarah, was baptized at Nuneaton, Sept. 15, 1698, and married Hannah Knibb of Brinklow, in the County of Warwick, Jan. 4, 1732-3. Their eldest son, Richard, born May 4, 1735, was the person whom you have rightly named of such extensive literary fame and acquirements.

I shall seal this with the seal[22] which Dr. Farmer wore and used, and the Arms I read, "He beareth Sable, Chevron between three Lamps Argent, with Fire Proper, by the name of Farmer." This coat was assigned to George Farmer, Esq., 1663, second son of Bartholomew Farmer, Gent.[23] of Radcliffe, near Atherstone, Warwickshire. The patent was to _alter_ the Chevron of the family, though it mentions not what anciently were the Arms of the family.

* * * * *

_From the same to the same, dated Aspley-Guise, Dec. 1, 1823._

Sir,--The family of Farmers from which we are descended, were living about the year of our Lord, 1500, at a village called Ratcliffe-Cuiley, which is in Leicestershire, and adjoining the Counties of Warwick and Stafford. One of them was a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas, and you observe by the scrap enclosed, another of them, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury, which scrap is the hand-writing of the author on the learning of Shakspeare. Most of them are buried in a vault belonging to the family, in the church of Witherly, (near Ratcliffe) in the County of Leicester. My grandfather's name was _Richard_, who married a Miss Knibb, and their family consisted of Richard, [b. May 4, 1735,] the annotator on our immortal bard, Prebendary of Canterbury, then a Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's, London, the Master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and principal Librarian of that University; _John_, in holy Orders; _Thomas_, my father, [b. May 10, 1744,] who married the 3rd dau. of John Andrew, Esq., of Harlestone-Park in the County of Northampton; _Joseph_, Lieut. Col. of the Royal Leicester volunteers; _Hannah_, unmarried; _Sarah_ married Allen Brown, Esq., of Cosby, near Leicester, and afterwards Richard Jervis, a surgeon of Latterworth; _Mary_ married [in 1768,] the Hon. Richard Byron, [b. Oct. 28, 1724,] brother of the late Lord [William] Byron.

FOOTNOTES:

[4] See Camden's Remains, 4to, London, 1603.

[5] Skinner's Etymologicon Linguæ Anglicanæ. Spelman's Glossarium Archæologicum.

[6] MS. Letter. See Appendix.

[7] Dodson's Memoirs.

[8] Wood's Athenæ Oxon. ii. 618.--Burnet's Own Times, ii. 699.--Salmon's Geog. Gram.--Hume.--Goldsmith, &c.

[9] Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses.

[10] Guillim's Heraldry, 310.

[11] Guillim's Heraldry, 186.

[12] Calamy, Ejected Ministers, ii. 437.

[13] Douglass' Summary, i. 135.

[14] See Monthly Review.

[15] Calamy, ii. 609.

[16] London Magazine, xli. 268.

[17] Watt's Bibliotheca Britannica.

[18] Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses.

[19] At this place is the Hermitage, in which is the well known inscription written by Thomas Warton, D. D., beginning with,

"Beneath this stony roof reclined,
I soothe to peace my pensive mind."

[20] From a deposition, taken July 21, 1691, before Richard Hopkins, relating to the last will and testament of Mr. John Farmer of Ansley, signed by EDWARD FARMER, son of the said John, it appears that EDWARD, the deponent, was an inhabitant of Ansley at that time. It is, however, evident, that within a few years after, he had become settled in New England. The birth of his eldest son, in 1671, is inserted in the Records of Billerica, although it is doubtful whether he settled there before 1673.

[21] The genealogy of the Chelmsford Richardsons has been traced to Capt. Josiah R., living in that place in 1659, supposed to have been son of Samuel of Woburn, who d. March 23, 1658. Josiah, mentioned in the text, was b. May 8, 1734, d. April 15, 1801, a. 66. His father, Capt. Zachariah R., was b. Feb., 1696, d. March 22, 1776, a. 80. Josiah, his father, was b. May 18, 1665, d. Oct. 17, 1711, a. 45. The father of the last Josiah was Capt. Josiah, first mentioned in this note, who d. July 22, 1695.

[22] The impression of this seal is deposited in the cabinet of the American Antiquarian Society, at Worcester.

[23] Bartholomew was the son of John Farmer of Leicester, and grandson of Bartholomew of the same place, as appears by the [Herald's] visitation of that county in 1619.

MEMOIRS OF GRADUATES OF HARVARD COLLEGE.

Commencing with the year 1670.

BY THE LATE JOHN FARMER, ESQ.

NOTE. The year they were graduated is prefixed to the name of
each person, in the several Memoirs.

NATHANIEL HIGGINSON.

1670. NATHANIEL HIGGINSON, son of Rev. John Higginson, pastor of the first church in Salem, was born at Guilford, Ct., Oct. 11, 1652. After receiving his second degree in 1673, he made preparation to go to England, where an uncle of his had been settled as a clergyman, and where he had a number of relations. He went thither the following year, and was soon introduced to Lord Wharton, with whom he remained about seven years, in the capacity of steward and tutor to his children. He was employed in the mint of the Tower in 1681, and went in 1683 in the East India Company's service to Fort St. George in the East Indies; was a member and secretary of the council, and afterwards governor of the factory at said fort. He married Elizabeth Richards, 1692; returned to England with his wife and four children in 1700, and established himself as a merchant in London, and did considerable business with his New England friends.

In 1706, we find his name, with 19 others, signed to a petition full of invective against Joseph Dudley, then Governor of Massachusetts, and praying for his removal, which was presented and read to Queen Anne in council. Gov. Dudley, in his answer to the charges contained in this petition, notices several of the petitioners, and thus speaks of Mr. H. "Mr. Higginson is a gentleman of good value, born in New England, but has been absent in the East Indies six and twenty years, and so may be presumed to know nothing of the country. To be sure, his father, that has been a minister in the country near sixty years, yet living, and his brother, a member of her Majesty's Council, must know more, his brother having been always assisting the Governor, and consenting in Col. Dudley's justification at this time with the Council, where no man has dissented from the vote sent herewith." The allegations against Gov. Dudley in this petition, were voted by the General Court, or Council and House, to be a "wicked and scandalous accusation;" but some persons of note, considering the high character of Mr. Higginson and his good interest at court, "signified by their letters, that they thought the two Houses impolitic in the severity of their expressions, which, from being their friend, might, at least, cause him to become cool and indifferent." We know not the effect of the language of the General Court on the mind of Mr. Higginson, but we cannot suppose it alienated his affections from his native country. He lived but two years after, to serve the interests of his friends in New England. He died in London of the small pox, in November, 1708, aged 56 years. He had been for several years a member of the Corporation for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of New England. Judge Sewall says, he had been acquainted with him for forty years, and seems to have had a high opinion of his character and public services. _Felt, Annals of Salem_, 350. _Hutchinson, Hist. Mass._ ii. 146, 147. _Gov. Dudley's MS. Answer to Mr. H.'s petition_ (the _original_, which escaped, in part, the fury of the mob, when they destroyed Gov. Hutchinson's house.)

AMMI RUHAMAH CORLET.

1670. AMMI RUHAMAH CORLET was son of the celebrated schoolmaster, Elijah Corlet, of whom an early poet sang,

"'Tis Corlet's pains, and Cheever's, we must own,
That thou, New England, art not Scythia grown."

The father was educated at Lincoln College in the University of Oxford, and the son had all the advantages of early preparation, which could be derived from so distinguished a scholar. Having been graduated, he appears to have followed the business of his father, and in 1672 we find him at Plymouth, as the Master of the principal school in that place. After taking his second degree, or about that time, he was a Fellow of the College, in which office, it is presumed, he continued till his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1679.

THOMAS CLARK.

1670. THOMAS CLARK, son of Jonas Clarke, of Cambridge, a surveyor of some note, was born, March 2, 1653. Rev. Mr. Allen, in his History of Chelmsford, says in relation to Mr. Clark, "We have neither church records, manuscript sermons, cotemporary notices, nor any other materials, from which a bare memento can be erected, excepting the following sentence in the 9th volume of the Hist. Coll. of Mass., page 195. 'Dorchester, 1704, Dec. 10. The death of Rev. Thomas Clark of Chelmsford was lamented in a sermon from Acts xx: 25, &c.' A great loss to all our towns, and especially to our frontier towns on that side of the country, who are greatly weakened with the loss of such a man." Besides the above extract from Mr. Allen, we find a fact in Dr. Cotton Mather's "Wonders of the Invisible World," which is creditable to the character of Mr. Clark. In the time of the witchcraft delusion, "there was at Chelmsford an afflicted person, that in her fits cried out against a woman, a neighbor, which Mr. Clark, the minister of the gospel there, could not believe to be guilty of such a crime, [witchcraft.] And it happened while that woman milked her cow, the cow struck her with one horn upon the forehead and fetched blood. And while she was bleeding, a spectre of her likeness appeared to the party afflicted, who pointing at the spectre, one struck at the place, and the afflicted said, _You have made her forehead bleed!_ Hereupon some went to the woman and found her forehead bloody, and acquainted Mr. Clark with it, who forthwith went to the woman and asked her, _How her forehead became bloody?_ and she answered, _By a blow of the cow's horn_, as abovesaid; whereby he was satisfied that it was a design of Satan to render an innocent person suspected." The conduct of Mr. Clark in this decision, made at the time when the spectral evidence was so generally received, probably prevented the infatuation from extending to Chelmsford. Happy would it have been had all ministers and magistrates exercised a like discrimination in rejecting all evidence against persons whose characters had been previously good. By the magistrates at Salem, the coincidence of the imaginary wound inflicted on the spectre, and the real wound from the cow's horn on the woman, would have been sufficient for the condemnation of the latter.

Mr. Clark was the minister of Chelmsford twenty-seven years, having been ordained, in 1677, as the successor of Rev. John Fiske. His labors were suddenly terminated, being seized, according to Judge Sewall's Diary, with a fever, on Friday the 2nd, which caused his death on the following Wednesday, December 7, 1704, in the 52nd year of his age.

Mr. Clark was twice married. The name of his first wife was Mary, who died Dec. 2, 1700. His second was Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Samuel Whiting, whom he married, Oct. 2, 1702. His children, who lived to mature years, all by his first wife, were Lucy, who married Major John Tyng, father of Judge John Tyng, Sept. 19, 1700. She died April 25, 1708; Elizabeth, who married John Hancock of West Cambridge; Jonas, born Dec. 2, 1684, who resided on the farm, known by the name of the Cragie farm. There he kept a public house and ferry which have ever since borne his name. His house was the general resort for all fashionable people. He was honored with many civil and military offices; was a very popular man, and esteemed as a good Christian. He died April 8, 1770, aged 86. Thomas, the youngest son, was born Sept. 28, 1694.

GEORGE BURROUGH.

1670. GEORGE BURROUGH, or as the name is usually spelt, Burroughs, was, perhaps, a son of Jeremiah Burroughs, an inhabitant of Scituate, Ms., as early as 1647; but we have no certain information of his parentage or the time of his birth. He was admitted a member of the church in Roxbury, April 12, 1674, and his son George was baptized in the church there, Nov. 28, 1675. He became a preacher within a few years after he left College, and, as early as 1675 or 1676, he was the minister at Casco, in Maine, and was there when that town suffered the loss of so many lives by an attack of the Indians. The war which soon followed, drove Mr. Burroughs from Maine, and he returned to Massachusetts. In November, 1680, he was employed to preach at Salem Village, now Salem. He continued there probably until 1683, when, in May, Mr. Lawson was invited to preach to the people. Mr. Burroughs returned to his ministry in Casco the same year. A work entitled "European Settlements in America," in speaking of Mr. Burroughs as a victim of the Salem Witchcraft, says, "that he was a gentleman who had formerly been minister of Salem; but upon some of the religious disputes which divided the country he differed from his flock, and left them." Mather, in his "Wonders of the Invisible World," countenances this idea, saying "he had removed from Salem Village in ill terms some years before." Mr. Willis, in his History of Portland, says, "The first notice of his return to Casco is in June, 1683, when, at the request of the town, he relinquished 150 acres of land, which had been granted to him previous to the war. In their application to him for this purpose, they offered to give him 100 acres 'further off,' for the quantity relinquished, but Burroughs replied, 'as for the land already taken away, we were welcome to it, and, if 20 acres of the 50 above expressed would pleasure us, he freely gave it to us, not desiring any land anywhere else, nor any thing else in consideration thereof.'"

His disinterestedness places the character of Mr. Burroughs in an amiable light, which nothing can be found, during the whole course of his ministry at Casco, to impair. The large quantity of land which he relinquished was situated upon the Neck, which was then daily becoming more valuable, by the location of the town upon it. All this, excepting thirty acres, he freely returned, without accepting the consideration offered by the town.

The unhappy catastrophe which terminated the life and usefulness of Mr. Burroughs, has cast a shade upon many facts relating to him which would be interesting to us to know. We have no means of ascertaining whether he was regularly settled and had gathered a church at Casco or not. There is, however, sufficient authority for asserting, that he preached to the people there a longer period than any Congregational minister prior to Rev. Thomas Smith.

"There has nothing," says Mr. Willis, "survived Mr. Burroughs, either in his living or dying, that casts any reproach upon his character; and, although he died a victim of a fanaticism, as wicked and stupid as any which has been countenanced in civilized society, and which for a time prejudiced his memory, yet his character stands redeemed in a more enlightened age from any blemish."

Mr. Burroughs was driven from Casco by the Indians in 1690, and went to Wells, where he resided when he was accused of the crime of witchcraft. The indictment against him is given in the second volume of Hutchinson. He was examined on May 8, 1692, and committed to prison in Boston until his trial, which took place in August following. He was condemned on testimony, which nothing but the most highly wrought infatuation could for a moment have endured. His great strength and activity, for which he had been remarkable from his youth, were enlisted against him, as having been derived from the Prince of evil. It was in evidence, that he had lifted a barrel of molasses by putting his finger in the bunghole, and carried it round him; that he held a gun more than seven feet long at arm's length with one hand, and performed other surprising feats above the power of humanity. Some evidence was also exhibited against his moral character, in relation to his treatment of his wives and children, but we can attach but very little credit to it considering the great perversion of truth at that time.

He was executed August 19, 1692, on Gallows hill, in Salem. At his execution, he made a most solemn, pertinent, and affecting prayer, which drew the remark from Cotton Mather, who was present, as I was informed by the late Dr. Bentley, "that no man could have made such a prayer unless the devil helped him." He concluded his dying petition with the Lord's prayer, probably to convince some of the spectators of his innocence; for it was the received opinion, that a true witch or wizard could not say the Lord's prayer without blundering.

The age of Mr. Burroughs is represented by Dr. Bentley, in his Hist. of Salem, published in 1 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. vi., to have been _about fourscore years_; but that writer undoubtedly transferred the age of Giles Cory, who wanted only three years of being _fourscore_, to Mr. Burroughs. It can by no means be admitted, that Mr. B. was nearly 60 years old when he graduated, which must have been the case if he was 80 years old at the time he was executed.

Mr. Burroughs had been three times married. The names of his first and second wives are not known. His last was daughter of Thomas Ruck, and she survived him. His children were George, baptized 1675, who lived in Ipswich; Jeremiah, who was insane; Rebecca, who married a Tolman of Boston; Hannah, who married a Fox, and lived near Barton's Point in Boston; Elizabeth, who married Peter Thomas of Boston, the ancestor of the late Isaiah Thomas, LL. D., of Worcester. George and Thomas Burroughs of Newburyport, the former a tanner, conveyed to N. Winslow, in 1774, the right of George Burroughs in proprietary land in Falmouth. These were probably descendants of the minister.--_Hutchinson, Hist. Mass._ ii. 57-59. _Felt, Annals of Salem._ _Neal's Hist. N. E._ ii. 130-134, 144. _Willis, Hist. Portland in Coll. Maine Hist. Soc._ i. 144, 174-176. _Upham, Lectures on Witchcraft._ _Allen, Biog. Dict. art. Burroughs._

ISAAC FOSTER.

1671. ISAAC FOSTER, according to the late William Winthrop, Esq., was from Charlestown, and might have been brother of John Foster, who was graduated in 1667; but this is uncertain, as the latter was from Dorchester. [We find him to have been admitted freeman in 1679, about which time, he probably went to Connecticut.] Mr. Winthrop may have considered him as belonging to Charlestown from the circumstance of his being called to preach there. When a committee of the town of Charlestown was about selecting a successor to Rev. Thomas Shepard, in 1678, the opinions of Rev. John Sherman, Rev. Increase Mather, and Rev. President Oakes were requested as to the "fittest person" for their minister, and these gentlemen recommended Mr. Foster as "the fittest and suitablest person" for that place. While remaining at Charlestown he was admitted freeman, in 1679. Soon after this, he went to Connecticut and preached in Hartford, and, from his name being printed in italics, it has been inferred that he was settled there, but this does not clearly appear from Dr. Trumbull.

SAMUEL PHIPPS.

1671. SAMUEL PHIPPS, son, it is presumed, of Solomon Phipps of Charlestown, who died in that town, July 25, 1671, was born about the year 1649. The most of his life was passed in civil offices, having been Register of Deeds for the county of Middlesex, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the same county, and representative for the town of Charlestown, where he resided. To the last office he was elected in 1692, being one of the first representatives under the charter of William and Mary. In 1700, he was one of the Commissioners of claims for receiving and examining all titles and claims to land in the eastern province of Maine. Mr. Phipps died in August, 1725, aged 76, and was buried in the tomb of his son-in-law Lemmon. His wife was Mary Danforth, daughter of Dep. Gov. Thomas Danforth. She was born July 28, 1650. [We find the name of Danforth associated with Phipps in the class of 1781.] Thomas Phipps, who graduated in 1695, was his son.

(To be continued.)

COMPLETE LIST OF CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS IN THE EASTERN PART OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, FROM ITS SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME; TOGETHER WITH NOTES ON THE MINISTERS AND CHURCHES.

BY THE REV. JONATHAN FRENCH OF NORTH HAMPTON.

----------------------------------------------------------
_Towns._ | _Ministers._ | _Settled._ | _Dismissed_
| | | _or died._
---------+-------------------+-------------+--------------
Brentwood|Nathaniel Trask |ord. 1748} |Dec. 12, 1789
| |inst. 1756} |
|Ebenezer Flint |May 27, 1801|Oct. 12, 1811
|Chester Colton |Jan. 25, 1815|Mar. 16, 1825
|Luke A. Spofford |Feb. 22, 1826|April 1, 1829
|Jonathan Ward, s.s.| |
|Francis Welch |Dec. 4, 1833|Oct. 4, 1837
|John Gunnison |June 12, 1839|June, 1841
|James Boutwell | |
Deerfield|Timothy Upham |Dec. 9, 1772|Feb. 21, 1811
|Nathaniel Wells |July 1, 1812|Sept. 1, 1841
|Ephraim N. Hidden |Sept. 1, 1841|
Epping |Robert Cutler |Dec. 9, 1747|Dec. 9, 1755
|Josiah Stearns |March 8, 1758|July 25, 1788
|Peter Holt |Feb. 27, 1793|April 25, 1821
|Forest Jefferds |Oct. 26, 1826|Oct. 31, 1831
|Calvin Chapman |Dec. 8, 1842|April 10, 1845
|Enoch Corser, s.s. |

NOTES.

BRENTWOOD. In Dec. 12, 1748, according to Farmer's Statistics of New Hampshire ministers, _Rev. Nathaniel Trask_ was settled in this place.

"Jan. 18, 1756, this church [Hampton church] was sent for to install the Rev. Mr. Trask at Brentwood. They chose Deacons Tuck and Lane, who went. And the affair was completed with love and peace, decency and good order. Mr. Odlin and Flagg prayed. I preached, Col. iv: 17. Mr. Whipple gave the charge. Attest, W. Cotton, Pastor."

Over a church newly organized, Mr. Trask was installed, as stated in the records of Rev. W. Cotton, Jan. 21, 1756.

Mr. Trask retained the pastoral office in Brentwood, 41 years; though he ceased from his pulpit labors, about two years before his death, which occurred Dec. 12, 1789, at the age of 67. He married Parnel Thing, June 15, 1749. Their children were Elizabeth, born July 30, 1750, died in Brentwood, Parnel, born July 2, 1752, died Sept. 8, 1756. Nathaniel, born Sept. 8. 1754, died Sept. 5, 1756; Mary, born Sept. 14, 1756. Parnel, born Aug. 27, 1759, died July 21, 1762. Samuel, born Sept. 10, 1762, settled and died in Brentwood, where his son and daughter now live. Jonathan, born Dec. 12, 1764, settled in Mount Vernon, Me.

From the decease of Mr. Trask, the church was without a pastor eleven years and a half. During that period, _more than a hundred individuals_ were employed as candidates for settlement, or as supplies. Eight or ten, successively, received and declined invitations to settle.

At the ordination of the _Rev. Ebenezer Flint_, the church had become reduced to six male and thirteen female members. Mr. Flint died suddenly, Oct. 12, 1811, aged 42, leaving a widow, who died at the age of 72 years.

He studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Emmons. He married Mary, daughter of Deacon Kendall of Tewksbury, Ms. Two of his children were Mary K., who married Ebenezer Orne, and Abigail J., who married Jonathan Robinson, 3rd. The youngest son of Mr. Flint, Ezra M., married Louisa P. Haynes of Charlestown, Ms., and now lives there. The eldest, Ebenezer, resides in Brentwood, unmarried.

From the time of Mr. Flint's death, the church was destitute of a pastor more than four years.

_Rev. Chester Colton_ preached at Brentwood, July 21, 1813. He proved to be the Barnabas they needed; and the friends of religious order, being encouraged and strengthened, settled him. Rev. Mr. Rowland of Exeter preached the ordination sermon, from 1 Cor. i: 21, and Rev. Dr. Pearson of Andover, Ms., gave the charge.

The people became ardently attached to Mr. Colton, and his labors were blessed. He was dismissed at his own urgent request, on account of an inflammation of his eyes which forbade application to study. Mr. Colton's vision was, in a few years, so far restored, by rest and medical treatment, that he resumed the labors of a pastor, and was installed at Lyme, Ct., Feb. 12, 1829. Recently he has labored under the direction of the Connecticut Missionary Society, in North Goshen, Ct.

_Rev. Luke Ainsworth Spofford_ was installed in Brentwood, and, after laboring about three years, and not finding his hopes of usefulness realized, he requested and received a dismission. The number of church members reported, June, 1828, was 53. Subsequently to his ministry at Brentwood, Mr. Spofford was installed at Lancaster, N. H., 1829; Atkinson, N. H., 1832; Scituate, Ms., 1835; Chilmark, on Martha's Vineyard, Ms., 1842; from which place he removed to Newburg, N. Y., where his family resides. Mr. Spofford, before he came to Brentwood, had been ordained at Gilmanton, N. H., where he enjoyed a successful ministry of six years; but, on account of the state of his health, and the extent of the field, resigned June 9, 1825. For more particular notices, see Rev. Mr. Lancaster's History of Gilmanton, and Notes respecting the ministers in Gilmanton, in the first number of the New Hampshire Repository, Vol. I.

After Mr. Spofford's resignation, the people in Brentwood enjoyed the labors of _Rev. Jonathan Ward_ about three and a half years.

Mr. Ward studied theology with Rev. Dr. Emmons, and was ordained in New Milford, now Alna, Me., in 1796, and resigned in 1818. Although Mr. Ward has never been installed in New Hampshire, he has, in many respects, performed the services of a pastor to some of the churches in a very acceptable and useful manner. Mr. Ward labored twelve years, most of the time statedly, in Plymouth, his native place, and the place of his father's ministry, for more than thirty-two years.

Mr. Ward's father, Rev. Nathan Ward, was born at Newton, Ms., April 11, 1721, died June 15, 1804, aged 83. He married Tamasin Ireland, who was born Jan. 1, 1722, O. S., and died Aug. 16, 1777. Rev. Nathan Ward, who was hopefully converted under the preaching of Mr. Whitefield, had not a collegiate education, but received an honorary degree of M. A. from Dartmouth College. His children, beside Jonathan the youngest, were Nathan, born Jan. 9, 1748, O. S., died Nov. 3, 1776; Enoch, born July 4, 1749, died July 31, 1825; Abraham, born Feb. 9, 1751, died Dec. 6, 1776; Mary, born Sept. 18, 1752, died Dec. 6, 1776; Abigail, born March 31, 1755, N. S., died Sept. 16, 1841; Samuel, born Aug. 26, 1756, died Nov. 8, 1776; Isaac, born March 16, 1758, died Feb. 27, 1816; Benjamin, born Sept. 21, 1761, died ----; Daniel, born Jan. 30, 1764; Esther, born Aug. 17, 1767, died Dec. 8, 1776. The submission of the parents was painfully tested, by the death of five of their children, with a putrid fever, within five weeks. Enoch, brother of Rev. N. Ward, entered the ministry, but died young. He graduated at Harvard University, 1736. The grandfather of Rev. J. Ward was Joseph, whose father was John, who settled in Newton, Ms., and one of a large family, brought by their father, William Ward, from England, about 1646, who settled in Sudbury, Ms. Rev. Jonathan Ward married Philenia Gay Whitaker of Attleborough, Ms., who was born April 6, 1776, and died April 25, 1825. Their children were Jonathan, born Nov. 30, 1800, graduated at D. C., 1822, studied at the Theological Seminary, Andover, ordained at Biddeford, Me., Oct. 26, 1825, died Feb. 8, 1826, aged 25; James Wilson, born May 21, 1803, graduated at D. C., 1826, studied at the Theological Seminary, Andover, and at New Haven, ordained at Abington, Ms., May 31, 1834; Philenia, born Oct. 16, 1804, married Frederick Robinson of Brentwood; Laura Elizabeth, born May 7, 1807, married Lucius M. Perdy of Sharon, Ct.

_Rev. Francis Welch_ was the fourth settled minister in Brentwood. He has labored since he left that place in Ipswich, Linebrook Parish, Ms.; and in Perry, Washington County, Me.

_Rev. John Gunnison_, who had been previously ordained at Lyman, Me., May 12, 1831, installed over the Union Society of Salisbury and Amesbury, Ms., Dec 31, 1835, and at Newmarket, Lamprey River, Feb. 22, 1837, was installed at Brentwood. He was, after leaving Brentwood, installed at West Falmouth, Me., in Jan., 1842. He now resides at Portland, but at present supplies the pulpit of the first church in Westbrook. He studied theology with the Rev. Charles Jenkins of Portland, Me., and entered the ministry late in life. He married for his first wife, Joanna Dow of Gilmanton, and for his second, a woman by the name of Starboard.

_Rev. James Boutwell_, who was born May 14, 1814, graduated at the Theological Seminary, Andover, in 1840. He was an Instructor at Dunkirk, N. Y., one year. Mr. Boutwell has seven brothers and one sister older, and two sisters younger, than himself. His paternal grandfather was of Wilmington, Ms. His maternal grandfather was Dr. Benjamin Jones, of Lyndeborough, a physician of some celebrity, whose native place was Ipswich, Ms. Mr. Boutwell's brother, William Thurston Boutwell, was several years a missionary among the Ojibwa Indians, in Wisconsin. Mr. Boutwell married Mary P., daughter of Dea. Pascal Abbot of Andover, Ms., April 10, 1837. Their children are Mary Lucelia, born at Dunkirk, N. Y., March 8, 1838; James Pascal, born at Andover, Feb. 6, 1840, died Oct. 31, 1844; George Clark, born at Brentwood, Feb. 8, 1842; Charles Hawley, born at Brentwood, Oct. 29, 1843; Hannah Elizabeth, born March 11, 1846.

DEERFIELD was a part of Nottingham, from which it was separated, and incorporated Jan. 8, 1766. The Congregational Society was formed in Dec., 1772.

_Rev. Timothy Upham_ was the first minister. His first wife, who was the mother of all his children, was Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Gookin of Northampton. Her twin sister, Elizabeth, married Dr. Edmund Chadwick of Deerfield, father of Peter Chadwick, Esq., of Exeter. The children of Rev. Mr. Upham are Hon. Nathaniel Upham of Rochester; Gen. Timothy Upham of Portsmouth; and Miss Hannah Upham, the celebrated Principal of the Female Institute in Canandaigua, N. Y. Among the grandchildren of Rev. Mr. Upham, are Rev. Thomas Cogswell Upham, D. D., Professor in Bowdoin College, who was previously pastor of the Congregational church in Rochester; Hon. Nathaniel Gookin Upham, a Judge of the Superior Court of N. H.; Mary, widow of Hon. David Barker, Jr., and now wife of Ebenezer Coe, Esq.; Alfred, M. D., of New York; Timothy, M. D., deceased; Joseph Badger Upham, Merchant in Portsmouth; Judith Almira, married to James Bell, Esq.; Hannah Elizabeth, deceased; Ruth Cogswell, married to John Berry, M. D.; Francis William, a member of the Boston Bar; and Albert Gookin, M. D., of Boston.

The New England genealogy of the Rev. Timothy Upham is traced to John Upham, born in England, in 1597, who emigrated to Weymouth, New England, in 1635, and went thence to Malden. He was highly esteemed for his piety, intelligence, and energy of character; filled various civil offices, and was deacon of the church many years. He performed the duties of moderator of a town meeting a few months before his death, which took place Feb. 25, 1681, at the age of 84.

Lieut. Phinehas Upham, son of John Upham, married Ruth Wood. He died in consequence of wounds received in the capture of Narraganset Fort, in 1675. Phinehas, son of Lieut. Phinehas, married Mary Mellins. His son Phinehas married Tamzen Hill, whose son Timothy married Mary Cheever. These last were the parents of Rev. Timothy Upham, whose New England ancestors, from the first, were men of influence in the church, and in the community, and were distinguished for intelligence, firmness of character, and a spirit of enterprise. The first wife of Rev. Timothy Upham died Aug. 4, 1797, aged 44. Mr. Upham died in the 63rd year of his age, and 39th of his ministry. The sermon at his funeral, from Heb. xiii: 8, by Rev. Peter Holt, ascribes to Mr. Upham "many gifts and excellent qualifications for a gospel minister." Mr. Upham's second wife, who was Miss Hephzibah Neal of Stratham, died May 11, 1811. See _Family History, by Albert G. Upham, A. M., M. D._, 1845.

_Rev. Nathaniel Wells_ was engaged sixteen years in mercantile business before entering the ministry. He studied theology with Rev. Moses Hemmenway, D. D., of Wells, Me., whose daughter he married in 1797. After a diligent and useful ministry of about 30 years, he resigned his pastoral charge. Two of his sons are settled in the ministry. Theodore, ordained in Barrington, June 12, 1845; Moses Hemmenway, ordained in Pittsfield, Nov. 19, 1845. Rev. Nathaniel Wells was son of Dea. Nathaniel Wells, whose father was also Dea. Nathaniel Wells, who removed to Wells, Me., from Ipswich, Ms., and who was a son of Dea. Thomas Wells of Ipswich, who died in that place, Oct. 26, 1666.

_Rev. Ephraim Nelson Hidden_ was Preceptor of Gilmanton Academy, three years; graduated at Gilmanton Theological Seminary, 1840; was married, Aug. 28, 1840, to Mary Elizabeth Parsons, daughter of Josiah Parsons, Esq., of Gilmanton, whose wife was Judith Badger, great-granddaughter of Gen. Joseph Badger, Senior. He was son of Ephraim Hidden, and nephew of Rev. Samuel Hidden of Tamworth, N. H., and grandson of Price Hidden of Rowley, Ms. His first New England ancestor emigrated from England and settled in Rowley.

EPPING. _Rev. Robert Cutler_ was the first minister. In 1755, Mr. Cutler, being charged with immoral conduct, was dismissed by a Council. He was installed in Greenwich, Ms., Feb. 13, 1760, where he died, Feb. 24, 1786, aged probably 68.

_Rev. Josiah Stearns_ closed his ministry and life, July 25, 1788. He descended from Isaac Stearns, who came from England, with Gov. Winthrop, in 1630, and settled in Watertown. The line of descent is 1. Isaac and Sarah Stearns. 2. John Stearns, who married Sarah Mixer of Watertown. He settled in Billerica. 3. John Stearns, who married Elizabeth ----. He was the first child born in Billerica, on record. 4. John Stearns, who married Esther Johnson. She was a _great-granddaughter_ of the celebrated Capt. Edward Johnson, author of the History of New England, entitled "Wonder-working Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England." In several publications, she is incorrectly mentioned as the _daughter_ of the historian. Her father was a second Capt. Edward Johnson, her grandfather was William Johnson, Esq. John and Esther Stearns were the parents of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping. The following short obituary notice appeared in a public print, Aug. 27, 1788. It is attributed to the pen of the Rev. Dr. Tappan, then of Newbury, afterwards Professor of Divinity in Harvard University.

"For the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet.

"Mr. Hoyt,--The Rev. Mr. Stearns, whose death was announced in your last, sustained a character too great and too good to be passed over in silence. The God of Nature endued him with singular abilities, which, by the aid of erudition, fitted him for extensive usefulness. His assiduous application to the work of the ministry was truly worthy of imitation. In him shone an assemblage of virtues and graces which rarely meet in the same person. He had a lively fancy, a penetrating judgment, a correct taste, and a mind expanded as the heavens. His conversation was ever seasonable, grave, pathetic, and instructive. His public discourses were replete with good sense, with important truths in a clear and instructive light, and received the approbation of the best judges. He despised pageantry, without the appearance of affectation. He trusted to nothing mortal; pitied, but envied not, such as had their portion in this life. His advice in Council was often sought, and ever approved. He had a constitutional firmness, and was capable of the most dispassionate reasoning. He repudiated errors ancient and modern, and rejoiced to the last in his faithful adherence to the doctrines of grace. Elevated by the purer sentiments, he ever possessed a mind calm and serene. God, who is all-wise in council, was pleased to try his faith and patience in the furnace of affliction. After a lingering and painful sickness, he died of a cancer, in the 57th year of his age. In him died a friend to justice, liberty, and energetic government; a vigorous watchman, a patient guide, an affectionate pastor, a prudent, kind husband, and an indulgent but truly faithful parent."

Mr. Stearns was a close and thorough student. He studied the Scriptures in their original languages, with unremitting diligence. His limited means would not allow him to possess much of a library, but he was favored with the use of books by friends, who were able to own them. He was accustomed to borrow one volume at a time, and when he had read it through, its contents were his own. The late Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, mentioning this fact, added, "The Bible especially was his Library." So intimate was his knowledge of the Scriptures, that "he could readily cite chapter and verse, where almost any text was to be found." Mr. Stearns was an ardent friend of liberty. "Some of his sons were in the field, during a greater part of the Revolutionary contest; and he sacrificed most of his worldly interest in support of the American cause." [_Alden's Epitaphs._] He was a member of a State Convention, in Exeter, in which he regarded himself as fully committed to the risk of his personal safety. Returning from the Convention, he called his children around him, told them of the stand he had taken, and added, "If the cause shall prevail it will be a great blessing to the country, but if it should fail, your poor old father's head will soon be a button for a halter."

Mr. Stearns was tall in person, and interesting in his pulpit performances. He held the untiring attention of his audience, which not unfrequently filled the seats and aisles of his meeting-house, while, in pleasant weather, a number stood abroad around the doors and windows.

Of the printed sermons of Mr. Stearns, two were on 1 John iv: 8,--"God is love." These were preached in Exeter, and printed after his death, at the request, made to him in his last sickness, of Hon. John Phillips, for the use of the members of the Academy. Another was on early piety, with a brief memoir of Samuel Lawrence, preached Sept. 19, 1779. Another was a Fast sermon.

Previous Next

Comments

The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol. 1, No. 1, January 1847Chapter II: Part 2

0%36 min left in chapter