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

Chapter III: Part 3

Text size

Mr. Stearns married first, Sarah Abbot of Andover. They had three sons and three daughters. One of the sons was John Stearns, Esq., of Deerfield, N. H. Mrs. Stearns died in November, 1766. In September, 1767, he married Sarah Ruggles, daughter of Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, who was a grandson of Rev. John Woodbridge of Andover, and great-grandson of Gov. Thomas Dudley. By the second marriage, also, Mr. Stearns had three sons and three daughters.

Rev. Samuel Stearns, son of Rev. Josiah Stearns, by his second marriage, was born in Epping, April 8, 1770; graduated at H. U. 1794; studied theology with Rev. Jonathan French of Andover; and was ordained in Bedford, Ms., April 27, 1795, where he died, Dec. 26, 1834, aged 65. He married Abigail, daughter of Rev. Mr. French of Andover. She was a descendant from John Alden, one of the first Pilgrims, who is said by some to have been the first person, who leaped upon the rock at Plymouth, New England, in 1620. Rev. Mr. Stearns of Bedford lived to see three of his sons settled in the ministry. Rev. Samuel Horatio Stearns, ordained over the Old South Church in Boston, Ms., April 16, 1834, died in Paris, France, July 15, 1837. His remains were brought to his native country, and rest in Mount Auburn Cemetery. Rev. William Augustus Stearns, ordained at Cambridgeport, Dec. 14, 1831, married Rebecca Alden Frazer of Duxbury. Rev. Jonathan French Stearns was ordained pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Newburyport, Sept. 16, 1835. He married first, Joanna Chaplin, daughter of Dr. James Prescott Chaplin of Cambridgeport. He married secondly, Anna S. Prentiss of Portland, Me. Sarah Caroline, a daughter of Rev. Mr. Stearns of Bedford, married Rev. Forest Jefferds, who was ordained at Epping, and afterwards installed at Middleton, Ms. Charlotte Esther, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns, married Rev. Jonathan Leavitt. He was ordained at Bedford, and afterwards installed at Providence, R. I. Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, son of Dea. William Stearns and grandson of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping, was ordained at Dennysville, Me., Nov. 6, 1844, and married Eliza Kilby, daughter of John Kilby, Esq., of that place. The mother of Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, who was, before marriage, Abigail Richards Howe of Templeton, Ms., was a descendant of John Alden of Pilgrim memory.

_Rev. Peter Holt_, third pastor at Epping, was son of Joshua Holt, Esq., whose brother, Rev. Nathan Holt, was pastor of the second Church in Danvers, Ms. Rev. Peter Holt studied theology with Rev. Mr. French of Andover. He was installed over the Presbyterian church in Peterborough, March 7, 1827; resigned April, 1835; preached in Deering from 1835 to 1841. See notices of Mr. Holt by Rev. Mr. Whiton, in the N. H. Repository, Vol. I. No. 3. Rev. Mr. Holt of Epping married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathan Holt. They had seven children. Two survive, Sarah and Mary; the first of these married Samuel Endicott of Beverly. Nathan died at Epping, in his 12th year, of whom there is an obituary in the Piscataqua Evan. Mag. Vol. IV. p. 36. The family of Mr. Holt is traced to Nicholas Holt, who came from England to Newbury, in 1635, removed to Andover, and was one of the ten males who founded the church there in 1645. [_Coffin's History of Newbury_; _Abbot's History of Andover_; _Farmer's Genealogical Register._]

_Rev. Forest Jefferds_, who succeeded Mr. Holt, was son of Samuel, who was the son of Samuel, who was the son of Rev. Samuel Jefferds of Wells, Me., whose father emigrated from England to Salem, Ms. Rev. Samuel Jefferds was favored with a revival of religion in Wells, in 1741-2, and was one of the attestors by letter to "the happy revival of religion in many parts of the land." [_Tracy's Hist. Great Awak._, p. 295.] Rev. Forest Jefferds received his classical and theological education at the Theological Seminary, Bangor, graduated 1825, was installed at Middleton, Ms., May 2, 1832, resigned May 15, 1844. Mr. Jefferds married Sarah Caroline, daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns of Bedford.

_Rev. Calvin Chapman_ was next ordained in Epping. A new house of worship had been erected, which was dedicated in connection with the services of his ordination. He graduated at Andover Theological Seminary, 1842, married Lucy B. Emerson of Parsonsfield, Me. Mr. Chapman is now settled at Sacarappa, Me.

_Rev. Mr. Corser_ was a son of David Corser of Boscawen, who was a son of John, and grandson of John of Newbury, Ms., who emigrated to this country from Scotland, about the year 1690. John, with David his son, removed from Newbury to Boscawen, in the early settlement of the town, and purchased the whole of that tract of land, which, from their name, is called Corser's Hill. Mr. Corser studied divinity with Rev. Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, and was ordained in Loudon, March 5, 1817. He was dismissed from his charge Sept. 20, 1838. He preached as a supply at Northfield and Plymouth, till 1845. Since then he has supplied at Epping, where he now resides. His son, Samuel B. G. Corser, graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1841.

(To be continued.)

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES FROM NORWICH, CT.

The following is supposed to be a correct list of the Missionaries that have gone out from Norwich. About twenty of them were natives, and the others were for a considerable period residents of the town, before entering upon the duties of the missionary. Two of them, it will be seen, belong to an earlier period than the organization of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. One is attached to a Methodist Mission; one is an Episcopal clergyman in the employ of the Colonization Society, and twenty-four have been in the service of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Year. Names. Mission.

1761. Rev. Samson Occum, (Mohegan,) Oneida.
1766. Rev. Samuel Kirkland, "
1812. Rev. Samuel Nott, Jr., Mahratta.
" Mrs. Nott, (Roxana Peck,) "
1819. Rev. Miron Winslow, Ceylon.
" Mrs. Winslow, (Harriet L. Lathrop,) "
1820. Mrs. Palmer, (Clarissa Johnson,) Cherokee.
1821. Rev. William Potter, "
1825. Rev. William H. Manwaring, "
1826. Mrs. Gleason, (Bethiah W. Tracy,) Choctaw.
1827. Rev. Jonathan S. Green, Sandwich Islands.
" Mrs. Gulick, (Fanny H. Thomas,) " "
1833. Mrs. Smith, (Sarah L. Huntington,) Syria.
" Mrs. Palmer, (Jerusha Johnson,) Cherokee.
" Mrs. Hutchings, (Elizabeth C. Lathrop,) Ceylon.
" Mrs. Perry, (Harriet J. Lathrop,) "
" Rev. Stephen Johnson, Siam.
1835. Rev. James T. Dickinson, Singapore.
" Rev. William Tracy, Madura.
" Mrs. Hebard, (Rebecca W. Williams,) Syria.
1836. Mrs. Cherry, (Charlotte H. Lathrop,) Madura.
" Rev. James L. Thomson, Cyprus.
1839. Mrs. Sherman, (Martha E. Williams,) Syria.
" Mrs. Brewer, (Laura L. Giddings,) Oregon.
" Mrs. Cherry, (Jane E. Lathrop,) Ceylon.
1840. Rev. Joshua Smith, Africa.
1843. Miss Susan Tracy, Choctaw.
1844. Miss Lucinda Downer, Choctaw.

_History of Norwich._

* * * * *

"To send an uneducated child into the world," says Paley, "is little better than to turn out a mad dog or a wild beast into the streets."

* * * * *

Mothers and schoolmasters plant the seeds of nearly all the good and evil which exist in our world. Its reformation must, therefore, be begun in nurseries, and schools.--_Dr. Rush._

THE PASSENGERS OF THE MAY FLOWER IN 1620.

BY NATHANIEL BRADSTREET SHURTLEFF, M. D.

As early as the year 1602, several religious people residing near the joining borders of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, together with their pious ministers, being grievously oppressed by courts and canons, resolved to shake off the yoke of antichristian bondage, and, as the Lord's free people, to form themselves by covenant into a church-state, to walk in all his ways according to their best knowledge and endeavors, cost them whatever it might.

In the year 1606, by reason of the distance of their habitations, these people were obliged to assemble in two places and become two distinct churches; over one of which Mr. John Smith was established pastor, and among the others were Mr. Richard Clifton and Mr. John Robinson, two very excellent and worthy preachers.

In the fall of 1607, Mr. Clifton and many of his church, being extremely harassed, removed themselves and families to Holland, where, in the spring of 1608, they were followed by Mr. Robinson and the rest. They settled first at Amsterdam, where they remained a year; but finding that Mr. Smith's church, which was there before them, had fallen into contention with others, they, valuing peace and spiritual comfort above other riches, removed with Mr. Robinson, their pastor, to Leyden, Mr. Clifton remaining in Amsterdam, where he soon died.

Soon after their arrival in Leyden, they chose Mr. William Brewster to assist the pastor, as Elder of the Church. In their new place of abode they lived in love and harmony with each other, and on friendly terms of intercourse with their neighbors, till they removed to America.

By the year 1610, many had come over to them from various parts of England, and they had increased and become a great congregation.

In 1617, Mr. Robinson and his church began to think of emigrating to America; and, as a preparatory step, sent Mr. Robert Cushman and Mr. John Carver from Leyden over to England, to treat with the Virginia Company, and also to see if the King would grant them the liberty of conscience there, which was refused them in the land of their birth. Although the agents were not able to obtain from the King their suit for liberty in religion under the broad seal, as was desired, nevertheless, they prevailed so far as to gain the connivance of the King that he would not molest them, provided they carried themselves peaceably. In 1618, the agents returned to Leyden, to the great discouragement of the people who sent them; who, notwithstanding, resolved, in 1619, to send again two agents to agree with the Virginia Company; and at this time they sent Mr. Cushman a second time, and with him Mr. William Bradford, who, after long attendance, obtained the patent granted by the Company to Mr. John Wincob, which was never used.

Notwithstanding all these troubles, so strong was their resolution to quit Leyden and settle in America, that they entered into an arrangement with Mr. Thomas Weston, a merchant of London, for their transportation, and sent Mr. Carver and Mr. Cushman to England, to receive the money of Mr. Weston, to assist in their transportation, and to provide for the voyage. By direction, Mr. Cushman went to London and Mr. Carver to Southampton, where they finally joined with Mr. William Martin, who had been chosen to assist them.

A vessel of sixty tons, called the Speedwell, was bought and fitted in Holland, to be used in their transportation, and was designed to be kept for use in their new country. Mr. Cushman, in June, 1620, also hired at London the renowned May Flower, a vessel of ninescore tons, and also Mr. Clarke, the pilot.

Mr. Cushman, having procured the May Flower at London, and fitted it for the voyage, proceeded in it to Southampton, where he and Captain Jones, together with the other agents, remained seven days, until the arrival of the Pilgrims who left Leyden in July, embarking from Delft Haven.

On the 5th of August, both vessels, the May Flower, Capt. Jones, and the Speedwell, Capt. Reinolds, set sail from Southampton. The small vessel proving leaky, they both put in to Dartmouth about the 13th of August, where they remained till the 21st, when they set sail again. Both vessels were obliged to return a second time on account of the leakage of the Speedwell; and this time they put back to Plymouth, where they gave up the small vessel and dismissed those who were willing to return to London, Mr. Cushman and his family returning with them.

On the 6th of September, their number then consisting of one hundred persons, they made their final start, and arrived at Cape Cod on the eleventh day of November, when they signed the famous compact, and landed at Plymouth, in America, on the eleventh day of December, Old Style, or on the _twenty-first_ of December, _New Style_, in the year 1620.

During their passage, one only died, William Butten, a young man, servant to Mr. Samuel Fuller, the physician of the new colony, who was included in Mr. Fuller's family, according to Governor Bradford, although dead at the time of the signing of the compact.

One person was born during the passage, Oceanus Hopkins, a son of Mr. Stephen Hopkins, who did not survive long after the landing.

At the commencement of the voyage, the number of passengers of the May Flower was one hundred, and at the time of the arrival at Cape Cod Harbor it was the same; one having died, and one having been born, thus preserving the integrity of the number. Both of these persons, however, are numbered among the passengers, and hence the number is generally stated as one hundred and one.

Peregrine White, son of Mr. William White, was born in Cape Cod Harbor, in November, after the signing of the compact and before the landing, and is not included with the voyagers. He enjoyed the distinction of being the first born white child in New England, of the Leyden Pilgrims.

The first child born after the landing on the twenty-second day of December, 1620, was a son of Mr. Isaac Allerton, but it did not survive its birth.

The May Flower has already been stated to have been a vessel of about ninescore tons, and was procured at London by Mr. Robert Cushman, who was debarred the privilege of coming over with the infant colonists, as it was necessary that he should remain in England, to keep together those who were left behind, and to provide for their future emigration, as he had done for that of those of the first passage. This he did by procuring the Fortune, and sailing from London in July, 1621, and arriving in New England on the 9th of November of the same year. It is also highly probable that he obtained the other early vessels, as he continued to be the agent of the Pilgrims till his death, which occurred in England, just as he was ready to come to spend the rest of his days in New England. In 1624, when the first division of land for continuance took place, Mr. Cushman, although in England, was placed at the head of the list of those who came in the May Flower; an act of justice alike creditable to our forefathers and honorable to him.

The May Flower not only brought over the first of the Leyden Pilgrims, but also, in the year 1629, with four other vessels, transported Mr. Higginson and his company to Salem; and in 1630, was one of the fleet which conveyed to New England Mr. Winthrop and the early settlers of the Massachusetts Colony.

A vessel bearing this name was owned in England about fifteen years or more before the voyage of our forefathers; but it would be impossible to prove or disprove its identity with the renowned May Flower, however great such a probability might be. It is known, nevertheless, that this identical famous vessel afterwards hailed from various English ports, such as London, Yarmouth, and Southampton, and that it was much used in transporting emigrants to this country. What eventually became of it, and what was the end of its career, are equally unknown to history.

The following list of passengers is made up from various sources. By referring to the list of those who signed the compact at Cape Cod, taken from Governor Bradford's folio manuscript, we know who signed the compact, and the number of persons in the family of each; who of the signers brought wives, and who died the first winter. By the pocket-book of Governor Bradford we know the names and dates of the deaths of sixteen who died the first season, and how many died before the arrival of the Fortune, on the 9th of November, 1621. By an examination of the Old Colony Records, we know to whom land was assigned in 1624, and what families were extinct at that time; and, as the families were arranged according to the vessel in which they came, and an acre was granted to each individual, we know how many were at that time in each family. Smith has also told us that none of the first planters died during the three years preceding the close of the year 1624. By the division of cattle, in the year 1627, a record of which was made at Plymouth, we know every individual who was living at that date, and the relative age of each person in every family. By wills, records, and gravestones, we know the ages of many of the Pilgrims and their children.

From such materials, and with such authorities, the following table has been constructed; and it is believed, that, although there is a possibility of the existence of small errors which can never be proved, the list is entirely or very nearly correct.

In order to save space and unnecessary printing, and to exhibit more readily for reference some of the most important facts, the following distinctive marks are made use of.

Those who signed the compact at Cape Cod, on the 11th of November, 1620, are in capitals.

The number in each family is indicated by the Arabic numeral.

Those who brought their wives have this mark, †.

Those who left them for a time in Holland or England are thus distinguished, ‡.

Those who died before the arrival of the Fortune on the 9th of November, 1621, have an asterisk, *.

Those who died before the division of cattle in 1627, are in italics.

The dates of those who died the first season are given as taken from Bradford's pocket-book.

_JOHN CARVER_, died in April, 1621. †*
_Mrs. Carver_, (his wife,) died in May, 1621. *
Elizabeth Carver, daughter of Mr. Carver and also wife of John
Howland.
_Jasper_, (the boy of Mr. Carver,) died Dec. 6, 1620. *
John Howland.
_Three others of this family died before 1627._ * 8

WILLIAM BRADFORD. †
_Mrs. Dorothy Bradford_, (his wife,) drowned Dec. 7, 1620. * 2

EDWARD WINSLOW. †
_Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow_, (his wife,) died March 24, 1620-1. *
Edward Winslow, Jr., son of Edward.
John Winslow, son of Edward. 5

GEORGE SOULE. 1

WILLIAM BREWSTER. †
_Mrs. Brewster_, (his wife.)
Love Brewster, son of William.
Wrestling Brewster, son of William.
Mrs. Lucretia Brewster, wife of Jonathan, the oldest son of Elder
Brewster.
William Brewster, son of Jonathan. 6

ISAAC ALLERTON. †
_Mrs. Mary Allerton_, (his wife,) died Feb. 25, 1620-1. *
Bartholomew Allerton, son of Isaac.
Remember Allerton, daughter of Isaac.
Mary Allerton, daughter of Isaac, and also wife of Elder Thomas
Cushman.
Sarah Allerton, daughter of Isaac, and also wife of Moses Maverick. 6

MILES STANDISH. †
_Mrs. Rose Standish_, (his wife,) died Jan. 29, 1620-1. * 2

JOHN ALDEN. 1

SAMUEL FULLER. ‡
_William Butten_, (his servant,) died Nov. 6, 1620. * 2

_CHRISTOPHER MARTIN_, died Jan. 8, 1620-1. †*
_Mrs. Martin_, (his wife,) died the first winter. *
_Solomon Martin_, son of Christopher, died Dec. 24, 1620. *
_One other of this family died the first winter._ * 4

_WILLIAM MULLINS_, died Feb. 21, 1620-1. †*
_Mrs. Mullins_, (his wife,) died the first winter. *
Priscilla Mullins, daughter of William, and also wife of John
Alden.
_Two others of this family died the first winter._ * 5

_WILLIAM WHITE_, died Feb. 21, 1620-1. †*
Mrs. Susanna White, (his wife,) afterwards wife of Governor
Winslow.
Resolved White, son of William.
_William White, Jr._, son of William.
_Edward Thompson_, died Dec. 4, 1620. * 5

RICHARD WARREN. ‡ 1

STEPHEN HOPKINS. †*
Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins, (his wife.)
Constance Hopkins, daughter of Stephen and also wife of Nicholas
Snow.
Giles Hopkins, son of Stephen.
Caleb Hopkins, son of Stephen.
_Oceanus Hopkins_, son of Stephen, born at sea. *

EDWARD DOTEY.

_EDWARD LEISTER._ 8

_EDWARD TILLEY_, died the first winter. †*
_Mrs. Tilley_, (his wife,) died the first winter. *
_Two others of this family died the first winter._ * 4

_JOHN TILLEY_, died the first winter. †*
_Mrs. Tilley_, (his wife,) died the first winter. *
_One other of this family died the first winter._ * 3

FRANCIS COOKE. ‡
John Cooke, (called the younger,) son of Francis. 2

_THOMAS ROGERS_, died the first winter. *
Joseph Rogers, son of Thomas. 2

_THOMAS TINKER_, died the first winter. †*
_Mrs. Tinker_, (his wife,) died the first winter. *
_One more of this family died the first winter._ * 3

_JOHN RIDGDALE_, died the first winter. †*
_Mrs. Ridgdale_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * 2

_EDWARD FULLER_, died the first winter. †*
_Mrs. Fuller_, (his wife,) died the first winter. *
Samuel Fuller, (called the younger,) son of Edward. 3

_JOHN TURNER_, died the first winter. *
_Two others of this family died the first winter._ * 3

FRANCIS EATON. †
_Mrs. Eaton_, (his wife,) died before 1627.
Samuel Eaton, son of Francis. 3

_JAMES CHILTON_, died Dec. 8, 1620. †*
_Mrs. Chilton_, (his wife,) died the first winter. *
Mary Chilton, daughter of James and also wife of John Winslow,
the brother of Edward. 3

_JOHN CRACKSTON_, died the first winter. *
John Crackston, Jr., son of John. 2

JOHN BILLINGTON. †
Mrs. Helen Billington, (his wife.)
Francis Billington, son of John.
John Billington, Jr., son of John. 4

_MOSES FLETCHER_, died the first winter. * 1

_JOHN GOODMAN._ 1

_DEGORY PRIEST_, died Jan. 1, 1620-1. * 1

_THOMAS WILLIAMS_, died the first winter. * 1

GILBERT WINSLOW, brother of Edward. 1

_EDWARD MARGESON_, died the first winter. * 1

PETER BROWN. 1

_RICHARD BRITTERIGE_, died Dec. 21, 1620. * 1

_RICHARD CLARKE_, died the first winter. * 1

RICHARD GARDINER. 1

_JOHN ALLERTON_, (seaman,) died the first winter. * 1

_THOMAS ENGLISH_, (seaman,) died the first winter. * 1
---
Total, 101

The number of deaths of the first planters that occurred from the time the May Flower left England, to the year 1625, may be thus enumerated:--

In November, 1620, 1

In December, " 6

In January, 1620-1, 8

In February, " 17

In March, " 13

In April, 1621, 1

In May, " 1

From April 6 to November 9, 1621, 4

From November 9, 1621, to 1625, 0
--
Total, 51

Of these were,--
Signers to the Compact, 21
Wives of the signers, 13
Known members of the families,
viz: William Butten, Edward
Thompson, Jasper, the
boy, Solomon Martin, and
Oceanus Hopkins. 5
Unknown members of the following
families, viz:
Of Carver's, 3
Of Martin's, 1
Of Mullins's, 2
Of Edward Tilley's, 2
Of John Tilley's, 1
Of Tinker's, 1
Of Turner's, 2 12
--
Total, 51

In the division of land in 1624, Henry Samson and Humilitie Cooper had land assigned them among those who came in the May Flower, and for this reason they have been generally believed to have been among the passengers of that vessel. If such is the case they can be placed in the family of Mr. Carver better than that of any other. But, as Mr. Cushman is also placed on that list, it may be reasonably inferred that others were put there for some other reasons, as perhaps Samson and Cooper, who are therefore excluded in this account.

John Goodman is marked in Bradford's manuscript as among those who died the first season. But as his name occurs among those who had garden lots in 1620, and also in the division of land in 1623, it must be inferred that he was marked by mistake, or else Mr. Prince committed an error in taking his copy for the Annals.

Three of the wives of the signers were left in Europe; namely, Bridgett, the wife of Dr. Samuel Fuller, Hester, the wife of Francis Cooke, and Elizabeth, the wife of Richard Warren. These afterwards came over in the Ann, in 1623.

Five lost their wives and married again; namely, William Bradford, who married widow Alice Southworth; Edward Winslow, who married widow Susanna White; Isaac Allerton, who married Fear Brewster, and afterwards, Joanna ----; Miles Standish, who married Barbara ----; and Francis Eaton, who married Christian Penn.

Others were married for the first time; namely, John Howland and Elizabeth Carver; George Soule and Mary; Love Brewster and Sarah Collier; John Alden and Priscilla Mullins; Resolved White and Judith Vassal; Giles Hopkins and Catherine Wheldon; Edward Dotey and Faith Clarke; John Cooke and Sarah Warren; Samuel Eaton and Martha Billington.

Several of the Pilgrims had children born in New England, an account of whom may form another article at some future time.

MAJOR PENDLETON'S LETTER.

Copy of a letter from Major Brian Pendleton to the "Honored Governor and Counsell for the Matacusets at Boston," occasioned by the attack of the Indians on Casco, Me.

"Honored Governor
together with the Counsell,

I am sorry my pen must be the messenger of soe greate a
Tragedye. On the 11th of this instant wee heard of many killed
of our naybors in falmouth or Casco-Bay: and on the 12th
instant Mr. Joslin sent me a briefe letter written from under
the hands of Mr. Burras[24] the minister. Hee gives an acct of
32 killed and carried away by the Indians: himselfe escaped to
an Island, but I hope Black poynt men have fetched him of by
this time. 10 men 6 women and 16 children. Anthony a[n]d Thomas
B[r]a[c]ket and Mr. Munjoy his sonne onely are named. I had not
time to coppye the letter, persons beinge to goe post to Major
Walden; but I hope he hath before this sent the originall to
you. How soon it will be our portion wee know not. The Lord in
mercy fit us for death and direct the harts and hands to ackt
and doe wt is most needfull in such a time of distress as this.
Thus in haste I commit you to Pvdounce of our Lord God and
desire Your prayers also for us. Yours in all humility to sarve
in

"Winter Harbor at night } the Lord,
the 13 of August, 1676." } BRIAN PENDLETON."

FOOTNOTES:

[24] Rev. George Burroughs.

CAPT. MILES STANDISH'S INVENTORY OF BOOKS.

The following books are mentioned in the Inventory of the goods of Capt. Miles Standish, as they were shewn to the Appraisers, John Alden and James Cudworth, Dec. 2, 1656. The account is here given as found in the Inventory.

_£_ _s._ _d._
The History of the World and the Turkish History 01 10 00
A Chronical of England and the Country Farmer 00 08 00
Yᵉ History of Queen Elizabeth. the State of Europe 01 10 00
Doctor Hall's workes. Calvin's Institutions 01 04 00
Wilcocke's Workes and Mayors 01 00 00
Rogers Seaven Treatises and the French Akademy 00 12 00
3 old Bibles 00 14 00
Cesers Comentarys. Bariffe's Artillery 00 10 00
Prestons Sermons. Burroughes Christian Contentment, }
Gospell Conversation } 01 04 00
Passions of the mind. The Phisitions practice }
Burroughs Earthly mindedness. Burroughs discoveries }
Ball on Faith--Brinly Watch, Dod on the Lord's supper }
Sparks against heresie--Davenports Apology } 00 10 00
A reply to Dr. Cotton on Baptisme--the Garman History--The }
Sweden Intelligencer--Reason discused } 00 10 00
1 Testament--1 Psalme Booke--nature and grace in conflict }
A law Booke--The meane in Mourning Allegations Johnson } 00 06 00
against hearing }
A parcel of old Bookes upon diverse subjects in 4to 00 14 00
Another parcel in Octavo 00 05 00
Wilsons Dixonary. Homer's Illiad, a Commentarie on James }
Ball's Catechesme } 00 12 00

NOTICES OF THE COURTS OF JUDICATURE AND OF THE BAR OF THE COUNTY OF MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

BY STEPHEN COLBY BADGER, ESQ., OF CONCORD.[25]

The History of the Courts in New Hampshire, including an account of the various systems of Judicature from time to time, has been published in an article contained in the American Quarterly Register, Vol. XII., prepared by Francis Cogswell, Esq., of Dover, and in Articles contained in the New Hampshire Repository, Vols. I. and II., prepared by William Butterfield, Esq., of Gilmanton, Hon. Samuel D. Bell of Manchester, and the Hon. John Kelly of Exeter, N. H. Nothing further need be said on this subject.

The County of Merrimack, by an act of the Legislature, passed in 1823, was formed from the Counties of Hillsborough and Rockingham, with the exception of a part of the town of Franklin, which was taken from Sanbornton, then in Stratford County, now in the County of Belknap. It contains twenty-four towns.

The Counties of Hillsborough and Merrimack compose the Second Judicial District for the transaction of business of the Superior Court, and Courts are held annually at Concord on the second Tuesday of July, and at Amherst on the second Tuesday of December.

The following list of Judges, County Officers and Members of the Bar, include those who resided within the limits of the County of Merrimack before its formation, and also those who have resided within the County since it was formed.

JUDGES OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE.

Column Headings:

A: _Name._
B: _Residence._
C: _Place of Birth._
D: _Com._
E: _End._
F: _General Remarks._

JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

JUSTICE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, FIRST DISTRICT.

JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF SESSIONS.

JUDGES OF THE PRESENT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

SHERIFFS.

CLERKS OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

CLERKS OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

CLERKS OF THE COURT OF SESSIONS.

REGISTERS OF DEEDS.

JUDGES OF PROBATE.

REGISTERS OF PROBATE.

COUNTY TREASURERS.

SOLICITORS IN THE OLD COUNTY OF HILLSBOROUGH.

SOLICITORS IN THE OLD COUNTY OF ROCKINGHAM.

SOLICITORS IN THE NEW COUNTY OF MERRIMACK.

(To be concluded.)

FOOTNOTES:

[25] In preparing this article, assistance was rendered by Moody Kent, Esq.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF DECEASED PHYSICIANS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BY EBENEZER ALDEN, M. D.

To the Editor of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.

DEAR SIR,

In accordance with your suggestion, I propose to send you
occasionally for publication, as your limits may permit, brief
notices and reminiscences of Physicians, who have lived in
Massachusetts.

The plan of your Periodical requires that such notices should
be brief; and I shall usually refer your readers to the sources
of information, from which my materials have been obtained, so
as to facilitate the investigations of those who may wish in
any case to make still further inquiries.

Perhaps no class of public men is so little known to the
community beyond the limited circle of professional pursuits,
as physicians. Their life is one of incessant confinement,
anxiety, and toil. A portion of their labors, as large as from
one fourth to one third, is gratuitous. To them, if to no
others, it is an abiding truth, _The poor always ye have with
you_. It is exceedingly rare even in cities, still more so in
the country, to find a physician of honorable standing with
his fellows, who has acquired great wealth as the fruit of
professional service. Having food and raiment, he must learn
therewith to be content. Nevertheless, physicians find abundant
sources of enjoyment in the sympathy and kindness of many
attached friends; and it is believed, that, according to the
measure of their ability, they are not behind the average of
their fellow-citizens in works of philanthropy and benevolence.
In the war of the Revolution they were fully represented in
the senate-house, and on the battle-field; and the names of
Prescott, Holton, Thomas, Brooks, and Warren, with many others,
will go down to posterity, no less honored as statesmen and
patriots, than as eminent members of the medical profession.

It is pleasant to recall the virtues of such men; to know where
they lived; who were their associates; how they performed the
duties of social life; what obstacles they encountered and what
rewards they obtained; and to hold forth their example to the
younger members of the profession and especially to those just
about to enter it, as a practical illustration of the great
truth, that a life perseveringly devoted to the good of others,
even under the most discouraging circumstances, will ultimately
secure the public confidence, and meet its reward.

Respectfully, yours.

1.--DR. ERASTUS SERGEANT, SENIOR, OF STOCKBRIDGE.

The following Notice of a distinguished physician and worthy man is copied, with little alteration, from a letter addressed to myself by Dr. Oliver Partridge, in December, 1841, when he was over ninety years of age.

DR. ERASTUS SERGEANT was born at Stockbridge, August 7, 1742, and died November 14, 1814, aged 72.

He was the son of Rev. John Sergeant, the first missionary to the Indians on the Housatonic River, who was born in Newark, N. J., in 1710; graduated at Yale College in 1729; was there a Tutor four years, and, having a great desire to be a missionary to the Aborigines, went to Litchfield, in 1733, where some English people had settled; procured a guide and went on foot forty miles further through the wilderness, to the Indians, where he met a cordial reception. He then returned to New Haven, resigned his Tutorship, and, having made the necessary preparations, went back in 1734, and commenced his mission.

In 1735 Gov. Dudley appointed a meeting of the Indians on business at Deerfield, where the Rev. John Sergeant was ordained as their minister, and he with Mr. Timothy Woodbridge as schoolmaster, (afterwards Hon. Timothy W.,) went to spend their lives with the Indians.

The Rev. Mr. Sergeant married Abigail, the daughter of Col. Ephraim Williams, of Newton, near Boston, one of the chosen six who had farms allotted them across our pleasant hill, to be society for the two missionaries.

Mr. Sergeant died in 1749, in the midst of his usefulness, a most amiable man and greatly lamented. He left three children: Erastus, the subject of this memoir; Electa, who married Col. Mark Hopkins of Great Barrington, and was grandmother to the two brothers, Mark and Albert Hopkins, the former the President and the latter a Professor at Williams College; and John, the fourth missionary to the said Indians, who removed with them in 1788, then being about four hundred and fifty in number, to Oneida County, N. Y., and there died.

Their mother married for her second husband, Gen. Joseph Dwight of Great Barrington, who then had five children, and by her he had two more, from whom our Dwights and Sedgwicks are descended,--and their mother became again a widow.

Notwithstanding the difficulties of the war with the French and Indians of Canada, and the residing on the frontier with the care of his, hers, and their children, by the influence and assistance of their friends, Erastus was prepared for college, and spent two years at Princeton, N. J., before the circumstances of the family required his return.

In 1761 he went to live with his uncle, Dr. Thomas Williams of Deerfield, and was there about three years in the study and practice of medicine. In January, 1765, he commenced the practice of physic in Stockbridge. The towns in the vicinity were then but partially settled, and not supplied with physicians, so that he soon had much business. Several severe cases of comminuted fracture, successfully treated by him, served to extend his fame, and, in a short time his advice was much sought, and in surgical cases he became the principal operator within a circle of thirty miles diameter; and his usefulness was continued until Dr. Jones and others succeeded him in business.

He was endowed with sound judgment and skill in his profession; was sedate, kind, very charitable and benevolent, with a large share of the Christian graces, and truly was the "_beloved physician_." More than twenty young men studied medicine under his direction.

It was said of him, that no one ever spoke ill of him from his youth up. He was an important member and deacon in the Rev. Dr. West's church. He received a Master's degree at Yale College in 1784; was elected a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1785; was a Justice of the Peace, and a Major in the South Regiment of the County; and was obliged to keep garrison with the Regiment at Lake Champlain, from December, 1776, to April, 1777, and to perform other services in troublesome times, until Burgoyne's surrender.

Some years before his death he was afflicted with symptoms of pulmonary disease, which were much aggravated by his incessant attention to his daughter, who died of consumption. In September of 1814 he visited the "springs," in company with Dr. Partridge, without benefit, indeed, to his injury; for it was with difficulty that he returned, on account of his increasing weakness. The day before his death, he had so far recruited that he rode to Lee on horseback, visited his son's family, and returned, not complaining of fatigue. The day he died, he was abroad in the morning. Dr. Partridge adds, "Two friends called on us from New York, and as we sat at dinner, in social conversation, Dr. Sergeant suddenly rose, and a stream of blood issued from his mouth. I instantly sprang to him, and he fell lifeless into my arms, without a gasp. Thus expired my dear friend, under whose roof I had resided from my twentieth year, then forty three and a half years, and more than forty of them harmoniously visiting each other's patients, as necessary to their satisfaction and our accommodation."

Dr. P. adds, "_natus fui_, April 15, 1751."

II.--DR. HORATIO JONES OF STOCKBRIDGE.

This able and distinguished physician, the pupil and associate of Dr. Sergeant, (No. I.,) was the son of Capt. Josiah Jones, and grandson of Mr. Josiah Jones, who, in 1737, emigrated from Weston with Col. Ephraim Williams of Newton, and settled with their families in Stockbridge. This sacrifice they cheerfully made, with the benevolent intention of aiding the mission, then recently commenced among the Housatonic Indians.

DR. JONES was born at Stockbridge, in 1770. In early youth he manifested the same energy and decision of character for which he was so much distinguished in riper years. Having commenced his collegiate education at Yale College with flattering prospects; and, perhaps, in his ambition to excel, pursuing his studies with an intensity of application disproportionate to his power of endurance, his health became impaired, and he was attacked with a disease in his eyes, which threatened a total loss of sight. In these circumstances, in accordance with the recommendation of his medical advisers, he for a time entirely relinquished his literary pursuits.

Instead of yielding to hopeless despondency, however, he determined to pursue an active life; and substituting a knapsack for his classics, he went with a company of surveyors to the Genesee country, New York, to assist in laying out lands. He was thus exposed to all the hardships incident to that mode of life, camping out in the wilderness, living upon the coarsest fare, and not unfrequently making a hollow log his lodging place for the night.

In due time he recovered his health and sight, and once more resumed his studies, but not at college. Placing himself under the instruction of Dr. Sergeant in his native town, he completed the usual term of medical pupilage. At a subsequent period he attended a course of medical lectures at Philadelphia.

He first commenced the practice of his profession at Pittsfield, where he was much respected. But at length finding, as he expressed it, that there were _more physicians than business_ in that place, he determined to remove. His decision being known to Dr. Sergeant, then advancing in life, who was desirous of finding some suitable person to take his place as an operating surgeon, he with his friend Dr. Partridge earnestly solicited Dr. Jones to settle in Stockbridge. With this invitation he eventually complied, and while he lived, the medical intercourse of the three physicians was most harmonious.

Under these auspices he was soon introduced into a wide circle of business, not only in Stockbridge, but in all the neighboring towns. His reputation was not ephemeral, but constantly increased, as he advanced in life; and his advice was much sought and highly appreciated by his medical brethren. In 1804 he was elected a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and in 1810 received from Williams College the honorary degree of M. A.

Such was Dr. Jones,--a man possessed of rare endowments, and eminent in his profession. In the language of Dr. Partridge, from whom most of the facts relating to him have been obtained, "he was a good operator in surgery, active, pleasant, social, very popular, and indefatigable by night and by day to give relief in cases of distress and danger."

Previous Next

Comments

The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol. 1, No. 1, January 1847Chapter III: Part 3

0%35 min left in chapter