Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/newenglandchrono01brad NEW ENGLAND HKONOLOGY FROM THE DISCOVERY OF THE COUNTRY, BY CABOT, IN 14 9 7, TO 1 S^O , BIT ^X.DZIM- BR^DFOHB, Z. Xi. B. A member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Sec. BOSTON: PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, BY S. G. SIMPKINS. Joseph G. Torrey, printer. 1843. ^ a AO ADVERTISEMENT. Rey. Thomas Prince published New Eng- land Annals, in 1736, from early times to 1633 ; and intended to have continued the work to a later period ; hut did not live to com- plete his plan ; and most of the papers he col- lected for the pm-pose were lost. In this vol- ume it is proposed to give a concise view of events and dates, referring to the discovery of North America, and to the earliest visits of Europeans to the territory called New Eng- land, or North Virginia, though already no- ticed by Prince ; and after that period, a more minute and particular statement. Free use has been made of former annals and chronicles ; — particularly of the volumes of the Massachu- setts Historical Society. THE AUTHOR. Boston, August, 1843. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 1350. Labrador (or Yinland) was discovered by fishermen, or adventurers, from Freezland : an island in about 56° or 57^° north latitude, which was long oc- cupied by the Northmen, who had previously visited Greenland. In support of the opinion, that any part of America now called New England, in latitude 40® — 43°, were visited and settled by the Northmen of Europe, as early as the lOth or even the 11th cen- tury, no satisfactory evidence has yet been produced. And yet it is not improbable that they visited the coasts of Labrador, two or three centuries before the voyage of Cabot. They sailed from Greenland, or from Freezland, an island (sometimes called West England) south of Greenland, in about 57° north lat- itude, which has since sunk and disappeared ; and passed seven hundred miles southwest, when they landed on the coast, as it is said, where were grapes, and the temperature much greater than at Greenland. It has been supposed that this was the coast of New England. Belknap believed it was Labrador : grapes are found there, and the climate far more mild than Greenland. The distance of seven hundred miles would cause a great difference in the temperature of Greenland, and Labrador. J 492. Columbus discovered Guanahaui, one of the islands since called the West Indies. 1 ^ 6 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. li9Q>, or 1497. Cabot discovered Newfoundland, and also probably visited the island of Cape Breton, and the Labrador coast. The same or next year, he again visited North America, and passed along the coast, from 66° or 67° to 30° north latitude; and as the object was to find a passage to China, or Catha, he probably entered many of the rivers and harbors, between Labrador, and Florida. Some writers place the first voyage of Cabot, in 1496, but most in 1497. Some also suppose that John Cabot, the father, did not engage personally in the enterprize, but that Se- bastain, his son. commanded the first vo^^age. The commission of Henry "VII. was to John Cabot and his three sons; and was dated March, 1496, in the 11th year of that King, and he was crowned in Oct. 1485. It is not certain that the enterprize was un- ^dertaken that year (1496) ; but as it had been con- templated some time, they might be ready to sail in May following. Nor is it certain that the father was himself in the expedition. It might be called his enterprize, because he was first named in the com- mission, and was the principal agent in preparing it. Sir W. Raleigh had a commission from Queen EUz- abeth, at a later date, to make discoveries and to settle the country north of the Spaniards, about Flor- ida ; but did not visit that territory in pierson ; he only employed others to plant the colony. The son, Sebastian, was then twenty-three or four years of age and had been addicted to a seafaring life from the age of sixteen. He was also an active and enter- prizing character, and possessed of all the nautical intelligence of that period. The editor of theThur- loe State papers speaks of S. Cabot as the discoverer NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. r of North xLmerica. Several other writers mention him as the one who conducted the voyage in 1496 or '97. Prince, the American annalist, supposes it was in 1496; the editors of Encyclopedia Americana give 1496, as the date of first voyage — so also the author of Lives of British Admirals, and of the His- tory of British Dominions in America, and Galvanus, as quoted by Prince, Peter Martyr, and the Pope's Legate, Bultagarius. But there is a notice on the map of S. Cabot, that his voyage was in 1497. — Most of these writers, also attribute the enterprize to Sebastian the son, as the conductor, and not to John, the father. Sebastian Cabot made a second voyage, in 1498; in which he passed nearer the coast of America, from 66° to Florida, and examined it more fully. Two of these writers assert, " that S. Cabot discovered more of America, than either Columbus or Vespncius.'' The discoveries of Cabot, in 1495. or 1497, when in the service of Henry YII, of England, were the foundation of the claims of the British crown to the territory of North America, from Florida to the coasts of Labrador. The British, however, long neglected it, and the French set up a claim to it, as Verrazani, and Cartier, had visited some parts of the country in the meantime; the for- mer in 1525, and the latter in 1534 — particularly the northern parts, as Newfoundland, Acadia, and Can- ada. 1517. The reformation by Luther began on the Continent of Europe in Germany. 1525 — 1530. The protestant religion was intro- duced into England gradually, in the rei2;n of Henry vin. 8 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 1536. Reformation in Geneva by John Calvin. — Several English, some of them men of estate and education, made a voyage to North America, and visited Cape Breton and Newfoundland, at this time, but made no settlement. 1550. The puritans arose at this period in Eng- land, and Rogers, Bradford, Ridley and others suf- fered martyrdom, on the charge of heresy and schism. 1563. Is the usual date of the non-conformists in England: and also of the slave trade by the English on the coasts of Africa, who carried negroes to the West Indies. 1567. And afterwards the English and French pursued the fishing business on the coast of North America, in about 44° and 45° N. lat. 1570 — 1587. The English made several voyages for discovery, to Labrador coasts, up Davis' Straits, and to West of Greenland. 1577 Sir Francis Drake sailed round the world. 1578. Freezland in 57° N. lat. ; visited by sev- eral nautical adventurers from North of Europe ; described as 25 leagues long. Seen as late as 1780; but has since disappeared. 1583. Sir H. Gilbert took formal possession of Newfoundland in the name of Queen Elizabeth of England, by virtue of the discovery of S. Cabot. 1584. The coast of America (afterwards called Virginia) visited by Capt. Barlow, in the employ- ment of Sir Walter Raleigh. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to settle Virginia; but no per- manent settlement till 1607. 1584. Subscriptions to articles and forms of prayers, and to ceremonies in England required. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 9 1586. Tobacco carried from Virginia to England. 1587. First English child born in North America, in August, at Newfoundland. 1588. The Queen and bishops obliged all to con- form to the rites and forms decreed, and were severe towards all who declined to observe them. But the Puritans were numerous, and some separated from the established church, and worshiped in secret or in private places. 1593. Several persons put to death for writing against the hierarchy in England, 1602. Great numbers in the North of England entered into Covenant, to worship God according to the directions of th^e New Testament, without any- human additions. The puritans and non-conformists increased from 1580 to 1630, in different parts of the kingdom. — About this time, a separate church was formed by Brewster and others, under Clifton and Robinson, as ministers. They were severely harrassed and persecuted by the high church party, and in 1607 and '8 retired to Amsterdam ; and after a residence of one year in that city, removed to Leyden ; and there continued till 1620, when a part of them em- barked for America and settled at Plyniouth. This was less than half of the church ; the number which came over in the Mayflower, the first and only ves- sel in that year, was one hundred. This is generally called the first permanent settlement in New Eng- land by the English. The puritans, or those who sought for a pure and more scriptural worship and church government, in England at this time, than was then practised by the established church, though. 10 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. the reformation by Luther had been professedly fol- lowed for more than half a century, were more nu- merous ; and made efforts for further reforms. But they were opposed and oppressed by the bishops and others of the high church party. Some of them therefore separated entirely from the regular churches, and held religious meetings in private houses. Of one of these churches or congregations, C. Cliftor^ and Robinson were the teachers. " These and such as these emigrated to America and settled Plymouth, after sojourning in Holland eleven years ; that they and their posterity might enjoy Christian privileges and the worship of God agreeable to his word, with- out human inventions or restrictions." Their num- bers were increased, chiefly from the company left at Leyden, in 1621, '23, '29, and '30. Therehgious character and views of those who settled at Salem 1628, and 29 ; and Boston and vicinity, in 1630, and for ten several following years, were similar to those cpf Plymouth. For though they did not separate wholly from the Episcopal Churches before they left England, they had been long seeking for a purer worship and discipline ; and when they settled in America they joined entirely with the people of Plymouth, and firmly opposed all attempts after- wards for introducing the forms of Episcopacy into the Colony; especially for making them the only legal forms. The covenant of Robinson's church required, that the members engage to walk in the ways of Christ, already made known, or to be made known to them; and thus it may be seen, that they rejected the binding authority of man, as St. Paul and Luther did in their Christian faith and practice. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 11 And in their compact subscribed in the harbor of Cape Cod, they declare, as often on other occasions, that they engaged in the enterprize ' for the glory of God, and the advancement of the Christian reUgion,' as well as for the welfare of their posterity. In 1610, Mr. Robinson published an apology for separating from the Episcopal Church — and many left England and joined his Church at Leyden, and it became a large congregation. 1602 — 1620, In this period the coasts were vis- ited by several vessels for discovery, or fishery, or trade with the native Indians ; but not from re- ligions motives^ as was the case with those who set- tled Plymouth, Massachusetts and Connecticut. 1602. Bartholomew Gosnold made a voyage to North Virginia, or New England, and discovered the coasts in latitude 43°, and then sailed southwest to Cape Cod, and to the Elizabeth Islands ; and land- ed on some of them. At that time there was not any Europeans between Newfoundland and Florida, where were a few Spaniards. A settlement had in- deed been made in Virginia, but was broken up. 1603. Martin Prin, or Pring, went on a voyage of discovery to those places where Gosnold had been in 1602. The Vineyard probably received its name from him; it being called by early writers Martinis Vineyard. This year De Monts, a Frenchman, made a settlement in Acadia, by a commission from the King of France, by whom the country was claimed. 1605. Capt. George Weymouth visited North Virginia, latitude 43°, 42°, &c., and entered several rivers, probably Penobscot, Kennebec, &c., and car- 12 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. ried several of the native Indians to England, from whom Gorges received much information of the country. 1606. Two companies were formed in England, for settling North and South Virginia, and in 1620 these were confirmed or renewed : the northern ter- ritory was called New England, and they were wholly distinct companies. Pring visited N. Vir- ginia again this year, and Gorges says gave the best account of the coast then obtained. Capt. Henry Challongs, a brave and intelligent man, was sent out by the Plymouth company to New England, but his voyage was unsuccessful and useless. 1607. A settlement made at Kennebec river by a company under George Popham ; but suffered very severely during the winter following, and they left it in the spring. The same year a settlement was per- manently made in Virginia. The setlement made by the English under Sir George Popham, was wholly abandoned within a year. It consisted of one hundred persons ; nearly the same number as landed and settled at Plymouth in December, 1620. 1609. Henry Hudson, while in the service of the Dutch, visited North river, and sailed some way up it. And the next year a Dutch company which traded to the West Indies took possession of the place to trade with Indians for furs. (In dividing North and South Virginia in 1606, King James's patent directed that one hundred miles should re- main vacant.) They were driven off soon after by some men from Virginia, who claimed the terri- tory for the crown of England ; but the Dutch again NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. seized on it, and occupied it several years. Hudson sailed up the river about one hundred and sixty miles. He says the Indians had corn, beans, to- bacco, oysters, pipes of copper, and earthen pots to dress their meat. He had passed Cape Cod, on his way south from Greenland. 1610. A patent for Newfoundland, or a part of it, was granted by King James, to certain noblemen and merchants of Bristol. They began a colony there, but it did not prosper. 1613. Capt. Argal, from Virginia, attacked the French of Mount Desert, St. Croix, and Port Royal, and destroyed their forts. This was done by order of the governor of Virginia, as the English claimed the country where the French had settled, by virtue of Cabot's discovery in 1497. A destructive pestilence raged among the In- dians in North Virginia, or New England, by which very great numbers were destroyed. Some writers place it in 1617, while others assert there were two, one in 1613 and one in 1617. In 1632 also they suffered very much from a raging pesti- lence. 1614. Capt. John Smith, who had a few years before acted a conspicuous part in Virginia, visited the coasts in 43° and 42°, for fishing and further discoveries. He left his men to fish, while he passed along the coast southwest, and examined several rivers and harbors as far as Cape Cod. Capt. Smith made a map of the coast, and called the conn- try New England, which was confirmed by Prince Charles. Capt. Hunt siezed several Indians on the coasts of New Engl^and, sold most of them at Mai- 2 14 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. aga for slaves, and carried three to London. This vile conduct rendered the natives very hostile towards the English settlers for several years after. At this time the territory called New England ex- tended from the river Hudson to Newfoundland, or to L'Acadie, which was then claimed and partially settled hy the French. Sometimes they asserted a right only to the country as far west as Kennebec, but sometimes to the Hudson, by virtue of the discov- eries of Cartier and Verrazani. Capt. John Smith made a voyage to North Yir- ginia. afterwards called New England : and entered several harbors between the island Mohegan, east of Kennebec, and Cape Cod. He made a map of the coasts, and intended to form a settlement, but met with disasters and losses, and died in 1631. 1615. Sir Richard Hawkins, president of the company of adventurers at Plymouth, in England, made a voyage to North Virginia, to examine the country and its products. There was then a war among the Indians, and he did not therefore remain long on the coasts, nor make any important discov- eries, but soon proceeded to Virginia. 1615 — 1616. Several vessels sailed for New England, but principally for trade. In 1616, Sir F. Gorges, a chief man of the Plymouth company in England, made a temporary settlement at the mouth of Saco river, where he had a grant from that company, and extended it afterward to Piscataqua. A few of the men remained through the winter, and afterwards he sent others, and kept up an almost continuous occupancy, by his agent Richard Vines; who was at Saco with a few others, also agents of NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 15 Gorges. They passed the winter there. A mortal disease carried off most of the Indians, but none of the English suffered by it. Ten or twelve years later Gorges had several agents in that vicinity ; who were unfriendly and interfered with the people of Ply- mouth and Massachusetts. 1616 — 1618. In this period several vessels were fitted out, by Gorges and others of tlie company of adventurers, to make discoveries on the New England coasts, as Harley, Harlow, Hobson, Ro- craft and Dermer; the chief of whom, after Capt. Smith, was Dermer. He was on the coasts two or three years, and in several harbors near Cape Cod -Plymouth bay, and Vineyard, as well as in Maine. He was an intelligent man, and he preceded the first settlement of Plymouth only a few months. He landed at that place, and travelled to some part of Narraganset, as all the waters about Rhode Island, were then called. He afterwards sailed to the Vine- yard, and there was mortally wounded by the Indians who assaulted him. They were quite hostile then, on account of the capture of several of their coun- trymen, by Capt. Hunt, a few years before. Most of them, except Massasoit, were very inimical to the Pilgrims, who first settled at Plymouth. Capt. Dermer seems to have examined the harbor of Plymouth, Barnstable, &c. The Plymouth company had great confidence in him. 1617. The Leyden church and people determine to remove to America, for many reasons, chiefly lest their children should degenerate, and religion die among them; and from a hope of laying a foun- dation or making way for propagating the Gospel to 16 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. the remote ends of the earth, though they should be but stepping-stones to others. Some of the Dutch made them large offers to go under them, near Hud- son's river which they then claimed. But they chose to be under the English government, if they could enjoy their religious privileges. The majority de- cided in favor of Virginia, but in a distinct body or government. The agents sent to England, to treat with the Virginia company were Carver, Cushman, and Bradford. They say, " We believe the Lord is with us, to whose service we have given ourselves in many trials ; and that he will prosper us accord- ing to the simplicity of our hearts. We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our mother coun- try, and inured to the difficulties of a strange land. The people are probably industrious and frugal as any in the world. And we are knit together as a body, in a strict and sacred bond and covenant of the Lord." They requested a royal license for the en- joyment of religious liberty, but James declined giving it, but said he would not interfere so long as they were loyal and peaceable. 1618. Began the famous religious war between Papists and Protestants, in Bohemia and Germany ; which continued thirty years, and destroyed 325,000 people. 1619. A patent was obtained by the English peo- ple at Leyden, from the Virginia company, which was taken in the name of one Wmcob, who afterwards declined going to America ; and it was of no avail or benefit, though it cost much. But it was on re- ceiving this patent, in the latter part of the year 1619, that they prepared to emigrate and settle in America, NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 17 where they might enjoy religious liberty, directed and controlled only by the word of God. Thomas Weston and some other merchants of I^ondon en- couraged them, and promised to advance money or goods for the enterprise. But their promise was ful- filled only so far as their own profits dictated. A vessel of sixty tons was purchased and fitted in Hol- land to transport part of the company to America, and to remain in the country for their use. Agents were sent from Leyden to agree with the Plymouth company in England several times. That company was then in confusion, having disputes, and nothing definite could be done as to a patent. It was at this time the Dutch urged the pilgrims to go to Hudson's river to settle on lands claimed by them, and where they then had a trading house. But the claims of the Dutch to the territory were not admitted by the King of England, and the Leyden church were desirous of avoiding all occasions of dispute: and chose also to be connected with the British government rather than any other. King James, when consult- ed, would not give liberty of conscience in religious concerns, in form or officially, but said he would not interfere so long as they conducted peaceably. Capt. Rocraft Avas on the coast of New England this year, and made a favorable report of the coun- try, and a settlement was therefore proposed by Gorges. 1620. Eight ships from west of England visit coasts of New England to fish. Capt. Dermer sent out by the Plymouth company was on the coasts of New England 1619 and 1620, at Mohegan, Cape Cod, Plymouth bay or Patuxet, and landed there ; he also 2 ^ 18 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. went to the Vineyard, Long Island Sound, and so to Virginia, and there died. The companies called South and North Virginia, first granted hy King James in 1606, for settling and governing the territory of the crown in North Amer- ica, were now renewed or more distinctly organized; large patents granted them, and charters, giving ex- tensive civil and political powers. The patent for Virginia was indeed granted long before the first above date. Now the territory of each company was defined or limited; the South Virgmia, from 34° to 41°; and the North, or New England, from 41° to 48°; but other writers state the north divi- sion to be from 41° to 45°, and the chief settlement to be at least one hundred miles distant from the south territory. The enterprise of the company in the Mayflower (1620) was one of great danger and exposure ; and no support was adequate to the exi- gency but Christian faith and religious motives. They made " a settlement on bare creation." Their patent for Virginia was of no avail to them, as the person in whose name it was made did not accom- pany them. And it was only from necessity they ever accepted it, or proposed to be under it; as in their views and objects of religion, they were a dif- ferent people. They then intended for Hudson's river, claimed by the Dutch ; on being encouraged by some Dutch Merchants in Holland, whose right to the territory however was disputed ; but they preferred to be on territory claimed by England, as was that indeed about Hudson's river, but was then possessed by the Dutch, for the purpose of trade with the Indians. The Dutch government had in- NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 19 corporated a company to trade to the West Indies ; they occupied Hudson's river, and territory near it, under that Ucense. As to the latter place, they were frustrated in their purposes. And perhaps it was fortunate they were carried to another part, rather than to Hudson's river, as the Indians were then numerous in that vicinity, but had been chiefly destroyed, by a mortal disease, a few years before, in Plymouth colony and in Massachusetts. The Plymouth settlers afterwards obtained a patent for the colony, but never received a charter, as Massa- chusetts did. Capt. Pierce first took one for them, but in his own name, with undue powers for himself, and it was given up by him, on remonstrance and objections made ; and in 1630 one was made out in the name of William Bradford and associates; but for the equal benefit of all. The expenses attending the procuring of all these, cost large sums of money, for which the company was long in debt. Before landing at Cape Cod, a civil compact was prepared and subscribed, for the purpose of social order, and the preservation of the welfare of the company. John Carver was chosen governor. After examin- ing the country round Barnstable bay, they landed at a place afterwards called Plymouth, the 22d of December; and there raised huts for shelter. In the Mayflower, the ship now arrived, there were one hundred and one souls, twenty-one were subscribers to the civil compact in the harbor of Cape Cod. Some were servants, who were not prob- ably desired to sign it. Several women and young children were of this company ; eighteen married women; two or three female servants ; three or four 20 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. men servants. Eighteen men and several women died before first of April. Twenty-three women, children, and servants died in same period. The wives of Carver, Bradford, Winslow, Brewster, Al- lerton. Stand ish, Warren, Hopkins, MulHns, Fuller, White, Eaton, Chilton, Tinker, and some others, came in the Mayflower. The wives of Bradford, Winslow, Standish, and Allerton died in a short time after their arrival. The principal men of this company were John Carver, William Brewster, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, Miles Standish, Isaac Allerton, John Alden, Samuel Fuller, John Rowland, Richard Warren, Stephen Hopkins, Wil- liam White, William MuUins ; Thomas Prince, and Jonathan Brewster joined them in November, 1621 ; and some years later, George Morton, William Col- lier, Timothy Hatherby, William Thomas, who were all active and useful characters. Robert Cushman also came over in November, 1621, but returned after a few weeks ; intending, however, to become a permanent settler. He was among the most in- telligent and forward in preparing for the enterprise in 1618 — 1620, before the company left Holland for America. His son was brought up in Governor Bradford's family, and was worthy of his father and guardian. The father died in England in 1624 or 1625. Mr. Cushman preached at Plymouth, 1621, being the first sermon by a clergyman delivered in New England. It was published in two editions. New England or North Virginia company obtain a new grant, or the former one of 1606, was renewed. 1620 — 3. Grants to Gorges and to Mason ; cause of great difficulty and disputes about Massachusetts north bounds and claims. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 21 1621. John Mason had a patent from the Ply- mouth company in England for the territory between Naumkeag to the Merrimac river; but afterwards relinquished his title and claim to it. This was not the Capt. J. Mason, of Connecticut, as som.e writers have asserted. 1621. The first public worship on the Lord's day, on shore after the company had landed at Plymouth, was January 21, 1621. In June of this year, a duel was fought by two servants of Mr. Hopkins, and both were wounded. The punishment adjudged by the company was to have their head and feet tied together, and so to remain for twenty-four hoars. But their pain was thought to be very great, by their groans ; and, on their promise to behave well in future, and at the request of their master, the governor ordered them to be released within a few hours. April. Governor Carver of Plymouth died. 1622. Sir F. Gorges and Mason obtained a grant from the Plymouth company, of the country from Merrimack river to the Kennebec; and extending to Canada; and called it Laconia. There was much uncertainty as to bounds, and interference of titles in Maine for many years. The company in England said that New England was without the realm, and denied the right of par- liament to make laws for it. King James also said parliament had no right to interfere with the govern- ment of it. Captain Jones visited Plymouth harbor, when on a voyage to Virginia. He examined several harbors between Plymouth and Virginia at that time. 22 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. New; England company in England said New England was without the realm, and not subject to laws of parliament, only under prerogative of the crown. King James denied the power or right of parliament to interfere. Weston settled at essagusset, was one of the merchant adventurers who disbursed £500 for the first company at Plymouth, but afterwards deserted them. His men were supported a long time at Ply- mouth in 1622. An unruly set. Capt. Jones visited Plymouth harbor, on a voyage of discovery of harbors between Plymouth and Vir- ginia. 1623. Pierce eiriployed to procure a patent — had it taken in his own name, intending that the com- pany should be his tenants. He was obliged to surrender it afterwards. Gorges made governor general over all New England, and Morrell an episcopalian clergyman, came with him; but did not interfere in church affairs. 1623. Robert Gorges, son of Sir F. Gorges, be- gan a settlement at Wessagusset, where Thomas Weston had been the year before with a few people. He had a commission to be governor general of all New England, and his assistants admiral West, Christopher Leavitt, the governor of Plymouth, Rev. Mr. Morrell was with him, to oversee churches, an episcopalian. A dispute between Gorges and Weston was settled by the influence of governor Bradford. Piscataqua river was visited soon after the first settlements in New England, for trallic with the natives, on the higher parts of the river. The NEW ENGLAND CHROxNOLOGY. 23 settlement did not prosper for several years. Neal was the first agent of Gorges, and afterwards Wil- liams, a more prudent man. When a minister preached to them and exhorted them to remember that they came to extend Christianity, and they shonld be sober, devout and exemplary in their morals, one spoke out and said, " they came to fish and trade." Robert Gorges, son of Sir F. Gorges had a grant from the Plymouth company of a tract ten miles by thirty, on or about Massachusetts bay at Wessa- gusset, now Weymouth. He was to be governor of all the plantations in New England, as there were many intruders, and fishermen did damage, and sold guns and ammunition to Indians — the governor of New Plymouth to be one of his council. But Gorges went soon to Piscataqua and to Agamenti- cus. They were to govern according to the great charter of England, and such laws as should be made by authority of the state assembled in parlia- ment in New England. Grant to a grandson of Sir Ferdinand Gorges and Col. Norton of a tract at Agamenticus. 1624. Edward Winslow brought several cows and a bull to Plymouth from England. There were now five assistants to the Governor in that Colony. 1624. There were nearly two hundred souls in Plymouth colony ; and in 1630, when Charlestown, Boston, &c. were settled, three hundred ; one hun- dred came in 1620 ; a servant of Dr. Samuel Fuller died on the passage ; and the- wife of WilHam White had a son born in Cape harbar before the company NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. landed at Plymouth. The wife of governor Brad- ford was drouaied in Cape Cod harbor ; and he was married again in 1623. William White died early ; so did the wife of governor Winslow ; and he after- wards married Mrs. White. It was the first mar- riage in the colony. In 1621, in the Fortune, there came to Plymouth thirty-five souls ; Thomas Prince, afterwards governor, was one of them, and two daughters and a son of elder William Brewster. In August, 1623, came sixty persons more, (an old writer says sixty families.) They were chiefly from Leyden. In 1634, Rev. John Lothrop and some of his church came to Plymouth. Mrs. Robinson, widow of Rev. John Robinson, and a son, came with Mr. Lothrop. Mr. Lothrop had been pastor of an independent congregation in London, from 1.818. He was sometime before in Holland : was conver- sant with Mr. Robinson, and adopted his views gen- erally. 1624. Edward Winslow went to England as agent and took up goods, at a very high interest, for the company, to trade with the Indians for furs, as well as for personal use. Winslow always proved able and faithful. Allerton also was often employed as agent to England, and long enjoyed the confi- dence of the company; but in 1633, in some cases, conducted with less judgment and discretion than he had done ; particularly by employing and bringing back to Plymouth, Thomas Morton, who had resided at Mount Wallaston (Braintree) and whose conduct was very reprehensible and disorderly : and who had falsely accused the Plymouth and Massachu- setts rulers to the King and Bishops. Standish was NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 25 once employed as agent to England, also, about this period ; but his personal service was thought neces- sary in the Colony, for its safety. His name was a terror to the savages ; and they probably would have made more frequent attacks on the English but from fear of this redoubtable military Chief — A settlement was made in 1623 at the mouth of Piscataqua river, by David Thompson, as agent for Sir F. Gorges, who was one of the Plymouth company in England, and had a patent of a large tract of land there. 1624. Capt. R. Gorges, son of Sir F. Gorges visited Plymouth, after having been to Maine. He had a commission as Gov. General of New England, but did not exercise authority under it. And an Episcopal Clergyman of the name of Morell, who staid at Plymouth a year, had a commission to superintend the church, but was too prudent to interfere. 1625. A settlement was made at Mt. Wollaston, by unruly men, but did not continue long. A few persons, from Nantasket settled at Naum- keag or Salem ; R. Conant the chief. 1625 — March 1. Rev. John Robinson died in Holland, at the age of 50. He was an able and learned theologian, and a true protestant; taking the scriptures as his sole rule and guide in religion. He had a collegiate education, and received the de- gree of B. D. He separated from the established English church, as in its discipline, government and ceremonies it was as variant from the primitive churches as the Romish church. He considered it a political system in part, and as requiring much not enjoined by Christ and his apostles. At first he 3 26 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. was very rigid, but became more mild and liberal in later years, 1626. Isaac Allerton was sent to England, as agent to obtain a loan of money and to purchase goods which were necessary, and for trading with the Indians; and he obtained £200, or 1000 dollars at 30 per cent, interest. The merchant adventurers in England sold their shares in the enterprize, which they held for moneys advanced in 1620, for begin- ning the Colony and transporting the first and early emigrants thither, for $1800; which were taken by the leading men in the Colony, and a few of their friends in England. 1627. The Plymouth people and the Dutch of Hudson river, or New Netherlands, were on friendly terms, and traded with each other. During this year several persons in Lincolnshire, England, moved thereto in some measure by the success of the Leyden Company at Plymouth, as well as by a de- sire to find a place where they might enjoy their re- ligious rights without interference of the civil power of the lordly Bishops, proposed a settlement in Mas- sachusetts, and corresponded with others in the west part of England and in London. The plan was prosecuted with zeal, and in 1628 they procured a patent of the company for planting and governing New England. 1627. Five of the principal men of Plymouth en- gaged to pay the debts due the adventurers in Eng- land, a few of the latter agreeing to assist them. 1627. Plymouth colony form a friendly inter- course with the Dutch at Manhattoes, or Hudson liver, who had proposed to trade with them. A NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 27 pinnace was built at Buzzard's bay for trade with the Dutch ; and a building was put up there from which goods were carried to the Dutch, and as a place of deposit for goods from them. The settle- ment of Massachusetts was projected this year in the west of England, by non-conformists, who had heard of the success of Plymouth colony. The object was to provide a place where they might transport them- selves and enjoy liberty in religious worship and church discipline and government, as the scriptures and not human creeds required. 1627. The project for a colony in Massachusetts bay originated this year or before, in the west of England, by puritans. The success of Plymouth colony led to the plan. Rev. Mr. White of Dorches- ter (England) was active in forwarding it. In 1628, a patent was obtained of the Plymouth com- pany in England ; and Mr. Endicott with about one hundred more were sent over, who settled at Salem ; Higginson with about three hundred joined them in 1729: and in 1630 governor Winthrop came over with fifteen hundred, and landed at Charlestown. A few of those who came to Salem in 1628, removed to Charlestown neck before Winthrop and company came. In the company with Higginson which arrived in Salem in 1629, were sixty women and maids, and twenty-six children. 1628. This summer, Thomas Morton of Merry Mount, and the author of much disorder and misrule among the Indians, was seized and sent to England, This was done by the Government of Plymouth, and at the request of other small settlements at Pis- cataqua, Dover, Salem, and Nantasket; and by 28 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. Backstone and Thompson. Morton sold fire-arms and ammunition to the Indians ; and irritated them by his ill-treatment ; and they were led to take re- venge on any of the English who had not injured them. 162S. Captain John Endicott arrived in Septem- ber, 1628j and settled at Naumkeag, now Salem, with one hundred persons. R. Conant and three others were then there, and had been nearly three years, by advice of Rev. Mr. White of Dorchester, in the west of England, and others. The first houses were built of logs and of thatched roofs. 1628, June. Morton, the unruly head of Mount Wollaston company, at Braintree, was seized by the government of Plymouth, with advice and assist- ance of Maverick, Thompson, and the few others then in the country. He was soon after sent to England; not, however, till the arrival of Endicot at Salem, in September, who visited Mount Wollas- ton to suppress the disorders there ; and who joined in the measure before agreed on. Morton was an unprincipled and a licentious man, and did great mischief by his gross immoralities and his injury to the Indians. In a few years he returned to Mas- sachusetts; but had little influence, and was a pitiful vagabond. 1628-9, The Indians were friendly to the En- glish who came to Salem; for they were few in that vicinity ; having been then recently swept away by pestilence ; and being in fear of attacks from a pow- erful tribe called the Tarratenes, residing to the eastward of them. There were few also at and near Charles river, where some of those settled who NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 29 landed at Salem. The Indians at this place and vicinity northwest, were called Abergenians ; and those south and west were called the Neponset or Massachusetts tribe. All these were friendly and welcomed the English. And the latter treated the natives with great kindness, purchased their lands, or had their consent to all which they took up, and allowed the Indians to occupy such as they chose. They attempted, early and often, to give them a knowledge of Christianity, and to teach them the arts of civilization. In 1629, soon after the second company^ arrived at Salem, Mr. Higginson and Mr. Skelton, one as teacher and the other as pastor, were set apart for the services of religion in the plantation. They Irad been ordained before ; and were now only chosen and separated to the spiritual care of the people there ; and it was the fixed purpose, from the first, to have christian pastors and teachers in every plantation or settlement. The company in 1629 was not permitted to sail till clergymen were ready to come with them. Two others came ; one of whom went to Plymouth, and one soon returned to England. Some of the church of Plymouth attended, to express their consent and show their readiness to hold christian fellowship with them. This church at Salem was the second in New England; that at Plymouth being the first. The members of the latter had been called separatists : and the former puritans or non-conformists : but they became united in sentiment as well in the forms and discipline as in the doctrines of religion. The same christian fellowship and union continued after the larger company settled at Charlestown, Boston 3 =^ 30 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. and vicinity, in 1630 and 16*31. A settlement was made at Pemaquid, a few leagues east of Kenne- bec river, by Aldworth and Elbridge, who, two years afterwards, obtained a grant of twelve thou- sand acres, from the New England company ; on condition that the settlers should continue there at least three years. 1629. Higginson says two hundred came when he did ; others have said there came three hundred. He also says, ^'not one fourth part of the land was occupied by Indians ; they had no settled plans, and challenged none for their possession; " but it was not so in all other parts. 1629. Six ships arrived at Salem in June^ with about three hundred passengers, and two eminent ministers, Higginson and Skelton. Endicott with about one hundred persons, had settled there in 1628. The vessels in 1629 brought cattle and many agricultural tools and implements: and several of the people were artisans and mechanics. There were about sixty women and thirty young children in this company of 1629. A part of the company removed to Mishaum, afterwards Charlestown ; some say about one hundred. A few of those who came with Endicott in 1628 had previously settled and built there ; and a smith by the name of Walworth was found there in 1628. At this time Maverick was at Noddle's Island, (now East Boston,) and Blackstone had a house and garden on' Boston side, then called Shawmut by the natives, and by Blackstone, Tri-mountain. 1629 — 1630. Several more of the Leyden church came to Plymouth. They were poor, and proved a NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 31 great expense to those already settled there. Some of them complained of their lot, although the settlers were attentive and generous to them, according to their abilit}^ They had all lost property by perse- cutions in England before they went to Holland, and by frequent removals afterwards. They came by the way of Salem in the ships which brought out Higginson and Company in 1629 ; and in 1630, in the fleet which came to Charlestown and Boston with Winthrop. 1630. The assistants chosen in England, in March, 1630, just before the company embarked, consisted of governor Withrnop, Sir Richard Salton- stall, Isaac Johnson, Thomas Dudley, John Hum- phrey, Increase Nowell, William Pynchon, Simon Bradstreet, W m. Vassall, S. Sharp, J. Reed, Edward Rossiter, Adams, and Venn; and the first chosen at Charlestown after they arrived in Massachusetts, were governor Winthrop, lieutenant governor Dud- ley, Endicott, Johnson, Nowell, Bradstreet, Thomas Sharp, Roger Ludlow, of Dorchester company, Pynchon, Wm. Coddington and J. Rossiter. 1630. A patent was issued by the New England company to governor Bradford and associates, for the colony of Plymouth. One had been issued before in the name of John Pierce. This year a large company arrived from England, (about fifteen hun- dred,) and settled at Salem, Charlestown, Water- town, Dorchester, Boston, Cambridge and Roxbury. They were puritans also ; and the enjoyment of more scriptural forms of worship and church gov- ernment was the principal object or purpose of their removing. Many of them had large estates, particu- 32 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. lar!y Wiothrop, Johnson and Nowell. The enter- prise was expensive as well as hazardous. They hired twelve or thirteen large ships for the sole purpose of transporting their familieSj servants, goods, farniture, provisions and cattle ; most of them from three hundred to four hundred tons ; some brought two hundred, some one hundred and fifty, one hundred and twenty, and one hundred passen- gers. A private vessel brought a few ; one, which preceded by a month, had a few also: one by way of Plymouth, and one which arrived in August had some passengers to settle in Massachusetts. Few or none died on the passage ; but many died v/ithin a few months after they arrived. The principal men among them were governor John Winthrop, Thomas Dudley, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Isaac Johnson, Simon Bradstreet, increase Nowell, Roger Ludlow, Isaac Rossiter, Israel Stoughton, Rev. Messrs. Wil- son, Phillips, Maverick, and Warham. Soon after the arrival of the ships in June and July, settlements were made at Watertown, Dorchester, Boston, Rox- bury and Cambridge ; sometime called the Newioion, Though the settlement of the new town was probably not till early in 1631 ; and the Dorchester people pre- ceded the others at Charlestown, &c. by a few weeks; and coming from a different part of England were in some measure distinct from the others ; but soon united in all civil affairs, and were of the same mind as to religious forms and discipline. There were a few settlers then at that place. In July, a church was formed at Charlestown, and Mr. Wilson chosen and separated as the pastor, by solemn prayer. Mr. Johnson began to build on the south NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 33 side of the river in September ; but died in a few weeks; his wife, the excellent lady Arbella, of a noble family, died some weeks before. He was one of the richest of the company; and his death was lamented as a great loss to the plantation, as well as for his piety and moral worth. Many others removed to Boston in September and October, so that most of the church and congregation of Charles- town had taken up their residence there ; and pub- lic worship was therefore then attended by the peo- ple of both these towns. The first church of Boston, therefore, is the third or fourth in New England. If Dorchester may justly be allowed the third, as it was formed in England before they sailed for Massachu- setts, then the Boston church was the fourth. Watertown, where Sir Richard Saltonstall and Rev. Mr. Phillips and others settled, may be considered the fifth. Roxbury, which was also settled in 1630, and in 1631 had Rev. John Eliot for their minister, was the sixth; and Lynn the seventh, being settled in 1632 ; Charlestown the eighth, when it became a distinct church from Boston, and had Mr. James for their minister. Then next follow Duxbury, Hing- ham, Ipswich, Newbury, Weymouth, Braintree, Concord and Dedham. In the meantime, viz. in 1635 and '36, a part of the church of Dorches- ter removed to Windsor on Connecticut river ; that in Cambridge to Hartford ; and a new church formed under Mr. Shepard. A part of the inhabitants of Watertown also removed and settled Weathersfield, on Connecticut river near Hartford. The first object with these religious men was to provide for the religious instruction of their children and the worship 34 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. of Godj according to the forms of the primitive churches, as stated in the New Testament. The number of ships bringing the company has been usually said to be seventeen ; but one of the number was Capt. Pierce in the Lion, who came before the others, and had few passengers ; one was the ship with the Dorchester people, one did not arrive till August; and one was a private vessel which transported only a small number. Some of these ships were four hundred tons and brought two hundred people. Several others were over three hundred tons, and brought one hundred and fifty and one hundred and twenty. The whole number of these, with those who came in 1628 and 1629, made about two thousand one hundred in Massa- chusetts. The first court, composed of the governor and assistants, was held in August, on board the Arbella : when the first subject considered was to provide for the support of the ministers. In Septem- ber the second court was holden at Charlestown. September 28, another court was also held in Charlestown. October 19th : the first general court was held in Boston, consisting of all the company. At this time one hundred and six make known their desire to become freemen, and to take the oath required : but some of them were not admitted till May 1631. All the courts were held in Boston after this. In 1630, Gorges says they who obtained the patent for Massachusetts were more discreet than most others who seceded from the church of England ; yet they desired to escape or avoid what they were subject to in their native country. He says the NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 35 restraint on emigrations in 1641 and 2, was because of divers sects and schisms in New England, all contemning the government of the ecclesiastical state ; and it was found that they would soon wholly shake off the royal jurisdiction of the sovereign magis- trate." Gorges says when the coasts of Virginia were dis- covered, it was populous, the people stout and war- hke, plenty of grain and other fruits, and deer and other animals for food, with plenty of fish and fowl, for support. Before the Massachusetts company left England, they addressed a letter to their christian brethren and friends of the episcopal church, not exclusively nor particularly the bishops or clergy ; asking their prayers and supplications. They expressed their grateful sense of the benefits derived from the religious instructions of the English clergy, and their christian friendship and regard for many left behind. But this was not an approval of the forms and ceremonies of the episcopal church, as some have supposed. At the first meeting of the court of governor and assistants in the colony, an order was passed for the pecuniary support of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Phillips. In 1629, an order was passed by the company there, to provide a proper support for Mr. Higginson and Mr. Skelton who came to Salem in that year. The church and people of Dorchester also made provision for the maintenance of Mr. Maverick and Mr. Warham, their ministers, soon after their arrival in 1630. In October, 1630, Boston contained more people than Charlestown. Johnson began to build there in September, but died soon 36 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. after. Winthrop was there in October. Tbe place of public worship was there for both settlements; and the tax of Boston was larger than that of Charles- town. When Winthrop and company settled at Charles- town and Boston, there were temporary settlements by the French at St. Croix, Mount Desert and Port- royal ; by the English at Kennebec, Saco, Plymouth, Piscataqua, Dover, Cape Ann, Nantasket, Thomp- son's Island, Noddle's Island, Weymouth, Mount Wollaston, Salem and Charlestown. About 1630. When the Plymouth and Massachu- setts colonies were formed, one in 1620, and the other in 1829-30, it was a time of general despotism both in church and state, in Europe. To the courage, patience and wisdom of those who settled these colonies, in the wilds of North America, we are indebted for our present goodly heritage, our fruitful fields, our populous towns, our churches, schools, wholesome laws, designed to preserve our liberties, for our seminaries of science, and a learned clergy. 1630. The first and early settlers of Massachu- setts colony, as well as of Plymouth, were led to emigrate to America chiefly from religious consid- erations. They were sincere and experimental christians. And their religious faith animated and supported them in all their trials and sufferings. Those who settled in Connecticut at Hartford and vicinity, and at New Haven, were of a similar character, men of ardent piety, and generally free from fanaticism and extravagant theories. A few, indeed, might be so, characterised ; but they were not the leaders. Other colonies and plantations were NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 37 chiefly for trade. There was far more of stabiUty and order in the former colonies than in the latter ; and the men employed merely for trade, being hired by others who resided in England, and not owners of the soil, were seldom found faithful to the proprie- tors. The first object of the settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts and Connecticut, was to provide for public worship and. for religious teachers; and the next was to support the cause of learning; when they had scarcely erected houses for their own per- sonal comfort. It was first proposed to fortify Cambridge, then called the new town, and to make it the capital of the colony. But the majority preferred Boston ; and Isaac Johnson, the richest man of the company, removed to Boston in September, and began there to build ; but died the last of that month. Others, however, chose to settle on that peninsula ; and in October the people there were more numerous than ■in Charlestown. Isaac Allerton and Thomas Willet of Plymouth, were merchants or traders. The latter lived some time at New York, and was the first mayor of the city in 1665, when the Dutch surrendered it to the English. Hatherly and Vassall of Plymouth colony, were also traders. In Massachusetts, Humphrey, and Gibbons, were merchants, and engaged in navi- gation ; Gibbons was a very enterprising character. He lost large sums by trade with the French in Acadia. And Humphrey impoverished his family by unfortunate trade at the West Indies. Maverick, who was settled at Noddle's Island, when the large com- pany came with Winthrop, 1630, was a trader. He 4 38 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. owned a small vessel, and made voyages to the West India islands ; and was sometimes concerned with Gibbons, who early resided at Winnessimett. Maverick was an episcopalian, and did not agree with the puritans in religion* In October, the number of people on Boston pen- insula was greater than in Charlestown ; and Bos- ton was the place of public worship for the people on both sides of the river, for nearly two years. It was the same church which was formed at Charles- town in August ; and therefore was the third ; rather, perhaps, the fourth according to dates. The Plymouth church being the first, Salem the second ; Dorchester, which was formed in England in the month of March, and arrived a short time before the people, with Winthrop and Wilson, settled Charles- town, may be justly considered the third; Charles- town, or Boston, under Wilson, the fourth ; Water- town under Phillips and Saltonstall, the fifth; Roxbury the sixth, under Pynchon and Eliot (or Weld). The new town, or Cambridge, was the seventh ; Charlestown, under Mr. James, the eighth ; Lynn, or Saugus, the ninth ; Ipswich the tenth ; Newbury the eleventh. Then soon follow Duxbury, in 1633, Plymouth colony, Hingham, Weymouth, Concord, Braintree, Dedham, Scituate, Weathers- field, Windsor, Hartford, New Haven. 1630. Some of the Massachusetts company were from the wett part of England, but most of them from the vicinity of London. Several persons in the ship Talbot died on the passage with small pox. Masconomo, Sachem of Agawam, near Salem, went on board of the Arbella and gave a welcome to Gov- NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 39 ernor Wintbrop and the Company with him. But they soon visited Charlestown, where were some of the Salem Company settled in 1629, and they chose to settle there : some of them soon removed to Cam- bridge, Watertown and to Boston. 1630. The first Court of Assistants was held in August, on board the Arbella, the ship in which the Governor came. The second Court was Septem- ber 28. In October, a General Court was held in Boston, which seems to prove that the greater part of the Company had moved there, or the meeting there might be for the accommodation of the people at Roxbury and Dorchester, where settlements were early made. The people of Dorchester arrived a few weeks before Wintbrop ; they had been formed into a church in England ; and they were from the West of England. Many of them were merchants. Selectmen chosen in Dorchester in 1633, and the first mill built in Massachusetts was at Dorchester in 1633. At this first General Court, it was agreed that all the Freemen should vote for the assistants, and that the assistants should chose the Governor and Deputy Governor, from the board of assistants ; and that all laws and orders for the government of the people in the colony should be framed by them. In 1632 and again in 1633, alterations were made as to these elections ; and the Governor was elected by the votes of the General Court, or the body of Freemen who should assemble and vote. During this year was the first execution in Plymouth Colony for murder, by one Billington ; a very profane and disorderly person ; not one of the Leyden Company ; but one who got on board of the Mayflower in England, 40 NEW ENGLAND CHItONOLOGY. without the knowledge of the company. In October the ship Handmaid arrived at Plymouth with cattle for Massachusetts, among which were several cows j but some of them died on the passage. 1631. A ship arrived at Boston in February with provisions from Bristol, which had been sent for that purpose, the summer before. The arrival was very seasonable ; for there was little bread or food of any kind then remaining in the plantation. Many families were entirely destitute, except some small and ordi- nary fish. And yet they had sent to the Vineyard and other places south of Cape Cod in October, (1630,) and purchased large quantities of corn, of the natives. A few were added to the Colony this year, though not so many as came over in 1630. Rev. Mr. Eliot of Roxbury came this year. 1631. A watch of four men was kept most of the time, especially at night, at Dorchester, and also at Watertown. These were then the most exposed settlements. Several servants were made free by their masters, in Massachusetts, though their time of service had not expired ; as it was found difficult to support them; and it was believed that they would make proper efforts to maintain themselves if set free. The most of them became useful and respected citi- zens. 1632. The use of tobacco was forbidden; and so was the habit of drinking of health, at the particu- lar desire and by the example of Governor Winthrop, who discontinued it. 1632. A tax laid by Governor and Assistants for building a fort at Cambridge, was objected to by the NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 41 freemen of Watertown, because the whole people had not a voice in the measure, when it was ordered that two freemen of each settlement should be elected as a Committee to join with the Governor and Assist- ants to lay taxes, and make orders, &c., and not re- quire all the freemen to attend the General Court. — But in the choice of Governor, Deputy Governor, Assistants, Secretary and Treasurer, all the freemen were to vote ; and in 1634 the town chose two or three deputies ; and this was the origin of the House of Representatives, which, with the Governor and Assistants, composed the Legislature. 1632. Complaints were made by a few discon- tented persons, to the king and his ministry in Eng- land, against the rulers and clergy in Massachusetts, that they were wholly opposed to the episcopal church, as established in Great Britain, and would not even tolerate the use of religious forms as required by the English churches. But they did not succeed in their object of obtaining an edict against the puritans in the colony; and the king and his council dismissed the complaint as unreasonable. From the first settlement of the colony there were enemies to its stability and prosperity both in this country and in England. The greater number of those who opposed its increase were unwilling the puritans should have authority in any place over other sects ; some wished to suppress them entirely, and to require their conformity in America as well as in England. October. Governor Winthrop and Rev. Mr. Wilson of Boston, visited Plymouth. They went in a boat to Wessagusset. (Weymouth,) and then 4 =^ 42 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. walked to that place ; having only an Indian path to go in. They passed over North river, between Scituate and Marshfield ; or probably higher up the river, from Hanover to Pembroke. They passed the Lord's day in Plymouth, and addressed the people, after the usual services were over. They left Plymouth on Monday morning before the dawn of day, and were accompanied several miles by Governor Bradford, Capt. Standish, and others. In 1632. In May, a ship from Virginia brought two thousand bushels of corn to Boston. It was quite acceptable ; but drained the people of their cash. This year a committee of two from each town or settlement was chosen to join with the gov- ernor and board of assistants, hi assessing and apportioning taxes ; and this was the origin or occasion of choosing deputies from each town; the next year and following years, to unite with the governor and assistants in making the laws, instead of having the whole body of freemen assembling in one place for the purpose, or allowing the governor and assistants to make the laws ; the latter still were entrusted with the execution of the laws, and acted also as a superior coart of jadicature. According to a tax now assessed, Boston and Watertown were the richest towns; Charlestown^ Dorchester and Roxbury, next; Lynn, including Marble harbor, next; then Weymouth, Newtown or Cambridge, and Medford. From the forming of a church in Charlestown, July 30, 1630, to October lOih, one hundred and fifty members were added. This is the first church of Boston. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 43 June 13th. A day of thanksgiving was kept in all the towns and plantations by public authority, for the success of the protestants in Europe, against the Emperor of Germany ; and for the safe arrival of all the sliips expected from England. 1632 or ]633. The clergy were men of great learning, and had received a public education in one of -the universities at Cambridge or Oxford, in England. Several of the laity were also learned men; as Winthrop, Haynes, Bellingham, Bradstreet, Nowell, and Ludlow. 1633. Several eminent men arrived to settle in the colony. John Haynes, who was one year gov- ernor, 1635, and then he removed to Hartford ; Rev. Mr. Cotton, who was settled as a colleague to Mr. Wilson; Messrs. Hooker and Stone, who resided two years at Cambridge, and then removed to Hart- ford, The people of Plymouth visited Connecticut river in 1633, near Hartford and Windsor, and claimed the country as being within their patent. The Dutch also laid claim to it ; and there was danger of an hostile collision, but the dispute was soon settled; when the people of Massachusetts removed there, the Plymouth government objected, but after- wards consented, on promising some allowance for the expenses they had incurred there. 1633-4., Archbishop Laud and other high church- men continued their plans of oppressing the puritans in New England, but were prevented by the state of public affairs in England, from carrying their evil purposes into effect. A fort built this year on Castle Island in Boston harbor. 44 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 1634. The deputies or representatives of the free- men met for public business, instead of the whole body of the people. In 1632, a committee of two from every tov/n was elected to assess a tax. This probably led to the plan of having a house of repre- sentatives to join with the governor, deputy gov- ernor and board of assistants, (who had been the two first years the law-makers,) in passing acts, orders, &c. At first the assistants chose the gov- ernor and lieutenant governor : the freemen now voted for them, and the representatives had a voice in making the laws. The deputies first met with the board of assistants, but after a few years the representatives and assistants sat in separate rooms. Winthrop was elected governor for the three first years successively, after the arrival of the large com- pany in 1630 ; and was chosen governor of the com- pany before they left England. In 1634, Dudley was chosen governor, and Haynes in 1635. An attempt was made in 1634, chiefly by the high- church party, to deprive Massachusetts of its charter, and to divide the whole of New England into lord- ships, and to direct in all ecclesiastical concerns; but it failed. Archbishop Laud who originated and urged the plan, fell into disgrace. In the latter part of the year 1635, Roger Williams was banished the colony for disorganizing conduct both in church and state. He was not one of the original company; nor was he invited to come into the colony. He arrived in 1631 ; and soon broached disorganizing opinions, opposing the measures of the civil rulers and of the clergy. He was conceited, eccentric, obstinate, and denied and opposed the powers of the NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 45 government in various ways. Had his views pre- vailed, had he remained spreading his anti-social opinions and tenets of insubordination, the colony would have become greatly unsettled and divided: and it was thought necessary for the general peace and welfare that he should leave the colony, where indeed he had no just claim to continue. There was, perhaps, some severity exercised towards him ; but self-defence and the welfare of the colony justi- fied the act of his banishment. 1635. Roger Williams was ordered to leave Mas- sachusetts, for his wild notions, and open overt acts of opposition to the civil government. He came over in the early part of 1631 ; but was not one of the Company. He soon vented opinions against the Church, and the government; and continued his op- position though often admonished to desist. He con- demned most of the measures adopted by the govern- ment, and created much disorder and confusion. — And was ordered to depart the Colony in December 1635. He was much wanting in prudence and judg- ment, and shared an obstinate and insubordinate spirit. A very severe storm August 15. The tide was higher by twenty feet than had been remembered. The Indians said they did not recollect the like before. Efforts were made to deprive Massachusetts of its charter. The high church party was engaged in this plan, and Sir F. Gorges and Mason, who had grants between Salem and Kennebec, joined in it ; for they were attached to episcopal forms and government in the church, and the former aimed to 46 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. be governor general of all New England or North Virginia. Eleven learned ministers arrived in this year; and many before that period. Ninety ministers came over to Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut, in ten years, from 1629 to 1639. The people of Dorchester purchased their lands of the Indians. The town was very extensive at first, and for many years, reaching to the southern bounds of Massachusetts. They set off, for the special and sole use of the Indians, within their limits, six thousand acres, and a large tract early reserved for the support of a common school. The plan of a general government for New England was again proposed by a son of Sir F. Gorges. It was part of the plan to have the churches under the discipline and form of episcopacy. The puritans and their friends and agents prevented its execution. Weathersfield and Windsor were settled ; and New Haven in 1637. Great exertions were made by archbishop Laud and others to oppress and crush the puritans and non- conformists, both in England and in Massachusetts. 1636. Sir Henry Vane, who came into the colony in 1635, was chosen governor. He was wanting in judgment ; he opposed governor Win- throp, a very prudent, upright and pious character, and he encouraged the most fanatical persons in the colony. He was then quite a young man, about twenty-five ; and the next year Winthrop was chosen governor. Sir Henry then returned to England ; not without being the occasion of great disputes and NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 47 divisions among the people. He favored the fanati- cal individuals who censured Rev. Mr. Wilson and others, all but Mr. Cotton, as being legal preachers ; which caused much bitterness and angry disputa- tion for several years. 1636. A school was opened at Cambridge for teaching the learned languages, and the general court granted £400 to it. In 1638, Rev. Mr. Harvard of Charlestown, who came into the country the year before, left a legacy of about £800 to the seminary, which was afterwards called Harvard College. The master of the school was a defective character ; and in 1640 Rev. Mr. Dunster, a very learned man, was chosen President; and in 1642, six young men there educated, received their first degree, and are at the head of the list of five thousand seven hundred and fifty alumni of this ancient and honored university. Rev. Mr. Shepard arrived in 1635, and on the removal of Hooker and Stone to Hartford, settled at Cambridge in 1636. The antinomian heresy prevailed to some extent in Massachusetts. Ann Hutchinson was very active in spreading the doctrine ; and Rev. Mr. Cotton, who was unguarded in his expressions to magnify the grace of God, was accused of favoring the opinion. The other ministers were called legal preachers, though highly evangelical. Their tenets were condemned as dangerous and tending to licen- tiousness. Mrs. Hutchinson and her brother. Rev. Mr. Wheelwright, were banished from the colony ; and several of their followers, being censured for their errors, left Massachusetts and settled in Rhode Island. Some were afterwards convinced that their 48 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. opinions were unscriptural, and publicly recanted. Governor Winthrop, lieutenant governor Dudley, Rev. Mr. Wilson, and Rev. Mr. Bulkley, had great influence in suppressing the error. A vessel of one hundred and twenty tons was built at Marble harbor, near Salem. Within six years from the arrival at Boston, many removed to Connecticut river, and settled Weathersfield, Hartford and Windsor. They went chiefly from Dorchester, Cambridge and Watertown. A school or college was now founded at Cambridge. The first settlers thus shew their sense of the import- ance of human learning. Many of those who first came to Massachusetts had received a collegiate education. Capt. Endicott was sent against the Pequot tribe of Indians, near New London, in Connecticut, who had killed some of the English in that quarter ; but he did not have any very serious battle with them. In 1636 and '37, the Pequot tribe of Indians, living on and near Connecticut river, became openly hostile to the English, and killed several of them who were in that part of the country for trade. Capt. Endicott was sent with a company of men, in 1636, to chastise them and to aflbrd protection to the few English families in that quarter. But the Indians denied having committed the murders charged on them, and said they were perpetrated by other tribes. The Pequots continued their depreda- tions ; and in 1637 it was agreed to send troops against them from Massachusetts, Plymouth and Hartford and vicinity. A company went against them from Hartford under command of Capt. John NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOar. 49 Mason ; who, in a most wonderful manner killed and routed a large number of them, before the men from the other colonies came up. He attacked them near New London, on the east side of the riv^er Thames, and surprised them, and thus was success- ful and victorious in his bold enterprize. 1636. 1640. Religious disputes on speculative points ; some were very visionary and extravagant. The civil authorities interposed in some cases ; as they said for the purpose of maintaining the peace and order of the churches and of the government. Individuals among the fanatics were very unjustifia- ble in their conduct ; and the government, perhaps, treated them with unnecessary severity. 1637. Rev. John Wheelwright banished from Massachusetts for a seditious sermon. Rhode Island bought of Narragansett tribe by Mr, •Coddington of Boston. There was an earthquake in New England this year, in the month of June. 1638. Three Englishmen executed for the mur- der of an Indian. W. Coddington and others left Boston and settled on Rhode Island. They were of the antinomian party who were banished. 1638. New Haven was settled by Eaton, Hopkins and Rev. Mr. Davenport. At this period, the General Court of Massachusetts expressed their views of charter and natural rights. They were of opinion "that their Commonwealth was established by free consent ; that the territory was their own; that a man iiad no right to enter their society or settle within their jurisdiction without their permission ; 5 50 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. that they had the full and absolute power of govern- ing all persons by their representatives, and accord- ing to such laws as they should see fit to make, not repugnant to the constitution or fundamental princi- ples of the constitution of England." Rhode Island was settled at this time, by people from Boston and vicinity. They removed chiefly for rehgious opinions. During this year the king confirmed the patent of Sir F. Gorges to the country from Piscataqua to Sagadahock, or Kennebec : and constituted him lord palatine of it. Exeter was settled, and acted as a distinct government for three years. Rowley, Salisbury, and Sudbury were now settled ; and also Barnstable and Yarmouth in Plymouth colony. Duxbury, Scituate and Marshfield, were settled before. Sumptuary laws were enacted at this time, to prevent excess in apparel and other unnecessary expenses of living. Josselyn says there were twenty houses in Boston. Salem, Roxbury, Charlestown, Dorchester, Water- town, Cambridge, Lynn, and other towns were then settled, and the number of inhabitants nearly sixteen thousand. The same writer mentions that a large sea serpent was seen this year near Cape Ann. 1639. First printing-press in the colony set up at Cambridge ; owned by Mrs. Glover, whose husband died on his passage, or in England after he had determined to move to America. One of the first things printed was an almanac. A military muster of one thousand men, the colony then consisting of ten thousand or twelve thousand inhabitants. They then made two regi- NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 51 ments under command of governor Winthrop and lieutenant governor Dudley. This or the preceding year the artillery company, and afterwards called the ancient and honorable company, was formed. Boston was now limited to two representatives ; it had three before. Newport in Rhode Island, settled by antinomians from Boston. Their opinions had been condemned in 1637, but they continued to make disturbance in the churches by forcing their wild opinions upon others, and reproaching the regular and learned ministers. 1640. Few additional emigrants from England this year or afterwards. Political disputes were high in that country, between the king and parliament: and the puritans there were gaining more influence. Sometime in this year, several families removed to Long Island near Hudson's river, from Lynn, where they had not good lands for farms. They first set down at the west end of the island ; but, having disputes with the Dutch, removed to the easterly end. The inhabitants at Providence, though feWj (about forty-five families,) formed a civil govern- ment. It was several years later, 1643, that they received a charter, including Rhode Island, first settled in 1638. There was an act passed by the general court that no master, or his executor or administrator, should put off a servant for more than one year, unless by consent of some court, or of two assistants ; otherwise the assignment should be void. And that if any man smite out the eye or tooth of his servant, or otherwise maim them, he shall let them go free 52 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. from his service, and allow farther recompense, as the court shall allow and order. The rulers of Massachusetts decline to put them- selves under the protection of parliament, lest par- liament should afterward assume and exercise power over them without their consent. This year a general court was first holden at Saco. The settlement was made there by Sir F. Gorges several years earlier. The towns of Andover and Haverhill were incor- porated this year. The use of tobacco was now forbidden by law in Massachusetts. The sale of spiritous liquors and strong water " regulated, but not prohibited, as it should have been. The immigrations to New England were very few after this time; and the population was estimated at twenty -one thousand. They were brought over by about two hundred ships, from two hundred to four hundred tons, (J. Dummer says one hundred and ninety-four). Some brought two hundred souls ; others one hundred and fifty or one hundred. An episcopal minister officiated at Piscataqua, within the patent to Gorges and Mason : but con- tinued there only a short time. He was the first clergyman in New England who observed the English ritual. The lands occupied by the Enghsh on Long Island, at New Haven and other parts of Connecticut, as well as in Plymouth colony and in Massachusetts, about Boston, and at Concord, Brookfield, Haverhill, &c. &c., were all fairly purchased of the Indian sachems who claimed them. Some other places NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 53 which were wholly destitute of Indians, the distant sachems consented the English might possess ; so far is it from being true as some have asserted, that the English took lands by force^ or obtained them by f7-aud. Governor Winslow said in 1673, they did not occupy or claim any lands in Plymouth colony except by purchase and free consent of the Indians. As late as 1770, James Otis and John Adams said the same; and challenged any one to show the contrary. 1641. The first vessel built at Plymouth was at this time ] it was fifty tons. One was before built at Boston, by governor Winthrop, called the Blessing. A church was gathered this year, at Martha's Yineyard. Soon after, 1643, Thomas Mayhew, Jr. preached the gospel to the Indians there. At this time, many laws, enacted for ten years, were collated, and in some instances altered : Rev. Mr. Cotton and Rev. Mr. Ward of Ipswich, assisted : An abstract was printed in London, and reprinted at Cambridge. In 1648 a more full and complete collection of the laws of the colony was made and published, by authority of the general court. One of these laws forbid slavery and captivity, except of such as were taken in war. One provided for receiving and succoring strangers, who were christians fleeing from persecution ; one was against monopolies, except for a new invention; and one, that no injunction should be laid on any church or officer of a church, besides the institutions and commands of Christ. The authority of parliament over the colony was denied by implication. Several 6 54 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. towns in New Hampshire now put themselves under Massachusetts. Several vessels were built before this period, at Boston and Salem, and one at Plymouth. Between sixty and seventy regular and learned clergymen had then arrived ; and a few had returned to England. Twenty-one thousand souls now in Massachusetts ; including those removed to Con- necticut in 1635, '6, '7, and '8. Cattle were brought over : farms and gardens cultivated ; mills were erected ; churches were formed in all the settlements ; about forty at this time ; schools provided ; county courts established ; towns incorporated and duly governed by selectmen or committees ; and a college founded at Cambridge to support the cause of human learning. The opinion of the principal men who first came into the colony may be gathered from the following observations of E. Johnson, who was one of them, and wrote in 1656. " The Lord, intending to have the truths of the gospel more manifest, not by man's reason, nor tradition of our fathers, but by the holy scriptures, prepared agents for the work ; men of like infirmities with ourselves; liable to err; yet did the Lord Christ cause them to be trained up in learning, and tutored at the college. And verily, had not the Lord been pleased to furnish New England with the means for the attainment of learn- ing, the work [of the gospel] would have been carried on very heavily ; and the hearts of godly parents have vanished away with heaviness for their poor children, whom they must have left in a deso- late wilderness, destitute of the means of grace." I'he number of persons who had now emigrated NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 55 to Massachusetts, was about twenty-one thousand, after this period, but comparatively few came over to settle. Tiie republican party in England had greatly increased : so also had the presbyterians and independents; so that there was much less reason for leaving their native country. In Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven, there were thirty-eight or forty churches : eight in Plymouth colon 3^, eight in Connecticut ; and twenty-three or twenty-four in Massachusetts. Three agents sent to England on the subject of trade and excise ; two of them clergymen. 1641. An abstract of the laws of Massachusetts was published in London : prepared as was believed in great part by Rev. Mr. Cotton of Boston. But it had not the sanction of the general court ; or was not adopted by them as authority. In 1655, a sec- ond edition was published in London. "The body of liberties," or code of laws adopted in 1651, con- taining one hundred laws, was prepared by Rev. Mr. AVard of Ipswich, who was educated a lawyer. In compiling the ' abstract,' Cotton was believed to have consulted governor Yane, who was in the colony 1636, and part of 1637. The first edition of the laws of Massachusetts was published in 1649 ; the second, irn 1660; and the third, in 1672. Bellingham was the principal person employed in preparing the edi- tion of 1649. 1641. There were three Regiments of militia in the colony, and twenty-six cempanies. There were also several troop of horse about this time. The lieiit. governor was the first major-general : governor Endicott often held that office ; as also Edward Gib- 56 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. bons, Robert Sedgwick, Humphrey Atherton and Wait Winthrop afterward. The office was filled hy an annual election, by the members of the general court. 1643. The colonies of New England, Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven, con- federate together for mutual defence and safety against the Indians and the Dutch, then hostile and frequently threatening the English. Several towns settled or incorporated this year : Billerica, Lancaster, Rehoboth, Eastham, Woburn, Gloucester, and Tops- field. Several laws were now made against the baptists. One hundred and twenty-seven freemen added to Massachusetts this year. In 1641, there was a still greater number. There had then been seventy-seven ministers of the gospel, and fifteen young men who became ministers, driven from England and settled in New England; fifty towns settled and forty churches formed. 1643. Three ministers went from Massachusetts to Virginia, to preach there. 1644. Massachusetts had permission to govern the Narragansett country ; but it was also granted to R. Williams the same year. Twenty-six companies of militia in Massachusetts, and four regiments ; several companies of cavalry also about this time. And now the colony was divided into four counties, Sufiblk, Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk : the latter containing only a few towns on the north side of Merrimack river. The Vine)^ard was this year attached to Massa- chusetts. And at this time Mr. Mayhew and son preached the gospel to the Indians there. This was NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 57 nearly two years before Eliot of Roxbiiry began to preach to the natives. The anabaptists now appear in Massachusetts. 1644. '46. The French at Penobscot, St. Croix, and St. John, troublesome. They seized some fishing and trading vessels belonging to the English. They also took goods at Boston on credit, and never paid for them. They had contests among themselves, and applied to Massachusetts for aid. The governor was inclined to aid those who traded at Boston, and thought they had justice on their side. But many of the clergy and assistants were opposed to it, as it might lead to war with one party. 1645. A ship was built in Boston of four hundred tons. Bridgewater settled by people from Duxbury. All the Duxbury freemen had lots given them, but only a few of them removed there. But many of their sons settled in that place afterwards. There were iron works at Lynn or Saugus, and at Braintree. One Capt. Smith brought a negro from Africa, which he had taken by force, to the settlement on Piscataqua river; but the government then claiming jurisdiction over that place, ordered the African to be sent back and liberated. Long after this time, negroes were held in slavery in Massachusetts, but the slave-trade was disapproved of and prohibited. Slaves were most numerous in the province in 1745, 1750. 1646. E. Winslow, then the agent of Massachu- setts in England, was instructed to deny the power of appeal from courts here to England. 5g NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. Edward Winslow procured an act in England to incorporate a society for the propagation of the gospel. Rev. Mr. Hobart of Hingham, and some of his people denied the right of the government to inflict capital punishments ; they said it had no more power than a common corporation in England. He was tried by a court and jury and found guilty of improper and dangerous denial of the authority of the govern- ment, and a fine was imposed on him of one hundred pounds. In this case the court asserted that there was no appeal from their judgment and sentence to England, as Mr. Hobart and his party contended for : that the people of Massachusetts were styled subjects of their own government; and that the writs of the court were not in the name of the his majesty, but of the government of Massachusetts. 1647. A fatal pestilence prevailed all over New England ; and many died among the Dutch, English, and Indians. It began with a cold, and a fever followed ; supposed owing to the atmosphere. 1648. Margaret Jones was hung for a witch in Boston. The general court made provision by law for the preaching of the gospel to the Indians. Mr. Eliot of Roxbury, soon after engaged in the work ; and continued occasionally for more than thirty years. His labors were attended by some success for several years. But when he was eighty, he said it was a small day with the Indians. Mayhew, on the Vine- yard, preached to the Indians at a little earlier period. About this period, for several years, the Narragansett Indians were hostile toward the English NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 59 and committed some depredations. Massachusetts declared war against them, and they soon after entered into a treaty with the Enghsh. Their sachem was a man of intrigue and deceit ; and httle faith to be reposed in his promises. The united colonies declared his conduct very unjustifiable. 1649. Massachusetts again formally protested against all appeals to England. A law was made this year against the Jesuits. Governor John Winthrop died, at the age of sixty. He was chosen governor during the period 1630 to 1649, for nine separate years. A very learned and discreet man ; mild but firm in his ofiicial manners, and a perfect pattern of all the christian virtues. 1650 — 1660. During the Commonwealth, in Eng- land, or the usurpation of Cromwell, the people and government of Massachusetts had less trouble than formerly. Cromwell was very favorable to them in their ecclesiastical affairs, for he was an Indepen- dent and professed to be republican. Yet he was ambitious of power ; and sometimes issued orders to Massachusetts which they declined to submit to. — They endeavored to strengthen their claims to inde- pendence. It was during this time, that money was coined by the colony; which was matter of com- plaint against them by Charles II and his ministers in 1661. When Richard Cromwell, son of Oliver assumed the supreme power, Massachusetts did not recognize him. And when Charles II was first res- tored, they did not acknowledge, without delay and hesitation. Cromwell drove off' the French from several places in Acadie : Some submitted to his arms under Sedgwick. He also proceeded to attack 60 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. Ihe Dutch at New York; but peace was made and open hostilities happily prevented. At this period, the Quakers were very disorderly in Massachusetts. They came into the colony from Barbadoes. They made much confusion, opposed the forms and wor- ship of the Puritans in a violent manner. They were ordered away, and when they refused, they were sent out of the jurisdiction. They soon returned, and were far more disorderly than before. Some were whipt and some imprisoned, and again ordered away, on penalty of h^avy punishment. But many of them returned and were more insolent and violent than at their former visits. Two of them were pun- ished with death. This was very severe treatment ; as this conduct only required banishment, or im- prisonment -1651. The people of York, Wells and Saco, in Maine, applied to join Massachusetts, and were received. 1653. There was a dispute between the people and the Dutch on Hudson river; but Massachusetts prevented war. They said it was not expedient for those who came to America to propagate the gospel to be forward to engage in war with christian neighbors. Richard Bellingham was chosen governor; he was the most learned character in the colony in jurisprudence. The Massachusetts north line was run, and made to include a great part of Maine. A great alarm at this time from a report that the Dutch at Hudson's river and the Narragansett Indians had combined to attack the English. A NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 61 large body of men was prepared ; but peace was made soon after between England and Holland. 1654. There was an order of the general court of Massachusetts that no one be called to the office of a pastor of a church without the approbation of some of the magistrateSj as well as of churches and ministers of neighboring towns. The court authorized the people of separate towns to provide for the support of their ministers by a tax. At the request of New Haven colony, Cromwell ordered several ships of war to subdue the Dutch on Hudson's river : but a treaty of peace being made, the ships sailed to the French settlements at the eastward. They reduced the French forts on the river St. John, and at Port-royal ; and all Acadia ^ soon after submitted to the English. The protector Cromwell had called on Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies to furnish five hundred men to assist New Haven against the Dutch ; Massachusetts declined ordering any troops to be raised ; but jyermitted Major Sedgwick and Captain Leveret to raise volun- teers for the service. The general court of Massachu- setts at this time passed a law to encourage spinning. It required " that all hands not necessarily employed on other occasions, women, girls and boys, should spin according to their skill and ability;" and directed " the selectmen in every town to see that there was at least one spinner to a family." 1655. John Endicott was chosen the governor * Acadia extended south-west as far as Penobscot, or Pemaquid ; and included Nova Scotia, which was the tract or territory on the south-east of the Bay of Fundy. 6 62 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY, this year, and for several years after in succession. He had the confidence of the people, and was a man of decision. Ann Hibbins, whose husband had been a magis- trate and a man of large estate, was convicted of being a witch, and hung. Rev. Mr. Norton said ^' it was because she had more wit than her neighbors." 1656. The quakers first appeared in Massachu- setts at this period ; they had previously visited Plymouth. They were banished from that colony : but in Massachusetts several of them were executed, after having been banished, and returning, though on pain of death, and being very disorderly, in opposition to the laws of the colony. 1657. A synod or assembly of ministers was held this year in Boston, by request of the magistrates, to consider who were proper subjects of baptism ; particularly as to the propriety of confining the ordinance to the children of members of the church, or of allowing those to receive it whose parents were baptized, were of good moral character and who would make public declaration of their belief of the christian religion. The assemblyconsisted of twenty- six ministers ; some of them from Connecticut. Their opinion was in favor of baptizing the children of such parents as had been baptized and professed faith in the gospel. But there were some dissentients ; and a long dispute on the subject soon follov/ed. 1658. There was an earthquake in Massachusetts this year, which caused great alarm to the inhabit- ants. One occurred at a more early period ; in 1636, and several a little later, in 1663. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 63 1660. Whalley, Goffee and Dixwell, the regicide Judges of King Charles I, arrived in Massachusetts; and appeared openly for some months ; but were af- terwards in concealment, as an order was issued in England, on the restoration of Charles IT, for their arrest. They lived several years after this, and were secreted great part of the time in the houses of clergymen. At this period, there were ten places in New England where the Indians had preaching, and were called ''praying Indians." 1661. The society for the propagation of the gospel among the Indians in New England, which had become legally defunct, was now revived by a new charter, from Charles II. In course of this year, he was formally acknowledged, in Massachusetts, as the lawful and rightful sovereign of Great Britain. Complaints had been made, that it was so long de- layed. He had before that time been addressed by the general court ; but not solemnly declared. He or his ministers were jealous of the people in this colony, which they said " had become a real Republic." — They required full toleration for Episcopalians, and declared against the persecution of Quakers, unless when they disturbed the public peace and forcibly opposed the laws of the colony. The general court sent two agents to England to concihate the favor of the King ; one of them was a Clergyman. The translation of the new testament into the Indian language was completed by Rev. Mr. Eliot of Rox- bury. and printed this year at Cambridge. 1661. Charles II was acknowledged in Massa- chusetts, But the General Court at the same time made a manly report asserting the rights and liber- 64 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. ties of the people in the colony, and the kind and measure of authority due to the crown. Orders were received from England to forbear putting Quakers to death. 1661. — 1666. During all this period, Charles II., and his courtiers were very arbitrary in their inter- ference with Massachusetts government, and the measures adopted, or threatened. They supposed the people and rulers in that and other New England colonies aimed at sovereign power, and Avould soon be separate and independent of the crown, if not checked and restrained. They issued orders regulating religious affairs, requiring appeals from judgments of courts here to England : sending judges to hold courts of appeal, from courts in Mas- sachusetts, and even from acts of the General Court of the colony. These measures were not submitted to here — but opposed by the majority, both in and out of the General Court. The royal agents were prevented exercising their authority in the colony; the people refused to submit to their orders — and they returned in 1665 and 1666, after being here about two years. They interfered with land titles and with religious forms and discipline, but the people held fast to their ancient rights. 1662. The general court of Massachusetts ap- pointed two persons, as licensers of the presses : one of them the clergyman of Cambridge. Nothing was allowed to be published except previously examined and approved by them. This year some French Protestants were permitted to settle in the colony. — The oldest son of Massasoit, being dead, Philip, Sachem of the Pokanoket tribe of Indians, made a NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 65 treaty with the colony of Plymouth, or reviewed and confirmed that previously made by his father ; and sought the friendship of the English. He en- gaged to live in unity and peace, and promised to dispose of no part of the lands he claimed to any persons without consent of the government of Plymouth. And that government promised to aid the tribe against any who might assault or encroach on them. During this year, several ministers came to New England from Great Britain, in consequence of the act of uniformity in religion there passed. — ■ Two thousand were deprived of their places or par- ishes, by that intolerant act, at the very time the Rulers in Massachusetts were required to tolerate Episcopalians, Quakers and other sects, in the col- ony. Several of these ejected ministers died in prison in England. One of those who returned to New England was Nathaniel Brewster, grandson of Elder Brewster of Plymouth, and a graduate in the first class of Harvard College. 1662. The charter of Connecticut was granted, on the application of John Winthrop who was the first Governor of that Colony. New Haven was in- cluded. 1662. An ecclesiastical synod was held in Boston ; being the third held in the colony. It related to the subject of baptism. 1662. — 1663. Several earthquakes in New Eng- land. 1663. The Court at Plymouth proposes to have a School in every town in that colony. There were then twelve towns there. At this time there were 6 66 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 132 vessels owned in Massachusetts. The mihtia were estimated at 4500. 1668. A charter was this year granted hy the King for a distinct civil government or colony, by the name of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- tions, chiefly by the influence of Roger Williams. — An act of Parliament was passed at this time for the regulation of trade to the colonies; which was a complete monopoly, for the benefi^t of England. It was highly disapproved by Massachusetts ; they sub- mitted to it with reluctance ; and indeed often evaded it. For they disputed the authority of Parliament to make laws for them. An earthquake took place in January of this year, in North America ; it was most alarming in Canada, on several other days afterwards slight shocks were felt. 1663. Eliot's translation of the whole Bible into the Indian language — the dialect of Massachusetts tribes — was now printed at Cambridge. The new Testament was printed before. Rev. Mr. Cotton of Plymouth assisted Mr. EJiot in the translation. A second edition was published in 1685. The Society in England paid £900 for the expense of printing. 1663. Providence Plantations obtained a second charter. 1664. The boundary line between Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies was run and defined this year. An ordinance of the general assembly in Rhode Island of this year, allowed all men of comjjetent estate and civil conversation be admitted freemen. Roman catholics, some writers assert, were excepted ; but others deny it. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 67 There was this year an order of the general court of Massachusetts prohibiting a printing-press in any place but Cambridge; and licensers of the press were continued. 1664. Four Commissioners were appointed by the King to set as a Court of appeal from the regu- lar tribunals of justice in the colonies. The mea- sure was adopted on account of complaints made by discontented individuals against the decisions of the Courts, particularly against Massachusetts. They related to ecclesiastical affairs, and the titles of lands. 1664. — December. A great and dreadful comet seen in New England. 1665. This year one of the native Indians was graduated in Harvard College; but died soon after. Several others were some time in College, or in the school preparing for College but did not receive a degree. Hard study and confinement did not agree with them. A law was enacted in Massachusetts that every town should support a school ; and where there are 100 families, that a grammar school be kept. A similar law was enacted at an earlier time — 1647. The law was now repealed which required that none but church members be freemen. 1665. A long and warm dispute between the king's commissioners who came to New England in 1664, and the general court of Massachusetts, as to appeals and the extent of civil pov/er in the colony. The commissioners claimed authority to sustain and hear appeals ; but the general court denied their right to such power, though they were sent over by the crown for that purpose. The court declined 68 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. submitting to them, and advised the people not to acknowledge their jurisdiction. From this lime to the anuulling of the charter by King James in 1685, there were disputes with the government of England, as to its right to legislate for, or to interfere with the affairs of Massachusetts. 1665 — 1666. Political disputes and divisions in Maine. Three parties the most were in favor of Massachusetts government. 1666. An Indian church was formed at Sandwich, and Rev. Richard Bourne ordained the pastor. He continued the religious teacher there many years, and was the agent of much good to them. 1666, King Charles II. ordered several of the principal men in Massachusetts, to appear before him, and his council in London ; to answer to charges against the government, and to apologize for their conduct in not receiving and submitting to his commissioners sent out in 1664. — But they declined going — they said they could not bear the expense ; that they had contended only for their just rights and liberties. A large minority were in favor of their going; but the majority opposed the measure; as it would subject them to the mercy of the crown in all cases afterwards. 1667. Mendon and Brookfield settled. 1667. Several vollies of shot heard discharged in the air, near Nantasket. — -Probable falling stones, more frequent since. 1667. Most of the first generation who settled New England had now departed within a few years ; among them Rev. Mr. Wilson and Norton of Boston, Gov. Endicott, Rev. Mr. Stone of Hartford, Rev. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 69 Mr. Bulkley of Concord, Rogers of Rowley, Dunster, some time president of Harvard college, &c. &c. &c. The towns of Mendon, Brookfield and Westfield, were incorporated or settled about this period. 1671. The first congregational church was gath- ered at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire. There had been an Episcopal clergyman there before for a short time. The object of the first settlers on Piscataqua river was trade and fishing. The colony of Massachusetts was suspected of aiming at independence at this period ; or as not having a proper regard for the authority of the king and government of Great Britain. The board of commissioners of trade and the plantations wrote to the governors of the several American colonies, requiring an account of their state and government. They said the '"spirit of liberty in Massachusetts required attention and restraint. It was the most powerful colony, and seemed to be breaking away from all dependence on the nation." 1671. John Morton teaches the first school in Plymouth, then just opened, "to read, write, and cast accounts." First law for schools in Plymouth published, or passed, in 1671 and 1672. — Supported by profits of cod fishery. 1672. No musicians, by trade in New England. Dancing school set up, but soon put down by law — no cloth made here worth more .than four shilUn^s a yard — no linen over two shillings and sixpence. 1672. The laws of parhament for duties on all products of the colonies not carried to Great Britain were resisted, and in a great measure disregarded in Massachusetts. The intelligent patriots of this 70 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. colony seem early to have perceived the bearing of acts of trade and navigation, on their interests and rights. 1673. Population of New England 120,000— 13,000 famiUes — 16,000 able to bear arms— ships of 100 to 200 tons, twelve. 500 fishing boats; 190 vessels between 20 to 100 tons — 5 iron works, some merchants worth £5000 — no house with more than twenty rooms — few have as many as ten rooms. In Boston 1500 families. 1673. There were by common estimation one hundred twenty thousand souls in New England ; about eighty thousand in Massachusetts. Boston contained fifteen hundred families, and eight or nine thousand inhabitants. About a fifth part were able to bear arms. 1674. A printing-press was allowed by the general court to be in Boston ; Re v. Increase Mather and Rev. Thomas Thacher were appointed the licensers thereof. 1675. Three churches in Boston. Two market fairs daily. On the south side, is a pleasant com- mon, where the gallants, a little before sunset, walk with their madames, as we do in London, till the nine o'clock bell rings them to go home. Many houses are raised near the sea, or bay; and wharfed out with great industry and cost — some standing on piles, close together, as in London, and having fair, shops : they are built of brick. Also a town house built on pillars, where the merchants meet and con- fer together ; and in the chambers^ they keep the monthly courts of Boston. 1675. Philip's war bcgati. He had shown him- NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 71 self hostile for some time. And he excited all the Indians for a distance to combine and destroy the English, or drive them from the country. A great battle with them in December, when Philip and his allies were routed. But in 1676, in the spring, he again appeared in the field against the English — many were killed men, women and children in various places ; generally by surprise; and houses burnt and cattle destroyed. Philip was shot in August, and the war ended. 1675 — 1676.— Philip's war — defensive on part of Massachusetts and United Colonies. — Philip was the agressor and with the determination to exter- minate the English — stirred up a combination against them among all the Indian tribes in the country. — But he was subdued in the summer of 1676. — The English lost many lives and much property. 1675. The commissioners of the united colonies of New England made common cause with Plymouth for defence against the sachem Philip and other tribes, which he had excited to combine for the destruction of the English. In this and the following year great damage was done by the Indians and many lives lost. Deerfield was almost entirely broken up. In Scituate nineteen houses and barns were burnt ; in Bridgewater, seventeen ; and in Plymouth town an equal number. 1676. Philip slain and the war ended. The Indians committed depredations on the English at Groton, at this period, Haverhill, Dover in New Hampshire, and at various places in Maine. 1676 — 1791. Small pox raged in and near Bos- 72 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. ton the greater part of this period ; when about one sixth part of those who had the disease died. Some years after innoculation was introduced, and not more than one in 40 or 50 died by the disorder. 1677. A brick building erected in Cambridge for the College, by subscription.— R. Williams pub- lished a book against the Quakers. 1677. A long controversy about Maine; a large part claimed by Massachusetts, and the whole by Gorges and Mason, was now adjusted : commissioners appointed, the king having adjudged it to belong to the latter. But thereupon an heir of Gorges assigned it to Massachusetts for a certain sum ; and Massachu- setts afterwards exercised jurisdiction over it as far as Kennebec or Sagadahock. East of that river the French still claimed, but not without an interfering claim by the English. 1679. The first Baptist meeting house in Bos- ton was built this year. Acts of trade, adopted by parliament to reach to the colonies, were still openly evaded in Massachu- setts, with the knowledge of the general court They denied the right of the British government to impose any taxes or imposts on them, because they were not represented in parliament. And they de- clined to send agents to appear before the king, as he had ordered, because they were poor. A synod was held this year, by order of the general court, to consider the causes of public calamities and troubles, and the means of averting them. The synod recommended reformation of manners and greater attention to religion, on account of the degeneracy of the timeS; which they said New ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 73 should be considered as the cause of divine judgments on them. 1679. A synod held in Boston, and agreed on a confession of faith for congregational churches in New England, similar to former confessions and creeds. 1680. New Hampshire was made a royal prov- ince. At this time, New England contained 80 churches. ' This year the colony of Plymouth petitioned the king for a charter ; not a new one, as most writers say ; for that colony never had a royal charter; but only a patent. Again in 1683, they solicited for a charter; but none was granted. That colony was united with Massachusetts in the royal charter of William and Mary in 1691^ 1680. Trade of Connecticut for goods, chiefly to Boston. — Twenty-four small vessels then owned in that colony. 1680. This and the following year died Thomas Mayhew, the first English settler and proprietor of the Yineyard, at the age of eighty-eight ; several of his descendents also lived to a great age. Roger Conant who settled at Salem in 1625, three years before Endicott came there, died at this time, about ninety ; Simon Bradstreet, one of the first company which landed at Charlestown 1630, lived to be nine- ty-four; and John Alden of Plymouth died in 1686, at the age of eighty-eight. Ezekiel Cheever in 1786, aged ninety-four. 1680. Fifty years after Higginson came to Salem, above 60 churches in Massachusetts and Plymouth ; 7 74 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOaY. one in every town, when first settled, and the people but few. Ten or eleven churches in Con- necticut at this time. Soon after the settlement of a town was began, they had a minister. New Hampshire separated from Massachusetts and made a royal province. 1681. Edward Randolph complained against Massachusetts as usurping too great powers. He was the chief person in procuring the repeal of the charter, and introducing arbitrary power in the colony. — The Court granted to Rev. Mr. Hubbard of Ipswich £50 for his history of New England. 1682. Randolph again accused the General Court of Massachusetts of evading the impost duties laid by the king, and of disallowing appeals from judgments given in the colony to the king and privy council. Letters were received ordering the Gen- eral Court to send agents to England to answer to these complaints. The court said in reply, that no suits had been brought, except for mal-conduct in the officer of the customs ; that they would support the officers in the due exercise of their authority, but as to appeals, they would further consider whether they would allow them. Agents were again ordered to attend the royal pleasure in London ; with direc- tion to submit to the king's orders, even to an alter- ation and surrendefof their charter. Messrs. Dudley and Richards were sent, but with instructions not to consent to any diminution of charter rights and privileges. A public fast was kept at this time. When these instructions were known, a royal order was issued requiring further submission, or a men- ace to withdraw the charter — but the General Court NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 75 did not yield — and said it was better to die by the hand of others than by their own. The charter was annulled in 1685. Dudley, one of the agents^ was in favor of submitting to all the arbitrary orders of the king and parliament, and said the people of the colony could not expect the rights of Englishmen would follow them to the ends of the earth." The colony was treated either as loithin the realm or without the realm, as it suited the interest or views of the British government at that period and afterwards. The first notice or mention of a fire in Boston was in 1653. But the particulars are not given. In 1676 there was a large fire. Forty-five dwelling- houses, the north church, and several other build- ings were consumed. 1683 — 4. The Indians in Plymouth, Mass. had 28 places for public religious worship ; the quarter part in Plymouth ; there were then 14 or 1500 adults professing faith in the Christian religion. 1684. Josiah, an Indian Sachem near Boston, and grandson of Chickatabut, confirmed the lands in Dorchester and Milton to the English, reserving 6000 acres to the Indians of his tribe about Stough- ton. 1684. Massachusetts charter ordered to be an- nulled — withdrawn in 1685, or taken into the king's hands. — 1686, a President and Council set over the colony, with full power to govern ; the people having no power or liberty. 1685 — June. Massachusetts deprived of charter and continued for nearly three years, till April 1689, King James tyranized over the people. No General Court existed. No power to restrain him. 76 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 1685. Plymouth colony was this year divided into three counties. — The converted Indians were then quite numerous there: more than 2000; chief- ly on the vineyard and in Barnstable ; but some in Plymouth, Middleborough, Dartmouth, Tiverton. 1686. Joseph Dudley was appointed President of the New England colonies, Massachusetts, Plymouth, New Hampshire and Maine; with a council, but no House of Representatives. He was superceded by Sir E. Andros in six months : with like extensive powers, which he exercised w^ith much caprice and oppression. A military company of British soldiers was stationed at Boston, to en- force the orders of Andros, Randolph and other of- ficers appointed by the king. The Indians profess- ing the Christian religion and attending statedly to religious ordinances and worship, were as numerous now as at any period. Rev. Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, son of the famous Mr. Cotton of Boston, studied their language, and very often preached to four different tribes. Several of the Indians became useful teachers to their brethren. 1686. Several French protestants arrive and set- tle in Massachusetts. They were banished from France by an edict of Nantz. The last election held in the colony of Plymouth was this year. There were then twenty towns in that colony. The first Episcopal church in Boston, was now formed. A church formed in Brattle Square, differing some- what from the other Congregational churches. The members of the church had more power than those of the congregation. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 77 1686. The charter having been annulled, Sir E. Andros was appointed governor of Massachusetts, with full power to govern the people without a House of Representatives, with a council only to advise him, appointed also by the king. He was very arbitrary and oppressive ; and his conduct highly offensive to the people. But five of the councillors joined with Governor Andros in his measures ; the greater part refused to act with him. 1686. French Protestants settled at Oxford, Mass. 1687—8, An Episcopal church in Boston, and a French Protestant church, also about the same time. 1688. Forts manned at Pemaquid, New Castle, Sagadahock, Pejepscot, (Brunswick,) Falmouth, Casco Bay, Saco, Wells, Kennebunk, Merrimac river, two on Connecticut river, 1689 — April. Governor Andros seized and con- fined, and a revolution by the people. Former civil officers restored until election. 1689. Dover, and in 1690, Salmon Falls, a settle- ment on the Piscataqua, were attacked by Indians and French from Canada, and many of the inhabi- tants were slain. 1689. The people of Boston and vicinity arose against Andros, and confined him and a few others who had been his tools. This was after James had abdicated the throne, and William, Prince of Or- ange, had been invited to receive the crown of Eng- land : but before the revolution was known in Mas- sachusetts to have been effected. 1690. Sir W. Phips' expedition to Nova Scotia. 7 ^ 78 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. He was successful. He subdued the French, and took all their forts and possessions. It was under- taken, April 1690, and composed of a frigate, two sloopSj and four ketches. The property taken was deemed sufficient to pay the expenses of the expe- dition. This success led to an attack on Canada the same year, but it was unsuccessful. It was larger than the other ; and troops marched by land also, to co-operate with the naval armament. — But the expedition was badly managed, and the vessels met storms, and the troops returned late in the sea- son, after great sufferings. 1690. Whale fishery now began at Nantucket in boats from shore. Agents were sent to England to solicit a new charter, which was granted in 1691. 1692. General Court declared "that no tax, as- sessment, custom, loan or imposition whatever should be levied or laid, but by act of Governor, Council, and House of Representatives." Buildings in Boston were required to be of brick or stone. Stone fort built at Pemaquid, — one there before. 1000 Indians had the stated means of religion ~m Plymouth Colony. 1692. Several persons, chiefly woman were con= victed of witchcraft, and executed. They were chiefly of Salem and vicinity. 1692. New Charter, Plymouth and Massachu- setts united, and Maine added. 1692. Declaration of civil rights by Massachu- setts. 1692. Inhabitants of New England 200,000-— 1000 Indians had the stated means of religion in NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 79 Plymouth colony : the whole number there was 1450. 1692. The new charter for Massachusetts was received in May of this year; and Sir W. Phipswas appointed Governor. By this charter the governor was to be appointed by the king; in other respects, it was as favorable to the self-government and the rights of the people as the former granted at the first settlement of Massachusetts. Full enjoyment of re- ligious liberty was guaranteed ; while, by the first, it was only promised that the King would connive at the peculiar forms of the puritans. Boston sent only two Representatives this year, as the new charter provided that each town might send two. — The General Court by statute permitted Boston to choose four. It then had treble and quadruple and even more inhabitants than the other towns which sent two. This year an act was passed for the support of a learned ministry ; and also for ex- empting from taxes for support of the Congregational clergy, which were the majority. Episcopalians, Baptists and Quakers. 1694 — June. General Court declared the grant of charter rights, their authority under the charter to be same as those of Parliament in England. Upwards of 60 churches in Massachusetts. 1694. An act of Legislature required the Select- men to post up a list of all drunkards, and tavern keepers fined for selling them strong drink. 1694. In Plymouth there were now twenty ' churches, three of them vacant : sixty-four in Mas- sachusetts, and six of them destitute of a pastor; so NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. twenty-six in Connecticut, one of them vacant. All these ministers were men of learning; and the proofs of their piety are found in the self-sacrificing spirit they exhibited in the endurance of so great suffer- ings. 1694. Sir W. Phips, the first Governor under second charter, died in 1694 ; and Lieut. Governor William Stoughton acted as chief magistrate; he was a learned, prudent, and pious man. He was at the head of the government of Massachusetts five years. He was also first Justice of the Superior Court in the province, for a longer period. 1694. In 1694, soon after the charter was received, the House of Representatives made formal assertion and declaration of their civil rights, in which they claim the sole and exclusive right to lay and collect and appropriate all taxes, and to make laws for the government of the province. 1694. A law was passed in Massachusetts to dis- courage excessive drinking, and taverners were re- quired to keep a list of common tiplers, and to al- low them no liquors. 1696. The fort at Pemaquid, then in the hands of the English, was taken by the French and de- stroyed. At that time, the French claimed the country as far as Pemaquid.— The winter was the coldest known from the first settlement of Massa- chusetts, loaded sleds passed on the ice in the har- bour to Nantucket. This year there was intelli- gence in Massachusetts of a French fleet destined to make an attack on the province, which caused very great alarm ; but the projected expedition was not NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 81 prosecuted. The French commander of Acadia, at this time forbid the people from fishing on and near the coasts eastAvard of Kennebec. Those concerned in the fisheries were greatly annoyed and injured by the severity of the French. The territory from Pema- quid or Kennebec and St. Croix, was long in dispute between the English and French. 1697. It was restored to France by WiUiam III. 1699. Kidd, the noted pirate, was seized in Bos- ton, which he then boldly visited with his piratical vessel and crew, and was sent to England ; where he was convicted of piracy and executed. — The manufacture of woollen cloth ^vas now attended to in Massachusetts, and some carried to other prov- inces and places ; the exportation of it was prohibit- ted by parliament. So early w^ere manufactures discouraged in the colonies. Boston now contained 1000 houses, between 7000 and 8000 inhabitants. 1700. Boston instructs its representatives to make exertions for the abolition of Slavery. Two years later a duty was laid on negroes imported into the province. During the year 1701, a Quaker Society was formed at Nantucket. In 1710, they built a house of worship in Boston. 1700. General Court of Massachusetts ordered all Jesuits and popish priests to depart the province. New York made a similar law against them. 1700. Citizens of Boston instruct their Represen- tatives to endeavor the abolition of slavery. Many were then held in servitude in the province. 1701. Yale College was founded this year, at Saybrook — but in a few years after, 1717, W9.s es= 82 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. tablished at New Haven. The General Court of Massachusetts now encouraged the cuUivation and manufacture of hemp : and an effort was again made to put an end to negro slavery. 1702. Queen Anne declared war against France ; and thus hostilities between the people of New England and the Indians and French in Canada, commenced. 1703. The slave trade was always disallowed in Massachusetts and in other parts of New England. Fines imposed on those who were guiky of it. — Slavery also generally discouraged from the first settlement. But not wholly prohibited by law. In 1754, Slavery was the most extensive; upwards of 5000 in Massachusetts at that time. Negroes were bought and sold, as in Southern States at present. — And some of the native Indians who had proved treacherous enemies of the English, after professing friendship, were sold for slaves. 1704. The first newspaper published New Eng- land, at Boston. 1704. An attack was made by the French and Indians, on Deerfield, and many of the inhabitants were slain. At Lancaster, also, great damage was done and many people killed and taken prisoners. Colonel Benjamin Church, of Bristol County, offered his services against the eastern Indians, and the French settlements in Acadia. He had 500 men un- der his command, and fourteen vessels, and some whale boats ; ten of the ships carried thirty guns. — He destroyed several French settlements in Acadia, and that at Penobscot. NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 83 1704. Col. Benjamin Church made his fifth ex- pedition to the eastward. The people in Maine suf- fered much at that time from the Indians. 1706. Northern light first noticed by any in England, and first noticed and described in New- England. 1708. Great damage done at Haverhill by French and Indians from Canada. 1708. Several frontier towns in New England were attacked by the French and Indians from Can- ada : they destroyed many lives even at Haverhill. In pursuance of a plan to drive the French from North America, an expedition was prepared to go againsts Canada ; both by land and water. The Brit- ish fleet, which was to assist ; as the reduction of Canada was supposed in England would be a great profit to them ; did not join, and the expedition proved unfortunate. A large debt was incurred by Massachusetts, and paper money was then first is- sued to pay it. 1710. General Nicholson, with British and New England forces, again reduced L' Acadia, or Nova Scotia, to the British government, in time of Queen Anne, and gave it the name of Annapolis. 1711. Fire engines first used in Boston — but some say, there were two in the town before ; yet small and of little benefit. This year there was a great fire in Boston ; and to stop its spreading several buildings were blown up. There had been eight extensive fires before this. 1713. Yessels built at Cape Ann Point, rigged as schooners. Episcopalians in Boston petition for Bishops in Massachusetts. S4 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 1713. Treaty of Utrecht, by which Nova Scotia or Acadia was made over and ceded to Great Brit- ain, including Port Royal or Annapolis, and all other places belonging or claimed by France in those parts. But this did not include Cape Breton. A treaty with the eastern Indians soon followed. 1713. The boundary line between Massachusetts and Connecticut was now run and accepted by the General Assembly of each. 1715. A light-house was erected at the entrance of Boston harbour. 1715. Ginsing discovered in Canada by a Jesuit; 1717. Bellamy, a noted pirate, was wrecked on Cape Cod, and one hundred men drowned. Six of his crew, who survived that disaster, were con- demned at Boston, and executed. Five hundred vessels were now employed in trade, in and to Mas- sachusetts, and they amounted to 25,000 tons ; and 3500 men were imployed in navigation : the quarter part of these vessels were fishermen. 1718. Pirates suppressed or pardoned by King of England, and their depredations ceased in West Indies. £500 collected in Boston for the Christian instruc- tion of Indians. 1719. Londonderry, in New Hampshire, was this year settled by people from the north of Ireland, who were of Scotch descent ; about a hunderd fam- ilies. They cultivated the potato largely, and manu- factured linen more than the earlier inhabitants of New England. 1720. Rev. Cotton Mather favors the practice of NEW EN wards of 16 years, and 2600 negroes. Boston was this year, divided into 12 wards. The scarlet fever was very general and mortal this year in various parts of New England. 1735 — 6. Scarlet fever and sore throat prevail in Massachusetts Colony, also in 1747. 1737. Line between Mass. and N. H. settled. 1738. Treaty with the Eastern Indians. Line drawn between New Hampshire and Maine — and between New Hampshire and Massachusetts. 1740. Land Bank formed ; but proved an evil. 1740. Great embarrassments in finances of the colony. 1740. Several towns in Plymouth county set olf NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 89 to Rhode Island — Attleboro' Gore, Bristol, Warren, Barrington, Tiverton and Compton. 1741. 60 fishing vessels in Marblehead, of 50 tons and more. 1741. Whitejield visited America and New Eng- land, and was very popular — but made many to be dissatisfied with their minister. 1741. William Shirley appointed Governor of Massachusetts, in place of Governor Belcher re- called. Belcher had been a Boston merchant ; and was at first popular — but defending the royal prerog- ative and orders, when the General Court opposed, he became unpopular. Shirley was an English- man, but a practicing attorney in Boston. — A man of talents, generally popular — an able General. He was several years engaged in the war against the French, from 1748 to 1758 — and some time Commander-in- Chief of all the English and American troops in America. 1742. Ship building, trade, and fisheries prosper- ous. 1744. Faneuil Hall built by the bounty of Peter Faneuil. About 17,000 inhabitants in Boston. 1745. Ship Massachusetts built at Boston of 400 tons, designed to carry 30 guns. 1745. Louisbourg taken in June. — The expe- dition was conducted by General W. Pepperell, of Kittery. The fleet sailed from Boston, in March —3000 men, and upwards from Massachusetts — 500 from Connecticut — 300 from New Hampshire — ten vessels, the largest had twenty guns. The British Admiral, Warren, joined them by previous request, 8 ^ 90 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. at Cape Breton. — It was considered a desperate, or rash measure, by many. The General Court ap- proved it by only one majority. 1746. Fort Massachusetts, in the north part of Berkshire, taken by the French from Canada. 1747. Great Riot in Boston, caused by the im- pressment of some citizens by British Admiral Knowles. 1748. Rhode Island contained 34,000 inhab- itants. 1748. 500 vessels cleared from Boston for foreign voyages during this year, and 430 entered, besides fishing and coasting vessels. 1749. A female negro burnt to death, and a male negro hung in irons, at Cambridge, for poisoning their master. 1749. A society in Boston for promoting industry. Foreign artizans were encouraged to migrate to N. England. Great drought this year in N. England. The people suffered much, and sent to Pennsylvania, and even to England for hay. Theatrical exhibitions prohibited by a law of General Court. It was believed that they had a tendency to dissoluteness and extravagance. 1749. Putrid sore throat prevailed in Massachu- setts. Treaty made with Penobscot and other eastern Indians. Entered port of Boston 490 vessels ; 504 cleared. 1750. Paper money ceased as a currency : which had been in use fifty years. — Specie scarce ; and great financial embarrassments. NEW ENGLANI) CHRONoLOdl^ ^1. 1750. Iron mills, slitting mills forbid to be built, and all bar iron to be imported. Four then in Prov- idence, 2 in Middleboro, 1 in Hanover, and 1 in Milton. 1750. Numerous malt houses in Plymouth, to this time. 1752, New Style was adopted. The year now begun January first, instead of 25th of March. The 3d of September was reckoned the 14th, and other days afterwards accordingly. It was first adopted by Gregory XIII,- Pope of Rome ; and therefore called the Gregorian style. 1752. Small pox raged in Boston. About 5,500 persons had the disease without inoculation and 500 died. 2000 were inoculated, and 30 of them died. Whole population of the town about 17,000. Franklin invented the lightning rods this year. 1754. A printer in Boston imprisoned for an al- leged libel on the General Court. 1755. The New England troops, under Major- General John Winslow, took several places from the French in Nova Scotia or Acadia. 1754. Governor Shirley erected two forts on Ken- nebec river. 1754. About 4500 negro slaves in Massachu- setts, the greatest number ever known. 1754. Great sickness in Holliston, Massachu- setts : one eighth of the inhabitants died. Congress at Albany to treat with six Indian tribes : and to consult for a union of the British col- onies in North America. 1754. Forts Western built at Cushnoc, Augusta^ 92 NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. and Halifax at Sebastacook, now Winslow : both on the Kennebec. 1755 — 1763. Large numbers of men from New England engaged in war againsts the French, on the borders of Canada, and in Nova Scotia, and by their aid the French were conquered. Many died, and the expenses were great to the colonies. 1755. Fort Pownall built on Ponobscot river, and commanded by Col. Jedediah Preble some years. 1755. Fort Edward built on Lake George, by General Lyman. 1755. Gen. Braddock defeated on a branch of the Ohio, and Col. Washington distinguished him- self. 1755. 8000 men in military service in Canada and Nova Scotia, belonging to Massachusetts. 1755 — Nov. 18. A great earthquake in New England. Many chimnies fell, &c., it was called the great earthquake. 1756. Massachusetts instructs its agent in Eng- land to remonstrate against the impressment of sea- men, by British commanders of ships-of-war : which was sometimes done in Boston harbour. In Octo- ber, the first newspaper was published in New Hampshire, at Portsmouth. Forts Edward and William Henry were garrisoned by New England men, under command of Major-General John Wins- low. 1756. Massachusetts burthened by taxes, arising from military expeditions agamst Nova Scotia and Canada. 1756. Massachusetts oppressed by debt, arising NEW ENGLAND CHRONOLOGY. 93 from war against the French in Canada. But still more troops were raised to go against Canada. Parliament paid part of the expenses, Massa- chusetts could raise 40,000. 1756