REHOBOTII Il\ THE PAST NEWMAN'S ORATION. REHOBOTH IN THE PAST. AN HISTORICAL ORATION DELIVERED ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, ISOU, BY SYLVANUS CHACE NEWMAN, A. M., M MEMBER OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY; HONORARY JIEMBER OF THE DORCHESTER HISTORICAL AND AJJTIQUARIAN SOCIETY; AND GENEA- LOGICAL SECRETARY OF THE BLACKSTONE MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN SEEKONK, [tue Ancient Rehoboth,] AT THE CELEBRATION OF THE DAY, COMPLETING TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN YEARS OF ITS HISTORY. "Behold the pattern of the altar of the L rd, which oxtr fathers made." "^ Josh, xxii., 28. PAWTUCKET: PRINTED BY ROBERT SHER5LVN, MAIN STREET. 1860. JF Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by Sylvanus Ciiace Newman, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for Bhode Island. [correspondence.] Seekonk, July G, ISfiO. Dear Sir, — At a meeting of the Committee of Arrangements for the celcbrR- tion at Seekonk on the Ith inst., holden this day, the enclosed resolve -was unanimously adopted, and it affords me pleasure to be the instrument of communicating the same to you. Permit me also to express the sense of gratitude ^vhich the Committee, in common with their fellow citizens, feel for the most acceptable service per- formed by you on that occasion, and also i^ersonally to solicit a compliance with the very general wishes of our inhabitants. With prolound respect, your obd't servant, JOSEPH BROWN. To S. C. Newman, Esq. [copy.] " Ttpsoived, That the thanks of the Committee of Arrangements be pre- sented to S. C. Newman, A. M., of Pawtucket, for the interesting and val- uable Historical Oration delivered by him at the Congregational Church, at Seekonk, on the 4th inst. ]'ottfl, That the Chairman, Joseph Bro\vn, Esq., be a Committee to com- municate the foregoing resolution, and request a copy for the press." JOSEPH BROWN, C/iairman. Attest : Wm. Ellis, Secretary. Pawtucket, R. I., July 10, 18G0. Dear Sir, — Your kind note of the 6th inst., enclosing a copy of the resolution of the Committee for the late Festal Gathering in Seekonk, requesting a copy of my Oration delivered on that occasion, has been received. I am under obligations to the Committee for their favorable estimate of my discourse, and, relying upon their judgment, cheerfully comply with their request. Be pleased to accept my acknowledgments for the kind terms in which you have conveyed the request of the Committee, and be assured that I am, dear sir. Respectfully your obt. sorvt., S. C. NEWMAN. To Joseph Brown, Esq., \ Chairman of Committee, &c., ;- Seekonk, Mass. ) DEDICATION. To THE Inhabitants of my Native Town, having been HONORED WITH AN INVITATION FROM THEIR COMMITTEE TO DELIVER IT, THIS OrATION, WITH WARM GRATITUDE FOR THE sympathizing attention with which it was received, is Respectfully and affectionately Dedicated, By their Friend, S. C. NEWMAN. INTRODUCTORY NOTE. The following Oration is here printed from the manuscript as origi- nally prepared and delivered. In a field so broad, and covering so large a portion of time, it was found difiicult to condense into the limits of a popular discourse much that might be interesting to the future, in a historic point of view. Indeed, many of the facts were obliged to be so briefly alluded to as to render them hardly intelligible to the general reader ; but an attempt has been made to, in some measure, remedy this, and also to correct some long standing historic mistakes, by a series of appendant notes, referred to in the text l)y reference letters. Much time and labor has been bestowed in examining the sources from which early wi'iters drew their reported facts, and in research for other material relative to those times referred to in this discourse. And it is believed that from the care thus bestowed upon the minutice, the general aspect of this brief picture of Rehoboth in the Past will be found as substantially correct as so brief a limit could well admit of. The author would here tender his thanks to all who may have in any way contributed to the general success of that interesting Festal Gath- ering, in favor of wliich, the Public, as reflected from the Pulpit and the Press, has already pronounced its verdict. O R A T I O X. Fellow Citizens : The partiality of the projectors of this pious gathering has placed me in a rather delicate position, on account of my relationship to the founder of this ancient town and church ; but I shall endeavor to forego all such considerations, and seek to present ungarnished truth, let its inspiring mantle fall as it ma}^ On the centennial milestones that mark the great highway of civilization, even back to the days of an- cient learning and artistic splendor, may be seen the graphic inscription, " We are living in an extraordi- nary age." This has been the spontaneous exclama- tion of observing men in every past age ; and it has been relatively true. Nor has it lost any of its truth in this, our age ; but rather returns upon us in ten- fold force. We, too, are living in a truly wonderful age. Nature has commenced revealino; her sublimer mysteries. Science has commenced in earnest to open her inner temple, and is rapidly upsetting the mis- takes of the past, and is scattering the seeds of utility broadcast over the age in which we live. Time is an insatiable depredator, and by silently appearing to 2 10 take nothing, is too often permitted to take all. But, in this age, if we go to the site of Bab3-lon or Nine- veh, and see nothing externally but a heap of dust — if in gazing externally at the prostrate columns and shattered capitals of Palmyra, Baalbec and Thebes, we read nothing but ruin — if, in fancy, we take our stand in the dim, hushed temple of Karnak, and by the red sirlare of torchlioht can read nothiu"; but the dialect of eternal decay, — 3et by skillfully applying the smooth and polished keys of present Science to the labyrinth- ian locks of Nature and ancient art, the accuracy of the present state of the comparative anatomy of things will cause a few apparently useless fragments to reveal all the fair proportions of the ancient structure, and reproduce it in all its dimensions. If Time has dealt harshly with the sculptured marble, it is now within the reach of reproduction ; and what is still more won- derful in this age, if the shade of Time has stealthily drawn his decomposing brush over the speaking can- vas, roljbing the pictured form of its grace, and tar- nished the cheek of beauty, it is an achievement of this age that the fair and manly forms that once sat by the easels of Titian, Rubens or Raphael, though defaced by time, or earlier incompetent restorers, can now, by scientific art, be restored to all the exact original grace and tints once imparted by the pencils of those great masters. But among the many other prominent features of this age, is that of its spirit and energy in antiquarian research, and in drawing forth from the musty archives of the past, detached and faded facts, and, through the comparative anatomy of Truth, restore something of the originals, and place them in 11 more durable condition, for the benefit of present and coniincj" o-enerations of men. In attempting to present on this occasion something of the original settlers of this venerable town, I shall not summon them from yonder cemetery, in their skeletons of bones, and ofier them to your mental view merely in shrouds and coflins, but slitdl endeavor to reclothe them with flesh and sinew, and to drape them in the habiliments of their once mortal exist- ence, and, in some measure, present them as the3^ trod this consecrated platform of religious and social life two hundred years ago. And, first, I will endeavor to present a glance at the life of the founder of this town and its first pastor. Dr. Cotton Mather, the learned author of the Magna- lia, is one of the principal colonial historians who has given us information on this matter ; but he has fallen into some mistakes, thereby misleading later annal- ists, which I have corrected from earlier and authen- tic sources. Kev. Samuel Newman was the son of Richard New- man, who was a glover, or dealer in gloves and other leathern articles of apparel, and who lived in respecta- ble standing at Banbury, Oxford county, fifteen miles from Oxford University, in England. The records of the church at Banbury show that this child was bap- tized, or christened. May 24, 1602, and as the rules of the church required this ceremony within two weeks •from birth, when circumstances would permit, he was probably born about the 10th or 12th of Ma}^, 1G02. The annals of the times present us with but little minutiae in his earlier life, so that we can only form 12 our estimate of the l)oy by surrounding circumstances and the subsequent man. Tlie family had long been noted in the reahn of England for their uniform adhe- sion to the Protestant religion, and also for their piety and o;eneral moral rectitude. Under these inlluences the boy exhibited studious habits and also contempla- tive propensities. His parents bestowed upon him a good early education, and then placed him at the Uni- versity of Oxford. He first entered St. Edmund's Hall for study at the age of fourteen, that department be- ing a cheaper mode of living, but was afterwards reg- istered as a member of Trinity College, Oxford, where he graduated with its honors October 17, 1620, at the age of eighteen, (a) With all his early proclivities thus nourished and cultivated, and his studious intimacy Avith Rev. Dr. Featly, an eminent theologic Professor and also his intimacy with Rev. William Gouge, (who, for nine years, was never once absent from morning and evening praj^ers, and who read fifteen chapters of the Bible every day during that nine years,) with men like these for his chosen associates, though far superior in years, it is not much of a wonder that a writer of that age remarked that " he early became a very able minister of the New Testament." (/») Dr. Mather, with his accustomed carelessness in minutiae, states that the religious persecutions of the times caused him seven removes from churches in England, and finally his eighth remove to America, The last is true, but all else is a seven-fold mistake, having no* better foundation than his hallucinations of withcraft. This 3"oung and talented ornament to the cluistian world temporarily supplied several different pul})its 13 during the iibseiicc of their pa.sturs, and was really settled nowhere till in 1G25, then aged twenty-three, Mdien he was installed pastor of Midhope Chapel, in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and on that occasion his congregation presented their young and brilliant preacher with this ministerial cane, now two hundred and thirty-five years old, and a hale old rosewood stalf yet. [Cane exhibited.] He remained at that church ten years, or until 1G35. In that year the degrading- religious persecutions of Archbishop Laud, who was afterwards suddenly made a head shorter, reached the climax of bitterness for non-conformity to those wliiui- sical outward ceremonials which, to the really intelli- gent and christian people, so much resembled the old Roman hierarchy; and it was in that year, lGo5, and not in 1636 nor 1638, as related by some of our early annalists, that this man, with his young family and a sister Elizabeth, came to America. In that year there was a large emigration, and among them a company who, in the records of Dorchester, are called the, second emigration. Among them was Rev. Richard Mather, the progenitor of that race in America, and our Samuel Newman, as passengers together. In that year, owng to a large emigration froin Dorchester to Connecticut, including their pastor. Rev. Mr. Warham, this new company took the place of those leaving, and purchased their lands and improvements. Mr. Mather and the new comers reorganized the church and drew up a new covenant, which afterwards served as the basis of nearly all New England, and in this organization Mr. Newman participated. He resided at Dorchester four years, instead of one or two, as has often l>oen stated ; and the records of Dorcllester say tliat he was a useful citizen among them in organizing their civil and rehgious condition, and a useful man in a variety of ways. It does not appear that he was in the ministry while at Dorchester, any more than as a member of the chiu'ch, and perhaps an occasional preacher, but was engaged in writing his Concordance to tlie Bible, and waiting for a suitable field of labor when called for. He was a freeman of the Massachu- setts Colony and a housekeeper while at Dorchester; and in his will, twenty-five years later, mentions his old house-servant at Dorchester, and makes her a bequest. In 1639 the church at Weymouth had got itself into three contending factious under three teachers, who were there at the same time, viz : Mr. Hull, Mr. Jen- ner and Mr. Lenthal. In this state of things the peo- ple of Weymouth invited Mr. Newman to become their sole pastor in 1G39. He consulted his friends and his duty, and concluded to gratify their wishes. He im- inediatelj'^ sold his lands to Mr. Mather, as appears by deeds, and took charge of the church at Weymouth, and in him all the people of Weymouth cordially uni- ted ; and thus permanently commenced his ministerial labors in America. In Weymouth he gave ample sat- isfaction to all his people, and besides his duties as a citizen and pastor, he was diligent in carrying forward his great work, the first /«// Concordance to the Bible ever attempted. He remained there till the spring of 1644. His people, joined by others of Hingham, con- cluding that a settlement at this place would afford them Ijetter lands and a pleasanter location, united in 1-J pnvcliasiiig of Massasoit a torritoiy ton iiillos squnro ; and pastor, church and people, leaving a small minor- ity remaining, migrated to this spot and settled as a new community; and regarding their pastor as their Joshua, they constituted him, by common consent, thc^ founder and namer of this new town. The original Indian name of this place, Seekonk, was a imion of two Indian words, sccJd, black, and onk, goose, or large Jjird ; — thus it meant hlacJc (joose, or what we call wild a:oose ; and the Indians thus named it from the unreal numbers of that bird Avliich in that age congregated in the neighboring Cove, on the west side of this place. Thus originated this town, to which the pastor gave the scriptural name of Rehoboth, remarking that " the Lord hath opened a way for us." He probably had in mind the twenty-sixth chapter of Genesis, verse 22d, which reads thus : " And he called the name of it Rehoboth ; and he said, for now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." This Hebrew term signified a broad way or street, a broad place, a plateau, and certainly the topography of this place will justify its adoption as a proper name. Having thus traced this pious man from the })lace of his birth to this his last abiding place, I will en- deavor to group together the outlines of his history, and that of his chosen people, down to the period of his death. On commencing life anew, each rendered in the amount of his property, for purposes of taxa- tion ; and Mr. Newman's amount was £530. [c) The first houses were log, thatclied buildings, with large stone chimneys ; and they built the town in a semi- circle, called '' the ring of the town," open on the west. k; Avitb the cluiroli in tlio contro, and within a fow feet of thii^ ])resent building; and the general outlines of the town are now plainly visible. At this period they were not considered as beloncring to or connected with either the Massachusetts Colony or the Plymouth Col- ony, but were, in reality, an independent plantation. And in this condition, while they could consult their general wants .at the public and frequent town meet- ings, yet they felt the need of something of a court or tribunal, to whom they should submit ; and to meet tins, the pastor drew up an instrument which yet remains in the archives of the town, and which still bears the autograph signatures of the thirty heads of families as then existing. It provided that once a year the whole town should have a voice in choosing uine discreet men from among themselves, and that the decision of a majority of the nine should be final in ;dl matters of dispute or disagreement. It was a very simple arrangement, but as it possessed equity powers, and was selected by the people themselves, and called " townsmen," it answered all its purposes, and has existed, with various alterations of its powers, down to your present " selectmen." This compact was signed July 3, 1643. (d) The town was afterwards annexed to the Plymouth Colon}^, and so remained till the union of the two colonies in 1691. The church instructed the town, and the town provided for the church ; and for more than a century following seemed to provide for the church as a part of itself The first public meetings were held under the shade of trees in suitable weather, and in private houses when the season re({uired it, l)oth religious and secu- 17 lar. The first we hear of a meetlng-houw was in October, 1646, when a tax was made to build one. The meeting-house was partially made and rendered habitable in 1647, and it stood where now is the wall of the cemetery, and its south side was where the tomb now is. In 1648 there was a tax ^oy Jinishiur/ the meet- ing-house. In 1659 they enlarged the meeting-house by putting on wluit the vote calls a " new end," and contracted that it be shino'led as well as Goodman Payne's house ; and from this period the house lasted, with some repairs, fifty-nine years, or until 1718, when they built the second house, fronting with the old one, but thirty feet east of it. That second house I have seen ; it had two sets of galleries, one above the other, and it disappeared in 1814, four years after this pres- ent house was erected, in 1810, having lasted, with various repairs, ninety-six years ; and at last became a residence for sheep and bats, and finally its lum])er was used in erecting the present town-house or hall. But from this meetino^-house dio;ression let us return to their first years. In the absence of bells, they beat the drum to give notice of the time for puljlic worship ; and seating the meeting according to seniority and other orders of respectability was the delicate task of a yearlj^ committee appointed by the town. In some parts of New England it was the custom to preach by the hour, as measured by the hour-glass, and the preacher must preach till the sand had run out, wheth- er his ideas had all run out or not; [e) but such wns not the case with this people, — they had an able min- ister, who measured his discourse by its importance and his ability in condensing it. Everything Avore a 3 18 relip:ioTis nspoot ; l)nt tlioy took no ])aii in tlioi^o snpor- stitious follies involved in the early lawsof Conncctient nor the persecutions at the headquarters of the Bay Colony at Boston. The first settlers of this place •were very generally men of good abilities, and of con- siderable more than ordinary education for those times. But they were an isolated plantation ; and it provokes a smile to read on their town records of 1649 the ap- pointment of a committee of two of their ablest men, John Brown and Stephen Payne, with power to em- ploy a surveyor; and for what? why to accomplish the difficult task of finding the way to Dedham ! a journey now traveled in about forty minutes. This vote alone is a whole chapter in the history of the dilference between their times and ours. They were on good terms with their Indian friends, and having purchased and paid for their lands, the Indians fully acknowledged their peaceable possession down to the time of Philip's war. (/) There was a very faithful Indian, whose original name ought to have been jDre- served, but whom the settlers called Sam, whether after their pastor or otherwise I know not, but he was the general shepherd for the town in watching their flocks and herds at the great " Ox Pasture," and driving; the cows home at nif)rht and distributino; them about in their appropriate yards ; and such was the esteem in which he was held, that on the books of the town there is a vote admitting him to all the privi- leges of citizenship. This is the first instance, and I think the only instance, in all our colonial history, where a native born American has been naturalized on his own soil by a community of foreigners; but 19 the name of" U}wk Sam" yet remains a very popular cognomen for our common country. Their town meetings were held in their meeting- house, and for many years "Father Bowen," as the records call Mr. Richard Bowen, was a sort of stereo- typed moderator; and he also served as clerk. And here a word on the term il/r. It was very rarely applied, and only to clergymen and citizens of much more than ordinary distinction, and more rarely than we now use the title of Honorable. The common title, as we now use Mister, was Goodman, and for 3frs. they used the term Goodwife or Goody; — thus Goodman and Goody Paine instead of Mr. and Mrs. Paine. I mention this little fact because it will throw light on old books when being read by young persons ; and this was not a peculiar trait in this people, but com- mon to that age in all the colonies. Their log houses, with clay-thatched roofs, resembled a thing two stories in front and no story in the rear, the back eaves reach- ing nearly to the ground and tow^ards the north to ward off storms, and the front flicing the south to enjoy the sun. The fire-place and oven of stone, and chimney- flue of board lined with clay, were of large dimensions, so that there were little sittino;-rooms on each side of the huge fire, with oak benches for sofas, from which they could look out of the chimney and see the same stars, planets and moon which had shone on them in their native Europe, with inspiring visions of the homes of their forefathers. Fire-wood was plentiful, and their food, clothing, furniture and general habits were so plain and substantial that they knew not the want of valerian root, homoeopathic globules, or artificial bloom 20 for their checks. In these independent castles tliere Avere rehgioiis purity, much innocent meminent and general neighborhood sociality; and barley beer, made by the goody or mother of the family, was the common beverage when they exceeded water. In this plain, unsophisticated manner, with pitch-pine knots whit- tled into candles, they spent their winter evenings in teaching children to read, write and cipher, and in cheerful social parties, frequently attended by their smiling pastor, who, with all his puritan gravity, w^as often caught at play with the assembled children of the wdiole neighborhood as if they had been his own. (//) The young men were ambitious m the art of tilling the soil, and of being found at church on the Sabbath ; and the girls, though constant at church, w^ere hardly considered marriageable till, in addition to their daily practice in the art of housekeeping, they could show a pillow-case full of stockings of their own knitting, and woollen, linen and tow dresses enough, spun wdtli their own hands, to last them till their first born daugh- ter w^ould be old enough to begin to pull flax. Every- body learned a trade, and that trade was, the art or mystery of being diligent in some real utility. How different wxre those girls from ours ! I am not here to say which are the best ; but if the Great Author of the celebrated sermon on the Mount w^ere here, he might see fit to repeat his own words in reference to many of the young ladies of this age : " They toil not, neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Their mode of travel was generally on foot. There were but few horses for horseback, and no carriages other than the 21 ox carts for farming; and wlicn new comers began lo settle at a distance from the ''ring of the town," they often took their families to meeting with ox teams. But with all this simplicity of social condition, they were a pious, intelligent, law-abiding and hospitable people, exhibiting much of genuine goodness, and left an example that entitles the soil that here they once trod to be regarded as consecrated ground, — conse- crated to religion, to sound morality and to good citi- zenship ; and, as such, their memory is entitled to our gratitude and respect. Such was the general aspect of this community down to 1GG3, the period of the death of their ^^astor, and such were the people with whom he held daih' inter- course, and to whom he weekly, and often semi-weekly, imparted his ministrations. I will now attempt a brief summary of his life and character ; and in doing this shall offer no high-wrought eulogy, but simply present him in the position to which he is fairly entitled, and the position which I think he is destined to occuj^y in coming ages. His Concordance. There had been partial Concord- ances, or rather indexes to certain parts of the Bible, attempted by Cardinal Charo, in the thirteenth cen- tur}-, and by several others in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, but the first fuil Concordance in English, that on which Cruden's and all later ones are based, was writ- ten or compiled by Samuel Newman. The first edition was printed at London in 1643, the last year of his ministry at Weymouth. The second edition was pre- pared in this town and printed at London in lG-50, and 22 the third and last edition, still more complete, was prepared liere and printed at London in 1G58, two hundred and two years ago this year; and here is the identical copy he reserved for hi.s own use. It has been pronounced by Biljlical scholars a nionument of learning, genius, industry and skill. To the christian world, as its sacred literature then was, the adniirable arrangement and perfect execution of this task was a glittering casket of diamonds, cut from the Scriptures, and set, for convenience, in pictures of gold. Highly and justly as this perfect guide to every significant word in the whole Bible, Apocrypha and all, was prized in Europe and America, this infant town, though then a wilderness, could claim the honor of its production. But, "Each pleasure hath its poison, too, And every sweet a snare." His publishers at London failed and defrauded him of all pecuniary re^vard for his labors; and about the time of his death, another edition being called for by the sales it met with, it was re-published at Cambridge University, England, under the high-sounding title of the " Cambridge Concordance," faintly crediting its authorship to the initial letters " S. N.," in small type, without stating whether of Old or New England, or the moon. Perhaps it would be difficult to find in the whole history of authorship an instance of more flagrant wrong committed upon a toiling scholar, aljout leaving the Avorld, and unable to speak for himself by a distance of three thousand miles. But it was said by the Psalmist of old, " The righteous shall be in ever- lasting remembrance," a reward of far more value than 23 booksellers' remittanees; and T am proud of an op- portunity, though at the distance of two centuries, to vindicate his memory on this the original site of his achievements, though I could wish that the task had fiiUen to abler hands. Thus much of this sacred monu- ment of his literary labors. His ixtellectu.\l and religious character, and itis DEATH. It is to be regretted that thirteen years after his decease, his library and papers, bequeathed in his will to his son Noah, and successor in the ministry, fared hard at the burnino; of the " rins: of the town " on the 28th of March, 1676, by the Indians in Philip's war. Only a fragment of his diary escaped that con- flagration, but it is an important one. It was the private platform of his life, and the one on which cotemporary writers say he implicitly stood during his whole residence in America. This brief but im- portant document is as follow^s : " Notes or marls of gi-ace I find in myself; not wherein I desire to glory, but to take ground of assurance, and after our apostle's rules, to make my election sure, though I find them but in weak measure : 1. I love God, and desire to love God, principally ybr himself. 2. I desire to requite evil with good. 3. A looking up to God, to see him and his hand in all things that befall me. 4. A greater fear of displeasing God, than all the world. 5. A love of such christians as I never saw, or received good from. 6. A ^rri'e/" when I see God^s commands broken l»y any person. 7. A mourning for not finding the assurance of God's love, and the sense of his favour, in that comfortable manner, at one time as at another ; and not being able to serve God as I should. 8. A willingness to give God the glory of any ability to do good. 9. A joy when I am in christian company, in Godly conference. 24 10. A 'iriff. wlicn T poroeivo it (/ors ill irith christians, and tlie contrary. 11. A constant performance of secret duties, between Goil and my- self, iiKirnino; and evening. 12. A bewailing of such sins which none in the world can accuse me of. 13. A choosing oi suffering to avoid sin." As liis implicit practice of, and {idlicrence to, these thirteen goklen rules, oflsprings of their great proto- type in the New Testament, is corroborated by ample cotemporary testimony, no other evidence need be adduced to exhibit his as a well balanced, pure and lofty christian character. The more they are scru- tinized from a christian stand-point, the purer and brighter they will shine. And, to a suggestive mind, this number of thirteen might appear as rather ominous, for they woidd have strengthened the moral force of that immortal document we have heard read to-day as the platform of the thirteen new-born States, crea- ting a vast Republic, w^hich can permanently endure only on a basis of political righteousness. There are two events in his life which we could wish had never occurred, because they were misrepre- sented in the history of those times ; but neither of them did his character any permanent harm, as they received their false coloring from the careless use of words by earlier and partizan historians. I would not shroud his faults in the mantle of his virtues, ample as that would be to cover them, for that would not be honest. That he participated in the limited vision that belongs to our mortal existence there can be no doubt. The sun itself has spots, and imperfection is clearly 25 admitted in the twelfth item of his personal platlbrm. The two events are these : Eight persons, with Oba- diah Holmes as their leader, adopting the Baptist sen- timents, voluntarily withdrew from this church and held meetings of their own. The censure imputed to the pastor by the polemical wTiters of those times consisted in what they tortured into harshness in excommunicating these persons from his church, when all he did in the matter was to formally discontinue their names as members of his church, after they had voluntarily withdrawn. The word excommunicate was not the right term ; it implied an unkindness that he never manifested. It is true that Obadiah Holmes was unmercifully and wrongfully whipped for his re- ligious opinions, but it was done for the exercise of those opinions in another place, and by the rigid, per- secuting authorities at Boston, and in a colony that had no control over Rehoboth. In relis^ious tolera- tion, the governments of the Massachusetts and Ply- mouth Colonies w^ere two very different bodies, and so were the people that sustained them ; and this was one of the freest towns in this colony. But toleration, in those days, was as far as any of them could see, and to be tolerant was to be mao-nanimous. But tol- eration implies the reserved right to withhold that which is tolerated. The great idea that perfect relig- ious freedom, in all matters of conscience, was an in- herent, inalienaljle right in man, was reserved for an outcast of the Massachusetts Colony, and not the Ply- mouth. The sublime truth of "soul liberty" Avas a celestial spark that ignited the heart of Roger Wil- liams alone, but was destined by Omniscience to shed 4 26 its raditmce over our entire world. The iiitoleruiit severity -wrongfully attributed to Relioboth, had no real existence. And I think that if our aged friend, Avho, thank God, still lives, and is Avith us here to-day, the venerable and learned historian of the great and respectable Baptist denomination in this and other countries, [Rev. Dr. Benedict,] had written his lumi- nous history under the developments of the present day, instead of a half century ago, I think that he, "vvith all his acknowledged ability and fairness of pur- pose, would have more amply shielded the memory of this generous and high-minded christian scholar. The other regretted event is brief. Several citi- zens, Avhose zeal probably swerved their judgment, reported to the pastor that Mr. Holmes had made a false statement on some matter at court ; and, in a public discourse on the importance of moral recti- tude, the pastor alluded to this report, not then suffi- ciently doubting its truth. Mr. Holmes brought an action for damages of £100. The pastor appeared at court, fully admitted the allusion he had made, and presented the testimony of those who thus informed him, they further testifying that they were mistaken and not Avillful in the charge. The court, seeing no evidence of intentional wrong on the part of the ac- cused or his informers, dismissed the idea of any dam- age, and ordered that the pastor should pay only the few shillings of cost. The complainant, Mr. Holmes, expressed himself perfectly satisfied that the pastor had intended him no wrongful injury, and preferred to pa}'^ the cost himself; and, in his next puljlic dis- course, the pastor took occasion to set the Avhole mat- 27 ter right. This case still stands thus on the Pljmionth records; vet there have not been ■wantinsj: relio;i()Us partizans who have stated that the pastor of this churcli was prosecuted for defamation, damages £100, without giving its honorable termination. And this complain- ant was the same Obadiah Holmes who had been for- merly dismissed from this church at his own request, but not '■'■ excommunicated ;' and his manly feelings ex- hibited in this case show how little he supposed the meek pastor of this ancient church had to do with his being whipped at Boston for his religious opinions by those ministerial tisrers who were so " voracious to do good." Hospitality and generosity were marked features in his character. "We read in Goldsmith of a parson " Passing rich with forty pounds a year." Our pastor had fifty pounds a year, but as he was the largest tax-payer in the town, excepting two, his peo- ple gave themselves but little trouble about paying him, deeming their wants for improvements to be greater than his, and with which he found but little fault. He loved his church as if it had been his fam- ily, and taught his family as if it had been his church ; and his church was pretty nearly the town. Once, on a journey from Boston to Rehoboth on horseback, [after that committee, with their civil engineer, had found the way to Dedham,] our pastor accidentally heard of a set lecture to be delivered by Rev. Richard Mather, at Dorchester, for the particular benefit of certain noted irreligious men. He resolved to hear it, and, turning his horse, rode to Dorchester, arriving 28 there just as Mr. Mather was openinfj: his meetini]^ with j)raycr. Mr. Mather pressed him into his own place as preacher for the occasion, thus unexpectedly. Our pastor delivered one of his ofl-hand " chridiim philij)pics^' and the result was that, in after days, several eminent christian citizens of Dorchester dated their conversion from that meeting. A^ery few of his discourses were ever committed to writing. He is described by his almost forgotten co- temporaries as a lively, energetic and highly eloquent extemporaneous speaker, whose perspicuous sermons, like the orations of Homer's Nestor, " Whose lip dropped language sweet," and which fell like the dews of Hermon on his cap- tive congregations ; and if stenography or phonogra- phy had been as common then as now, this old town might have furnished one of the richest caskets of jewels in our country's theologic literature. In a sort of three-fold eulogy jDronounced by an eminent clergyman of those times, the year 1G63 is termed a memorable year, inasmuch as in that year Norton of the Massachusetts Colony, Stone of the Connecticut Colony, and Newman of the Plymouth Colony, — the three divines from whom their respec- tive colonies wxre then drawing their largest share of christian light and influence, — all three expired within a few days of each other ; a fact to which President Stiles of Yale College, a century later, adds his cor- roborative testimony. This remark alone, among the distinguished men of that age, implied no small dis- tinction. 29 But altlioiigli lie 1ms lived in the lloatin*!; paragraphs of biographical dictionaries, and in the detached and fading scraps of a too much neglected department of by-gone literature, and in his Concordant folio of Bibli- cal jewels of utility and energy, yet his grave, in yon- der cemetery, remains unmarked by a fragment that tells his name ; and his memory is almost in the con- dition of another of more distant times, of whom it was said : " He was an ornament to the age in which lie lived, but, in the multiplied troubles of the age, he had no historian, and was forgot." I have but little faith in wdiat is now passing over this age under the name of " Spiritualism," but I know of nothing in revelation, or in the laws of Nature as thus far developed in the fields of phj^sical or intellec- tual philosophy, that positively precludes the idea that the disembodied existences of just men made perfect take cognizance and interest in the more refined por- tions of the mode of existence in which they once had so great an interest. In the absence of all positive 23roof, analogy would seem to favor the position that they do. The apostrophy in rhetoric is based on this probability. If, then, your departed pastor of this ancient church, with his beloved Deacons Cooper and Carpenter, and Goodman Paine, and Wheaton, and Bowen, and Read, and all that pious band of warm- hearted christians who, two centuries ago, trod in cheerful meekness this consecrated soil, — if they are now witnessing with interest this pious gathering of their descendants to commemorate them, let us listen a moment, with the ear of imagination, and catch some faint resemblance of their thoughts to us, as 30 they fire l)rontliod on seraphs' wing-s nnd wnftod from their celestial portals, " Descendants and successors, now gathered on the spot of our once mortal existence ! With a vision incomprehensible to you, we turn a moment from our higher employments, and with sympathetic in- terest in your present existence, we greet you in the dialect of earth. When we once breathed the life that you now breathe, we, hke you, were mortal and imperfect, and stood upon a projjationary foundation. We only acted in earnest the best we then knew, and in the lidit of that Revelation which was then our guide, and should now be yours. In our weakness we were sustained through our faith in promised grace, and clothed in the mantle of the great atone- ment. Thus equipped in the armor of Christ, who is now our associate, w^e were admitted to these realms where just men are made perfect, and wdiere they reap the legitimate awards that flow, as a natural result, from their innate purity, thus made perfect throuo-h Divine influence. In the liirht of these, our mortal trials and immortal triumphs, we say to you, live on in the full discharge of your duty ; — to the best of your ability fulfil every Divine command, and cling to the atonement, in all its essential conditions, as your ark of safety. Thus answer the greatest ob- ject of your mortal existence, and, in due time, come to us. Then will we joyfully introduce you to scenes which mortal e^-e hath not seen, nor ear heard — a blissful beatitude, unknown and unexpressed in the dialect of man; and, with yon, enjoy such an exist- ence, in unfading life, through endless duration. Tu- 31 habitants of our once earthly abode ! We appreciate the objects of }our innocent, fraternal gathering, the first of its kind since we were summoned away ; and, with thoughts like these, we beckon you to a better world, at the appointed time; and luitil you thus meet us — adieu !" Keturning from this digressive apostrophy, we \\ill close the ecclesiastic portion of our review by de- scribing the singular death of the first pastor of this church, and then turn our attention to civic thint»:s. His death was difierent from that of the ordinary lot of men, but I do not regard it in that miraculous light in which it was then viewed, wonderful and ex- traordinary as it truly was. From the nature of his Biblical studies in compiling his Concordance, he had every part of the Divine revelations under constant rumination, and this, to him, was the means of arriv- ing at an extraordinary measure of that sanctity which these great truths, rightly improved, would naturally inspire. Thus, as he drew towards the close of his life, he seemed to advance more and more towards the beginnings of his final triumph over his portion of our fallen nature ; and a foresight of its joys very observably, but calmly, irradiated his whole beino-. On Sunday, June 28, I6G0, 0. S., one hundred and ninety-seven years ago this year, he delivered his last sermon, from Job xiv., 14 : " All the days of my appoint- ed time will I wait, until my change come." In that discourse he presented a brilliant synopsis of his whole christian teachings since he had been their shepherd, informing his sorrow-smitten congregation that his mission upon earth was closed, and imparted his final 32 and tearful l)Gne(lictions, thoug-li then in perfect liealtli and but sixty-one years of age. He was seen no more mingling in the affairs of men, and spent the follow- ing seven days at his house, in the midst of his family altar, where his physical nature gradually grew weak without pain and without any visible cause ; and as his mortal structure receded, his spiritual being visi- bly increased in heavenly irradiation. On the fol- lowing Sunday, July 5, the church drum was silent, and ceased to call the accustomed congregation, and men met each other that morning in silent salutation and with downcast and foreboding countenances. A few select members of the church spent some time in an interview with their pastor, at his house, in the afternoon, of the minutioo of which there is no record, other than at the termination of it, he asked Deacon Cooper to close the />f!lijllings ." And tlioy contimicd to coin llieir shillinirs and pence, without much alteration, calHng it an oak or a pine, as best suited their whim, only keeping out of siuht the oriiJ-inal secret of their cedar tree coin. There is wisdom to be learned from this second point in our three-fold idea of the development of American freedom. They were right, in the great outer ring of God's ultimate designs, in setting His eagle to crop the monarchies of tlie Old AVorld and to replant the twigs to grow into Republics — setting the first example in our portion of the earth. But nations, like men, are some- times impatient and too fast. They thought the small twig plucked from the top of the prophetic cedar of Lebanon, and developed in the miniature platform of the Mayflower, had grown into a goodly tree at Boston in thirty-two short years, so that it could bear national fruit, and shelter, in its ample boughs, " all fowls of every wing;" or, in other words, welcome the op- pressed of all nations under their protecting shadow. But such was not the case ; the time had not arrived ; they had to do more than to " wait a Ultle longer." ;, , " Mftn, jn feebleness, can plan. But God, in wisdom, executes." Their emblematic Declaration of Independence was, indeed, the still, small Vox Dei, but, in His wisdom, not then to be ratified by the Vox pojndi ; but, after a cen- tury and a quarter more had rolled away, and Divine Providence had so shaped the affairs of men that all was ripe, then came, in thunder tones, the Vox Dei, ratified, in universal acclamation, by the Vox pojmli, and developed itself in the immortal declarative Char.- 45 ter of our Liberties, read here to-day ; — and idthoiigli they had no fVu-ther need of the boughs of the cedar, having received the whole canopy of the stars as our immortal birthright, yet they retained the ar/eut that cropped the twig, and commissioned his ever-expand- ing wings to hover over the down-trodden stranger from every clime, and to forever glitter upon our coin as an emblem of the great enigma of human freedom and human rights, (m) Such is the three-fold idea of the gradual develop- ment of the great problem of human rights, as seen in the summary of our colonial history. From the Declaration of Independence, eighty-four years ago to-day, the history of the growth and present ener- gies of our Republic is known of all men, and per- haps is well expressed, in a single word, by the term Progression. A progress in that art and skill which are essential to a nation's prosperity, — progress in that knowledge which Lord Bacon declares to be but an- other name for power, — progress in those all-conquer- ing energies which have stamped their impress not only throughout our own land, but on the distant na- tions of the Eastern World, and unbarred the icy gates of the frozen North, — progress in all the elements of that civilization which is commanding the universal re- spect of the nations of the earth, — and progress in the knowledge and practice of Christianity, without which no nation can be permanently prosperous or happy. Such are the leading features of our Republic to-day. It is true that we can see the threatening penumbra of a dark cloud in the South, and hear the distant mutterings of a harmless thunder, and we can occa- 46 sionally sec laiiit and unmeaning Jiaslies of political lightning ; but showers are refreshing to the land, and usually give us a purer atmosphere. It is not in the power of any men, or parties of men, to rend asunder our well cemented bond of Union, merely because it is not yet what we should all like to have it. We may be too fast in our anticipations, as well as the little nation of Massachusetts in 1652, when they coined their shilling. The halcj^on days of a political millenium are not to be expected till Divine Provi- dence sees best ; and we must be content to each one endeavor to clear his own skirts from all wrong, and " wait a little longer." This year we are only passing through one of our accustomed quadrennial political spasms, and before another twelve-month shall have rolled away, we shall again see a noble spectacle — a ceremony that makes thrones and diadems tremble — that of one national administration quietly and sub- missively laying down the robes of office, and another administration as quietly and calmly putting them on ; and all this mighty change, involving the interests of many millions of our race, at the simple will of the sovereign people, expressed through a harmless bal- lot, instead of a hostile bullet. Our Republic has hardly yet begun its career in the destiny assigned it. We are yet to jiass through many more revolutions ; so tliat if the statesman of to-day could re-visit his native home a century hence, he would search in vain for some of his now familiar institutions. But these approaching revolutions are not to be produced by the cartridge-box ; they will be achieved at the ballot-box, and under an increased 47 inliuonce of the band-box. And although tliore may be pohticians who would, if they could, Idot out the principles of the founders of the Republic, and sell their immortal birthright for the potage of ollice, yet there is a recuperative moral power always held in re- serve, and equal to the emergency. To short-sighted and desponding men it has certainly appeared as if de- parted greatness itself had fallen into the hands of polit- ical degeneracy, and that even the principles and fame, and name and dust of Washington were to be driven into oblivion. But there is, in the providence of God, " A sovereign balm for every wound, A cordial for our fears ;" and the name and fame, and principles and counsels, and sacred dust of the revered Father of his Country shall be preserved, and exert their intended influence on unborn generations of men ; and for this we have an ample guaranty in the fact that woman, the cheer- ing solace in man*s last extremity, — sublime woman, — now holds the keys of Mount Vernon. And now. Fellow-citizens, may that overruling Di- vine Providence whose protection has encucled the inhabitants of this ancient settlement throufirh the sunshine of prosperity and storms of adversity for more than two centuries, still protect and bless you and your descendants, down the long vista of coming ages; and may the lessons of wisdom and fraternal influence which the motive of your gathering this day is so well calculated to inspire, be inscribed as with a sunbeam on the tablets of your town, and all its churcheS; and there leave its impress forever. APPENDANT NOTES [Note A.— Page 12.] Extract from the " Athene et Fasti Oxonienses," by Anthony Wood, Third London Edition ; now in Library of Harvard University : " Samuel Newman, a learned divine of his time, received education in this University ; but being puritanically affected, he left it, went into New England, became a Congregational man, minister of the Church of Rchoboth there, a zealous man in the way he jjrofessed, indefatigable in his studies, and marvelously read in the Holy Scriptures." This extract and a correspondence between Wood and Dr. Increase Mather in 1690, contain some discrepant inaccuracies, but they have been carefully collated and corrected from the records of the Univer- sity, so that the sentence in the text contains the facts in a condensed form. [See said correspondence in Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. VII., p. 187, Third Series. [Note B.— Page 12.] This Dr. Featly was one of the brilliant scholars of his day, and Wil- liam Gouge was one of the ministers called the " Assembly of Divines," and was appointed one of the annotators of the Bible. They each wrote a prefatory advertisement, which is in the third edition of Newman's Concordance ; thus giving their high sanction to the merits of his Bibh- cal attainments. [See more of them in note on the Concordance, and ui Lempriere's Biographical Dictionary. [Note C— Page 15.] Taking into view the then price of lands, the general price of mer- chandize, and annual cost of living as style was then, and it will be 7 50 APPENDANT NOTES. found tliat jCnOO was a larger cstotc than $"20,000 would be now. Thus he was then ranked among their wealthy men ; but he used it aa becoming a meek, pious and humble christian, — considering it in the light of a boon from heaven, with which he was bound to be kind, benevolent and charitable to the less fortunate of his flock. [Note D.— Page IC] " This combination, entered into by the general consent of all the inhabitiints, alter general notice given the 23d of the 4th month [July]. We whose names are imdcrwritten, being, by the providence of CJod, inhabitiints of Seacunk, intending there to settle, do covenant and bind ourselves one to another to subject our persons [torn off — probably, according to law and equity] to nine persons, or any five of the nine, which shall be chosen by the major part of the inhabitants of this plan- tation, and we [torn off — probably, promise and agree'] to be sulyect to all wholesome [torn off — probably, rules and regulations made] by them, and to assist them, according to our ability and estate, and to give timely notice unto them of any such thing as in our conscience may prove dangerous unto the plantation, and this combination to continue untill we shall subject ourselves jointly to some other government." (Signed,) *Walter Palmer, Ephraim Hunt, *Edward Smith, Peter Hunt, Edward Bennett, *William Smith, Ro})crt Titus, John Peren, Abraham Martin, Zacliery lloades, John jMatthewes, Job Lane, Kihvard Sale, *Alexander Winchester, Ralph Shepherd, *IIonry Smith, Samuel Newman, *Stephen Payne, William Checsborough, llalph Allen, *Richard Wright, Thomas Bliss, *Ilobei-t Martin, George Kendricke, *Bichard Bowen, John Allen, Joseph Torrey, William Sabin, James Clarke, Thomas Cooper. The orthography as in the original is retained in the above. Those njarkcd tlius * were the first chosen " townsmen," — in Decem- l)er, 1643, and their first meeting as such, Januaiy 3, 1643, O. S., APPENDANT NOTES. 51 and Alexander Winchester was chairman. From a comparison of thcpo dates and other circumstances, I suppose this compact was made at Wi'y- moutli, hcfore the ojencral migration, wliich most prohably did not take place till tlie spring of 1044, 0. S.* These thirty names were nearly or quite all then heads of families, and may be considered as the original, actual settlers of Rehoboth, although there were non-resident stockhold- ers in the company, more or less of whom, at various periods, j(jined them as later residents. The phrase " mtending there to settle " will justify this view of the matter. Stockholders were those who participated in the expense of fixtures and improvements, and not speculators in lands, so cheap that seven towns cost fifty shillings and a coat. [See Note F. [Note E.— Page 17.] For many of these early New England habits, see Sears's " Pictures of Olden Thne," and Palfrey's Hist. New Eng., Vol. II. [Note F,— Page 18.] Tliis town was originally bought of Massasoit, in 1641, for ten fath- oms of beads or ivarnpum [money]. This was delicate shells stninw like beads, and was the Indian currency. Their white they called wampum [white], and their black money they called suchauhock — seki bemg their adjective for black. This bead money was nine shillings the fathom in 1630, but, owing to the fall of the price of beaver in England, it was, at the time of this purchase, only five shillmgs per fathom ; so that this town cost £2 10s. of English money, and a coat which the chief made them throw in to boot. This trade was made at the house of Roger Williams, at Providence, he acting as interpreter. Thus the Indians, witliout a written language, transacted their business in " black and white " — especially their cash trades. [For Indian Coin, see Williams's Key, p. 128. [Note G.— Page 20.] These facts are gathered from a brief family record and notes written by his grandson in an old family Bible which I deciphered twenty years ago, and then almost illegible. *Tlie year then commenced on the 25tli of .March. 62 A I' P E N D A X T N T E S , [XoTE II.— Page 3;?.] Much of this note is extracted fnun an ahlo })ut too l)rief a paper read ))efore the Old Colony Historical iSociety by its Presi H « s -S '^ "c o A o 2 tf 131 o CD u O a 2 i o ^ eg -1 i O N 5 O W ►? > PS • • • ^ O IM 00 «s t-i t— r^ eo (M t-- o CO M< ^ CO t^ t^ o o ^ CO H »— t i-H ^'' '^ 2 •— ' S iri (N »-^ i^ > c3 jj '5 ^ '5 !? o o Cu u fi O <5 s — ^ •. ^ Tji t^ (N l-H o .« <^' ' "* ^ o s «= r; CD - (M ^ '%J ^ ^ >5 o CO o ^ as o s «="■ CO "-I c> (N n * "—^ 'i' ■s s > O ?5 ^ ^ ^ • -s - ^ , 13 r^ *^ f^ tn s i:; CCS H es es e3 ci J S ^H Tb bD tD tl -^ n c c c c • H www -d* o ^ g"" i^ (a o 1 1 u C:^ ^ ^ \ Cd 3 2 3 O O -^1 -^ -^ £ P5 F^ i«5 rS I ^ 1 CS 1 ^ ■ o ' « if o 1 C (M O tn en >^ : : E^ a w 2 a C3 H a P I 1 Pi g o a . 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OJ CO 1-^ ^^ CO CO o >5 v. > -^^ «. .2 to •;i o S = 5 ^ ^c O « g u, 60 o — 5 .5 S -^ 53 — ■^00 ^ -- 'rf .2 -^ ci C4H ^ CO ^ =2 tS Uh rl 6n CS 6f) r/5 ^^ — 1 p^ CS Cl) a P! 0" _C to CS ^ IH tc cJ 'd p C cS ^ ■^ r. r;^ u H 3 m ? 3 r^i *S c:) to CS 5 cS m on r< -n ^ >. tc Cl> H 5 ^ "^ g -5 ■ )-H ,£3 ut •f; ^ 2 • S a> m a CS tn C CS n h- ,4 u C 1 c -0 > a P. a u tn t3 C CS CS a ,13 0) fl Cm >. cS 60 ^ rULL AND COMPLETE RErOllT OF niB ECCLESIASTIC AND CIVIC BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT SEEKONK, [the Ancient Rehoboth,] JULY 4, 1860. frKKI'AKEU AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMJIITTEl HISTORICAL CELEBRATION. In the month of May, 1860, a meeting of the Congregational Church at Seekonk was holden to take into consideration the subject of projecting some sort of a celebration of the ancient settlement of that town and church. A Committee of Arrangements were chosen, and the whole matter placed in their hands, — the Committee requesting their pastor. Rev. Mr. Barney, to sit with their body as an advisatory member. After extending invitations to such as they desired to take, part in the exercises, and receiving their replies, the Committee issued the following public noticcf as a programme of their intended celebration : ECCLESIASTIC AND CIVIC CELEBRATION, AT SEEKONK, JI A S S . It has been proposed that the Pieligious Societies and the Citizens of Seekonk and the seven towns of which the ancient Rehoboth has been the nursing MoLher, should hold a friendly, religious and patriotic gath- ering at the orig'nal Congregational Church thereof, at Skeko.nk, on July 4th, iS.jO, at 10, a. m., for the purpose of commemorating the orlg"n and historic scenes of the ancient Il3hoboth, [now Sjekonk], and of passing in review the life and character of its orig'nal foun.ler. and of paying re3p38t to th3 ever m3mai'able birth-day of our Co.mmdn Country. That this gathering may be simple and unostentatious, and yet befit- ting a religious and patriotic people, the following brief Programme has 10 74 THE CELEBRATION. been adopted, excluding powder and otlicr emblems of War. while at sunrise and sunset the peals from tlie Church Bells will " ring out " their respects for the National Anniversary. ORDER OF EXERCISES. I. Invocation to the Tlirone of Gx-ace by Rev. Constantine Blodgett, D. D., Pastor of tlie Congregational Church of Pawtuckct. II. Reading of select portions of Scripture by Rev. A. H. Stowell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church at Seekonk. III. Music and Hymn by the Choir. IV. Prayer by Rev. James 0. Barney, present and tenth Pastor of this the original Church, and who will also conduct the exercises. v. Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Hon. Johnson Gardner, a native of the town, and descendant of one of its early settlers. VI. National Ode by the Choir. VII. Historical Oration by S. C. Newman, A. M., of Pawtucket, a native of the ancient Rehoboth, and lineal descendant in the seventh generation from its founder and first Pastor. VIII. Original Hymn written for the occasion. IX. Remarks and Benediction by Rev. David Benedict, D. D., of Pawtucket. At the close of the services, the company will repair to a temporary Pavilion near the Church, where [at a moderate price] all who desire it THE CELEBRATION. 75 can join the festive board and partake of refresliraent and the enjoyment of enlightened sociality ; and all who have a taste for this class of historic gatherings, without distinction of party, creed, sect or sex, and especially those descendants in neighboring Spates, the ashes of wiiose ancestral forefiithers repose in the ancient Cemetery connected with this venerable Church, are hereby invited to mingle in these sacred and patriotic festivities. JOSEPH BROWN, ROBERT M. PEARSE, JOSEPH B. FITTS, ISAIAH HOYT, WILLIAM ELLIS, Committee of Arrano-ements. Note. — Several interesting antiquated relics of this people, more than two cen- turies ago, will be exhibited on this occasion. With this announcement, printed in circulars with correspond- ing envelopes for convenience, and in the newspapers in the vi- cinity, the Committee entered upon the discharge of their duties with intelligence, ability and energy ; and their success will be best told in the following account of the result, compiled prin- cipally from reporters of the press, (for whom the Committee furnished special accommodations, both in the church and at the dinner,) commencing with the remarks of the very able reporter [E. R. Gardiner] of the Providence Evening Press, issued on the afternoon of July 5.* While our Providence streets were the scene of the din and discomfort inseparable from a city celebration of the Fourth, it was a pleasant fortune to escape from them and participate in a more quiet and more pleasurable mode of paying respect to the national anniversary provided in a rural suburb. The broad and grassy plateau of Seekonk, venerable with historic interest ; its ancient church and cemetery, containing monuments that now ♦Justice requires us to say that the several journals there represented, viz : the Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle, Pawtucket Observer, Providence Post and Press, Boston Journal, and some others, all published able but more or less condensed reports; and in this description we have drawn more or less from them all, with- out being able to credit theui in detail. 78 TUB CELEBRATION. shovr the date of 1G.33 ; its romnntic loveliness of seenorv, its neat dwellin^^, its gay pavilion and its happy group of people, from distant towns and States, returning to do honor to tiie founders and the historic scenes of their ancient birth-place, presented a spectacle long to be remembered by those who wit- nessed it as it yesterday thus appeared. Never was more ap- propriate place or occasion for such re-union, and never were the details of a memorial meeting better planned or more suc- cessfully carried out. In the judicious selection of speakers and the felicitous manner in which they performed their duties ; in the well-timed sentiments and the excellent and abundant cheer that was provided ; in the numbers and the enthusiasm of iho participants ; in the feeling of deep reverence for the past exci- ted, and in the loveliness of the day, all was a complete success. Such interesting festivities have perhaps never before been known in Seekonk ; never probably were its bright fields and pleasant drives so well and so extensively appreciated as yesterday. The deeds of the men associated with these scenes in early days were vividly brought up in review before their descendants who had assembled from the seven towns of which the ancient Rehoboth has been the nursing mother, to commemorate the fame of a no- ble ancestry. A deep impression pervaded all that they were indeed standing on classic ground, and they united as those who might never meet again in paying tribute to the virtues and exploits of their fathers as exhibited on that soil two hundred years ago. At an early hour, crowds of people began to gather from the neighboring towns and villages, and although the railway station •was near the location, — putting the place in connection with the surrounding country, — yet there were visible at one time, eight hundred and five family carriages on that broad plateau. It was by far the largest gathering ever witnessed there since the settlement of the town ; yet such was the admirable arrange- ments of the Committee, that not a gun, nor even a single pow- der-cracker, was fired, nor the least appearance of intoxicating Uquors or unbecoming behavior witnessed throughout the day, THE CELEBRATION. 77 in all that sober, reflective, contemplative and yet eminently clieerful multitude. The first part of the exercises, those announced in the pro- gramme, was held in the Con,:fregational Church ; and at 10 o'clock, A. i\[., the appointed time, the venerable edifice was filled to overflowing. The invocation for Divine assistance was bj Rev. CoxsTAXTiNE Blodgett, D. D., Pastor of the Congre- gational Church at Pawtucket. The reading of select portions of Scripture was bj' Rev. A. H. Stowell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church at Seekonk, and were appropriate selections read from a Bible prnted at Geneva in 1608, and brought by Gov. Bradford in the Mayflower in 1620, now two hundred and fifty- two years old. A fervent and very appropriate general prayer was offered by Rev. James 0. Barney, the tenth and present Pastor of this ancient church, who also conducted all the exer- cises in these services by introducing the different participants at the proper time and place. The Declaration of American Independence of July 4, 1776, was read in good style by Hon. Johnson Gardner, now of Pawtucket, but a native of Rehoboth. The Oration of the day was delivered by S. C. Newman, A. M., of Pawtucket. It occupied about two hours in its delivery, but •was of sufficient interest to command the closest attention of the audience throughout. The Oration was both ecclesiastic and civic, according to the programme, and the audience gave evi- dence that the orator of the day had acceptably performed the task assigned him. The following original hymn written for the occasion by Rev. William M. Thayer, of Franklin, Mass., was sung after the conclusion of the Oration : What %-oice.s from the silent past, In whispers clear ami lijw, That tell y the enlivening strains of martial music, and attended, by numerous hosts, may rush boldly onward in the hour of battle, but liere our friends had n(» external aids — nothing to sustain them but their own brave hearts ! Well did the old chronicler call this battle-ground the " Bed of Honor." Honor, then, to the memory of the brave men who thus died in defence of their firesides and their homes. To be de- scended from those men is a prouder title of nobility than " All the blood of all the Howards." The orator of the day has alluded to some of the eminent men that have been bom in Rehoboth. Within this plantation was born one per- son who has presided over Yale College ; another who has been Chief Justice of our Supreme Court ; Benjamin West, a distinguished Profes- sor in Brown University, whose name is co-extensive with astronomical science ; Dr. Nathan Smith, a man eminent m hterature and philosophy. All will remember the name of Maxey, who was born within the limits of Rehoboth, President of three colleges, one of the most eminent moral philosophers, and one of the most brilliant pulpit orators of his day. This is a family gathering — a meeting of the descendants of the early inhabitants of Rehoboth. Shall we call the roll of the revered dead ? Did time permit, it would be interesting to read over the names on the list in the presence of their descendants. Some one here present could respond to almost every name on it. Every one of t'.ie founders of Rehoboth is probably represented here to-day. Oh, that I could, by some magic art, or rather, by some Divine power, recall the forefathers of the town from their sleep of two hundred years, and restore them, for a brief time, to their earthly homes, and here let them pass in review before us in their antique costumes, with their Puri- tan manners and customs ; let them here meet theii- children face to face ; let them cast a new glance over these once familiar places of their earthly pilgrimage ; let each venerable form, as he enters and surveys the assem- bly, recognize his own children in the names and the features we bear ! What a strange vision to them ; how interesting to us ! And how changed the scene from the early days of the Pilgrims ! Here is the Great Plain, once encircled by the " ring of the town ;" above is the same blue sky and smiling sun ; and there are the bright waters of the Narragansett. But all else is changed ; all other things have become new ! The log house, the red Indian, the interminable forests, have all vanished. THE CELEBRATION. 87 Forever honored be those who, with bravo hearts and unwavering faitli, — patient to endure so many sufferings, and to meet so many dan- gers, — came here to subdue tlie wilderness, and to plant, on these beautiful shores of the Narragunsett, the institutions of Religion, and Learning, and Freedom — that priceless heritage which you, their chil- dren, are now enjoying ! Tlieir remains repose in that old ]iurying Ground within our sight, and have long since returned to their native dust ; but they still live in these their children — in the names you bear — in the example of their lives ; — in the principles which they have trans- mitted to you ; they still live in that influence which lingers around to hallow these scenes of their earthly pilgrimage. Grod bless their memory. The fifth sentiment was — The Clergy of Ancient Rehobotli. Rev. CoNSTANTiNE Blodgett, D. D., Pastor of the Congre- gational Church in Pawtucket, responded to this sentiment in the following appropriate remarks : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: You can scarcely be aware of the task which you have assigned, in your call upon me. You have called me to retrace thi-ough all the past of the ancient Rehoboth, the character and mfluence of a succession of humble, modest men, who pursued the " even tenor of their way " among the successive generations of this rural population. How shall I measure the mfluence, how weigh the moral power, of these ministers of the gospel — whom many, even yet, persist in regardmg as httle better than a series of town paupers, for whose support the town has been chargeable from year to year ? But, Mr. President, there is a great law of social and moral influ- ence, under the action of which it may be seen that the clergy of this ancient town have been a poioer among this people, and have left a record, alike honorable to themselves and to the wisdom and grace of God, who called them into such a ministry. By office and position they have been benefactors in many ways, and to a degree which we may fail adequately to estimate. And yet there are two lines of illustrative argument by which we may make, in a measui-e, obvious and appreciable the benign influence of the men who have filled the place of ministers of religion among this people. 88 THE CELEBHATIO.X. One line of such argument is, to suppose that from the heginiilng there hail been no such class of men in the town of llchohoth. Sup- pose there had never been a Sabbath observed, a sanctuary erected, a sermon preached, a prayer offered in public assemblies of worship, at marriages or at burials. What kind of a town would this have become ? What had been the character of the people V What the state of educa- tion ? What the progress in learning, arts, sciences, and all the amenities and adornments of a christian civilization ? What would have been from year "to year the value of real estate in the towns into which the ancient Rehoboth has been partitioned ? What would be the value of real estate this day under such a regimen ? We instinctively close our eyes on the gloomy reality. We dare not picture to ourselves the results of such an experiment in civil, social, moral and rehgious training. Ye minis- ters of the altar of God ! we honor your memory ; we embalm in our grateful hearts your holy lives and your manifoM works of love for the blessing of your own generation and the generations following ! Blessed are ye, and blessed &hall ye be among men, — to the praise of the glory of Divine grace ! The other line of illustration is this. Let every minister of religion be this day banished from all these goodly municipalities into which ancient Rehoboth has grown. Lot every meeting-house be demolished, and a solemn and perpetual covenant be enacted that there never shall be another minister of religion, another sanctuary, another sermon, an- other public or social prayer, in all future years. What would be the effect of such a measure upon the present condition and the future pros- pects of this population? What would become of our moral, benevolent, religious, social and educational institutions? How would fare our in- dustrial pursuits ? What would be the effect from year to year on the value of these farms and goodly homesteads, where the fathers dwelt and prospered and worshiped in their day ? How would the grand list of the towns stand from one decade of years to another ? Think out the true answer to such questions, and you will agree with me in the conclusion that we owe an immense debt of gratitude to the clergy of Rehoboth, and to that God who appointed them to such ministry. But who shall attempt to measure the magnitude of the results which they achieved, when we rise to a view of the influence which they have exerted on the spiritual and immortal interests of those who have lived and died under tlieir ministrations, and been sharers in the priceless THE CELEBRATION. 80 benefits which they wore onabled to bestow on their contemporaries, and through them, on atler generations ? On tlie l)road fields of eternity, our ilhistration must find its comple- tion. Into that blessed state we may not follow tliLMii now. But in it, may we ourselves read their completed histories, and learn to bless God anew for the works and benign influence of tiie " Clergy of Ancient Rehoboth." I only add that it would not become me to attempt to speak of the personal character and attainments and labors of men so far removed from our day as are the Newmans and their successors in the ministry. Of the sacred learning of tlie elder Newman, we have heard from the orator of the day. We may suppose them all to have been sound, able, learned men, qualified for the high functions of th3ir office, and com- mending themselves to men's consciences, in the sight of Grod, by their holy lives and their public teachings, drawn, in the true Protestant method, from the oracles of revealed Tinith. Be it oui's, who have entered into their labors and embraced from the heart their Protestant faith, to imitate their virtues, and to reverence, cherish and ol^ey that sacred Word, of which they were such devout students and such able expounders. Thus may we, and those who come after us, stand accepted before the God of our fathers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The sixth sentiment was — The Medical Profession of Ancient Rehoboth. Doct. Benoni Carpenter of Attleborough responded to this sentiment as follows : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : It is good for us to be liere to-day. We all claim to be directly or indirectly, as I suppose, the descendants of Old Rehoboth ; and if there be one sentiment stronger than another, if there be one internal instinct more potent than all others, it is wliere a man desires at some time in his life to return to the spot tliat gave him birth. I claim, Mr. l*resi- dent, to be one of the direct and lineal descendants of the first William Carpenter, who Hved over on the other side of this Common. Thou<>-h born in a different county, I dehght to be here, and to see so many of the Old Rehoboth people surrounding me. And, Sir, I suppose from 12 00 THE CELEBRATION. the sentiment tlint I am oxpectefl to answer particularly for the medical profession that originated in this town ; and wlien I say tliis town, I mean witliin the limits of Old Rehoboth, including this town and the towns surrounding. Were I to go into details in relation to these men, my task would be a difficult one, for wliatever else lielioboth has been, it certainly has been exceedingly prolific in physicians. I can do no more in this connection, nor is it proper that I should so do, than sim- ply give you the names of the medical men who have originated in this to^ATi. I will begin first with that part of Eehoboth now designated Seekonk. The first physician in this town of whom I have any knowledge (and the knowledge I have of him I obtained from my grandmother, wlio died one hundred years old,) was Dr. David Turner, residing in the southern part of Rehoboth proper, near Palmer's River — a physician of the soul and of the body ; a preacher on the Sabbath, administering to the moral and relis-ious necessities of men, and during the remainder of the week taking care of theii- physical health. He was a man of a good deal of wit and a good deal of sensitiveness^ a man very much esteemed by the people of his time. He died in 1757, aged 03. Dr. Thomas Bowen, who lived near the time of Dr. Turner, was also a distinguished physician, as well as a military colonel. One of the first pliyslcians of this town of whom I have any knowl- edge was Dr. Joseph Bridgham. From him descended tlie Bridgliams of the adjacent city ; and their name has spread from this town over different parts of the countiy. One of the most distinguished names in science, especially medical science, but not limited to that entii-ely, — a name known all over New England for the energy of its bearer, — was that of Dr. Nathan Smith. He originated in tliat part of Relioboth near the residence of Dr. AMiit- marsh, in the southern part of this town. A poor boy, he fought his own way along through life. He had an especial taste for surgery, and became Professor of Surgery in Yale College. After continuing there in that capacity a great many years, he left and founded the iiiedical department in Dartmouth College. He was the father of scientific sur- gery in New England. Ncai'ly all his descendants were physicians. One died in the city adjacent nearly a year ago. Another physician originating in this town was Dr. Daniel Thurber, born not far from Newell's Tavern. He studied medicine and settled in Bcllinghaui. and was extremely endeared to his people there. There THE CELEBRATION. 91 may he those here wlio knew his value among tliose who employed him, and how gx'eatly he was lamented when he passed away. A family of ])liysicians originated in this town liy the name of ]iunn, who were men of great celebrity, and practiced, I thhik, in Providence. Another name was that of Dr. Levi Wheaton, who also originated in Rehoboth, in tlie soutlieast part of what is now Seekonk. I will say of him, in passing, in the language of Pope, — " An honest man's the noblest work of God." If I was ever acquainted with a man whom I believed to be strictly and purely honest, and w-hom I belie^ved to be devoted to his profession, who did evei-ything in his power, by study and scientific research, for the purpose of mitigating the sufferings of mankind, that man was Dr. Levi WTieatou. Another name known to this town was Dr. Ridley. He practiced during the Revolutionary war in tlie army. He was a man of a great deal of eccentricity, and not remarkably well acquainted with the insti- tutions cf this country. I rememl^er attending a patient in some part of the town where he had previously been visiting. The man had wanted him to take his pay in corn, and shelled out to hini all the pig corn. The old gentleman was not particularly well pleased. But by and by the same man was sick again, and sent for the Doctor to attend him. He did not get well, but kept lingering along in his illness for some time, and finally said to the Doctor, " What is the reason I do not get well faster? Here I am, unable to get about, and yet I have been under your treatment for a long time." " Never mind," said the Doc- tor, "I am only trying to work that pig com out of you." Dr. Hutchings, who died a few years since, and Dr. Allen, of wliom I knew but little, were among the earlier physicians in this vicinity. This town also gave rise to several men of the medical profession by the name of Bucklin. One of them went South, and died on his way to Texas. Another was settled in HoUiston ; while a third was settled adjacent to this place, and some of us attended his funeral a few years since. I would not forget to mention in the catalogue of medical men who have originated m Old Rehoboth, the name of 3Iiller, of whom I need say nothing to any citizen of this vicinity. In the town of Rehoboth proper, the name of Fuller oocur.s to me as 92 T II E C K L ]•: li R A T I N . about the first physician tliut practiced liere — a man of skill and emi- nence, especially as a surgeon. The name of Bullock is also prolific in jjhysicians. One venerable man of that name, who resided in the southwestern part of the town, lived to be one hundred years old. Dr. Robertson studied medicine with Dr. Blackington, and after- wards went to Boston and becimie an eminent physician in that city. The Drs. Blanding — I might mention several of them of that name — originated in this town. One I must allude to particularly, who studied medicine here in Eehoboth with Dr. Fuller, settled in Attleborough, and afterwards passed to Camden, South Carolina, where he practiced, and became an eminent scholar in natural history. A few years before he died, his cabinet of natural history was prol)ably larger than that of any single individual in the United States. The specimens he left in Camden, where he died, are beautiful and elegant, and would repay any individual who takes an interest in that branch of study for making a journey there to view them. I now come to my own name, wliich I would not mention but for the fact that it has been wonderfully prolific in physicians. Rehoboth proper has given rise to certainly eight physicians of the name of Carpenter, and how many more I do not know. A very considerable branch of the Carpenters m Vermont originated in this town of Old Rehoboth. There are a good many of them who are likewise physicians. Pawtucket gave rise to Dr. Bilhngs, who afterwards left and went to Mansfield, and died in that town. Dr. Davenport also practiced and died in this town. Dr. Manchester was another. There is also the name of Dr. Stanley of Attleborough. Swansea also gave rise to a hereditaiy race of physicians — grandfather, father and son all living too-ether at the same time. The elder was a hundred years of age while tlie younger was living. I know but very little of others in that town except the Winslows. In addition to these names, there may be mentioned as among the physicians of the past, Drs. Fowler, RudlifF. Bliss, Bolton, Thayer, Wheelock, Johnson and Hartshorn, each of whom were ornaments to the medical profession. There is one fact which I very much delight to be able to mention in relation to the medical men who have originated in Reho1)oth, and that is, their perfect exemption from quackery from the beginning to the end. However scientific they may have been, (and certainly some THE CELEBRATION. 98 have been veiy much so,) or liowever much tliey may Iiave been want- ing in science, one thing they have been true to, and that is, the opinion that a profession that has existed hundreds and thousands of years must of necessity, from all the knowledge thus transmitted, be a little more learned and scientific than the little windfalls of to-day and yesterday. They have generally pursued that course that has made them an orna- ment to their profession and a blessing to humanity. Allow me, Sir, m closing, to offer the following sentiment : Old Rehoholh, in her broadefi domain — May she continue to be, as she has been, productive of good men and beautiful women. The seventh sentiment was — The Legal Profession of Ancient Rehoboth. Simeon Bo wen, Esq., of Attleborough, responded in the fol- lowing manner : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: Convened as we are on this anniversary of our national mdependence, in the shade of yonder sacred and venerable chm-ch erected to God, and on this fair and level plain ; basking as we are to-day in the rich sun- light of a glorious civilization ; rejoicing as we do in the rich fruition of a thousand blessings — the blessing of peace with all nations, the blessing of free schools and of the general diffusion of knowledge, the blessino-s of a free government, of a political confederacy of States enjoying civil and rehgious liberty — it becomes us now and here to look both to the past and the future, and to consider by what means, agencies and influ- ences we have reached this national felicity of position, and by what instiTimentalities our present glory and prosperity may be augmented and perpetuated. It is, Mr. President, a little more than two centuries ago that these fair and cultivated fields which we behold to-day rejoicing in peace and plenty, and smiling with fruits and flowers, were only a dark and almost impenetrable forest, inhabited only by wild beasts and by roving tribes of rude and warlike savages. A little more than two centuries ago it was that an immortal vessel, the Mayflower, with her precious freight of human souls, was first moored in Plymouth harbor ; and then and there the Pilgrim Fathers, our ven- erable ancestors, destined, under Divine aid, guidance and protection, to 94 T HE C E L E IJ 11 A T 1 U N . iiiaiijriirato a iimre glitiioiis civilization tlian the world had ever before lielield. Hist stc'])ped foot \ii)on our .shores. Then and there, as ever true to their ]iol)le mission and to the dictates of their consciences, they went forth into the wilderness, under an unpropitious wintry sky, to meet and battle with trials, disasters and difficulties. And with what sueeess was their enterprise and achievements attended ? Before their omnipotent arm the forest receded ; under their wise ordina- tion, government was instituted, schools established, churches erected, and towns and villages s])rung up as if l)y magic. Fully imbued with religious zeal, stern in morality, rigid in virtue, patient in toil, brave in the midst of dangers, ardent, earnest and hopeful, they went onward in their great enter])rise eoncjuering and to con(juer, and there laid broad and deep the foundations of a mighty emjiire. Heroically tliey lived, heroically they died ; and, dying, they bequeathed to their descend- ants and to us, their posterity, a rich heritage — the glory they achieved and brought with tliem, and the distinguished example of piety and vir- tue, patience and fortitude and courage. And when I ask to-day, Mr. President, what influences and agencies have contributed to make New England what she now is in morality, intelligence, prosperity and glory, I would point, with reverence and gratitude, to the Pilgrim Fathers. They passed away, and their descendants, fired with the spirit of the fathers, took up the work laid down by them in death, and pushed it on to a glorious triumph. We have met here to celeljrate this day upon which our fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, and to commemorate the virtue of those patriots who there enrolled their names. We have come up here to kindle anew the fires of patriotism on the altars of Freedom, and declare anew our devotion to the cause of Liberty, to renew our mutual pledges of fidelity to the Constitution and the Union. But, iMr. President, 1 was called upon to respond to a sentiment, — * ' The Legal Profession of Ancient Kehoboth, ' ' — and this may seem like a dio-ression from my proper c(3urse of remark. I will say, there have been those who were the representatives of that profession within the town of Ke- hoboth, though I think their numbers small compared with the other pro- fessions enumerated by those who have spoken before me. There have been but few whose names I can now recall. There is one who is now amonn' the living who was, a few years ago, an humble attorney within the borders of these towns. Upon these plains he had his office. Now he is in honor, and held the last term of our Superior Court at New THE CELEBRATION. 0") Bedford. I refer to the Hon. Ezra Wilkinson. Others have f!;one out from this town who have shed lustre upini their profession, ami have served and adorned tlieir day and generation. There is one rj^uestion whicli partakes of the nature of an e({uitable, constitutional question, that it may not be inappropriate to allude to on this occasion. And, Mr. President, I would refer you for a moment, not with the uitention of discussing the matter to any lengtli, but briefly refer to it as a question of local interest, and one for the mention of which the day is not too good. I allude to the question of the bound- ary Hue between this venerable Commonwealth and the State of Rhode Island. Tliere is an attempt made that a portion of our good old town of Rehoboth may be severed and given over, ceded, granted to the State of Rhode Island. Mr. President, it is improper that I should dwell long upon this subject. But it seems to nie a lit occasion to refer those who are here present as representatives of those towns wliicli are inter- ested in this question, as a subject worthy of thouglit. Modern Reho- both to-day will protest against such a procedure on the part of those two States. Seekonk has been inclined, by her action in town meetino-, and Rehoboth too, I think, to grant even more than our bountiful Com- missioners awarded of our territory to Rhode Island. In the first place, Mr. President, I shovdd object, on the part of Rehoboth, that this thintr should ever happen. I protest against it for this reason, that Rhode Island has no legal, equitable and constitutional claim to any of the soil of Seekonk. In the next place, I should protest against it for this rea- son, that it was not intended that a portion of this old town could ever be received and granted to a foreign jui-isdiction. Our fathers gave up to Seekonk a portion of this territory bounded on the west and south by the Pawtucket River and Providence River. There are benefits, privileges and immunities which belong to modern Rehoboth which they are very loth this day to relinquish. I do not believe that such a result as has been intended by certain citizens in this vicinity will ever happen. I hope for better things. I liope that these towns will ever remain together. Although they are separate by different town governments, yet they are one in everything that ntakes up a happy counnunity. They may be distinct like tlie billows, yet they are ever one like the ocean. One in a common brotherhood ; one for the Union ; one in reverence for and obedience to the hiws ; one, in short, in everything that makes a virtuous, happy and prf)S'])erous people. 96 THE C E L E li 11 A T I N . The eighth sentiment was — Knowh'i. Bells, drum used instead of, 17, 32. Brown, John, 18, 39. Bowen, Richard, 19, 29, 36. Bcton, 25, 27, 40, 42, 44, 55. Benedict, Rev. Dr. David, 26, 74, 78 ; his speech, 82, 106. Burkley, Rev. Mr., 33. Baptist, 25, 26, 35, 74. Barney, Rev. James 0.,36, 73, 74, 77, 79. Barrington, 37, 101. Blackstone, Rev. William, 37, 56. Boscobel, 43. Bacon, Sir Francis, 45. Ballot-box, 46. Band-box, 47. Ballot and Bullet, 46. Braiiitrec. town of, 54. Bullock, Hon. Xathaniel, 56. Bliss Leonard, historian, 58. Bradford, William. Gov., 58, 77. Blodgett, Rev. Dr. Constantine, 74, 77; his speech, 87. Brown, Joseph, 75, 105, 106. Bishop, James M., 79. Benediction, 78. Bowen, Dr. Thomas, 90. Bridgham, Dr. Joseph, 90. Bucklin,Drs.,91. Bullock, Drs., 92. Blackington, Dr., 92. Blanding, Drs., 92. Billings, Dr., 92. Bliss, Dr. James, 92. Bolton, Dr. George A., 92. Bowen Simeon, Ms speech, 93. Bunker Hill, 102. 110 U E N R U A L INI) !•; X . c. t'offins ami Rliroiul.^, 11. <.)iuie,aTi aiu'ient one, 13. Com-onlaiK'i', It. 21, 22, 29,31, 33, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55. Colony, Plviuouth, 16, 25, 27, 28, 53, 83, 84. Colony, Mass^achusottfi, 16, 18, 25, 28, 33. Connecticut, 13, 18, 28, 34, 96. Customs anil Habits of tlie first settlers of the town, lit, 20, 21. Cooper, Deii. Thomas. 29, 32, 55. Carpenter, Dea. William, 29, 89. Communicatinn, iniajrinary one from the first settlers, 30, 31. Cemetery of ancient Rehoboth, 11, 29, 87. Carnes, Rev. John, 34. Cumberland, 37. Congress, 40, 96. Coin, first in America, &c., 42, 43, 44, 45, 46. Cromwell. Oliver, 43. C;harle.s 11., 43. Cartridge-box, 46. Compact, or first law of the town, 50. Cruden, Alexander, 53, 57. Cygnea Cantio, a book, 54. Cape Cod, 59. Concluding note, i)ersoual, 60. Creed of the author, 61. Celebration, history of, 71. Committee of Arrangements, 75, 79. Carpenter, Dr. Benoni, his speech, 89, 100. Carpenter, Drs., 92. Childs, Rev. A. C, his speech, 99, Clififord, John H., Ex-Gov., 104. D. Dorchester, alluded to, 13, 14, 27, 28, 55, Drum, 17, 32. Dedham, 18, 27. Diary, extract from Newman's, 23. Death of the founder of Rehoboth, 32. Declaration of Independence, 42, 44, 45, 74, 77, 93, 94, 102. Daggett, Hon. John, extract from his his- torical paper before the Old Colony Society, 52, 55 ; his speech, 84- Dimond, Hon. Bvron, 56. Dinner, the, 78, 79. Dean, Rev. James, 79, Davenport, Dr., 92. Dean, Rev. Sidney, Ms speech, 90. E. Elliot, Rev. Dr. John, 32. Ellis, Rev. John, 34, 35. Education, 40. Europe, 22, 106. Ezekiel, the propliet, 42, 43. Empire, Western, 41, «4. Eagle, )iroi)hetic, 44, 45. Edniond, Sir Thomas, 54, Ellis, William, 75. Egypt, 101. F. Featly, Rev. Dr. Daniel, 12, 49. 53, 54. Freeiiom, 45, 97, 99. Frozen North, 45. Flint, Rev. Henry, 54, 62. Freeiiom, human, enigma of, 45. Kitts, Joseph H., 75. Fitts, Dea. 1). I}., 7K. F'owler, Dr. Isaac, 92. France, 54, 98. G. Gouge, Rev. William, 12, 49, 53, 54. Goldsmith, Oliver, 27. German University, 33. Greek Classics, 33. Grave, 33, 38, 39, 84. Greenwood, Rev. Thomas, 34. Greenwood, Rev. John, 34. Genesis, quoted from, 15. Gorton, Samuel, of Rhode Island, 56. Government, the first adopted at Ply- mouth, 41, 58. Genealogical tables of one family from each of seven generations, 62. Gardner, Hon. Johnson, 74, 77. Gardiner, E. R., reporter, 75. Garibaldi, Gen., 98. H. Hull, Rev. Joseph, 14. Hingham, 14. Houses, how built, 19. Hour-glass, to preach by, 17. Holmes, Obadiah, 25, 26, 27. Hermon, dews of, 28. Hyde, Rev. Ephraim, 34, 56. Hill, Rev. John, 35. Historical Society, R. I., 58. Historical Magazine, 60. Hollis, Thomas, memoirs, 60. Hovt. Isaiah, 75. Hulchings, Dr. Theophilus, 91- Hartshorn, Dr. Isaac, 92. Historical Society, Ct., 96. Historical Society, Mass., 49, 57. Horton, Rev. Francis, his speech, 101. Habeas corpus, 98. Homer, 28. Independence, Declaration of, 42. 41, 45, 74, 77, 93, 94, 102. Indians, 18, 23, 56, 80, 105. Italy, 98. GENERAL INDEX 111 J. Jenncr, Rev. Thomas, 14. Joshuii, 15. Job, last sermon of Newman pieacbei from, 31. Jobusou, Dr. Artemas, 92. K. Karuak, alluded to, 10. King James of England, 54, 58, 59. King's College, 54. King William 111., 55. King John of England, 98. King George III., 101. Laud, Archbishop, 1,3. Lenthal, Rev. Robert, 14. Latin epitaph, 33, 56. Leyden, 41, 58. Liberty, i iddle of, 43. Lightning, political, 4(5. Lebanon, cedar of, 44. Lempriere's Biog. Diet., 49, 54. Lord's Prayer, 54, 61. 51. Mather, Rev. Dr. Cotton, 11, 12, 32 56 59 Magnalia, 11,56, 57, 59. ' Midhope Chapel, Eng., 13. Mather, Rev. Richard, 13, 14, 27, 28. Massasoit, the Indian Chief, 15, 51, 78. Meetings and Meeting-houses, 16, 17, 19 82, 97. ' ' . , Mr. and Mrs., what called, 19, Miles, Rev. John, 33. Mayflower, 36, 41, 58, 85, 93, 96. Manhattan, 38. Mount Vernon, 47. Millenium, political, 46. Mather, Rev. Dr. Increase, 49. Mass. Hist. Coll., 49. Money, Indian, 51. Mason, Rev. Perez, 79; his speech, 80. Maxcy, Rev. Dr. Jonathan, 86. Miller, Drs. 91. Manchester, Dr., 92. Magna Charta , 98. Mamelukes, 101. Mount Moriah, 101. Martin, Dr. Calvin, 100. Mount Hope, 105. Nature, 9, 10, 37, 39, 68. Newman, Rev. Samuel, son of Richard 11,13,14,15,21,28,31,32,49,50,52,' 53,55,56,57,61. New England, cnstoms of, Ac, 17,33,38 43, 49. Newman, Rev. Noah, 23, 33, 55, 105. Nestor, 28. Norton, Rev. John, 28. Neander, Michael, 33. Narragausett, 3H, 106. New York, 3H, 58. Norton, town of, 56. Newman. Rev. Antipas. 54, 62. Newman, Dea. Samuel. 54, 62. Newman, Richard, 11, 62. Napoleon, 101, 0. Oxford, Eng., 11, 12, 53, 54. Otis, James, 40. Oak, Royal, 43. Office, robes of, 46; potage of, 47. Old Burying Ground at Seekouk, 55. Ode and Old Hundred, 106. P Payne, Stephen, 18, 10, 20, 53. Premonition, 33. Philip, King, .37, 85, 105. Payne, Nathaniel, 38. Plymouth, 41, 58. 93 96. Pil2r- „ - people, 45. Pawtucket, 74. 78, 79, 95. Pearse, Robert ;\I., 75. Perrin, Daniel, 78. Papers, Reporters, &c., 75, note. Pisrce, dipt. .Mitchell, his fight, 85. Pyramids, 101. Pepperell, .Sir William, 105. Pabodie, William J., 106. Q. Quadrennial spasms, 46. (iuincy, tow» of, 54. R. Rubens, the painter, 10. Raphael, the painter, 10. Rehoboth, 15, 25, 20, 27, 49, 51, 52, 53. 56, 57, 61, 86, 94, 97. Read, John, 29. King of the town, 15, 21, 86, 105. Revolution, contributions from Reho- both, 39, 40, 4L Republic, American, 41, 45, 46, 47. Robinson, Rev. John, 41, 58. Kiddle, on a coin, iZ. 112 GENERAL INDEX Royal Oak at Bopcobel, 43. Rights, human, 4."), 101. Ridley. Dr., anecdote of pig corn, 91. RodlifT, Dr. John F., [born in Germany,] 02. Robertson, Dr., 02. Rhodes, Rev. Andrew H., his speech, 100. Russia, 'J8. Science, 9, 10, 93, 97. Skeletons and Bones, 11. Seekonk, 15, 37, 55, 71, 95, 107. Sam, an Indian, naturalized, 18, 19. Stone, Rev. Samuel, 28. Stiles, Rev. President, 28, 56. Spiritualism, 29. Symes, Rev. Zachariah, 33. Swansea, 37, 92. Starkweather, Epliraira, 39, 83. Starkweather, Hon. Samuel, 83. Starkweather, James 0., 83. "Soul Liberty," 25. Shilling, the cedar or pine tree, 42, 60. Spasms, political, 4G. Southern States, dark clouds, but harm- less thunder, 45, 46. Signers to the first government of the town, 50; at Plymouth, 59. Stockholders, what were they? 51. Sears's Olden Time, 51. Shove, Rev. George, 54, 62. Stowell, Rev. A. H., 74, 77. Smith, Dr. Nathan, 86, 90, Stanley, Dr., 92. Slaves'in IT. S., 99, 104. Stew-pot, King Philip's, 105. Time, 9, 10. Thebes, 10. Titian, the painter, 10. Townsmen, instead of Selectmen, 16. Toleration, 25. Temple, Sir Thomas, 43. Taunton, Indian name of, 52; tliirdmin- ister of, 54. Thaver, Rev. William M.,^7. Turner, Dr. David, 90. Thurber, Dr. Daniel, 90. Thayer, Dr., 92. Taunton and Tauntonians, 52, 96. U. University, Harvard, 34, 49. Uiiiver'iitv, Brown, 30, 39, 61, 86. University, Oxford, Eng., 11, 12, 49, 53. University, Ilfeldt, in Germany, 33. University, Cambridge, Eng., 52. Union, American, 41, 46. V. Vox Dei, or voice of God, 44. Vox populi, or voice of the people, 44. Vernon, Slount, 47. Vista of ages, 47. Virginia, early name of New England, 58. Virgil, quotation from, 61. W. Warham, Rev. John, 13. Wcvmouth, 14, 21, 51, 55. Wifliams, Rev. Roger, 25, 37, 51, 56, 57, 78. Wheaton, Robert, 29. Warren, 37. Willet, Thomas, 38, 58, 105. West, Benjamin, 38, 86. Worcester, battle of, 43. Washington, 47, 105. Woman, 47. World, Eastern. 45. World, entire, 26, 37, 97. Wood, Anthonj', 49. Wampum, Indian money, 51. Will, Rev. Samuel Newman's, 54, 55. Wight, Rev. Dr. Henry, 55. Wenham, Mass., 54, 62. Winthrop, Gov., 62. Willard. George ()., 79. Wheaton, Dr. Levi, 91. Winslow, Drs., 92. Wheelock, Dr., 92. Wilkinsoa, Judge Ezra, 95. Warren, Gen. Joseph, 102. Y. Young's Chronicles, 57. Yale College, 83. T H K K N D . A^5 THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF C* THE IJBRARV UNIVERSITY OE CAIJEORNIA Santa Barbara THIS B(K)K IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BEIX)W. RETD JUN 261998 5:9 3 1205 02127 6363 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY lllllllllllllllllllllll AA 000 877 105 7 1^% r < :f>fi v/ t y i-'^ f Kf 'i\. \ 1 y^i ^- i^ ■:<\. r^ \ ■■"' cv::-:.)-,.--:: \'-^y'-r^_ '-fii ""Taw ggjJ^KW^'-JJCWfaBtJS?*