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 LIN : 
 
 OK, 
 
 J E T^^ E L 
 
 THIED PLANTATION. 
 
 *' I loue of worthies gone to tell ; 
 their virtues to discuss ; 
 For they that fought life's battels well, 
 ensamples are for vs." 
 
 BY OBADIAH OLDPATH. 
 
 LYNN: 
 
 THOMAS HERBERT AND JAMES M. MUNROK 
 
 1862.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, 
 
 By The Author, 
 in the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
 
 ^^ ^5- 
 
 I>IlEFA.OE. 
 
 " The shunned Preface of a Book, 
 
 Contains the Author's special say ; 
 And wary Readers there should look 
 For lights to guide along the way." 
 
 A Leading purpose of this volume is to illustrate, in a somewhat lively 
 way, the character of the People, and the condition of Things, during a 
 most interesting period of our history. Divers remarkable Personages 
 and Occurrences, sti-angely overlooked by others, receive due attention. 
 And such wayside reflections are interspersed as it is hoped may, at 
 least here and there, prove good seed sown in good ground. 
 
 Tiie Actors and Scenes are to a degree local. But we have endeavored 
 to treat them in such a manner that they will, for that reason, be the 
 more acceptable to the general reader. 
 
 We are aware that our style will appear rather episodical ; and are 
 also aware that it is a dangerous style to venture upon. But the plan 
 seemed to demand that it should be adopted. 
 
 Slight circumstances often suggest important schemes. And it is becom- 
 ing to acknowledge that a casual remark of the Ancient Bookseller of 
 Nassau Street — whose dusty stall and obliging manners so often staid the 
 Author's youthful steps, whose judgment of books was so penetrating that 
 he discerned their value by their binding, whose modesty was so intense 
 that he wrote the first person singular with a little i, and who descended 
 from one of the brightest Jewels of the Third Plantation — proved so 
 influential in inducing the present attempt, that it might, perhaps, be 
 proper even to dedicate the work to him. 
 
 For many years of early life the Author procured his daily bread by 
 laboring at the printer's case ; and though for a long time other pursuits 
 have engaged his attention, most agreeable recollections of the printing 
 office have been entertained. Having a vacant hour, now and then, he 
 was induced, after about a hundred pages had been set up by a printer, 
 to procure a case of type, a composing-stick, and a few other implements 
 
 A Q
 
 IV PREFACE. 
 
 of the art, and, in a convenient back room, apply his own hand to the work. 
 A famous marble slab, placed on a pine table, admirably filled the great 
 office of " imposing stone." And as fair proofs were taken upon it, by a 
 simple apparatus manufactured by his own ingenious hand, as gladden 
 the weary eyes of many a proof reader in the well-appointed offices of the 
 great cities. And when that consecrated slab shall have ended its useful- 
 ness in its present sphere, it will, perhaps, being set on end in a widely 
 different place, continue to be useful, in a sadder way, as a lettered 
 marble, or, indeed, as an imposing stone. 
 
 A good portion of the volume was never written ; but with memoranda 
 and sketches lying on the *' upper case," the Author proceeded to com- 
 pose types and sentences at the same time. Thus many leisure hours 
 were agreeably occupied. And could he be assured that the Reader 
 ■would, in the perusal of the volume, find a few of his leisure hours pass 
 as pleasantly, he would certainly be well pleased, though at the same 
 time acknowledging himself not so far etherealized but that a large sale 
 of the book might add somewhat to the satisfaction. 
 
 It may be dangerous to make some of these statements, as they involve 
 an admission of responsibility for mechanical arrangement, proofreading, 
 and so on, even to spelling and punctuation. As to spelling, however, 
 it may be remarked that the two great lexicographical lights of the age 
 have so eSectually succeeded in unsettling our orthography that it will 
 require more than one generation to regain the uniformity that prevailed 
 thirty years ago. 
 
 It is a blessed thing for some authors, that they can charge their 
 blunders upon innocent printers and proof readers. And it may be 
 eminently indiscreet in the present candidate for public favor to volun- 
 tarily bar himself from such a subterfuge.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PART FIRST. 
 
 " Roll back, thou mists of the dark brown yeais ! 
 Unveil the paths our fathers trod ! 
 We will lean upon their mossy tombs 
 And recount their noble deeds. 
 Then shall our souls be nerved 
 As by the bracing wind of the North ! " 
 
 Introductory Remarks, 9 
 
 Reflections and Reasons, 9 — Descriptive Passages, 12 — Defining 
 the Position of the Third Plantation, and Clearing the Way, 14. 
 
 Zachariah Hart, 19 
 
 His Birth and Early Experiences, 19 — Commencement of the Plan- 
 tation, with Sketches of divers of the Worthies present, and Notable 
 Occurrences that marked the Great Occasion, 23 — A Plea for 
 Snakes, 31 — Description of the First Habitation, 33 — First Native 
 Callers, 34 — Notices of some of Mr. Hart's worthy Descendants, 38 — 
 Mrs. Hutchinson's Meeting at Lynn, 39 — Governor Vane, 42 ; hia 
 Picturesque Tour, 45 — Interspersed with Notices of Scenes of various 
 complexion, in which Mr. Hart Exercised his peculiar Gifts, Sketches 
 of Natural Scenery, Glances at the Civil Polity, Theological Views, 
 and Bome of the strange Characteristics and Doings of the Settlers. 
 
 Obadiah Turner, 51 
 
 Something about him and his curious Journal, 51 — Remarks on the 
 Ancient Orthography, 54 and 91 — Old and New Style, 65 — The 
 old Belief in the Corporeal Appearance of the Devil, in Ghosts, &c., 
 56 — Copious Extracts from the Journal, which embraces the whole 
 period from 1630 to 1681 ; which extracts embody accounts of nu- 
 merous Remarkable Occurrences and Discoveries, Tricks and Con- 
 trivances of Evil Spirits, and quaint Word-Portraits of Notable 
 Characters, 57 — Indian Land Tenures, and some forgotten Facts 
 
 (V)
 
 VI CONTENTS. 
 
 regarding the Indhins, 91 — Abel Ballard's singular Experiences at 
 Egg Rock and Nahant, 103 — Tragic Fate of Julia Anderson and her 
 Lover, 109 — With observations on Mr. Turner's meritorious Acts 
 and note-worthy Experiences, and sundry Historic Reminders. 
 
 Thomas Newhall, 117 
 
 Romantic Accounts touching the Newhall Lineage, with Siietches of 
 Saxon and Norman Characteristics, 117 — The Wiltshire Baron, and 
 Arthur and Haroldine, 129 — Mr. Newhall's Experience with Bees, 
 148 — Extracts from his quaint Memoranda, 152 — His Theory of 
 Compensations, 154 — Diversified by Siietches of his Peculiarities, 
 his Home and Homestead, his Habits and Employments, and an occa- 
 sonal Historical and Philosophical Airing. 
 
 Oliver Purchis, 157 
 
 His efforts as a Legislator, 157 — Stirring Incidents in Colonial His- 
 tory, 159 — Edward Randolph's unbecoming Conduct while on an 
 Excursion to Nahant, 167 — His desperate Assault on Mr. Purchis, 
 in his own house, 172 — Mr. Purchis on Hoi'seback, preceded by a 
 Trumpeter, 175 — His Mysterious Visitor, and the way in which he 
 was saved from Arrest, 177 — With various Anecdotes, Personal 
 Sketches, Speculations, and Deductions. 
 
 Thomas Dexter, 187 
 
 His Irascibility of Temper, and some instances of its exhibition, 187 — 
 His great Projects for protecting Lynn Beach, 193 ; improving Egg 
 Rock, 194 ; straightening Saugus River, 195 — Indian Account of the 
 origin of said River, and the early Operations of the Great Sea-serpent, 
 195 — Mr. Dexter's Purchase of Nahant from Black Will, and what 
 came of it, 197 — His Partnership with Thomas Laighton ; Mr. 
 Laighton's extraordinary Maxim, and the results of an adherence 
 to it, 200 — Their Stox'e and Business, 202 — Mr. Laighton's dis- 
 agreeable Experience that resulted in the loss of his Scalp, and the 
 comical Expedient to which it led, 204 — With sundry Descriptive 
 and Touching Passages. 
 
 Philip Kertland, 217 
 
 The first Shoemaker in Lynn, 217 — His disastrous Operation under 
 the Laightonian Maxim, 220 — His Shop, 224 — His efforts to improve 
 the Art, 225 — His Difiiculty with a Lady Customer, and what it 
 cost him, 226 — His extraordinary Physical Peculiarity, 226 — 
 With Remarks on Trade, and various other Useful Topics.
 
 CONTENTS. VH 
 
 PART SECOND. 
 
 " In the gray morn and purple eve, 
 Spirit of Thought ! 
 O lead me to those dim old rustic shrines 
 My fathers loved. Recall their lusty forms, 
 And let me ponder on their worthy acts ; 
 Teach me to emulate their dignity. 
 And prosecute life's nobler aims ! " 
 
 Introductory Remarks, 229 
 
 Whys and Wherefores, 229. 
 
 The Old Burying Ground, 231 
 
 " Though storms and winds rule high in air, 
 
 And men's rough passions rave, 
 . Calm rest the weary sleepers here, 
 
 Safe in the dreamless grave I " 
 
 Didactic and Descriptive Passages, 231 — Deborah Armitage, the 
 pious herb seller, 239 — Verna Humphrey ; Sunshine and Shadows 
 of her Life, 247 — Rev. Mr. Whiting's Grave, 270 — Grave of Ma- 
 nasseh Guatolf, the apostate Jew, 271 — Obadiah Turner's Grave, 
 274 — The Reception Tomb, 275 — Elizabeth Melrose; the Strange 
 Occurrence on the night after her Burial, 275 — Grave of Ephraim 
 Newhall, a worthy Teacher of Youth, 278 — A Burial at Night, 
 278 — Meditations, 280 — Interspersed with Sketches of the interest- 
 ing History of this ancient Burial Place, its Natural Beauties, &c. 
 
 The Old Tunnel Meeting House, 283 
 
 " nail, honored fane ! Though not in the* 
 Were gorgeous nave and aisle ; 
 Yet was thy rude simplicity 
 More loved than marble pile." 
 
 Account of the Dedication, with quaint description of the Dedication 
 Dinner, from an old manuscript, 283 — Dedication Ball, 294 — Sage 
 Reflections, 297 — Eeling Expedition of Mr. Shepard, the minister, 
 in company with Samuel Walton, and the Mishaps that attended it, 
 303 — The Huguenots, 308 — M. Boudinot and Family, 310— Great 
 Military Parade, 312 — Instruction of Youth, 317 — Master Turn- 
 body, 318 — Shrewdness of Wild Geese, 321 — Master Oldpath, 325 
 — Autumn Foliage, 328 — Indian Summer, 329 — Character of the 
 early Teachers, 330 — Dr. Jotham Tyndale, 333; liis Remarkable 
 Cure of Aaron Rhodes, 83G — Interior of the Old Tunnel, 311 — 
 Great Witchcraft of 1692, 342 ; Excitement at the Meeting House,
 
 Vni CONTENTS. 
 
 342 ; Mr. Oldpath endeavors to prevent Agitation, 343 ; Horse- 
 shoe nailed upon the corner-board of the Meeting House, 344 ; 
 Wonderful Sights seen by Jediah Breed, 345 ; Ruth Chase's Discov- 
 eries, 347 ; Increase Carnes, and the mysterious Assault upon him, 
 349 ; Mr. Oldpath's judicious proceedings, 354 ; Attempts to Account 
 for the "Delusion," 355 — Deacon Mudget, and his Lesson to the 
 Singers, 359 — Nora Humphrey ; her Indiscretion, and its terrible 
 Punishment, 362 — Dame Ramsdell, and her claims to Distinction 
 among Women, 369 ; her successful-through-tribulation Son Zepha- 
 niah, 370 — Something about the Sermons of those times, 373 ; Ex- 
 tracts from one, 375 — Francis Reddan, his Bravery and wonderful 
 Escapes, 378 ; his daughter Cora, 381 ; her betrothal to Richard 
 Lewis ; 882 ; Mr. Reddan's dreadful Death, 383 — An exciting Oc- 
 currence at the Meeting House, on an evening in 1692, 383 — Daniel 
 Graves, and his afflictive Death by lightning, 386 ; Startling Appa- 
 rition of him, at the Meeting House, 387 ; its eflFect on a young Girl 
 who was present, 387 — The Music at the Old Tunnel, 389 — Fugi- 
 tive Hope, 390 — Remarks on Puritanism, and the Perseverance and 
 Success of the Old Settlers, 391 — Interspersed with Sketches of 
 Character, Descriptions, Deductions, Reflections, and Speculations, 
 which, it is hoped, will interest the Reader if not magnify the Writer.
 
 I>A.IIT I. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 NOTABLE PEOPLE 
 
 OF 
 
 OLDEN TIME. 
 
 " Roll back thou mists of the dark brown years ! 
 Unveil the paths our fathers trod ! 
 We will lean upon their mossy tombs 
 And recount their noble deeds ! 
 Then shall our souls be nerved 
 As by the bracing wind of the North." 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
 It is the "duty of every man, while sojouniing in 
 this unsatisfying though rather interesting world, and 
 beating about amid its perplexing and endearing vicis- 
 situdes, to endeavor something for the benefit of his 
 miserable race. And every man intends to perform 
 that duty at some time before his chance comes for 
 escape hence. But how true it is that with most 
 of us, that indefinite " some time " never arrives. 
 Our healthful efforts are postponed till disabilities 
 intervene or the better opportunities cease ; and so 
 we finally wither away, still unfruitful vines. Pro- 
 crastination justly bears the evil name of thief. Yet 
 with what sublime resignation men yield to her even 
 in their highest concerns. Some, it is true, who pass 
 A* (9)
 
 10 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 through early and middle life in ways unapproved by 
 themselves, and consequently void of real enjoyment, 
 arouse, at the eleventh hour, and do much to retrieve 
 their former delinquencies. But such instances are 
 rare, and no more to be depended on than those death- 
 bed repentances which our clerical admonishera so 
 constantly warn us against trusting to. While one man 
 makes a figure in the world after his head has begun to 
 bleach, ten thousand pursue the old unprofitable course. 
 And, reflecting in this wise, the writer, having pen 
 in hand, and not being able to recall any particularly 
 satisfactory achievement of his past life, considered 
 whether something might not be accomplished by 
 making a Book. But then the mystic dread produced 
 by that impatient ejaculation of the most patient of 
 men — "Behold, my desire is . . . that mine ad- 
 versary had written a book" — brought him shivering 
 to a stand. Presently, however, coming to the con- 
 clusion that if in the attacks to which his temerity 
 might expose him, no more formidable enginery than 
 literary criticism were employed, annihilation, certain- 
 ly, would not be the melancholy result, he bravely 
 determined to proceed. Yet the labor is undertaken 
 with unfeigned diffidence ; for if a vicious sentiment 
 should be promulgated, however unintentionally, the 
 efiects of the wrong might be felt long after his power 
 to counter-work had ceased ; though, being void of 
 evil intent, he might reasonably hope to escape the fu- 
 ture punishment denounced by the worthy old Catholic 
 against depraved writers ; namely, that they writhe in 
 purgatory just so long as the mischievous effects of 
 their writings are felt among mankind, A very whole- 
 some adjustment; though one under which that dread 
 abode will not be likely soon to want for population.
 
 INTRODUCTOEY REMARKS. 11 
 
 To keep in proper humor with an author, and most 
 effectually secure the good he intends, the reader 
 should, in the very first place, endeavor to bring him- 
 self to a realizing sense of the exact spirit in which the 
 work originated ; to explore the mind of the writer, 
 so to speak, primarily as regards his object, and sec- 
 ondarily as regards his style. A writer is necessitated, 
 much more than a speaker, to rely on the discernment 
 and fairness of those whom he addresses, for he cannot 
 resort to gestures, intonations, and the thousand little 
 arts that a speaker can, to make clear his meaning and 
 adorn his periods. We hope to be dealt justly with. 
 Yea, more than that, generously. Most of us are great 
 sticklers for justice when it falls on heads not our own. 
 But Avhen we ourselves are in danger, mercy is the 
 cry. Men's ideas of justice, too, greatly vary. Few 
 agree as to what it is ; or they award to it an elasticity 
 capable of suiting any purpose. It is quite instructive 
 to the philosophical observer to see how often the 
 claims of pure justice mongers are based on the most 
 arrant selfishness. What, indeed, would become of the 
 best of us, if strict justice were meted out? We be- 
 speak, then, the generous consideration of the reader. 
 
 Some authors write to magnify themselves, and some 
 to promote other selfish ends. Others write to in- 
 struct, and others to amuse. Hence the importance 
 of the suggestion just made, that it be a first object to 
 search the mind of the writer whose book is in hand. 
 True, the search may sometimes lead into crooked 
 ways and among mists. And the reader may possibly 
 come from the exploration without finding any purpose 
 at all. But such instances will be rare. Every book 
 has some object, or it is not worthy of the dignity of 
 being burnt by the hangman. As to the present vol-
 
 12 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 lime, we trust there will be no necessity for complaint 
 in this respect. It would be a matter of unbounded 
 regret and mortification with the writer, should any 
 reader deem the time occupied in perusing his produc- 
 tion misspent ; so much so, indeed, as to move him to 
 endeavor some amends. But Avhat amends? Pecu- 
 niary? People usually look that way first. And hence 
 he might ofi"er to acquit himself accordingly. But as 
 no one would expect such unheard of generosity to 
 extend beyond the profits of the work, and the profits 
 depending on its merits, there might be some doubt as 
 to the value of the ofi'er. 
 
 We are to deal chiefly with scenes and characters of 
 past time. And oftentimes more good may be derived 
 from the contemplation of what pertains to former 
 days, than from what relates to the present, though the 
 I latter may in itself possess the greater merit. " What- 
 ever withdraws us from the power of our senses,'" 
 says the sturdy old moralist, " whatever makes the 
 past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the 
 present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings. 
 That man is little to be envied whose patriotism 
 would not gain force on the plains of. Marathon, or 
 whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins 
 of Ion." And by parity of reasoning we are forward 
 to ask who can fail to be benefitted by considering the 
 pregnant scenes and noble characters of New Eng- 
 land's early days ? Who would not receive inspiration 
 from viewing the giant needle on Bunker Hill, the Pil- 
 grim monument at Plymouth, when built, or even from 
 wandering among our quaint old tomb stones? 
 
 In old Plymouth colony there commences a range 
 of hills, varying in h3ight, -iit never reaching an alti-
 
 INTRODUCTOEY REMARKS. 13 
 
 tude rendering them eligible to the title of mountains, 
 that extends eastward some sixty or seventy miles. 
 These hills present great irregularities in shape, and 
 diversity in soil and geological construction. They 
 follow the line of the coast at distances varying from 
 half a mile to six miles from the shore, and in many 
 places bear strong evidence of once having been the 
 boundary of the tide. Anciently they were well 
 wooded ; but as population extended, the axe in many 
 places laid them bare to the genial influence of the sun, 
 and orchards, gardens and arable fields took the place 
 of the old vestments. And now, at intervals, the chain 
 seems much broken, as most portions, likely for the 
 present to repay the expense, have been reclaimed. 
 Some sections, which nature left in the most wild and 
 untamable condition, still appear in the primeval 
 aspect. 
 
 In the vicinity of Quincy these hills present immense 
 ledges of beautiful and durable granite, which afford 
 an inexhaustible field for remunerative labor. Farther 
 east tower stupendous cliff's of porphyry. The range 
 sweeps up from Plymouth, through Norfolk and Mid- 
 dlesex, and terminates in Essex, near the Merrimack. 
 Should one take a view from the cupola of the State 
 House at Boston, or from the top of Bunker Hill Mon- 
 ument, he might trace for many miles the undulating 
 course of this interesting chain. At intervals, along 
 the whole line, are detached transverse sections, great- 
 er or less in extent, giving diversity to the landscape, 
 and furnishing romantic nestling places for numerous 
 little settlements. A principal spur traverses the 
 whole length of Cape Ann, terminating at Rockport^ 
 where the billows of the Atlantic eternally beat against 
 its granite butresS.
 
 14 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 The territory from the hills to the sea is in some 
 places almost a perfect plain for miles in extent ; in 
 other places it is broken and abrupt. Some of the 
 largest and most thrifty settlements of New England 
 adorn and make busy this tract. Indeed, Boston itself 
 is within the limit, as well as Roxbury, Cambridge, 
 Charlestown, Lynn and Salem. Here and in the adja- 
 cent hill country were the first explorations of the pil- 
 grim fathers ; and here were many of the first English 
 settlements. It was in the rear of Boston, that the apos- 
 tle Eliot commenced his pious labors, perseveringly, 
 through winter's cold and summer's heat, pursuing his 
 intrepid course, achieving such noble conquests and 
 gaining such enduring renown. In this vicinity, too, 
 some of the most stirring of the opening scenes of the 
 Revolution took place. And on those bright mornings 
 of April and June, when our Pine Tree Flag unfurled 
 at Lexington and Bunker Hill, the whole region re- 
 sounded with the tramp of gathering patriots. 
 
 All along this vast range of hills are disclosed such 
 magnificent marine and landscape views as it is be- 
 lieved are equalled nowhere else on the Atlantic coast. 
 
 The Third Plantation occupied a central portion 
 of this charming coast territory, and was parent of the 
 renowned City of Lynn, or '' Lin," as it is spelled in the 
 act bestowing the name ; a place known and respected 
 wherever shoes are worn and bay fish eaten. Several 
 other ambitious towns are honored by the same parent- 
 age ; but Lynn seems always to have ranked as the 
 most eminent of the beautiful offspring of that memo- 
 rable settlement ; and hence the whole Plantation is 
 occasionally distinguished by her euphonious name. 
 
 It was in 1629 that the good old Third Plantation was
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 15 
 
 commenced. And it is our purpose to follow these 
 introductory remarks by some biographical sketches 
 of the sturdy old settlers, they being eminently types 
 of the times — interspersed by allusions and details of 
 various complexion. 
 
 There is no kind of general reading more profitable 
 than well digested biography. Every person possesses 
 an fnstinctive propensity to imitate the actions of 
 others ; and it is on this account that evil communicar 
 tions cori^ipt. But it is also true that a channel is 
 thus afforded through which the most beneficial results 
 may flow. In reading the life of a great or good man, 
 where the traits which led to his greatness or good- 
 ness are clearly and judiciously delineated, the most 
 healthful inspiration is imparted. 
 
 "Plutarch's Lives" have probably moulded more 
 great characters than any other collection extant, save 
 the sacred writings. And how often do we find them 
 spoken of by leading spirits of departed centuries, as 
 well as those of modern times, as having furnished the 
 models by which they endeavored to shape themselves. 
 They have imparted energy to the regal arm ; incor- 
 ruptibility to the dauntless breast ; inspiration to the 
 patriot heart. Some of the loftiest principles of juris- 
 prudence are in them developed, some of the noblest 
 conceptions of genuine liberty enforced, some of the 
 most exalted characteristics of true manhood pre- 
 Bented. They were the companions of Alfred, of Eliz- 
 abeth, of Shakspeare, of Cromwell, of Chatham, of 
 Franklin and Bonaparte ; yes, and of some of the 
 stout-hearted wilderness battlers of whom we are pres- 
 ently to speak. 
 
 The history of every community may furnish char- 
 acters for the skilful biographer to delineate with ap-
 
 16 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 planse and profit. And such local biographies may 
 perhaps in many instances prove most useful, because 
 the circumstances and interests of the principals and 
 those who should be the imitators are so nearly iden- 
 tical as to afford a more steady and comprehensible 
 light. 
 
 But we approach our task with diffidence, consider- 
 ing how many biographers prove themselves unfit for 
 the labors they undertake. The dispositions of some 
 lead them to indiscriminately laud, of others to indis- 
 criminately calumniate. Few have power to analyze 
 character without bias, and perhaps fewer still the dis- 
 position. Yet, the biographer who conceals all the 
 faults of his subject because he discovers much to 
 applaud, or all his virtues because he discovers much 
 to condemn, betrays his trust most sadly. And then 
 again, many rampant authors have their own innate 
 prejudices, whims and fancies to be provided for. 
 And these are at times not a little troublesome. Little 
 indeed do readers know of the throes of authors — of 
 the ideas that spring up, kicking and ranting among 
 the brains like unbroken colts, too ill-conditione^. to 
 prance before the critical and exacting world, and yet 
 so impatient of restraint. If they knew they might 
 pity and forgive. 
 
 And many readers fail properly to appreciate the 
 labors of an author in a work like the one now in 
 hand, from entertaining divers wrong notions touching 
 the quality of the information. Some suspect if they 
 happen to come across anything of which they have 
 not before heard, that it must be false ; forgetting that \ 
 there may be some truths in the world with which 1 
 they have never become acquainted — that many im- 
 portant historical facts have for ages slept in private
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 17 
 
 records ; where, having escaped the search of the an- 
 tiquarian plodder, they have finally been stumbled 
 upon, as it were, by the mere excursionist in history. 
 |f It has been remarked that much of the truth of his- 
 / tory is stranger than fiction. It certainly is. And 
 hence, worthy reader, we trust you will not question 
 any of our statements because they detail strange or 
 even absurd transactions. That would be to suppose 
 men never do strange or absurd things. The moment 
 that a relation should enter the territory of the impos- 
 sible, however, it is right to reject it. And we are 
 free to admit that errors will sometimes creep into the 
 most dignified and solemn histories. Even the intelli- 
 gent and conscientious Prescott, it has been discovered, 
 was led to adopt many fictions for truth. It is not 
 possible always to avoid this. And all that the best 
 can safely promise, is to be faithful in the endeavor 
 not to mislead. 
 
 An untruth, when it appears upon the page of a 
 book, may be the instrument of much greater mischief 
 than it could have occasioned as a mere spoken word ; 
 because in the book it is more enduring, more widely 
 circulated, and comes before the world in more pre- 
 tentious guise. Of this we are aware, and wish that 
 every author would take due cognizance. Occasion- 
 ally, it is true, an innocent fiction may prove an excel- 
 lent illustration. In the Bible itself we sometimes find 
 great truths illustrated by parable. And in this view 
 a historical writer may take a little comfort ; for while 
 he cannot always know the truth of his statements, he 
 can know their aptness to produce the desired im- 
 pression. 
 
 The annals of that favored region which was the 
 scene of much that we shall relate, are rife with bril- 
 
 2
 
 18 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 liant characters which we are persuaded would, if 
 faithfully exhibited, not only shed lustre upon her 
 name, but exercise an influence powerful and good. 
 Yet it is not our intention to undertake anything like 
 extended biographies. All we propose is, to attempt 
 a few sketches of certain early settlers — rather the 
 bringing of them out as lights to show the condition 
 of things during the interesting and eventful times 
 when it pleased their Maker to direct their sojourn 
 here. And the first of the ancient gentry with whom 
 it is proposed to step upon the stage is Zachariah 
 Hart, to whose name may be found on the records the 
 prefix of Mister. The pseudo-aristccracy of the col- 
 ony were very particular about titular distinctions. 
 The simple appellation of Goodman was generally 
 awarded to such as had not taken the freeman's oath, 
 and the more dignified one of Mister to such as had. 
 The rule, however, was not invariable. Of other titles 
 something may be said hereafter.
 
 za.ce[a.iiia.h: h:a.iit. 
 
 •' With brawnie arme and dauntless hearte, 
 he strode in godlie pryde ; 
 Nor ghosts, wolves, Indians, Devill's art, 
 could turne his steps asyde." 
 
 Mr. Hart was born in an ancient cathedral town, 
 near the Scottish border, somewhere in the hitherward 
 verge of the sixteenth century ; it is believed in the 
 year 1594. And as he had little or no religious train- 
 ing, he was liable, as he grew up, to be swayed by com- 
 paratively slight circumstances. He became a rigid 
 puritan. And his principles were fixed, probably, by 
 the fact that the hair of his head was of a rusty yellow, 
 grew rather in tufts than broadcast, and was almost as 
 stiff as the bristles on a swine's back. 
 
 It is well known that the good churchmen were 
 careful in the dressing of their hair, taking much pride 
 in the graceful curl and shining lock, while the dissen- 
 ters dissented as strongly from all such vanities as 
 from the grievous superstitions, as they deemed them, 
 perpetuated by any of the fondly cherished ceremonials 
 of the establishment. Slighter circumstances than 
 swayed Mr. Hart in his choice of a religion, have 
 swayed others in all ages. 
 
 He probably had a sort of underground apprehension 
 that there was a natural impediment to his becoming 
 a good, or at least a shining, churchman, and so the 
 
 (19)
 
 20 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 other party at once had his sympathies. And by the 
 time he had attained one score and ten years, his prin- 
 ciples were as well defined and stiff as the tufts that 
 adorned his head. Of the common frailties of human 
 nature he possessed a competence. But he also had 
 conspicuous virtues. And in this brief sketch we shall 
 probably be able to show that he was one of the most 
 useful and meritorious of the little band who made the 
 first christian lodgment on this heathen territory. 
 
 It is not worth while to spend time in details re- 
 specting the early life of our Subject, for that was 
 passed much as the early lives of others. He was sent 
 to a decent school, and now punished and now re- 
 warded, as his merits determined or the caprice of his 
 teacher dictated. And he left the school, improved by 
 his instruction and discipline. 
 
 One thing, however, ought to be mentioned. While 
 at school he lodged in an upper room, just beneath the 
 window of which an outbuilding was reared. And 
 over the roof of that architectural adjunct hung the 
 unsuspicious branches of a fruit tree belonging to a 
 neighbor. 
 
 Zachariah had not occupied the room long before 
 the ripening fruit attracted a glance that he had to 
 spare from his book. And that glance was the occa- 
 sion of some reflection after his head was laid upon the 
 pillow. In short, the luscious fruit was a temptation 
 that could not be winked down ; and he began to lay 
 plans for the possession of a share. His plans and the 
 fruit were ripe at about the same time. So by the 
 light of the moon he lowered himself from his window, 
 stole along the ridge-pole, and then commenced a slide 
 towards the eaves. Unfortunately a shower had ren- 
 dered the roofing exceedingly slippery, and do what
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 21 
 
 he could it was impossible for him to arrest his pro- 
 gress downward. 
 
 As he gracefully sailed by the golden fruit that lay 
 within reach, he cast upon it that mingled look of 
 shame, contempt and contrition wherewith one is apt 
 to view a tempter in whose snare he is fairly caught, 
 and who looks impudently up, laughing at his calamity. 
 After an interesting exploration among the branches 
 of the tree, he landed upon a bed of rocks, and was 
 presently found and taken up very much frightened and 
 somewhat weakened by the loss of blood. There was 
 a terrible wound on his forehead, but no bones were 
 broken ; and he was soon able again to take his place 
 in the school. In after life he derived considerable 
 benefit from this adventure. 
 
 After the healing of the wound a frightful scar was 
 fortunately left. And this proved of much service to 
 him, not only in a moral way, by reminding him how 
 unexpectedly dangers may spring up in the path of the 
 evil doer, but otherwise, by furnishing a mark that 
 might indicate the performance of some perilous duty. 
 And he was not backward in availing himself of the 
 advantages of the providential bestowment. At one 
 time it answered for a wound received in the Dutch 
 war ; at another, for one received in defending a forti- 
 fication against the French. And it made him a hero 
 here in New England, as being a badge gained in a 
 desperate conflict with Indians soon after he landed. 
 We are astonished that one in those days of simplicity 
 should predicate such diverse theories on a single fact; 
 though we should not wonder at any thing of the kind 
 in these days ; for men are now so given to lying that 
 when one undertakes to tell the truth he becomes an 
 object of suspicion, and people wonder what on earth
 
 22 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 his purpose can be, especially where no selfish end is 
 apparent. 
 
 Among the manifold excuses that have been urged 
 for Mr. Hart is the one that his false statemejjts were 
 made under a loss of self-possession ; that is, we sup- 
 pose, being suddenly asked the occasion of his scar, 
 and unwilling to name the true cause, he would, in 
 confused haste, attribute it to this or that imaginary 
 agency. 
 
 That people do sometimes sin under a loss of self- 
 possession is no doubt true. But no instance of any 
 sin excepting that of profanity committed under such 
 circumstances, at this moment occurs to us. We are 
 told of a certain minister once living in this region, who 
 would sometimes, under sudden excitement or alarm, 
 swear in a way that would have done dirty honor to the 
 armies in Flanders, but who, when the gale had passed, 
 had no sort of recollection of his guilty utterances. 
 And when the matter was pressed home upon him he 
 would seek to change the issue and refer to the ex- 
 ample of St. Peter, declaring that on the memorable 
 occasion of his denying his Master, the swearing was 
 added through inadvertence. We certainly think 
 Peter's denial was bad enough without his vulgar ad- 
 dition, but do not learn that he ever sought to excuse 
 himself on this singular ground. Still, there was inge- 
 nuity in the minister's position. 
 
 Mr. Hart's case is a little strengthened, too, by a 
 statement in the journal of Obadiah Turner, which work 
 will be more fully brought into notice hereafter. On 
 the whole, anomalous as it may seem in one generally 
 so steady and brave, there really is reason to apprehend 
 that Mr. Hart did occasionally lose his self-possession 
 to a degree that left him to do things of which he
 
 ZACHAEIAH HAET. 23 
 
 might well have been ashamed. In Mr. Turner's jour- 
 nal we find this statement : 
 
 " Zachariah Harte was wth y^firste companie y* came \ 
 to Lin. He worked wth greate brauerie in putting vp 
 y® firste habitation. And there being no minister wth 
 them, he did make a lustie praier at y^ laying of y® cor- 
 ner stone wch for y** time was a stoute oake blocke. 
 They do discourse mch of hjs skill and handiework 
 and of hjs godlie exhortations on y® ocacion. But jt 
 hath been given oute y* he did use manie prophane 
 words mch to y"' scandall of those aboute. And vpon 
 hjs being reprimanded therefor he did stoutlie denie 
 y^ same ; whereat they greatlie wondered, there being 
 so manie witnesses. But he further sayd y* if jt so 
 seemed to them, he could say y* jt was onlie a wrong 
 working of y^ tongue, there being no euil speech in 
 hjs hearte. But I thinke this strange talke." 
 
 Mr. Hart joined the pilgrims at Leyden and remained 
 with them there a few years. Having thus cast his lot 
 with the refugees, he scorned to desert them; and 
 when they, as perils thickened, fled to these shores, 
 with undaunted heart followed. In what particular ves- 
 sel he came over, it does not appear. But we find him 
 at Lynn, with the very first detachment of settlers. 
 
 It was a warm day in the early part of June, 1629, 
 when the little band pitched their tent among the trees 
 that overshadowed the beautiful plain stretching from 
 the hills to the sea, and immediately set about erecting 
 a habitation. 
 
 In speaking of this "goodlie companie," some histo- 
 rians have omitted to mention tliat Mr. Hart was one 
 of them. But such a slight cannot extinguish him. 
 He did more labor, sweat more, ate and drank more, 
 and according to Mr. Turner, swore more on that
 
 24 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 eventful day, than any other individual present. But 
 they all worked with the industry of bees and beavers 
 and were right glad when evening drew on. 
 
 It should be borne in mind that on this great occa- 
 sion there were several present who did not come with 
 the intention of remaining. They were from Salem, 
 it is presumed, and came by special appointment or 
 invitat^n, to assist by their advice and skill in laying 
 the corner stone, as it were, of the new settlement. 
 Among these, as will afterwards appear, was the famous 
 Roger Conant. The Captain of the day himself, was 
 also one of these temporary sojourners. Now those 
 historians who do not mention these, and what the 
 number of them was is not readily ascertained, as among 
 the first settlers, do right, for they were not settlers in 
 a proper sense. Some appear to have remained a con- 
 siderable time, and some to have left immediately. 
 And furthermore, some who are reckoned as first set- 
 tlers do not seem to have been here for the first few 
 months. Indeed it was something like the signing of 
 the declaration of independence ; though purporting 
 to have been begun and completed on the fourth of 
 July, the fact is that many if not most of the signatures 
 were affixed at different times subsequent to that date. 
 The purpose of these remarks is to remind the reader 
 that though there may be apparent conflicts between 
 ourselves and others who have Avritten on the subject, 
 yet all may be right. We have no thought of being 
 captious, making charges of ignorance, or casting re- 
 flections. 
 
 As the glorious sun sank behind the tall pines that 
 threw their dense shade upon the little clearing that 
 had been made, those sturdy pioneers looked with sat- 
 isfaction upon the habitation they had erected. It was
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 25 
 
 sufficient for temporary shelter, though not comely to 
 tlie eye. On that day, for the lirst time, had tiie pri- 
 mary sounds of civilization, the noise of the saw, the 
 axe and the hammer, been heard in these solitudes. 
 But these sounds were now hushed. 
 
 The workmen had gathered together the tools with 
 which they had been toiling, and washed in a neighbor- 
 iug rivulet. The little girl and her boy companion had 
 returned from their rambles, with muddy feet and stain- 
 ed lips. And the whole company were gathered near 
 the habitation in preparation for their evening meal. 
 
 The venerable leader of the band was seated upon a 
 stately oaken stump. The refreshing breeze played on 
 his manly brow and swayed his white locks. The mild 
 lustre of his hazel eye, told of the undisturbed spirit 
 within. Time had plowed deep furrows along his dingy 
 cheeks, and having harrowed rather unskilfully, little 
 ridges of warts were left, much resembling such as are 
 sometimes seen upon the hard shell gourd. He sat in 
 silence, evidently contemplating the results that might 
 flow from that day of small things. And had he been 
 permitted to extend his vision along the vista of years 
 to this our day, how glorious must have appeared to 
 him the end of that vista, though some dark spots 
 intervened. 
 
 But the meditations of the worthy leader were sud- 
 denly interrupted by a little occurrence which will be 
 best related in the words of the old writer to whom we 
 are chiefly indebted for our account of the transactions 
 of that important day : 
 
 " Y® godlie and prudent Captain of y^ ocacion did 
 
 for a time sit on y" stumpe in pleasante moode. And 
 
 y'^ others did strolle abovte as best sujted themselues 
 
 their worke being done, save one or two who must 
 
 B
 
 26 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 needs always be at work at something. Presentlie all 
 were hurried together in greate alarium to witness 
 j'^ strainge doing of y^ goode olde man. Vttering a 
 lustie screame he bounded from y*^ stumpe, and they 
 coming vpp did discry him jumping aboute in y*^ oddest 
 manner, snapping hjs fingers and throwing hjs arms 
 arounde in such wise as to make all greatlie feare y' he 
 had been seized wth some sudden and direfull distrac- 
 tion, and would doe harme to all y*^ got within hjs 
 reache. And he did likewise puff and blow wth hjs 
 mouthe and roll vpp hjs eyes in y*^ most distressful! 
 way. 
 
 " All were greatlie moved and did loudlie beg of hjm 
 to advertise them whereof he was afflicted in so sore a 
 manner. And presentlie he pointing to hjs forehead, 
 they did spy there a small red spot, and swelling. 
 Then did they begin to thinke y*^ what had happened 
 T'nto him was this, y' some pestigious scorpion or fly- 
 ing devill had bitten him, and y* he was cryhig oute in 
 agonie of paine. Goodwife Norlan did seize a hand- 
 full of wett moss, and running vpp hold y*^ same vpon 
 y° wounde, and y' did mch abate y® paine. Then said 
 he, y* as he sat on y® stumpe he did spy vpon y" branche 
 of a tree y* stoode neare by, what to hjm seemed a 
 large fruite, y® like of Avch he had never before seen, 
 being mch in size and shape like y'' heade of a man, 
 and hauing a grey rinde wch, as he deemed, betokened 
 ripeness. There being so manie new and luscious fruits 
 from time to time discovered in this faire land, none 
 could know y" whole of them, and jt might be y* a 
 fruit of y® coccownut kinde might grow hereabout. 
 And he said hjs eyes did mch rejoice at y"^ sight. 
 
 " Seizing a stone wch lay neare, he hurled y*^ same 
 thereat, thinking to bring jt to y*" ground, and thereby
 
 ZACHARIAH HART, 27 
 
 procure a daintie for y" svpper table. But not taking 
 faire aime, he onlie hit y" brancli whereon hung y® fruit. 
 Y* jarr was not enow to shake down y^ same, bvt there 
 issued from jt as from a nes^seeminglie in great rage, 
 diverse little winged scorpions mch in size like y" large 
 fenn flies on y® marish lands of olde Englande, bvt hav- 
 ing more of a yellow color. And one of them bound- 
 ing againste hjs forehead, did in an instant, as he 
 declared, giue a moste terrible sting, whereof came 
 y^ horrible paine and agonie at Avch he so cried out." 
 
 What the company then did about the newly discov- 
 ered hornet's nest, as such it seems to have been — 
 Avhether their curiosity overcame their prudence and 
 they pelted it to pieces, suffering the penalty which the 
 outraged insects knew so well how to inflict, or whether 
 their fears overcame their curiosity and they let it 
 alone — we are not informed. 
 
 The interruption was not of long continuance, and 
 things were soon progressing as quietly as before. 
 There is our worthy friend Zachariah Hart, busy again 
 with his axe, chopping up fuel for the morrow's use. 
 He is always at work and seemingly never tired. His 
 sliort sword dangles with a sort of good natured defi- 
 ance at his side. And having thrown by his slouched 
 liat, tlie brassy light and swaying shadows fall upon 
 his bristly locks giving them a picturesque tinge of 
 yellow green. 
 
 And there, with his sinewy arms bared to the tavsk 
 of assisting in the preparation of the evening meal, is 
 the renowned Roger Conant. Every reader of New 
 England history knows well who he was. His image 
 looms up at intervals in all the coast sottlomcnts. He 
 came over in the very infimcy of the Plymouth colony. 
 And when Lyford and Oldham were expelled ibr their
 
 28 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 seditious proceedings and retired to Nantasket, he, 
 being one of their adherents, packed up and followed. 
 In 1625, he was appointed to oversee the fishing and 
 planting station commenced at Cape Ann. Thither he 
 removed. The next 3^ear, however, he broke up the es- 
 tablishment and with others ''went west" — only about 
 fifteen miles, to be sure, but perhaps enough to entitle 
 him to the honor of having put in motion that westward 
 tide of emigration which has continued to roll on with 
 continually increasing volume, to this day. He im- 
 mediately began a settlement at Naumkeag, which, 
 under Hebraic inspiration, was soon called Salem ; a 
 name wdiich Roger Williams, with pungent irony, used 
 to render into Peace, in allusion to the almost ceaseless 
 quarrels of the settlers there, as well as their severe 
 treatment of himself. Conant, indeed, seems to have 
 had as irresistible a passion to be present at the com- 
 mencement of settlements, as his neighbor Endicott 
 had to be at sein-drawings or pig-killings. So it is 
 not at all remarkable that he was present at the auspi- 
 cious birth of the Third Plantation. There he was — his 
 athletic form towering above the group, his sharp eyes 
 glistening beneath their shaggy brows, like black dia- 
 monds set in red putty — giving directions, explaining 
 principles, and exhorting to christian faithfulness, in 
 a voice that a juvenile hippopotamus might envy. Nor 
 did he scorn any useful labor. His arms, that might 
 have held asunder a struggling Heenan and Sayers, did 
 not disdain to wield the axe or rear the knotty rafter. 
 Another interesting and useful personage present on 
 the occasion was Mistress Pluldah Collins, the portly 
 dame who had been detailed for the supervision of the 
 cooking department. Matters progressed with happy 
 quietude during the day. But in the preparation of
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 29 
 
 the evening repast, she had become a little hurried and 
 also a little flurried, as cooks are liable to be at such 
 times. So she must be pardoned if her shrill voice did 
 now and then ring discordantly in the ears of Roger 
 and Zachariah and the others who were enlisted as her 
 aids. Her cap had been thrown aside, for the pretty- 
 frill had been burned off by a straying flame and her 
 long gray hair streamed and twisted round in a manner 
 more observable than becoming; a sample now and then 
 finding its way into the utensil upon the fire. But all 
 trials must come to an end. 
 
 She took the last little puffed cake from the frying 
 pan that continued to tremble and spit over the embers, 
 and directed Zachariah to give notice that all things 
 were ready for the evening meal. In smoking state it 
 was served upon the temporary board erected beneath 
 the spreading branches of a huge pine. The spot was 
 convenient on account of the shade, and convenient to 
 receive the litter shaken down by divers squirrels and 
 birds who entertained themselves in hopping about 
 among the foliage and darting envious looks upon the 
 preparations below. All being ready, by direction of 
 the leader a blessing was craved by honest Roger. 
 And then they proceeded, in decent order, to appro- 
 priately dispose of the frugal repast. No eye caught 
 a glimpse of the hideous copper face that now and then 
 peered upon them from a neighboring thicket, nor of 
 the painted form that stealthily glided among the gray 
 trunks in the valley below. 
 
 The meal ended, and it was now an hour of rest. 
 The huge trunks that had that day fallen by their sturdy 
 strokes, hewn blocks, boxes and chests, furnished them 
 with lounges and seats. The young and the old, in 
 groups, engaged in innocent sports or grave conversa-
 
 30 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 tion. And the little baud were happy ; bappy in the 
 society and sympathy of each other ; bappy in their 
 anticipations of the future ; happy in having escaped 
 the trials, temptations and persecutions of the lands 
 they had left ; and bappy in having found so pleasant 
 and peaceful a home. 
 
 The sun went down. The crescent of the new moon 
 bung in marvellous beauty above the glowing horizon 
 and the stars began to twinkle in the blue deeps above. 
 The pilgrim band remained enjoying the virgin sweet- 
 ness of that holy eventide. It was a season for medi- 
 tation ; a season and a scene in which the heart could 
 not fail to be led to aspirations of the most exalted na- 
 ture ; a season and a scene in which a sense of the 
 deceitfulness of all earth's promises, the nothingness of 
 its objects of ambition, its hopes and its fears, must 
 press upon the mind in glaring contrast with the tran- 
 scendant worth of that spiritual discipline which alone 
 can satisfy and save. And no people could have had a 
 more stern realization of such truths. 
 
 The hour for repose drew near, and the venerable 
 leader proposed the singing of a hymn. With one con- 
 sent the sacred melody rang among the wilds to such 
 purpose that there was a general rousing of the forest 
 tenants of every nook within half a mile. And such 
 startling responses were hetird from rock, cave and 
 hollow tree, that there can be little wonder that the 
 pious old father imagined that the evil one was thus 
 early marshalling his phalanx for an onset. This idea 
 excited considerable alarm, but fortunately it was dis- 
 covered that a Latin Bible and a horseshoe were in the 
 camp. The idea so general among the early settlers 
 that Satan had determined to destroy them by a regu- 
 lar corporeal descent is easily accounted for. Their
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 31 
 
 fond conceits led them to fancy themselves the most 
 pure upon earth, and hence the special objects of Sa- 
 tanic jealousy and wrath. They did not seem once to 
 realise that the old brimstone gentleman must have 
 had many other spots in the wide world to keep an eye 
 on, or might content himself with a general oversight 
 of their progress, or, perhaps, despatch one of his trusty 
 marshals to keep watch and ward. No, no, it could 
 not be possible, in their view, but that he looked upon 
 them, though few in numbers, as the most valiant and 
 determined champions in the whole world of his ad- 
 versaries. 
 
 The pious song was ended. Then they all arose with 
 uncovered heads, the aged with holy aspirations and 
 the young with damp resignation receiving the bap- 
 tism of evening dew, and listened to a prayer, within 
 the ample verge of which was comprehended a citation 
 of all the wants and woes in mind, body or estate of 
 each individual present ; a thanksgiving for the mercies 
 and benefits of the past day ; and a petition for care 
 and protection during the coming hours of repose. 
 Nothing appeared to be forgotten ; not even the acci- 
 dental killing of a gray squirrel and the destruction of 
 a four foot snake. But whether the latter was acci- 
 dental or otherwise the prayer seemed to leave in 
 doubt ; the equivocation probably arising from the cir- 
 cumstance that the snake was forced to bid adieu to 
 this happy life at the particular instance of the vener- 
 able leader himself. 
 
 And why is it, that snakes are so universally feared 
 and detested? Many of them are among the most 
 graceful and beautiful of the whole animal creation. 
 Some are in a peculiar sense fiiscinating. And with 
 very few exceptions they are timid and entirely harm-
 
 32 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 less. It seems as if the universal horror of them among 
 us could only arise from some fancied connection with 
 that old serpent, the devil — though many who profess 
 no fear of the devil are yet afraid of snakes. The hor- 
 ror lies in education, not in nature, for the Indians and 
 many uncivilized people rather fancy them as compan- 
 ions, A question arises : Is it right to kill harmless 
 snakes ? The writer was once walking in the woods 
 with a clergyman when a large glossy snake, beauti- 
 fully marked w^ith gay colors crossed the path. Our 
 clerical friend by an instant blow with his cane disa- 
 bled him. Following up the blow, by others, vigor- 
 ously applied, the reptile soon lay writhing piteously. 
 But during all this exercise the godly man was declar- 
 ing that he had never been able to satisfy himself that 
 it was right to kill harmless snakes. As lookers on, we 
 could not avoid the reflection that it would be most 
 satisfactory to the snake to have such violent proceed- 
 ings suspended till the question in casuistry was set- 
 tled. But the reptile ghost was soon yielded up and 
 there the matter ended. 
 
 Most of the serpent kind undoubtedly possess great 
 cunning and manage their little transactions with birds, 
 toads, mice and such savory flesh wnth great shrewd- 
 ness. And that they possess extraordinary domestic 
 attachments seems not to admit of doubt. It is said 
 that the male and female will sometimes even die for 
 each other. The writer once had occasion to notice a 
 really pathetic instance. A workman on his premises 
 killed a large black snake, and was requested to let the 
 body remain exposed, to ascertain if a companion 
 would not soon appear. "Watch was kept and in a few 
 days a snake of the same kind and of similar size ap- 
 peared. An unsuccessful efi"ort was made to capture
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 33 
 
 him ; and after a few days more be was seen so fre- 
 quently as to make it seem as if he had taken up his 
 abode thereabout, resolutely determined to effect some- 
 thing. But he was finally found lying exposed near a 
 frequented path, not far from the now decaying remains 
 of the other, and manifesting no disposition to escape. 
 He was easily despatched, making no attempt to avoid 
 the fatal blows. The whole thing appeared so much 
 as if he had come in search of his lost companion, had 
 found her, and being satisfied that she was dead, was 
 ready to throw his own life away, as to be really 
 touching. 
 
 But to proceed. The prayer ended. It was from 
 an honest and faithful heart. And though for these 
 many years, near half a score of churches, or meeting 
 houses, as the old puritans would prefer to call them, 
 have stood almost within a stone's throw of that hal- 
 lowed spot, never has an evening breath borne up a 
 petition more heartfelt and efi"ectual. 
 
 Of the habitation which was the product of that day's 
 toil a word may be said. It was formed of the trunks 
 of trees, interlaced with green branches, savory in 
 their smell but dampening in their effects. And it un- 
 fortunately turned out, too, that not being acquainted 
 with the botany of the region they had interwoven a 
 considerable quantity of poisonous material, which 
 presently laid up about half of the company. This 
 untoward event was of course set down as another of 
 Satan's contrivances to harrass and terrif}'- them. 
 
 The structure was sufficiently capacious to accom- 
 modate a score or upwards with shelter, comfortable 
 or otherwise, as each might determine for himself. 
 The male and female departments were separated by a 
 partition of branches and fern, diversified here and 
 B* 3
 
 34 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 there by a more opaque patch of blanket or garment. 
 No chimney or fireplace was necessary, as the cooking 
 could well be done without, in nature's great kitchen; 
 and there also, as to that matter, could the eating be 
 done. And besides, this caravansary-like structure as 
 has before appeared was designed only for temporary 
 purposes. When at evening it Avas illuminated by the 
 red light of numerous flaring pine knots it made quite 
 a hospitable appearance ; and was sufficiently attractive 
 to draw the friendly attention of myriads of mosquitos. 
 And during the night, also, sundry wild animals seemed 
 to think it polite to make calls on the new comers. 
 Among them was a gentlemanly bear, whose curiosity 
 was so far excited that in addition to snuffing and rub- 
 bing his nose against the posts, he undertook to ascer- 
 tain the strength of the erection by the strength of his 
 claws, not once appearing to dream that Roger Conant 
 was there, that he had a gun, and that the gun was 
 loaded and liable to go off. He was greatly astonished 
 when the weapon was discharged directly in his face, 
 and more astonished still when he found himself flayed 
 and hanging from a walnut tree limb, with Zachariah 
 Hart, bloody knife in hand, viewing him by the light 
 of a lantern and with grinning satisfaction declaring 
 his weakness for fat bear steak. This certainly did not 
 seem to be doing the handsome thing by one of the 
 first neighbors who had the politeness to call. But 
 those imperiled old pioneers were not in a situation to 
 yield much to considerations of mere courtesy. 
 
 The night was balmy and brilliant. And different 
 indeed Avere the surroundings from which our little 
 colony were to receive their first impressions from 
 those which encompassed their forlorn brethren when 
 first landing at Plymouth. There, the wintry winds
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 35 
 
 howled and the drifting snows danced eddies, while 
 the leafless old branches creaked a surly welcome. 
 Here, the summer breeze gambolled among the sweet 
 fern and blushing flowers, while the unfettered moun- 
 tain rill and the gay bird warbled their compliments. 
 
 Such is a brief history of the first day of this now | 
 famous City of Lynn ; so famous that even a railroad 1 
 locomotive bears its name. We look down the shadowy j 
 vista of antiquity, and behold the lusty host who came 
 with battle axes and trumpets to lay the foundation 
 stones of Babylon ; upon the bearded band, with broad 
 phylacteries, who toiled in uprooting the olive trees 
 that Jerusalem might be built ; upon the strong armed 
 adventurers who labored in cementing the basement 
 walls of Rome. But nowhere can we find a nobler 
 band than those who toiled and sweat on the moment- 
 ous occasion just noticed. Their limbs were nerved 
 by the beautiful sunshine of early summer, and their 
 hearts inspired by the more beautiful sunshine of 
 christian hope. 
 
 Zachariah Hart, the subject of the present biograph- 
 ical sketch was one of the most active and consequen- 
 tial personages among that pioneer band, though not 
 the leader, as has before appeared. He was at this 
 time a man of middle age, in form extremely well de- 
 veloped, and endowed with great physical strength and 
 courage. His well tried powers soon pointed him out 
 as the most suitable person in the settlement to con- 
 duct the wolf and bear hunting expeditions. Indeed, 
 he stood foremost in all perilous enterprises ; and the 
 Indians soon came to stand more in fear of him than of 
 any other man with a white face ; not to say that his 
 was very wliite, for all the lower parts remained an 
 unreclaimed jungle of hair, while above, appeared a
 
 36 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 sunburnt region resembling a mixture of Spanish brown 
 and beach sand. 
 
 We spoke of his activity. But that was not his 
 greatest virtue. He was persevering, unmurmuring; 
 and, under every discouragement, kept his spirits up ; 
 not in the way that some of his neighbors did, by pour- 
 ing spirits down, but by constant and useful occupa- 
 tion. How many unfortunate ones there are, who, 
 conceiving themselves born to ill luck, sit down dis- 
 heartened, and pass their days in repining indolence. 
 Ten to one, they never deserved success. And no one 
 ought to complain of evil fortune if he never did any 
 thing to deserve good fortune. What a useful example 
 did Mr. Hart present for the contemplation of such 
 grumblers. 
 
 But our Subject was by no means a perfect man. 
 We feel bound to state this, as by setting him up too 
 high, we might discourage those who would perceive 
 the hopelessness of emulating unattainable virtues. He 
 had one leading vice ; and that being patent, it may be 
 inferred that otherwise he was comparatively guiltless, 
 for it is seldom that more than one great vice inhabits 
 a human heart at the same time. Metaphorically speak- 
 ing, the hounds of the nether world are not accustomed 
 to hunt in couples. The grievous vice to which we 
 allude, was the inordinate love of tobacco, or "ye vile 
 weed tabakka " as it was called in liis day. His indul- 
 gence of this evil habit was bad for the morals of those 
 around him ; and the dreuling evidence of it, which 
 sometimes appeared when he was earnestly wrestling 
 with his perplexing duties, was bad for their stomachs. 
 
 Of the learning of Mr. Hart, enough has already 
 been said. And of his piety it may be remarked that 
 it was of that rigid, dogmatical and uncompromising
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 3? 
 
 character, that rendered him unfit to undertake a mis- 
 sionary enterprise, or to lead in a community of intel- 
 hgent minds. 
 
 Before Mr. Batchellor, the first minister, came, Mr. 
 Hart exercised his gifts as preacher and exhorter, 
 to quite as great an extent as was acceptable, in an 
 informal way. And a Mormon prophet would not 
 have been more egotistical or denunciatory than he. 
 But on the appearance of Mr. Batchellor he gra^pfully 
 retired, leaving the sacred field to be occupied by one 
 more learned and disciplined, indeed, but yet hardly 
 better endowed in view of the virtues of patience and 
 humility. 
 
 The services that Mr. Hart rendered the infant set- 
 tlement were very great and worthy of remembrance. 
 On two occasions, in severe winter weather, when 
 provisions were scanty and supplies not to be obtained 
 from any of the neighboring settlements, he traveled 
 on foot to the Plymouth colony and successfully nego- 
 tiated for what was needed. 
 
 He Avas once chief actor, or equal actor Avith his four 
 footed antagonist, at a cave near Sadler's Rock, in a 
 scene much like that at Pomfret from which old Put- 
 nam gained such laurels. But he did not, like the hero 
 of Pomfret, come unscathed from the conflict. A mag- 
 nificent wound adorned his breast, wJiicli as it hoiilod, 
 left a noble scar. This good fortune took some of the 
 lustre from the old scar on the forehead. 
 
 Mr. Hart died at the good old age of three score and 
 twelve years. He was the father of a family of four, 
 two hopeful sons and as many aspiring daughters. 
 And they, in turn, became fathers and mothers. Sev- 
 eral of his descendants were of some account in the 
 world.
 
 38 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 Among them were brave Harts, for two took the 
 field in the great King Philip war, and four in the 
 Revolution : bewitching Harts, for one dame was im- 
 prisoned, in 1692, for practicing witchcraft on Mr. Shep- 
 ard's maid, and another turned the head of a lieutenant 
 governor by not returning his love : learned Harts, for 
 two were lawyers, two doctors, four schoolmasters and 
 two traveling lecturers : great Harts, for one weighed 
 four Jpindred pounds, and another was seven feet tall. 
 
 John Hart, one of the signers of the declaration of 
 independence, seems to have been a descendant of 
 Zachariah, he having proceeded from a scion that was 
 at an early period lopped from the Third Plantation 
 stock and phmted in New Jersey. 
 
 Another descendant, a century or so since, by a for- 
 tunate matrimonial alliance, became connected with a 
 titled and wealthy old English family. That family 
 seems now on its last legs, and those somewhat attenu- 
 ated, there being but a solitary individual remaining, 
 and he nearly four score years of age. So it may not 
 be long before those of the Hart line, hereabout, may 
 have an opportunity to devote a portion of their spare 
 change to feeing agents and attornies to look after 
 shares in a large estate in the old country that goes 
 begging for heirs. And it is hoped that they may be 
 mor»successful than such phantom chasers usually are. 
 
 Edm. Hart, architect of the Constitution — we mean 
 the frigate, not the political constitution — was a Lynn 
 man, though we are not sure that he was of the Zacha- 
 riah lineage. He certainly did honor to the place of his 
 birth as well as to himself, by his skill and faithfulness. 
 And it must be concluded that he did not swindle gov- 
 ernment much, through the contract, for he lived in 
 those unsophisticated days when it was not customary
 
 ZACHAEIAH HART. 39 
 
 for every one to look upon government as a fat goose 
 made ready for all to pick ; particularly as he died in 
 moderate circumstances. 
 
 Another descendant was Alpheus Hart, who had an 
 extensive orchard just about where the central rail 
 road station now is. ^ He made great quantities of 
 cider for the Boston and Salem markets ; and when he 
 got a little muddled, in trying the quality, was for 
 stirring up mischief generally. He was several times 
 put in the stocks, near the meeting house, and other- 
 wise kindly dealt with, but apparently to little purpose. 
 But finally, all of a sudden, a new fountain seemed to 
 spring up in him. He came out a warm politician ; 
 bought a new suit of clothes ; left off drinking ; remov- 
 ed to Reading ; and ultimately became a shining light 
 in the^'G^neral Court, j Thus presenting a most aston- 
 ishing metamorphosis. Politics generally ruins ; here 
 it saved. Perhaps, however, the salvation is to be 
 attributed to something else, and that it should be said 
 he was saved in spite of his politics. ; 
 
 Another descendant of Mr. Hart attained a high 
 position at Boston, some scores of years since, but 
 came down with such a jerk that his spine was dislo- 
 cated. And that was the end of him. Indeed, the 
 family history of Mr. Hart is not very flattering; but 
 yet it is no doubt true that they have turned out quite 
 as good as the average of families. And there is a 
 sort of negative comfort in that. 
 
 We have spoken of the unyielding nature of Mr. 
 Hart's religious principles. But there was one occa- 
 sion on which he was in imminent hazard of deviating. 
 And that was when the celebrated Mrs. Hutchinson 
 held her meeting at Lynn, in 1G36; of which it will 
 probably be in our way to give some account on a
 
 40 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 subsequent page. It may be, however, that he was 
 ensnared more by her personal charms than her doc- 
 trines. 
 /""And speaking of Mrs. Hutchinson leads us to allude 
 to the inconsistencies of which so much has been 
 said, as strongly marking the character of the puritan 
 settlers. If they claimed that their object in coming 
 here was to enjoy liberty of conscience, they certainly 
 did not seem to think the same liberty desirable for 
 others. On that ground alone can their treatment of 
 this lady and her adherents, as well as their violent 
 proceedings against the Quakers, Baptists and others, 
 be explained. This was a curious kind of religious 
 liberty ; and in what way it was an illustration of the 
 godly principle better than the English or even the 
 Romish church afforded, it would puzzle one to deter- 
 mine. But, for reasons that may presently appear, the 
 reader is reminded that there were substantial differ- 
 ences in several important respects between the Ply- 
 mouth and Massachusetts settlers. And no doubt 
 many individual immigrants of character, themselves 
 misunderstood the real objects of the patentees. ..^ 
 
 The first members of the Bay Colony, as a general 
 thing, were superior to those of the Plymouth. The 
 settlement of Massachusetts was commenced under a 
 well-ordered emigration, in which not a few of the 
 leading people of the mother country were interested. 
 And the purpose was to found an orderly and prosper- 
 ous commonwealth, as well as to secure an asylum 
 from persecution. 
 
 Some of the first who came here were persons of 
 dignity and influence at home, eminent for political 
 sagacity and learning as well as for piety. And not a 
 few were ambitious in a worldly way. The immi-
 
 ZACHARIAH HAET. 41 . 
 
 grants were liberally provided with things necessary 
 for their comfort and prosperity. Some of them were 
 not Puritans but Episcopalians, and hence did not 
 come to avoid persecution for their religion ; a fact 
 which has been made strange use of by some histo- 
 rians. But the number of churchmen was not by any 
 means sufficient to change the character of the settle- 
 ments from that of genuine puritanism, — puritanism 
 characterized by the most rigid demands, as we have 
 seen. 
 
 The earliest settlers of Plymouth, on the other hand, 
 were of more equal condition and religious character ; 
 a forlorn band, destitute and depressed, fleeing from 
 evils against which they had little power to contend, 
 and seeking an asylum where they might pass their 
 lives in peace, pondering upon the great matters of 
 revealed truth, and repressing all aspirations of the 
 worldly heart after temporal greatness and renown. 
 And no shade of suspicion has been cast upon the pu- 
 rity of their puritanism. 
 
 We cannot follow Mrs. Hutchinson through her ca- 
 reer, brief though it was, of exaltation and adversity, 
 to its calamitous termination. Her teachings created 
 a ferment that threatened to tear asunder the very 
 frame of government. But it seems as if the mischief 
 might have been easily avoided. Had the authorities 
 proceeded in a different manner, and as the authorities 
 of this day would proceed, little trouble, one would 
 think, could have ensued. The Come-outers, as they 
 were called, who created some disturbance here in 
 Essex county about the year 1840, were dealt with in 
 that sensible way that caused them soon to disappear. 
 And what wo say in regard • to the mistake in the way 
 of proceeding against this woman may perhaps apply
 
 42 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 with equal force to the proceedings against the Qua- 
 kers and Baptists. 
 
 The mistake made by the old puritan authorities 
 seems to have been in proceeding against Mrs. Hutch- 
 inson as a teacher of false doctrine ; in denouncing her 
 opinions as heresies and herself as a heretic ; instead 
 of directly charging her with breaking a positive law, 
 if she were guilty of so doing, and requiring her to 
 answer, like any other laAv breaker, before the estab- 
 lished courts. By charging her with being a dissemi- 
 nater of erroneous doctrine, they opened the great 
 questions of right of conscience and religious liberty. 
 And they also opened the door for an examination of 
 the doctrine taught, as well as a channel through which 
 might flow in upon her the sympathy of enlightened 
 minds, for there were those around her, imbued with' 
 the spirit of true religious liberty. In this case, the 
 course pursued by the authorities was certainly the 
 most troublesome one for themselves ; for she was un- 
 questionably a woman of strong and subtile mind, fer- 
 vid and chaste eloquence, charitable and pure life. 
 
 Governor Vane — of whose visit to Lynn we shall 
 have something to say, a few pages hence — as well 
 as other eminent men, earnestly sympathised with Mrs. 
 Hutchinson. His views of true liberty appear to have 
 been in some respects in advance of the views of those 
 around him, and he had nerve enough to withstand 
 almost any pressure. And had he remained longer in 
 the country he might have averted the terrible fate that 
 finally overtook that persecuted woman. 
 
 We have spoken of the superiority of some of the 
 early immigrants under the Massachusetts patent — em- 
 inent people, Avhose footprints on the virgin soil of 
 New England can never be effaced. Vane was one of
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 43 
 
 these. And by giving a few glimpses of his character 
 and course we shall shed light upon some features of 
 the past. 
 
 Sir Henry Yane, though perhaps we should omit 
 the Sir, as he was not knighted till after his return to 
 England, it will be recollected, was the fourth Gov- 
 ernor under the first charter — or we might say the 
 fifth, for Matthew Cradock was chosen by the Company 
 in England, though he never came over — having been 
 elected in 1636 ; at which time he was but twenty-four 
 years of age, and had been in the country but about a 
 year. And though he remained here for a short time 
 only, he will be remembered as long as interest in our 
 history shall be felt. In him, however, were united 
 great contrarieties of character. And liis official life 
 here was turbulent and on the whole anything but 
 satisfactory. His subsequent career in England has 
 furnished the theme for many a puzzling as well as 
 glowing passage in the history of his time. Hume, 
 Clarendon, Hallam, Burnet, Macintosh and others giv^e 
 sketches of his character and opinions of his writings, 
 and it is quite amusing to observe their differences. 
 In their attempts to analyse his character they seem to 
 be engaged in a most embarrassing task, and rather 
 ready, each, to seize upon this or that prominent point 
 and thence take a general view. 
 
 Milton, in a poetic panegyric, calls Vane the eldest 
 son of Religion. But the sayings of Milton are cer- 
 tainly of little value, when his temper and peculiar 
 principles come in play. His passions seem to have 
 led to a bewilderment in controversy ; while in poetry, 
 all mankind admit he was sublime. Macintosh pro- 
 nounces Vane scarcely inferior to Bacon in mental 
 endowment.
 
 44 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 Yane belonged to one of the most distinguislied 
 families in the kingdom, was highly educated, and had 
 travelled in the continental countries before coming to 
 America. He had also been early called into associa- 
 tion with leading personages. King Charles himself 
 was occasionally entertained in feudal pomp at Raby 
 Castle, the home of the Vanes. 
 
 While yet a mere stripling, as it were. Vane became 
 firmly set in puritan principles. This created much 
 grief, and the celebrated Archbishop Laud was ap- 
 pointed to the task of endeavoring to lead back his 
 straying feet to the fold of the establishment. But all 
 efforts to reclaim him were unsuccessful. His father 
 was a member of the privy council, and felt much dis- 
 tressed at the estrangement of his son. And when the 
 young man announced his determination to join the 
 puritans in America, all but coercive measures were 
 looked to for his detention. But the king rather ap- 
 proved of his design, probably thinking that he might 
 be less troublesome here than at home, and parental 
 desire succumbed to regal. 
 
 Hither he came ; but, as before intimated, remained 
 a short time only ; sufficiently long, however, to create 
 a great ferment among the political and religious ele- 
 ments. After his return to England his restless soul 
 continued to work among the loftier interests of man- 
 kind. But we cannot follow his course there. It is 
 sufficient to remark that he became a member of Par- 
 liment as early as 1640, and held various high official 
 positions, sometimes with honor to himself and profit 
 to tlie people ; and sometimes to the injury of both. 
 Brilliant and yet perplexing passages appear all along 
 his course till its termination on the scaffold, in June 
 16G2. He had taken an active part in the affairs of
 
 ZACHAEIAH HART. 45 
 
 the Commonwealth, though opposed to Cromwell, who 
 uttered many bitter things against him, induced, prob- 
 ably, by tlie circumstance that he would not aid in 
 schemes for the personal aggrandizement of the Pro- 
 tector. And he was beheaded for treason to the mon- 
 archy. No doubt he was a republican, and desired to 
 establish a republic. And hence, in the settlement of 
 accounts at the Restoration his head was required. 
 At least the vacillating monarch seemed to think so. 
 
 One of the most deeply regretted occurrences of 
 Vane's life appears to have been the strange affair of 
 the " red velvet cabinet." Its startling effect on the 
 fortunes of the Earl of Straff'ord, and the grievous es- 
 trangement it produced between him and his noble 
 father, are well known to the reader of English history. 
 View it as we may it was a deep stain upon his honor. 
 True, Parliament undertook to purge it of dishonor by 
 a vote. But funny things are sometimes done by vote. 
 A Roman council once voted Jupiter's satellites out 
 of heaven. And the French Convention voted the 
 Almighty out of the universe. 
 
 Some worthy Avriters have spoken of Vane's conduct 
 as fanatical and ruinous in its tendency ; of his princi- 
 ples as variable and often dangerous ; of his writings 
 as confused and contradictory. But he must have 
 been a man of commanding talents, or he could not 
 have sustained himself in such positions as he occu- 
 pied. It is, without doubt, however, well that he did 
 not long remain in the colony ; for his persevering 
 wilfulness certainly would have stirred up dangerous 
 if not fatal disturbances. 
 
 Soon after he Avas elected Governor, Vane made a 
 tour to the eastern towns. On the ninth of July he 
 entered Lynn. Everybody turned out, and a great
 
 46 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 parade took place. Finding an account in the journal 
 of Obadiah Turner we cannot do better than adopt it : 
 
 *' Y'^ morning being faire Govn'' Vane and hjs compa- 
 nie appeared betimes wthin y'^ towne, all on horse 
 backe, & making some show of armes, as swords, mus- 
 quettes, and halberds. Likewise behinde them walked 
 some Indjans, stepping verie proudlie, gaylie painted, 
 and haveing many coloured eagle feathers vpon their 
 heads and scarlitt & yellow cloths about their bodies. 
 And in their hands they carried tommyhawkes and 
 speares, and some long pipes. A lustie trumpeter did 
 goe before y" Govn"" whose blasts did ringe in y^ 
 woodes wth such a mightie ringe as seemed enow to 
 shake down y" walls of anie Indjan Jericho. His trum- 
 pett was of shining brass and he was begirt wth a red 
 sash and had a cap of bear skin so mighty in size, y* 
 seeminglie he was more head than bodie. Y'' trumpett 
 advertised all y® people y' y^ Govn"" was with vs, and 
 there was presentlie mch running to behold him. 
 
 " At y*^ house of Goodman Dextor they did halt to 
 recruit somewhat, by meate and drinke. And thither 
 did manie assemble to make their dutiful obeisance. 
 Y*' Govn' was very gratious, tho grave & thotfull, and 
 gaue mch godlie counsell wch was well receaved. 
 Zachariah Harte was there, all y® time, making lijm- 
 self verie common, as he would faine act y^ parte of 
 usher. And he must needes shake hands over and 
 over with y^ Govn"^ and secretaire bidding them wel- 
 come againe and againe. He would have all y® men 
 and Avomen make their respects. Likewise he seized 
 y^ children & took them in his armes to y'' Govn"" that 
 hee might speake to them and chuck them vnder y® 
 chinn. 
 
 " Y® stale of y® Govn^' was so prolonged y' most had
 
 ZACHARIAH HART. 47 
 
 time to appeare. And seeminglie hee was much 
 pleased wth hjs entertainment, making manie inqviries 
 regarding our affaires ; in a particular manner touch- 
 ing our gospel priviledges, our husbandrie, our fish- 
 eries, and our defences against y® sauvages and other 
 potent adversaries, roareing devills and all y' would 
 distress God his people. And he did discourse pleas- 
 antlie of our future increase, saying y* this bee a most 
 goodlie inheritance, wth noble woodes and fields and 
 waters wth aboundance of savorie fish : and needing 
 nothing save stoute heartes and strong hands to make 
 y® place one of great prosperitie, wch jt must in time 
 surelie come to bee. And God bee praised y* jt 
 is soe. 
 
 " Thomas Newhall hee did make some discovrse to 
 y^ Govn"", inforhiing of our dutifull love to him and 
 hopes of mch good from hjs godlie life and expe- 
 riences. And hee made known to y^ Govn' y* tho wee 
 did not make discharge of ordnance on his comeing, as 
 y* people of Salem would likelie doe on hjs entering 
 theire towne, jt was not from haveing a mind against 
 soe doeing, but because wee had not y*' meanes Avliere- 
 with to acquit ourselves of y* honor, y® people of 
 Salem haveing y^ daie before sent over for y® big gunn 
 wch we had borrowed from them. 
 
 " When y® Govn"" and his companie would proceed 
 they were detained somewhat at y*^ river crossing by 
 reason of a parte of y** bridge haveing of a sudden 
 broke downe. So wee mvst needes gather hastilie 
 wth our axes and other tooles to repaire y*" damage, 
 they patientlie waiting y** while. While y" worke was 
 going brisklie on, Zachariah Harte hee fell into y® 
 riuer and wee were some putt to jt to get him oute. 
 And when wee had him oute y'^ bonie tayl of a horse
 
 48 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 shoe crab was sticking tlirongh his nose. But no 
 other disaster happened on y*^ occacionj and preseutlie 
 they were all safelie ouer. 
 
 " Att M"" Newhall his house they did againe halt, 
 and y*^ Govn"" and secretaire going in did hold some 
 private discourse wth 3^'' grave men of y® towne, well 
 being ended he would sale something more on y^ 
 greate matters of religion, and it be given cute y* he 
 hath some views not soe well liking to manie godlie 
 people, vpon y® keeping of y® Lord his day ; for they 
 saie he doth boldlie declare y* there be no warrant of 
 scripture for y® observance thereof; saying y* all must 
 be blind who doe not see y* what wee call y® Lord his 
 daie is but a festivall established by y*^ popish church 
 in remembrance of y'' resurrection, and not meant 
 for a Sabbath ; and saying, too, y* y*^ great archbishop 
 Laud declared vnto hjm y* soe likewise was hjs beliefe. 
 He thot contrariwise till being putt vpon examination, 
 when he did come to y® same mind wth y® bishop. 
 But our Govn"" being yet young and some giuen to 
 change he may presently come oute from svch oppin- 
 ions. Some other godlie people hereabout have laid 
 holde of y^ same notion, and where these things will 
 end I know not; y" mor^ because they who thvs 
 thinke be of y® learned and wise. But wee be in God 
 his hand & I trust no evill will come vppon vs. 
 
 " Wee fiude y" Govn"" trulie a man of partes and f lire 
 presence, wth learning and gravitie. He hath bin in y® 
 greate school of Geneva. But I must saie y* he doth 
 mch loue to doe things in his own waie, & dispiseth 
 covnsel ; wch I greatlie feare will presentlie lead to 
 trouble and strife, 
 
 " When they had againe taken meate and drinke, y® 
 Govn'" mch admiring y*-' sauce of craunberries made by
 
 ZACHABIAH HART. 49 
 
 Dame Newhall, spreading it thick vppon his bread, 
 they departed. And as they moued along wee did 
 make readie & blast divers rockes, wch by theire loude 
 reports did well answer for ordnance. 
 
 " In y^ afternoone wee did heare y® noise of y® Salem 
 cannon wch certified vs y* y® Govn'^ and y" others had 
 reached y* plantation. So ended y® great ocacion of 
 Govn"" Vane his comeing." 
 
 To return to Mr. Hart. He does not appear to have 
 accumulated any great amount of this world's goods, 
 but he always lived comfortably, i Perhaps he read his 
 Bible enough to learn the danger of wealth. I 
 
 If we take a survey of the community we shall find 
 it the same now that it was in Mr. Hart's rude times, 
 the same as it always is, in regard to men's character- 
 istics. Some live within their means ; some up to 
 their means ; some up to their expectations, and some 
 up to their hopes. The first are comfortable and se- 
 cure; the second on dangerous ground; and the others 
 on ground that is quite sure occasionally to upheave 
 disastrously. Mr. Hart belonged to the prudent class. 
 He left a comely homestead, several fair acres, a share 
 or two in some fishing boats and lobster nets, a cow, 
 pigs, poultry and a famous bear trap of his own 
 invention. 
 
 But we cannot ask the reader to tarry longer in 
 company with Mr. Hart; though if he never finds him- 
 self in worse company he will be remarkably fortunate. 
 We must dismiss the patriarch by simply adding that 
 he lived to see this community, in the fostering of 
 whose infancy his best energies had been spent, and 
 for whose prosperity his most fervent prayers had 
 been offered, in a flourishing and happy condition. 
 And when he laid down to his everlasting rest there 
 C 4
 
 50 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 were kindred to weep and associates to hold him in 
 grateful remembrance. There was not, perhaps, an 
 individual in the settlement whose loss would have 
 been more keenly felt, for there was not another who 
 could so readily turn his hand to every sort of useful 
 labor, or who had better judgment in directing his in- 
 dustry. The wintry storms did not protect the hale 
 old trees of the forest from his sturdy strokes ; nor did 
 the melting suns of summer, so enervating to the early 
 comers, drive him from the field. And he had a liberal 
 share of that courage, perseverance and shrewdness 
 from which our boasted Yankee character is derived. 
 
 Mr. Hart was not a learned man. \ But there were 
 enough learned ones without him. ^^ And the success 
 of the Plantation was in a great measure owing to the 
 happy intermingling of classes. Had all directed their 
 attention chiefly to intellectual pursuits, things would 
 soon have come to nought. And, on the other hand, 
 had they all been mere workers, without some trained 
 intellects to counsel and direct, poverty and servility 
 would have characterized these days. 
 
 ' We repeat that Mr. Hart was not a learned man. 
 But the learning of the schools does not always make 
 men better. True, it enables them to do more good. 
 But it also enables them to do more evil. It adds 
 
 ■ to the happiness of some ; to the misery of others. 
 The common schools of our day are much lauded. 
 But what is there taught in them save that which 
 is calculated to promote mere temporal success? Is 
 not moral training most sadly neglected ? And is 
 this in accordance with early New England ways? 
 Is it not indisputably true that the people of this 
 day are inclined to place intellectual culture above 
 moral? And, lastly, is that the right thing?
 
 OBA.X)Ii^H TURNER. 
 
 " With honest hearte and pleasantlie, 
 the chronicler hath writ ; 
 And he was there to heare and see ; 
 6oe who than he more fit." 
 
 The next of our worthies of earlier date to be 
 brought into notice is the one whose name is placed 
 above, and to whom we have already more than once 
 alluded. He appears to have been one of the most 
 energetic, fair minded and hopeful of the personages 
 present at the laying of the foundation stones of this 
 now towering community. Of his personal history, 
 however, we know but little, excepting what is derived 
 from a journal which he appears to have written up 
 with much care and diligence. This journal is now of 
 great value both from its comprehensiveness and reli- 
 ability. In it, we find recorded, in quaint language, 
 many of the common events of life as they transpired 
 among our forefathers. It may be spoken of as a 
 series of graphic pictures, illustrating the every day 
 life of the early settlers and the circumstances by 
 which they were surrounded. And Mr. Turner has 
 agreeably interspersed his details of facts with sage 
 remarks, keen thrusts and frolicksome delineations. 
 He evidently had a mind wakeful to objects of humor, 
 and the usual attendant, a vein of sentimentality. He 
 also possessed sound judgment and a clear perception 
 
 (51)
 
 52 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 of the duties devolving upon those who attempt to lay 
 foundations upon which are to rest the liberties and 
 rights of others. 
 
 The journal of Mr. Turner fell into the hands of the 
 writer by one of those fortunate turns that sometimes 
 happen to a man, to wit, the turning over of a barrel 
 of old papers. And said turn took place while ransack- 
 ing the garret of an aged relative. A large deposit 
 was found of collections made by an ancestor, who 
 seems to have been very industrious in collecting and 
 preserving whatever related to colonial days earlier 
 than his own. We might perhaps say that most of the 
 historical learning of a local character developed in 
 these pages, was derived from this source. In some 
 instances, however, labor was required to shape it for 
 convenient use. Mr. Turner was in most cases very 
 methodical and clear ; yet there were occasions when 
 his pen produced such involutions as are not easily 
 unraveled. But we cannot speak so well as this even 
 of most of the other manuscripts. Mr. Turner appears 
 to have been quite liberal in his views ; so much so, 
 indeed, as to justify the suspicion that he leaned some- 
 what towards episcopacy. But yet he was by no 
 means free from the notions of the good puritans re- 
 garding the corporeal onsets of the Devil and the 
 necessity of keeping constantly on the alert to avoid 
 falling into the snares and traps set all about by satanic 
 hands. 
 
 In the journal of Mr. Turner we find few of those 
 improbable stories of perils and natural wonders, that 
 most of the early writers on New England affairs loved 
 to indulge in. They certainly endeavored to make 
 the most of wonders ; seeming to emulate the old 
 Spaniards in their accounts of Mexico and Peru. It is
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 53 
 
 strange that historians fall into such errors ; thus bring- 
 ing discredit upon themselves and suspicion upon 
 others. It were better for one even to omit telling 
 improbable truths than to be so careless of damaging 
 his character for veracity. It is refreshing, therefore, 
 to have in hand such a work as that in question. And 
 we bless the author's memory for the valuable legacy 
 to posterity. 
 
 Mr. Turner was a native of the north of England, and 
 was born, it appears, in the year 1606. He seems to 
 have come here, not because of any oppression in his 
 own country, but, like many others, to seek his fortune 
 or gratify a love of adventure. And he appears, soon 
 after his arrival, to have given up all thought of re- 
 turning to his native land. He was a young man at 
 the time of his advent here and lived to the good old 
 age of between three and a half and four score years. 
 His journal, though in its latter pages someAvhat im- 
 perfect as to dates, and bearing evidence of a trem- 
 bling hand and waning light, is brought down to the 
 year 1681. It commences in 1630; thus covering a 
 full half century. 
 
 The reader will not understand that we have quoted 
 in full or invariably preserved the original order. 
 Many of the most interesting passages have been en- 
 tirely omitted, for the reason that in other parts of 
 this volume the same subject might be in hand, and it 
 is an object to avoid unnecessary repetition. We 
 mention this, lest it might be imagined that Mr. Turner 
 had omitted even allusion to persons and events which 
 it will elsewhere be found appeared to us worthy of 
 being brought prominently into view. It is really 
 ■jvonderful how few things of importance, escaped the 
 notice of the worthy and wakeful journalist. Indeed
 
 54 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 he often notes, with gratifying minuteness, matters 
 which at the time must have appeared to be of little 
 moment. 
 
 In the orthography we have made a few changes for 
 the reason that the original spelling would, in those 
 instances, have perplexed the reader. And occasion- 
 ally a slight change in the syntax has been ventured 
 on. But beyond these, we have endeavored to be 
 faithful to the text. And these last remarks will ap- 
 ply to extracts which we have introduced from other 
 ancient records and memoranda, and will explain what 
 otherwise might appear a remarkable similarity of 
 style ; a similarity by the way, which will much aid 
 the reader. In writing, different individuals seem to 
 have pursued systems almost peculiar to themselves, 
 in some respects. In the matter of abbreviations, for 
 instance, from the earliest times, some wrote &, y^, y*, 
 wch, wth, y", for and, the, that, which, with, you, in all 
 cases ; others spelled the words in full, or used the 
 abbreviations indiscriminately. Some seldom or never 
 abbreviated ; others had a passion for abbreviating, 
 and acquitted themselves in a most grotesque manner. 
 The y® and y* grew out of a peculiar way of forming 
 the letters in the and that, as any one may see by ex- 
 amining old records. Some letters were used inter- 
 changeably, as i and j, u and v. In short, orthography 
 does not seem to have been deemed a matter of much 
 importance. The writers, in many cases, appear to 
 have simply endeavored to express themselves in the 
 shortest intelligible way, regardless of uniformity or 
 appearance. As remarked on page 14,' the name of 
 Lynn, in the act giving that name, is spelled Lin ; the 
 n has a line over it, denoting that it should be doubled., 
 Mr. Turner, it may be remarked, seems to have been
 
 OBADIAII TURNER. 55 
 
 in some particulars quite fond of a short hand way of 
 writing. 
 
 And here it may be proper to say a word regarding 
 dates. Some historians have not been sufficiently careful 
 in stating them, where they were material. The Julian 
 mode of computation having been in use in the old 
 colony times, mistakes are liable to occur. The Gre- 
 gorian or present style was not adopted either in Old 
 or New England till 1752. The old style made the 
 civil and legal year commence with Lady Day or An- 
 nunciation, the 25th of March. The new style changed 
 it to the 1st of January. The correction of the calen- 
 dar was made in 1582, by Gregory XIII., and the new 
 style was forthwith adopted in all Catholic countries. 
 We do not imagine that protestant England was appre- 
 hensive that any popish poison lurked in the new 
 style, but yet she was singularly tardy in adopting it. 
 However, the change was long expected here and in 
 England, and hence the double dating so frequently 
 found in old records and on old grave stones : thus, 
 Feb. 12,11, or 1682-3; the month being in 1682 ac- 
 cording to the old style and in 1683 according to the 
 new. The same act of the British Parliament (1751) 
 which provided that the next ensuing first day of Jan- 
 uary should be the first day of the new year, also pro- 
 vided that the second day of September should be 
 called the fourteenth ; thus dropping eleven daj's. 
 Every fourth year was also ordained to be a leap year, 
 with certain modifications that cannot much affect the 
 reckoning of people for a thousand years to come. 
 The causes which existed for the change of style are 
 of course fomiliar to the reader. In the earliest times 
 of New England, too, the months were frequently indi- 
 cated by numbers instead of names, much in the style
 
 56 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 of the Quakers of the present day, as 3d month (May); 
 12th month (February), &c. 
 
 Mr. Turner was possessed of a considerable estate, 
 and carried on farming to some extent. He married a 
 lady from Salem, and reared a family of children. But 
 it is likely that his sons had a propensity to rove, or 
 to live bachelor lives, for it does not appear that at 
 any time his was a prevailing name among us. He 
 must have been quite popular with the people, for he 
 was perpetually in the discharge of some responsible 
 duty. Though a man of piety, we should not con- 
 ceive him to have been one of the strict religionists of 
 the time. In short, as far as we can gather, he pos- 
 sessed a most genial mind, and was inclined to the in- 
 dulgence of pleasantry and all innocent amusements ; 
 in these and some other respects resembling another 
 great philosopher, born just one century after his 
 nativity. 
 
 But it would be quite impossible to enter much at 
 large into a history of the life of Mr. Turner, even 
 though the materials were all at hand. And, more- 
 over, it is apprehended that a few pages from his jour- 
 nal would be more acceptable than anything else that 
 could be offered. 
 
 Allusion has been made to Mr. Turner's belief, in 
 common with the world in general at that time, regard- 
 ing the occasional corporeal appearance of his satanic 
 majesty. Now some may smile and great!}" wonder at 
 this. I But yet, has this and the concomitant belief in 
 ghosts ever been shown to be false ? / The question has 
 been discussed for ages, and a vast majority of the 
 christian world, to say nothing of the heathen, are 
 unquestionably, at this moment, to be ranked as believ- 
 ers. It is yet an unsettled question ; and no one has
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 57 
 
 a right to treat it as settled. Neither you nor I, read- 
 er, have perhaps had proof satisfactory to our minds. 
 But it does not follow that others have not. And it is 
 a little presuming in us to laugh at such men as Sir 
 Matthew Hale, Addison, Blackstone.and Dr. Johnson, 
 because they believed that such appearances might 
 take place ; or at the many great lights in divinity who 
 declare that the Bible fully sustains the affirmative. 
 All know the difficulty of proving a negative. But in 
 this case innumerable witnesses appear in the affirma- 
 tive, whose testimony has not been invalidated. Some 
 of the instances are certainly strange enough, and to a 
 reasonable mind seem somewhat shaky ; as, for ex- 
 ample, that in the experience of Martin Luther, the 
 redoubtable reformer, who, while denouncing such 
 vengeance against all liars, declared that the Devil 
 came into his sleeping room at night and wantonly 
 disturbed his rest by cracking hazel nuts upon the bed 
 post. Luther conceived himself to be such a shining 
 light in the world of truth and piety that the evil one 
 took especial pains to extinguish him. The puritan 
 fathers thought very much the same of themselves. 
 And many individuals at this period fancy themselves 
 of much more importance in this world and considera- 
 tion in the other than they really are. And it is gen- 
 erally about as easy to be at peace with an east wind 
 as with such people, however willing one may be to 
 accede to all moderate assumptions. 
 
 We will now, for the benefit and gratification of the 
 reader, present a few extracts from the aforenamed 
 journal of Mr. Turner: 
 
 1G30. Inlie y*' 28 : On y® last 4th day some of vs 
 did goe afar into y'^ wildernesse towards y"' river on y® 
 west, and thence about by y^ hills on y"" north. And
 
 58 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 this wee did y* wee might discover what y® land and 
 productions of this our heritage be. Wee found Tal- 
 lies of mightie trees of such kinds as Old England is a 
 stranger to. And wee made sore our feet by y^ clim- 
 ing of hills among rocks and thornie brambles and 
 vines. Great store of wild berries were on everie hand. 
 Among them were manie black shining berries as big 
 as y^ pills of apothecaries ; and these berries be of 
 sweete, milde taste and grow in clusters on low bushes 
 with light green leaues wthovt thornes. Wee did 
 pluck some and found them savory to eat in fire cakes; 
 and did think them apt for puddings. Then there were 
 found other large black shining berries growing on 
 creeping vines, of most luscious taste. And wee did 
 eat till our mouths were black as y® chimney back. 
 
 As wee journied wee did sometimes see skulking 
 abovt among y^ trees, what wee conjectured to be In- 
 djans or Devils ; jt being patent y' y*^ great foe of all 
 God his people hath alreadie begun to harrass and 
 plague this godlie companie. But wee doe some ex- 
 pect to have over from Nehumkeage a big ordnance 
 whereby to defend ourselves from y® one, and some 
 godlie bookes and catechisms to fortifie against y® 
 other. And God being on our side wee feare not 
 Avhat Indjans or Devils can doe. 
 
 In a vallie wee found a small store of corn growing 
 wch we did conjecture belonged to y® sauvages. And 
 a little way off we did see some fruites growing where- 
 of wee knew not y® name or vse but did surmise y* 
 they were all for food. But wee saw none Avatching 
 thereabouts and no habitations. 
 
 Of wilde animals wee spied but few. But wee 
 heard terrible roareings as if there Avere bears or 
 unicoiTies away off in y® wilderness; or may be they 
 were wild asses or roaring Devils seeking to devour 
 God his people. 
 
 Wee did see some reptiles and serpents. And two 
 y* we saw had rattils in their tailes, wherewith they 
 made a strange Avhirring noise mch like y® noise of y^ 
 rattils of y® night watch in London only not so mightie 
 a rattil.
 
 OBADIAH -TURNER. 59 
 
 Of birdes wee saw great store. Some eagles and 
 hawkes and manie of wchwee knew not y® names. But 
 wee are of a truth in a paradise of those moving things ^■ 
 y* be good for foode. In y*^ woodes, in y*^ pondes and i 
 on y® sea shore, wee have multitudes of fowie, fish and / 
 game, most savory to y*^ appetite and healthy for y^ I 
 stomach. Y° Israelites fared less daintilie than wee ; 
 wherefor praised bee God. 
 / It was somewhat within y® night when we came in 
 f sight of home.' In coming over y'^ hillock nigh y^ 
 doore of our habitation I descried a daintie white rab- 
 bit, as jt seemed, wch I deemed would make a savory 
 dish for breakfast on y® morrow. Giving chase, I v/as 
 soone almost vpon him, when lo, he whisked vp a 
 bushy tail over his hinder parts, and then threw jt to- 
 wards me wth a mightie rush ; and jt shed upon me a 
 liquor of such stinke y*^ nothing but y® opening of y® 
 bottomless pit can equal. My eyes were blinded and 
 my breath seemed stopped foreuer. When I recovered, 
 y*^ smell remained vpon me, insomuch y' they would 
 fain drive me from y® house, saying y* they could not 
 abide wthin while I remained. And I still carry jt 
 about wth me, in a yet terrible degree. I am per- 
 suaded y* this is another device of Satan ; y* four £ 
 footed beast being an impe let to do y*' Devil his bap- / 
 tism by sprinkling. ««h^ 
 
 1631. Ap""! y® 2: Last third day such of vs as 
 coulde, turned out to help goodman lohnstone to be- 
 gin y*^ building of his new house. Wee had goode 
 hope y* by this time our towne might become some 
 famous and be faire in comlie habitations. But wee 
 have been much put to jt to get matcrialls of y" right 
 sorte wherewith to build. In Salem they now haue 
 some bigge sawes, wherewith to make boardes. But 
 few come to us, as the way hither is harde to travell 
 by reason of y'^ stumpcs and rockes y*^ be in it. And 
 likewise y° people there mch want tlieir own hordes. 
 So wee must do as wee best can wth our axes and 
 adzes and smaller sawes, and what few hordes wee 
 can from time to time make out to haul hither. Wee
 
 60 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 haue stones in plentie, but no mortar wherein to lay 
 them. And wee haue aboundance of clay y* might bee 
 used in y® making of brickes, but none of us haue y^ 
 skill to rightlie molde and sett vp y'^ killen; and if wee 
 had, y® mortar would bee wanting. 
 
 1632. Ap*"! y" 28: Wee had great discourse in gene- 
 rail meeting, on 6th day about y® planting of trees. 
 Some few payr and appill trees haue already been sett 
 oute. I It is undenyable y* y® making of cyder is goode 
 to keepe y^ peeple from getting drounke on stronge 
 liqvors and fire waters, j Wee can now procure, at 
 small charge, from other'^plantations sch trees as in a 
 few yeares will supply our wantes. And it seemeth 
 high time y* orchards should be set and growing vp 
 even as our children be growing vp. God hath done 
 mch in bringing us to this goodlie land, and we should 
 do something for them y' will come after us here. Itt 
 being y^ dutie of each generation to keep y° tyde of 
 blessings rolling on to benefit y® next. Wee haue 
 some wilde fruites in y^ woodes it is true, but not 
 manie and they not well liking. 
 
 lan'y y^ 12 : Y® Avinter still continueth mightie 
 colde, insomuch y* y® sea be froze far into y^ offing. 
 Wee can goe to Nahauntus on y'^ ice. Our houses be 
 halfe buried in snow. And we have to strapp boardes 
 to our feete whereby wee may waike on y® snow, wch 
 wee call snow shoes. Y" women goe oute but little, 
 being forced to follow y® Bible commandment to bee 
 stayers at home ; save y* they go out to meeting. 
 But praised be God, wee haue plentie of fire woode 
 all arounde, so wee can keepe warme when wthin 
 doores. But y^ brute beastes suffer as well as wee 
 from y® colde, for they bee mch put to jt to get foode. 
 Y" famishing wolves howle piteouslie about our habi- 
 tations in y® nighte ; and jt would fare harde, I think, 
 wth one who should fall among them. 
 
 1633. Nov y*- 1 : Y« Gen'l Courte did last month 
 make order to regulate y*^ wages of divers kinds of
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 61 
 
 workemen and labourers. For master joyners, masons, 
 sawers, caipenters, and them of other like trades, and 
 mowers, it is ordained y' not aboue 2 shillings a day, 
 they findeing theire owne victualls, shall bee paid; 
 and if they haue victualls founde, then not aboue 14 
 pence a day. And y® penaltie for takeing or giueing 
 above y', is five shillings. Workemen y* bee not mas- 
 ters, to have such pay as two discreet people of y® 
 labourer his own choosing, together wth y® constable, 
 shall say. And itt is further ordered y* they shall 
 worke y® whole day, saveing onlie such time as may be 
 needfull wherein to take their dyet and reste. |But, 
 methinks, all such things should be left for men to 
 agree vppon betwixt themselves. Some bee worth 
 much more than others, by reason of their judgment, 
 prudence and industrie. / 
 
 iY'^ Courte too must needes keep makeing lawes to 
 regulate y^ price of corne and other produce raised. 
 ^ Then there being a great oropp or a poore cropp, they 
 I must presentlie undo what they haue done. Better 
 i lett y® people bee a law to themselves in such things. 
 I My neighboure Edward Tomlins hath built a famouT" 
 mill vpj'on y« fresh brooke y* runneth from y® greate 
 ponde, nigh where y® same floweth into y® river Sau- 
 gus. He hath thereby done a noble thing to supplie 
 our needes, there being but one other mill in y" whole 
 collonie and y* not able to do y® halfe y* is to bee done. 
 But M"" Tomlins is now somewhat exercised by y* doe- 
 ings of y® Courte, and saith y* y® olde mortars where- 
 in wee have bin forced to crack our corne had better 
 not bee given to y'' Indjans nor made into fire woode 
 as yet, for y" foolish Courte may make such hard lawes 
 vppon hjs mill, y* hee may bee forced to give vpp y® 
 same. 
 
 1634. May y® 5: This day have I helped my neigh- 
 boure Masters in planting flaxe. Y*^ garments brought 
 wth vs soone beginning to Aveare oute, wee caste aboute 
 to finde y* Avherewith to renew our clothing. And wee 
 did try what might be done wth flaxe, wch M'ce are 
 now shure groweth well here. With this we are well
 
 62 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 pleased and hope soone to be prouided wth plentie of 
 stronge and comelie cloth; for there be them among 
 vs who haue skill in curing y® materiall and preparing 
 jt for y*' spinning wheel and weaving frame. And onr 
 women can do y® spinning and Aveaving. And wee 
 doe hope soone to haue plentie of sheepe too, for wool 
 as well as for meate. 
 
 At this time there is not mch braverie in dress 
 among vs, save that y^ new comers from y^ old coun- 
 tiie do sometimes proudlie appear. 
 
 Wee be yett a small place, and this is, as jt w^ere, 
 y® beginning of things; but wee haue them among vs 
 who be able to turne hand to almost everie thing 
 necessary to be done for our comforte, and to make 
 vs lustie growers ; so wee do hope soone to haue with- 
 in ourselves all y' can be found in any of these our 
 loyal plantations. And praised be God. 
 
 lulie y*' 10: Yester even I did have much pleasant 
 discourse wth William Woode, concearneing this our 
 Thirde Bay Plantation, while sitting on y^ oak logg by 
 my back doore ; for he hath given oute y* he shall 
 presentlie depart for Old England, there to sojourn a 
 briefe space. He hath bin here from y^ beginning of 
 y* settlement, and hath Avrit enow to make a faii-e 
 booke, aboute afiaires wthin y^ pattent. And I did 
 mch urge him to printe y® booke while in England. 
 He hath trauelled mch amongst y® settlements and by 
 chearfull wordes and other wise helpes stopped manie 
 y* would haue gon from vs, some to Virginia, some to 
 Plj-mouth and some elsewhere. And y*^ book, mch of 
 well he hath read to me, speaking to our praise and to 
 y'' praise of y® land, I doubt not, being printed at home, 
 Avill doe greatlie for vs, as there be manie who w^ant 
 but to be shure of our being well planted firste and 
 they will send over mch to our comforte and helpe. 
 But some things he hath putt down y* methinks will 
 not lookc well in printe and I would faine haue had 
 him drop them ; as iijs discourse about lions at Cape 
 Anne. Quoth I, I doe not beleave y* anie such beaste 
 ever was founde there. He, being a little heady, did
 
 OBADIAH TUENER. 63 
 
 ■warmlie replie, y* then they were Devills, for nothing 
 but one or y® other could make such terrible roareings 
 as have been hearde thereaboute. And soe, said he, 
 I will have jt one or y" other. Well, well, quoth I, 
 Master Woode, if so you will, jt must be, tho I would 
 faine haue all discourse about revenous beastes and 
 Devills left out. If jt be thot at home y* our lande 
 doth abounde in such, but few will be founde readie to 
 come hither. Lions they cannot be for y® bookes of 
 trauell have jt y' such beastes live onlie in burning 
 desert lands. Devills they ma}^ be, for such be found 
 everiewhere. And as manie would rather face Devills 
 than lions, jt Avere better to call them Devills if one 
 or y^ other it must be. And blessed be God wee 
 have y^ holie Bible for protection against them. 
 
 1635. Ap^'l y® 20 : There hath bin for some days 
 an uproare about y° destruction of y® salt Avorkes. 
 Thomas Dexter and some others deeming y* salt might 
 bee made to advantage here^ not onlie to meet our 
 own needs, but also of a surplus to supply others at 
 a proffit to ourselves and cheape to them, went about 
 setting up neare y® foote of y'' hill y' overlookes y® 
 beach a kettle or two and y^ needed pans. Y'' work 
 went bravelie on. But on six day morning jt was 
 found y* during y® night some Indjans, as they say, 
 came down and pitched y'' kettles into y^ sea and de- 
 stroyed y^ pans. But I am persuaded y' not Indjans 
 but Devils did y^ dirty worke, and y* jt is onlie an- 
 other attempt of Satan to drive God his people heuce. 
 But wee will not goe, salt or no salt. I am y® more 
 moved vnto thjs belief, because Indjans be not stronge 
 of limbe, and a verie Samson might haue found y® mis- 
 chief harde worke. Manie fish being now taken salt is 
 mch needed in y® curing thereof. And wee hope to 
 see other pans and kettles set vp. In Ph^mouth colo- 
 nic Ave bee told salt is mch wanting. And y*^ workes 
 at Cape Anne have been burnt vp. 
 
 Septm'" y" 10: Y'' traine bande exercised to day on 
 y® common fielde. Wee have good store of firelocks,
 
 64 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 and ammunition in aboundance. And wee deem our- 
 selv^es able wth God his helpe to beate back a potent 
 adversarie. Sometimes y*" sauvages do threaten to tall 
 vppon vs in greate numbers and destroy vs. But wee 
 haue stout heartes, and do not feare but wee can helpe 
 ourselves. Nevertheless wee must be vigillant and 
 reddy. Wee haue a blocke house beside y^ great 
 ponde well wee may fortifye and make a saife place 
 for y® women and children to flee to when y^ foe Com- 
 eth ; and thinke wee can holde out against y^ worst 
 till we may get succor from abroad. 
 
 M"" Batchellor, y® minister, made a loude prayer at 
 y^ training and exhorted to braverie in defence of y® 
 faire lande wherewith God hath made vs rich, saying 
 y' such be our christian dutie ; and bringing from y® 
 holie scripture manie shining eusamples for our edifi- 
 cation and encouragement. Some doe stumble at y® 
 teachings of Mister Batchellor, saying he be an angell 
 in hjs publick walke, but a devil in hjs own household. 
 But who is there y* is not better in hjs sayings than in 
 hjs works. 
 
 y*^ musicke of y^ fife and drum was mightie enspirit- 
 ing. And y'' conke shell trumpet was meet to territy 
 y® sauvage hearte. 
 
 lohn Markes he got drunke at y® training and was 
 pvt into y*^ stockes by y^ big oake tree on y^ common 
 fielde. 
 
 1636. Deem'" y« 7: Y" minister, Stephen Batchellor, 
 left vs this yeare and as I have hearde would goe to 
 Ipswitch. He was y® firste minister here and did come 
 among vs some above two yeare after wee did begin 
 this oure plantation. Before his coming wee must 
 needes doe our own preaching, exhorting and cate- 
 chizing ; save that sometimes wee could procure help 
 from abroade ; and some of vs used to go hence, when 
 y® weather allowed, to heare preaching elsewhere. 
 / Mister Batchellor had mch zeal in preaching and ex- 
 / horting; and some stranger Indjans once passing by 
 1 y" meeting place were mch terrified saying y* y* white 
 I man his council was open and y* they hearde y'^ war
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. • 65 
 
 yells.,/He was three score and ten yeares olcle, as I 
 learn, when first he came. Hjs hair is thin and gra>^, 
 but hjs eyes be black and fierie. He hath an unseemlie 
 wen on y'' side of hjs nose wch presseth y* member in 
 an unshapelie way. He needeth no staff to stay hjs 
 steps but is quick a-foot and sure. In person he is 
 tall and leane, and when he speaketh earnestlie doth 
 mch exercise hjs bodie. Some scandal hath appeared 
 against him, partlie on y'' score of chastitie and partlie 
 on y® score of temper. He hath a strong will and 
 liketh mch y* people doe his bidding; or, as we say, 
 he is heady. Hjs indignation is easilie roused, wch I 
 doe not thinke seemlie in a minister. One happening 
 to say to him a provoking worde at y® general meeting, 
 got a blow for his paines. But mch must be forgiven 
 where mch hath been suffered. Y*^ godlie virtue of 
 patience is not given to all in like measure. Some 
 tempers grow harde and soure under y® same treatment 
 where others keep tender and sweete. Few among vs 
 haue been so badlie dealt wth in y^ olde countrie as 
 he. He began a minister in y® establishment and when 
 he came out wth y® puritans he had mch evil usage to 
 endure from y'^ bishops. He was mch put upon both 
 before he went to Holland and after his return to Lon- 
 don. He hath mch learning in y® Hebrew and Greek, 
 is an easie preacher for words and doth easilie work 
 himself into a holie frenzie. He hath baptised y*^ firste 
 children born among vs, one being his owne. 
 
 1637. Aug* y*' 1 : Mch hath been said of wonderful 
 things being from time to time founde in divers of 
 these parts. My neyboure Hawkes he being wth oth- 
 ers at worke in y^ greate easte field, did digg from a 
 hillock toward y*" shore two skelettons of stoute men 
 swaddled and encofiined in a manner never known to 
 y^ Indjans, as they declare. And wth y'' same they did 
 finde divers implements of mettal, as a speare head of 
 brasse, and some tubes seeminglie meant for y® depos- 
 ite of medicine y* they would alwaics haue wtli them. 
 It is judged y* these be y*^ remains, not of Indjans, y^ 
 sauvages all declaring jt such they cannot be but of 
 
 5
 
 66 * NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 some antient white people who must have come here 
 for discoverie or by shipwrecke manie yeares before 
 y® plantation began. And y'' sauvages doe tell of theire 
 old people hauing hearde from their fathers y* a won- 
 derful canoe did in antient times appeare in y® offing; 
 and being driven by greate stresse of weather, was 
 forced wthin y® greate Birds Egg Rocke, there goeing 
 to pieces. Strange people wth white faces, they say 
 were in y® shipp, and some reached y^ shore alive. 
 Presentlie they built a habitation on y® headlando, 
 wherein they dwelt all y® summer, planting, fishing and 
 hunting for their sustenance. But none ever hearde,. 
 of what became of y'^ strangers. / 
 
 Some declare y*^ they have seene at Nahauntus sun- 
 dry wonderfuU tracks in y* solid rocke, as of some 
 beaste like unto a great oxe. And I did goo thither 
 wth some fishermen to looke for y*^ same, but we could 
 finde nothing. Yet manie of faire credit doe stronglie 
 affirme y' they have seen them. 
 
 We doe have to be sparing of credit to y® Indjan 
 tales. Y® sauvages mch like to amaze us and excite 
 our feares. But manie besides Indjans doe love to 
 tell of wonderfull things in this wonderful] place. And 
 we be sometimes puzzled to know what to beleave. 
 
 1638. lune y*' 19 : Some going down to Nahauntus 
 on thirde day lasto, did see two ravenous wolves ; be- 
 ing y® same, I think, y* tore in pieces goodman Lake- 
 man hjs cow. But they could not shoot them, for 
 they were too quick into y" woodes there. 
 
 Vpon y^ beach y' lieth most southward they picked 
 vp manie great clams, from wch a savorie dish was 
 made. They also cacht great store offish, wch, build- 
 ing a fire by y^ rockes they cookt, and thereof with 
 artichokes, and some bread, they made a right heartie 
 meale. 
 
 loel Tomlins, he getting a little drounke, must needs 
 show off" his agility by dancing and balancing himself 
 in dangerous places. And soe jt fell out y' ho fell 
 over y^ rockes into y*^ water, and they thot jt was all 
 over with him. But one poising himself, was able to
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 67 
 
 catch him by y® hair of his heade as he floated atop of 
 y^ wave, and so pulled him out againe. I doe thinke 
 y* peeple who get drounke, and there bee too manie 
 sch hereabouts, should not goe a fishing on y® rockes 
 of Nahauntus. ':• 
 
 Upon y'^ beach they spied great multitudes of birdes 
 of manie kindes, they being there to pick vp y® wormes 
 and little fislies. They haue long bills wch they thrust 
 into y® little holes in y® sand and pull up y® fat wormes 
 wth great relish. They lay eggs in y® sand and y® 
 heate of y** sun being vpon them they speedilie hatch, 
 and y® little birdes betake themselves to feeding. Y*' 
 beach birds be verrie shy and quick a-wing, but our 
 sportsmen, nevertheless, do bring down great plentie 
 for our own vse, and if need be to supply other 
 plantations. 
 
 Itt hath bin writ in a booke y' oysters be unwhole- 
 some to eate in everie monetli y* hath not an r in jt. 
 And soe some of our people will have jt y* all shell 
 fish, as lobsters, crabbs, clamms and y^ like be not fit 
 for foode betwixt Ap^^l and Septm^ I know not that 
 they bee poison att such times, but they bee not soe 
 fat and luscious. 
 
 1639. Marche y® 28 : There appeared in y® heavens 
 a raightie sign wch may be y® forerunner of some dire- 
 full calamitie, as sickness, earthquake or other evlll 
 commotion. It seemed like unto a broade sheet of 
 white light, in shape mch like y® tail of a fish, hanging 
 in y'' weste for some hours wthin y*^ night, from sun- 
 setting. It did then fade away by little and little and 
 disappeare. Some felt greate feare and ran to y® min- 
 ister. But he did quietly tell them to feare not, for 
 God is wth vs. And he bid them remember y* y® Isra- 
 elites did see cause to reioice in y" pillar of fire. And 
 are not woe better than Israeljte^?? He did goe out 
 and studie y*^ wonder, till he almost froze in y® colde 
 blast from y" northweste, and would have it y* it was 
 noe signe of anie thing wondorfull to come, and no 
 more awfull than y'' winde, or y" sunshine, oulie not so 
 common. ^'
 
 68 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 1640. lulie y® 19 : An Indjan boy did cunninglie 
 creepe into my backe roome on yesternight and there- 
 from steale my axe. Y*^ sauvages be mch given to 
 thieving. Wee do haue to watch constantly when 
 they be aboiite, and complain to y** chiefs, Avch doth 
 little goode. And they sometimes boaste of what 
 wonders they wall do bie and bie when other nations 
 come to helpe them, tHereaboutes there be but few 
 sauvages, and they desperate poore, soe poore in sooth 
 that they cannot afforde themselves naimes. > And soe 
 wee giue names vnto them, whereof they seeme mightie 
 proude. One wee call Kettle lohn, another Lobster 
 Bill, another Soreface loe and soe on, they being fonde 
 of having a meaning in theire names. They doe boaste 
 of having been a greate nation in j'eares gone by, but 
 say that a dreadt'uU sicknesse carried manie off and soe 
 mch weakened them as a nation. Y^ landes they holde 
 in common and doe not worke to any advantage, haue- 
 ing no tooles to boaste of And as they hunt and fish 
 mostly for theire foode they do not deeme theire lands 
 of mch value, and seem glad to sell at a small price. 
 A jewsharpe will do wonders wth them in a bargaine 
 for lande. f All y'^ old Sagamore his hill that overlookes 
 y*^ beache and contains manie acres, was bought for a 
 hatchett, a red jackett and two jewsharpes. And most 
 of y^ Indjan titles have been bought in, some for an 
 iron kittle, some for a few iron nailes, and some for 
 cast off clothes ; in every bargaine, a jewsharpe or two 
 being added, they being fonde of y" musicke therof 
 They have no great appetite in eating and live at a 
 cheape rate. If they can get nothing else, a few clams 
 pickt vp on y" sea shore, or a few eares of corn roasted 
 in y*-' ashes contents a whole familie for a meal. 
 
 1641. Septem'* y® 5 : Some being on y^ greate beache 
 gathering of clams and seaweede wch had been cast 
 thereon by y® mightie storm did spy a most wonderful 
 serpent a shorte way off from y® shore. He was as 
 big rounde in y'^ thickest parte as a wine pipe ; and 
 they do aflfirme that he was fifteen fathom or more in 
 length. A most wonderful tale. But y** witnesses be
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 69 
 
 credible, and jt would be of no account to them to tell 
 an untrue tale. Wee have likewise hearde y* at Cape 
 Ann y® people have seene a monster like vnto this, 
 wch did there come out of y® sea and coile himself 
 vpon y^ land mch to y'' terror of them y* did see him. 
 And y® Indjans doe say y* they have manie times seene 
 a wonderful big serpent lying on y® water, and reach- 
 ing from Nahauntus to y® greate rocke wch we call 
 Birdes Egg Rocke ; wch is much above belief for y* 
 would be nigh vpon a mile. Y'^ Indjans, as said, be given 
 to declaring wonderful things, and jt pleaseth them to 
 make y® white people stare. But making all discounte, 
 I doe believe y* a wonderful monster in forme of a 
 serpent doth visit these waters. And my praier to 
 God is, y* jt be not y' olde serpent spoken of in holie 
 scripture y* tempted our greate mother Eve and whose 
 poison hath run downe even vnto vs. so greatlie to our 
 discomforte and ruin. 
 
 Dec'" y^ 1 : Wee do bless God y* soe much good 
 health hath bin our lot ; for our feares were greate y' 
 coming from a land soe different in heate and colde, 
 and being putt vpon new foode, sore plagues and 
 paines might fall to our lott. True., wee have bin some 
 exercised by sickness, and sometimes direfull pesti- 
 lence hath ravaged vs. But for y'^ most parte it hath 
 bin contrariwise. This is a goodlie lande for herbes 
 and rootes wherewith to make medicines. And y® 
 Indjans have mch skill in preparing y^ same. There 
 be manie doctors among them who gather greate bun- 
 dles of y*" herbes and rootes and store them vpp in 
 their wigwams for winter use. And they mch love to 
 show their skill vppon y® white people, being kind, and 
 readie to goe miles for y*" meanes, if they have them 
 not at hand, wherewth to abate our pains. An olde 
 Sagamoure did declare to me y* he never knew of a 
 sore or paiue or sicknesse for which he could not find 
 a cure somewhere in y^ swamps, woodes, or pondes, 
 vnless y*^ same was y*^ worke of some witchcraft ; in 
 wch case charmes must bee turned to. And charmcs 
 he had as well as herbes.
 
 70 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 1643. Ocf y^ 1 : This morning y" watch did begin 
 y^ blowing of their homes, wch is to be in this wise : 
 One to starte from y^ hill near y" roade to Nahauntus 
 and walk westerlie ; y'' other to starte from y^ forke of 
 y^ roades at y*^ west end of y*^ common landes and walk 
 easterlie. Y^ two to meet aty® halfe way poste, both 
 stoutlie blowing their horns all y" way. They to starte 
 one hour before y*^ rising of y'^ sun, and to walke some 
 hastilie, and returne back without stopping. And what- 
 soever houses they find without a light or some token 
 of stirring therein they are to reporte. And at nine 
 of y** clocke at night they are to doe likewise onlie re- 
 porting all such houses as have lights or other tokens 
 of y^ people not being a-bed. And this is y*" regula- 
 tions to make y® people industrious and keepers of 
 good hours. 
 
 1644. May y® 2 : Joel Breede is chose hunter for y® 
 year. Hee is to destroy all four footed plagues, like- 
 wise crows and venomous serpents y' he can, giving 
 to y® dutie one half of everie day. And he is to haue 
 his boarde for his paines, and to take it round among 
 y^ families. 
 
 1645. Ap''l y*' 7 : lohn Newhall was set in y® stockes 
 by y^ meeting house, for stealing of pumpkins from y® 
 widdow Humfrey. Some boyes did pelt him wth rot- 
 ton egges. And an Indjan did throw vpon him some 
 blacke stuff of mightie stinke. 
 
 1646. lune y** 3 : Allen Bridges hath bin chose to 
 wake y'^ sleepers in meeting. And being mch proude 
 of his place, must needs have a fox taile fixed to y^ end 
 of a long staff wherewith he may brush y® faces of 
 them y' Avill have napps in time of discourse ; likewise 
 a sharpe thorne wherewith he may prick such as be 
 most sounde. On y« laste Lord his day, as hee strutted 
 about y® meeting house, hee did spy M'' Tomlins sleep- 
 ing with much comforte, hjs head kept steadie by being 
 in y** corner, and hjs hand grasping y'' rail. And soe 
 spying, Allen did quicklie thrust his staff behind Dame
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 71 
 
 Ballard and give hjm a grievous prick vpon y® hand. 
 Wherevppon M"^ Tomlins did spring vpp mch above y® 
 floore and with terrible force strike wth hjs hand 
 against y® wall, and also, to y'' great wonder of all, pro- 
 phainlie exclaim, in a loude voice, cuss y® woodchuck ; 
 he dreaming, as it seemed, y*^ a woodchuck had seized 
 and bit his hand. But on comeing to know where hee 
 was and y*' great scandall hee had comitted, he seemed 
 mch abashed, but did not speake. And I think hee 
 will not soone againe go to sleepe in meeting. Y^ 
 women may sometimes sleepe and none know it, by 
 reason of their enormous bonnets. M"* Whiting dothv^ 
 pleasantHe say y* from y® pulpitt hee doth seem to be t 
 preaching to stacks of straw wth men sitting here and 
 there among them. 
 
 1647. Aug* y*' 8: There hath suddenlie come among 
 vs a companie of strange people, wch bee neither In- 
 djan nor Christian. And wee know not what to liken 
 them vnto. Some will have it y* they bee Egyptjans 
 or Jypsjes, wandering thieves, jugglers and beggars, 
 so long a pest in y*' old countries, and in England till 
 Edward y^ Fourth made hard lawes against them. 
 But if they bee of that heathen people how came they 
 hither and what doe they seeke in this wilderness 
 where is little to steal and mch justice to give them 
 stripes. If they bee Egyptjans jt is patent y* y"* devill 
 hatli sent them hither to do his bidding and harrass God 
 his people. AVhere y'^ most godliness is to bee founde 
 there y*^ devil maketh his strongest effort. But how 
 such people could get here none can tell. Being wth 
 their olde captaine I did ask him by signs, for they 
 speake in vnknown tongues, whither they came. 
 Wherevppon he did point southward, not meaning to- 
 wards Plymouth, but far beyond. And he would haue 
 me understand y*^ they did not 'come over sea. Never 
 liearing y* any such people were in y*^ Dut(;h settle- 
 ments or Virginia, I surmised y*' hee did mean y' they 
 came from y** Spanish settlements, thousands of leagues 
 awaie. 
 
 This strange companie hath made their camp in a
 
 72 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 valley a little within y® woodes. And there they live 
 in no better plight than y*" Indjans ; eating all manner 
 of unclean meats, as frogs and rats, and deeming dain- 
 tie foode such cattle and pigges as have died of mur- 
 rain, if they can begg them of us. They come often 
 into y'' settlement, and sometimes travel, mostlie by 
 night, to other townes. They doe use palmistry and 
 other devihsh arts and witchcrafts. And we are much 
 exercised to watch against their pilferings. Neither 
 doe wee let our children goe mch in their waie, for jt 
 hath been sayd y' these people sometimes steal little 
 folk and rear them in all their heathen waies. And I 
 doe surmise y* a maid Avth them may be of this sort. 
 Her years may be eighteen or thereaboute, and she 
 hath such a faire complexion with blooming cheeks as 
 are not like unto y® other maids Avith them. She doth 
 not besmear her hair like y® others, but jt falleth vpon 
 her shoulders, clean and glossie. Her eyes may be 
 likened unto pretious diamonds being so lustrous. 
 And her teeth being without staining from druggs are 
 white as snow. She hath a merrie looke and gay laugh 
 and is withal neate in her clothes and always cleane in 
 face and hands. She sometimes cometh into y® town 
 wth y'' olde captainc, having her head decked wth flow- 
 ers and is bewitching to y*' younge men, stepping soe 
 daintilie and looking soe comelie. But shee hath their 
 evil waies, and will make delicate signs to some youth 
 y* she would bestow favors vppon them. But praised 
 bee God all here bee so brot vpp in his holie ordinan- 
 ces y* y** bodie being under subjection, temptation 
 doth not overcome. 
 
 They doe sometimes make merrie at their lodges, wth 
 great outcries and laughter. And vppon y** holie Sab- 
 bath they doe dance and riot. And they would fain 
 entice our young men. and maids to come and haue 
 their fortunes told, bringing pay therefor in fish, In- 
 djan loafs, artichokes and other meats, and in strong 
 drinks of which they bee mighty fond, and will spend 
 dales in drounkenness when j'** meanes bee at hand. 
 
 Their men do sometimes goe from door to door 
 about y® towne with tools wherewth to mend pans and
 
 OBADIAH TUENER. 73 
 
 kettles and doe y® worke of cobblers. But thanks bee 
 to y^ Lord, we have good shoemakers here enow for 
 all our needes, and would helpe our owne. The wo- 
 men make divers ointments and medicines for burns, 
 cuts and other hurts, and gather herbs which they 
 bring to our doors for sale. 
 
 Wee little like to haue these pestigeous people 
 among vs, and will presently drive them hence if they 
 do not goe of themselves, for they bee* all theiving, 
 unchaste and disordalie uagabonds, wandering vpp and 
 down and prowling about by night and daie. When 
 nothing of greater value comes in their waie, little bits 
 of iron, fish hooks and even broken pottery do not 
 come amiss. And the Indjans much complain of the 
 stealing of their jewsharpes. 
 
 Hearing a great outcrie among my poultry yester 
 even, & hastening oute by y® backe doore, I descried one 
 leaping over y^ stone wall, to gain y® bushes. Y^ wall 
 falling, he fell likewise, but not being hurte, he was 
 presently againe on his feet ; and I then comeing vpp 
 to y"^ wall seized him by y*^ skirte of his outer garment ; 
 but he being on y^ other side, and seeing hjs advan- 
 tage gave me a lustie pluck, bringing me sprawling 
 across y® wall. Some stones being thereby knocked 
 down, and falling against me did disable me from fur- 
 ther pursuit. Going back to y^ poultry house, I was 
 much distresst to finde my proudest Chester cock wth 
 his head twisted from his -bodie, and sundry pullets in 
 y*' same plight. 
 
 Coming down y° roade by y® rivver Saugust on y® 
 last second daie, I did descry them all, men, women 
 and children, in stark naked plight bathing togetlier in 
 y^ rivver, shouting, throwing water vppon one another, 
 and challenging to swimming races, and doing many 
 like indecent feats. But I presentlie turned m^' eyes 
 from beholding soe great a scandall, tho I could not 
 stop my ears to their wild outcries and prophanitie as 
 it seemed. Such things were never before heard of in 
 these parts, no, not even among y^ Indjans. But I 
 haue heard tell of there being like shamefull doings 
 among y" Spanish in Mexico and other places to y^ 
 D
 
 74 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 southward, whence, some will have jt y*^ these came. 
 But we must presentlie put a stopp to these things or 
 y^ plagues will be vppon vs. 
 
 Their Captain, as wee call him, is of manie years. 
 He is of noble presence, wth thin white hair and beard, 
 and a scar vppon his forehead. He hath a voice loude 
 and commanding ; but his manners bee not discourte- 
 ous. He seemeth to feel y® care of a father for hjs 
 charge ; doth^comfort them in sickness, plead for them 
 in difficulties and fight for them in danger. And well 
 may they love him and obey hjs commands. They do 
 all seem to wish no better life than their wandering one. 
 And I am fain to believe y* ignorance is y'' mother of 
 mch of their evil doings. M"" Whiting hath wrestled in 
 praier for them and would give them mch good dis- 
 course but for y^ difficulties of y® language. And he 
 saith tniWe y* y® soule of one of these outcaste children 
 is as pretious wth God as y® Christian his soule, for He 
 is no respecter of persons. And doe wee not all know 
 y* Christ his blood can \vash y* one soule white and 
 clean as y^ otlier. And praised be God his great name 
 for this. But yet, take these vagrant people as they 
 bee, in temporal wise, they be such companie as wee 
 doe not crave to have among vs and will presentlie rid 
 ourselves of them b}^ y*^ best means in our power. So 
 all declared, in general meeting, 
 
 September y*^ 3: Praised* be God y® vagrant Egyp- 
 tjans or whatever they be, haue departed from among 
 vs. In y^ last seventh day night they marched awaie, 
 taking y' holie time, methinks, for feare of pursuit and 
 punishment for their evil deeds while sojourning here. 
 But wee were mch too glad to be rid of them to par- 
 ley or seek our own. Manie have lost by their thiev- 
 ing waies ; one a hoe, another a hatchet another a cod 
 line ; and few of vs doe not miss some moveable thing. 
 Farmer Newhall his plow hath disappeared, tho what 
 on earth such people could want of a plow wee doe not 
 know. He would have followed and sought y® imple- 
 ment, but wee did persuade him from jt lest they should 
 return, and helped to make vpp for his loss, which is
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 75 
 
 indeed a sore one, for there bee not manie plows among 
 vs, and he was alwaies readj^ to loan to a neighbor. 
 
 1650. lulie y^ 14: Some youngsters being in y® 
 woodes on y"^ last Lord his day did wickedlie play at 
 cardes on a flat rock. And while y^'game was going 
 on, they say there did appeare vpon y^ solid rock, in 
 y® middest of them, a foote printe, plaine as a foote 
 printe could be made vpon y" sand of y® beache ; 
 whereupon they were greatUe terrified, as well tliey 
 might be. Y® goode peeple say y' jt be y'' devill his 
 foote printe. But it seemeth strange y*^ y*^ devill should 
 desire to drive them oif from doing hjs own worke or 
 to disturbe y"^ breakers of y*^ Lord his dale, or other 
 euil doers. But by whomsoever y® miracle was 
 wrought, methinks it was meant as a solemn warning 
 to Sabbath breakers and card players. And my praier 
 to God is y*^ jt may be rightlie heeded. 
 
 1651. Aug' y® 4 : Tester even wee did return, mch 
 tired, from y*^ West Precinct. At y*^ Iron Workes Avee 
 founde all y® men wth smutty faces and bare armes 
 working lustilie. 
 
 Y® setting vp of y® forge here, wch was done some 
 six years agoe, is a mightie helpe to vs y* want' iron 
 worke some times. They do make here all kindes of 
 affaires wanted by our fiirmers, such as chaines, plow 
 irons, sythes, boltes and y® like. And their axes and 
 trammels be strong and well shaped. There be no 
 other iron Avorkes hereabouts, and soe mch work Com- 
 eth in from abroad. Some of y*-' workmen be exceed- 
 ing skilful! and y® fame of y*^ workes be verrie great. 
 Y*^ Courte, I am told, think so well of hauingy® workes 
 here among vs, y' they be readie to doe all things law- 
 full for them to doe to encourage y® undertaking. 
 'J'ho y*^ oare found hereabouts be not of y*' first qualitie, 
 they yet finde it sufficient to pay for y^ digging and 
 smelting. 
 
 Y'' workes be mostlie owned by certain rich men in 
 Old England, and monie is not wanting for y® supply 
 of all things necessarie. And jt be a great comfort
 
 76 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 to US in this new countrie, wLere mcb labour and 
 money is needed, to know y* soe manie men at home, 
 yea and women too, of substance and high favour, do 
 take a livehe interest in our goode, and be so reddie 
 to lend a helping hand. But some of y® richest and 
 wisest men here haue something to doe with these 
 workes, wch showeth y* they think them of worth. 
 God prosper them. 
 
 Y« workemen be mostlie from Old England, and mch 
 skilled in y** work. Y® headmen be of substance and 
 godlie lives. But some of y*^ workemen be young, and 
 fond of frolicking, and sometimes doe frolicke to such 
 purpose y' they get before y^ magistrates. And jt be 
 said, mch to their discredit y* one or two hath done 
 naughtie workes with y" maidens living thereabouts. 
 
 There hath been talk of some iron workes in y*' Ply- 
 mouth colonic. But if any be there y® fame thereof is 
 not soe great as these. And ye people of that colonie 
 do sometimes send hither for articles made. 
 
 Y® Iron Workes be in a delightfull place, beside y® 
 river Saugust. Manie tall pines grow neare by ; also 
 oakes and walnuts. And it is pleasante to see y® 
 smoke of y® workes curling up among y® trees. 
 
 Y*= Indjans sometimes come about y'' workes, and 
 will haue sharpe arrow heads made. But y*^ workmen 
 haue been warned againste supplying them, for such 
 weapons may if neede come be turned against them- 
 selves. One should not make a gun wherewith him- 
 selfe is like to be shot. 
 
 Y® overseer of y*^ workes did show vs greate cour- 
 tesie. He would haue vs view y** premises, and heare 
 y® storie of their greate doings. And he entertayned 
 us wth a noble dinner ; giving vs fresh meat in plentie 
 and fish. And to crown all wee had a most daintie 
 pudding, wherein were cherries of most delightfull 
 taste. And Avee had fruite and savorie dishes of ber- 
 ries, some black and some red, wth plentie of sweeten- 
 ing spread vpon them. A good tankard of well kept 
 C3'der furnished drink for vs. He hath a wife of great 
 comelinesse and pleasantrie, haueing no soure lookes' 
 nor angry wordes. She hath two cliildicn verie laire
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 77 
 
 and smarte. And being of goode learning she delight- 
 etli to instruct and catechize y^ little folk of y^ 
 precinct. 
 
 Y'' minister, M"" Whiting, doth sometimes come hither 
 to preach in y'' big barne, and soe y'^ infirme and lazie 
 y'' cannot or will not go elsewhere haue preaching at 
 hand. 
 
 Y^ enterprise of y® Iron Workes we haue much at 
 hearte. It hath our labors and our praiers and must 
 needs prosper if God be wth vs in jt ; and methinks 
 he is, for wee are hjs peeple and he seeth our need. 
 
 Aug' y« 25 : Gooddie Baker was ducked in y^ 
 great ponde by y'^ east roade for being a common 
 scolde and y'^ using of unchaste and prophane wordes. 
 She was deckt in a petticoate of yellow cloth wth a 
 high red cap on her head, and a crow feather stuck 
 a-top thereof. And being strapped to y*" stoole wth 
 leathern strappes, she was let down under y*^ water 
 three times. She did sneeze and shake her head each 
 time as she came vp, much as a dog doth when he hath 
 been plunged into y^ sea. Twas not till she had been 
 brot vp y« laste time y* she siied for mercie or would 
 sale one word as if sorrie. There was a multitude 
 present. Some hissed and some taunted her about her 
 evil sayings, but, as jt appeared, not greatlie to her 
 discomforte. Y"^ duckinge, methinks, will do her good 
 for she is thereby punished for her evil speech and 
 washed withal), wch she seemed mch to neede. 
 
 '' 1652. Decem"" y® 12: In selling some corne this daye 
 there Avas payed unto me a shillinge of y*' new stampe 
 wch y'^ minte at Boston hath sent out. Y*^ Courte hath 
 ordered y*" making of these, likewise sixpences. But I 
 question if y® coUonie hath a right to do sch a great 
 thing, tho I be not one y* will refuse y® taking of them 
 on account of y** unlawfull making of y*^ same. Our 
 needes in y*^ matter of small silver pieces hath been 
 verrie greate. We have, jt is true, a little Spanish 
 money but not enow to supplie our needes ; and most 
 of our trade hath been by barter. Y** superintendent
 
 78 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 of y^ iron workes informed me y' y® die for y"^ pieces 
 was made at hjs workes, and y* hjs Avife did draw y® 
 famous design y' appears thereon. These be y'' first 
 pieces made in y*^ land. And we do hope y* y® mint 
 may be kept in motion. It will be a long time before 
 our needes be supplied. And as we be a growing 
 people, and our trade greatlie encreases, we shall never 
 be overstocked for monie. 
 
 y 
 
 f 1653. Ap'"! y"' 14: Mch debate was held at y« last 
 publick meeting concerning y^ buryal place. I did make 
 motion to haue a faire wall raised around y^ same and 
 some unseemlie heaps of stone and gatherings of thornie 
 brambles removed. But most would haue jt y' we 
 neede do nothing; y*^ y" cost would be great and no 
 gaine come thereby to y^ dead or living; saying too 
 y' when y® bodie is buried jt be dust given backe to 
 duste ; and y^ golden chain being broken at y^ grave, 
 there should end all our care; and y* jt be but supersti- 
 tion to make show and pomp aboute y*^ dead as doe 
 manie Churchmen and Catholics. . Surelie we doe bless 
 God y' there be a resurrection of our better part from 
 y^ foule clay. But still y® bearte will sometimes haue 
 its way above reason, and love best to think of)'® dear 
 ones lying in pleasant places. I do hope y* if these 
 things be not done by this generation, y® time will 
 come when others will doe y*' same ; for y® ground 
 may be made verie faire wth y® poude and manie noble 
 trees. 
 
 1654. lune y" 20: Mch grief hath fillen on M-" Whit- 
 ing and his familie. Y® Indjan maid Ruth, whom they 
 did so mch love, on y® last Lord his dale did run awaie 
 and again join herself to her heathen people of y® wil- 
 dei-ness. It be now eight years or thereabout since 
 y^ godlie minister took her a gift from her Indjan 
 mother to bring her vpp in y® nuiture and admonition 
 of y® Lord. And she hath been these manie j'-ears as 
 one of hjs own children, eating of hjs own bread and 
 drinking of his own cupp, receiving godlie instruction 
 at meeting and under his roofe and learning at hjs
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 79 
 
 schoole. And she did tnilie seem like a fresh bloom- 
 ing' wilde flower, wch we so loved to liken her imto. 
 And she had too a loving hearte as well as bright mind, 
 cleaving wth mch tenderness vnto y® good man whom 
 she did call father, weeping at his paines and rejoicing 
 at his pleasures. But she hath gon. And tho she hath 
 done a great seeming wrong, yet may it somewhat 
 abate when well considered. It is hard to overcome 
 our first love. Y*^ hearte will sometimes turn back 
 while y*^ eyes look forward. She hath gone to her for- 
 est home, awaie from our christian habitations, their 
 comforts and blessings, from our protection and godlie 
 instructions. In y^ wigwam, her learning will stand 
 her in poore stead against cold and hunger, and she 
 will tear vpp her braive red scarf to adorn her dark 
 lover his speare. But sunshine hath once broken into 
 her soule and blessed bee God, all y® mists of heathen- 
 ism cannot smother jt out again. And I did say to 
 Master Whiting, seeminglie mch to his comfort, y*^ she 
 male yet be a meanes of grace to manie a poore red 
 man. God grant it — and likewise mch happiness to 
 her both here and hereafter. 
 
 1655. Aug* y^ 7 : Some have bin mch exercised touch- 
 ing y^ heavenlie signs wch have of late appeared ; as a 
 noble shipp wth sailes spread, lifted high in aire, saile- 
 ing bravelie against y*^ wind, and so out beneath a 
 beaut jfull rainbow ; y** trees, yea and rocks of Nahaun- 
 tus lifted high in air; y® islands wch be half a score of 
 miles in y® offing seeminglie brot nigh to y" shore, in- 
 somuch y* we could well descry cattill and sheep graz- 
 ing thereon. Tho these be wonderfull things, yet they 
 be so ravishing y* we may well say that they can not 
 betoken evill to come, but contrarywise, good. And 
 blessed be God they have turned to y^ good of some ; 
 as Obed Oliver, his speech, wch had before bin mch 
 distempered wth prophanitie, hath now become of bet- 
 ter qualitie. And Gooddio Welch hath turned from 
 her unchaste waj^s, and craved y^ sacrament of M"^ 
 Wiiiting. We do well remember y" phantom shipp that 
 Bailed into y" harbour of New Haven half a score of
 
 80 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 years agone, and did weep over jt as bearing tidings 
 of y*^ loss of Captaine Turner, wth y*^ other noble men. 
 But that shadow fell to pieces as betokening a wreck; 
 not so y*^ appearance here. 
 
 1G56. Decern^ y« 15 : Y'^ reverend teacher, M' Cob- 
 bett did leave vs this year haueing been with vs about 
 a score of yeares. He hath greatlie helped M'' Whiting 
 in hjs laboures and they lived together in y® most 
 friendlie and christian way ; he doeing mch in cate- 
 chizing and instructing y* children. He hath good 
 learning, having once been an Episcopal minister in 
 Lincolnshire. And he hath mch witt and curious 
 knowledg. He knowing mch of public affaires, hath 
 composed some poetry on matters of government, wch 
 made some stir among y*^ people, some scolding and 
 some laughing. He is mch thot of abroad, we hear. 
 
 In person, M"" Cobbett is rather short and a little 
 stoopeing. He hath thick lipps and eyes seeminglie 
 full of mirth. He loveth mch to take long walks, in y" 
 woodes and on y® beaches ; and he goeth with one 
 hand ahind hjs back and wth hjs eyes toward y® ground, 
 as if in great studie, and I think he be in studie, as one 
 being neare him may see him sometimes smile, some- 
 times frowne and sometimes talk vnto himself. Hjs 
 haire is dark and verrie thin and he sometimes weareth 
 a little black capp, at y® meetinges mch to y® amuse- 
 ment of y® young folk. 
 
 But in walk and conversation Master Cobbett is a 
 right godlie man ; and in temper loving peace and 
 goode will, wch maketh amends for all other things 
 that be wanting. He is a good friend to all y^ children 
 and they love mch to meet him. He laboreth to make 
 them good and apt to learn. And he saith y* by soe 
 doing he is preparing y" foundation stones for a great 
 nation. He hath been installed at y"" church in Ips- 
 '. witch, I hear. 
 
 1657. March y^ 27: This day hath been y" funeral! 
 \ of Goodman Burrill. We had plentie of wine and 
 icyder and stronge liquors, and sugar wherewith to 
 
 \
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 81 
 
 sweeten y" same. Several did drinke more than was 
 meete and bring great scandal vpon y® occasion. Wid- 
 dow Hamsteade did do in y*^ way and make prophane 
 and indecent speeches, much to y" mortification of y® 
 friends. Uerihe I think it not meet to offer strong 
 drinks at such times. A little wine for y^ women and 
 near friends, and cyder for y® men is enow. But y® 
 giving of gloves and rings if they can be afforded can 
 be in no wise harmeful. A famous pair of gloves did 
 fall to me on this occasion. It was dark night before 
 y^ bodie was in y^ grave, and a cold rain set in wch 
 wth y^ snow upon y® ground hath made y® trauelling 
 verrie plashie and bad, and y^ rain continueth to this 
 hour. 
 
 I think y* y® Bible should be read and praiers always 
 made at y** burial of y® dead. No matter if they of y® 
 Church of England do y® same. Must we dispise a 
 good thing because they do approve jt? Y® custom, 
 I am glad is growing among vs. ; Christian feeling and 
 good sense methinks will finally master y^ preiudices 
 y* still linger among vs. And I dare prophesie y*^ y® 
 time will come when none, even here in thi^ puritan 
 land, will be carried to y® grave withoute praiers. 
 And wth y® same faith I dare prophesie likewise y*^ y^ 
 time will come when strong drinks will not be had at 
 funeralls, even among y® puritans. 
 
 lune y® 8th : Lord protect us. My neighbour Pur- 
 chiss hath run in to stir up hue and crie on a terrible 
 deed of blood y' he s#th they report hath iust been 
 committed, by olde Rattlesnake, y^ Naticke Indjan, hee 
 having killed Goodman Anderson, his daughter, and 
 likewise her betrothed, who hath lately come hither, 
 they being with y® party of young people in y'^ woodes 
 to-day. I yet doubt y'' so dreadful a thing hath been 
 done, tho we do well know y* M"" Anderson hath wrath- 
 full enemies amongst y® savages. 
 
 1658. Decern'" y" 14: This year there hath been a 
 great and terrible earthquake ; sucli a one as was never 
 before known hereabouts. Y*^ houses shook and dishes 
 D* 6
 
 82 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 did fall down from y® shelves. Some being out did 
 feel y® ground rock. Y® sea roared wth a dismal roare- 
 ing, as if a mightie storme was coming on. And some 
 being near y^ shore said y® tide was turned before y® 
 time. Some chimnies were shook down, but not mch 
 michief done of wch I have heard. In y^ morning y® 
 air was so yellow, like vnto brasse, and thicke, y' we 
 did fear some great evil to come. But y^ most mightie 
 worke done by y® earthquake, hereaboutes, was y^ 
 splitting of a great rock in y'' woods. It hath by some 
 been called y® Dungeon Rocke, because there appeared 
 to be beneath y® same a dungeon cave. And jt hath 
 been said y*^ Thomas Veal, a crooked, grizzley and ill 
 looking shoemaker did live in y^ cave and do his shoe- 
 making there. Some of vs did use to purchase his 
 works of him ; for tho not neat and comelie to looke 
 vpon, yet they were strong and tight ; iust what we 
 want where there be so many stumps and briars and 
 so much mud and plash at times. On y^ splitting of y® 
 rock by y® earthquake as some think y" old man was 
 shut vp alive in y® cave ; and no great loss to y® world 
 as they -#111 have jt ; he not beeing thot well of Some 
 say he was once a pirate robber and did bury treasure 
 hereabout. But it seemeth strange if jt be so, y' he 
 should live so poorlie and work so hard. He did often 
 come among vs to trade hjs shoes for provisions, and 
 hath been known, but not often, to haue some small 
 pieces- of Spanish monie. It hath been further sayed 
 y* he was one of a number of pirate robbers y' lived 
 hidden in a glen by y® river toAT%rdes y** Iron Workes. 
 
 1660. Octo^ y'' 30 : We hear y* W" Burton hath been 
 to y*" Courte to complaine of Winnie lohnstone for y® 
 keeping of Christmas wch jt is said is not lawful here. 
 But God forbid y' it should be unlawful to keep y® 
 holie birthday of y« Savioure of mankind. We did 
 hope y* sch things might not be in this pleasant lande, 
 where there be manie who tho no churchmen yet be 
 willing to acknowledge sound doctrine, tho churchmen 
 yea even popish catholicks doe y*' same. And y® min- 
 ister, Mister Whiting, thiuketh such things grievous,
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 83 
 
 he being of large minde and good heart, and yet far 
 enow from y^^ establishment. But y® first minister, 
 Jilaster Batoheldor, was stout to beat down everie 
 sproute of y® episcopacie in this puritan soil. 
 
 1663. Decem'^ y® 10: Mch distress hath been in y^ 
 churches about y^ Quakers who be now rampant in y® 
 land. Y^ laws and y" magistrates be hard vpon them. 
 Women as well as men have been stript and whipped 
 at y*' carts taile for manie miles from town to town. 
 And some have been brought to y® gallows. Y^ more 
 peeple be put vpon for their belief y" more do they set 
 theire faces against changing their ways. ; And besides, 
 ones religion is a matter betwixt him and his God.j 
 He should be let alone so long as he injureth not and 
 interfereth not wth others ; wch keeping to themselves 
 I am sorrie to say seemeth not always to haue been y^ 
 case wth y*^ Quakers. Yet do I think y* our laws and 
 our magistrates have been mch too hard vpon them, 
 and vpon others that do not think alike wth vs. Sure- 
 lie wee, of all people, ought to know how pretious lib- 
 ertie of conscience is, for manie of vs here haue suffered 
 enow for its sake. |^And I do say y* a church y* cannot 
 stand of its own strength ought to fall. ^^ And I doe say 
 further, y' when one strippeth naked and goeth about 
 uttering lamentations and outcries against y** evil ways 
 of y*^ people, they themselves are in evil ways and 
 should be dealt with by y'' civil power, be they Quak- 
 ers or what nots. And so I end my says about y® 
 matter. 
 
 1671. Marche y^ 30 : Y*^ past year hath been one 
 mightie in stormes. A great and terrible snow fell in 
 y® middle of lanuarie, insomuch y* houses were buried 
 to y® chimnies. Y*^ poore cattle suffered grievously, 
 being wthout food and drink for days, none being able 
 to get unto them. One getting out of his chamber 
 window thinking to go to a neighbor his house, did sink 
 down in y'^ snow till nothing of him appeared, and he 
 came nigh being stifled. But y*^ window l^eing left 
 open, his wife did hear a small cry, and hastylie throw-
 
 84 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 ing out y® table top, did get thereon and help him to 
 recover himself. Presentlie after there came a day of 
 melting, and then a mightie cold, wch froze y^ sno\Y 
 hard enow to bear y® stoutest man. And we did travel 
 forth, sometimes greeting our neighbours at their cham- 
 ber windows, and were able to grasp y^ tops of y® 
 trees. 
 
 Again, of a Lord his day in y^ middle of Maie, there 
 did come such a storm of thunder and lightning as 
 was never before known among vs. It began iust 
 within y"' night wth a high wind and some hail, wch did 
 break and beat down all ye grain and other things 
 planted y* were grown above ground, Y® thunder 
 and lightning were terrible to witness. Farmer Harte 
 his barn was struck and set on ^re, and his famous 
 brindle cow killed. A great rock by y'' back road was 
 likewise struck and y® noise of y® explocion was awfull 
 indeed. 
 
 In lulie a direfull whirlwind did pass thro y® settle- 
 ment. Its path was about two poles in width, and its 
 violence exceeding great. Trees, fences, yea, houses, 
 all y* stood in its way were cleared like chaff. Good- 
 man Collins his house standing in its way was cut off 
 and y® part carried manie poles and dashed into y® 
 pond, a heap of ruins. Widow Bridges her house was 
 taken up bodilie and turned over first vpon its top and 
 then down y® bank into y^ creek, and twas a mercie y* 
 she was not in jt, she having just before gone out to 
 pick vp some chipps. My own well curb was taken vp 
 by y® wind and carried thro y® air over y® tops of 
 houses and trees, and dashed to pieces on y® ground a 
 long walk away. Gooddy Billin being out wth her 
 apron thrown over her head, y^ wind took both her 
 apron and her capp of goat hair and lodged them in 
 y® top of y^ great beach tree near y*' minister his house. 
 And. after y® blow was over they in y® house were some 
 mirthful, saying y* y^ wind was so strong as to blow y® 
 haire off her heade. After y® terrible whirlwind was 
 past, wch was not manie minutes, some did go out to 
 see y® road y'' it had cut and to wonder at y® great de- 
 struction. A number of beastes and birds, a few killed
 
 OBADIAH TUENER. 85 
 
 and others so lamed y* they could not get away were 
 pickt up ; and some did live daintilie for one day cer- 
 taine. 
 
 1679. lune y® 20 : It is now fiftie years since this 
 now famous towne was first begun. Wee have grown 
 from y® small beginning of about a score of poore pil- 
 grims dropt as it were in y^ sauvage wilderness, to be 
 a people well to doe and manie in number. And all 
 this by God his blessing for which his name be praised. 
 
 Wee have good houses and gardens and large fields 
 well cleared and sufficient for growing all wee need 
 and more for exchange for such from abroad as we de- 
 sire ; for it is always wth a people y' their cravings 
 increase wth their means. Wee have horses and cattle 
 and piggs and fowles in aboundance. And have we not 
 enow wth all these. So let vs thank God for his un- 
 deserved bountie and purge our hearts from all un- 
 cleanness. 
 
 Wee haue butchers to supply vs wth flesh meat and 
 fishermen to supply vs wth fish both fresh and salted, 
 likewise clams and other meat from y® sea. And we 
 have smiths, carpenters, and brick layers ; shoemakers, 
 weavers and manie other handicraftsmen to make and 
 mend for our comfort. Who, then, are better provided 
 than we. And for y** same, we doe againe and wth- 
 out ceaseing thank God. But above all doe Ave bless 
 his holie name for our gospell priviledges, for our aboun- 
 dance of good preaching and diligent catechising; like- 
 wise for the faire schooles wherein our children are 
 taught. 
 
 Wee prospered under Charles y^ firste ; we prosper- 
 ed under Cromwell and y*' Commonwealth ; and wee 
 yet prosper under Charles y® second. But wch was 
 y® greatest prosperitie I do not riglitlie know. I Wee 
 had most libertie under Cromwell, and were not soe 
 often called to account for our doings ; being moreover 
 allowed to doe most for ourselves by way of gouern- 
 ment. And had y® gouernmcnt wch he established bin 
 continued I doubt not y' wo, when strong enough to 
 protect ourselves would haue been made independent 
 
 /
 
 86 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 But y® monarchie bein^ now againe established, and y* 
 being y« most costlie kind of gouernment, I fear y* we 
 shall be held whether we will or no, in hopes y* our 
 trade and growing riches may turne out to be a help 
 to y^ crown. But haue wee not, as they say, cut our 
 own fodder. Haue we not cleared our own fields, 
 caught our owne fish wth our owne bait, and fought 
 our owne battles wth y® Indjans as witness y® great 
 Pequot war fortie yeares agone and y^ war wth King 
 Philip of late. And are we not rightlie some proud of 
 our doings. But after all I doe think y*^ y'^ destinie of 
 a people is under God, Avth themselves. Wth intelli- 
 gence, energie, frugalitie and Industrie they will pros- 
 per, tho they be set downe in a barren land. And we 
 have taken much paines to haue good schooles to make 
 vs intelligent ; to haue good exhortations to persever- 
 enee, economie and activitie ; and good lawes to make 
 vs industrious. Shall wee not then, continue to pros- 
 per whatever they doe aboute vs over y® water. If 
 they do illy by vs while wee be weak, when wee get 
 strong enough wee will surelie haue a reckoning wth 
 them. So y" wheels being now in motion on y® right 
 roade let vs keep moveing. 
 
 Decern^ y^ 12 : Tester even died y^ dear & reverend 
 M"" Whiting. He hath laboured among vs this fortie 
 yeare and vpwards, and was mch beloved both here 
 and abroad. Hjs godlie temper was seen in y® sweet 
 smile y* he alwaies wore. Hjs learning was great. In 
 y*' Hebrewe jt hath been said none on this side of y° 
 water could come vp to him. He greatlie labored for 
 y® children, and for manic yeares would haue as manie 
 as he could come to hjs house on everie Lord his day 
 after y« publique worship was over, and be catechized 
 and instructed by him in Bible truths. And on week 
 daies he also instructed y® children, such as would, in 
 Latin and other learning of y^ schooles. He was not 
 fond of disputations and wordie wranglings about doc- 
 trine, but laid down hjs poynts plainlie and then firmlie 
 defended them by y^ scriptures, not taking y*^ time, as 
 y*= manner of some is, to tell how others look vpon y"
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 87 
 
 same and then to tell how false was y® eye wth wch 
 they looked. He writ some things y* came out in 
 print and all testified to their being sound in doctrine, 
 liberal in sentiment, and plain and practical). 
 
 M*" Whiting was a good liver saying y* he did not 
 find y* mortifying y^ flesh meant pinching y® stomach. 
 Hjs wife was a right comelie dame and belonged to a 
 great familie, being Chief Justice Saint John his 
 daughter. She was a godUe woman and did mch to 
 chear and help her husband. By her learning she was 
 able to giue mch instruction to y® damsels of y^ parish, 
 and they did all love her as she were a tender mother. 
 She died some above two yeares agone ; and he did 
 greatlie mourn for her. 
 
 M"" Whiting had a noble garden wherein were deli- 
 cious fruits and raanie good things for kitchen vse. 
 I He had a score of appill trees, from wch he made de- 
 I licious cyder. And jt hath been said y*^ an Indjan oncef / 
 coming to hjs house, and Mistress Whiting giving him-;, 
 a drink of y*" cyder, he did set down y** pot and smak- 1] 
 ing hjs lipps say y* Adam and Eve were righthe ■ 
 damned for eating y® appills in y® garden of Eden ; ; { 
 they should haue made them into cyder. 
 
 M"" Whiting was of a quiet temper and not mch giuen 
 to extasies, but yet he would sometimes take a merrie 
 part in pleasant companie. Once coming among a gay 
 partie of young people he kist all y*^ maides and said y' 
 he felt ail y" better for jt. \ And I think they too felt 
 all y*' better for jt, for they did hug their armes around 
 hjs neck and kiss him back again right warmlie ; they 
 all soe loved him. 
 
 For y* few pasT yeares M"" Whiting hath been mch 
 exercised by sickness. His paynes haue at times been 
 soe greate y' he must needes cry out. But he bore all 
 wth godlie patience and had kind wordes for them y' 
 were by him. 
 
 He was a man of middle size, dark skin and straight 
 fine hair. Hjs hands were white and soft mch like 
 some fine ladys. In preaching he did not mch exercise 
 hjs bodie. But hjs clear voice and pleasant Avay were 
 as potent to hold fast y** thoughts of old and young.
 
 88 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 He had great care in his dress while preaching, saying 
 y* hjs hearers should not be made to haue their eyes 
 vpon an unseemlie object, lest y® good instruction might 
 be swallowed vp in disgust. And for a reason like 
 vnto y* he would also have hjs discourses in milde 
 and winning wordes. [ In generall y® sermon would be 
 an hour and a half long and y" long praier another half 
 houre, wch wth y" reading of y® scriptures and y*' sing- 
 ing would make y*' whole above two hours ; y® hour 
 glass upon y" pulpitt telling y® time. ) He did not love 
 sleepers in meeting time and would sometimes stop 
 short in y* exercises, calling pleasantlie to some one to 
 come and wake y^ sleepers. |And once of a warm sum- 
 mer afternoon he did take hjs hat from y^ peg in y® 
 beam and put it on saying he would goe home and 
 feed hjs fowles and come back again, when may be, 
 their sleep would be ended, and they readie to hear y® 
 remainder of his discourse, i And at another time he 
 did exclaim y* he wished for y® Church of England 
 service, wch by making them rise and sit often, would 
 keep them awake. And this wishing for y'' Episcopal 
 service one may be sure was competent to keep some 
 eyes open for a month to come. / 
 
 Y* towne was called Lin in compliment to M'' Whit- 
 ing who came here from Lin in old Norfolke. Before, ; 
 wee were called Saugust, wch wee did not mch like,^' 
 some nicknameing vs Saw-dust. Most thot y^ name a! 
 good one, tho some would have it y* it was too short. 
 But to such wee said, then spell it Lynne. Y^ change 
 was made fortie yeare and more agone : [1637] : and 
 none now find fault. 
 
 M"" Whiting his funerall js appointed to be on third 
 day next. And y® whole towne is alreadie in an up- 
 roar wth preparations. Wee must entertain manie 
 from abroad and greate store of meate and drink will 
 be needful. 
 
 1680. Dec'" y^ 19: When y® great and terrible comet 
 of ye present yeare appeared wth jts fiery tayl reaching 
 nigh half way acrost y*-' heavens and allmost as bright 
 as y® moone, wee did greatlie feare y* some dire calam-
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 89 
 
 itie was soon to break vpon vs. For manie days after 
 it departed, a Avonderfull fogg or smoke did fall vpon 
 vs everie day. It had a strong smell of brimstone and 
 was not wet like other foggs ; and it seemed to come 
 wth y® wind, blow wch way jt would. Wee did at first 
 think jt to be y® smoke of great fires in y® woods ; but 
 jt could not be y* ; nor could jt be a fogg from y^ sea ; 
 and we knew not what it was. Sometimes in y* 
 middest of y® night jt made y^ aire so light y* we could 
 read thereby. But no great evill hath yet come vppon 
 vs, save y® storme about y^ time of y® equinox. Our 
 Plantation hath prospered wth great prosperitie. And 
 God grant y* these wonders be not y® forerunners of 
 calamities yet to come. Hjs name be praised. 
 
 1681. Ocf^y^lT: Another p%i-ish meeting hath been 
 held wherein y^ village orators made mch discourse 
 about y® new Meetiag House to be built next year. 
 Somewhat hathalreadie been done in y® way of getting 
 out y® fraime. It will be a famous house and one of 
 wch wee may be a little proud. Y® time hath been 
 when our neighbours of y® other townes haue spoken 
 scornfullie of our poore plaice of worshipp ; but everie 
 tide will turne. M"^ Shepard, y^ new minister, had a 
 hand in y® plan as I hear. Y® plan hath been vp in y® 
 old meeting house porch for some Lord his days mch 
 like a marriage notis. And everie one seeing jt hath 
 some better notion of his owne for this or that part. 
 And one might know y* sch would be y® case. I being 
 on y** comitte did counsell y® others to go on & ask opin- 
 ions of none save y® builders. To make publique re- 
 queste for opinions, and then not follow what we get 
 sows evill seeds among vs. ( But when one gets advice 
 wthout asking, no blame is vpon him if he doe not fol- 
 low it. \ Some declare y* y® top part will look like vnto 
 a huge tunnell standing wth y® bottom vp. •■ But then 
 some be always thinking of tunnells or tankards or 
 what runs thro them down their throates. \ Y^ women 
 seem well pleased to haue a new house. And y® young 
 folk promise greate helps on their parte. 
 
 Y^ spot whereon y^ building is to stand, being on y®
 
 90 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 open comon land is easie to be got to from all parts. 
 True, there be but few habitations thereabout, and y^ 
 bleak winds of winter will blow harde vpon it. But a 
 few old forest trees yet stand thereby and y* green hil- 
 locks are pleasant to stand vpon and look over to y® 
 water. On y*^ whole wee count jt a verie fair plaice. 
 And my prophesie is y*^ new comers will soon set down 
 there and build houses ; and before y® new house 
 grows old manie others will be there to keep it com- 
 panie. 
 
 Y^ new minister, M*" Shepard, we find sound in doc- 
 trine and strong in speech ; but wonderful grave and 
 solemn, wch, after M'' Whiting, seemeth like clouds 
 after sunshine. Wee doubt not hjs pietie ; but pietie 
 recomended by gloom cometh wth but a poore recom- 
 end. However, he is gich of a stranger wth vs as yet. 
 He dresseth in black cloathes and weareth black gloves 
 in y® pulpit, wch he must needes cut off at y^ finger 
 ends, y^ wch is done to enable hjm to turne over y^ 
 book leaves. His age wee think about thirtie and 
 three. He is middling tall in person and hath strong 
 and well shaped limbs. He walketh mch, and with a 
 brisque step; and seemeth fond of taking long solitary 
 walkes on y® beaches and in y® woodes. He hath de- 
 clared himself not over fond of musick and said y* if jt 
 were done away wth in y® meetings more time would 
 be left for y® preaching, wch setteth not well wth 
 some ; for there be those who would even love to haue 
 y® good old chaunts of y" church. ( And to mo jt seem- 
 eth y* preachers are apt to think more of their preach- 
 ing than some others doe. \ Preaching and y^ worshipp 
 of God in psalms and hymns are both good. I dont say 
 wch is most to be desired, but thinke part of both sets 
 best. 
 
 And now Ave are admonished to close the journal of 
 the good old settler. His honesty of heart and quaint- 
 ness of style must have possessed such a charm, that 
 no reader, we are persuaded, can have passed over 
 unheeded any passage. Many of the brighter and
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 91 
 
 darker phases of early colonial times have been given, 
 as well as faithful glimpses of the every day life of a 
 community of genuine old Yankee fathers. 
 
 In the introductory observations we said something 
 about the orthography of the journalist. Yery little 
 change has been made by us ; no change excepting 
 where it seemed necessary, to avoid perplexity to the 
 reader. One of the most curious things in all the writ- 
 ing and much of the printing of that period is the va- 
 riety of ways in which the same word is often spelled. 
 We are led to believe that there could have been no 
 acknoAvledged standard. During the latter years em- 
 braced in the journal, however, a considerable degree 
 of uniformity had been attained in printing. But in 
 writing, the free and independent use of the alphabet 
 was still persisted in. 
 
 There is an old printing office tradition, by the way, 
 to the effect that in the early days of the art the means 
 for spacing the lines were so imperfect that the com- 
 positor was allowed to add or omit in any word such 
 letters as might be convenient, provided the right 
 sounds were expressed. And by tracing the progress 
 of the art, it seems as if some such custom must have 
 prevailed, and that it fell into disuse as the necessities 
 for it were obviated. 
 
 Having concluded our extracts, it may be proper to 
 introduce a few remarks and details illustrative of cer- 
 tain matters called to mind as we proceeded. 
 
 Our journalist, under date of 1G40, has something to 
 say regarding the Indians, their habits and occupa- 
 tions, their poverty and weakness. And his allusion 
 to land tenures, leads us to tliink that as many read- 
 ers may not have taken an opportunity to examine the
 
 92 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 interesting subject, a few plain observations on that 
 and kindred matters may not be unacceptable. 
 
 One of the most interesting and important topics in 
 the whole range of American history is that relating to 
 the dispossession of the Indian tribes and the occupa- 
 tion of their lands by the European settlers. Our fore- 
 fathers have been visited with unmeasured opprobrium 
 for their course of alleged injustice and oppression. 
 And a great deal of sympathy has been excited for the 
 forlorn race who were deemed wrongful sufferers un- 
 der inexcusable aggression. But by taking a more 
 extended view, the case may appear different ; not, 
 however, that there were not constantly transpiring 
 individual cases of great enormity. 
 
 Those who imagine that the colonists made an indis- 
 criminate seizure of the Indian lands, in all cases where 
 their power was sufficient, greatly err. And those 
 who imagine that the royal charters afforded the gran- 
 tees authority for so doing, also greatly err. These 
 charters were not intended to convey a fee simple to 
 the grantees, but only to secure to them pre-emption 
 rights of purchase from the Indians. The charters 
 simply intended this : We pledge the royal faith that 
 no other Europeans shall intrude upon the lands 
 granted, but you must settle your own terms with the 
 Indians. And the same thing has run down through 
 grants and treaties to the present day. It is only ac- 
 cording to our conception of the value of lands, that 
 the poor red men experienced such hard bargains. 
 But it should be borne in mind that the construction 
 of their social economy was essentially different from 
 ours. They were not an agricultural nor a pastoral 
 people. They did not, to any extent, till the soil, and 
 had no conception of its value growing out of the
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 93 
 
 necessities and conveniences of civilized life. " Black 
 Will's " sale of Nahant to Mr. Dexter for a suit of clothes 
 and a jewsharp, though a good bargain for the pur- 
 chaser, may also have been a good one for the vender. 
 Nahant was worth little as a hunting ground, and noth- 
 ing for cultivation. And there was not much activity 
 in the market for wigwam lots. 
 
 The Indians understood, as far as they could be 
 made to understand a thing so entirely beyond their 
 accustomed mode of viewing matters, Avhat rights 
 were acknowledged to be theirs. And though they 
 would dispose of land which to a European would be 
 of very great value under the operation of the arts 
 and employments of civilized life, for a hatchet or a 
 shirt, they might have received a fair equivalent. 
 Farms and mill privileges were to them of no account. 
 
 And then again so loose were they in the matter of 
 titles that it was often difficult to determine what indi- 
 viduals were proprietors. Rev. Mr Higginson, the 
 first minister at Salem, in a letter dated in 1629, states 
 these facts, which are well worthy of consideration : 
 " The Indians are not able to make use of the one 
 fourth part of the land ; neither have they any settled 
 places, as towns, to dwell in, nor any grounds as they 
 challenge for their own possession, but change their 
 habitation from place to place.'.' And this confirms cer- 
 tain statements of Mr. Turner. 
 
 Notwithstanding the many villainous frauds practised 
 upon them by individual settlers it is yet undeniable 
 that the colonial governments without perhaps an ex- 
 ception, endeavored to enforce the strictest honesty 
 of dealing in the purchase of Indian titles. But the 
 cupidity that characterized many of the first settlers, 
 found means to circumvent the wholesome laws.
 
 94 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 It has been said that New Jersey is the only state 
 in the old Union in which every foot of land was ob- 
 tained by honorable purchase. This may be so. The 
 land of the puritan pilgrims, the territory of the peace- 
 ful Penn, the rich domains of New York, Virginia and 
 Carolina were all tainted by glaring examples of injus- 
 tice. 
 
 To the honor of the Dutch settlers, however, it may 
 be remarked that they appear generally to have pur- 
 sued an honest course, extinguishing the Indian titles 
 by fair purchase. And the few Swedes and other col- 
 onists from the north of Europe seem to have acted in 
 like manner. The possession of power is apt to beget 
 arrogance, which, in its turn, becomes the parent of 
 much that is unrighteous ; and hence it woukl be un- 
 safe to assume that had these been as powerful as the 
 English, they would have been less rapacious. To 
 judge of the Dutch by their conduct in the East Indies 
 we certainly should not form a very favorable opinion 
 of them. 
 
 It may be asked in regard to the royal charters 
 themselves, What right had the European governments 
 to assume the power of thus granting? The reply is, 
 that the claim to American territory was founded on 
 discovery — that is, the subject who discovered this or 
 that portion of the continent, and planted his national 
 flag upon it, claimed it, by that act, as rightfully be- 
 longing to his sovereign, against all other established 
 powers. This was sanctioned by the comity of nations. 
 England, France, Holland and Spain, the leading powers 
 of that period were governed by this doctrine. But 
 as regarded the natives of the countries discovered, 
 it was not denied, in theory at least, that the fee sim- 
 ple was in them. In other words, the territory belonged
 
 OBADIAH TURNEE. 95 
 
 to the discoverers against all the world excepting 
 the natives. Good faith was generally preserved among 
 the nations on this point. The occasional outbreaks 
 between the English and Dutch and in later years be- 
 tween the English and French settlers, we find gener- 
 ally arose from disputes about priority of discovery or 
 from diiSculties agitating the parent countries. 
 
 The considerations growing out of the course thus 
 assumed by the civilized nations are of great import- 
 ance and interest. The native tribes were unable forc- 
 ibly to dislodge the settlers and by a kind of moral 
 pressure seemed doomed rapidly to disappear before 
 them. And many a pious mind has perceived, in the 
 whole course of events, a special interposition, for the 
 benefit of God's people, similar to instances recorded 
 in the sacred volume. 
 
 And, taking a broad view of the question. What 
 amount of moral wrong do we find involved ? Divest- 
 ing the subject of ail false drapery, what is the verdict 
 of those elevated conceptions which can at one view 
 embrace the welfare of the whole human family? ]\[an 
 is commanded to subdue the soil. The Indians would 
 not fulfil this command. They would not till the soil. 
 They would not subdue the wilderness. It was incon- 
 sistent with the progress of our species as well as with 
 the command of the Creator, that so immense and fair 
 a portion of the earth should be sufi'ered to remain a 
 wilderness, yielding comparatively nothing for the sus- 
 tenance of man. Inasmuch as the Indians Avould not 
 labor upon the ground was it not fitting that those 
 who would, should become its possessors? The whole 
 earth was given as the vineyard in which the great 
 family of man was to toil for sustenance, and no nation, 
 no tribe, no individual has a right to hold any portion
 
 96 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 in an uncultivated state when what it would produce 
 is required for the support of others. 
 
 And does it not seem that the change which a couple 
 of centuries has wrought in this fair portion of the 
 heritage, is in accordance with the order of nature, the 
 progress of our species? 
 
 What was the aspect of our country at the time of 
 its discovery by Europeans ? What but that of a wil- 
 derness, dark and wild, with a few thousands of the 
 great family of man scattered sparsely over it; and 
 they, degraded and savage, warring upon each other 
 and delighting in the grossest occupations of existence; 
 possessing scarcely any knowledge of the useful arts 
 or conception of the higher duties and enjoyments of 
 life. Science had not shed its vivifying rays upon them, 
 expanding their intellects and refining their tastes. 
 Nor had a rational religion elevated their minds and 
 purified their hearts. 
 
 What now is the aspect of the land? What but as 
 fair as any on which the sun shines. Thirty millions 
 of the human family are sustained in plenty and happi- 
 ness within its borders. The wilderness has been sub- 
 dued and the earth made to yield a mighty increase. 
 And starving thousands of the old world have been 
 grateful recipients of bounty bestowed from our sur- 
 plus agricultural products. It was by the ordering of 
 Divine Providence, and for the benefit of the human 
 race that in this goodly portion of the great vineyard, 
 the indolent and unprofitable should give place to more 
 faithful laborers. 
 
 Another thing should be borne in mind by those who 
 entertain so much bitterness towards the settlers re- 
 garding the extinguishment of Indian titles. The 
 Indians themselves always admitted that the land was
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 97 
 
 not originally theirs, and that their forefathers took 
 forcible possession, driving those whom they found 
 here through a path of blood into the sea. They 
 boasted of this fancied bravery of their ancestors in 
 the face of the whites, menacingly assuring them that 
 they would be similarly dealt with as soon as the red 
 warriors could be assembled in sufficient numbers. 
 Thus exhibiting a title resting on a similar foundation 
 to that of the New Zealand chief, who claimed certain 
 lands because he had eaten the former owner. And 
 we leave this point with the simple remark that if it 
 can ever be justifiable to steal from a thief, it seems as 
 if the early settlers might set up the plea. 
 
 We remarked that under the Indian dispensation this 
 now productive region supported but a small fragment 
 of the human family. It is difficult to state with any 
 degree of certainty, the amount of the Indian popula- 
 tion. Their own assertions could not be depended on, 
 iffor no other reason, because of their ignorance of 
 numbers. In their limited traffic but little knowledge 
 of arithmetic was required. And it is a notable fact 
 that the large body of them could not count over 
 fifteen or twenty. Tliose who could go as far as two 
 hundred were highly accomplished in the mysteries of 
 mathematics. 
 
 It may detract something from what has been lauded 
 as indicative of their high poetical conceptions and 
 striking metaphorical mode of expression, yet it is no 
 more than just to say, that their comparing numbers 
 to the stars of heaven, the leaves on the trees, the 
 sands on the shore, and so forth, arose from sheer ina- 
 bility to count. One whose arithmetic fiiled him at 
 twenty would be very likely to designate three hundred 
 as equal to the stars of heaven, or to make some other 
 B 7
 
 98 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 equally poetic and just comparison, having no more 
 conception of the numerical magnitude of three hun- 
 dred than of three million. 
 
 The Powhattan confederacy, which was one of the 
 most powerful in the territory that now constitutes 
 the United States, embraced thirty three tribes, and 
 occupied a large portion of the immense Virginia terri- 
 tory lying between the Blue Ridge and the sea. Yet 
 the Avhole population seems not to have reached ten 
 thousand. Other portions of the country appear to 
 have been much less densely populated. And it is 
 asserted in history that the renowned chief whose name 
 the confederacy bore, sent messengers to England for 
 the purpose of counting the people there ; which he of 
 course would not have done had not the state of his 
 own country induced him to believe the thing possible. 
 Indeed, had not the population been few and weak, the 
 settlers would have been exterminated, notwithstand- 
 ing their big guns and catechisms, that great source 
 of reliance of which the good Mr. Higginson was led 
 to boast. 
 
 In view of these remarks, the writer will not be 
 deemed one given to indiscriminate laudation of the 
 ancient occupants of this soil, a few specimens of 
 whom we have yet lingering among us, but from whom 
 we are cautioned to form no judgment, as they are 
 degraded by contact with ourselves. 
 
 The romantic efforts of some to present the Indians 
 as the most magnanimous people the world has ever 
 knov/n, are unjust. It is perhaps well that our minds 
 are so constituted as to revert with glowing interest 
 to the scenes transacted in former times upon the soil 
 we call our own. And it is natural that those scenes 
 and the actors in them should be invested in a drapery
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 99 
 
 growing more brilliant and fanciful as time recedes. 
 But yet, unless the historian constantly endeavors to 
 present his subject in the attitude of nude truthfulness 
 he betrays his trust. The Indians should not be de- 
 nounced as the most miserable and depraved fragment 
 of the human family that ever cumbered the earth. 
 God never made a tribe of our species in which he 
 did not implant conceptions of truth and duty, and in 
 which there were not individuals whose conduct was 
 guided by lofty principles. 
 
 In reverting to the history of the red men we must 
 not conclude that they all possessed that magnanimity 
 of character of which we have some bright examples. 
 That would be as unjust as it would be for those in 
 ages to come, when our own nation has become ex- 
 tinct, to conclude that we were all Washingtons and 
 Franklins. Neither must we conclude that they were 
 all treacherous and blood thirsty as we find so many 
 fatal assurances was the case with far too many. They 
 were human beings, with passions like our own, and 
 with undisciplined intellects and undeveloped moral 
 attributes were chiefly governed by the lower propen- 
 sities of our common nature./ But sometimes the 
 bright rays of exalted virtue and intellectual vigor 
 burst through every cloud, shining forth with un- 
 quenchable lustre. As warm a heart has beat beneath 
 the Indian blanket as beneath the vesture of purple 
 and fine linen. As sweet a lullaby has been sung over 
 the papoose as he was rolled in his bear skin, as was 
 ever sung over the cradled offspring of our own 
 fathers, j. 
 
 But these virtues spring from the instincts of nature. 
 And if their instincts taught them to love their jfriends 
 they also taught them to hate their enemies. And
 
 100 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 more appalling, bloody, and in every way fiendish 
 scenes were never enacted on earth than were some 
 of those in which these children of nature displayed 
 their fealty to the great master of evil. We speak of 
 them as the children of nature, as if that were an argu- 
 ment in favor of their virtue, not realizing that to 
 many minds we thus furnish the strongest argument 
 against them. Human nature is corrupt, and, as none 
 will dispute, prone to evil as are the sparks to fly 
 upward. 
 
 From the first moment that the whites set foot upon 
 this soil the Indian nations began rapidly to decay. 
 There is now but a small remnant left. And ere long 
 they will have become entirely extinct. The fire of 
 the wigwam will have gone out and the ploughshare 
 will have broken up the graves of their fathers. 
 
 It is sad to contemplate the utter destruction of a 
 people. Reflections, however, press upon the mind, 
 not unworthy of being entertained. A little more than 
 two centuries ago this whole country was occupied by 
 a people as different from ourselves as one nation can 
 well be from another. But the red men have passed 
 away. And so have the race who preceded them. 
 And must not we, in the progress of coming centuries 
 also give place to another people ? And of what gene- 
 ration of our children will be the last, the forlorn wan- 
 derers, who will in sadness turn from these shores be- 
 holding the land in possession of strangers ? Vain- 
 glorious people ! Why should we boast? 
 
 So pass away, in mysterious procession, one nation 
 and kindred after another. In the striking words of 
 Ossian : '' The chiefs of other times are departed. 
 
 They have gone without their fame The people 
 
 are like the waves of the ocean : like the leaves of
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 101 
 
 woody Morven, they pass away in the rustling blast, 
 and other leaves lift their green heads on high." 
 
 The reader may have been struck with what Mr. 
 Turner says, under date of 1637, regarding certain 
 wonderful discoveries ; particularly the discovery of 
 tracks imprinted in the rocks at Nahant. And there is 
 a tradition connected with these tracks, that so happily 
 illustrates several prominent characteristics of the 
 times, that we feel constrained to introduce it here, 
 fully confident that no intelligent reader ean mistake 
 our object, whatever views may be entertained as to 
 the credibility of this or that part of the relation. Le- 
 gends and traditions are sometimes very useful as 
 illustrations, and may supply what would otherwise be 
 wanting. When introduced in their proper character 
 they cannot mislead, though historians do well to be 
 wary of them. 
 
 The lovely peninsula of Nahant was within the terri- 
 torial limits of the Third Plantation. It has long been 
 celebrated as a watering place. Anciently it was a 
 famous place for shore fishing. Various kinds of the 
 most delicious of the smaller specimens of the great 
 finny tribe abounded in its waters, and those piscatory 
 disciples who visited its bold cliffs for purposes of 
 sport or profit, met with a rich reward. Wild fowl, 
 too, were taken in vast quantities, for a long series of 
 years. And in the days of the first settlers four-footed 
 game was plenty in the dense woods that overspread 
 the uplands. 
 
 No sooner was the peninsula traversed by the whites 
 than it was discovered that Nature had laid it out as a 
 tract of surpassing loveliness. And it has increased in 
 the affections of the refined and the lovers of nature,
 
 102 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 to this day. And now, every watering season, hosts 
 of the fairest and bravest of the land assemble there, 
 to enjoy the affinities of friendship and love, to breathe 
 the free and uncontaminated air, to gaze upon the mag- 
 nificent and beautiful in nature — and thus to renovate 
 the flagging spirits and restore declining health. 
 
 To follow the traditionary accounts, we should say 
 that it was near the eastern point, on an extension of 
 ledge that now projects somewhat into the sea, that 
 the aforesaid tracks were to be seen. It is asserted 
 that they were clearly defined, and resembled, in a 
 remarkable degree, the impressions of cloven feet. 
 There were perhaps twenty of them, the faintest being 
 more perfect than are most of the specimens of foot- 
 prints in rock preserved in geological cabinets. They 
 were all of about the same size, and one might have 
 imagined them to have been made by an enormous ox, 
 to use Mr. Turner's comparison, had such an animal 
 been wandering around there while the rocks were in 
 an unhardened state. 
 
 These appearances excited much alarm at one period, 
 and were frequently visited by the curious, as is said. 
 But at what period they were lost sight of, cannot now 
 be determined. By the action of the waves they may 
 have been gradually worn away, or the shore may have 
 so changed as to leave them in deep water. Taking their 
 existence for granted, we cannot wonder that in the 
 old colony times they should have been the occasion 
 of much pSrplexity and apprehension. It is said that 
 various theories were proposed by the learned of the 
 times regarding their origin, mostly having reference 
 to the attempts of the evil one to plague the settlers. 
 
 In 1641, as appears by an account given by Mr. Tur- 
 ner, under that date, a wonderful serpent was declared
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 103 
 
 to have appeared in the vicinity. And certain Indian 
 traditions regarding a marine monster are also alluded 
 to. These, taken together, may account for the origin 
 of the stories prevalent at this day about the venerable 
 Sea-serpent, who is so accommodating as to make his 
 appearance off Nahant, just at the time when attrac- 
 tions for summer visitors are most needed. And it is 
 extremely natural that these same accounts should 
 have led our forefathers to settle down in the belief 
 that the veritable old Serpent who beguiled our great 
 mother, had, for some infernal purpose, best known to 
 himself, thought proper to appear here in his most nat- 
 ural guise, ready, of course, to assume any other that 
 exigencies might require. And it is not to be wonder- 
 ed at that they should have been very much distressed 
 under this conclusion. And a pious old dame lately 
 declared to us that she should not be surprised, if after 
 all, it turned out that the Sea-serpent was the Devil, it 
 being so undeniable that he is always around here, in 
 some shape. The last mournful truth stopped our 
 mouth. 
 
 The first discovery of these extraordinary footprints, 
 by the whites, from all that we can gather seems to 
 have been in this wise : Abel Ballard, a half blacksmith, 
 half fisherman and half sportsman, as well as half drunk- 
 ard -^ if there is any half way in drunkenness -*- lazy, 
 ignorant and reckless, took it into his head to visit Egg 
 Rock, alone, one afternoon. In the boat with him he 
 took his gun, fishing line, rum keg, and sundry other 
 things necessary for a right jolly time. The same dif- 
 ficulties that now attend a landing on that famous rock 
 then existed. The surf ran high at the point of de- 
 barkation, on the afternoon in question. Considering 
 this, and the fact that the rock weed is so slippery that
 
 104 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 even well-balanced steps are not always sure, it was 
 very fortunate that he was able to reach safe footing, 
 with no further disaster than the loss of his pipe and 
 the knocking out of one tooth by a slip, as he jumped 
 from the boat. 
 
 Abel was not long in catching a great many fish and 
 finding a large number of birds' eggs. In a grove 
 which then had possession of the soil near the summit, 
 a short distance southward from where the light house 
 now stands, he built a fire and cooked his fish and 
 eggs, which, with the stores he had brought, furnished 
 a very good meal. * 
 
 After the feast, Abel concluded to take a little rest 
 before pushing off for home. Being undisturbed he 
 dozed away for an hour or two ; Avhen, suddenly wak- 
 ing, he found that it was growing dark. Springing 
 up, and rubbing his eyes for a clear view, he perceived 
 that a very threatening cloud was moving rapidly up 
 from the west. And he heard the thunder muttering 
 away among the distant hills. No time was to be lost, 
 for the storm would soon break in fury. Hastily gath- 
 ering up his chattels and throwing them into the boat, 
 he pushed ofi: But before rowing half a dozen rods, 
 he stooped down to take a drop of inspiration from his 
 keg, when lo, that dear companion was missing. In- 
 stinctively, as it were, the prow of the boat whirled 
 back toward the rock, and with all speed he landed 
 and hastened to the scene of his banquetting. There 
 he soon spied the blessed keg meekly reposing on a 
 stump beside the rocky protuberance that had fur- 
 nished him with the conveniences of a table. 
 
 Seizing the keg, Abel ran back to the boat and 
 pushed off" again, just as an ominous clap of thunder 
 shook the very foundations of the cliff. He instantly
 
 OBADIAH TUENER. 105 
 
 perceived that it would be imprudent to attempt to 
 gain the main land. And so, without wasting time to 
 count chances, he at once directed his course toAvards 
 Nahant, the nearest point of which was something 
 within a mile. Lustily bending to his oars and re- 
 ceiving the opportune aid of a benevolent wave, he 
 succeeded in beaching his boat and attaining the upland 
 just before the fury of the storm broke upon him. 
 
 About where the large Hotel now stands there was 
 a thick wood, in which was a rough little shanty built 
 by the proprietors of the land for the convenience of 
 those who might be overtaken by storms or other 
 perils while working there. Into this structure Abel 
 ran, almost out of breath and threw himself down, faint- 
 ing with fatigue and fright. Night drew on, and he 
 was soon in a disturbed sleep. How long he remained 
 so, he was never able to tell. But at, as he reckoned, 
 about midnight, he was aroused by a terrific crash, 
 occasioned as he afterwards ascertained by the thunder 
 striking Pulpit Rock and demolishing a section of its 
 base. Terrified beyond measure, he was just endeavor- 
 ing to rise, when, by the almost continuous lightning 
 there was revealed to him, stalking in at the door, a 
 strange, hairy object of about the size of a stout man. 
 Erect, and with a steady step he came and stood over 
 the spot where Abel lay, now speechless with fear. 
 
 Eyeing the prostrate settler for a moment, the mon- 
 ster broke out into a broad laugh, opening the great 
 mouth of his dog-like head and shooting out his huge 
 tongue in the strangest manner. Presently he began 
 to exercise himself as if playing on a fiddle. And then 
 he began to dance in the most fantastic style. Sud- 
 denly stopping, in a commanding voice he bade Abel 
 arise and dance too, declaring that he was fiddling for 
 E^-
 
 106 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 him, and that it would be good for him to take a merry- 
 round. 
 
 But Abel did not come to time. He probably had 
 too much discretion to trust to his legs, or was too 
 much frightened. So the graceful visitor danced 
 around a while longer, his red tongue leering out at 
 the corner of his mouth, at an enormous length, and a 
 blue flame occasionally shooting from his nostrils, diver- 
 sified, as he now and then sneezed, which he seemed 
 to take a mischievous pleasure in doing, by a sort of 
 miniature volcanic explosion. 
 
 At length he stopped, and again standing over Abel, 
 bade him arise and dance, calling him a jolly old toper, 
 and saying that he would have a jig with him. Pres- 
 ently, however, assuming a serious air, he declared that 
 he was as dry as a fish and must have some good drink; 
 adding that if Abel did not tell him where his keg was, 
 he would give him a kick that would send him back to 
 Egg Rock, and thence, by a bounce, to the Swampscot 
 shore. He raised his foot as if to bestow the compli- 
 ment, whatever might be the reply. And it was then 
 that Abel perceived that his tormentor had a huge 
 cloven foot ; a discovery that did not add much to his 
 comfort. 
 
 In the hope, however, of terminating the unpleasant 
 conference, Abel's courage so far revived as to enable 
 him to articulate, that the precious object of his inquiry 
 was in the boat. At this, with a laugh that almost 
 shook the door of the shanty from its leather hinges, 
 the intruding monster frisked out, leaving a pow- 
 erful brimstone smell. And Abel sank away, whether 
 in sleep or some other condition he could not after- 
 wards determine, but entirely oblivious of what next 
 took place around him.
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 107 
 
 When Abel aroused and opened his eyes, a bright 
 sun was just emerging from the ocean. His first object 
 was to endeavor to bring his mind into working order 
 by the restorative that he had not forgotten was left 
 in the boat. Hastening to the cove, his mind still 
 roiled and laboring, he with horror perceived that 
 some one had taken his boat by main strength, carried 
 it several rods, and deposited it on a sort of rocky 
 shelf, entirely out of his reach. And that mischievous 
 some one, he had not a doubt, was the Devil. 
 
 The boat was bottom up and much damaged. And 
 every thing that he had left on board Avas gone. Can 
 there be any wonder at his astonishment and fear? 
 With hair on end and stiffened jaws he stood gazing 
 around. Then happening to look down he beheld near 
 his feet, imprinted in the solid rock, divers marks of 
 cloven feet. He had no doubt now, if he had before, 
 of the character of his midnight visitor. No one but 
 the Devil could leave such footprints. 
 
 This discovery, instead of actually prostrating Abel, 
 as it would have affected many others, seemed to impart 
 to him additional powers of locomotion. And uttering 
 one yell, that might have been heard at Deer Island, 
 had there been any one there with ears, he started at 
 the very top of his speed to the cartway that led 
 through the woods to the beaches. Nor did he stop 
 till he had run more than a mile, losing his hat and one 
 shoe by the way. He now met a teamster going down 
 to the shore for seaweed. But the man was disposed 
 to give him a wide berth, he acted so wildly and ap- 
 peared in such questionable guise. Abel was, however, 
 presently recognised, and in as connected a manner as 
 he could, undertook to relate what had happened. 
 
 The teamster listened patiently to Abel's account.
 
 108 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 But the latter was very much surprised, when he had 
 finished, to hear the cool remark, that though he had 
 unquestionably seen a devil, yet it was a devil of his 
 own make ; that the evil spirit was in his own brain 
 and no where else ; and that he got there out of the 
 rum keg. And the benevolent man was particular to 
 inform Abel that more devils come from rum kegs than 
 from brimstone beds ; at the same time expressing a 
 hope that as the one in question had now sailed away 
 in the old keg he would not get a new keg to breed 
 more. He further admonished him that a man's head 
 was too good a place to be occupied as a dancing room 
 for such evil spirits ; and then, with the remark that 
 all would go well, if he took heed to these warnings, 
 without the least concern drove on. Abel thought him 
 very cool ; but before he had a reply digested and 
 ready for utterance, the team was on the other slope of 
 the hill. 
 
 The conviction remained immovable in Abel's mind, 
 that the evil one had paid him a visit. And he con- 
 ducted many a doubter to those remarkable footprints, 
 and pointed to the rocky shelf whereon his boat was 
 laid, in proof. And he succeeded in silencing the 
 doubts of many a pious neighbor. 
 
 If these wonderful impressions were ever there, they 
 were probably made at the remote period in the world's 
 history when other similar impressions were. And if 
 still in existence, it is not improbable that at some 
 future day they may come to light again. The place 
 is not above half a mile from the summer residence of 
 Professor Agassiz. So we may possibly, through his 
 talismanic power, some time or other learn all about 
 them; unless, indeed, their distance is not sufficient to 
 lend enchantment.
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 109 
 
 Assuming that the footprints were there, Abel may, 
 indeed, have been the first white man who saw them ; 
 but they might have been there ages before. The 
 waves, no doubt, battered his boat and lodged it on 
 the rock where he found it. And, finally, the teamster 
 was no doubt right in his location of the evil spirit. 
 Delirium tremens often furnishes those optics keen that 
 enable people to see what is not to be seen. 
 
 Under date of 1657, Mr. Turner makes mention, in 
 what seems like a hurried postscript, of a harrowing 
 tragedy just then reported to have taken place. And 
 we presume that it was from the tragic fact, or from 
 the report — and we cannot tell from any thing further 
 in the journal whether or not it turned out to be a 
 mere report — that the somewhat embellished narra- 
 tive that has appeared under the title of " Stony Brook" 
 took its outline. The incidents are of a peculiarly 
 touching character, and, unfortunately, too faithful 
 illustrations of many occurrences in those days. By 
 the tradition, as it has come down the course of time, 
 we learn that Mr. Anderson resided on what is now 
 Boston street, and was the father of an extremely 
 beautiful daughter, who was an only child. They had 
 not been long in America when the alleged fatal occur- 
 rence took place. And before leaving England, the 
 young lady had become the affianced of a youthful 
 officer in the public service, named Wells. 
 
 Some two years after Mr. Anderson removed hither, 
 he became involved in various speculations, mostly 
 connected with Indian lands, which created for him 
 not a few violent enemies. Yet it is claimed that he 
 was a man of public spirit and warm domestic attach- 
 ments. About this time, Capt. Wells arrived at Boston,
 
 110 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 and soon found his way to the pleasant home of Mr. 
 Anderson, where he was received with the most un- 
 feigned affection. 
 
 Miss Anderson seems to have been greatly beloved 
 by all about her. And presently a pic-nic party, as we 
 should call it, was formed in honor of the young soldier 
 and his intended. The place selected for the festivi- 
 ties was a short distance in the woods, near the centre 
 of what was afterwards called Hemlock Swamp, and 
 through which flowed the little brook, subsequently 
 so famous under the name of Stony Brook. It was a 
 lovely afternoon, in summer, and their sports were car- 
 ried forward in great glee. The baptismal name of 
 Miss Anderson, the tradition asserts, was Julia; a name 
 not very common in those days. And Julia, on this 
 occasion, as might readily be supposed, was made pre- 
 siding queen. She was crowned with the choicest 
 wild flowers and conducted to a mossy throne erected 
 on a flat rock, close by the brook. 
 
 Towards evening, as the joyful party were still pur- 
 suing their sports, old Rattlesnake, a Natick Indian, 
 mentioned by Mr. Turner, who had become an uncom- 
 promising enemy of Mr. Anderson, suddenly appeared 
 on the other side of the brook, and by one of his ter- 
 rific yells struck petrifying terror to each young 
 heart. Without giving time for their recovery, he 
 hurled his tomahawk at the head of Julia and she fell 
 dead into the brook. Capt. Wells, however, soon re- 
 covered his self-possession, and dashed toward the 
 savage. But his courage only added another bloody 
 trophy to the red victor's hand. 
 
 Rattlesnake marched off into the deep forest, with 
 the curling locks of Julia and her betrothed danghng 
 together from his wampum belt. And upon the green
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. Ill 
 
 bank of the brook, side by side, lay the two cold and 
 scalpless forms. 
 
 The whole settlement was, of course, soon in pur- 
 suit. But we find no reliable record of the result ; 
 nor, indeed, anything more reliable on the subject than 
 the traditionary accounts now given. 
 
 But to return to the Subject of our sketch. The 
 spirit of patriotism which Mr. Turner so early ex- 
 pressed continued to develope itself in the community, 
 and ultimately placed us where we are in a political 
 point of view. His prophesies, apparently founded 
 more on a knowledge of the workings of the human 
 mind than the tendency of outward events, have been 
 in many instances verified to the letter. And we think 
 ourselves fully justified in all that we have said in his 
 praise. 
 
 That he experienced the common vicissitudes of life 
 it is needless to state, for none are exempt. From a 
 remark or two in his journal we are led to think that 
 he was one of those self-relying people who are slow 
 to believe that men are not able, in a general way, to 
 shape their own fortunes. Yet he was honest and 
 discriminating, while so opposed to anything like ma- 
 terialism or fatalism. And his charity for others was 
 boundless. We never find him, like some of the proud 
 worldlings of this generation, turning upon a less for- 
 tunate neighbor and upbraiding him as the producer 
 of his own misfortunes. We all realize the value 
 of our own exertions, and should also realize that good 
 and ill fortunes are dispensed to the deserving and 
 undeserving, by rules imknown to all but the great 
 Distributer himself. We are not ignorant of the ex- 
 pressive lines of Goldsmith, so often quoted on this
 
 112 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 point. But there is more sweetness in his poetry than 
 truth in his philosophy. We are all on the great Sea 
 of Life, subject to its winds and storms. And it is as 
 unreasonable for one to declare that the course of 
 each is in his own keeping as to declare that the ships 
 upon the ocean can hold their way in spite of wind 
 and storm. Yet, as it is unbecoming in the mariner to 
 fold his arms and indolently yield to fate, so it is unbe- 
 coming in those on the stormy voyage of life to spare 
 exertion to improve their condition. 
 
 As before observed, Mr. Turner was quite aged 
 when he escaped from this world of tribulation and 
 toil. His funeral was attended by a very large con- 
 course. Much wine and cider were disposed of on 
 the occasion ; but no stronger drink was provided, in 
 obedience to his dying injunction. His remains were 
 interred in what we now call the Old Burying Ground. 
 It was not then so generally the practice, as now, to 
 have monuments erected over the dead. "Whether a 
 stone ever marked his resting place we know not; but 
 if there was one, it has long since disappeared. 
 
 He laid down trusting in a merciful Redeemer, and, 
 we doubt not, will receive the recompense of a good 
 and faithful servant. And it is fortunate that one pos- 
 sessing so honest, genial and unprejudiced a mind, 
 should have left such a record as he has. He seems 
 to have extenuated nothing, and he surely set down 
 nothing in malice. 
 
 It is by no means difficult for the most ignorant and 
 dull to discover faults in others ; and the censorious 
 may never be at a loss for opportunities to reprehend. 
 But it is a recognized truth that very few are suffi- 
 ciently Avise to discreetly praise ; and it is among 
 those few that Mr. Turner is entitled to be ranked.
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 113 
 
 He was not censorious, nor was he inclined to indis- 
 criminate laudation. 
 
 Some people are naturally of such crooked growth 
 that it is utterly impossible for them to be straight 
 with any one. In thought they can dwell only upon 
 the evil and the dark ; in speech can only magnify the 
 blemishes of their neighbors ; are never communicative 
 excepting in the way of fault-finding ; are full of sus- 
 picions and insinuations ; and are prodigal of dolorous 
 " buts." Happily, however, there are others of oppo- 
 site character; those who are forward to think and 
 speak of the good qualities of those around them ; to 
 find comfort in every vicissitude. The one class wail 
 along the journey of life always begirt with clouds ; the 
 other rejoice along a way of sunshine. And it was in the 
 great procession of the latter, which has been for ages 
 filing heavenward, that Obadiah Turner passed away. 
 
 In perusing a volume on the plan of the present, it 
 is convenient to keep in mind a variety of the com- 
 mon facts of history. And hence, in these earlier pages, 
 we have felt the propriety of recalling some things that 
 might to the intelligent reader at first appear imper- 
 tinent. To some extent we have been compelled to 
 make our pages thus far rather initiatory, though we 
 trust they have not proved barren of interest. But 
 an unincumbered field for the display of our Jewels 
 will presently be attained. 
 
 "We are gratified in having been able to introduce Mr. 
 Turner and Mr. Hart. Historians have generally over- 
 looked them. But the former, especially, would have 
 become conspicuous generations ago, had not his inval- 
 uable journal remained sleeping in a garret, embalmed 
 in catnip, and watched over by surly spiders. And Mr. 
 
 8
 
 114 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 Hart, too, through the favorable notices of him, would 
 have become a historical hero. 
 
 As to Mr. Turner, he seems to have been a man of 
 peculiarly quiet habits, and averse to having his name 
 blazoned. We do not even find, on examining the 
 Colony Records, at what time he took the freeman's 
 oath. And it is possible that he did not take it at all, 
 for down to 1664 no person could take it unless he 
 were " a member in good standing of some congrega- 
 tional church." And there is some doubt about his 
 having been a decided congregationalist. Many well 
 disposed persons, too, were prejudiced against taking 
 the oath. And he might have been one of them. He 
 was evidently no office seeker or political ranter, and 
 many of the privileges secured by the oath were not 
 such as his habits would naturally have led him to 
 covet. Indeed, we cannot find, by the Colony Rec- 
 ords, that even Thomas Newhall and Thomas Dexter, 
 two others of the most respectable and enterprising 
 settlers of the Third Plantation, and of whom biograph- 
 ical sketches will appear on subsequent pages, ever 
 took the oath. Mr. Newhall was the father of the 
 present great Newhall fimily of New England, and 
 Mr. Dexter was the progenitor of the illustrious Lord 
 Timothy, as well as other notables. It is barely possi- 
 ble, however, that the Avhole four — Mr. Hart, Mr. 
 Turner, Mr. Newhall and Mr. Dexter — may have taken 
 the oath at the Quarterly Court, though we do not 
 think they would have descended to an inferior tribunal 
 while their neighbors appeared boldly at the bar of 
 the Great and General Court. 
 
 In 1638 the town lands were divided and a record 
 made of the amount apportioned to the different inhab- 
 itants. But unfortunately the record has been lost ;
 
 OBADIAH TURNER. 115 
 
 though a copy of some three pages is extant. We do 
 not, however, find in this remnant of that important 
 record, the name either of Mr. Hart or Mr. Turner, and 
 hence are unable to determine with what number of 
 wild acres they became encumbered. 
 
 And now, in closing, it may not be inappropriate to 
 recall to the reader a fact or two regarding the good 
 old way of manufacturing Freemen. It was under the 
 first Charter, or down to about the year 1689, that the 
 custom of qualifying individuals as freemen, prevailed. 
 We find little or nothing about it after the time wdien 
 the rampant colonists seized Sir Edmond Andros, that 
 popular uprising seeming to be undef the dawning of a 
 new political light. 
 
 Down to 1664, as just said, no person could take 
 the freeman's oath, unless he were " a member in good 
 standing of some congregational church." But during 
 that year a royal order allowed such residents to be 
 admitted as produced certificates that they were of 
 good moral character, and sound in doctrine, signed 
 by some clergyman in regular standing to whom they 
 were well known. By the oath they bound themselves 
 to be faithful subjects to the Commonwealth — to 
 yield assistance and support thereto by person and es- 
 tate — to endeavor to maintain all the liberties thereof 
 — to submit to its wholesome laws and orders — to 
 avoid all plots and evil practices against it — to give 
 votes and suffrages in good faith and under a consci- 
 entious endeavor to promote the public weal — doing 
 all " without respect of persons or favor of an}'- man.''* 
 And a variety of other things Avhich the good citizen 
 of this day endeavors to do, without taking an oath. 
 
 Freemen alone had the right to vote for rulers or 
 hold offices. * But these were rights not so much es-
 
 116 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 teemed then as now; perhaps because the emoluments 
 were not so great. ; And it must not be imagined that 
 people were then so enlightened in these matters as 
 now. With us it would be rank political heresy to say 
 that a right to vote were not a most precious right. 
 And as to office, it would be still ranker heresy to 
 deny the right to scramble for that. Not so in those 
 times of ignorance ; and hence we find that many 
 prominent individuals were not freemen. Those who 
 were not freemen were termed residents. And all of 
 these, who were twenty years and upwards of age, and 
 who had resided in a place six months, were required 
 to take an oath oT allegiance to the government. 
 
 The whole body of freemen were required to meet 
 at Boston, annually, and in a General Court of Elec- 
 tions, to choose a Governor, Lieut. Governor and other 
 magistrates. And this practice was continued till 
 about the year 1670, when the greatness of numbers 
 rendered it inconvenient. It was then required that 
 the freemen should assemble in their several towns for 
 the purpose of voting. And so commenced that time- 
 honored Yankee institution, the annual Town Meeting 
 for the choice of State Officers. 
 
 The custom of qualifying freemen, as before ob- 
 served, fell into disuse about the year 1689. But for 
 some years previous to that the distinction between 
 Freemen and Residents seems to have been by degrees 
 growing less and less marked.
 
 " He was of noble parentage, 
 
 and he was father, too. 
 Of sons brave, virtuous and sage, 
 
 and daughters faire and true." 
 
 "We find Mr. Newliall here in the Third Plantation as 
 early as 1630. Perhaps the remark on page 114, that 
 he was the father of the great Newhall family of New 
 England, was a little too liberal, for we find that An- 
 thony Newhall, and one or two others of the stock, 
 came over at an early day. Indeed the stereotype 
 assertion of historians, when speaking of New England 
 families, that " three brothers came over," may be 
 made of the Newhalls with an average probability of 
 truth. 
 
 The name, in this country, has always been variously 
 spelled — as, Newhall, Nevvall, Newell, and even, in 
 the last mode, with the extraordinary prefix of an h to 
 the last syllable. And it is not easy now to deter- 
 mine which spelling was first adopted here. Newhall, 
 at all events, is a very ancient style. And that 
 must be the right one, unless the reputed origin of the 
 name be fabulous. As elsewhere remarked, we feel 
 little interest in tracing ancestry. But occasionally a 
 leisure hour may be agreeably spent in the service, 
 especially when so honorable a line as that in question 
 is concerned. Many members of that family who have 
 
 (117)
 
 118 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 not become acquainted with the curious learning re- 
 specting their origin may be gratified with a brief 
 sketch. And those readers who are nat so happy as 
 to be members, may have similar reason to be pleased 
 with a hasty glance into the fountain whence sprang 
 the blood that flows in most American veins. Let us 
 then, for a moment, dig together some distance back 
 among the clods of time ; for it is often with families 
 as with carrots, the best part being under ground. 
 
 Some fourteen hundred years ago, or during the 
 first half of the fifth century, a grim, barbaric host, 
 calling themselves Saxons and hailing from the small 
 islands at the mouth of the Elbe, and the Baltic shores, 
 made their appearance in England. They had been 
 invited over by the Britons, who were then weak and 
 much exposed to the inroads of the Scots, Picts and 
 other fierce adventurers. Previously, for some cen- 
 turies, perhaps all the time from the days of Julius 
 Cesar, the Britons had been protected by the Romans. 
 But the latter had recently withdrawn, as Rome needed 
 all her forces at home to defend against the Goths and 
 Vandals. 
 
 The Saxons were a warlike, shrewd and persevering 
 race — much like uncivilized Yankees — and soon beat 
 off all the enemies of the Britons. But it turned out 
 that the Britons were no great gainers by the valor of 
 the Saxons, for no sooner were the invaders driven ofi" 
 than the Saxons completely subjugated the Britons 
 themselves and erected a government of their own. 
 And they kept up a continual scene of petty Avar and 
 rapine, holding the poor Britons, as long as there 
 were any left, in the tnost abject condition. 
 
 It has been said that the laws of a nation are the 
 surest index of their character and condition. And it
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 119 
 
 must be so; for the laws of a community proceed from 
 its very bosom and business. The humanity, the moral 
 and intellectual state and degree of civilization of a 
 people may be unmistakably ascertained by this me- 
 dium — also their warlike, agricultural or commercial 
 characteristics. And hence a slight glance at the Saxon 
 jurisprudence may be useful. 
 
 The Saxons recognised the trial by judicium Dei, as 
 they called it ; or ordeal. First, there was the fire 
 ordeal, designed for the more eminent of criminals. 
 The person charged was adjudged to walk bare footed 
 and blindfolded, over nine red hot ploughshares laid 
 lengthwise a little distance apart. If he passed over 
 without treading on them, or treading on them was 
 unhurt, he was considered innocent. Emma, the 
 mother of Edward the Confessor, is stated to have 
 gone through this ordeal unharmed, thus purging her- 
 self of the charge of unchaste commerce with the 
 bishop of Winchester. Second, there was the hot 
 water ordeal, by which the guilt or innocence of a 
 party was determined by thrusting the arm into boiling 
 water. If the arm came out unharmed, the person was 
 adjudged innocent ; otherwise, guilty. Third, the cold 
 water ordeal, in Avhich the accused was secured by a 
 cord under the arms and plunged overboard. If he 
 sank, and remained at the bottom for a certain specified 
 time, he was deemed innocent and drawn up. Floating 
 was considered evidence of guilt. Such were trials 
 by ordeal ; and they seem to have originated in the 
 extraordinary genius of the Saxons. And while we 
 can hardly accept them as evidence of a peculiarly 
 intelligent conception of Christian truth, they yet show 
 a reliance on the special interposition of Providence 
 for the relief of the innocent and punishment of the
 
 120 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 guilty, more talked about than apparently believed in 
 by the good people of this day. 
 
 The Saxons were really but a shade above savages 
 in character, and in their diplomacy depended much 
 more tipon their clubs and battle-axes than upon the 
 justice of their cause. 
 
 Christianity was probably introduced into Britain 
 during the Roman occupation ; perhaps as early as the 
 days of the apostles. But it appears to have existed 
 only in spots. If the Saxons, in the early part of their 
 occupation made any pretension to Christianity, it was 
 of a curious kind and mixed up with many dark and 
 unsavory superstitions. At all events, it seems certain 
 that nothing that could properly be called the Christian 
 religion prevailed through the land before the seventh 
 century. Whatever their religion was, in it they were 
 extremely gross and addicted to cruel and bloody rites, 
 believing in auguries and charms and frequently sacri- 
 ficing human beings. They had, indeed, improved but 
 little on the Druidism of the former age. The whole 
 Saxon policy was based on selfishness and violence. 
 Intelligence and just dealing were hardly known. Pe- 
 cuniary satisfaction was received for all manner of 
 crimes, and every kind of corruption prevailed. In 
 short, the early Saxons were ignorant, unprincipled, 
 blood thirsty barbarians. 
 
 We have thus endeavored to recall to the mind of 
 the reader one or two points in the character of the 
 people whose blood some of our fourth of July orators 
 and lyceum lecturers instruct us to be very proud 
 of having in our veins. But yet there were in those 
 stern old Saxon souls germs of true greatness. And 
 as they increased in civilization and embraced a more 
 rational religion, they began to discover most excellent
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 121 
 
 traits. And we are justified, to a considerable extent, 
 in feeling proud of our inheritance from them. But 
 do we not rather overestimate our obligation ? Strong 
 will, independence of thought, and freedom of action, 
 are unquestionably Saxon traits. And are they not just 
 as unquestionably Yankee traits ? They are what dis- 
 tinguish Americans from all people not of the same 
 lineage. 
 
 The first settlers of New England were impatient of 
 control and extremely jealous of the centralization of 
 power. Like the old Saxons, each one claimed for 
 himself ability to sustain a part in the administration 
 of public affairs, and was fond of having his claim 
 allowed. And this has grown with our growth and 
 strengthened with our strength, till we have become 
 the most ravenous oflSce seekers on earth. This would 
 perhaps admit of a show of justification were the great 
 purpose to have affairs administered aright. But when 
 the scramble is merely for emoluments or honors, it 
 is about time to ask if the ship is not heading for 
 breakers. Nevertheless, the great point that all should 
 have 'an equal chance, is manly. 
 
 The Great and General Court of our early colonial 
 days was, as before remarked, composed of the whole 
 body of freemen. And when the numbers had so 
 increased that the assembly became too numerous to 
 be held within doors, they did not, like tlie Icelanders, 
 hold annual assemblies of the whole people in the open 
 air, which would have been but a cari-ying out of the 
 principle they so highly regarded, but established 
 the Annual Town Meeting, at which all the freemen 
 could meet in their own towns and elect from among 
 themselves such as they were willing to trust their 
 interests with in the General Court. The individuals 
 F
 
 122 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 SO elected were at first called Deputies, afterwards, 
 Representatives. As the towns increased in population 
 city organizations were resorted to for obviating the 
 inconveniences of large assemblages. But the people 
 came slowly to this. Boston, the first city in the Bay 
 State, did not receive her charter till 1822, and then had 
 a population of some 45,000. Within the last twenty 
 years, however, several places have adopted the more 
 aristocratic form of government. Lynn, the bright 
 blossom of the Third Plantation, made the year 1850 
 memorable in the annals of the world by then taking 
 her rank as a city. But all such changes so far in- 
 crease the distance from elementary freedom. And if 
 they add to the facilities for governing they also afford 
 the better opportunities for ambitious politicians to 
 successfully pursue their ends. 
 
 Our forefathers, to a considerable extent, eschewed 
 the formalities that seem necessary in conducting our 
 more complicated public business. Nor were they 
 scared at any cry about legislating for men's conscien- 
 ces or the hazard of departing from precedent. It was 
 their way to determine every matter by its own merits, 
 unhampered by old forms and precepts. And the Sax- 
 on blood that was in them led to this independence, as 
 well as to watchfulness against approaches towards a 
 centralization of power. 
 
 Now the policy of the Normans, who in 1066 subju- 
 gated the Saxons, was directly the reverse of the policy 
 of the latter. They were for centralizing political pow- 
 er ; taking it, as far as possible, from the people, and 
 lodging it with the sovereign and aristocracy. In short, 
 the Normans established the feudal system. 
 
 And as regards the two lines of policy — Saxon and 
 Norman — there is no doubt that by the Saxon the
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 123 
 
 strength and energy of a people are much more surely 
 brought mto action, though there may be danger that 
 rampant ambition will work ruin. The natural power 
 of a people resides in the lower classes. And any 
 polity that has a tendency to repress it, is cramping 
 and wrong. The Norman polity was calculated to 
 blunt the national energies, though it gave greater 
 stability to affairs. Mere peace and security, however, 
 to the American mind seem but a poor return for the 
 abridgment of leading natural rights. The influence 
 of the English Church was deemed by our fathers 
 favorable to centralization and an aristocracy — the 
 Squire's pew and his Lordship's tablet had met their 
 eyes in the sanctuary — and hence sprang much of 
 their hatred towards it. The Papal Church was in- 
 clined to the very extreme in that direction ; and 
 hence there never was much love for it in minds 
 partaking of the Saxon element. 
 
 But we have said enough of those bluff old Saxons, 
 they were introduced here for the laudable purpose of 
 showing from what brilliant ancestry the Newhalls 
 descended; for, on the maternal side, the first Newhall 
 was a pure Saxon. 
 
 The great male progenitor of the Newhalls was a 
 Norman. It was in the eleventh century that the 
 Normans invaded England and under "William the Con- 
 queror made themselves masters of the land. They 
 were of the Scandinavian race, and came chiefly from 
 Norway and Denmark ; were fierce and warlike, but 
 much in advance of the Saxons, in several respects. 
 They secured the supremacy at the battle of Hastings, 
 October, 1066. And it was a conquest overwhelming 
 and complete ; almost as destructive to the Saxons as 
 was the Saxon conquest to the poor Britons.
 
 124 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 The Normans had a better religion and more polislied 
 manners than the Saxons, and evidently considered 
 themselves as belonging to a better race. But they 
 had a more imperfect conception of individual right 
 and responsibility. It may be mentioned as an illus- 
 tration of certain differences of character between the 
 two people that the night before the battle of Hastings 
 was spent by the Normans in prayer and religious exer- 
 cises and by the Saxons in drunkenness, rioting and 
 buffoonery. Yet the Normans were predatory in their 
 habits, perfidious and inhuman. Their administration 
 was sustained by force and sanguinary violence. And 
 a most cruel disregard was manifested for the claims 
 and rights of those whom they had subjugated. 
 
 The Christianity of the Normans was evidently not 
 ot a very elevated type though better than that of the 
 Saxons. Their lawsuits were determined in about as 
 rational a way as that of ordeal. They introduced the 
 trial by battle, or single combat ; that is, plaintiff and 
 defendant had a regular fight, and judgment Avas pro- 
 nounced in favor of the victor. Our phrase "throwing 
 down the glove " comes from the custom. The appel- 
 lee threw down his glove and declared himself ready 
 to defend by his body. The appellant took up the 
 glove and replied that with his body he would make 
 good his appeal. The battle was fought with batons. 
 In a murder case, for instance, if the one charged could 
 maintain the fight from sunrise till early starlight he 
 was acquitted; otherwise he was adjudged guilty and 
 immediately hanged. And it is remarkable that this 
 singular feature became so woven into English juris- 
 prudence that tlie right of appeal to battle was not 
 abolished till within the present century ; though the 
 taste, or more probably the courage, of the people did
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 125 
 
 not often lead them to resort to it during the last cen- 
 tury or two. And we cannot avoid remarking that 
 were it revived and established as an imperative pro- 
 ceeding, in civil actions, in our American courts, the 
 dockets would probably soon cease to groan under 
 such interminable lists of cases as they now do. 
 
 In August, 1817, one Abraham Thornton was tried 
 at Warwick, England, for the murder of Mary Ashford, 
 a gay country girl ; and though there were circumstan- 
 ces appearing much against him, yet he was acquitted, 
 the judge, Holroyd, considering that an alibi had been 
 fully proved. Soon after the acquittal, however, a 
 brother of the murdered girl was induced to proceed 
 against Thornton, for a second trial, by the ancient 
 "Writ of Appeal, which process rather demanded pun- 
 ishment for the private and particular injury than for 
 the offence against the public. Thornton was again 
 arrested and taken to London for trial in the King's 
 Bench Court. 
 
 Now it happened to occur to Thornton's shrewd 
 legal advisers, that the same old law that enabled Ash- 
 ford to take out his writ of appeal also enabled the 
 one against whom it was brought to meet it by Wager 
 of Battle. So when the case came on, Thornton aston- 
 ished not only the court and bar, but the whole nation, 
 by the plea : " Not Guilty. And I am ready to defend 
 the same by my body." Then he threw his glove 
 upon the floor. The next proceeding was for each 
 party to present in regular form all the facts upon 
 either side of the main question ; the appellant endea- 
 voring to show that the appellee was guilty, and the 
 appellee endeavoring to show his innocence. Then 
 the eminent counsel, Chitty for the appellant and Tin- 
 dal for the appellee, elaborately argued the cause.
 
 12G NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 And, finally, the court determined that it had not been 
 made sulHciently clear that Thornton was guilty to 
 deny him the right of battle. This placed things in 
 rather an ominous position, for it happened that Thorn- 
 ton was an athletic man and Ashford quite a stripling. 
 The court, however, without formally announcing a 
 determination to allow the battle, made some sugges- 
 tions. And before a decision was promulgated Ashford 
 prayed for leave to discontinue his appeal. His prayer 
 was granted and Thornton of course discharged. This, 
 as remarked, was in 1817 ; and it appears to be the last 
 case on record in which this singular right was de- 
 manded. The attorney general, soon after, brought in 
 a bill to repeal the strange old relic of Norman juris- 
 prudence. Thornton had respectable connections, but 
 does not appear to have been of the best habits. Soon 
 after this occurrence he came to America, under an 
 assumed name. And it has been said that a stranger 
 who died at Lynn in 1820, was this same individual. 
 
 By the Norman customs the pugilistic propensities 
 of our nature became regulated by scientific rules. 
 The prize ring is a Norman institution. And we find 
 the " noble art of self defence " fostered among all 
 people of the Norman lineage. Christianity has not 
 extinguished the savage propensit}' of some to pommel 
 and be pommeled ; nor the delight of others, more 
 careful of their own heads, to witness such ennobling 
 exhibitions. The great contest in England, in April, 
 1860, between Heenan, the American champion, and 
 Sayers, the British, created a thrill throughout both 
 countries about equal to that produced by the battle 
 of Bunker Hill, and afforded a rather remarkable illus- 
 tration of the refined taste of all classes. 
 
 It is well determined that the Feudal System was
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 127 
 
 established about the year 1075 ; though some have 
 imagined that traces of it could be found among the 
 Saxons. But it seems quite clear that the Saxons had 
 no settled tenures ttf a feudal character. Lordship and 
 vassalage have justly been denominated a Norman prin- 
 ciple. William the Conqueror divided the kingdom 
 into what may be called baronies. And these were 
 granted to men of superior military prowess and fidel- 
 ity ; the condition being that they should hold them- 
 selves in readiness to furnish a stated number of 
 knights or soldiers and a certain amount of money at 
 the call of the sovereign. The people became the mis- 
 erable and slavish subjects of the barons, whose lordly 
 castles began to tower up in grim grandeur all over 
 the land. The freedom of the masses became extinct. 
 A very few of the old English castles date back as 
 far as the earlier Saxon times. But they were not 
 probably erected for such purposes as were those of 
 the feudal times. And many of the venerable erec- 
 tions that the English now call Saxon are Norman. 
 During the brief interval from 1016 to 1041, when the 
 Danes under Canute the Great, Harold Ilarefoot and 
 Hardicanute, held the supremacy, probably not one 
 castle was erected. But the Normans, on introducing 
 the feudal system, completed a large number. They 
 were generally built on an extensive scale and in the 
 most substantial manner. Sometimes they were erected 
 near rivers and sometimes on eminences. When upon 
 a site easy of access, they were surrounded by moats 
 with bridges that might be drawn up ; and the pon- 
 derous walls were proof against any warlike engine 
 of the day. From the turrets of these lordly castles, 
 extensive views were had, and an enemy stood small 
 chance of approaching undiscovered.
 
 128 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 In these castles the old barons dwelt in lordly state, 
 surrounded by their tenantry and vassals, who tilled 
 the soil and devoted their lives to their lords. Some- 
 times the barons made war upon oach other, marching 
 forth with their little armies and devastating the terri- 
 tory of their hostile compeers. Little attention was 
 paid to learning or the elegant arts and refinements of 
 life. The chase, the tournament, feasting and reveling 
 occupied most of the time spared from the service of 
 the sovereign. A chivalric spirit was fostered, and a 
 rude but hearty hospitality reigned. Devotion to the 
 fascinations of female society and a spirit of undefined 
 knight errantry inspired the young ; wine and wassail 
 edified the old. We look back upon that period as 
 enveloped in a radiant mist. It was a transition period. 
 And from its rugged inspiration the more ennobling 
 traits of English character began to develop, though 
 with no great rapidity. 
 
 The baronial establishments so increased that at the 
 close of Stephen's reign, in 1154, more than a thousand 
 castles existed. And a large portion of them continued 
 to hft their frowning battlements for a long series of 
 years, furnishing strongholds for contending parties 
 during the turbulent times of the Plantagenets, the 
 Red and White Roses and the early Tudors. Around 
 them clusters much of the most stirring romance of 
 English history. 
 
 The barons, when united, possessed an irresistible 
 power in the kingdom. They even extorted from King 
 John, in 1215, the Magna Charta, which remains indis- 
 putable evidence of their power, for kings had rather 
 part with their teeth than their prerogatives. To this 
 day the great charter is known as the bulwark of 
 English liberty. But the sturdy barons were human
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 129 
 
 beings, and as such often grossly inconsistent, denying 
 to their inferiors some of the dearest natural rights, 
 while making the most exacting demands for them- 
 selves. 
 
 At times, the recognised power of the barons over 
 the peasantry seems to have been almost unlimited. 
 And in many instances that power was exercised in a 
 cruel and mercenary manner. The extraordinary right 
 of the lord to be the first occupant of the peasant's 
 bridal bed was sometimes compromised at a most des- 
 perate sacrifice on the subject's part. In a word, the 
 rule of the barons was harsh and spirit-crushing in 
 the extreme. 
 
 The way seems now prepared to come more directly 
 to the romantic origin of the Newhall family. We 
 have said that the great father of the line was a Nor- 
 man of pure blood, and the great mother a Saxon of 
 blood equally pure. 
 
 There was in Wiltshire, in the reign of Richard Coeur 
 de Lion, a wealthy baron, of unmixed Norman lineage. 
 His castle was on a bold and commanding site among 
 the highlands that rise not far from the western border 
 of Salisbury Plain. His domain was extensive and 
 rich, and his tenantry among the most happy in the 
 realm. His magnificent castle was one of the first and 
 strongest, and had withstood many a fierce assault. 
 Its ponderous walls and deep moat showed that at the 
 time of its erection it was expected that the mad waves 
 of war would beat against it. Its stern old towers 
 and mossy turrets overlooked a glorious landscape. 
 And within, it was fashioned to meet the exigences of 
 sudden invasion as well as the demands of a most exten- 
 sive hospitality. The capacious banqueting halls were 
 sufficient for the many gentry who assembled at tour- 
 F* 9
 
 130 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 nament or other festival ; and their retinues found 
 ample room and unstinted cheer. There, the fairest 
 maidens of the land displayed their charms, and fasci- 
 nated by their feats of grace and daring, in field and 
 forest. And there the devoted knight, unknowing fear 
 when meeting hostile knight, knelt humbly for the 
 favor of his lady-love. The huntsman's horn rang out 
 at break of day, and the answering hounds bayed 
 their readiness for duty. The hawker cried, and the 
 sanguinary bird wheeled from its airy height, eager to 
 do its murderous work. In peaceful times, the days 
 passed in almost unbroken festivity; and when the 
 solemn notes of the curfew bell came sounding over 
 the hills, the tired revellers were quite ready for 
 repose. 
 
 Among the tenantry of this Wiltshire baron was an 
 enterprising and trustworthy householder who had al- 
 ways stood high in the estimation of his lord, and been 
 the recipient of many favors. His most loved occupa- 
 tion was husbandry, though he was not unskillful with 
 the sword nor wanting in valor, as was fairly shown 
 on more than one occasion when he had supported his 
 superior on the field. He was entrusted with such 
 duties as not unfrequently required his presence at 
 the castle ; and there his intelligence and good manners 
 secured for him a reception more like that of an equal 
 than a dependent. Now this tenant was of pure Saxon 
 blood. He could as directly trace his pedigree to the 
 Saxon fount as could the baron trace his to the Norman. 
 He took great pride in his descent, and professed much 
 satisfaction in transmitting to his children untainted 
 blood, for his conjugal bed was shared by one of as 
 pure Saxon origin as he. And many a bantering did 
 he and his good humored liege engage in as to the
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 131 
 
 merits of their respective races; such contests usually 
 terminating in the sportive remark by the baron that 
 in pity for the rest of the world he hoped that at 
 some time a way might be opened for the production 
 of a race of demi-gods by a union of such purity and 
 power ; and darkly hinting that even then means 
 seemed preparing, by which a consummation so de- 
 voutly to be desired might some day be attained. 
 
 The home of this favored tenant was graced by a 
 daughter of rare endowments. To her beautiful Saxon 
 features was added a charming delicacy of manner. 
 And her sparkling wit and graceful assurance were 
 irresistibly fascinating. ' From earliest childhood she 
 had been a sort of pet at the castle, whither she often 
 went Avith her father. And the inmates, in a compan- 
 ionable way, instructed her in arts and accomplishments 
 more befitting the lordly condition than that in which 
 she was born. She loved with the jovial lordlings to 
 sport through the ancient halls, dimmed by the grim 
 armorial hangings ; to listen to the wandering legend- 
 ary's tales, the harpist's lays, the jester's merry turns. 
 But more than all she loved to steal away to a quaint 
 little room far up in the old tower, Avhere alone she 
 might scan the glorious landscape, with its glistening 
 streams, green woods and flowery meadows, and con- 
 template the bright picture of her own dear cottage 
 home nestling in the hill side copse, with the lowing 
 herds and bleating flocks dotting the broad fields. 
 In that undisturbed retreat, too, she loved to sit and 
 ruminate upon such subjects as might well be expected 
 to agitate a young and susceptible heart in that age 
 of gallantry and romance. And as the darker shades 
 of twilight gathered, she might be excused for the 
 fancy — if fancy it were or an excuse were needed —
 
 132 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 that she beheld some brave knight galloping athwart 
 the plain to meet his ladj-love, at the far off castle just 
 descernible upon a frowning crag among the dim hills ; 
 or some hapless fugitive, fleeing for shelter within 
 the sacred precincts marked by the gray convent 
 tower. 
 
 And could fair Haroldine — for such appears to have 
 been the baptismal name of her of whom we speak — 
 have been permitted, in one of her contemplative 
 moods to have thrown a glance into the then far 
 future, even to this our day, what would she have 
 beheld ? In the picture unrolled would she have 
 found most cause to rejoice over an array of virtuous 
 sons and daughters, zealous to do good, and honoring 
 the line of which she was the great mother — we mean 
 the Newhall — or to weep over an army of blockheads 
 and heartless worldlings, zealous to do evil, and cloud- 
 ing it with dishonor ? Would the picture have been 
 one calculated to impart fresh inspiration to her young 
 heart, and lead her to tread those halls and lawns with 
 a prouder step, or one calculated to so roughly touch 
 her tender nerves as to induce a headlong plunge from 
 that frowning parapet? Answer that, to your own 
 consciences, ye of the lineage. 
 
 We have given the baptismal name of this fair 
 daughter of the Saxon race, but are unable to de- 
 termine the name by which the particular family was 
 distinguished. Surnames were then just coming into " 
 popular use in England; and a great many of those 
 most common with us had their curious origin at that 
 period. 
 
 When slie had arrived at a suitable age, Haroldine 
 had many admirers among the higher class of the 
 baronial tenantry. And though a little coquetish, she
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 133 
 
 was not of a temperament to withstand the tender 
 advances of young Arthur, the manly and promising 
 son of a neighboring tenant ; especially as those ad- 
 vances were supported by the approval of her parents 
 and their well-wishers at the castle. 
 
 Arthur and Haroldine became affianced. 
 
 He was of her own position in life, virtuous, and in 
 every way worthy of her hand. Brave and loyal, he 
 was looked upon by the lord as one whose strong arm 
 might some day be relied upon to do valiant service 
 in support of the barony should perils beset it. He 
 loved the excitements and dangers of the field, and had 
 already by his courage and prowess won a noble suit 
 of armor, in which, with glittering helmet, his erect 
 form rivalled the bravest knight. Yet, though he 
 might dream of wars to come, and renown upon the 
 battle field, or even a crusader's glorious benediction, 
 he must still meet the realities of life in the field of the 
 husbandman and the duties of a dependent. 
 
 The sweet, dreamy period of betrothal passed rapidly 
 and the nuptial day of Arthur and Haroldine was ap- 
 pointed. And it was arranged that the ceremony 
 should take place at the castle. 
 
 It was a calm autumnal day. The sun had hardly 
 begun to decline, when the spacious grounds of the 
 castle were alive with the joyous tenantry, all in their 
 best attire, come at their lord's bidding, to make merry 
 and greet with smiles and good wishes those on whose 
 account the festivities had been appointed. 
 
 And then, as the first shades of twilight began to 
 gather, beneath the patriarchal branches of an ancient 
 hawthorn, stood Arthur, his manly form erect and his 
 countenance bearing the impress of serious realization 
 of the responsibilities he was about to assume, blended
 
 134 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 with happy anticipation of the pleasures in store for 
 him. By his side was Haroldine, radiant in beauty, 
 gazing up to hira as to the loved warder of all her 
 earthly happiness. The good hearted baron and the 
 ladies were there. And there too was the jolly old 
 priest in his cleanest robe. 
 
 The setting sun seemed to linger a moment for 
 some kind breeze to sway an interposing bough that 
 it might bestow a last kiss on the virgin lips of Harol- 
 dine. Presently the wind lent its friendly aid, and 
 with the kiss offered the incense of flowers. 
 
 The sun set ; and Haroldine was a bride. 
 
 The occasion of the nuptials was made by the liberal 
 souled baron such a one as even a petty noble might 
 envy. The spacious apartments were thrown open to 
 the joyous tenantry; and the brilliant lights shed their 
 lustre on boards loaded with a feast of fattest things. 
 And when all had eaten and drank, the old harpers 
 played, the minstrels sang, and the legendaries chanted 
 their tales. Then the stalwart youth donned the old 
 suits of armor and engaged in friendly tilt with halberd 
 and foil: while in the group of shy and blushing 
 maidens, the aged crone dispensed her fortunes by 
 her palmistry and mirror of love. 
 
 The hour of midnight came. And presently all was 
 silent at the castle. The tenantry had withdrawn to 
 their quiet homes, each bearing some simple memorial 
 of the occasion from their lord, and the blessing of the 
 priest. None remained, save Arthur and his bride. 
 They, in compliance with the ancient custom, were to 
 remain till morning. 
 
 Soon, the midnight silence of that lately laughter 
 echoing hall was broken by an earnest debate between 
 Arthur and his lord. The baron insisted on exercising
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 135 
 
 the right that was his by the strange old custom 
 respecting the first occupation of the peasant's bridal 
 bed, to which we have alluded. And even now, in 
 the most sumptuous lodging apartment that the castle 
 afforded were the maids disrobing the beaming bride. 
 It was long in vain that the bridegroom urged upon 
 his lord the claims of nature, of honor and love ; and 
 as long in vain that he offered all his money and goods. 
 But the liege's heart was not of stone. He relented, 
 and giving his faithful subject a warm grasp of the 
 hand, playfully challenged^him to refer the question 
 to the bride herself. And in the same spirit the chal- 
 lenge was accepted ; neither, most certainly, doubting 
 as to the nature of the answer she would return. 
 
 A trusty page was despatched to the bridal chamber. 
 And he soon returned with the strange and unexpected 
 reply, that the custom having been observed by her 
 own revered ancestors, from respect to their memory 
 she could interpose no objection to its course. Who 
 would have anticipated such an answer? Truly, the 
 female heart is an inexplicable mystery. Had Shaks- 
 peare lived before, and given his celebrated definition 
 of frailty, poor Arthur might have adopted it in bitter- 
 ness of soul. Yet, one may readily conceive of rea- 
 sons that might have strongly urged Haroldine to such 
 a decision, even without taking in view the character 
 of the age ; an age when derelictions in the conjugal 
 relation, and even maiden purity, were not viewed in a 
 light like that of the present day ; an age in which 
 many a fair Rosamond bloomed unblushing on the 
 baronial manors. 
 
 The lord did not banter his chilled tenant on the 
 unanticipated success that had met his challenge. Nei- 
 ther did the tenant give vent to his feelings. The
 
 136 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 bright hopes that a few hours before had made him 
 the happiest of men had suddenly become so clouded 
 that he was now the most miserable. Yet he uttered 
 no curses, no lamentations. But there was a terrible 
 emphasis in his silence. 
 
 Without speaking a word Arthur walked forth into 
 the cool air. With his own strong arm he lowered 
 the lightest draw-bridge and passed the moat. And the 
 first streak of morning light found him away upon 
 Salisbury Plain, hastily journeying toward the far-off 
 town whose tall cathedral spire could be discerned 
 even from the castle tower. 
 
 But what could have been the feelings that swelled 
 the breast of Haroldine when the maidens had left her 
 alone in that gorgeous chamber? Reflection, stern 
 and uncompromising, must have claimed at least a mo- 
 mentary sway. With what blushes must her radiant 
 Saxon face have burned. And how wildly must her 
 disquieted heart have beat. Formidable must have 
 been the struggle in which the loved image of Arthur 
 was forced to disappear before supposed duty or frail 
 inclination. 
 
 A few months passed, and we find Haroldine mistress 
 of a delightful little cottage on the bank of a small 
 stream that flowed from one of the noble hunting 
 parks of the barony. She had a matronly adviser and 
 gay companions. But though supplied with every 
 outward appliance for enjoyment, her grave demeanor 
 plainly declared that she was not at peace within. She 
 had received no tidings of Arthur since the night of his 
 bootless bridal, 
 
 A pretty garden lay between the door of the cottage 
 of Haroldine and the pleasant road. Noble trees, 
 choice vines and shrubs added their stately beauty
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 137 
 
 and grace to the landscape, far and near. At the em- 
 bowered gate-way was not unfrequently seen the 
 caparisoned steed of the baron himself, for he found 
 the cottage an agreeable resting place in his hunting 
 and other equestrian excursions. And the bay of the 
 hound and scream of the hawk often startled the adja- 
 cent woods. 
 
 From the night that the old priest pronounced him 
 the husband of Haroldine, Arthur had never been seen 
 within the barony. It was supposed that he had gone 
 to the foreign wars. And many thought that he would 
 soon make his name famous and return to England 
 loaded with honors and wealth. 
 
 Presently, great improvements were to be made on 
 the baronial grounds, for the sovereign was to visit 
 the lord and spend a few jolly days. A new hall, or 
 lodge, as such structures seem indiscriminately to 
 have been called, must be first erected for the hunts- 
 men's bouts. And soon, in a fine old grove, just in 
 sight of the cottage of Haroldine, did the fantastic 
 walls of the new erection begin to appear. The work 
 went bravely on, and in a little time the hall was ready 
 for dedication. 
 
 A grand fete was held on the inspiring occasion of 
 dedicating this famous new hall. The gentry from far 
 and near assembled. The day was spent in the free 
 sports of the field, and the evening in boisterous hilari- 
 ty. And midnight found the revellers within those 
 new walls, enjoying in full tide the unpolished hospi- 
 tality of the chief of the barony. 
 
 At that solemn hour of mysteries there came in haste 
 a squire with a message for the baron's ear. And what 
 was that hastened message? It was oven tliat there 
 had been a birth iu the cottage by the brook. The
 
 138 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 fair Haroldine bad ushered into the world a lusty little 
 soldier of fortune. Why did the lord's fine Norman 
 eye so suddenly blaze with delight? Why did he 
 instantly call his boisterous company to silence ? And 
 why did he with so many pleasurable emotions inform 
 them of the happy event and bid them fill their cups 
 to the brim with choicest wine to drink to the mother 
 and her son ? In rude eloquence he expressed many 
 generous sentiments, and said that the little one should 
 begin the world Avith a surname; a surname that in after 
 years might become renowned by the nobiUty of those 
 who would proceed from him; and it should be a sur- 
 name, too, that would commemorate the event that 
 had called together, in such a friendly way, so many of 
 the Wiltshire gentry. 
 
 Then they all stood in silence, with their bumpers 
 raised, the baron pondering. Presently he cried out, in 
 a voice that almost shook the walls : 
 
 " His name shall be New-Hall 1 " The wine was 
 gulped and the name enrolled. 
 
 And now, gentle reader — for you must be gentle to 
 have gone unmurmuringly with us on this long histo- 
 rical airing — we will return to the neighborhood of 
 our subject. We have stated the old tradition regard- 
 ing the origin of the Newhall line. And without 
 holding ourselves responsible for its truth — though 
 we have heard many truths much more wonderful — 
 beg leave to remind such of the family as have yet 
 done nothing to its credit, that it is not now too late 
 to begin the good work. 
 
 In the first Newhall we behold a union of two un- 
 sanctified races; yet the immediate father and mother — 
 the Norman lord of the grandest castle in Wiltshire, 
 and his beautiful Saxon subject Haroldine — were per-
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 139 
 
 haps well enough, excepting as regards the particular 
 occurrence of which that first Newhall was a conse- 
 quence. But the Saxon and Norman races were both, 
 as we have seen, of commanding ability, energy and 
 enterprise ; though w^e have been careful about prais- 
 ing their morals or manners. And the history of all 
 after time has proved that they were more reliable as 
 a stock than any other that could be named. 
 
 It is not our purpose to trace the pedigree ; for, as 
 elsewhere remarked, we could not go far back from 
 the present time before meeting individuals whom we 
 would rather avoid. It is enough for us to give the 
 origin. Others can follow the lineage. Black sheep 
 they will find ; but not in greater proportion than in 
 other folds. In some individuals the Saxon blopd 
 seems to predominate ; in others, the Norman. After 
 so many years of adulteration, perhaps no reliable mark 
 can be fixed on. The beard, however, has been con- 
 sidered an important matter among mankind from Sara- 
 son down. The Saxons wore their beards long. The 
 Normans shaved close. So, possibly, the taste of an 
 individual, as regards the appendage in question, may 
 indicate the character of his blood. 
 
 Perhaps some foe of this august flimily may deri- 
 sively smile at the moral blemish that attended the 
 first born. But this might be perilous ; for possibly it 
 could be shown that he came from no purer source. 
 The whole w^orld might be drawn into the contest and 
 the Newhalls come out as bright as any ; for it is not 
 recorded that even Adam and Eve had a marriage 
 certificate. 
 
 The first white chifcl born in tlie Third Plantation 
 was a son of Thomas Newhall, our subject. And it 
 was baptised by Mr. Batchellor, the first minister. On
 
 140 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 the same solemn occasion, one or two other children 
 appeared at the sacred font. It happened that little 
 Tommy was handed up first. But the minister shoved 
 him aside, and gave precedence to another. Then the 
 snapping of those enraged little Saxon eyes which had 
 so lately deigned to open on this miserable world, the 
 commotion within the swaddling blanket just about 
 where two little feet might have been supposed to be, 
 and above all, the vigorous exercise of those infantile 
 lungs, showed that there was a will if not a way to 
 ofier a suitable return for the indignity. The recital 
 of this interesting little occurrence to a moody member 
 of the family, gave occasion for the somewhat petu- 
 lent repl}' that in just such a way the Newhalls have 
 always been shoved aside to this hour. But we do 
 not see cause for any such feeling. Types of all the 
 orders of New England greatness have appeared in 
 the family. Numbers have crossed their legs in legis- 
 lative chairs. Others have sat in the courts of law ; 
 if not on the bench certainly in the criminal dock. 
 Some have beat pulpit cushions with their apostolic 
 knuckles. Others have made books. Pedagogues, 
 editors, doctors, lawyers, shoemakers, merchants, farm- 
 ers, fishermen and gentlemen, have appeared in the 
 family procession. In the army of the Revolution 
 there were brave representatives from Colonel Ezra of 
 the Massachusetts line down to the red nosed drummer 
 Ephraim. The Jersey prison ship held a Newhall. And 
 one of the first that followed Paul Jones on board the 
 Serapis at the most terrible hour of the whole war, 
 was also a Newhall, though he appears to have ship- 
 ped under a different name. One was a voyager in 
 the arctic regions, and another a traveler in the Ara- 
 bian deserts. The bones of some lie at the bottom of
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 141 
 
 the ocean, and of others in the golden clods of Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 We do not mean to say that any particularly brilliant 
 stars of the race have arisen from the Newhall branch — 
 local luminaries always excepted. But we do maintain 
 that it has presented an enviable average ; few have 
 attained very high places and few have gone very low. 
 Not one is brought to mind as having been in Congress 
 or in the State Prison ; but which is the high or low 
 of these two places may admit of a question. The 
 eagerness with which some seem to strive to win a 
 passport to the latter, which, to say the least, is the 
 most safe and peaceful, would indicate that they es- 
 teemed that rather the more elevated and desirable. 
 Two of the family, however, attained very considerable 
 heights. One, braved the ascent of the Himmalay 
 mountains about the time Bishop Heber was in that 
 region, and in defiance of the good prelate's admoni- 
 tions ; but he was punished for his temerity by being 
 turned into pillar of ice. In other words, he froze to 
 death. The ascent of the other was at Boston. But 
 he remained up a short time only, when the centripetal 
 force upon him was so great as to violently jerk him 
 through a trap door ; and had he not been providen- 
 tially secured to a beam above, by a rope about his 
 neck, his legs would inevitably have been broken. As 
 it was, only his neck was broken. By a strange coin- 
 cidence this event happened on the same day that his 
 neighbor Hart, alluded to on a preceding page, met 
 a similar fate. 
 
 Those who expect to find a family without an un- 
 worthy member, will as surely be disappointed as those 
 who expect to find a tree on which none but fair fruit 
 ever grew. A good average is all that we should expect
 
 142 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 in any thing. And of such, as already observed, this 
 family can certainly boast. 
 
 We desire to say all these things with becoming 
 gravity ; for we are convinced that writers often seri- 
 ously damage themselves and their cause by indulging 
 in what they call wit, satire or irony — and so do talk- 
 ers, as to that matter. But satire pleases readers, 
 especially when it is aimed at their neighbors. And 
 through this infirmity an author is very liable to be 
 fooled. If a writer could always keep in mind that 
 the reader cares nothing about him, his honor or inter- 
 est, he would proceed with a better understanding. It 
 is fair to conclude that for every satirical ebullition 
 at least six enemies are made. Dean Swift, we believe, 
 varies somewhat from this number, in his estimate ; 
 but perhaps he calculated a little too directly from his 
 own remarkable experience. However, it is this con- 
 viction that danger lurks in raillery, that induces us 
 to be so circumspect in our language. And the reader 
 will please give us the benefit of our care. 
 
 Assuming again to speak for the great Newhall fam- 
 ily in America, we are once more reminded of the 
 common saj'ing that it is a person's own fault that he 
 is not somebody in the world. How often it is said 
 that a man can make himself whatever he desires to 
 be. But the idea that one can shape his own destiny, 
 as before declared, is all a fudge. And it is wicked ; 
 for it arrogates to man a prescience that belongs only 
 to his Maker, and altogether sets aside providential 
 intervention. One da}'- Mr. Newhall was in the woods 
 searching for the northeast bound of a wood lot. 
 During the search he came to a spot where three 
 paths met, only one of which could lead to the object 
 of hia search, and which that one was he had no pos-
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 143 
 
 sible means of determining. After deliberately weigh- 
 ing the probabilities, and being warned by the declining 
 sun that his time was short, he took one of the paths 
 and perseveringly pursued it. But if he had followed 
 it till this time he would not have reached the bound, 
 excepting that he might have stumbled on it in one 
 of his circuits of the earth. It was not the right path. 
 It led into a deep valley of hemlocks, where a rainy 
 night, sundry wild beasts, and, as he thought, a legion 
 of devils amused themselves over his distresses till 
 morning. Now just so it is in the search after the 
 good of life. So do not persist in declaring that fam- 
 ilies or individuals have power to shape their own 
 destinies. 
 
 Another discouraging circumstance might be named 
 in this connection. At least three feminine members 
 gave extraordinary promise. But as their lofty and 
 lustrous qualities began to develop, they must needs 
 transplant themselves into new families and turn their 
 backs upon the very name of Newhall. One became a 
 Pendergrubb and another a Bottleshock. And we 
 see from the present reputation of those names, what 
 excellence the Newhall blood imparted to its new 
 connections. 
 
 Dean Swift said that a man who caused two ears of 
 corn or two blades of grass to grow where only one 
 grew before, was more worthy of praise than the whole 
 brood of politicians ; or something like that. And we 
 say that if this be true, Mr. Newhall, our subject, was 
 entitled to much praise ; for he caused many ears of 
 corn and many blades of grass to grow where few 
 grew before. The broad acres that he cleared and 
 planted were his incontrovertible vouchees for tliis. 
 
 He was one of the first as well as best farmers in
 
 144: NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 the place ; had a comfortable house and good stock 
 of pigs and poultry; also two cows and some sheep. 
 He likewise had a yoke of cattle and two horses at 
 one time. His dwelling house was one of the best 
 that had been erected since the Plantation began. Its 
 frame was of oak, rough hewn, to be sure, but firm and 
 durable. The thick, unplaned boards of the exterior, 
 overlapped each other in a workman-like manner, ren- 
 dering shingles or clapboards unnecessary. True, the 
 weather soon warped them to a degree that made it 
 necessary to use considerable seaweed and clay in 
 filling the interstices to defend against the blasts of 
 winter ; and this made it look a little like a beggar who 
 had run a race and strained open the seams of his 
 garments ; but then there were few eyes around that 
 were accustomed to look upon more comely architec- 
 ture. 
 
 The habitation faced due south; a peculiarity of 
 location quite common in those days. It enabled the 
 occupant to secure the greatest benefit of the sun in 
 winter, and to keep the time of day by marks on the 
 window sill. The luxury of time pieces was then 
 almost unknown; and the sun and shepherd's clock 
 had important duties to perform beyond those expect- 
 ed of them in the present age, when their usefulness 
 in horometry has been superseded by the ingenuity 
 of our Connecticut brethren. Hour-glasses, however, 
 were considerably used, being, indeed, a sort of neces- 
 sity in cloudy weather; but they required much atten- 
 tion. The peculiar location of the houses made them 
 occasionally look awry as regarded the street. But 
 the streets themselves, at that time, were very accom- 
 modating, often changing their course for the sake of 
 having a handsome house smile square upon them.
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 145 
 
 There was a front yard to Mr. NewhalPs house, 
 enclosed by a fence of untrimmed cedar rails. And in 
 that garden bloomed, in glorious state, divers holly- 
 bocks, marigolds, and sunflowers, with the graceful 
 pumpkin vine winding among them. And the useful 
 artichoke, too, sent up its prim spires. Ambitious 
 gourds, also, here and there wound fantastically up 
 the friendly shrubs, ostentatiously displaying their 
 vulgar fruit, as if exulting over the barren maples that 
 shaded the highway. Skirting along the fence, were 
 the wild rose and sweet-briar, the blue blossoming 
 nightshade and red lily of the wood, all shyly approach- 
 ing their cultivated kindred, even as the dusky maid 
 of the forest approached her pale sister. 
 
 This beautiful adjunct was well cared for. And it 
 was delightful to see the smart little Huldah Arlington, 
 the adopted daughter of Mr. Newhall, and the flower 
 of his household, on a bright rosy morning working 
 among the balmy assemblage with watering dipper 
 and wooden spade, her glossy hair bound up by rich 
 wampum strings, the gift of an Indian princess, and 
 her bonny face radiant with health and intelligence. 
 She was indeed a rare maid ; accomplished in all the 
 simple household duties of the day ; as able to spin, 
 bake, brew or milk as any dame in the settlement. 
 
 The house was two stories in front, and sloped reg- 
 ularly down to one, in the rear. And the whole back 
 part was devoted to kitchen purposes, including con- 
 veniences for the spinning-wheel and weaving-frame, 
 for candle dipping, soap making, and cloth dyeing. It 
 was a glorious old kitchen for all domestic purposes, 
 and a right jolly place for the noble winter game of 
 blindman's-bufl". It was one of the very first houses 
 built in that style, which, being so convenient, after- 
 G 10
 
 14:6 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 wards became quite common. True, it was rather 
 easy for the mischievous Indians^ who were always 
 playing pranks, to scale the roof. And it is said that 
 the very first morning after Mr. Newhall took up his 
 quarters there, he was astonished, as he went to kindle 
 a fire on the hearth to have a dead rabbit come pounce 
 upon his head ; and more astonished still, on running 
 out, to discover a score of forest dignitaries seated 
 along the ridge-pole, gravely snuffing in the morning 
 air and expressing their approbation of the prospect 
 by unearthly grunts. 
 
 The large kitchen fire place, sufficient to accommo- 
 date the four foot logs with ample room to spit and 
 snap upon the ponderous andirons, and still leave 
 space for wooden blocks in the corners; the capacious 
 oven and yawning receptacle for the rapidly accumu- 
 lating ashes ; the ponderous trammels with enormous 
 iron pots depending; the great dressers adorned with 
 trenchers and wooden bowls, with a pewter platter or 
 two glistening behind ; the high-back settle, destined, 
 perhaps, to receive into its cosey embrace the fair Hul- 
 dah and her happy lover, before the radiant fire, safe 
 from the jealous blast essaying to work its way through 
 some undiscovered crevice ; the leather covered grand- 
 sire-chair, whose hospitable arms would be capacious 
 enough to embrace the same lovers, even were she 
 encircled by the nine-foot crinoline expanse of this 
 our day ; the long table, sustained under its load of 
 wholesome cheer, by its innumerable legs; and the 
 old family portraits all in painted plaster ; — these, and 
 many other luxurious appliances of the day were in the 
 noble homestead of Farmer Newhall. 
 
 And could we have looked in upon that worthy fam- 
 ily as they were assembled on some winter night,
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 147 
 
 we should surely have concluded that luxuries, such 
 as are most zealously striven for in these days, are 
 not prerequisites to happiness. There was the manly 
 form of the household's head, his countenance browned 
 by toil, but beaming with benevolence ; his hands 
 rough as the ancient oak, but always pliant to grasp 
 the implement of useful labor and relaxing at the call 
 of charity. What if he did wear a coarse gray round- 
 about, greasy leather vest, and deer skin small-clothes ? 
 What if enormous shoes of rough hide, ornamented 
 with huge iron buckles did encase feet of such dimen- 
 sions as a youthful elephant might envy ? And what if, 
 as he drew off his old striped leggins, he did reveal 
 gray stockings that had long been accustomed to the 
 friendly offices of the darning needle ? — He was a man 
 for all these. 
 
 And there was the careful matron and the sweet 
 Huldah nestling by her side, the same ruddy beams 
 from the hearth lighting up the countenance of thi'^one, 
 calm and contented in her Avalk beyond the agitating 
 scenes of youth, and tliat of the other, flushed in 
 joyful hope on entering upon those eventful scenes. 
 There, also, sat the hired man and the sturdy boys, 
 happy in their freedom from out-door duties, and ea- 
 gerly pursuing their simple games. 
 
 And seeing these, who would not have felt that there 
 was a hearth, around which existed true happiness, 
 though it were composed of unshapely stones laid in 
 ungraceful forms? And who would have thought that 
 the rough, unplastered walls, or the little windows of 
 diminutive panes, so knotty, wavy and coarse, as even 
 in full sunrihine to distort every object abroad, were 
 comfortless or unseemly? And who, finally, would 
 have failed to realise that thurc are pictures of domes-
 
 148 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 tic life, always beautiful, however rude may be their 
 setting? 
 
 Mr. Newhall, the subject of this sketch, was the first 
 person hereabouts, so far as we have learned, who 
 undertook to raise bees. His apiary was picturesquely 
 situated in the capacious back yard, beneath the shelter 
 of a large tree, which also threw its cooling shade upon 
 the corn barn and a part of the swine's quarters. A 
 rustic seat, erected against the gnarled trunk, furnished 
 a convenient place for such visiters and idlers as had 
 enough curiosity and not too much fear, to sit and 
 watch the proceedings of the busy and buzzing colony. 
 And at the same time their ears might be regaled by 
 the music of the cloven footed songsters that now 
 and then erected their graceful heads above the pen 
 and gave specimens of their vocal accomplishments, 
 ilhistrating their own appreciation of their skill by 
 those wonderful whisks and twitches of the caudal 
 appenaage, that no creature on earth but a pig need 
 ever hope to compass. The bees were successful in 
 gathering honey, and their master was successful in 
 selling it after robbing their hives. The heaviest part 
 of the burden fell on the workers ; as is usually the 
 case in this unequal world. Mr. Newhall prospered in 
 this enterprise for three or four years. The honey 
 became quite celebrated for its purity and flavor ; per- 
 haps because so much of it was drawn from the flowers 
 that Huldah cultivated. And at that time the vulgar 
 notion prevailed that bees only could make honey ; 
 it being left to more modern genius to discover that 
 it can be produced by mixing sugar and lard. Bees, 
 perhaps, have cause to rejoice in the discovery, so far 
 as the enjoyment of the products of their own labor is 
 concerned. But they have equal cause to lament that
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 149 
 
 men will be guilty of unblusbingly putting forth such 
 abominable counterfeits in their name. 
 
 Mr. Newhall's experience with bees came to an end in 
 five or six years. As the worthy farmer was one day 
 busy in his garden, bare headed and with his shirt 
 sleeves rolled up, all of a sudden there came a terrible 
 buzzing about his ears. And presently, without ask- 
 ing leave, an immense swarm settled right down upon 
 his head. As might be supposed, his terror was inde- 
 scribable. And losing that presence of mind which is 
 under all circumstances a man's best safeguard, he 
 began exercising himself in a manner more becoming 
 a maniac than a rational being. The bees, not fully 
 comprehending his state of mind, became highly in- 
 censed and began to show their anger in the way most 
 natural to bees. They entirely forgot their allegiance, 
 and resentment, or fun, for it is barely possible that 
 they might have had the latter in view, became the 
 order of the hour. At all events, the good man came 
 out of the contest blind, smarting, and declaring ven- 
 geance. As the readiest way of avoiding another 
 such experience, he went forth, that very evening, 
 armed with a platter of burning brimstone, with which 
 he forever stifled their mischievous spirit. Afterwards, 
 his enterprise began to develop in other channels of 
 usefulness. 
 
 One favorite object with Mr. Newhall was the build- 
 ing of roads ; certainly a most valuable object among 
 new settlements. His scene of action lay more par- 
 ticularly in the woods. The great Dungeon Way, as 
 it was anciently called, was a result of his enterprise. 
 And Bonaparte was not more proud of the Simplon 
 than he of that. It traversed the swamps and wound 
 over the hills, and really was a work of great labor ;
 
 150 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 and though rough and obstructed by rocks, quag- 
 mires and stumps, answered a good purpose. He also 
 worked many a day with his cattle in removing ob- 
 structions from the road to Salem, which, for a long 
 time, was choked by boulders and charred stumps. 
 Some of the roads, too, in the principal parts of the 
 settlement, received his attention ; particularly what 
 are now Boston, Federal, Market and Xahant streets 
 of Lynn. He was a man extremely well fitted for the 
 occasions of a new settlement, possessing good judg- 
 ment, without the slightest fear of manual labor. 
 
 But notwithstanding the efforts of Mr. Newhall, the 
 roads were not always found in good condition. Other 
 settlers did not take so much interest as he, in the 
 the matter ; and he often in vain entreated for suitable 
 pecuniary appropriations. By the records of the Quar- 
 terly Court, June, 1G39, we find that " Linn was fined 
 IQs for their bad wayes." It is hardly probable that 
 this refers to moral Avays. And applying it to the 
 highways, it looks a little as if he had given the town 
 a gentle stirring by slily making complaint to the 
 Court. 
 
 Mr. Newhall was a man of capacious mind. But his 
 utterance was not sufiicient for his ideas ; a difficulty 
 experienced by many. A full head and full flow of 
 Avords are seldom found in one person. The reason is 
 that the sluice exhausts the fount. But he often had 
 ideas that no human language was competent to ex- 
 press ; unless, perhaps, some of those graceful Indian 
 words which are long enough to fill half a line, might 
 have answered the purpose. And in his lingual strug- 
 gles he is represented to have really appeared as if 
 his thoughts were endeavoring to woi'k their Avay 
 through such learned words as quttianatamunach,
 
 THOU AS NEWHALL. 151 
 
 kukketassutamoonk, nutabquontamoiinnonog, 
 a^ sagkompagunaiinnean, all of which may be 
 found in Eliot's first translation of the Lord's Prayer. 
 We do not know that there is any particular lesson to 
 be drawn from this peculiarity of his, though it may 
 not be inappropriate to remark that many people who 
 have really meritorious ideas have such an infelicitous 
 way of expressing them that they fail to secure due 
 credit. And, on the other hand, some, by felicity of 
 expression, do very much to conceal their mental 
 poverty. This may be observed quite as often in 
 books as in speech. Voltaire said that words were 
 means by which to conceal thoughts. And with the 
 artful they are extremely effectual means. A little 
 careful practice will enable one to use words with 
 wonderful skill in controverting sentiments that his 
 conduct clearly supports. There are many, however, 
 with heads in which pure wisdom is distilled, so very 
 careless in managing the faucet, that most of the virtue 
 is lost. 
 
 There is certainly more damage done in the world 
 by speaking than by silence. It is very often, for 
 instance, tliat a politician destroys his influence and 
 bars his success, by making speeches, even such as 
 his partisans applaud. There is a silence, bold and 
 stern, that overawes and scares; and a silence, quiet 
 and insinuating, that leads captive. Mr. Newhall had 
 a crooked neighbor who well knew the value of this 
 negative commodity. He had many selfish ends to 
 answer, but was never known to press his claims by 
 rhetorical persuasives. And he has been known to 
 carry a point at town meeting, when every interest 
 but his own was on the other side, by simply keeping 
 silence j accompanying the silence, to be sure, by
 
 152 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 opportune shakings of his clenched fist, that the timid 
 voters might be certified as to what they wert||to 
 expect if they had the hardihood to act against his 
 interest. And if we recollect aright the United States 
 Senate was considerably disturbed, a few years since, 
 by the attempt of a member to control some movement 
 by a similarly unparliamentary efi"ort. In that case, 
 however, there was no fistial display ; the honorable 
 member, to use a popular phrase, only looked daggers. 
 Some men attempt to influence others by appeals and 
 assaults directed to their physical nature alone ; others 
 direct their efi"orts only to the moral nature. But the 
 most successful are those who take judicious cogni- 
 sance of both. 
 
 One excellent habit of Mr. Newhall we desire most 
 strongly to recommend. And that was the habit of 
 making a note of every thing that it was important to 
 recollect, instead ~oi relying on memory, which is not 
 trustworthy even in the best of people. And it is a 
 singular fact that those who are most positive in their 
 assertions based on memory alone, are generally the 
 most unreliable. Indeed, positiveness, in most people, 
 is only a way of fortifying uncertainty or lying. It is 
 a great blemish in a historian to always write in the 
 positive style. Perhaps the most serious defect of 
 Macaulay is to be found in this particular. Our Sub- 
 ject, being a man of probity and rigid carefulness, 
 always carried a crayon wherewith to note down all 
 engagements, important occurrences, or duties. And 
 the wear of the button-hole from which it depended 
 showed that it was much in use. It would be inter- 
 esting to avail ourselves of some of the records he 
 made, in bold strokes, such as : 
 
 " Hunnie com to Widdo Alinn, 1 pownd & hafi"."
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 153 
 
 " Ponder more on y® godlie discourse of M*" Whiting 
 touching sanctification ; & kerry him a load of woode." 
 
 " Kickt y^ boy loe into y^ brooke ffor lyjng, sayjng 
 y* Bridges should haue iijs ffor corne ett by cowe, y^ 
 agr^m* being ijs. Did not mean to kick soe harde. 
 Sorry ffor y*" same." 
 
 '' Git M'' Dexter putt in bilboes ffor prophane talke, 
 sayjng dam y® cowe. But see y*' minister firste." 
 
 " Go to y* tavern, to-night, & iff lohn Olliver is there 
 drounke get him home. Give him pep^'m*^. Take no 
 flipp while there." 
 
 "Pray ffor raine." 
 
 " Ask M"" Whiting his mind on Indjan damnation, & 
 ask him if sinn is sinn whether or no — be itt from ig- 
 norance or hardnesse. Praise his discourse att Good- 
 man Hawkes his funerall." 
 
 (' Digg stumpes, blast rockes, fill hollows and cutt 
 bushes in Middle Roade." [Market street.] 
 
 " Tell William Turner y* he cann not haue Huldah. 
 Saw him in y® tavern drinking flipp." 
 
 " Pay y® D'' for curing feever. Give pork & corne. 
 Haff peck, or pownd each visit." 
 
 " Gather harbes ffor wife to dry." 
 
 "Advise M"" Dexter to eate no more clamms in 
 Aug* and to drink no more blackberrie punch." 
 
 " Deal with boy for evill speache. Pray for him. " 
 
 " Visit Widdow Johnson and kerry meale and one 
 of Huldah's pies. Also dow-nutts. Feed y® hungry. 
 Give drinke to y® thirstie. Not fire water. Also 
 kerry towe cloth enow ffor short gownd. Some of 
 wife's best. Fight the Devill." 
 
 "A jagg of y^ mapil woode to nayboure Burton, by 
 sunn downe, 2d dale." 
 
 " Strong drinke is a cuss. Also tobacka." 
 G*
 
 154 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 But we must forbear making further extracts, and 
 say a word or two on another of our Subject's char- 
 acteristics. 
 
 Mr. Newhall was quite a philosopher, and reflected 
 elaborately on the great purposes of human life, and 
 the events and providences connected with it. Like 
 all persons who exercise themselves in that vvay, he 
 sometimes arrived at conclusions decidedly at variance 
 with the commonly received opinions of mankind. One 
 theory that he held to with prodigious tenacity, may, 
 perhaps, be called the theory of compensations. He 
 conceived that in the great economy, every evil was 
 balanced by a good ; that for every tear there was a 
 smile; for every birth a death; for every bitter a sweet; 
 for every disease a remedy; and so on. Now if we look 
 to a grand average of every thing in creation, perhaps 
 this view is not so untenable. But if we descend to 
 particulars, probably not many would offer their own 
 experience in support of it. Nevertheless, it has been 
 declared a most comforting truth by a profound moral 
 philosopher of the present day. Be all these things, 
 however, as they may, Mr. Newhall derived much 
 consolation from it, and diligently employed many an 
 hour in the effort to search out the compensatory 
 good for the evils and discomforts that beset his path. 
 But we are persuaded that if as he left the world he 
 reviewed the matter, he must have concluded that 
 the place which he was leaving and that to which he 
 was going have their interests connected in such a 
 way that things cannot be entirely squared here. 
 
 "We feel compelled, in view of what has been said 
 of the direct Newhall line, in this country, to at least 
 allude to collateral lines that diverged in the old 
 world. Very eminent and illustrious personages have
 
 THOMAS NEWHALL. 155 
 
 proceeded from some of these. Among others might 
 be named Archbishop Tillotson, Sir William Herschel 
 and Mrs. Hemans ; Gen. Greene, Hannah Adams, John 
 C. Calhoun and Mrs. Madison. And we cannot avoid 
 adding that a sort of prescience possesses us, strongly 
 pressing to the conclusion that but few more years are 
 to roll away before a star of the first magnitude will 
 ascend from the direct line. And we trust that the 
 soil of the good old Third Plantation, on which so many 
 Newhalls, descendants of our Subject, still continue to 
 reside, will be the favored place#f ascent. 
 
 Almost any one who takes a retrospective glance, 
 when about to quit the world, probably perceives that 
 his life has been one of experiments rather than results ; 
 and that he has been inconsistent in all his ways. It 
 has been said that anxiety to appear consistent is evi- 
 dence of a little mind ; a great soul having nothing to 
 do with such a commodity. But if the inconsistent 
 were always great, where should we look for the small? 
 It may, indeed, be true that to cramp one's self for the 
 mere purpose of appearing consistent, is like taking 
 concern for a shadow ; but it is also true that every 
 one realizes the unsafety of relying on a weathercock. 
 While, therefore, truth and right principle should never 
 be forced to yield to mere consistency, it becomes us 
 to be most careful not to stray into patlis that truth 
 and right principle may require us to abandon. 
 
 And this leads us to remark that if there was any 
 thing for which Mr. Newhall strove, through life, with 
 most meritorious consistency and unwavering constan- 
 cy, it was to be in the right way in all his walks. He 
 was extremely careful, in the most trivial as well as 
 important matters, to have his face set aright before 
 he went a-head. By such a course, though he gained
 
 156 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 the reputation, among the impetuous, of moving slowly, 
 he yet moved surely. And he secured a very enviable 
 reputation ; one which gave him a commanding influ- 
 ence. 
 
 And how great is the benefit of such an example to 
 any community. Most men, being too indolent to 
 reflect, submissively follow the lead of others. They 
 do not proceed on principles of their own, and take 
 too little care about the right or wrong of the course 
 of their exemplars. Could such be induced always to 
 follow the lead of qj^e like Mr. Newhall, they might 
 be safe. Still, those who are good from imitation 
 rather than principle, may not be entitled to the high- 
 est ultimate reward. 
 
 This propensity to blindly follow a leader we find 
 developed among men as prominently as among sheep. 
 It is so in matters of the highest interest as well as the 
 more common. Do we not find it in melancholy pro- 
 minence even in religion? Who, in short, is disposed 
 for a moment to dispute that the great bulk of mankind 
 constantly act from habit or imitation rather than prin- 
 ciple ? 
 
 These few concluding reflections began with the 
 intimation that the lives of most men were rather lives 
 of experiments than results. But, turning to our 
 worthy Subject, we are gratified by the sight of one 
 who difi'ered widely froni most men in this respect. 
 His life was rather one of results than experiments. 
 And have we not named such good results of his 
 earthly labors as will render his name more enduring 
 than would a shaft of lying marble, as tall as Pompey's 
 Pillar ?
 
 OLIVEK PUHCHIS. 
 
 " He faine would plant faire Libertie 
 
 her flag vpon this soyl ; 
 And manie, manie hours did he 
 
 in her good service toyl." 
 
 Among the notables who appeared in the Third 
 Plantation at an early day was Oliver Purchis We 
 find by the Colony Records that he was admitted a 
 freeman in 1636. He was born in 1613, and appeared 
 here while quite a young man. But it is not necessary 
 for us to say much of his early life. Perhaps it is as 
 well to go no farther back than the year 1660, at which 
 time he was first chosen Deputy, or Representative, to 
 the General Court. He was then in the vigor of man- 
 hood, being forty-seven years of age. 
 
 The first few days of Mr. Purchis's experience in 
 the hall of legislation, brought under his notice several 
 abuses, as he deemed them ; and he forthwith set 
 about regulating public opinion, preparatory to re- 
 forming them. He began by circulating small printed 
 leaves — for his missives were not entitled to the dig- 
 nified name of pamphlets — among those who could 
 not enjoy the blessed privilege of being within the 
 sound of his voice; much as members of Congress now 
 do with their speeches, though under the disadvantage 
 of not being able to saddle the expense of the circula- 
 tion on the country, through the franking privilege. 
 
 (157)
 
 158 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 The first reformatory attempt of Mr, PurcLis was 
 to abolish corporeal punishment in Harvard College. 
 It may not be generally known^ at this day, that delin- 
 quent students there were sometimes most unmerci- 
 fully flagellated. He insisted that if the custom were 
 not abolished, all the manliness would be finally whip- 
 ped out of the colony. For little children, he said, it 
 might do; but for those old enough to realise the im- 
 portance of learning, every blow was more damaging 
 to the spirit than the back. He urged his points with 
 strong arguments and grotesque diction, qualities that 
 will draw attention to any writing. But his success 
 was not equal to his zeal. Many years rolled away 
 before the walls of old Harvard ceased to echo back 
 the screams of students under the raw-hide dispensa- 
 tions. Yet he had the satisfaction of receiving a vote 
 of thanks from those then exposed to the evil; though 
 that very vote, he afterwards learned, with sorrow, 
 was the occasion of more pitiless whippings than had 
 taken place for a twelve month before. Lucky it was 
 that the day of presentations had not arrived ; for had 
 the poor students been guilty of such an indiscreet 
 manifestation of their gratitude as to have presented 
 him with a shiny pewter tankard, a handsome hour-glass 
 or a glistening brass candlestick, the enraged professors 
 would surely have broken their backs. 
 
 In 168G, Mr. Purchis was chosen Town Clerk. And 
 from that time we find him quite conspicuous in public 
 life. And his character and position at that period, 
 so far as we are able to delineate them from the mate- 
 rials at hand, may be briefly stated in this wise: Though 
 a warm politician, he was respected by his neighbors ; 
 a phenomenon that can only be accounted for by sup- 
 posing him possessed of some overawing traits of
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 159 
 
 greatness. In his domestic relations he was provident, 
 pleasant and generous, though in public life exacting, 
 enthusiastic and stubborn ; characteristics, by the way, 
 not uncommonly meeting in the same individual, anom- 
 alous as it may seem. His bright hazel eyes, as occa- 
 sion demanded, were suffused with tears of pity for 
 the suffering and forlorn, or flashing with indignation 
 on the oppressive and uncharitable. His sinewy arm 
 was bared to protect the weak and to thrust the un- 
 worth}^ from the seat of power. And to crown all, he 
 was deeply pious and very judicious in his zealous 
 efforts to promote the cause of religion. 
 
 In 1688, Mr. Purchis received a grievous mutilation 
 of the left ear. And that organ was never restored to 
 its original comeliness, though its usefulness was not 
 greatly impaired. In its mutilated condition it went 
 with him when he removed to Concord, in 1691. And 
 when he went down to his peaceful grave in 1701, it 
 was still with him, a memento of his patriotic strife. 
 The reader may desire to know how the injury occur- 
 red. And as it was in some sense connected with 
 important political events, it may be useful to alight 
 on the year 1682. 
 
 It was at that time, as the reader is well aware, 
 that serious complaints were made in England against 
 the colonial governments. Some were jealous of the 
 prosperity of the settlers ; some had been unsuccessful 
 aspirants for colonial honors; and so, among these 
 and all enemies of the Charters enough was trumped 
 up to obtain a hearing. 
 
 In June, 1683, Edward Randolph, then public accuser, 
 exhibited against the Governor and Company of Mas- 
 sachusetts, articles of high misdemeanor; whereupon 
 an inquiry was instituted.
 
 160 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 At the opening of the General Court called to sit in 
 Boston, November 7, 1683, the Governor gave notice 
 that since the last sitting of the Court, Edward Ran- 
 dolph had arrived, " & had presented him wth his 
 maj'jes declaration & proclamation, wth the quo war- 
 ranto y' was isued out ag' the Gouno"" & Company, &c." 
 
 The King's proclamation graciously stated, among 
 other things, that though a " writ of quo warranto 
 against the charter and priuiledges claymed by the 
 Gouno' and Company of Massachusetts Bay in New 
 England, by reason of some crjraes and misdemeanors 
 by them comitted," had been issued, yet private inter- 
 ests were not to be damaged ; and if before further 
 prosecution upon the quo warranto they would render 
 " full submission & entire resignation " to the royal 
 pleasure, the Charter might be continued, with altera- 
 tions for such and such purposes. And various other 
 pleasant things did the Merry Monarch say to the 
 misdemeaning colonists. 
 
 These proceedings induced the colonists to look 
 about them with very sharp eyes. Increase Mather, 
 that great father in the New England Israel, declared 
 that it was a plot to make shipwreck of their liberties ; 
 and the country, by complying, would act neither the 
 part of good Christians nor true Englishmen. 
 
 Things did not take a more favoral)le turn that year. 
 And at Trinity Term, 1684, the High Court of Chan- 
 cery gave judgment against the Massachusetts Gov- 
 ernment and Compan}', " that their letters patent and 
 the enrolment thereof be cancelled." So died the 
 Charter which had weathered so many storms and 
 become so dear to the hearts of the people. 
 
 At this juncture, February, 1685, Charles himself 
 was summoned under a quo warranto from the High
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 161 
 
 Court of Chancery above, by the grim messenger 
 Death. And the next April, James II. was proclaimed 
 at Boston. The Charter having been annulled, it be- 
 came apparent that something must speedily be done 
 for the poor colonists. So in the same year, Joseph 
 Dudley was appointed President of the Bay Colony, 
 with- authority to administer the government much 
 after the old fashion, though without a revival of the 
 Charter. This temporary government existed for a 
 few months. And then came a stirring period in 
 colonial political history. 
 
 Massachusetts was not alone in her hard fate. Other 
 colonies had been served much in the same way. And 
 thus stood the governments when in 1686 the notori- 
 ous Sir Edmond Andros was commissioned for the 
 arbitrary government of New York and New England. 
 The infliction of such a government naturally created a 
 great ferment. 
 
 The neat little piece of legerdemain that was prac- 
 ticed when Andros went to Hartford to receive the 
 Connecticut Charter was very amusing to the world. 
 The Assembly was in session. The discussion had 
 been protracted, for Governor Treat had been talking 
 against time, in the forlorn hope, perhaps, that a favor- 
 ing Providence would in some way interpose at the 
 last moment. The precious document had already 
 been brought forth ; and there it lay upon the old 
 oak table looking up from its winding-sheet of green 
 baize with becoming resignation. 
 
 Night had shut in, the candles were lighted, and it 
 appeared as if preparations were made for holding a 
 wake. The final moment for the yielding up of the 
 charter ghost seemed to have arrived. Then, presto I 
 out went all the lights I With the greatest possible 
 
 11
 
 162 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 speed they were relighted. But gas — we mean the 
 illuminating material made from coal, not such as 
 proceeds from the human head — and friction matches 
 not being then in use, a little more time was required 
 than now would be for the same performance. And 
 when the hall was again radiant with the beams of 
 tallow-dips, behold, no Charter was to be found. It 
 had escaped in some mysterious manner. Sir Edmond 
 twitched up the green baize ; it was not under the 
 table. He gazed up to the ceiling; it was not flying 
 about there. Governor Treat gaped and rubbed his 
 knee buckles with the palms of his hands. The Secre- 
 tary puckered his mouth as if he had just bitten a crab 
 apple, and looked bewildered. 
 
 But all these did not bring back the Charter nor 
 discover its hiding place. And the chagrined Andros 
 was obliged to close his eyes that night unblessed by 
 a sight of it. Nor did he ever see it again. He how- 
 ever took formal possession of the government, and 
 annexed it to Massachusetts. But, strange as it may 
 appear, the little- joker afterwards, and just when it 
 was most wanted to save the interests of the Connect- 
 icut people, turned out, safe and sound, from the hol- 
 low of an old oak. Its long sleep had been refreshing, 
 and it came forth with renewed energy. And that 
 tree became much venerated in after years, in conse- 
 quence of the protection it had thus afforded to the 
 fugitive Charter. 
 
 The Charter Oak weathered all the storms and revo- 
 lutions even down to 1856, when it yielded to the 
 irreverent blast. After its prostration it afforded ma- 
 terial enough for more canes than would be needed in 
 giving every rogue in Christendom a caning that the 
 most sanguinary pedagogue now in Connecticut would
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 163 
 
 quiver to behold ; or, had not the halcyon days of 
 snuff taking gone by, to have made snuff-boxes enough 
 to hold material sufficient for sneezing off the head 
 of every man, woman and child in the land. Indeed it 
 possessed, in no small degree, the extraordinary pro- 
 perty of the famed pilgrim ship May Flower. And 
 blessed was the Providence that so endowed that fa- 
 vored ship, for without her wonderful endowment, 
 she never could have brought over, on her renowned 
 voyage, an amount of trumpery that would have loaded 
 down half the British navy. 
 
 It was after the accession of "William and Mary, and 
 the expulsion of Andros, that the Connecticut Charter 
 came out so bright from the old oak. Leading English 
 lawyers gave opinions that the colony had not sur- 
 rendered her Charter; and as there was no judgment 
 annulling it on record, it was not vacated. So the old 
 government was continued. No judgment on record? 
 It was even so. But how there happens to be a hiatus 
 in the English State Records just about where a judg- 
 ment would have been recorded, none can tell, though 
 all can imagine. Connecticut generally seemed more 
 successful in her political moves than her sister colo- 
 nies. She appeared to be a sort of pet child. Perhaps 
 she had some friend at court more powerful than they ; 
 or perhaps the extraordinary power of her soil to 
 supply a certain tropical production, much used in 
 spicing flip, had begun to develop itself, raising hopes 
 that something still more valuable might spring from 
 her wonderful bosom. 
 
 To go back a little. Andros, when he arrived at 
 Boston, in 1686, had with him a squad of soldiers, to 
 enable him to enforce his measures. The number, 
 however, was too small to create much fear. The
 
 164 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 professions of the new ruler were at first kind, and 
 in his intercourse he was affable and conciliatory. 
 These things, however, had but little weight with the 
 colonists, as they could not keep out of view the extent 
 of his powers and the disabilities and inconveniences 
 they labored under from the loss of their charters. 
 Perhaps their feelings prompted them to meet Andros 
 in an antagonistic attitude and to treat his advances 
 in a manner calculated to aggravate his sensibilities ; 
 for he certainly was not altogether a savage as some 
 appear to imagine. 
 
 Andros soon declared that the vacating of the Colo- 
 nial Charters annulled real estate titles ; and that an 
 Indian deed was no better than the scratch of a bear's 
 paw. If he had limited his meaning to mere looks, 
 not many would have dissented from him. But when 
 he insinuated that a bear's title was as good as an 
 Indian's he was shamefully wrong. The people were 
 required to take out new titles or grants. And for 
 these, enormous fees were demanded. This proceed- 
 ing created much excitement. 
 
 Andros also imposed serious restraints upon the 
 press. Newspapers, it is true, were hardly known in 
 the world at that time. There were none in America. 
 The first one here, the Boston News Letter, did not 
 come into existence till April 24, 1704. But little 
 pamphlets and circulars were vehicles of thought; 
 and the restraints were viewed as a great grievance, 
 for people much love to behold their wise thoughts 
 in print. And that love is not always to be deprecated. 
 If the reader suspects that even the book now in his 
 hand was conceived in some such spirit, we shall not 
 attempt to combat his innocent suspicion. 
 
 Sir Edmond also interfered to some extent with the
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 165 
 
 religious observances; among other things, prohibiting 
 public Thanksgiving without a royal order. This was 
 certainly touching our fathers in a tender point. And 
 besides the loss of the gastronomic gratifications at- 
 tending the loved New England institution, the absurd- 
 ity of denying men the privilege of giving thanks to 
 God at any time they might desire, was well calculated 
 to excite minds disciplined as were those in this reli- 
 gious domain ; particularly as there can be but remote 
 danger that people will ever be too forward in oifering 
 thanks to their divine Benefactor. 
 
 This brings to mind a proposition made at one of 
 the religious anniversary meetings at Boston, in 1859. 
 It was, to commence efforts for the discontinuance of 
 our good old annual Thanksgiving. But it grated hard; 
 for people venerate institutions that were dear to their 
 fathers ; especially when they bring luscious banquets 
 to their own tables. And the old " Election," which 
 was abolished in 1830, after having given joy to young 
 and old hearts for about two hundred years, had hardly, 
 as it were, ceased to be wept over. The reason given 
 for the desire to discontinue Thanksgiving was that it 
 had come to be loosely observed. But to abolish it for 
 that would seem to be a weakness, i Why not abolish 
 Sunday, for the same reason ?\ Rather, why not endea- 
 vor to restore the old way? 
 
 This leads us to remind the reader that the Puritans 
 here, early undertook to abolish the observance of 
 Christmas. In 1G51 an act was passed, ordering that 
 " whoever shall be found observing any such day as 
 Christmas or the like, either by forbearing labor, feast- 
 ing, or any other way upon any such account as 
 albresaid, every such person so offending shall pay for 
 every such offence five shillings as a fine to the coun-
 
 166 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 ty." The pretence was to get rid of the evils attending 
 the observance ; but it has been thought that the real 
 object was to show spite towards the English church, 
 which regarded that day as the most note worthy in 
 the whole calendar. The Puritans made many such 
 laws and were fond of attaching to them an array of 
 whereases, which often raised a fog ; though through 
 it the real purpose might sometimes be readily dis- 
 cerned, i^ One should always beware of whereases, 
 however. . There is mischief in the mist ; excepting, 
 perhaps, when they lead off in a mittimus. In that 
 case it is sufficiently plain what they point to. At all 
 events there is one close at hand to explain. 
 
 Under the better spirit of the present age Christmas 
 has come to be quite generally observed by most 
 denominations. And the Massachusetts Legislature in 
 1856 passed a law establishing it as a holiday, whereon 
 the General Court and the courts of law should not 
 sit, and the public offices should be closed. 
 
 Various oppressive burdens besides those named, 
 were imposed, and irrational requisitions made, by the 
 Andros government, to which it is not necessary for 
 our purpose, to allude. And numerous were the im- 
 prisonments made of those who refused to comply 
 with the tyrannical demands. Perhaps, however, no- 
 thing that the new Governor did, created such deter- 
 mined opposition as the ground he took in regard to 
 real estate titles. This touched the colonists in their 
 homes and their pockets. On principles they might 
 not have been so inflamed. 
 
 And this brings us back to Mr. Purchis — or Pur- 
 chase, or Purchiss, as it is variously spelled on the 
 Colony Records — with his mutilated ear. 
 
 Edward Randolph, before named, who was now Sec-
 
 OLIVER PDRCHIS. 167 
 
 retaiy to Andros, having a little spare time, set about 
 looking up a pleasant spot whereon, perhaps, to locate. 
 And presently his beautiful light gray eyes were fixed 
 admiringly on Nahant. This is sufficient evidence 
 that he was a man of taste ; but unfortunately men of 
 taste are not always men of principle. He spent a 
 day in pleasant rambles on the peninsula, with sundry 
 dignitaries of the town. He feasted his eyes upon the 
 charming views and his palate on the piscatory ban- 
 quet liberally spread upon the rocks, under the careful 
 episcopy of Mr. Purchis, in the vicinity of Cold Spring. 
 He quaffed the invigorating breeze, and, Avith a little 
 stimulating addition, the equally invigorating waters 
 of the spring. 
 
 But it turned out that from quaffing one or the 
 other, Mr. Randolph, during the afternoon, became a 
 little jolly, as they used to say. Perhaps it was the 
 delightful air that so exhilerated him. Any way, he 
 became quite antic, and talked and acted in a manner 
 more comical than becoming in one who had held the 
 high office of Public Accuser, in England. Presently he 
 insisted that Mr. Purchis should dance with him, on a 
 flat rock, to which he pointed, in very dangerous prox- 
 imity to the sea. Now Mr. Purchis would as soon 
 have thought of hanging himself as dancing, at any 
 time. And the probability of losing his life would 
 have been no greater under the process of hanging, 
 than under terpsichorean exercises in a place so dan- 
 gerous. He promptly made known to the Secretary 
 his entire unwillingness to engage in any such per- 
 formance. This caused the wind to instantly veer with 
 the merry official. He now insisted upon having a 
 figlit with Mr. Purchis; and divested himself of his 
 outer garment in preparation. But fighting was quite
 
 168 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 as little to the taste of our Subject as dancing ; and 
 he peremptorily declined the challenge. This so in- 
 flamed the impatient champion that he declared his 
 determination to whip somebody, before he resumed 
 his coat. 
 
 Without uttering another word, Randolph made a 
 pass at Mr. Purchis, which, had it fulfilled its design, 
 might have rendered it necessary for the town to 
 choose a new Clerk. But as it was, the wary man just 
 stepped aside, and away went Randolph over the cliff 
 into the sea. The whole company instantly skipped 
 down to the rocks that jutted into the surge, and did 
 their utmost to save him. A repentant wave, which 
 had borne him a short distance into the ofSng imme- 
 diately on his descent, and there amused itself with 
 his stuggles, presently thought best to bear him back 
 for a gentle chafing against the rocks. And while he 
 was undergoing that discipline, they were able to seize 
 him by his floating hair and thus disappoint the sea 
 of its prey. 
 
 And we cannot avoid the reflection that had not Mr. 
 Purchis and his companions been so fortunate as to 
 rescue Randolph, the whole course of political events 
 in New England and New York would probably have 
 been changed ; for it is evident that he was to Andros 
 a sort of evil right hand, 
 
 Randolph came from his experience in the deep but 
 little bruised, and on the whole rather refreshed. He 
 was very cordial in his expressions of gratitude for the 
 deliverance. And they were surprised at his sobriety 
 and good manners during the rest of their stay. 
 
 But how astonished were the entertainers of Mr. 
 Randolph, soon after, to learn that he had petitioned 
 Andros to grant the whole of Nahaut to him. This
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 169 
 
 was repaying tlieir kind attentions with a vengeance. 
 The matter immediately assumed a very serious aspect, 
 as it became apparent that Andros viewed the petition 
 with favor. The town was notified, and informed that 
 they could have a hearing. This was in 1688. A 
 town meeting was forthwith held and a committee 
 chosen to act in the strait. One of the committee was 
 Mr. Purchis ; and a better man could not have been 
 selected. At this time, as before intimated, he was 
 Town Clerk. 
 
 The \\#iole population became excited. There was 
 much more scolding, and, we fear, swearing, than there 
 was during the great Shoemakers' Strike in 1860. Mr. 
 Shepard, the minister, entered zealously into the affair, 
 as well in the pulpit as out. He even appears to have 
 assumed a sort of leadership ; but for such a position 
 it occurs to us he was not well fitted. Calm perse- 
 verance would be far better in such an emergency than 
 rampant zeal. 
 
 During the excitement Mr. Randolph rode out to 
 Lynn, bringing various letters in his pocket and a 
 smile on his countenance. After parleying and pass- 
 ing compliments for an hour or two, it was determined 
 to hold a meeting, at the house of Mr. Purchis, that 
 very afternoon, to talk over matters. And by the time 
 appointed, some half a dozen of the principal men had 
 assembled. 
 
 Randolph had now delivered all his letters and dis- 
 pensed with his smile. And furthermore, he appeared 
 impatient and assuming at the meeting. Perhaps he 
 mistook that as the best aspect under which to open 
 the talk. For an hour or more he was the talker 
 and they were the thinkers ; that is, if silence is evi- 
 dence of thought; it certainly being the only evidence 
 H
 
 170 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 we have, in many grave cases. We know that what 
 Mr. Calhoun denominated a masterly inactivity, often 
 accomplishes a great deal. And so does a masterly 
 silence.' But yet people are sometimes inactive from 
 natural indolence, and silent from mental penury. So 
 a judgment resting on such ground may not always be 
 sure. 
 
 Randolph soon had the mortification to discover 
 that his eloquence, instead of falling like a shower of 
 millstones on their heads, was more like a shower of 
 feathers falling on millstones. They would "ftssent to 
 nothing proposed by him, and were as immovable as 
 the rocks on which they had eaten their chowder at 
 Nahant. And very naturally his anger began to kindle. 
 Presently he so far forgot himself as to hurl epithets 
 of a quality by no means the most select at the heads 
 of those around him. Mr. Purchis was astounded by 
 a terrific one directed at him. And its flight taking 
 place in his own house, his own castle, he felt called 
 upon to assume a clearly defined position ; for having 
 once heard Mr. Shepard read Magna Charta, in Latin, 
 he felt his individuality, his rights and his responsi- 
 bilities. 
 
 The others, still preserving their masterly silence, 
 Mr. Purchis, after fidgeting a little, got upon his feet, 
 and when fairly poised, with his throat cleared and his 
 nose wiped, he opened a battery on poor Randolph, 
 who stood upon the other side of the ten-legged table, 
 that, to use a very vulgar expression, made the feath- 
 ers fly. His arguments and denunciations fell upon 
 that partially bald head like so many fifty-sixes. The 
 Secretary was in his turn astounded. He did not know 
 what to make of it. He threw up his chin, puckered 
 his mouth, grasped his left arm as if a shot had struck
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 171 
 
 it, and in various -wajs manifested great perturbation. 
 But the storm did not abate. 
 
 Presently Mr. Purchis surprised himself as well as 
 all the others by a furious launch at the great Sir 
 Edmond. This afforded a propitious opportunity for 
 Randolph greatly to magnify himself in the eyes of 
 his absent superior. To defend an absent friend is 
 always an act worthy of gratitude. And the infre- 
 quency of so deserving an act renders it the more 
 conspicuous. Randolph instantly perceived his chance, 
 and, availing himself of a lull in the rhetorical tor- 
 nado raised by the other, replied in a way that one 
 rascal might be expected to adopt in defence of a 
 brother rascal. 
 
 For some minutes Randolph spoke in a manner 
 that would not only have crushed to the earth those 
 present, but the whole town, yea, and the whole colony 
 with them, had there been power in the human voice 
 to do it. Beautiful Nahant was probably looming up 
 inspiringly before his mental vision. There is no 
 stronger incentive to eloquence, after all, than the 
 expectation of a commensurate reward. We are sure 
 that it is so at the bar, and beg leave modestly to 
 ask if appearances do not indicate that it is likewise 
 so in the pulpit. 
 
 Simple words not being competent to effect his 
 purpose at once, Randolph resorted to gestures. And 
 these he adopted in threatening variety. But as yet, 
 the table, being between them, was the greatest suf- 
 ferer, meeting the common fate of go-betweens. It 
 danced and creaked under the inflictions; but its antics 
 and complaints were unheeded. All this was perhaps 
 very well as a finality, but as a prelude, the same can 
 hardly be said of it.
 
 172 NOTABI.E PEOPLE. 
 
 Another moment, and with startling suddenness the 
 demure witnesses of the scene were brought to their 
 feet by a horrid shriek from the champion of their 
 cause, hastily followed by Randolph's yelling out, that 
 the ears of his bold antagonist should pay the forfeit 
 of the slanders of his tongue. 
 
 The fact was, the insanely excited Randolph had, 
 with the rapidity of lightning, whipped a little knife 
 from his pocket, and actually almost severed his antag- 
 onist's left ear from his head. The blood ran in a 
 stream, and the poor man danced round as if he were 
 bare-footed on hot iron. His friends instantly gathered 
 around him, and in the confusion Randolph hastily 
 retired, not even bidding them good-bye. Without 
 one moment of fond lingering to contemplate the 
 beauties of the improved landscape, or to reflect upon 
 the result of the friendly conference, he mounted his 
 horse and rode rapidly away, taking a last look at 
 Nabant, as it lay in the misty distance, over his left 
 shoulder. 
 
 Randolph never became the owner of Nahant. 
 
 And the reign of Andros soon terminated. 
 
 It was early in 1G89 that the colonists received intel- 
 ligence of the invasion of England by William, Prince 
 of Orange, for the purpose of dethroning James, who, 
 aside from every other consideration had shown him- 
 self entirely unfit for his position. On receiving the 
 news, the people were elated be3'ond measure, and 
 many from the country rushed to Boston. There they 
 immediately united with the uprising citizens, seized 
 Andros, Randolph, and of their most obnoxious coadju- 
 tors forty or more and imprisoned them. 
 
 The people from the country are stated to have 
 been headed by Mr. Shepard the Lynn minister. And
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 173 
 
 we are inclined to think that on that occasion he did 
 not manifest a particularly meek and lowly spirit, for 
 a writer of that period says, " the country " came in 
 at about eleven o'clock, " headed by one Shepard, 
 teacher of Lynn, who were like so many Avild bears ; 
 and the leader, mad with passion, more savage than any 
 of his followers." And the writer adds that " All the 
 cry was for the Governor and Mr. Randolph." Mr. 
 Purchis and two or three of the dignitaries who had 
 met the Secretary at his house, and who had eaten and 
 drank with him at Nahant on the exciting occasion 
 before alluded to, were there, supporting Mr. Shepard, 
 and it was quite natural that the cry should be for Mr. 
 Randolph as well as the Governor. And had Mr. Ran- 
 dolph been handed over to the disposal of Mr. Purchis, 
 nothing but the great humanity of the latter would 
 have saved him from a worse mutilation than a half 
 severed ear. 
 
 After the Andros government had been thus disposed 
 of, the former magistrates were reinstated to act as a 
 council of safety till authentic information could be 
 received from England. Sir Edmond and some of his 
 right hand men were kept securely, excepting for a 
 brief interval of escape to Rhode Island, until they 
 were ordered home for trial. 
 
 But every thing remained in a turbulent and doubt- 
 ful state till the tidings arrived that William and Mary 
 were firmly seated on the throne. Great rejoicing 
 followed. 
 
 One of the first things that Mr. Purchis did was to 
 illuminate his house. And he came near being a seri- 
 ous loser by his patriotic display ; for one of the un- 
 watched tallow candles in the garret window undertook 
 to play some pranks with a bunch of pennyroyal that
 
 174 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 bung near, which flared up, and indignantly blazed 
 away upon some innocent catnip. And then the catnip 
 must needs run a fiery race upon a basket of mullen 
 leaves. And finally, the spread of the contagion was 
 not arrested till half the roof was burned. 
 
 The people of the Bay Colony were now zealous in 
 their endeavors for the revival of the old Charter or 
 the grant of a new one. The question of the Charters 
 was not, however, immediately acted on. But autho- 
 rit}' was given to the council to administer the govern- 
 ment, till further directions, according to the old 
 Charter. 
 
 That memorable year of smiles and tears, of mystery 
 and sightless zeal, 1692, brought a new Charter for 
 Massachusetts, and it included Plymouth, Maine, and 
 other territory. The Governors under this Charter 
 were appointed by the Crown. And Sir William 
 Phipp was the first Governor. 
 
 And now a new era, as it were, commenced in New 
 England. A fresh spirit seemed to be awakened, and 
 new and enlarged views began to prevail. The people 
 conceived that they had other great problems to work 
 out than those of a strictly religious character ; that 
 temporal interests of leading importance in the wide 
 world demanded their attention; that commerce should 
 be extended, the arts encouraged. Those branches of 
 education more directly bearing on the business of the 
 world began to receive greater care. And the press 
 was looked upon 'as an engine more worthy of being 
 secured for the support of justice in the ever occurring 
 conflicts for popular rights. 
 
 We have spoken of Mr. Purchis as being a Bepre- 
 sentative to the General Court as early as 1660. In 
 1668 he was chosen County Commissioner. He was
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 175 
 
 several years Town Clerk. And at the Court of Elec- 
 tions held at Boston, in May, 1G85, he was elected to 
 the dignified office of Assistant ; but the record adds 
 that he " declined his oath." Now all these things 
 show that he was a man for whom the community had 
 great respect, and in whose judgment and fidelity they 
 relied. And his conduct in the knotty matter of the 
 Eandolph petition showed that he was by no means 
 deficient in courage. 
 
 And now Mr. Purchis must be allowed to prance 
 before the reader for a moment in quite a difierent 
 character. And we must go back some twenty years, 
 for in this sketch we have chosen rather to preserve 
 unity in subject matter than chronological order. 
 
 In 1665 an order was made for the promulgation of 
 a certain declaration under this title : " A declaration 
 by the General Court of his majestjes colony of the 
 Massachusets Bay in Now England." With the decla- 
 ration itself the reader would not be interested. But 
 with another order, that followed, we are certain that 
 the case would be different. It was this : " And it is 
 hereby ordered & desired that the declaration shall be 
 published by M^ Oliuer Purchis on horse backe, by 
 sound of trumpet, &, that Thomas Bligh, the trumpeter, 
 <fe Marshall Richard Wajte accompany him, & y* in the 
 close he say, wth an audible vojce, ' God saue tho 
 king.' " Now it was no hardship for Mr. Purchis to 
 declare the matter of the order ; nor was it probably 
 any hardship to have his trumpet blown, either literally 
 or metaphorically. But as to the closing supplicatory 
 ejaculation, that was not quite so easily disposed of. 
 There is, however, always some back door of escape 
 from the performance of an unpleasant duty. lie was 
 no partisan of Charles, having many a time made him-
 
 176 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 self hoarse by huzzaing for Cromwell and the Common- 
 wealth. And, providentially, on the very day when 
 he was to perform his duty, a powerful cough came to 
 his rescue ; and what was a little remarkable in its 
 operation, a spell was sure to seize him, just as he was 
 about to pronounce the last word. So, during the 
 explosion, something would gurgle out, that might 
 have been interpreted king, curse, or commonwealth — 
 whichever the hearer might most strongly desire to 
 have saved. 
 
 Mr. Purchis received many compliments for his dig- 
 nified manner and stentorian enunciation, as well as 
 much sympathy on account of his tormenting cough. 
 One benevolent dame followed him for a quarter of a 
 mile, with her tow cloth apron thrown over her head, 
 to recommend a curative syrup that she had lately 
 concocted, and to offer him a present of some if he 
 would call on his return. And not the least remarka- 
 ble thing about the cough was that it disappeared as 
 suddenly as it came. Immediately on his return from 
 his official airing, his lungs were at rest; and that 
 even without a resort to the syrup. 
 
 We have just alluded to Mr. Purchis's attachment to 
 the Commonwealth. And in connection with that 
 point in his character it seems appropriate to relate 
 an occurrence that took place as early as 1660, and 
 which was greatly approved of by his patriotic towns- 
 men. By very shrewd management he saved from 
 arrest an eminent fugitive who sought shelter beneath 
 his roof. 
 
 On a cold evening in the winter of that year, just as 
 Mr. Purchis had drawn up his great flag-bottomed 
 chair in preparation for partaking of his evening meal, 
 which was already smoking on the table, he was a little
 
 OLIVER PUECHIS. 177 
 
 disturbed by a loud rap at the door. He hastened to 
 obey the summons, and found upon the step a venerable 
 looking stranger. His hair fell in silvery curls over the 
 stiff collar of his coat, and his three cornered hat was 
 brought low upon his head, as well, apparently, for the 
 purpose of concealing his countenance as protecting 
 his ears from the chill wind. He stood erect, and his 
 whole presence was commanding. His dress was of 
 the finer kind of cloth, and though plain, exhibited no 
 sign of poverty in the wearer, save that an outer gar- 
 ment, of which he was destitute, would have been 
 desirable on so cold a night. He carried a formidable 
 staff, though it did not seem necessary for his support. 
 
 As the stranger manifested considerable impatience 
 to be within doors, and cast hasty and anxious glances 
 up and down the street, Mr. Purchis began to have his 
 suspicions aroused, and so placed himself in the door- 
 way as if taking a position to defend the castle. Per- 
 ceiving this, the man smiled, and looking the other 
 directly in the eye, said a few words, in a low tone. 
 But those words were talismanic. The door instantly 
 flew wide open, and the brawny arm of the lord of 
 the mansion was thrown around the stranger, who 
 was drawn with irresistible force into the spacious 
 hall. Then the door was shut and securely barred. 
 And then and there, in that cold, dark hall, might have 
 been heard the echoing emphasis with which the ex- 
 pansive hands of the patriotic townsman were brought 
 together, and his stentorian voice exclaiming : 
 
 " God-a-man ! Thou art welcome ! Thou siialt lodge 
 under my roof! Thou shalt eat of my bread, and be 
 warmed by my fire ! The Devil hath set snares and 
 traps for thee, but we will deliver thee out of them! 
 Go to, thou damned ones 1 " 
 
 H* 12
 
 178 liOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 Then it was agreed, in whispers, that the stranger 
 should be known as John Rivers, a traveler, while he 
 remained. This settled, Mr. Purchis grasped the oth- 
 er's hand with a fervor that admitted of no doubt of 
 his sincerity, and led him into the great kitchen. With- 
 out a formal introduction he whispered a few words to 
 the older persons, and for the ears of the little pitchers 
 had something to say in more audible tones about 
 friend Rivers, the traveler, who perhaps might tell 
 them of his wonderful adventures. 
 
 They all sat down to the well supplied board, and 
 the stranger, seeming to forget his fatigues and dan- 
 gers, conversed with a freedom and pleasantry that 
 charmed them all. Even the young folk quite forgot 
 their sweet cakes in his sweeter words. 
 
 After supper, Mr. Purchis and the new comer with- 
 drew to the little back room that was warmed by the 
 kitchen fire, and there, by the dim light of an aromatic 
 bayberry candle, remained for an hour or more in 
 earnest conversation. Occasionally the excited set- 
 tler's hands would be brought together with terrific 
 force, and he would let down a withering denunci- 
 ation upon the heads of the " hunting devils." 
 
 But the conversation ended, and Mr. Purchis came 
 out of the room leaving the other there with the candle 
 and a book. Without saying a word he put on his 
 great fox skin overcoat and grotesque, fur cap, and 
 strode down to the principal store in the village, 
 where he very diligently employed himself for an 
 hour or two in picking up all the news there was 
 afloat, all the while exercising the utmost discretion 
 in concealing all knowledge of the precious life pro- 
 tected by his roof. Digesting what he had learned, 
 on the way home, by the time he reached his house,
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 179 
 
 he had become a little agitated, but concealed his state 
 of mind as much as possible. He had another private 
 interview with the stranger, and at its close conducted 
 him to the little corner chamber in which he was to 
 lodge, and which was directly over his own bed-room. 
 After bidding him a good night he carefully closed 
 the door, and as he was doing so, in an emphatic whis- 
 per, charged him if he heard a certain noise in the room 
 beneath, which had been agreed on as a signal of dan- 
 ger, to start with the utmost speed, and to be sure 
 that he took the right road. 
 
 At a seasonable hour the Avhole household retired, 
 and presently all was still. But Mr. Purchis was 
 watchful and apprehensive. 
 
 About midnight, as the moon was near setting, 
 two or three individuals, closely muffled, made their 
 appearance, and concealing themselves in the shadow 
 of the house, close to the window of the very room in 
 which Mr. Purchis was lying, not, however, sleeping, 
 held a short conference, speaking in low tones. But 
 there happened to be a broken pane near the head of 
 the bed, and it was not difficult for the one reposing 
 there, with his quickened senses, to distinguish some 
 parts of the conversation. Presently they turned the 
 corner of the house and loudly rapped at the door. 
 
 Hardly had the rap been given, when Mr. Purchis 
 slipped from his bed and silently raised the window. 
 Then he seized the little table, and with all his might 
 dashed it against the wainscoting. This done, he 
 jumped out of the window, and at the top of his speed 
 rushed up the street. The villains at the door cauglit 
 sight of him, as he designed they should, and gave 
 chase. It was a spirited race. 
 
 Mr. Purchis had not a shred of clothes on, with the
 
 180 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 exception of his short under garment, his night-cap 
 and shoes. His long legs, disencumbered as they 
 were, stood him in good stead, and he easily distanced 
 his pursuers. Nevertheless, he occasionally slackened 
 his pace, lest they should give over in despair. The 
 gallant race was continued for nearly two miles, he, 
 conscious of his superior powers of foot, keeping just 
 within a tantalising distance ahead. 
 
 By this time, however, he began to fail a little in 
 wind, and a range of friendly pines whispering their 
 willingness to afford him shelter, he dodged into cover. 
 
 The moon went down, and he had no difficulty in 
 making a detour and reaching his home in good time, 
 all of a fine glow from his healthful exercise. But 
 what was most satisfactory, his venerable lodger had 
 in the mean time escaped, and was at that moment, 
 no doubt, warm in bed at his new retreat. And where 
 that was, our hero knew well enough, for he was not 
 absent so long in the evening for nothing; nor was 
 his last conference with the stranger without a pur- 
 pose. 
 
 - That stranger was GoiBf the Regicide. 
 / "Whally and Goff, as is well known, reached Boston 
 about the middle of the year 1660, and remained dodg- 
 ing around there, and in the vicinity, mostly at Cam- 
 bridge, for eight or nine months, or until they got off 
 to New Haven. During that time they had many hair- 
 breadth escapes, for there were numerous rascals, who, 
 under pretense of loyalty, but really to obtain such 
 rewards as they might, were ready like hounds to hunt 
 the poor Judges, and if possible deliver them into 
 hands that would delight in shedding their blood. It 
 appears that on the day when Goff so suddenly ap- 
 peared at Lynn, he had narrowly escaped capture, and
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 181 
 
 had made his way on foot from Cambridge. And his 
 uneasiness on reaching the house of Mr. Purchis is 
 accounted for by his apprehension that he was pur- 
 sued. 
 
 And now a few more words regarding the legislative 
 career of Mr. Purchis. At a General Court held in 
 Boston, in May, 1685, he, with seven other wise men, 
 was appointed " to revise the laws and especially such 
 as have binn made since the last comittee had the 
 pervsall and revisall of the body of them, and to make 
 a returne at the next Court of Election." So it seems 
 he was called to lay " his huge paw on the statute 
 book," to use the expressive phrase of the immortal 
 Someone, that fell so movingly on the sensitive ears of 
 the politicians in the exciting presidential campaign of 
 1840. 
 
 Massachusetts has always had a propensity to keep 
 revising her statutes ; and, we might add, a propensity 
 always to keep them in a state to need revising. Over 
 legislation has been her weakness. She has been al- 
 most smothered under her laws. And had it not been 
 for the safety valve afforded by the power of one Legis- 
 lature to undo what its predecessors had done, it seems 
 as if she must have breathed her last long ago. 
 
 In 1860 another revision was published. And it is 
 hoped that it may fare better than its predecessors, 
 retaining its identity a little longer. The hope, indeed, 
 resolves itself into expectation, in view of the fact that 
 the members of the Legislature are now paid the round 
 sum of three hundred dollars for the whole session, be 
 it long or short, instead of so much a day, with the 
 privilege of extending the session to any length. The 
 new arrangement, which went into operation in 1858 
 has already had a wonderful ellect in shortening the
 
 182 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 period of their labors. We have been particular in 
 mentioning this, on account of the useful lesson in- 
 volved. 
 
 One other thing: By referring back it will be found 
 that Mr. Purchis and his coadjutors were required to 
 make return to the next Court. This was having the 
 thing done up in time. Those employed on the 18G0 
 revision occupied some five years. It may be said 
 that their labors were great. But that may possibly 
 be met by the reply that the same could not be said of 
 their industry. 
 
 But revising commissioners, before our day, have 
 been caught lagging. The records of a General Court 
 held as early as 1640, contain this : " Whereas, a brevi- 
 ate of lawes Avas formerly sent fourth to bee considered 
 by the elders of the churches & other freemen of this 
 comon welth, it is now desired that they will endevor 
 to ripen their thoughts & counsells about the same by 
 the Generall Court in the next 8th mo." That, how- 
 ever, does not appear to have been, strictly speaking, 
 a revision. But it is worth mentioning, on account of 
 what is disclosed regarding the deference paid to the 
 elders of the churches in forming the laws. From the 
 little heed taken of that class now-a-days, in such mat- 
 ters, one would imagine that the element they repre- 
 sent was not considered of much account in law 
 making. 
 
 The first revision of the statutes, under the consti- 
 tution, was made in 1822; the next in 1836. And 
 every year since, the Legislature has inflicted such an 
 avalanche of new laws, and made so many alterations 
 in the old ones, that the lawyers have been obliged 
 to be more industrious than was ever before charac- 
 teristic of the profession, to keep up in their reading.
 
 OLIYER PURCHIS. 183 
 
 And we are not at all surprised that some have been 
 driven to suicide. Dr. Johnson declared that he could 
 always discover when an authorj^ad amended his 
 writing, it being impossible to avoi^eaving imperfect 
 joints. But in our amended laws, it would require 
 great sagacity to discern which is patch and which 
 original. 
 
 And the Bay State legislatures have certainly, during 
 the last few years, made unmerciful havoc with old 
 principles. Perhaps in no particular has there been 
 more upheaving than in what relates to the connubial 
 connection. The tendency of our legislation, and the 
 same may be said of legislation in other states, has been 
 to make separate, if, indeed, not antagonistic, the in- 
 terests of husband and wife, in regard to property. 
 It can by no means now be said that husband and wife 
 are one in law. And it must necessarily follow, that 
 if all other interests are made separate, the connection 
 itself will by the very force of circumstances, be made 
 easy of severance. If this thing goes on for many 
 years, gaining as it has of late, the marriage relation 
 will come to be regarded both popularly and legally 
 as a mere civil contract capable of being dissolved 
 at any time by consent of the parties themselves — 
 instead of a status, the continuance of which should 
 not be determined against the interests of society at 
 large. We very much question whether the tendency 
 of these things is not to disturb the peace of families 
 without rendering an equivalent. Indeed, can any 
 thing compensate for the destruction of domestic 
 peace ? The union of husband and wife should be 
 as perfect as possible. And the declaration of the 
 elegant writer and sound moralist of a century and a 
 half ago, that in his opinion separate purses between
 
 184 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 husband and wife are as unnatural as separate beds, 
 might be profitably heeded. 
 
 Legislatures h£M| great power, and we often see that 
 they not only exercise what they have, tyrannically, 
 but assume what they do not possess. Jefferson said, 
 in a letter to Madison, as early as 1789, that the exec- 
 utive power of our government was not alone to be 
 feared ; that the tyranny of the legislature was then 
 most to be feared and would continue so for many 
 years. And the truth involved in this is conspicuous 
 in our day. 
 
 The assertion that every man who is fond of fun is 
 a good man, may not be true. But it is true that 
 every good man is fond of fun. Fun, however, should 
 not so monopolise our being as to crowd out all other 
 virtues, as sometimes comes near being the case. In- 
 deed it often appears with an individual as if he were 
 so crammed with this or that particular excellence 
 that no room was left for any other ; much as it might 
 be with a boy when half through his Thanksgiving 
 dinner. 
 
 Mr. Purchis had a well balanced fondness for fun, 
 and as he loved it in moderation, so he loved it in 
 purity. Now there is enough of the commodity in the 
 world, and any one who is disposed to search a little 
 can find it in plenty. But Mr. Purchis did not need to 
 spend much of his valuable time in the search, for he 
 knew just where to look for it. He was favored above 
 that numerous class who are doomed to spend one 
 half of their lives in unsuccessfully searching for the 
 blessing named, or some other, and occupy the other 
 half in lamenting that they cannot find it. 
 
 The General Court was the great fountain of fun 
 from which Mr. Purchis drew abundant supphes. And
 
 OLIVER PURCHIS. 185 
 
 the inspiration thus received did not subside during 
 his life. Many a winter evening did he spend, Avhen 
 gray headed, in entertaining his neighbors with reci- 
 tals of the funny occurrences there while he graced 
 one of the seats. It is astonishing how long, in most 
 memories, such things will retain a place, after more 
 weighty matters have faded away. 
 
 He became quite noted for his narrations, and being 
 always sure to attach some excellent moral to them, 
 was regarded as a sort of village Gamaliel. The 
 schoolmaster frequently urged him into school, to 
 instruct the little ones from his stores of wisdom. 
 And he never arose to deliver his talk, as he modestly 
 termed it, without the little eyes sparkling and the 
 little ears erecting. 
 
 But it would not perhaps be desirable to extend this 
 sketch, though other interesting events in the life of 
 Mr. Purchis press forward for notice. It however 
 gives us great pleasure to dwell on such a character, 
 a character wherein the merits so far transcend the 
 failings. It is to such as he that we are indebted for 
 the noble foundations of our greatness and prosperity. 
 And let no one who values the blessings that crown 
 these days, sneer at those sturdy fathers whose hard- 
 ships browned their visages and |«^rled their hands, 
 and whose knowledge of the polite arts and the learn- 
 ing of the books was, in most instances, necessarily 
 circumscribed. 
 
 In closing, we feel bound to remark that Mr. Pur- 
 chis had eccentricities. And it is not to be disguised 
 that these gave occasion for some to speak evil of him. 
 Now in a moral point of view, it is perhaps better 
 for one not to be spoken of at all, than to be spoken 
 against; in other words to remain unknown rather
 
 186 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 than to be known through evil report. And it is cer- 
 tainly most congenial to the honest and sensitive to be 
 spared from censure though it might be maliciously 
 and falsely bestowed. Indeed there is no one, how- 
 ever brave he may think himself, wdio is not disturbed 
 by animadversions, Avhether just or unjust. But if we 
 take the matter in a mere Avorldly point of view, one 
 had better be talked against than not talked about. 
 It is, moreover, quite clear that for some purposes it 
 is even better to be traduced than praised ; for by 
 being set down among rogues one may get the sympa- 
 thy of that brotherhood, and they being largely in the 
 majority, he might receive the more aid and comfort. 
 Why, what would a politician, for instance, do without 
 a crew of slanderers at his heels ? though perhaps in 
 this illustration it might be more exact to say, instead 
 of slanderers, dispensers of unsavory truths. But we 
 have no disposition to insinuate that Mr. Purchis had 
 any reprehensible ambition, or desire to manufacture 
 a reputation in any illegitimate way. His course was 
 straightforward and manly. 
 
 As before observed, Mr. Purchis removed to Con- 
 cord in 1691, and died in 1701, at the age of " foure 
 score yeares & viij." The eve.ning twilight of his 
 existence was ser^ and happy. Though he was away 
 from most of those who had longest known him and 
 could consequently the better appreciate his virtues, 
 yet the christian resignation of his parting hour af- 
 forded an example that all who wept around him could 
 comprehend and were constrained to admire.
 
 THOlMi^S DEXTEK. 
 
 " Lo ! quick beneath his lustie arme, 
 
 the antient forest falls ; 
 And o'er its bounde the noble fiirme 
 
 distends its circling walls." 
 
 We jQnd Mr. Dexter in the Third Plantation as early 
 as 1630. And being one of those destined to make a 
 sensation wherever they may be, we are enabled to 
 catch glimpses of him through a long series of years. 
 The early municipal records having been destroyed, 
 however, it is not easy to give a full account of his 
 life. To the colony records we are indebted for most 
 of the certain knowledge that survives respecting him. 
 
 It must be acknowledged in the outset that Mr. 
 Dexter, at least in his earlier life, possessed an irascible 
 temper, and that his moral principles were not always 
 BufBcient to restrain his pugnacious propensities ; a 
 condition by no means uncommon in this irritating and 
 irritable world. One of the earliest incidents in his 
 life here, was a quarrel with Gov. Endicott. And it 
 seems to have originated in a dispute about the proper 
 season for trimming that immortal pear tree brought 
 over by the latter, and wljich the newspapers of this 
 day every year inform us yet flourishes on what is 
 still called the Endicott Farm, in Danvers. In regard 
 to the difficulty, however, we arc glad to say that the 
 aggression seems to have come from the testy magis- 
 
 (187)
 
 188 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 trate, for Mr. Dexter appeared as complainant. It 
 may be mentioned, in passing, that Endicott was not 
 Governor at the time the affair happened. At a Court 
 of" Assistants, held in Boston, May 3, 1631, a jury was 
 empanneled to inquire concerning the " accon of bat- 
 try, com])layned of by Thomas Dexter against Capt. 
 Endicott." And the verdict was : '* The jury findes 
 for the plaintiffe and cesses for damages xls." We do 
 not therefore perceive that in this matter much should 
 be set down to the discredit of Mr. Dexter. 
 
 An unbecoming exhibition of temper in Mr. Dexter 
 took place in 1632, The record of the Court of As- 
 sistants, thus discovers its nature : '' It is ordered that 
 Thomas Dexter shalbe bound to his good behav"" till 
 the nexte Genall Court, & fSned \l. for his misdemean' 
 & insolent carriage & speeches to S : Bradstreete, att 
 his owne howse ; also att the Genall Court is bound to 
 confesse his fault." It does not exactly appear what 
 he did about confessing his fault. But we are justi- 
 fied in a favorable conclusion for the Court seems to 
 have been graciously inclined at the term held Nov. 7. 
 At that time there were " iiij^. of Tho : Dexter's fine 
 of vl. forgiven him." 
 
 And we find still another case, which, judging from 
 the severity of the penalty, was deemed of a peculiarly 
 aggravated character. At a Court holden March 4, 
 1632, it was disposed of in this wise: "It is ordered 
 that Thomas Dexter shalbe sett in the bilbowes, dis- 
 franchized & fiined xU. for speakeing repchfull & sedi- 
 tious words against the goum' here established, & 
 findeing fault to dyv^'s wth the acts of the Court saye- 
 ing this captious goum* will bring all to naught, adding 
 that the best of them was but an atturney, &c." This 
 was really a severe punishment; the disfranchising
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 189 
 
 feature especially. Nor was the fine of 40 Z. a small 
 matter, particularly in those days. And the ignomini- 
 ous exposition in the bilboes was of no light character. 
 What part of the rigor is attributable to his slurring 
 allusion to " an atturney/' we cannot say. But the 
 utterance seems to indicate that some law-mongers 
 were not very highly estimated. And the distaste for 
 lawyers so early manifested in the Plantation seems to 
 have existed for many years. The venerable Benja- 
 min Merrill, who died in Salem, in 1847, and who Avas 
 for a long period one of the brightest ornaments of the 
 bar appears to have been the first regular lawj'^er who 
 settled in Lynn. He came in 1808. And a few years 
 before his death he informed the writer, that soon after 
 opening his ofiice, which was in the lower room of a 
 modest dwelling house, a deputation of the citizens 
 waited on him with the request that he would remove 
 from town ; giving as a reason that they had usually 
 lived peaceably and were apprehensive that the incom- 
 ing of a lawyer betokened the outgoing of quiet and 
 good-neighborhood. Now Mr. Merrill was a gentle- 
 man distinguished for excellence of feeling and suavity 
 of manner. So he politely informed them that he cer- 
 tainly should not remain against their Avishes ; and 
 presently removed to Salem, where he lived for many 
 years, prosperous and greatly respected. 
 
 But to return to Mr. Dexter : The severe punishment 
 awarded him clearly proves that the people of his day 
 had not the blessed privilege of railing at government 
 with the impunity that people of this day have. But 
 here, again, good fortune attended him. A record of 
 the General Court, Sept. 6, 1G38, referring to certain 
 doings in 1632, says: "4 M'"ch Tliom: Dexter being 
 fined iOl. there was 301. of it remited to him." The
 
 190 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 fourth of March is a lucky day, as well as an honorable 
 one in American annals. 
 
 But it is not agreeable to dwell on occurrences like 
 those named ; occurrences that impel us to the afore- 
 said acknowledgment that our Subject was unfortu- 
 nately possessed of an irritable temper. However, his 
 antagonists seem to have been among the more emi- 
 nent personages. If a man must fight, it is more to 
 his credit to grapple with a worthy adversary. " Capt. 
 Endicott" and "S: Bradstreete" were Governors under 
 the first Charter, the former in 1644: and the latter in 
 1679. And his assaults upon the government show 
 that he shot among lofty game. Yet he may have 
 engaged with more lowly adversaries, differences with 
 them being adjusted without the intervention of the 
 august courts ; for, after all, irritable people are not 
 usually very particular in choosing their antagonists. 
 
 There is no doubt that Mr, Dexter was a man of en- 
 terprise and public spirit. "We find him zealous in the 
 furtherance of every operation promising to be of 
 public benefit, particularly when connected with his 
 own personal advantage. Enterprise, indeed, was a 
 characteristic of the family from the time when their 
 great progenitor began the manufacture of Dutch 
 cheese, in North Wales, down to the time when the 
 renowned Lord Timothy sent warming-pans and skates 
 to the West India market. 
 
 And the men of enterprise, after all, are those who 
 are most frequently in difficulties with those about 
 them. Many oppose them from selfish motives and 
 many from jealousy. Quiet and indolent people have 
 little opposition to encounter. They do not jostle 
 their neighbors because they do not stir among them. 
 If a person never steps he will not tread on the toes
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 191 
 
 of others. And by never stirring, be accomplishes 
 little or nothing. True, the old saw teaches that the 
 deepest water runs stillest. But passing by the im- 
 portant question recently agitated, whether still water 
 runs at all, it might be suggested that something de- 
 pends upon the quality of the bottom. 
 
 Some people are so given to planning and the 
 changing of plans that they arrive at the time to die 
 before they have fixed on a way to live. It seemed 
 necessary, however, for Mr. Dexter to change or 
 supersede some of his plans, for two or three were of 
 such magnitude that had he been required to live a 
 sufficient time for their accomplishment, he would not 
 at this hour have been beyond middle life. 
 
 One or two of his enterprises certainly arose to 
 the sublime, if, indeed, they did not shoot a httle into 
 the adjoining territory. And on the whole, we are 
 persuaded that under conceivable circumstances he 
 might have become as conspicuous as Walter Raleigh, 
 Cromwell, or Van Tromp. But in the pent up Third 
 Plantation he was simply Farmer Dexter. Are not 
 characters formed by circumstances? Had Franklin 
 been bound as apprentice to a shoemaker in some 
 country village, is it probable that he would ever have 
 been known as any thing more than a jolly cordwainer? 
 Why should there not be jovial Franklins in village 
 shops as Avell as mute Miltons in country churchyards? 
 
 Mr. Dexter did much service in clearing away the 
 woods, fencing pasture land, and reducing the richer 
 acres to an arable condition. That excellent kind of 
 fencing, the cobble-stone wall, still so common in the 
 Bay State, was put in requisition at a very early pe- 
 riod. Indeed, in clearing the lands, these walls could 
 be laid very cheaply ; and were so easily repaired and so
 
 192 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 durable, that for miles hardly any other kind of fencing 
 was in use. Many of the walls laid by the first settlers 
 still adorn the landscape, mossy with age but enduring 
 in strength. And many a valuable land title has been 
 established by these unsubornable witnesses. 
 
 Not long ago an important cause was decided in the 
 Supreme Court, wherein an ancient stone wall on land 
 that once belonged to Mr. Dexter, and the line of which 
 is still visible, was made, through the mirage of the law, 
 to loom up in a manner most perspicuous and satisfac- 
 tory. And it is not improbable that the worthy Subject 
 of this biography himself assisted in laying that very 
 wall. Perhaps, also, an occasional set-to with a boosy 
 workman, served to relieve the monotony of the labor. 
 Alrac, when so fiercely battling the Romans, declared 
 that he was always at peace with stone walls. With- 
 out stopping to inquire whether they were fortress 
 walls, with which, no doubt, he found it expedient to 
 be at peace, we proceed to remark that Mr. Dexter 
 was not only at peace but in love with stone walls of 
 the kind just now under notice. He was a lusty and 
 accomplished hand at their erection, and so substantial 
 was his handiwork, that on one occasion, in 1G58, the 
 frost, which had for several years been trying in vain 
 to level a small piece, was forced to call to its aid a 
 spirited young earthquake before the end could be 
 accomplished. 
 
 In common with all men of public spirit, Mr. Dexter 
 was not always successful in inducing others to think 
 as he did. Had it not been for this difficulty, some 
 of the wonderful improvements that have been re- 
 served for this age would have gladdened the eyes of 
 our great-grandfathers. And some others that now 
 never will be made would have cheered the same eyes.
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 193 
 
 Lynn Beach, that lovely extent of glittering sand and 
 curious pebbles and shells, which the old geographer 
 declared it worth a voyage across the ocean to see, 
 would have had a sea-guard that all the sapping and 
 mining power that old Neptune had at his command 
 could not have overthrown. Mr. Dexter foresaw the 
 encroachments that the ungovernable billows would 
 make, as soon as the trees were removed ; and saga- 
 ciously considering that in the abundance of material 
 then at hand, an impregnable barrier could be erected 
 at comparatively little cost, set about compassing the 
 object. But the colonial authorities viewed the matter 
 with indifference. And magnates of the lesser spheres 
 thought the undertaking altogether too great to be 
 engaged in. Some ridiculed the project. But ridi- 
 cule is one of those weapons that none but the most 
 skillful should attempt to use. 
 
 A member of the General Court, who had given an 
 airing to his powers of irony in a speech concerning 
 the proposed erection, during an afternoon session, 
 got a blow in the face, on his way home, a little after 
 dark, that sent him staggering against a rail fence. It 
 was never ascertained who gave the blow, though a 
 great noise was made on account of such a daring 
 assault being made on a public functionary. It is not 
 even clear on whom suspicion most strongly rested. 
 
 Mr. Dexter arrived home rather late that night. 
 But there was nothing particularly suspicious in that. 
 Neither was there any thing particularly suspicious in 
 the fact that in the morning one or two small patches 
 of skin appeared to have escaped from the knuckles 
 of his right hand ; for work upon stone walls is apt 
 to occasion injuries of the hands. But there was a 
 little something calculated to awaken suspicion in his 
 I 13
 
 194 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 tart reply to the goodwife who at the breakfast table 
 sympathetically inquired how he had so injured him- 
 self — " Ask me not, ask me not, dame. The pain will 
 not be yours to bear." 
 
 Perhaps, however, Mr. Dexter would have been 
 more successful in securing his end had he not con- 
 nected with the project named another so unquestion- 
 ably chimerical as almost to create a doubt as to his 
 sanity. Indeed he loaded his omnibus so heavily that 
 it could not be dragged. This latter enterprise was 
 to clear off all the trees and other vegetation on Egg 
 Rock, shovel the surface earth into the sea, and then 
 boat over sufficient yellow loam to form a miniature 
 plantation. But what he expected to raise there that 
 could not be better produced on the main land, we 
 are entirely at a loss to determine. "We however 
 conclude, from something found in Obadiah Turner's 
 journal, that he fancied he could there raise a kind 
 of cane that would be useful in chair making and which 
 required, in growing, a constant and abundant saline 
 evaporation. Any way, by perseverance during au 
 entire season he managed to get a considerable quan- 
 tity of new earth there. The lonely keeper of the 
 light house, has now the benefit of his wonderful labor. 
 And when tliat functionary contemplates his stunted 
 cabbages and wilted squash-vines, listless upon their 
 beds of red sorrel, he should drop a tear to the memory 
 of Goodman Dexter. 
 
 The project of Mr. Dexter for the erection of the 
 sea-wall, was put forth and received as an enterprise 
 for the public benefit. But yet, it is not difficult 
 to perceive its connection with a private interest. 
 He had purchased Nahant from an Indian chief and 
 naturally had an eye to the improvement of his newly
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 195 
 
 acquired possession. And this we must set down as 
 indisputable evidence that he was a shrewd,, wide- 
 awake man ; for do we not award such a charactet to 
 those among us who manage in exactly the same way ? 
 
 Another scheme of Mr. Dexter, was to straighten 
 Saugus river. Any one ignorant of the course of that 
 stream, by taking a look from the highlands in the 
 vicinity, will at once conclude that there is need 
 enough of its being straightened. First, it appears to 
 have made up its mind to run this way. Then, after 
 going some rods, it seems to have found it expedient 
 to go back and take a fresh start. Again, it diverges 
 to the right, as if determined to run up the hills and 
 off towards Boston. Soon repenting of this, it flows 
 rapidly back and keeps on towards the left as if bent 
 on undermining the cedar hills on the bounds of Lynn. 
 In short, for a mile or two, it seems aiming to illustrate 
 the picturesque or endeavoring to elucidate some oc- 
 cult geometrical problem. 
 
 The account given by the Indians of the formation 
 of this river, is worthy of being considered. They 
 gravely informed the settlers that when the Great 
 Spn-it had got the earth nearly prepared for its garni- 
 ture, he happened to be walking around one fine morn- 
 ing, somewhere up at the north, and espied an enor- 
 mous serpent, basking in the sun, among some spare 
 boulders. Seizing one of the boulders, of many tuns 
 weight, he hurled it at the monster. Unluckily the 
 aim was imperfect, and the serpent started, with great 
 speed, for the ocean. His assailant, however, rapidly 
 followed, dealing a blow whenever within reach. And 
 it was only by exercising all his powers, both of speed 
 and cunning, sometimes dodging back, between tlio 
 legs of his pursuer, and somotimos gHding to the right
 
 196 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 or left, that lie was finally able to reach the sea. The 
 earth not then having quite hardened, the serpent's 
 body sank somewhat ; and thus was ploughed the tor- 
 tuous channel of Saugus river. 
 
 The Indians added that there were accounts of the 
 serpent's having been occasionally seen near the shore, 
 after the country became inhabited, and of some being 
 afraid to go out in their skiffs for fish. What reflec- 
 tive mind will fail to connect the wonderful serpent 
 here spoken of with that pet of summer visiters to 
 the coast of New England, the Sea-serpent? And 
 what pious mind will fail to connect them both with 
 that old serpent, the Devil, who is ubiquitous ? 
 
 There is some obscurity about Mr. Dexter's object 
 in straightening Saugus river, though he seems to have 
 had something connected with mill privileges in mind. 
 His purpose, however, might simp)ly ha^ve been to 
 make straight the crooked ways of nature. But be 
 that as it may, he was no more successful in obtaining 
 public aid here than in his beach enterprise. And there 
 is little wonder, for he overdid the thing, running into 
 the same weakness that defeats many Avorthy objects 
 in these days. Perseverance is much more effectual 
 than zeal, with one who desires to obtain public favor. 
 Some of the witnesses whom he produced made most 
 extraordinary statements while under oath before the 
 Court. Among other things it was sworn that five 
 people who lived in the vicinity had been made cross- 
 eyed by looking on the river. 
 
 In his private enterprises, Mr. Dexter's genius some- 
 times outrode his resources. In other words, he could 
 not always find the means necessary to carry out his 
 plans, and so found himself, now and then, in the wil- 
 derness of pecuniary embarrassment ; a condition uu-
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 197 
 
 fortunately by no means uncommon with the most 
 enterprising in all times. 
 
 Perhaps the most notable of Mr. Dexter's specula- 
 tions was the purchase of Nahant from the Indian 
 chief who did honor to the euphonious English name 
 of " Black Will." That charming headland, now so 
 extensively known and as extensively admired as a 
 watering place, where on every hand rise the costly 
 villas and nestle the unique cottages of the sons of 
 fortune ; and where, during the warm season, congre- 
 gate the beauty and fashion of the land — that gem of 
 the blue ocean, with its magnificent cliffs, its silvery 
 beaches and green uplands, was, in 1630, sold by Black 
 Will to Mr. Dexter for a suit of clothes and a jews- 
 harp. The parties occupied nearly a whole day in 
 settling the details. And it was not till Mr. Dexter 
 had gone four miles into, the woods and played six 
 tunes on the harp, before the assembled tribe, to con- 
 vince them that the tongue was not leather, that he 
 was able to procure what he conceived to be a suffi- 
 cient title-deed. 
 
 There was nothing remarkable in the mere act of 
 purchase. It was the after rumbling that elevated the 
 matter to the position of an important event. The 
 town treated the bargain as a nullity, declaring, An- 
 dres like, that Will's deed was no better than the 
 scratch of a bear's paw. And vexatious litigation 
 soon began to drag its slow length along. The cause 
 was finally determined against Mr. Dexter; but not 
 till years after Will had worn out the clothes. The 
 jewsharp, however, survived, but in a damaged state. 
 By constant use it soon lost its tongue and was then 
 sold to a neighboring chief for land enough to make a 
 modern farm, the purchaser coveting it as a personal
 
 198 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 ornament for a favorite squaw. So Will was safe from 
 making restitution, when the title failed. And as to 
 the quarrel between his grantee and the town, he 
 cared not a crow feather which beat in that. He no 
 doubt thought himself shrewd. And why should he 
 not be praised for his shrewdness as well as good 
 christian people when they conduct in like manner ? 
 
 Nahant was by no means the only land purchase 
 that Mr. Dexter made of the Indians. He also bought 
 a large tract lying about a mile north of the iron works. 
 For this he gave an iron kettle, a pewter spoon, four 
 pumpkin seeds, and one of those never failing jews- 
 harps. Our ancestors early found that music had 
 charms for the savage ; and had they possessed a 
 dozen hand organs, they could at once have made 
 themselves owners of half the continent. The worst 
 thing about this purchase w^s, that the Indian and Mr. 
 Dexter, while perambulating the bounds, got into a 
 quarrel. Their combat took place at the edge of a 
 swamp, near a growth of dogwood, and fortunately or 
 unfortunately they seized the weapons nearest at hand, 
 and both became so poisoned in using them that they 
 were laid up for three weeks. The gross amount of 
 punishment was about equally divided between them. 
 And it would be highly beneficial to have all such 
 quarrels terminate as equitably. 
 
 Mr. Dexter's purchase of Nahant, as before inti- 
 mated, like some of his other speculations, did not 
 turn out to be very profitable. The town having dis- 
 puted his title, the matter was kept fermenting in the 
 cauldron of the law for a good while, till it finally settled 
 bright and clear against him. A survey of the whole 
 peninsula was then ordered, and it was laid out in lots, 
 which were distributed among the inhabitants. But
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 199 
 
 the litigation concerning Nahant lands did not end 
 with Mr. Dexter. A taste was reserved even for this 
 generation. The surveyors were too liberal in certain 
 instances, here and there throwing in little tracts to 
 compensate for deformities and deficiencies of nature. 
 As the land increased in value and the proprietors 
 began to look up their rights, it was found, on mea- 
 suring, that in this or that range of lots there was 
 more land than was required to give each his portion. 
 And as it is generally as difficult to manage a surplus as 
 a deficiency, disputes arose as to the ownership of the 
 overplus, at once perplexing and irritating. There 
 was much scolding ; and as to fighting, that has not 
 ceased to this day, at least such as could be carried on 
 by the more genteel weapons of the law. Some, not 
 apprehending the true cause of the difficulty, declared 
 that the earth had grown since the original surveys, 
 and that the increase should be disposed of as a gra- 
 tuity bestowed by nature. The more the land in- 
 creased in value, the more obstinate and acrimonious 
 became the controversies. And though at this day 
 most of the territory is in undisputed possession, yet 
 in regard to the few outstanding claims, it may be said 
 that they are contended for with a zeal which, did it 
 characterise men's efforts to secure possessions in Para- 
 dise would surely not prove unavailing. 
 
 Myriads of cod fish sported in Massachusetts Bay at 
 the time of the early settlements. The noble promon- 
 tory now known as Cape Cod took its name from this 
 circumstance. They were easily taken, and soon came 
 to furnish a profitable article of export. A hardy and 
 industrious race of bay fishermen, of whom the Third 
 Plantation furnished her full share, were early known. 
 And from them ultimately grew the foreign marine of
 
 200 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 New England, the indomitable naval material, the riglit 
 arm of our nation's defense. In the early stages of the 
 fishing business — to say nothing of the late — many 
 a shrewd landsman furnished the means for outfitting, 
 and in return had the lion's share of profits. 
 
 And this leads to the statement that we have a lurk- 
 ing apprehension, from certain facts that have turned 
 up during our historical researches, that Mr. Dexter, 
 in company with his enterprising fellow townsman, 
 Thomas Laighton — he from whom the Laighton Bank 
 takes its euphonious name — went into the cod fishing 
 business, exported the fish to Barbadoes, and, we say 
 it with blushes, sold them for rum. This w^as a kind 
 of trade that flourished amazingly, among the morally 
 pretentious colonists at a certain period. * 
 
 The partnership of Dexter and Laighton did not ex- 
 ist for a great while, the former becoming dissatisfied 
 with the result of some speculations. They kept a small 
 store in a little frame building that stood where Ex- 
 change Building now stands, on Market street. And 
 the business of the store Avas left almost entirely to 
 Mr. Laighton's management. 
 
 Now Mr. Laighton was a confidence man — not in 
 the modern acceptation of the term, for both he and 
 Mr. Dexter were scrupulously honest — but a man 
 confident of his own abilities. He was famous for 
 laying down maxims for the guidance of human con- 
 duct ; and generally, when he showed his sincerity by 
 acting on them, found his interest more or less com- 
 promised. He laid it down as an invariable rule, for 
 instance, that a rogue can never look an honest man 
 straight in the eye. Now rogues are not usually 
 bashful and can often look honest men out of counte- 
 nance. It is the naturally diffident, such as are com-
 
 THOMAS DEXTER, 201 
 
 monly found among the most innocent, who are apt to 
 cast their eyes downward. As Mr. Laighton held 
 tenaciously to this maxim it was not remarkable that 
 he should as well put it in the converse form, assuming 
 that all who could look others in the eye, were honest. 
 The absurdity is patent in this form if not in the other. 
 It would be a better maxim to adopt, that all who 
 boast of their ability to discern character in any such 
 way, are of the unsophisticated school with whom the 
 worldly wise profess to be less inclined to deal than 
 with rogues. 
 
 We remarked that the store was almost entirely 
 under the management of Mr. Laighton. And he did 
 not, as do the more ambitious traders of the present 
 day, deem it important, excepting in the most busy 
 season, to be very constantly at his post. He was 
 to be found there on rainy days, evenings, an hour or 
 two at noon, and at various odd intervals. Sometimes 
 his neighbors would desire articles at such hours as 
 the store was closed. They must then look him up at 
 his house, in some workshop or on some field of public 
 duty ; or, perhaps, they would find him seated in the 
 shade of a tree, conferring with Mr. Dexter on their 
 mutual interests. And being found, he might hand 
 them the store key, and bid them go and help them- 
 selves, making a charge of what they took, upon the 
 day book, which was usually kept lying open on the 
 counter, blurred and blotted by maple molasses and 
 sanded with dust and meal. But he was never known 
 to thus trust one who could not look him straight in 
 the eye. 
 
 We think these things quite sufficient to justify our 
 assertion that Mr. Laighton was a confidence man. 
 But there must have been a blessed state of society at
 
 202 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 that time. If one of the traders whose elegant stores 
 are now upon the very spot he occupied should fall 
 into his way of conducting business, the whole capital 
 of Laighton Bank, the good settler's own memorist, 
 would not keep him afloat for six months. 
 
 We have alluded to this foible of Mr. Laighton, more 
 because of its singularity in such a character, than 
 from any particular instruction that is to be drawn 
 from it. He was really a man of excellent parts ; had 
 keen perceptive powers, much natural intelligence, 
 and a good judgment, well disciplined by a varied 
 experience. And his moral integrity was unques- 
 tioned. For a number of years he filled the office of 
 Representative to the General Court with credit to 
 himself and usefulness to his constituency. The foible 
 named only goes to confirm the truism that there can 
 be no human character without its weak point. Taken 
 for all in all, if one third of the people .in the world 
 were as good as Mr. Laighton, the human family could 
 boast of a much better average than we find. 
 
 The store was an unpretending edifice, without paint 
 or clapboards, and the front was adorned with odd little 
 signs of different lengths and widths, announcing that 
 '' Corne Meale," '' Candells," " Salte ffish," " Tooles," 
 and " Towe Cloth," were for sale within ; and also 
 that "Pype Staves," " floope Poles," and " Cydar," 
 would be taken in exchange for " goodes." 
 
 A noble beach tree stood in front of the shop door, 
 spreading its patriarchal branches to a great extent, 
 and bestowing the blessing of refreshing shade. Near 
 its trunk were sundry rough troughs for the conve- 
 nience of baiting hungry horses. And an oaken bucket, 
 benevolently provided for transporting water from a 
 spring that bubbled up from beneath a rock on the
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 203 
 
 other side of the road, hung alkiringly on a peg in 
 the tree. It was an inviting spot to way-worn man 
 and beast. And often of a summer noon an eminently 
 picturesque scene was there presented. , A rude bench 
 stood on either side of the shop door, for the conve- 
 nience of those village fathers who at evening assem- 
 bled to discuss the news and debate on public affairs. 
 And there, while considering their glorious privileges, 
 they would occasionally become so elated, as sponta- 
 neously to break forth in songs of pious joy, such as 
 would echo over the little pond that quietly smiled in 
 its rushy zone a few rods west of the store, and roll 
 murmuringly along the distant hills. And then the 
 whole surface of the water would become studded 
 with the green heads of charmed bullfrogs, who, emu-, 
 lous of harmonious sounds, would, after putting forth 
 their best endeavors, and failing to satisfy themselves, 
 sail away to hide their diminished heads. It is said 
 that Plato had such a perverted ear, or practical mind,- 
 that he desired to banish the heavenly maid from the 
 commonwealth. Luckily it was not so with our fathers, 
 for had it been they would have failed to possess one 
 of the most effectual of all means for subduing the 
 savages. 
 
 At the risk of being charged with digressing — a 
 thing of such rare occurrence*in this volume — we are 
 constrained to say a word about a very singular arti- 
 cle that it has been said Mr. Liiighton at one time wore 
 for the protection of his head, and of the distressing 
 event that induced its adoption. 
 
 The article in question was a racoon skin, all in full 
 fur, worn as a wig, with the tail hanging down behind, 
 like an ill-shapen cue. 
 
 And the disaster which rendered it necessary for
 
 204 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 him to adopt some such head dress may be briefly 
 related in this way : 
 
 One warm day Mr. Laighton was cutting white pine 
 wood in the I^ungeon Pasture. He had trimmed some 
 of the larger limbs from a huge tree and cleared away 
 the rougher bark, preparatory to felling it, when, being 
 much fatigued, he concluded to partake of his noon 
 repast and then indulge in a little rest. Having ac- 
 complished the first, in pursuance of the latter, he 
 threw oif his hat, and seating himself near the devoted 
 tree, soon fell fast asleep, his venerable head, often 
 weary from carrying its great burden of knowledge, 
 falling back against the trunk. His sleep Avas sound, 
 for he had an undisturbed conscience, and somewhat 
 protracted, insomuch that when he awoke, the declin- 
 ing sun and cooled air betokened the near approach 
 of night. A little startled, he was springing to his feet, 
 when his head was almost wrenched from his shoulders, 
 •and he perceived that by some unaccountable means 
 his meridian member had become a real estate fix- 
 ture. He put all his philosophy at work to solve the 
 mystery. It did not seem consistent that his head 
 should have suddenly died, leaving his body alive ; so 
 he would not entertain such an idea. Nor was it more 
 rational to suppose that his head was determined to 
 have a little more of thaft sweet sleep, in spite of the 
 disturbances of its wakeful adjuncts. 
 
 In making a second effort, however, his eyes became 
 literally opened, and so widely, that it seemed ques- 
 tionable whether he would ever be able to close them 
 again. The mystery was solved. 
 
 From the wounds he had inflicted on the tree, the 
 pitch had copiously flowed ; and as the air cooled it 
 had hardened, holding the matted body of his hair as
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 205 
 
 firmlj as the scalp held the roots. His condition was 
 any thing but agreeable, no effort that he was able to 
 make, giving the slightest promise of release. He had 
 no knife, and the slow process of relieving himself by 
 his hands, even were it possible to endure the pain and 
 keep his arms in the agonising position necessary, for 
 a sufHcient length of time, seemed entirely out of the 
 question. He might have starved to death or been 
 eaten up by wild beasts before he could have effected 
 any thing in that way. 
 
 By all that appeared he would be obliged to remain 
 a prisoner at least for the night, and perhaps be forced 
 in his crippled condition to defend himself against sav- 
 age beasts and satanic emissaries, the woods at that 
 time abounding in such gentry. In the extremity of 
 terror, arising from reflection on his dangers, he roared 
 out in such a strain as to induce the most terrific re- 
 sponses from far and near. 
 
 Presently, with mingled feelings of joy and appre- 
 hension, Mr. Laighton perceived, stealthily emerging 
 from the thicket, a stalwart Indian. The red man 
 grinned at his contortions, and approached with some 
 boldness, for he could perceive from the writhings of 
 the body and the fixedness of the head, that from 
 the latter at least there was not much to be feared. 
 Mr. Laighton at once hailed his red brother, and gave 
 him to understand that he desired a little christian aid. 
 But this appeal not exactly striking home to the dusky 
 heart, as was indicated by a surly grunt, he without 
 more ado threw himself upon the Indian's generosity 
 and honor as a man, a fellow being; taking, in short, 
 the course that very many do when they are in a 
 strait and cannot help themselves. And the since- 
 rity of Mr. Laighton's appeal was evidenced by a copi-
 
 206 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 ous flow of tears. It used to be said that tears were 
 a great dread to the Indians ; and that nothing on 
 earth could cause them to shed any, but the tooth 
 ache. Be that as it may, Mr. Laighton succeeded in 
 gaining the friendly offices of the one who had so 
 opportunely appeared. 
 
 " Me vum," growled the savage, " Master Lakum in 
 ye stocks, jest as poor Indjan was. Now me give him 
 a dam preach." 
 
 This last was in allusion to the circumstance that 
 when that same Indian was once undergoing the use- 
 ful discipline of the stocks, Mr. Laighton had his chris- 
 tian sympathies so stirred that he stood for an hour 
 in the broiling sun lecturing him on the danger of his 
 sinful ways. 
 
 The red rascal now planted himself before his victim, 
 and went on with a " preach," more plain than pleasant. 
 It contained all the tattle and slander that he had 
 picked up during his many visits to the settlement. 
 The charge on which the dusky orator dwelt with the 
 most passionate ardor was that of his having sold a 
 leather tongued jewsharp to an Indian. But another 
 charge, which seemed to be considered hardly sec- 
 ond in importance to this, was that of his having, in 
 conjunction with Mr. Dexter, sent Indian prisoners, 
 taken in the wars, to the West Indies, with their 
 salt fish, and sold them for the same sort of return 
 cargo that they sold the fish. That such nefarious 
 things were done by some of the christian colonists 
 Ave are afraid is undeniable. But there is no reason 
 that we can find to suppose that any thing of the kind 
 was ever done hereabouts. This Indian had probably 
 somewhere heard of the horrible traffick and used the 
 information to embellish his discourse. And do not
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 207 
 
 we behold, in these enh'ghtened times, quite as ques- 
 tionable a way of embellishing often resorted to ? 
 
 The dusky orator's discourse was delivered with 
 great unction. And haying finished, he drew his knife, 
 saying, " Now me let Master Lakum out ye stocks." 
 
 With a ceremony in imitation of the proceedings on 
 the release of a culprit from the stocks, and brandish- 
 ing his weapon in a mysterious way, the Indian ap- 
 proached the tree. Scarcely had he looked down on 
 that defenseless head, when all the sanguinary impulses 
 of his cruel nature became aroused. And he could 
 not resist the temptation to become possessor of one 
 more white man's scalp. With the rapidity of light- 
 ning his knife flew to its favorite work; the Avarm 
 blood gushed along the artistic curve ; and then, in 
 completion of the labor, he set up a frightful yell, at the 
 same time pricking his victim in the back. Mr. Laigh- 
 ton, not doubting that the savage intended to kill him 
 outright, gave a desperate spring. And away he went, 
 freed from durance and freed also from his scalp, with 
 the speed of a camel, off towards Tomlins's Swamp. 
 And there remained the grinning Indian unloosing the 
 venerable scalp from the old pine tree. 
 
 The red villain was never seen in the Plantation 
 afterward. 
 
 Mr. Laigliton's dreadful wound healed in due time. 
 He found it convenient to adopt the comical substitute 
 before named, the racoon skin, for the natural covering 
 of his head ; and though singular in its appearance 
 it excited mirth in no one, for all knew of the calam- 
 itous event that called it into use. 
 
 We remarked, a few pages back, that there is cause 
 for suspicion that Messrs. Dexter and Laigliton wore 
 engaged, to some extent, in that discreditable Barba-
 
 208 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 does traflSck. The Barbadoes rum was the true " fire 
 water" of the Indians. And it was imported in such 
 quantities as to become a terrible scourge to New 
 England, not only as regarded the colonists themselves 
 but also the miserable Indians. Had Hugh Peters seen 
 things as they certainly were here at one period, his 
 conscience never would have permitted him to make 
 the boastful statement that he did to Parliament, to 
 wit, that he had lived seven years in New England, 
 and had not heard a profane oath nor seen a drunken 
 man in all that time. These seven years were probably 
 from 1635 to 1642. And it gives us pleasure to add 
 that most of his time was spent in the vicinity of the 
 Third Plantation. 
 
 But there seems to have come from Barbadoes 
 something besides fire water, that greatly troubled 
 the colonists. The first Quakers that appeared in 
 New England came from that productive island ; the 
 first, at least, who openly professed themselves of that 
 order. It was in 1656 that Ann Austin and Mary 
 Fisher arrived and commenced promulgating those 
 doctrines that ultimately created such a ferment. 
 
 A biographer never fully performs his duty without 
 treating to some extent of the personal appearance of 
 his Subject. The reader is always pleased with this, 
 for if the character is a worthy one, it facilitates his 
 power to trace resemblances in himself; and if an 
 unworthy one it aids him in the pleasant occupation 
 of tracing resemblances in his neighbors. 
 
 In Mr. Dexter's physical construction there was 
 nothing very remarkable. His forehead was full, with 
 a vertical wrinkle or two, rather expressive of con- 
 flicts within. His gently bulging nose, slightly rubi- 
 cund, and shining as if kept well varnished, stood out
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 209 
 
 in rather more than ordinary prominence from the facial 
 plain of sandy red. His eyes were gray and deeply set 
 in their sockets, surrounded by ruddy circles, indica- 
 tive of inflammation, occasioned, it might be, by expo- 
 sure to the weather; or, perhaps, by overstraining 
 from looking at Saugus river. His hair was thick and 
 bushy, and while he was yet in middle life, took pity 
 on the lonesome condition of his eyes and changed so 
 as to bear them company in color. He interposed no 
 obstruction to its growth, in defiance of the law for- 
 bidding that any man's hair should extend below his 
 ears, and kindly avoided disturbing its equanimity, 
 on ordinary occasions, by any comb finer than his 
 spread fingers. His noble beard, too, was treated 
 with great consideration. He would as soon have 
 thought of clipping his ears as that. In form, he cer- 
 tainly approached the faultless. His chest was broad 
 and full, and his arms and nether extremities would 
 have done honor to a gladiator. On the whole, we 
 feel fully justified in pronouncing Mr. Dexter a man 
 of more than ordinarily commanding presence. 
 
 We have remarked that we hold it important for a 
 biographer to describe the physical peculiarities of his 
 Subject just as they are, and given cogent reasons 
 therefor. And it is desirable further to say that in 
 these days of scientific light a more perfect idea of 
 character may be thus formed than by any details of 
 actions. The old fashioned idea that a man's doings 
 are to certify what his character is, has exploded. His 
 phrenological or physiognomical developments are to 
 determine the question. And we have found it neces- 
 sary in keeping pace with the progress of science to 
 somewhat mar the fair face even of our big Bible by 
 annotations. For instance, after Dr. Trapplescorn, the 
 
 14
 
 210 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 phrenologist, was here, against the passage declaring 
 that by their ivorks we may know men, we had to put, 
 " Mem. By their heads we must know them." Then 
 came Dr. Addlesop, the physiognomist, and we had to 
 put again, "Mem. 2d. By their /aces we must know 
 them." After Professor Hodgcapp, the geologist, was 
 here, against the passage in Exodus, xx. 11, " For in 
 six days," &c. we had to wi'ite, '' For in six periods 
 each of six hundred thousand years, more or less," &c. 
 True, it made mischief in another way ; for what be- 
 comes of the seventh da}^, the good old Sabbath which 
 men for so many ages have delighted to honor? But 
 then what is the Sabbath when it opposes the theo- 
 retical deductions of masters in science? 
 
 Like most men of philosophical turn, in the matter 
 of dress Mr. Dexter thought less of appearance than 
 of comfort or convenience. As it was said of one that 
 he did not live to eat but ate to live, so of our Subject 
 it may be said, he did not live to dress but dressed to 
 live. His coat of gray woolen was indulged with an 
 airing on Sundays and other notable occasions. And 
 his brown velvet small-clothes, with their graceful 
 continuances, all fashioned in the father land, received 
 the same favors, illustrating the benefit of being ad- 
 junctive to greatness. But the every day habiliments 
 of Mr. Dexter were not such as to distinguish him as 
 a Brummel. A homespun frock, from beneath which 
 protruded a pair of boots of uncurried leather, enor- 
 mous in size and grotesque in shape, and a scarf of 
 striped cloth about the neck Avere the chief things 
 observable, save the round topped hat, with immense 
 brim, flabby and flapping. As he walked, that brim 
 would beat on his shoulders like an elephant's ears; 
 and if he ran, it would play such pranks as to greatly
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 211 
 
 offend the eyes. To obviate this difficulty, he some- 
 times resorted to the expedient of passing a piece of 
 cod-line over the crown and tying it under the chin ; 
 thus making all taut, as the sailors say. And when- 
 ever this was done the rebellious eyes would readily 
 return to duty, congratulating the ears on their pros- 
 pect of protection from the cold. 
 
 We have said something of Mr. Dexter's ancestry ; 
 and a Avord or two may be added. He belonged to a 
 very ancient family, which can be traced to the times 
 of the Plantagenets. In the reign of Edward III. they 
 stirred up great political strife in Anglesey, and one 
 restless spirit would have found his head and four 
 quarters suddenly parting company had he not claimed 
 benefit of clergy. The success of the claim proves 
 that though be may have been a villain he yet had 
 some learning ; probably about the amount that makes 
 it a dangerous thing. At any rate he had some, for 
 no one was entitled to that inestimable benefit, who 
 could not at least write. That singular subterfuge, 
 the cegis under which every species of roguery flour- 
 ished, and which from its origin in the Middle Ages, 
 continued for centuries, sprang from the mysterious 
 reverence for learning which even now is often found 
 to exist in the uncultivated mind. Any criminal, even 
 up to a murderer, could escape punishment from the 
 temporal power, by claiming his benefit of clergy, 
 though he may have been already convicted in a -law 
 court. On setting up the claim, he was handed over 
 to the ecclesiastical power, which, perhaps inflicting 
 the terrific punishment of excommunication, let him 
 run. If he was sufficiently learned to write his name, 
 he was entitled to the Ijenefit, though he mitiht not he 
 able to intelligibly read his Bible, or was beyond caring
 
 212 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 for its teaching if he could. And progressive Massa- 
 chusetts seemed to have waked to a similar reverence 
 for learning when in 1857 she amended her constitu- 
 tion so as to deny the right of voting to those who 
 could not read and write. 
 
 Perhaps the benefit of clergy would have shed its 
 sanctified light on our day had not tliat magnanimous 
 sovereign, Henry VIII., shaken off the old popish har- 
 ness because his Holiness would not sanction his 
 villanies in the matrimonial line. The unswerving 
 determination of Clement VII. to firmly oppose such 
 great wrongs as those committed by Henry, made the 
 world stare, and should have been more justly repre- 
 sented and more honored than it has been by some 
 historians. When he knowingly lost the allegiance of 
 a kingdom, by a course of unflinching justice, as in- 
 stanced in the cases of Catharine of Aragon and Anne 
 Boleyn, something better should be said than that he 
 had no political sagacity and was not fit to govern. 
 It should have been said that he chose rather to lose 
 England, with all her power, than sanction the dis- 
 graceful immorality and meanness of her sovereign. 
 But mankind have not yet arrived at that blessed con- 
 dition where it is possible for some individuals to 
 conceive that others can have such a strong sense of 
 right that temporal advantage cannot overcome it. 
 Such Ephrairas do not understand how any one can 
 do right merely because it is pleasing to God and 
 their own consciences. 
 
 But we are admonished to draw this sketch to a 
 close. Little has been said of Mr. Dexter's domestic 
 relations, and little need be said. He did not rear a 
 large family ; neither was he childless, A faw very 
 worthy descendants might be named, showing that
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 213 
 
 what was lacking in quantity was amply made up in 
 quality. In most families the rule works the other way. 
 When the head begins to whiten it is time for the 
 asperities to begin to soften. But is not the reverse 
 most frequently the case? Mr. Dexter, in his old age, 
 had the reputation of being somewhat testy. And he 
 certainly did occasionally flourish his staff in a manner 
 better calculated to repel than attract, and express his 
 views in a tone that evinced little anxiety to keep his 
 affairs private. Now an ill-tempered old man is a 
 very pitiable object ; almost as much so as an ill-tem- 
 pered old woman. But things are often called by 
 wrong names. We are persuaded that our Subject 
 was to a considerable extent misunderstood ; though 
 we frankly admitted in the outset that, unfortunately, 
 he was quick of temper ; a failing by no means always 
 evidence of a bad heart. He grew old; and having 
 been in his progress through life so constantly sub- 
 jected to the rougher usage of fortune, to the super- 
 ficial observer he might have seemed as if the kindlier 
 sympathies of humanity had been beaten out of him. 
 Yet, we. insist upon it, he had a heart capable of being 
 deeply touched by real wo. He would, indeed, like 
 the great moralist who flourished a hundred and more 
 years after him, laugh or scold at one who complained 
 of the minor annoyances of life ; of heat or cold ; of ill 
 or even scant fare; of the ordinary aches and pains; 
 more especially, he gave no quarter to such as suffered 
 from wounded pride or defeated ambition. But no 
 one was more ready than he to visit the widow and 
 fatherless when truly afflicted, or to minister to all such 
 as were in real distress of mind, body or estate. And 
 are there not many such around us, who yet pass with 
 the uudiscernino: as mean and unfecliua;?
 
 214 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 It is a great comfort to a man to have a high appre- 
 ciation of his own value in the world. And besides 
 being a comfort to himself, how agreeable it renders 
 him to those with Avliom he associates. Very much. is 
 lost by undue modesty. And we are glad in being 
 able to point to Mr. Dexter as one who was not par- 
 ticularly prone to the too common weakness of under- 
 valuing himself. About all the great achievements in 
 the world are effected by two classes : First, those 
 who deem themselves mere instruments of Providence, 
 placed here to accomplish certain work to which they 
 are specially ordained, without any power of them- 
 selves to change their course ; and being unceasingly 
 guided towards the great object. These generally 
 work with zeal, in view of meriting the high prize of 
 the approbation of their great Director. Napoleon 
 Bonaparte was one eminent example of this class. 
 And Martin Luther was another. The second class 
 embraces those who appear to think that they of them- 
 selves are equal to any thing ever heard of in the world, 
 and grapple with the greatest enterprises, as most wor- 
 thy of their efforts, fully persuaded of their own power 
 to will and to do. It is not necessary to give exam- 
 ples of this class ; they are common enough all about. 
 But it may be well to add that Mr. Dexter appears to 
 have been by nature located with these latter. Mixed 
 characters accomplish least. 
 
 That Mr. Dexter was a little off the track occasion- 
 all}^, in other respects than those named, it should in 
 honesty be admitted. But we are happy to believe 
 that he sowed his wilder oats in early life. In the 
 records of the Court held at Boston, October 1, 1G33, 
 we find this: '' It is ordered that S^'ient Perkins shall 
 carry 40 turfes to the ffort as a punishmt for drunkenes
 
 THOMAS DEXTER. 215 
 
 by him comitted." And, " Also, it is ordered that 
 Thomas Dexter shalbe ffined xxs. for the hke offence." 
 It will be observed that this false step took place at a 
 very early period. And though some twelve years 
 afterward he appears to have been fined as " a common 
 sleeper in meetings," we have abundant reason to 
 conclude that he forswore his cups. Had he been an 
 intemperate man, he certainly could not have accom- 
 plished what he did, for we have the conclusive autho- 
 rity of scripture for saying that such err in vision and 
 stumble in judgment. And who will say that Mr. Dex- 
 ter erred and stumbled in those ways, save in the few 
 instances we have been faithful to name. No, no, 
 he must have reformed, if, indeed the instance record- 
 ed, were not a solitary instance of inebriation during 
 bis whole life — a mere inadvertence, such as happens 
 not unfrequently in these days, according to the state- 
 ments constantly heard in our courts. 
 
 As has probably been inferred, Mr. Dexter was 
 rather inclined to change in his pursuits. The adage, 
 " A rolling stone gathers no moss," was as well known 
 in his day as it is in this.i But he was sensible enough 
 to realize that the stone might have some pleasure in 
 rolling, and that there were many things to be prized 
 more highly than the moss of mammon. ! 
 
 The normal state of man is laziness. Thus we see 
 that in those countries where little or no exertion is 
 necessary to procure a livelihood, men pass their time 
 basking in the sunshine, like crocodiles. Industry is 
 one of the most excellent of all acquisitions, for it 
 opens to the individual numerous sources of enjoy- 
 ment and adds materially to the progress of the species. 
 Mr. Dexter was a most industrious man. There was 
 no stagnant blood in his veins. And being shrewd
 
 216 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 enough to observe that those who work with their 
 hands alone, generally remain in penury, he constantly 
 availed himself of the efScient services of the brain. 
 Both brain and hands were kept in vigorous motion. 
 
 ! And we have seen something of what he accomplished. 
 
 ■ But it is a shame on any man to be industrious merely 
 to accumulate wealth, to be hoarded up or expended in 
 dainty food and costly raiment, to say nothing of more 
 sensual indulgence. If no higher purpose can call 
 one's energies into action they might as well remain 
 dormant. We have seen how unselfish Mr. Dexter was, 
 and how much he endeavored for the benefit of gen- 
 erations that were to come after him. 
 
 Notwithstanding the foibles — faults if we must so 
 call them — that we have alluded to, Mr. Dexter ap- 
 pears to have been esteemed a good neighbor and 
 useful citizen. He did his full share in supporting the 
 ministry, and was ready with his means to aid in evan- 
 gelizing the heathen around him. And he strove hard 
 to overcome the evil propensities of his nature. Many 
 a time, when he felt himself most weak before the 
 crafts and assaults of the Devil, did he in humble trust 
 seek the christian counsel and prayers of the good 
 minister, Mr, Whiting. Had it not been for that im- 
 pulsive temper, he might have passed life more pleas- 
 antly. But he fought bravely against the evil spirit to 
 the end, and went to his final rest iu the panoply of 
 christian faith and hope.
 
 PHILIP* KERTLj^ND. 
 
 " Some move with neither noise nor speed, 
 
 along life's crooked path, 
 "Who yet may drop some wayside seed, 
 
 that springs to mightie growth." 
 
 Another jewel of the Third Plantation was Philip 
 Kertland. He came during the first decade of the 
 settlement, and is represented to have been the first 
 shoemaker in Lynn. From this circumstance, if for 
 no other reason we feel in duty bound to do some- 
 thing in honor of his memory. Little appears on the 
 regular records, concerning him, and for most that we 
 are able to state we are indebted to casual notes and 
 traditions. His is said to be a German name, the 
 translation of which is Lack-land. But he did not 
 long lack land after coming here, for ten acres were 
 granted him in 1638. 
 
 All New England, yea, the whole country should 
 make obeisance to the Third Plantation, and do rev- 
 erence to Philip Kertland ; the first, because she early 
 encouraged ingenuity and enterprise ; and the latter, 
 because he spent his best energies in perfecting a 
 most useful art. And both their names should be 
 exalted for the blessings conferred by the establish- 
 ment of that great branch of American industry from 
 which has been derived so much wealth to one class 
 and comfort to all others. Lynn not only encouraged 
 J (217)
 
 218 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 the manufacture of shoes at an early period, but also 
 that of various kinds of leather. Here was first estab- 
 lished the manufacture of those beautiful moroccos 
 that used to adorn the feet of the belles of olden 
 time, and are devoted to so many elegant purposes, 
 at the present day, besides the protection of beautiful 
 feet. 
 
 Of Mr. Kertland's early life we need say but little; 
 though one or two remarkable things require some 
 notice. It may be observed that when about five 
 years old, he one day strayed into his father's pasture, 
 to indulge for a while in the boyish pastime of twitch- 
 ing a bull's tail. Perhaps, however, he was, like a 
 young philosopher, endeavoring to elucidate the prob- 
 lem as to how far such an animal might be thrown by 
 the caudal appendage, for he had often heard his 
 father, who was quite a moralist, allude to such grace- 
 ful experiments. But whatever his object was, the 
 bull does not appear to have favored its furtherance. 
 He gave a kick that sent little Philip rolling like an 
 ill-shaped ball, into a ditch. B}^ this accident the nose 
 was so damaged that it ever after sat awry. His per- 
 sonal appearance was thereby somewhat impaired ; but 
 beyond that and a slight difiiculty in compassing a 
 genteel sneeze, he perhaps experienced no evil. For 
 most purposes it was as good a nose as need be. A 
 handsome man is an ornament to any community. 
 And in those rare cases where beauty of character is 
 added we behold an object envied by men and adored 
 by women ; for we do not accept the slanderous decla- 
 ration of the ostentatious moralist, regarding the latter, 
 that with them, character never rules in competition 
 with person. 
 
 It certainly must be confessed that Mr. Kertland
 
 PHILIP KERTLAND. 219 
 
 was not a handsome man, and we shall not rest his 
 claims upon his beauty. But speaking of personal 
 appearance leads to the remark that it seems very 
 foolish for people to cry out so against what they 
 unfortunately denominate pride of person. But then 
 envy will rankle in the human breast, and the tongue 
 of slander will wag. There is not an individual living, 
 in full possession of his senses, who does not feel the 
 influence of personal charms. It is thought commend- 
 able to admire a beautiful landscape, or even a picture 
 of it, or a piece of marble chiseled out in graceful 
 form. Why, then, is it wrong to do homage to beauty 
 in the most dignified object of creation ? Personal 
 beauty will often purchase what no money can ; and is 
 it not, in its nature, of quite as much value as mone}'? 
 
 Martin Luther spoke of beauty as a noble gift, and 
 added, " God commonly gives riches to gross asses, to 
 whom he can afford nothing else." Perhaps it was 
 well for Christianity that he was thus susceptible, for 
 the smiles of a pretty nun inflamed his zeal for the 
 Reformation. The shrewd Cobbett remarked that the 
 surest thing to make a man feel good natured all day 
 is for him to look upon a handsome face in a night-cap, 
 beside him, in the morning. There is much truth ia 
 tliese things. The arguments of bright eyes and rosy 
 cheeks have overcome many a man when nothing else 
 on earth could. The wisest are not above their influ- 
 ence. Look at Solomon. Handsome men, as well as 
 handsome women are the most successful in life. And 
 now, reader, what would you take in exchange for 
 those personal charms of yours ? 
 
 Mr. Laighton, of whom we said something in our 
 sketch of Thomas Dexter, appears to have been on 
 very friendly terms with Mr. Kertland. The two spent
 
 220 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 many profitable hours in discussing great pliilosophical 
 principles as well as important theological points, some- 
 times in one of their shops, and sometimes in the shade 
 of a tree. Mr. Kertland became a thorough convert 
 to Mr. Laighton's maxim that no rogue can look an 
 honest man straight in the eye, and that all who can 
 look others straight in the eye are honest. And the 
 following little incident will illustrate the benefit he 
 derived on one occasion at least, from his adherence 
 to the maxim : 
 
 A sort of fair was to be held at Boston, and Mr. 
 Kertland went up for the purpose of purchasing a new 
 milch cow. He shrewdly suspected that there might 
 be rogues about on such an occasion, and made bold 
 to proclaim his suspicions to all the assembly, adding, 
 however, that he defied them all to cheat him, as the 
 maxim, which he discreetly repeated, would enable 
 him to keep safe from any rogue in the crowd. Hav- 
 ing thus defined his position, he began to look round, 
 all the while keeping his eyes wide open, for the return 
 gaze of the honest ones who might be straying there. 
 Presently he discovered a tidy looking brindle with a 
 lusty calf by her side. And he was delighted to find 
 that the man in whose keeping they were, could look 
 him straight in the eye. Without much haggling a 
 bargain was concluded. Having a little other business 
 to transact, he requested the vendor to keep his pur- 
 chase in charge till he returned. This was kindly 
 agreed to. 
 
 Having concluded his other business, Mr. Kertland 
 returned, and there stood the cow, but the calf was 
 gone. Not suspecting any trick of trade, he desired 
 tlie man to trot out the calf and he would be gone, for 
 his way was long and the clouds betokened rain.
 
 fHILIP KERTLAND. 221 
 
 "With well feigned surprise the honest drover replied 
 that he did not sell the calf, for the very good reason 
 that it was not his ; neither did the little beauty belong 
 to the cow. It had been borrowed from a neighboring 
 stall, and now was back with its mamma whose anxious 
 lowings during its absence had greatly disturbed their 
 tender hearts. And the conscientious man further 
 reminded his customer that not one word was said by 
 him about the calf while they were negotiating. With 
 great frankness, however, he admitted that his cus- 
 tomer did remark that a cow with a calf just ready for 
 the butcher was exactly what he wanted, and that he 
 felt of little red-and-white and commended his fatness. 
 But he did not feel himself bound to respond to the 
 compliments paid to the calf. And with some warmth 
 the man concluded by reiterating that the cow only 
 was sold, and the calf had already gone back to its 
 restless parent, and he did not see why he should 
 be held responsible for the purchaser's being deceived 
 by appearances. Were not appearances often deceit- 
 ful? They were so; Mr. Whiting had fixed that fact 
 by a luminous discourse which he had preached on 
 the very Lord's-day before. 
 
 Mr. Kertland felt the force of the drover's curt rea- 
 soning, and his anger was wonderfully softened. But 
 he was greiitly puzzled, after all. The man looked 
 him straight in the eye while speaking, and expressed 
 regret that he should have been deceived. Yet it 
 was clear that he had not only been deceived, but 
 grossly cheated. The drover would not hear to any 
 proposition to rescind the bargain, for, as he said, the 
 day was far spent and another customer might not 
 appear. 
 
 Mr. Kertland's perplexity again developed itself in
 
 222 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 extreme anger. And lie promptly announced his deter- 
 mination to wliip every one present. A crowd began 
 to gather. Presentl}'-, at the suggestion of a peace-mak- 
 ing though perhaps thirsty individual, a reference was 
 agreed on. There was no difficulty in selecting three 
 arbitrators, for Mr. Kertland had but one test of their 
 honesty, and the first that presented themselves could 
 look in the attractive direction demanded by the test. 
 The drover himself offered no objection, to those fixed 
 on, for they were all brother drovers. The red faced 
 trio chosen seated themselves on the edge of a horse 
 trough, the owner of the calf acting as chairman, and 
 bad the points in dispute formally presented to them. 
 
 In fifteen or twenty minutes, after leaning thought- 
 fully over a pig-pen and conferring in an under tone, 
 the arbitrators announced their determination of the 
 weighty matter. Their conclusion was that Mr. Kert- 
 land had bought the cow and could not annul the 
 bargain ; that he had not bought the calf, and conse- 
 quently the calf was not his; that though there had 
 been a grievous mistake, it was yet attributable to his 
 own laches, and he could not take advantage of his 
 own mistake to the damage of his innocent opponent. 
 After announcing this luminous verdict, they had the 
 magnanimity to add, that, considering all the facts 
 named and the additional one that the drover had suc- 
 ceeded in disposing of a most miserable beast at an 
 enormous price, he, the drover, should treat all hands. 
 The friendly individual who had suggested the arbitra- 
 tion clapped his hands in approbation, and the whole 
 crowd seemed to be well satisfied, particularly with 
 the concluding requisition. They at once adjourned 
 to the neighboring house of entertainment. 
 
 Mr. Kertland stood for a few moments with his hands
 
 PHILIP KERTLAND. 223 
 
 beliind bis back, in mute perplexity. But h'gbt soon 
 appeared to break upon bim. He joined tbe company, 
 and a jolly time tbey bad of it. He did not reacb 
 borne till midnigbt. And wben at tbat late bour be 
 came down tbe street driving bis cow and singing at 
 tbe top of bis voice, it was evident tbat be felt well 
 pleased witb tbe adventures of tbe day. 
 
 For some time be tried to coax a little milk from tbe 
 aged quadruped tbat bad tbus fallen on bis bands. Tbe 
 iirst day, sbe dispensed about a pint; tbe second, balf 
 as mucb ; tbe tbird, balf as mucb as tbat; tbe fourtb, 
 balf an egg-sbell full ; and tbat was tbe last drop sbe 
 ever voucbsafed. 
 
 Singular as it may seem, tbis experience did not in 
 tbe least sbake bis faitb in tbe Laigbtonian maxim. In- 
 deed bis faitb was strengtbened, tbougb bis beart sank, 
 wben be discovered tbat tbe cow berself, tbrougb wbom 
 tbe miscbief had come, could not look bim straight in 
 tbe eye. Whenever be endeavored to catch a direct 
 glance her bead would swing some other way. 
 
 Mr. Kertland, thougn be did not live in absolute 
 penury, was by no means a rich man. He was too 
 benevolent to be rich; besides being, like all men of 
 genius, rather improvident. We must never look for 
 good financiers among men of genius or great mind. 
 Tbe amusement said to have been caused at one time 
 on tbe exchange, by an unsophisticated bolder endea- 
 voring to raise money on a note of Daniel Webster, 
 endorsed by Rufus Cboate affords an illustration of 
 tbe value of mind in the haunts of mammon. Tbe latch- 
 string of Mr. Kertland's door was always out for tbe 
 grasp of tbe needy and the stranger. And he was 
 never backward in lending a hand to a neighbor, even 
 though his own affairs might be suffering for attention.
 
 224 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 Some considered him rather too ready to volunteer 
 his services in other people's affairs ; but we are per- 
 suaded that this conduct arose from the overflowing 
 benevolence of his heart. And however objectionable 
 this propensity to interfere in the concerns of others 
 may be held to be, is it not attributable to the con- 
 sciousness possessed by most of us that we are better 
 judges of the affairs of others than they themselves? 
 And that being the case with Mr. Kertland, for in- 
 stance, we see how naturally he must have conceived 
 such intermeddling to be a part of his duty. 
 
 The great Shoe Trade of New England, now one of 
 the most profitable and extensive industrial pursuits 
 ever known in the country, had a humble beginning. 
 Mr. Kertland's shop was a rude adjunct to his lowly 
 habitation which cowered in a little hollow on the 
 north side of the winding road that was the original 
 of what is now the beautiful Boston street of Lynn. 
 The interior was some twelve feet square, and innocent 
 alike of plaster or wainscot.- It had two diminutive 
 sashes, and the light had to struggle vigorously to get 
 through the little knotty panes that from appearance 
 might have fulfilled one destiny as the bottoms of Ger- 
 man wine bottles. The chimney ran up on the outside, 
 at the northeast corner, and was so extremely rough 
 and angular that the poor smoke found it a hard road 
 to travel. And the little triangular fire place, within, 
 was flanked by cutting-board and backless seat. A 
 wooden block sat in front for the convenience of cus- 
 tomers and visiters ; and many and many a time did 
 it bear the weighty forms of Zachariah Hart, Obadiah 
 Turner, Thomas Newhall, Oliver Purchis, Thomas Dex- 
 ter, Thomas Laighton, and the godly Whiting. 
 
 For a part of the time Mr. Kertland had little or
 
 phil:ip kertland. 225 
 
 nothing to do, at bis trade. He would then attend to 
 small farming, fishing, or other useful labor. At other 
 times he was so much driven by work that he would 
 be obliged to call to his aid a couple of ingenious 
 boys who knew something of the rudimental mysteries 
 of shoemaking. There also lived in the neighborhood 
 of Saugus river a cross-eyed man, who had some know- 
 ledge of the art ; and he too, under extraordinary pres- 
 sure, was induced occasionally to make a breach in his 
 habitual laziness and take hold for a few hours. 
 
 Mr. Kertland took commendable pride in his calling 
 and really did much to advance the art. He has been 
 known to pay a ruinous price for a newly fashioned 
 shoe from abroad, that he might dissect it and study 
 the hidden mysteries of its beauty. And he once made 
 a journey to Virginia to visit a celebrated shoemaker 
 who was ifor a short time tarrying there. By such 
 means he gained a high reputation, and customers 
 from other places began to appear. At one time his 
 trade was so extensive that he had to visit Boston and 
 Salem at least once a month with a large bag of shoes 
 on his shoulder. 
 
 What we have said shows the small beginning of 
 a business which has steadily groAvn through tAvo 
 centuries and more till it has reached such gigantic 
 proportions that by an honest and careful estimate not 
 less than thirty millions of pairs of boots and shoes 
 were manufactured on the very territory that consti- 
 tuted the old Third Plantation, during the five years 
 ending with 1860 — or about the same number that 
 would be required to furnish every man woman and 
 child now in the United States with one pair. And is 
 not this something that will bear a little boasting? 
 
 About the worst thing that wo have learned of Mr. 
 J* 15
 
 226 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 Kertland is that lie was not always conrteous to cus- 
 tomers ; a bad failing in any tradesman. Like many 
 others, he was apt, when a reflection was cast on his 
 merchandise, by a purchaser, to side at once with the 
 merchandise, resenting the indignity in terms more 
 expressive than choice. One day while fitting a pair 
 of shoes to the feet of a lady, she strongly insisted 
 that his shoes were too small ; and he as strongly insist- 
 ed that her feet were too large. The wordy quarrel 
 waxed warm, to the edification of the grinning boys. 
 Presently the application of his oratory was shifted 
 from her feet to her head. He ridiculed her enormous 
 head-dress, eagle-feathers, and eel-skin rosetts ; angrily 
 intimating, among other indecorous allusions, that ac- 
 cording to his way of thinking, Indian moccasins would 
 better comport with such a display, than shoes. Now 
 it happened that this lady was the wife of one in autho- 
 rity. And could it be expected that his slanderous 
 tongue should so wag unpunished? By no means. The 
 very next lecture day found him in durance, near the 
 meeting house, for two hours, with the unruly member 
 in a cleft stick. And are there no imprudent young 
 shop-keepers at this day who might be benefited by 
 such a Avholesome experience ? 
 
 We find one most extraordinary thing recorded re- 
 garding Mr. Kertland, which we cannot forbear alluding 
 to, even at the hazard of being thought inclined to talk 
 of wonders. We understand it, however, to relate to 
 his early life. It is asserted that it was physically 
 impossible for him, under ordinary circumstances, to 
 appear uncleanly in person, his flesh possessing a 
 powerful repulsion to all filthiness. This was noticed 
 long before he appeared remarkable for any thing else. 
 It is related that during one of his school vacations,
 
 PHILJP KERTLAND. 227 
 
 when much of his valuable time was devoted to the 
 healthful employment of constructing mud mills and 
 transporting the material in his hat, he did not wash 
 his face for thirteen days. Yet he appeared fresh and 
 clean as the rose '' which Mary to Anna conveyed." 
 Sometimes|>for the gratification of curious neighbors, 
 his parents would adorn his cheeks and arms with 
 charcoal sketches, and very soon, without being touch- 
 ed, they would all disappear. By such facts we confess 
 to having been greatly puzzled. But they may per- 
 haps be accounted for by supposing that there was 
 such an extremely healthful action in his system that 
 impurities were driven off with a speed unknown in 
 common cases. No doubt there is a natural tendency 
 in the human body to repel all foreign substances. 
 Disease must weaken the repelling power; and the 
 power being in proportion to the degree of health, it 
 follows that where the health is perfect the propulsion 
 will be immediate, and where there is no health dirt 
 will stick eternally if artificial means are not resorted 
 to for its removal. This doctrine is no doubt cor- 
 rect, in a general sense. The eminent Boyle speaks 
 of the constant passing of corpuscles out through the 
 skin. And now if all these things be so, what an ex- 
 traordinary degree of health must have blessed the 
 early days of Mr. Kertland. 
 
 But our imperfect sketch must be drawn to a close. 
 It is true that we have not had many extraordinary 
 things to relate of Mr, Kertland. Yet, as he passed a 
 useful and on the whole exemplary life he has a better 
 title to the enduring smiles of Fame than many whose 
 names flaunt high upon her scroll. Scarcely an indi- 
 vidual goes down to the grave, whose biography, if 
 penned by an honest and skillful hand, would not be
 
 228 NOTABLE PEOPLE. 
 
 found deeply interesting and instructive, however hum- 
 ble the life may have been or barren of stirring incident. 
 We are all interested in seeing how others acquit them- 
 selves in the common affairs of life, for with the same 
 realities we ourselves are struggling. 
 
 It has not been an object in these sketdlles, always 
 to choose the most conspicuous characters to dwell 
 upon, for it is very far from being true that the most 
 conspicuous are always the most meritorious. And, 
 besides, there are enough others to laud and magnify 
 the already renowned. Circumstances often conspire, 
 in a most unaccountable manner, to make one man 
 famous, while his neighbor, infinitely better endowed, 
 passes his life in obscurity. We feel justified in laud- 
 ing such of the early settlers as we have been able to 
 speak of. They were a hardy and self-sacrificing race ; 
 pious, industrious and prudent ; a people inspired by 
 holier motives than the greed of gain. What, indeed, 
 would have been the condition of New England, at the 
 present day, had the early planters possessed no more 
 ennobling traits than do most of this mammon seeking 
 and mammon worshipping generation ? And we close 
 with the pertinent question — 
 
 What would the good old Third Plantation have 
 come to without such jewels as Zachaeiah Hart, 
 Obadiah Turner, Thomas Newhall, Oliver Purchis, 
 Thomas Dexter and Philip Kertland?
 
 P^A-KT II. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 NOTABLE THINGS 
 
 OP 
 
 OLDEN TIME. 
 
 •• la the gray morn and purple eve. 
 
 Spirit of Thought ! 
 lead me to those dim old rustic shrines 
 My fathers loved. Recall their lusty forms. 
 And let me ponder on their worthy acts; 
 Teach me to emulate their dignity, 
 And prosecute life's nobler aims ! " 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
 
 In a volume of such design as the one now in the 
 hand of the reader, it would be a marked omission 
 not to treat, to some extent, of Things as well as Per- 
 sons. Yet, in all historical ilhistrations, the images of 
 the two departments so mingle together that it is to 
 a great degree impossible to present them in any very 
 distinguishing light. The scenes and actors must con- 
 stantly appear together. And perhaps the most that 
 can be done is to endeavor, when treating professedly 
 of Persons, to place them in the strongest light, and 
 ■\vhen treating of Things, to pursue a similar course. 
 
 (229)
 
 230 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 In the present case, certainly, the reader will recognise 
 the propriety of the divisions we speak of, whatever 
 may be his opinion of the manner in which we acquit 
 ourselves. • 
 
 In our biographical sketch of Obadiah Turner, we 
 gave copious extracts from his interesting journal. 
 Mention is made by him of numerous localities and 
 institutions that in after years became famous ; and 
 not a few occurrences are treated of, the results of 
 which were subsequently reckoned of leading impor- 
 tance. And it is not difficult to trace some of our 
 cherished customs and institutions to the small begin- 
 nings of that period. No history can be more profit- 
 able than that which, while it inculcates pure morality, 
 impresses useful lessons in the philosophy of life. Our 
 brief details, we trust, will secure the reader's atten- 
 tion ; and the few reflections intermingled may not 
 prove altogether destitute of value. 
 
 We love to go back to the quaint days of our fathers ; 
 to the days of blue leggins and leather small-clothes ; 
 of huge bonnets that hid the face of innocence and 
 beauty from every rude gaze ; of gowns of tow cloth 
 which the wearer's own hand had woven, and which 
 were worn with no expansion of skirt beyond what 
 was necessary for grace and ease of step. We love to 
 think of their intrepidity in meeting perils and their 
 uncomplaining submission to sore privation. No other 
 people ever on earth were like them; so brave in the 
 battle of life ; so devoted and trusting in spirit. And 
 is it not pleasant and profitable to mark the growth of 
 those good things which they originated and by their 
 virtuous heroism guarded and nurtured, and which 
 have come down to bless our own generation?
 
 THE 
 OLD BURYinsrO aROUND. 
 
 " Though storms and winds rule high in air, 
 
 And men's rough passions rave, 
 Calm rest the weary sleepers here, 
 
 Safe in the dreamless grave !" 
 
 For a period quite beyond the memory of all living, 
 the quaint name that we have placed above, has dis- 
 tinguished a consecrated spot in the western part of 
 Lynn — a spot which by its beautiful location, its 
 numerous trees and its neat monuments, never fails to 
 attract the attention of travelers. In our extracts 
 from the journal of Mr. Turner, it will be observed 
 that under date of 1653, he spea|^s of "y® buryal 
 place." And it seems quite certain that he can refer 
 to no other than this. The history of this interesting- 
 spot so runs back into the obscurities of past time that 
 the period when it was first devoted to its sacred pur- 
 poses does not certainly appear. For generation after 
 generation it has remained a revered spot. And could 
 the tongues that lie here in the cold silence of death 
 be reanimated, what a history they might disclose. 
 
 In the modern cemetery one sees costly monuments 
 assigning to the dead virtues above the power of 
 mortal attainment; — fond conceits of mourning love. 
 And the rich tablet, to the humble mind, too often 
 seems but ostentatious evidence of human pride. To 
 the gray old stones that rise beside the resting places 
 
 (231)
 
 232 KOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 of New England's early dead we turn. Upon their 
 mossy fronts, in few and simple words are touching 
 lessons to the heart, and worthy histories. 
 
 To the contemplative mind there is a serious and 
 enduring satisfaction in retiring from the scenes of 
 busy life to spend a tranquil hour in the community 
 of those who are no longer disturbed by the murmur- 
 ing of the waves of care nor by the raging of the 
 storms of passion on the shore of time. To such a 
 mind the ancient churchyard is most hallowed ground. 
 Here, retired from the turmoil and vexations of a 
 heartless world, and from the gaze of earth's unfeeling 
 devotees, he reads upon the green sward and lettered 
 stone a history of bygone years. He looks upon the 
 grave of honorable manhood and blesses him who was 
 a blessing to his kind ; upon the grave of childhood, 
 and with grateful aspirations that the tender plant has 
 been removed to bloom in brighter spheres than earth 
 affords, mingles an emotion of sorrow for the mourning 
 hearts from whom its light and love have been with- 
 drawn. 
 
 Men would not be harmed by retiring more often to 
 such a place, to muse upon their course and destiny. 
 "Were they accustomed so to do, many of the rough 
 passages of life would be made more smooth, for they 
 would be led to perceive the hollowness of all earth's 
 promises, hopes and attainments, and learn to lean 
 with more confiding faith on those promises which 
 concern a nobler life. 
 
 Some men have such enlarged and comprehensive 
 minds, that they look forward, even beyond the bounds 
 of time, to estimate the effects of their present con- 
 duct. But most men .are so circumscribed in their 
 contemplations that a few years entirely close up the
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 233 
 
 vi&w. Yet a hundred years will roll away just as 
 certainly as five. And 1865 is no more sure to come 
 than 1965. Time is not the substance of things. 
 
 Let the groveler in the path to wealth come hither 
 at the solemn hour when '' fades the glimmering land- 
 scape on the sight," and consider the purpose and end 
 of his care and toil. How deluded, to turn from the 
 true and only road to happiness, the training of the 
 unearthly powers of mind, to chase the ignis fatuus 
 that dances along the quagmires by the wayside. The 
 ability to obtain happiness from the mere possession 
 of wealth is not an attribute of the human soul. Why 
 then bend its powers to such ignoble purposes? Why 
 spend a life in gathering that which cannot make more 
 happy here, which can afford no barrier to the shaft 
 of death, nor purchase entrance to more joyous realms? 
 That sanctified petition, " Give me neither poverty nor 
 riches," contains a world of wisdom, and of instruction 
 for the seeker after happiness. Without heed to its 
 spirit all our efforts are vain. And in an enlarged 
 view, what community can be more happy than that in 
 which all have enough and none too much. If such a 
 community exists they are in a position to enjoy the 
 greatest amount of temporal felicity attainable by 
 mankind. Men who ceaselessly toil for wealth spend 
 their energies for means instead of an end ; that is, 
 instead of enjoying life as it passes, making use of 
 their gains as means for enjoyment, they harrass them- 
 selves by unceasing endeavor to continue the accumu- 
 lation of means, and finally end a miserable life with- 
 out ever applying them to an end. By such a course 
 riches have no more power- to impart happiness than 
 wind blown into the nostrils of a statue has power to 
 impart life.
 
 234 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 Let the aspirant for flxme and worldly honor come 
 hither, and contemplate the end of all his daily toils 
 and nightly vigils. AVhat though wondering millions 
 speak his praise and on his fevered brow the laurel 
 wreath be twined. Remember that the trump of fame 
 sounds not beyond the borne of time, and that the 
 wings of mortal praise can never waft one to a happier 
 sphere. 
 
 And hither let us all come ; high and low ; rich and 
 poor; learned and ignorant. Let us come and consider 
 our ways, remembering that our earthly pilgrimage is 
 soon to close ; and remembering too that as we lie 
 down, so must we rise again. And may we so order 
 our ways, that, lying down as after a long day of wea- 
 riness and labor, wd" may rise as from a refreshing 
 sleep, disciplined and inspired for a loftier race. 
 
 When one seriously reflects on death, it would seem 
 as if he could not reasonably entertain any fear of it, 
 but must regard it as a mere transition from one state 
 of existence to another ; a passage which we all must 
 make. And is not he irrational as well as deficient in 
 moral courage and christian faith, who shrinks from 
 meeting, with bold front, what he cannot avoid? But is 
 it the thought of an hereafter that makes men dread 
 death? What "dutiful child of a loving Father, can 
 fear a more pitiable condition hereafter than is com- 
 monly experienced here ? And who even is prepared 
 to say that the quietude of annihilation is not to be 
 preferred to the troubles and perplexities that most 
 experience in this life ? 
 
 In this venerable gathering place of the dead are 
 congregated the worthies who sat in council over the 
 infant interests of the Plantation; the fathers who
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 235 
 
 reared the first dwellings in the shades of the forest ; 
 the mothers who watched over the first born; the 
 young- men and maidens who, of all the pale race, first 
 sought these romantic glens and vales, wherein alone to 
 plight their vows. And here are those who have shone 
 as bright stars in the councils of the nation ; those 
 who have broken the bread of life for the hungry pen- 
 itent; as well as countless hosts of humbler souls who 
 loved to tread these hills and shores. And here, too, 
 have the sons and daughters of far-off lands lain down 
 their weary heads with the tears of strangers alone to 
 fall upon their graves. 
 
 What are our feelings as we pause among the graves 
 of the earliest tenants of this consecrated spot? A 
 thousand images, these reveling in living beauty, and 
 those dimly discovered by the torch of history or 
 transiently delineated by the flickering glow of tradi- 
 tion, are arrayed before us. 
 
 How changed are all things around since their foot- 
 steps brushed the dews of these fields and impressed 
 the sands of these shores. A fair and busy city has 
 arisen from the forest shades. The holy peean of the 
 christian church now sounds where only the wild sav- 
 age chant was heard. These waters, which to their 
 eyes presented an unbroken field of blue, are now 
 enlivened by the broad white wings that waft rich 
 argosys. The thunders of war have echoed over 
 them and the earthquake has rocked them in their 
 dreamless sleep. One by one their kindred and neigh- 
 bors were gathered around them, and long have the 
 winds of heaven moaned a dirge over their whole 
 generation. More than two hundred times has the 
 snowy mantle of winter been spread and the sweet gar- 
 niture of spring been renewed upon their lowly beds.
 
 236 NOTABLE THINGS. • 
 
 But all things are not thus changed. We look upon 
 the heavens and they are the same. Yon evening star 
 shines with the same mild lustre to guide us in our 
 musing walk, that it did to light them along the forest 
 path. The deep music of the ocean harp rolls along 
 these embattled shores in the same mighty strains for 
 our generation that it did for theirs, and the rugged 
 hills and cliffs echo it back as faithfully. And, above 
 all these, the same God who led them through the perils 
 of their lone heritage, conducts our footsteps in the less 
 trying though more dangerous paths of prosperity and 
 among the hazardous refinements of more artificial 
 life. 
 
 It is uncertain, as before intimated, at what precise 
 period these few acres were first occupied as a burial 
 place. But it must have been in the early times of 
 the Plantation. For many years, however, the space 
 remained unenclosed, and the graves were dug here 
 and there among the trees. Finally a rude stone wall 
 was erected to prevent the intrusion of straying beasts. 
 And that in good time gave place to a more comely 
 erection. 
 
 A century ago the Ground was almost bare of trees. 
 The remnants of the old forest had vanished one by 
 one like vexed ghosts, and little or nothing had been 
 done towards supplying their places. The numerous 
 cherry trees that now adorn the sacred precincts, have 
 appeared within some forty years. And singular as it 
 may seem they sprang from seeds transported hither 
 by the birds ; as if those Avinged watchers would have 
 bowers in which to carol over the dead, or would 
 gently hint to men their duty. 
 
 The oldest grave-stone now standing bears the name 
 of " lohu Clifford," and the date 1698. All the earlier
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 237 
 
 monuments and tablets have long since disappeared; 
 though it is not probable that many of enduring mate- 
 rial existed. Simple erections of wood no doubt for 
 many years marked the resting places of loved ones ; 
 but these decayed and vanished. Unsculptured stones 
 were reared by other graves, and some simple mounds 
 of earth ; and these were removed as more ambitious 
 monuments appeared. 
 
 This particular spot was devoted to the purposes of 
 burial more perhaps from the convenience of its loca- 
 tion than any other consideration. At that period 
 little was thought of choosing a resting place for the 
 dead where the beauties of nature might attract the 
 thoughtful, or where the mourner's heart might find 
 relief in contemplating the departed as resting in a 
 pleasant place. Yet, whatever may have been the pur- 
 pose in the selection, the spot chosen was in truth a 
 lovely one. A small pond lay upon the south and west, 
 and many hale old forest trees looked down admiringly 
 upon their gigantic forms mirrored in the placid water. 
 The white lilies unfolded their perfumed leaves and 
 gay birds sailed quietly about. The oak, pine, and 
 cedar reared their stately forms, unconscious that the 
 new race who had come to occupy the land would 
 soon lay them low with as unpitying strokes as those 
 dealt to their own kind found upon the soil. And 
 sweetly the evening dew distilled through fragrant 
 branches and profusely blooming shrubbery, upon the 
 early graves. 
 
 True it is that even down to our day, this sacred 
 spot has never been in a condition to boast of much 
 artificial embellishment. But it may long have boasted 
 of what is far better. Beneath these unadorned stones 
 lies as noble dust as that beneath the Roman marble.
 
 238 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 And when the earth and sea give up their dead, there 
 will arise from these graves, those with whom warriors 
 and kings, statesmen and philosophers, men whose 
 names stand high on the historic page, would gladly 
 change conditions. 
 
 The power of intellectual association has always 
 been recognised, however deeply hidden its channels 
 of operation. The slightest emotion within, or occur- 
 rence without, will sometimes reopen vast provinces 
 of thought, recalling every feature of the mental land- 
 scape in pristine freshness and beauty. The perfume 
 of a particular flower or a certain strain of music may 
 possess this talismanic power. Some tone in a stran- 
 ger's voice may call up old loves ; some landscape 
 feature, long forgotten scenes. 
 
 There are some who possess such original and ab- 
 stract natures that their outward acts receive tone and 
 coloring essentially, though not entirely, of themselves. 
 But with the great mass of mankind the conceptions 
 are shaped by the outward aspect of nature, the influ- 
 ence of other minds, and the shifting scenes of life. 
 
 Sometimes there arise in the common mind, dreamily 
 mingling with the present, long departed phantoms, 
 diverse in their nature and intensity. And thence 
 flow those checkered, indefinite notions that so fre- 
 quently dance about in fantastic and incomprehensible 
 shapes. But at other times, and in more cultivated 
 minds, the departed return in order and fidelity, illus- 
 trating the present and imparting strength for the 
 future. 
 
 And how few possess a full realization of the dignity 
 of their higher nature, of the powers of mind. But 
 more especially how few realize the enduring efiects,
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 239 
 
 the remote sequences, of their acts and even thoughts. 
 Future ages may be moved by what the most humble 
 soul may execute or conceive. A thought, springing 
 up today, may be acted upon, and go forth, inspiring 
 and setting in motion other minds, expanding and 
 accumulating power, till, in future time, it may turn 
 the world upside down. And that thought may have 
 been born of some rude wayfarer. And may it not be 
 that among those who lie here, awaiting the resurrec- 
 tion, there are those whose conceptions have brought 
 about some of the great things which are the boast of 
 this generation? 
 
 When one quits the world, how little can be known 
 of the good or evil he has done. The great account 
 cannot be closed up till time shall cease. And can it 
 even then? Are not the consequences of his acts 
 done here, felt in other souls through all eternity ? 
 
 In view of these things, what dignity belongs to 
 every man and what responsibility rests upon him. 
 How ought he to live ? The faithful soul may take 
 fresh courage for his race ; for, however humble here, 
 his name may yet stand high upon the records of a 
 better land. By tender persuasions he may have 
 drawn, by holy examples lighted, other souls in the 
 path of true life. And can he fail of reward ? 
 
 Just where that little freshly blooming cherry grows, 
 were laid the remains of Deborah Armitage. In 1679 
 she was, and for many years had been, traveling about 
 Lynn and the neighboring towns, gaining an honest 
 pittance by selling herbs and a few simple medicinal 
 preparations. She was decrepit, and much indebted to 
 her well worn staff, though not exactly the subject of 
 any great suffering. Her apparel was coinl'ortable
 
 240 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 though by no means exempt from evidences of long 
 service. The bonnet of rusty black, and the dingy 
 brown shawl, which the kind Mrs. Whiting had given 
 her half a score of years before, she continued to wear 
 in grateful remembrance of the donor. And the cloak 
 of coarse woolen cloth reaching to her ankles, with a 
 girdle of leather and an immense hood, which she don- 
 ned when winter's blasts were howling, was the gift of 
 the young sisters of the parish. 
 
 In the woods. Aunt Deborah gathered her sassafras, 
 gold-thread and checkerberry. In her little garden 
 she raised her sage, rue and wormwood. By the road- 
 side she found her catnip and yellow dock. And the 
 meadows supplied her sweet flag root and rosemary. 
 The few bottles of eye-water that she took in her bas- 
 ket were distilled by her own fireside. And the few 
 boxes of salve for wounds and bruises were made by 
 her own hands. 
 
 From Monday to Saturday, in sunshine and storm, 
 she traveled hither and thither, diligent in her humble 
 calling. Every one knew her as an honest, pious and 
 simple hearted dame, with tears always ready to flow 
 at a tale of suff'ering, and hands ever ready to do their 
 utmost in charity. To many a sick bed did she find 
 her way with words of christian comfort which to the 
 trusting soul did more good than her herbs and con- 
 coctions. She was never turned from a door, but 
 often bidden to tarry for a meal or lodging ; for her 
 presence was deemed a good omen. Yet it turned 
 out that she sometimes made her bed in a barn and 
 supped upon a crust, for she had a delicate fear of 
 intruding on the hospitality of others. 
 
 Little children were not afraid to lean upon Aunt 
 Deborah's knee or have her smooth tlieir flaxen heads.
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 241 
 
 And with delight would they gather around her, seated 
 on their little crickets, to hear her tell how good boy8 
 and girls were rewarded and wicked ones punished. 
 
 The home of Aunt Deborah was a small rustic cot 
 at the edge of the woods, with a brave little brook 
 working its weedy way in front and an unassuming 
 garden patch in the rear. Some messes of early veg- 
 etables and a store of herbs for winter sales were her 
 reward for the few hours of toil that she could devote 
 to her modest husbandry. Along the wall the flaunt- 
 ing leaves of the horseradish and burdock spread ; 
 golden saffron heads peered among fantastic weeds ; 
 and precious mint struggled bravely among the knotty 
 grass. 
 
 From the noon of Saturday to the dawn of Monday 
 Aunt Deborah was never absent from home, save to 
 visit those who were in need, sickness or other adver- 
 sity, or to attend the services of the sanctuary. And 
 she loved to see the villagers who in their evening 
 walks so often called. The pious had their own zeal 
 inflamed by her warmth, and the careless had their 
 hearts awakened by her gentle warnings. Her tattered 
 and blurred Bible was a fountain head of comfort. 
 And it was delightful to see her earnest struggles to 
 light in other hearts such holy fires as burned in hers. 
 And, we doubt not, eternity will testify that she, un- 
 learned and simple, opened many a sleeping eye, roused 
 many a sluggish soul. 
 
 The good minister loved to linger beneath her roof, 
 not because a tankard of her best herb brewing awaited 
 his thirsty lips, nor because when he remained to sup, 
 the whitest cloth that tow could make was spread 
 upon the little round table and the choice cup with its 
 edge of blue and the silver spoon which had come to 
 K 16
 
 242 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 lier as a precious heirloom, were brought forth, but 
 because he might reanimate his own faith by the hea- 
 venly glow of hers, and from her meek and unaffected 
 grace learn to guide his own steps. Alone, by night 
 and by day, she passed many hours. But no fears 
 disturbed her trustful spirit. Upon her solitary bed 
 she lay in the still hours of night, fearing no harm, 
 but gratefully contemplating the mercies and promises 
 of her great Protector. 
 
 Aunt Deborah, or Aunt Armitage, as she was indis- 
 criminately called, must have been quite aged at the 
 time we mentioned, for it was more than thirty years 
 that she had continued her lowly traffick, selling her 
 herbs and scattering the precious seeds of christian 
 truth and love. Many of the sick were relieved by her, 
 and many of the depraved rencAved, in that long time. 
 
 The winter of 1680 was one of great severity. The 
 cold set in early, and before Christmas, the streams 
 and ponds were frozen up, not again to be released till 
 the warm fingers of spring touched them. A great 
 body of snow fell, and the ground was not seen for 
 three months. There never had been a better time 
 for getting wood from within and beyond the swamps ; 
 a fact made apparent by the enormous piles in many 
 door yards. 
 
 But our persevering old friend was not often pre- 
 vented from pursuing her accustomed rounds. Not 
 unfrequently night overtook her trudging along the 
 crisp and crackling path from Salem Village or Mai- 
 den, the cutting wind ruthlessly dashing aside her 
 great hood, that it might bestow a rough kiss upon 
 her wrinkled brow. Her long cloak stood her in good 
 stead, as did a pair of thick gray leggins, the gift of 
 Dame Purchis, and a pair of enormous moccasins,
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 243 
 
 manufactured of the uncnrried skin of a wild animal, 
 and presented by an old Indian woman whom she had 
 befriended. 
 
 About the middle of January, one of the most furi- 
 ous storms of the whole winter occurred. And it 
 came on so suddenly that it overtook many entirely 
 unawares. Several lives were lost, numbers of cattle 
 and sheep were buried, and not a few of the smaller 
 habitations were entirely overwhelmed. For several 
 days, the roads in many places remained impassable. 
 Even the great town sled, with eight yoke of cattle 
 and a score of men with shovels, could not work 
 through. Some of the drifts were so enormous, that 
 the tree-tops rose but little above them, giving the 
 appearance of a succession of milk-white hills stud- 
 ded with straggling shrubbery. People walked from 
 their chamber windows, on snow-shoes. And the prin- 
 cipal store in the village was only reached by an arch- 
 way dug from without. 
 
 Aunt Deborah's cottage was almost entirely buried. 
 But the good neighbors assembled with their shovels, 
 as soon as they could, and it was presently exhumed. 
 But on entering, no one was found. At this, however, 
 they were not much surprised, she was so often away. 
 They had no doubt that she was in comfortable quarters 
 and would make her appearance again as soon as the 
 traveling would permit. But a week passed and no 
 one had seen her, though by that time the ways had 
 become pretty well trodden. At the end of another 
 week considerable anxiety began to be felt and inqui- 
 ries were made in all directions. Nothing satisfictory, 
 however, could be learned, though various reports were 
 abroad, of her having been seen here and there, on 
 this road and that.
 
 244 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 The great storm commenced a little before dark, 
 with a northeasterly wind, which, however, was not 
 very violent for some hours. And it was satisfactorily 
 ascertained that Aunt Deborah left the house of Mr. 
 Danforth, in Maiden, where she had taken an early 
 supper, a little before it began. She was urged to 
 remain, but chose rather to move along towards home, 
 saying that it would not be dark as there was a large 
 moon, and the storm would not probably be very vio- 
 lent before the turning of the tide, which would 
 be well towards midnight. At any rate, she thought 
 slie could safely calculate on reaching the house of 
 Mr. Hawkes, which was a couple of miles west of 
 Lynn village, before there was danger to be appre- 
 hended. 
 
 But things did not turn out according to her calcu- 
 lation. A hard, cutting snow began to fall profusely 
 soon after she left the house of her kind entertainers, 
 and being obliged to almost directly face the wind, 
 which continued to increase in force, it could not have 
 been long before she found her progress very much 
 impeded and very uncomfortable. The cold being 
 intense, she could hardly have escaped very soon 
 becoming benumbed. 
 
 However, be these things as they may, there was 
 found no trace of Aunt Armitage after she had reached 
 the turn in the road which shut her from the view of 
 Mr. Danforth's window. Much anxiety was felt, and 
 many a wearisome search was made. But no trace of 
 her could be found. 
 
 And it was not till the warm breath of April melted 
 down the great drift that sloped from a cliff a little off 
 the road, in Mr. Turner's pasture, that Aunt Deborah 
 was found. There she sat, curled up against the rock.
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 245 
 
 as if she had sought shelter, and being overcome hy 
 cold and fatigue, had slept. And there, in that inhos- 
 pitable resting place, her noble spirit fled, leaving its 
 worn-out tenement wrapped in a mighty Avinding-sheet 
 of snow. Her transition from this life to a bettei", so 
 far as regards physical pains, may have been easy I 
 though to die in such a lonely spot, and without one 
 loved soul to receive a parting word or watch the 
 closing eye, is always hard. Yet her willing spirit 
 was ever ready for its conflict with the last enemy ; 
 and the dark valley had no terrors for her. 
 
 Just there, was she laid. 
 
 And think you not that her humble walk led to joys 
 which many of the proud worldlings who lie around, 
 realised, as the gates of eternity opened, were more 
 worthy of being striven for than all that the wealth of 
 the whole world could purchase ? 
 
 There are those who, selfish, untrusting, and mistak- 
 ing their own characters, may, with some show of con- 
 sistency, exclaim, as they quit the unsatisfying scenes 
 of life, in the words of Brutus, " Virtue, I have 
 worshipped thee as a substantial good, but find that 
 thou art an empty name." But no such sorrowful 
 words could have escaped the lips of her of whom we 
 speak ; for though she had worshipped virtue all her 
 life without receiving much temporal reward, yet, look- 
 ing not for the substantial good here, she did not find 
 it an empty name. Though poor, yet was she rich, 
 rich in the godly gift of christian faith and patience. 
 There is a counterfeit patience, that proceeds from 
 unconcern or indolence. But hers was that true pa- 
 tience proceeding from unwavering reliance on the 
 great promise that all will be well with such as perse- 
 vere to the end ; a holy patience, that sustains under
 
 24:6 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 all suffering. And hers was that glorious faith that 
 foreshadows a happy issue out of all afflictions. 
 
 Freely did this poor old woman give of her hard 
 earned pittance, and never distrust that she was lend- 
 ing to One wlio would abundantly repay. How often 
 sanctimonious men err regarding their highest duties. 
 One may be punctilious in his attendance on public 
 worship; make long prayers, morning and evening; 
 give freely to pay ministers and build churches ; and 
 do divers other most excellent things; — but if he be 
 not charitable, how can he be a Christian? People 
 seem to overlook the great and infallible test of chris- 
 tian character. Men cannot benefit their Maker by 
 their prayers and praises ; nor can they benefit Him 
 in any other way ; not even by rearing tall steeples, 
 or by offerings and sacrifices, however meritorious all 
 these may be as manifestations of a sense of depend- 
 ence and need, as stimulants to holy emotions and 
 pious acts, or as evidence of grateful hearts. Ev- 
 erything in the universe, both of mind and matter, 
 are already His ; and He is infinitely beyond the reach 
 of all our attempts to do Him good. And hence, does 
 not the sphere of our more active duties lie here 
 among our fellow men and temporal things? Here, 
 we may do beneficial work. Is it not, then, a most 
 solemn truth, that so far as our practical efforts are 
 concerned, pure religion and undefiled consists, first 
 of all things, in doing good to those about us; in vis- 
 iting the widow and fatherless in their affliction? Our 
 fellow mortals need our help and we can help them ; 
 our Maker needs nothing, and before him we have 
 nothing to bestow. Let us, then, have a care that we 
 do not spend so much time and money for mere devo- 
 tional purposes that we have nothing left for those
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 2-47 
 
 other eminently important, those practical, christian 
 duties, wliich must be performed, or nothing will 
 avail. 
 
 And even in a mere temporal view, charity is not to 
 be despised. We are all liable, at some period of our 
 lives, to be in adversity. How much, then, does it 
 become us to so bear ourselves, while in prosperit}^, 
 that when the evil days come there may be those whom 
 we have befriended, to offer their sympathy and aid. 
 
 A few paces southeast of the Henchman tomb, yon- 
 der, sleeps the dust of the once beautiful and brilliant 
 Yerna Humphrey. It was during the earlier part of 
 the pastorate of the good Mr. Whiting — or about the 
 year 1644 — that her eyes first opened upon the scenes 
 of this diversified life. 
 
 As the mind of Yerna began to unfold it became 
 apparent that treasures much beyond what fall to the 
 common lot had been bestowed upon her. And to the 
 sacred work of the right training of that exalted 
 nature none could be more wakeful than her intelli- 
 gent father. But how often it is found that in the 
 ways of a mysterious Providence the desires of a fond 
 heart seem not to be blest. 
 
 And those secondary graces, too, the charms of per- 
 son, were with a lavish hand bestowed upon Yerna. 
 As her form expanded in early womanhood, an ele- 
 gance of shape and exquisite chiseling of feature 
 presented such perfection that even the rude wayfarer 
 paused to admire. 
 
 Mr. Whiting had taken ^'^erna at an early age into 
 his little class at the parsonage — a class of budding 
 minds which he loved to instruct in those accomplish- 
 ments which would bo most lit to adorn the more ele-
 
 248 KOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 vated society in the land — a class of nncorrupted 
 hearts which he loved to strengthen in the ways of 
 virtue and discipline for the vicissitudes of life. And 
 in many of those young hearts the genial influences 
 of his own nature seemed to infuse themselves, subdu- 
 ing the asperities of temper, and lighting the brow 
 with the sunshine of universal love. How potent is 
 the power that the instructor of youth may exercise 
 for good or evil over those committed to his charge. 
 And how great should be the reward of the faithful 
 and the condemnation of the unfaithful. 
 
 We find Verna, at the age of twenty, very much in 
 the character of a young village queen ; the admired 
 of all ; the object of tender aspiration in many a manly 
 heart; graceful in form; dignified in bearing; affable 
 and engaging in all her ways. Her mental endow- 
 ment and education were such that she was able to 
 appreciate the lofty in sentiment and character, the 
 beautiful in nature and conception. With the old 
 poets, congregated in the little library of Mr. Whiting, 
 she spent many congenial hours. The vellum quarto 
 of the great Light of Avon, who had then just begun, 
 as it were, to shed his glorious rays upon the world, 
 often reposed upon her lap while in dreamy abstrac- 
 tion she indulged the new and vivid conceptions that 
 stirred the inmost recesses of her soul. 
 
 But Verna's love of books was not such as to with- 
 draw her from the delights of social life. She vas 
 present at the village gatherings, with ringing laugh 
 and alert step engaging in the sports. And in the 
 more quiet enjoyments of the fireside, her well stored 
 mind, superior conversational powers, and dexterity in 
 adapting herself to those about her, made her every- 
 where welcome.
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 249 
 
 And the circle that Verna brightened^ extended be- 
 yond the limits of her native settlement. Her father 
 was sometimes called to Boston on public affairs or his 
 own private business, which was extensive, and occa- 
 sionally remained there for several weeks, taking his 
 beloved daughter, to comfort and enliven the hours of 
 absence from his pleasant home. And having those 
 among the gay people of the colonial metropolis with 
 whom he was in social intimacy, it is not surprising 
 that with a father's pride he sometimes led her into 
 scenes and society, which, while most captivating to 
 the young mind, are not always the most free from 
 danger. It was on these occasions that Yerna formed 
 acquaintances Avith some who, though more highly 
 cultivated were not more virtuous than those in the 
 retirement of the humble place of her nativity. She 
 gradually became a frequent visitor in some of the 
 leading families of the colony. And there, in those 
 days, it was not uncommon to meet scions of the titled 
 families of the old world. 
 
 But still Verna loved her home with the ardor of a 
 first love. The sparkling beaches, with their spent 
 waves rolling whisperingly at her feet as if struggling 
 to warn of mysteries and dangers beyond ; the dark 
 caverns, and battlements and gray towers of rock, 
 where yet the eagle delighted to keep watch and 
 ward ; the green fields, pleasant hills, and winding 
 lanes ; the humble firesides, where she always found 
 welcome and sympathy; — all were very dear to her 
 heart. But dearest of all were the companions of 
 her childhood and early youth, and the godly man who 
 had labored so faithfully to store her mind with all 
 that was useful and good, and whose pleasant smile 
 and kind word had so often cheered her step as she 
 K*
 
 250 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 climbed the hill of knowledge. And during the hoTirs 
 of absence, in sweet sadness would her mind often 
 revert to the little library where at all times she was 
 welcome to commune with the great and the brilliant 
 of other days and lands whose words of wisdom and 
 true humanity, and glowing conceptions of the beau- 
 tiful and rare might strengthen her mind and animate 
 her heart. There her beloved Shakspeare dwelt, ready 
 at all times to shed his vivifying influence into her soul ; 
 there was smiling Spenser; and the quaint old wor- 
 thies of the massive tomes who taught of life in its 
 more sombre aspects. 
 
 Verna knew not a mother's love. But her father's 
 affection was of that peculiarly deep and tender nature 
 that might be expected to characterise a noble heart, 
 widowed at the birth of its only offspring. Verna's 
 excellent mother had hardly passed the throes that 
 ushered the dear expected one into life, ere the throes 
 of death were upon her. She was deeply mourned. 
 And Mr. Humphrey, shrinking from a possible recur- 
 rence of such a scene of trial, never seemed to enter- 
 tain a thought of forming another union. A family 
 connection, well skilled in household affairs, virtuous 
 and kind, undertook for him the duties of housekeeper 
 and his home continued one of peace and pleasantness. 
 
 Mr. Humphrey was a man of means and benevolent 
 heart. His broad acres were well tilled and his barn 
 and store houses never empt}'. And his doors were 
 never closed against the needy supplicant. As his 
 beloved daughter grew in years, the good man de- 
 lighted to behold in her the sweet fruits of those les- 
 sons of charity which he had so carefully impressed on 
 her uncorrnpted heart. The sick and poor were no 
 strangers to her kind offices. And if the prayers of
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 251 
 
 the forlorn, the destitute and degraded, in union with 
 those of the refined, the virtuous and elevated, could 
 have availed, her foot would never have trod a thorny 
 path. 
 
 But we cannot dwell on the early history of Yerna. 
 Her visits to the metropolis had brought her into such 
 society as was not safe for one so susceptible and con- 
 fiding and possessing such charms. 
 
 During the pleasant days of summer, her acquaint- 
 ances sometimes came hither to enjoy the beauties of 
 nature, and the charms of her society. Many a wood- 
 land ramble and moonlight stroll upon the beaches, 
 diversified the routine of happy days. And it is to be 
 feared that these occasions may have afforded oppor- 
 tunity for the wily to scatter seeds that could produce 
 only a wayward growth. 
 
 It was now a few years after the Restoration. And 
 all readers of English history know how rapidly the 
 vices that finally so distinguished the reign of Charles 
 II., and transmitted their enervating effects a long way 
 into the Hanoverian sovereignties, began to prevail. 
 The colonies, it is true, were in a great measure free 
 from the corruptions of the times. But not altogether. 
 Many profligate adventurers came hither from the 
 father land, some from the noble ranks, even, for tem- 
 porary residence. And not a few of the once happy 
 colonial homes were made desolate by their arts. 
 
 Go with us now, for one moment into the still pre- 
 cincts of the parsonage. 
 
 It is late at night. 
 
 Serene and beautiful the moon rides high in the 
 heavens. And the few stars that are not eclipsed by 
 her brightness, twinkle with a radiance clear and sharp.
 
 252 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 A slight breeze comes down from the hills, and the 
 noble pines that stand as sentinels at the gate, shiver 
 and faintly sigh. 
 
 Let us enter that snng little library. 
 
 The candle burns dimly, for the bent, black wick 
 has long cried in vain for the friendly snuffers. There 
 are persons here ; but only two. Mr. Whiting sits 
 upon one side of the table with an open Bible before 
 him. Mr. Humphrey sits upon the other side with his 
 head resting on his hand. And both are weeping. It 
 is most sad to see strong men weep. Children's tears 
 are evanescent, flowing from fountains stirred by a 
 breath and by a breath put to rest. Women's tears 
 freely flow at the common vicissitudes of life, and 
 smiles may presently appear again. Not so with the 
 more enduring spirit of man. 
 
 Thus sat the two friends for some minutes. And it 
 would have almost seemed irreverent to disturb the 
 flow of their manly grief. Then the minister arose 
 and with a choked utterance begged his good friend 
 Humphrey not to be so cast down. He reminded hira 
 that God in his good providence might soon bring 
 him out of his terrible afiiiction ; that it was not right 
 for a Christian so to distrust and despond ; and that 
 though his beloved daughter had suddenly and mysteri- 
 ously disappeared from his sight, yet, whithersoever 
 she had gone, she was still in her Maker's sight. Then 
 he again read the comforting Avords at which the Bible 
 was opened, and again offered up one of those fervid 
 and soul-stirring prayers for which he was so eminent, 
 and which gained for him, from the rigid Mather, the 
 expressive title of " Angel of Lynn." 
 
 And the sorrowing father returned to his now des- 
 olate home much comforted by the sympathy and godly
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 253 
 
 counsel received from his beloved minister. The stars 
 seemed to shed a mournful light upon his path, and the 
 trees to sigh with unwonted sadness. 
 
 Dramatic representations have been known ever 
 since the civilization of man. And they probably will 
 continue, under some name, till man again returns to a 
 savage state. Most men are delighted with history. 
 And what is history but a recounting of the great 
 dramas of life ; a recalling, before the mind, of the 
 scenes and actors of former days ? 
 
 The English, though perhaps never betraying an 
 over-fondness for the stage, have always regarded it 
 as an institution of civiHzation. And the pen of their 
 unapproachable Shakspeare has made the whole world 
 their debtors. 
 
 The dramas of the Bard of Avon will be admired 
 so long as men continue sufficiently cultivated to 
 love what is beautiful in the outward world or appre- 
 ciate what is noble in their OAvn nature. These dra- 
 mas were all produced between the years 1588 and 
 1615, And soon after their appearance a more refined 
 taste and fastidious morality began to prevail in stage 
 representations; though it may be asked, in view of 
 this, what the earlier representations must have been. 
 
 In the time of Charles I. the theatre appears to have 
 flourished. But when the sturdy Puritans came into 
 power, as might have been expected, it received no 
 quarter. It languished through the whole time of the 
 Commonwealth. But on the Restoration it began to 
 flourish with renewed vigor. 
 
 Female actors do not appear to have been known on 
 the English stage before the time of Charles 11. That 
 a real woman, and not a boy in woman's apparel, should
 
 254 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 appear to play tlie part of Desclemona, Juliet or Ophe- 
 lia was a new thing. And while it remained new it 
 added immensely to the interest of the theatre. In- 
 deed its attractiveness has not yet ceased. Great 
 inducements were offered for the most beautiful and 
 accomplished to undertake the labors of dramatic life. 
 And the inducements were effectual in numerous in- 
 stances. 
 
 The meed of public commendation is intoxicating. 
 And it was extremely grateful to these adventurous 
 females so soon to become the objects of popular 
 admiration, the recipients of popular applause. And 
 then again, the appearance of the refined and virtuous, 
 for there were many such, had a tendency to elevate 
 the character of the stage itself. But that good effect 
 •WHS, probably, from the nature of the case, only tem- 
 porary. And it certainly was not an age when much 
 elevation would be looked for in that quarter. 
 
 While all but the most provokingly illiberal are 
 ready to admit that there have ever been in the dra- 
 matic profession females who did honor to their sex, 
 the general opinion of the world, that it has never 
 been one the best fortified against evil, must be con- 
 curred in. The young and uncontaminated female, 
 entering upon the life of an actress, must necessarily 
 give no heed to many of the out-guards that in almost 
 every other sphere remain to warn of danger, and 
 expose herself to influences but poorly calculated to 
 aid the growth of virtue. Herein, perhaps, lies the 
 greatest danger. And it seems to be an inherent one. 
 
 In the year 1673, there appeared, unheralded, on 
 the theatrical boards of London, an actress whose 
 personal charms and extraordinary powers of delinca-
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 255 
 
 tion at once elicited the admiration of all. It is not in 
 that sphere, as in many others, that excellence is slow 
 in becoming known. The public e};e being constantly 
 on the candidates for favor, the question of merit or 
 demerit is soon determined. In the present case there 
 was but one voice and that loud in praise. Many who 
 had never been accustomed to attend the theatre Avere 
 at once attracted there — students from their closets, 
 philosophers and divines. Thus was this new and 
 brilliant star of genius eminently honored by those 
 who could appreciate and enjoy the rare in intellectual 
 power and discernment. And thither also were drawn 
 those from the titled ranks ; among whom, it is true, 
 were some whose desires were centered in quite other 
 charms than those of mind. 
 
 The little coteries that gathered in the green room, 
 too often numbered among them those whose objects 
 were impure and from whose advances the sensitive 
 and virtuous might well shrink. But these were gen- 
 erally from among those Avhose wealth or position so 
 improperly insured indulgences which would at once 
 be denied to the less favored of fortune. That virtue 
 must be doubly strong, which can withstand covert 
 assaults and pertinacious and gilded appliances under 
 such circumstances as those in which this queen of 
 the drama was placed. 
 
 The Merry Monarch himself was sometimes behind 
 the scenes, curious in his disguises, and captivating 
 in the relation of his whimsical adventures. There, 
 too, came Edward Randolph, with manly form and 
 dark curling hair ; Pembroke, so affable and kind ; the 
 youthful Ellenborough, so witty and polite ; to say 
 nothing of others of more burly and boisterous trim; 
 men of wealth, fashion, leisure and taste, but destitute
 
 256 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 alike of heart and principle. Were not these danger- 
 ous associates, though only for now and then an hour, 
 in the green room of a theatre, for one innocent, and 
 by nature confiding and unsuspicious? 
 
 The carriage of some young noble Avas always wait- 
 ing at the door, when the play closed, to convey the 
 fascinating Star to her lodgings; aftd in the morning a 
 fresh bouquet was sure to be sent for her acceptance. 
 Upon the off-nights some little party always demanded 
 her presence where wit, wine, and cards were special 
 adjuncts. But unanticipated consequences sometimes 
 flow from wine and cards. And when to them are 
 added the excitements that the smile or frown of a 
 beautiful woman may create, surely perils abound. 
 More than one passage at swords grew out of these 
 occasions. 
 
 Our heroine of the stage became more and more the 
 votary of festive life as the season advanced and her 
 circle of acquaintance extended. Her wakeful and 
 brilliant wit, superior education and capacity to trace 
 the sinuous workings of the human mind rendered her 
 most able to rule in such society. Her dark hazel 
 eyes could flash with the fires of defiance or scorn on 
 those whose approach she would check, or melt in 
 child like softness at the advance of such as she would 
 welcome. 
 
 The favorite and almost only characters that she 
 personated were those immortal ones drawn by Shaks- 
 peare. And while treading the boards, lost in the 
 counterfeit, the applause that rang from the almost 
 frantic crowd, was entirely unheeded by her. She 
 never appeared in what is now known as melo-drame, 
 nor in firce or dance. But in the song that pertained 
 to her lofty part she sang with a voice so modulated to
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 257 
 
 the stately demands of chivalric achievement, the ten- 
 der accents of love, or the plaintive strains of grief, 
 that a sympathetic cord was touched in every heart. 
 
 Gaudy tinsel, patching and painting, she eschewed. 
 Nature's ruddy glow upon the cheek and pure white 
 upon the brow, raven lashes and ample tresses of dark 
 chesnut were all that she required. Her robes were 
 few, but rich, appropriate and becoming. 
 
 So passed on the season, full of excitement, full of 
 success. 
 
 But did she never, after her professional duties were 
 over, and her admirers dismissed — after her fevered 
 head had tossed upon the pillow till the east was 
 all but gilded by the coming day — did she never then 
 think of a quiet and peaceful retreat, far away among 
 green hills and beside pleasant waters, with tender 
 hearts to feel her cares, honest hearts to guide her 
 erring steps ; of hours of sweet and undisturbed re- 
 pose coming on with the setting sun, and hours of 
 useful activity beginning with the opening day? Did 
 she never think of a quaint and spireless meeting 
 house standing down a grassy lane, where gathered 
 familiar forms, and where familiar faces were upturned 
 to the godly preacher, who loved to speak words of 
 heavenly comfort, and whose lips trembled to utter 
 words of pain even in the sinner's ear? More than all, 
 did she never think of a sequestered burial place, 
 where lay an angel mother, sighed over by swaying 
 trees; or of a tender father, with bowed form, visiting 
 that grave and there, with gushing tears for the dead, 
 mingling those proceeding from more unutterable grief 
 for an erring loved one still in life ? 
 
 Another season came and this extraordinary young 
 woman again appeared on the theatrical boards, peer- 
 
 17
 
 258 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 less still. But she was more stately and reserved in 
 her daily walk, and less approachable by those who 
 were wont to meet her in a familiar way. So far 
 as professional intercourse was concerned her affix- 
 bility was as conspicuous as ever ; but the non-profes- 
 sional visitors of the green room soon perceived that 
 they must seek other objects on which to bestow their 
 attentions and favors. Yet there was one whom she 
 always greeted with a smile of welcome. And he was 
 a wealthy young Earl. It was his blazoned carriage 
 that conveyed her home ; and it was company of his 
 approval that she entertained. His means procured 
 the rich jewels that now adorned her person, and the 
 elegances of her enchanted home. True, he was not 
 deemed of the most virtuous class ; but he was young, 
 polite, witty and handsome. The customs of the times 
 did not demand fastidiousness in morals, especially 
 among those in his sphere. His sovereign had set an 
 example that most were too ready to follow. And 
 fashion is almost as sure as natural desire to open the 
 door to some species of vice. The reader must be 
 left to draw his own conclusion as to the nature of the 
 intimacy that had become established between the 
 noble Earl and the fascinating Actress. 
 
 A beautiful villa stood on the bank of the river, a 
 few miles below London. It was an erection of the 
 time of Elizabeth, and of exquisite loveliness as re- 
 garded its own charming self, its immediate surround- 
 ings, and the enchanting views afforded from its turrets 
 and balconies. The little park sloped gently to the 
 river, with gravel walks and grassy paths, all finely 
 shaded by noble trees ; and fountains sparkled in 
 the sunshine. Stretching far away upon either hand,
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 259 
 
 and beyond the river, as far as the eye could reach, 
 were cultivated fields and green acclivities, dotted 
 with farm house and copse, all rejoicing in heaven's 
 glorious light. 
 
 The villa gardens were full of choice flowers and 
 luscious fruits. And here and there, in some embow- 
 ered niche, was a statue, of the old mythology. 
 
 Within the villa, the elegant rooms were well sup- 
 plied with books, pictures, and costlj^ ornaments. And 
 a ponderous old harpsicord stood in the hall, inviting 
 the touch of such wandering minstrel, the representa- 
 tive of England's more chivalric days, as might stray 
 within the villa precincts. 
 
 But who was the presiding genius in this charming 
 retreat? The same triumphant tragedy queen who a 
 few years before, upon the London stage, so astonished 
 the multitude. Nor was she mistress of the mansion 
 alone, but also of the gay Earl, a part of whose patri- 
 mony it was. There now she sits in the gorgeous 
 drawing room that overlooks the calmly flowing river, 
 surrounded by every outward appliance for peace and 
 happiness. A sweet little child leans on her knee, 
 looking up with a face full of trusting love. And she 
 looks down upon that curly head with all the placid 
 joy known in a mother's love for her only born. But 
 a sickening mist comes up between her vision and that 
 sinless idol of her heart; a mist, arising from the foun- 
 tains of impurity which she herself has stirred. There 
 is a gnawing worm within. Her bosom heaves as 
 unbidden thoughts of the uncontaminated joys of 
 other days arise, days when she was morally fair as 
 that unerring one upon her knee. Again, we behold 
 her seated on a balcony, scanning the glorious scene, 
 and with long drawn sigh, in nature's holy quiotude,
 
 260 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 yearning for that peace which the uncorrupted in 
 heart and innocent in life, alone can know. 
 
 In this lovely place, some of the noblest of the realm 
 M^ere at times found. On occasions, it was the resort 
 of certain individuals who would in a private way and 
 for private ends, discuss the great matters of state. 
 The Earl himself held a considerable official position, 
 was ambitious and somewhat given to intrigue. In- 
 deed was there ever a politician who was not an in- 
 triguer ? He was a favorite of royalty ; but even this 
 did not place him above plotting; for there are many 
 who would rather achieve by intrigue what they could 
 more easily attain by open and fair means. 
 
 In this retreat,' these restless spirits were safe from 
 observation. And like other females, of powerful and 
 aspiring mind, who have in all ages made their influ- 
 ence felt in affairs of state, the reigning spirit of the 
 villa joined in the political debates. And her services 
 to the party whose interests she espoused were of 
 much value, for blandishments will often accomplish 
 what reasoning cannot. 
 
 The period to which these occurrences relate was 
 one when the condition of the American colonies 
 was exciting much interest in the mother country. 
 Their commerce was extending; their fisheries were 
 productive ; their forests were ready to yield a large 
 increase. And there was a deep and wide spread con- 
 viction that they were destined at no very distant day 
 to assume a position in the world important and com- 
 manding. Many ambitious and avaricious eyes were 
 directed thither. And many consultations were held 
 at the villa among those whose desires would be satis- 
 fied only in the broadest fields of enterprise. 
 
 When the accomplished hostess partook in the po-
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 261 
 
 litical discussions relating to those far-off colonies, 
 she astonished all by her accurate knowledge of their 
 history, condition, wants and rights. And she showed 
 herself their uncompromising friend, resolutely op- 
 posing every suggestion that might endanger any in- 
 terest of theirs. Edward Randolph more than once 
 quailed before her flashing eye. His inveterate hos- 
 tility to the interests of the colonies as well as his base 
 selfishness was apparent even to minds much less keen 
 and wakeful than hers. And king Charles himself, who 
 on one occasion in disguise came beneath her roof, 
 was by his very disguise, for she knew him well, 
 compelled with closed mouth to listen to such an out- 
 pouring of bitter truth regarding his administration of 
 American affairs, as had never before greeted his pam- 
 pered ears. 
 
 These were times immediately preceding the disso- 
 lution of the colonial charters. And as the old lord 
 keeper of the king's conscience on several occasions 
 found his way there, perhaps some reason other*than 
 mere mistake, negligence or accident, may have ex- 
 isted why in the succeeding reign no record Avas found 
 of certain judgments adverse to colonial interests, w^ell 
 known to have been passed. 
 
 The social delights of this elegant retreat drew 
 together the witty and fashionable. The Earl was 
 lavish in his expenditures, and the rarest entertain- 
 ments were given. Classic and poetical representa- 
 tions, music and dancing, enlivened the gliding hours ; 
 cards and wine furnished their excitements. 
 
 But there was a sudden and mournful termination 
 of these things. ' 
 
 With appalling swiftness the arrow of Death laid low 
 the doting Earl. Then quickly upon that gem of -the
 
 262 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 river fell a murky cloud. Not more rapidly does the 
 thunder cloud obscure the sun than did this sad death 
 extinguish the brightness of that radiant home of plea- 
 sure. 
 
 The heroine was now hardly of an age to make new 
 conquests by personal charms. And it was not easy 
 even in that morally derelict age, for one who had 
 so long stood in a position like hers, to attain a posi- 
 tion among those who had never deviated, however 
 eminent her other qualifications might be. The Earl 
 was of a generous nature. But so sudden was his 
 decease that no provision was made for her for whom 
 he really had a most tender attachment, and on whom 
 he had lavished so much. It would hardly be expected 
 that his family connections, who had been to a degree 
 indirectly impoverished by his extravagances, should 
 supply his omission. And so the poor erring one was 
 left in penury. Can there be wonder, then, that she 
 mourned as one without hope ? 
 
 On a cold but brilliant night in the winter of 1691, 
 there came slowly walking along the road, from Boston, 
 a female traveler, wrapped as well as she might be in 
 a scanty cloak. She had walked all the way from 
 that place, and now, on entering the village of Lynn, 
 seemed so fatigued as to be scarcely able to support 
 herself 
 
 A piercing northwest wind swept over the snow, 
 which sparkled in the moonbeams, and now and then 
 whirled up in eddies so furiously as almost to blind 
 such unfortunate ones as happened to be exposed to 
 ♦its fury. And the little drifts accumulated so fast 
 across the traveled path, that the way became every 
 moment more and more difficult.
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 2G3 
 
 The garments of the forlorn traveler to whom we 
 have alluded were entirely insufficient for protection 
 against the severe cold, and of such texture as was 
 worn by those in the most humble condition. Never- 
 theless, she toiled on, perseveringly, aided by a rude 
 staff that she had picked up by the wayside. 
 
 By her side was a little girl, who was quite as thinly 
 clad, and whose chattering teeth and benumbed limbs 
 told of her suffering. But no complaint was uttered 
 by either. 
 
 They proceeded in silence, excepting that occasion- 
 ally the girl, in a tone of the most tender solicitude, 
 would inquire if her mother's strength were still suffi- 
 cient for their trial. She seemed to have no thought 
 of herself, of the torn shoes from which the little rag 
 covered toes protruded, nor of her tattered bonnet, 
 from which rolled a profusion of glossy tresses, which 
 the wind seemed dehghted to whirl about by its cold 
 breath. And as she made her pathetic inquiries, she 
 would turn her drooping eyes upon her parent, while 
 the moonbeam lighted the tears that, in spite of all 
 her efforts, forced their way from the quivering lids. 
 But the mother uttered no response. She could only 
 pause in her weary walk, press that dear one to her 
 heart and sigh. 
 
 So the two traveled on. At about midnight they 
 were opposite the house of Jacob Burrill, Here, by a 
 misstep upon the ice, the mother fell, and was so stun- 
 ned as to become entirely unconscious. The daugh- 
 ter, in wild distress, flew to the neighboring door, 
 arousing the inmates and begging for assistance. No 
 one in distress ever applied at that door in vain. The 
 good man, in a half nude condition, rushed to the re- 
 lief of the wayfarers. They were, without t^uestion
 
 264 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 or comment instantly taken beneath the hospitable roof. 
 A bright fire soon burned ; restoratives were applied ; 
 and presently a warm repast invited their attention. 
 They were very hungry, and partook with grateful 
 hearts. The woman had received but slight injury 
 from her fall, and the accident was soon almost forgot- 
 ten. An hour after found the two safe in a bed of 
 such softness as they had not enjoyed for many a 
 weary month, their prayers having first ascended for 
 blessings on their kind deliverer. 
 
 In the morning, they began to prepare for departure. 
 But a few casual inquiries led to a long and earnest 
 consultation. And it seemed a strange Providence 
 that so ordered things that they remained the welcome 
 recipients of Mr. Burrill's bounty till the opening of 
 spring, rendering such small service as they were able 
 to, in return, by the needle, at the spinning-wheel, or 
 in the dairy. 
 
 The woman was something beyond the meridian of 
 life. But trouble had given her the marks of one 
 much in advance of that period. Silvery locks skirted 
 her care-worn brow ; her cheeks were wan, her form 
 was bent. Yet there was a lustre in her sunken eye, 
 that spoke of a soul yet alive to the realities of life. 
 And her whole appearance indicated that she was one 
 who had fallen from better fortunes. She was so re- 
 tiring in her habits as to shrink even from friendly 
 visitors, though the little conversation into which she 
 could be drawn, exhibited a mind of intelligence and 
 strength, and a resignation worthy of respect. She 
 made no acquaintances, and appeared desirous only of 
 finishing her earthly journey by some quiet, seques- 
 tered patli. 
 
 The daughter had a gentle s])irit, and her habits
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 265 
 
 seemed as retiring as those of her parent. She was 
 intelligent and pleasing in person ; and her modest 
 attire was always tasteful and clean. She loved books 
 and flowers, but seldom seemed inclined to associate 
 with other children. 
 
 There were many visitors at the house of Mr. Burrill 
 and not a few kindly seconded the efforts of the good 
 family to cheer the strangers. But their success was 
 by no means commensurate with their endeavors. Vil- 
 lage gossips were baffled in their attempts to ascertain 
 the cause of their sorrow, or the reason of their so- 
 journ in the settlement. 
 
 When the grass and flowers began to appear, the 
 mother and daughter retired to a quiet little home, far 
 up a green lane, where they purposed dwelling in seclu- 
 sion, by their own industry supplying their few wants. 
 Mr. Burrill, with his wonted benevolence, assisted them 
 in procuring the few things necessary for their hum- 
 ble home, and was pleased when he saw them quietly 
 settled there, surrounded, as they said, with all they 
 desired. And it was very pleasant to him occasion- 
 ally to call on them as he came from his field, hard by, 
 to speak a word of cheer. And it would have greatly 
 added to his own happiness, to have seen them smile 
 as if returning to life's enjoyments. But there they 
 lived, the possessors of many blessings, among the 
 chief of which was their cordial and unwavering affec- 
 tion for each other. On the Sabbath, their seats in 
 the meeting house were seldom vacant; and none 
 were more attentive to the long drawn exercises than 
 they. The mother's black veil was seldom lifted ex- 
 cepting now and then to permit the fresh air to play 
 freely on her brow. 
 
 The summer waned. 
 L
 
 2G6 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 It was a sad thing to behold that mother thus pur- 
 suing a sunless path ; but much sadder to behold the 
 prematurely fading daughter. The little garden, well 
 stored with choice jflowers which had been transplant- 
 ed from the hill sides by their own hands ; the woody 
 acclivity beyond ; and the winding lane, furnished the 
 scene of almost their whole exercise out of doors. 
 Occasionally, however, as the shades of evening were 
 gathering, the mother would steal away alone, for a 
 brief space to wander in this burial place. And it was 
 observed that she lingered chiefly at a particular grave, 
 bending over it and deeply sighing, as if exercised by 
 some terrible agony, and finally vanishing, in the dim 
 twilight, like a troubled ghost. 
 
 Before the winds of later autumn began to howl, a 
 great affliction descended on that home of love and 
 sadness. The daughter was stricken down by disease 
 incurable. The sorrow that now weighed upon the 
 mother's heart, led to her laying aside, in some de- 
 gree, the reserve in which she had so enwrapped her- 
 self; and she received the few neighbors who came to 
 offer their sympathy and assistance, with many expres- 
 sions of sincere gratitude. 
 
 It was a wild autumn evening and very late. The 
 fast declining daughter lay upon her lowly couch. 
 She had been restless for hours, and now breathed 
 heavily, with an occasional quiver of the whole frame, 
 seeming, in half-dreamy state, to be struggling for 
 something that she could not grasp. Suddenly she 
 waked to full consciousness and convulsively seized the 
 hand that lay upon her pillow. Then with touching ear- 
 nestness she began to talk of a strange vision she had 
 had ; a vision so beautiful and apparently real that she 
 could almost pray for its return. She was in a splendid
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 267 
 
 mansion with brilliant rooms and music and gay com- 
 pany. A shady lawn, with fountains, sloped to a broad 
 river, beyond which fields, and green hills spread out, 
 all glowing in the sunshine. And in the most beauti- 
 ful room of the mansion her dear mother sat ; and she 
 herself, a little child, leaned upon her knee. And 
 there came a man of noble form and pleasant look, 
 who put his arm about her mother's neck, bowed 
 down and kissed her. And upon his knee he took 
 herself, smoothed her curling hair, and said she was 
 his dearest child. He hugged her to his heart and 
 said that he would never suffer even the wind to blow 
 hard upon her, he so loved her. 
 
 Scarcely had the little one thus delivered herself, 
 when she sank down again exhausted. 
 
 A groaning utterance was just escaping the moth- 
 er's heaving breast, when there came a fierce knocking 
 at the door. It was opened, and two burly men, bois- 
 terous and forbidding in aspect, entered, announcing 
 themselves as officers of the law, come to arrest the 
 woman on the charge of witchcraft. This seemed the 
 bitterest drop in the cup where all was bitterness. 
 All her remaining powers of endurance were sum- 
 moned ; and though she staggered she did not fall. 
 In silence she gave ear to what they had to say. She 
 had been " cried out against," a complaint entered, 
 and now she must be held to answer. As she began 
 to comprehend her new position, a terrible weight 
 fell upon her. She could not speak, but in woe unut- 
 terable pointed to the couch whereon her dying daugh- 
 ter lay, as if to beg a respite only till that beloved one 
 were in her winding sheet. And from that couch 
 there came a feeble voice, pleading, in childlike sim- 
 plicity, against the strange, false accusation. It was
 
 268 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 a scene of such extreme agony that even the coarsely 
 disciplined hearts of those rude men were deeply 
 touched. Then they withdrew to consult. 
 
 And now the mother, with tearless eye, sat down 
 upon the bedside. She spoke not, but gazed fixedly 
 upon that calm face upturned on the pillow. Those 
 gentle, dying eyes opened, full of love and heavenly 
 radiance. Those lips quivered as if words pressed 
 for utterance. Then, by an effort that taxed all her 
 powers, the dying one raised herself, as if in a last 
 attempt to declare something that weighed upon her 
 spirit's wing. But the struggle was too much. She 
 fell back. A slight quiver ran through her fragile 
 form, and — 
 
 Another ransomed spirit entered heaven. 
 
 At that awful moment, too, the light of the mother's 
 mind went out. With the daughter's spirit it fled 
 away, not again to revisit and illuminate its earthly 
 home. 
 
 When the men returned, they even wept at the sor- 
 rowful scene. The living one they found quiet and 
 submissive. She uttered not a word, but stood at 
 the bedside, looking down upon her lost treasure, with 
 a vacant gaze, shedding no tear, heaving no sigh. 
 
 In the morning the townspeople began to gather. 
 Mr. Burrill and his good wife were there among the 
 first. Mr. Shepard, the minister, also came, and the 
 village doctor, the magistrate, and divers excited wo- 
 men and curious children. 
 
 They declared that the woman's heart was broken. 
 And so it was. 
 
 Another spring came, and though her health was 
 good, her mind was still a blank. She was constantly 
 wandering about. With venturesome step she would
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 269 
 
 climb the rugged cliff and delve into the glen and 
 rocky pass, as if in quest of something that she longed 
 to find. She would gaze into the river, and trace the 
 woodland stream through swamp and tangled dell, 
 with anxious eye peering into every nook, and with 
 her long stafi" curiously examining the covert that her 
 foot could not reach. And then she would return, 
 disappointed and restless, on the morrow to renew, 
 with fresh vigor, her unsuccessful search. Occasion- 
 ally, she would come hither, of a pleasant evening, and 
 gaze intently for a few minutes on the same grave that 
 she had before been accustomed to visit. During her 
 wanderings in the woods, she would sometimes gather 
 flowers and mosses, ferns and green twigs ; and when 
 on the sea shore, she would cull glittering pebbles and 
 curious shells. But none of these seemed objects for 
 which she was in search. 
 
 One day during the hot summer of 1693, she strayed 
 into the heart of a distant swamp. About nightfall 
 she was seen emerging from the woods with a falter- 
 ing step, as if extremely fatigued. Presently she sat 
 down on a rock ; and those who observed her thought 
 nothing more of it, supposing that she was resting. 
 
 In the morning she was found by the rock, swollen 
 and dead. It was supposed that she had been bitten 
 by a rattlesnake; for whenever she discovered one of 
 those venomous reptiles, she would pursue it vigor- 
 ously, often exposing herself to imminent danger. 
 
 On the following day the friendly grave received 
 her weary form. 
 
 There, a few paces from that ancient tomb, as we 
 said, sleeps the dust of the once beautiful and brilliant 
 Verna Humphrey — the radiant star that brightened
 
 270 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 many a home of our fathers in those far off times — 
 the triumphant actress of the London stage — the 
 charmer of the young heart of one of England's no- 
 blest blood — the returned wanderer. Yes, returned, 
 with broken spirit and contrite heart, in penury, sor- 
 row and darkness to lay her weary head in this quiet 
 spot. And here for generations she has lain, no more 
 exposed to the temptations and reverses that attended 
 her journey in life. 
 
 And that dear offspring of unsanctioned love, all 
 unconscious of its tainted birth, lies by her side, un- 
 disturbed by human conflicts or by nature's rage. 
 
 And is there no good lesson to be drawn from this 
 simple history of Verna Humphrey ? 
 
 Somewhere within a short distance of that stained 
 marble shaft, that rises rather ostentatiously beneath 
 the glossy foliage — though the precise spot cannot 
 now be pointed out — must have been laid the dust of 
 the godly Whiting, who for more than forty years was 
 the beloved minister of the flock who gathered in the 
 rude sanctuary reared by the early fathers of the Plan- 
 tation. And during that long ministry, how many of 
 those who had received holy instruction and comfort 
 from his lips, must have been gathered to welcome 
 his coming. No stone marks the spot where he lies 
 in his serene repose, but his name and his virtues are 
 recorded on tablets more enduring than marble. 
 
 You perceive that the venerable man must lie near 
 Verna Humphrey's resting place. And on the resurrec- 
 tion morn, when the tenants of all these graves come 
 forth to meet their Judge, if the day for intercession be 
 not past, and the greater Advocate has not already se- 
 cured her redemption, she will have an earnest inter-
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 271 
 
 cesser in liim who in her spring time of life prayed so 
 fervently and labored so faithfully that she might 
 never stray from the paths of purity and peace. 
 
 Just about where yonder irreverently laughing girl 
 is plucking a flower, was buried, in 1685, Manasseh 
 Guatolf. He was born a Jew. Amid the sunny hills 
 of the olive and vine, in luxuriant Spain, did his eyes 
 first open to the scenes of life. Being the offspring 
 of parents conspicuous for their wealth and proud of 
 their Hebrew lineage, no pains were spared to confer 
 upon him a superior education, especially in all the 
 learning calculated to confirm and strengthen him in 
 the ancient faith. 
 
 As he grew in years he exhibited talents of a high 
 order, and such as rendered him an object of fear and 
 jealousy to the ecclesiastical side of the government. 
 And it was not long before he felt the iron hand of 
 persecution. He was compelled, by the time he had 
 attained an age to make his influence felt, to flee from 
 his native land. He passed a restless life for a few 
 years, in different places along the coasts of the Medi- 
 terranean, and finally journeyed into the Holy Laud. 
 At Hebron, the sacred depository of the dust of his 
 great father Abraham, he sat down to rest. But he 
 was soon again upon the wing. 
 
 By what turn of fortune ho was brought into the 
 western world, we know not. But he appears to have 
 been residing at Boston for a year or two, when ho 
 fell in with Mr. Whiting. Both being among the best 
 Hebrew scholars in the country, they frequently met 
 in the higher literary circles. And Mr. Guatolf becartie 
 80 charmed by the benignant character of his now 
 acquaintance, that ho formed an attachment strong and
 
 272 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 enduring. And he presently came to esteem it one 
 of his highest privileges to be near the godly man, 
 making frequent visits to Lynn, and occasionally re- 
 maining for several days. He was a rigid adherent to 
 the faith of his fathers ; but this did not prevent his 
 perceiving the good and great in those who proudly 
 claimed to be among the chosen of the New Dispensa- 
 tion. Indeed he seems to have been a man of charita- 
 ble and confiding disposition, having views enlarged 
 by travel and association with mankind under diiferent 
 aspects and in different conditions. 
 
 It does not certainly appear at what time Mr. Gua- 
 tolf became a resident of Lynn, but it must have been 
 a few years before his death. It is not wonderful that 
 Mr. Whiting's influence over him should have eventu- 
 ated, as it did, in his conversion to the christian faith. 
 By degrees his adherence to the old religion weakened, 
 and finally, on a serene Sabbath morning, in early sum- 
 mer, the venerable pastor had the blessed privilege, 
 before a great congregation, who had assembled from 
 far and near, of baptizing this son of Abraham into the 
 religion of the Nazarene. It was a marked occasion, 
 and much talked of among the good people through- 
 out the colonies. 
 
 For many months he pursued his christian walk 
 in the most exemplary manner ; and his zeal and devo- 
 tion may well have put to the blush many who had till 
 then looked upon themselves as foremost in the godly 
 race. He visited the widow and fatherless in their 
 aflSiction, and kept himself from the contaminations of 
 the world. The fountains of grace that had sprung up 
 within him seemed pure and unfailing. He was con- 
 stant in attendance on the services of the sanctuary, 
 and took great pains to lead thither others who had
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 273 
 
 been accustomed to range the woods and fields on the 
 Sabbath. And possessing well trained musical powers 
 he delighted to join, with his melodious voice, in the 
 sacred song. 
 
 But on the death of Mr. Whiting, which took place 
 in 1679, a cloud seemed to fall on the path of Mr. 
 Guatolf. He deeply mourned the loss of his christian 
 guide and dear friend. 
 
 Mr. Shepard succeeded in the pastorate. But his 
 gloomy views of truth and duty, and dismal concep- 
 tions concerning the heart of man, his course and 
 destiny, were any thing but congenial to a mind con- 
 structed like that of Mr. Guatolf. He seemed to strug- 
 gle hard to retain the position he had reached. But 
 it was soon manifest, to himself as well as others, that 
 he had begun to lose ground. At times he sought the 
 society of pious people, as if by their zeal to endeavor 
 to reanimate his own. Again, he wandered alone into 
 the fields as if seeking, in solitude, relief for his per- 
 plexed and burdened mind. 
 
 Some two years passed, and the attachment of Mr. 
 Guatolf for the religion into which he had been bap- 
 tized, was feeble and still declining. And another year 
 had hardly elapsed when the light had gone out. He 
 had bidden an everlasting adieu to all his christian 
 hope and inspiration. But he did not return to his 
 old Jewish faith. No, he wandered into the frigid 
 wilds of Atheism. 
 
 About this time the withering hand of consumption 
 was laid upon him. He was soon confined to his 
 home, and then to his bed. And it was a sorrowful 
 thing to the good people who came to visit him, to 
 find not even one ray of light glimmering in his dark- 
 ened soul. And so he died ; died, denying not only 
 L* 18
 
 274 NOTABMO TfTrXCS. 
 
 the great High Priest of the christian faith, but also 
 the great Jehovah whom his fathers worshipped. Of 
 all people on earth, one would think, an educated Jew 
 would be the last to die an infidel. 
 
 But there lies poor Guatolf, awaiting that resurrec- 
 tion which with his last breath he sternly rejected. 
 
 A few yards to the right of the grave of the unhappy 
 Guatolf were laid the remains of Obadiah Turner, one 
 of the most excellent men who labored and prayed 
 for the success of the Plantation, while it was yet in 
 infancy. Time has long since smoothed down the 
 swell of the ground that marked his resting place, for 
 he has occupied that lowly bed for more than a cen- 
 tury and three quarters. He was a modest, pious and 
 active man ; and his genial mind was constantly, as it 
 were, dispensing sunshine upon the path of those who 
 journeyed in his company. All these creditable things 
 appear from the few records which yet remain ; but 
 had we as full accounts of him as we have of many 
 of his cotemporaries, we doubt not he would stand in a 
 most eminent light. In the earlier part of our volume 
 this meritorious pioneer has been prominently in view. 
 And we need now only add that as he laid down trust- 
 ing in a merciful Redeemer, we doubt not that he will 
 arise to enjoy the recompense of a good and faithful 
 servant. He went down into the dark valle}^, clothed 
 in the panoply of christian faith, and with that holy 
 hope and trust, that takes away the sting of death. 
 
 It is pleasant to endeavor something that may ex- 
 tend the memory of one so worthy, as there are enough 
 to sound the praises of th^ merely liberal worldling. 
 But wliat is the value of the life of one who makes 
 mammon his deity, who spends his days in gathering
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 275 
 
 that which will, when he is gone, be squandered by 
 prodigals who only ridicule him for his groveling 
 labor and care, compared with the life of one like him 
 of whom we speak ? 
 
 And 0, how immeasurably more to be desired is a 
 departure like his, than a departure like that of the 
 wretched Guatolf. There they lie, almost side by 
 side, awaiting that resurrection which the one re- 
 joiced in contemplating and the other sneered at as 
 nothing but an idle name. 
 
 Not far from the northeasterly corner of the enclo- 
 sure, where those flowering locust shrubs are growing, 
 was anciently a reception tomb ; that is, a tomb in 
 which bodies were deposited until such times as tho 
 graves which were finally to receive them could more 
 conveniently be digged. Deep snows or frosts in 
 winter, and various causes at other seasons rendered 
 this a desirable arrangement. There was no fear of 
 body-snatchers in those days ; nor was there any thing 
 else to create an apprehension that the sanctity of the 
 grave would be invaded. 
 
 This sacred depository, the receiving tomb, was 
 never very strongly fastened ; indeed it was closed 
 up by merely shutting the flap doors, which fell ob- 
 liquely together, in the manner of old fashioned cel- 
 lar doors, their own weight making them sufficiently 
 secure. 
 
 It was on the afternoon of a sultry day in August, 
 1697, that the remains of Elizabeth Melrose were de- 
 posited in this tomb. The solemn burial service of 
 the Episcopal church had been read as she was con- 
 signed to her mother earth, for she belonged to ono 
 of the few church families then in the vicinity. And
 
 276 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 her funeral had been attended by a very large con- 
 course, as she was greatly beloved for her kind heart, 
 bright mind and charming person. 
 
 As the pale corpse lay exposed at the entrance of 
 the tomb, the red light of the declining sun struggled 
 through the foliage as if striving once more to kiss the 
 blanched cheek and warm back into life the inanimate 
 form. The coffin lid was open ; and as the mourners 
 filed silently by, to take a last look, she seemed in a 
 sweet repose that it were sacrilege to disturb. The 
 flowers and evergreen twigs that adorned her fliir 
 brow and spotless robe, drank in the tears that pro- 
 fusely fell, as if they were distillations of early dew. 
 
 The sun went down ; the coffin was closed ; and she 
 was left for her long sleep. 
 
 That night a terrific thunder storm swept over the 
 settlement. About ten o'clock it was at its height. 
 The peals were appalling, the flashes almost continu- 
 ous. Rain descended in equatorial violence, and the 
 wind filled the air with whirling leaves and branches 
 wrested from the groaning trees. 
 
 It was at about that hour that a townsman who had 
 been caught abroad in the tempest, was indescribably 
 terrified by suddenly beholding, amid the war of ele- 
 ments, a few rods before him, and crossing the road 
 that ran just north of the Burying Ground, a thin, 
 white form. It apparently moved from somewhere 
 among the graves ; but whither it went, his fears pre- 
 vented his observing. He doubted not that he had 
 beheld a genuine ghost, and his hasty step was instinc- 
 tively turned towards the minister's. 
 
 At nearly the same time, the inmates of the house of 
 Mr. Downing, who were the nearest neighbors, were 
 startled by a noise at the outer door, it seeming as if
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 277 
 
 some one had pushed or fallen against it. And tliey 
 thought that they likewise heard a feeble cry. The 
 good master of the household instantly threw up the 
 ponderous wooden latch, and the door swung wide 
 open. Upon the rough stone step, drenched, trem- 
 bling and speechless, lay a fragile form. It was wrap- 
 ped in the white robe of the grave, and faded flowers 
 drooped upon the brow. 
 
 The good wife and daughter sprang at the summons 
 of the husband and father. And that apparently super- 
 natural claimant of their hospitality was soon upon a 
 comfortable bed, the recipient of every restorative 
 appliance that the most willing hearts and ready hands 
 could command. 
 
 That strange visitant was Elizabeth Melrose. She 
 had been prematurely consigned to the tomb, but 
 amid the war of elements had waked and made her 
 escape from its grim portals. 
 
 She appears to have been in a trance, so much re- 
 sembling death, that no one imagined that the fatal 
 arrow had not sped. Whether the tremendous elec- 
 tric discharges had the eifect to awaken her, or whe- 
 ther she was roused by some other means, it is not 
 easy to determine. But her own account was that 
 she suddenly awoke, as from a sleep, in a remarkable 
 condition of physical strength and self-possession. She 
 was immediately aware of her situation. But having 
 power to raise the lid of her coffin, which had not been 
 closely shut, and which was constructed like most 
 coffins in those days, with the lid running the whole 
 length, she had little dilliculty in releasing herself 
 from her fearful prison. From the tomb itself she 
 soon escaped, for the lightning disclosed ±ho passage, 
 and the door had been left partially unclosed, having
 
 278 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 swung against a stone that had fallen from the adjacent 
 bank. 
 
 One can hardly conceive that a slender girl should 
 have possessed such courage and strength in so awful 
 a situation. But it affords another instance of the ex- 
 traordinary capabilities of both the human mind and 
 body in an extremity. In the ordinary walks of life 
 a realization of the full extent of our own powers 
 is very seldom forced upon us. 
 
 There, near that little enclosed spot of sacred earth, 
 where rest one household's dead, were, in 1671, depos- 
 ited the remains of Ephraim Newhall, a man of com- 
 manding virtues and an excellent teacher of youth. 
 Diligently did he labor in his vocation, and unceasing 
 were his endeavors to prepare those under his charge 
 not only for success in this life, but also for the higher 
 christian walk, which surely leads to life eternal. Pos- 
 sessing such means as by economy were sufficient to 
 ensure a livelihood, he refused all compensation for 
 his services. He said that what he had was given for 
 his support, while laboring for the good of those around 
 him, and he should be guilty of the heinous sin of 
 covetousness by demanding what would be equivalent 
 to a double compensation. He had received a clas- 
 sical education, and had a mind capable of appreciating 
 the beautiful and noble. A small volume of touching 
 poetry emanated from his pen, all sweetly tinged by 
 pious and manly sentiment. 
 
 Would that such exemplars were more common. 
 
 The evening of the twentieth of November, 1665, 
 was damp and comfortless to those abroad. The trees 
 were almost entirely denuded of their leaves, the few
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 279 
 
 that remained being dry and shriveled, and seeming to 
 tremble with impatience to leave their parent stems. 
 And now and then, in spite of every filial tie, some 
 would leap off and dance away upon the wind. The 
 darkness set in early and was very great, for there 
 was no moon and the clouds rolled heavily up from 
 the north. 
 
 It was perhaps eight o'clock, when four stalwart 
 men, bearing upon their shoulders a bier whereon was 
 a coffin, without pall or other covering, entered the 
 Burying Ground, preceded by the lame sexton, carry- 
 ing a flaming torch of pitch. Half a dozen townsmen 
 followed. And the discordant music of a battalion of 
 wild geese that had been overtaken by the night, ac- 
 companied that strange march. 
 
 The sexton limped along, at the head of the group, 
 leading the way among the trees toward the southerly 
 wall ; and there, among briars and rank vegetation, 
 paused. Hanging his torch upon a dead branch, with- 
 out uttering a word, he pointed to a newly digged 
 grave. The bearers lowered the burden from their 
 shoulders and placed it on the ground near the grave. 
 
 For a few moments they all stood still as if each 
 were waiting for the action of the others. The wind 
 sighed mournfully, and the trees tossed their lank 
 limbs wildly about, like giant ghosts at their revels. 
 The red light streamed from the torch, which flared 
 and smoked, imparting an unearthly glow to the forms 
 around, and throwing a spectral radiance upon the rude 
 coflin, the yawning grave, the gray old trunks, and fur 
 ofl* among the brambles and shivering ferns. 
 
 They stood in silence. No sob nor other mourning 
 utterance was heard, save the sighing of the trees and 
 lonely weeping of a little rill. But they did not loiter
 
 280 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 long. The old sexton again pointed to the grave and 
 then to a coil of rope that he had hung near his torch. 
 They took the rope and by it lowered the coffin to its 
 last resting place. 
 
 Then the old man began hastily to shovel the earth 
 upon it, as if anxious to have it in the shortest possible 
 time buried from the sight of man. Rapidly the earth 
 rattled down, and presently the grave was filled. Then 
 those strong men trod and stamped upon it till all was 
 even with the adjoining surface. Now a long sharpened 
 stake was brought and held upright upon the centre 
 of the grave. Then, by the most vigorous arm, a huge 
 sledge was swung, and as the sturdy strokes fell upon 
 its head, it sank rapidly. Presently a dull sound was 
 heard, for the point had reached the coffin. Another 
 vigorous blow, and there was a stifled crash ; another 
 and another ; and then the stake head had sunk even 
 with the earth. 
 
 The work was done. And the strange company 
 slowly and silently retired, preceded again by the 
 limping sexton, bearing his torch, which by this time 
 began to burn dimly and flicker. 
 
 This was the burial of Alden Howland, the Suicide. 
 
 It is the holy Sabbath eve. 
 
 The breeze has lulled away, and the delicate foliage 
 of early summer scarcely stirs. All nature seems sink- 
 ing into repose, as the sun withdraws his last beams 
 from spire and tree top. A few visitors linger in this 
 consecrated spot, scanning the records on the stones. 
 They speak only in whispers. Here are children, too. 
 They step lightly on the graves, many as short as they, 
 and their shout and laugh are hushed. And see that 
 old man, with gray locks, seated upon yon cold granite
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 281 
 
 slab, With head bowed down and lips moving, as if he 
 were muttering some complaint or prayer. He seems 
 like one who has outlived kindred and friends and 
 come hither to ponder on his loneliness and perchance 
 commune with their spirits, craving intercession for 
 release from the burden of a cheerless life. 
 
 What hour or place more meet for serious thought? 
 
 Around us lie the godly men and women of olden 
 time, who went down into the dark valley without 
 fear, protected and sustained by christian faith and 
 hope. Here repose the noble fathers who with strong 
 hands and generous hearts shielded and succored the 
 humble and weak. Here lies the soldier who bled for 
 our liberties ; the glowing soul who labored and per- 
 severed, through perils and wrongs, that he might 
 secure the rights that we enjoy. 
 
 Here lie the learned, the honorable, the liberal. And 
 here, too, lie the young, the beautiful, the pure ; closed 
 eyes that once sparkled with joy ; pale lips that once 
 curled with mirth ; cold hands that once clasped other 
 hands with friendship's warmth ; pulseless hearts that 
 once beat with the inspirations of love and sunny hope. 
 
 Here they lie, undisturbed by the hum of business 
 that so constantly floats around them, and all unenvi- 
 ous of those who are most successful in the race for 
 worldly good. Their ears are closed to the sound of 
 the church-going bell or the jubilant parade ; their 
 eyes to the gaudy and cunning things of man's device, 
 the lovely and magnificent of nature's haudi\rork. Tho 
 cricket chirps upon their lowly bed ; and there tho 
 busy ant constructs her nest, and the spider spreads 
 his web. 
 
 But, you say, there is a darker view. And so there is. 
 Hero also lie tho drunkard, the libertine, the profane
 
 282 KOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 « 
 
 scoffer, the surly miser, the oppressor of the poor. 
 And it is true that the grass grows as freshly and the 
 flowers bloom as sweetly over them as over the most 
 worthy who lie here. And when the snowy mantle 
 of winter comes, it falls white and pure upon all alike. 
 But there is beyond this another truth, which all along 
 we have endeavored to keep in view; a truth that 
 should startle every unawakened heart. And that 
 truth is, that from all these graves the dead must 
 come forth. Yes, on that great day of everlasting 
 doom, this motley host must rise, and wheel into the 
 judgment court. And then and there, in the vivid 
 light that illuminates the most secret recess of every 
 heart, will the true condition of each soul appear. 
 Then how will men's judgments of their fellow men be 
 changed. Atid how forcibly shall we all perceive the 
 vanity of the life that has closed, the reality of that 
 which is opening.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL 
 MEETIISra HOUSE. 
 
 " Hail, honored fane ! Though not in thee 
 
 Were gorgeous nave and aisle ; 
 Yet was thy rude simplicity 
 
 More loved than marble pile." 
 
 For something like a century and a half immediately 
 preceding the unpretentious year 1828, observant trav- 
 elers who journeyed from the metropolis of New Eng- 
 land by the great eastern road, could not have failed 
 to notice, on passing through the westerly part of 
 Lynn, a large, quaint structure, standing conspicuously 
 on the open Common. On making inquiry, they would 
 have been informed that this was the Old Tunnel 
 Meeting House. The term ''old" being used as a 
 sort of jolly adjective rather than as indicative of age. 
 
 This memorable edifice was erected in 1682. And 
 for generations it remained a gathering place of the 
 most unalloyed of the puritanical stamp. 
 
 To modern eyes it would appear a strange specimen 
 of architecture both within and without. It was square 
 upon the ground, and the roof ran up in the centre, 
 surmounted by a belfry, much like an inverted tunnel ; 
 and hence the classic sobriquet by which it was for 
 such a long period distinguished. 
 
 The Old Tunnel Dedication Day, was, of course, 
 an occasion of great parade. The weather was propi- 
 
 (283)
 
 284 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 tions and everything assumed a holiday trim, A large 
 number of the clergy were present, and lay delegates 
 from far and near. 
 
 There was the Reverend John Rogers, of Ipswich, 
 a descendant of the Smithfield martyr, whose head, 
 though at that time he was not much above fifty, was 
 adorned with silver locks, and whose bearing was lofty 
 and austere. He was unquestionably a man of learn- 
 ing, for the next year he was installed president of 
 Harvard College, though his death occurring immedi- 
 ately after, no opportunity was afforded for his friends 
 to relate pleasant fictions or his enemies to relate un- 
 pleasant truths about him in his new sphere. 
 
 Then there was the Reverend Mr. Richardson of 
 Newbury, another of the learned and sedate old puri- 
 tanical preachers. 
 
 There, likewise, was the Reverend Joseph Gerrish, 
 of Wenham, the " curious, orthodox and profound " 
 divine, as well as " curious, orthodox and profound " 
 lover of good living ; his countenance beaming with 
 intelligence and quiet humor. The discriminating John 
 Dunton says in his journal, that he was " devout without 
 moroseness or starts of holy frenzy and enthusiasm," 
 and " primitive without the occasional colors of whi- 
 ning or cant." And he gratefully adds that when he 
 called on Mr. Gerrish he was entertained with a noble 
 f dinner. A judicious offering to the stomach is wonder- 
 \ fully effective in securing a good opinion. And it is 
 ^ worthy of remark that when any one has a favor to ask 
 his best time to make application is when the one from 
 whom he would receive it has lately risen from a fat 
 table. Hunger is one of the worst advocates a man can 
 possibly have. The animal condition is a much better 
 index than most people realise. There is little to be
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 285 
 
 feared even from a tiger if his stomach is in a proper 
 state. 
 
 It is, of course, unnecessary to mention that Mr. 
 Shepard, the minister of the parish, was present, proud 
 of his new house and of the goodly company assem- 
 bled to do honor to its dedication. But though he 
 dispensed with the outer layer of his stern and frigid 
 habit he was careful by no means to compromise his 
 dignity. Has not the reader observed, that of all peo- 
 ple on earth, a minister with a new meeting house is 
 the most proud? We once alluded to this curious 
 fact, in conversation with a clerical friend. He admit- 
 ted it, but claimed that the pride was felt for the hon- 
 or done to the Lord. This was satisfactor}'-, and led 
 to the conclusion that the fair lady, when she proudly! 
 flaunts her silks, may be merely intending honor to the) 
 silk-worm. 
 
 The dedication services occupied a good portion of 
 the day, and were conducted in a manner harmonious 
 and profitable. The singers performed their onerous 
 duty in a temper remarkably free from discontent and 
 bickering, Avhich was perhaps in a measure attributa- 
 ble to the soothing influence of the German viol, which, 
 so far as our knowledge extends, was then, for the first 
 time, introduced into a house of worship, in the place. 
 
 But the Dedication Dinner was declared to be the 
 crowning glory of the day. And as wo have at hand 
 a long letter, written by one who was present, giving, 
 in graphic terms, an account of the affair, we cannot 
 do better than avail ourselves of it, and transcribe as 
 follows : 
 
 " Y" Deddication Dinner was had in y" great barne 
 of M' Hoode, which by reason of its goodly size was 
 deemed y° most fit place. It was neatly adorned with
 
 286 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 green bows & other hangings & made very fairo to 
 look upon, y^ Avreaths being mostly wrought by y^ 
 young folk, they meeting together, both maids and 
 young men and having a merry time in doing y® pleas- 
 ant worke. Y® rough stalls & unhewed posts being 
 gayly begirt, and all y^ corners & cubbies being clean 
 swept and well aired, it truly did appear a meet ban- 
 quetting hall. Y^ scaffoldes too, from which y^ pro- 
 vinder had been removed, were swept clean as broome 
 could make them. And they too had comely decora- 
 tions. 
 
 " Some seats were put up on y^ scaffoldes, whereon 
 might sit such of y^ antient women as would see y'^ 
 doings ; also maids and children. And thereon I did 
 descry, on looking up, as I sat at meate, some dames 
 with knitting worke; showing good ensample for in- 
 dustry to y® younger ones about them. But most that 
 I did see thereon were maidens & children, being all 
 in their best attire and with smiling faces. Y^ white 
 capps of y*^ old folk, looked neat and tidy and y^ hair 
 of y'' maids being some in braides and some in curls, 
 was glossy & beautyful to look upon. 
 
 u ye great floor was all held for y° company which 
 was to partake of y'' feast of fat things, none others 
 being admitted there save them that were to wait 
 upon y^ same. Y® kine that were wont to be there, 
 were forced to keep holiday in y*' field. And y® fowles, 
 save such as were kept for service on y** table, were 
 likewise made to pass y® time without, tho they would 
 sometimes make endeavor to get back to roost upon 
 y^ beam that ran above y^ table ; which was not per- 
 mitted seeing what harm might come to them that sat 
 beneath. 
 
 " But while y'' company were busy with their knives
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 287 
 
 and forks, a lusty one did steal his way to y*" beam, 
 where, mayhap, he might have perched till y*" feast was 
 thro had it not happened in this wise : A savory dish 
 had just been put smoking upon y® table, and M"" Ro- 
 gers was helping himself therefrom with y^ great horn 
 spoon, when lo, y^ whole was spoiled by y® unmannerly 
 doing of y® fowl above, who must needs just then 
 scratch down an aboundance of dirty litter, making y^ 
 soup look well peppered. Some did much laugh at 
 y" comical turn. And thereupon y^ cock must needs 
 crow and look down upon us seemingly well pleased 
 with his dirty doing. 
 
 " M"" Shepard's face did turn very red ; and without 
 speaking he catched up an apple and hurled it at y^ 
 misbehaving bird. But he thereby made y® bad matter 
 worse, for y® fruit being well aimed, it hit y** legs of 
 y® fowl and brought him floundering and flapping right 
 down upon y" table, scattering gravy, sauce, & divers 
 other unclean things upon our garments and in our 
 faces. But tho this did not well please some, yet with 
 most it was a happening that made great merryment. 
 
 " Dainty meats were on y° table in great plenty, as 
 bear stake, deer meat, rabbit & fowle both wilde and 
 from y® barn yard. Luscious puddings we likewise 
 had in aboundance, mostly apple and berry, but some 
 of corn meal, with small bits of sewet baked therein ; 
 also pyes & tarts. And we had some pleasant fruits, 
 as apples, nuts & wild grapes. < And to crown all, we 
 had plenty of good cydar & y° inspiring Barbadoes 
 drink. . 
 
 " M' Shepard and most of y^ ministers were grave & 
 prudent at table, discoursing much upon y'' great points 
 of y" deddication sermon, & in silence labouring upon 
 y^ food before them. But I will not risque to say on
 
 288 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 which they dwelt with most relish, y* discourse or 
 dinner. Most of y"^ young members of y* Council & 
 
 f Committee would fain make a jolly time of it. 
 
 ' " M"* Gerrish, y® Wenham minister, tho prudent in his 
 meats & drinks, was yet in right merry mood. And 
 he did once grievously scandalize M"^ Shepard, who, on 
 suddenly looking up from his dish, did spy him, as he 
 tliot winking in an unbecoming way to one of y® pretty 
 damsels on y® scafFolde. And thereupon bidding y® 
 godly M"" Rogers to labor with him aside for his misbe- 
 haviour, it turned out that y^ winking was occasioned 
 by some of y® hay seeds that were blowing about, 
 lodging in his eye ; whereat M"" Shepard felt greatly 
 
 k releaved. 
 
 " Y^ aged Obadiah Turner sat next to M' Gerrish at 
 table, he being one of y® building committee, & much 
 thot of for his many good doings in y*' space of his 
 long life. Being some deaf, he must fain keep his 
 gray head curiously bobbing round, lest he should 
 lose some of the good sayings which were uttered by 
 y'' company. He was temperate in his drinks & in his 
 meats, but brim full of merry thots. He was too 
 old, he said, to make much discourse, or he would 
 relate many wonderful things of y® antient days of y® 
 Plantation, y^ Collony, y"^ old people here & of our 
 blessed church. And one asking him how it came 
 about that he so well remembered so many curious 
 things which every body declared he did, of y® old 
 times, he said that for many years, he every day writ 
 down all wonderful things that happened, & had now 
 in his front room desk, enow records to make a faire 
 booke. 
 
 " Master Rogers & Master Shepard held some talk 
 in Latin, a part whereof seemed to concern Tiinotliy
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 289 
 
 Alflen, who sat about y** middle of y® table. He was a 
 man of middle age, and of y® Maiden church. He had 
 not been soe prudent in using y^ good things as others 
 had. I did discern many spots of gravy and blotches 
 of sauce upon his garments which 1 did not think y® 
 fowle spattered there. His speach grew thick & his 
 eyes heavy, and y® company were much pained to hear 
 him of a sudden break out with parts of a mawdlin 
 song. But presently one inviting him to walk out and , 
 view Goodman Boardman his wonderful calfe, he did 
 go. And as they walked adown y" lane, arm in arm, . 
 we did hear parts of y" song, brot back on y® wind, 
 growing less & less as y^ distance grew. 
 
 " Y^ new Meeting House was much discoursed upon 
 at y® table. And most thot it as comely a house of 
 worship as can be found in y® whole Collony, save only 
 three or four. --^ 
 
 "M"" Richardson, y^ Newberry minister, in a very loud 
 voice & stately mien, proclaimed that tho y^ house was 
 a noble temple, it yet was but a fit casket for y® godly 
 jewel of Lynn to shine in. Whereupon a most lusty 
 crow was set up by y'' same old cock that had been on 
 y® beam. He now appeared poised on y® upper win- 
 dow sill looking down upon us with great seeming sau- 
 ciness. Y'' crow, being in approval, as it appeared, of 
 y® pleasant speach of M"" Richardson, did greatl}'^ amuse 
 y* whole company. They shouted & clapped their - 
 hands in great glea. 
 
 "And when y® uproare about y'' old rooster was 
 ended, M'' Shepard arose and with profound obeisance 
 to right and left, in great modesty sayd that y** lustre 
 of y* jewel, he feared, would be much dimmed in y° 
 brighter glow of some other that might from time to 
 time shine in y® same casket, and he looked smilingly 
 M 1
 
 290 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 on M' Rogers, as if in him beholding such a jewel. 
 And thereupon y^ cock crew again, & flapping his 
 
 I wings put astir much dust and litter, which fell upon 
 y*^ table. Many of y® company now hurled apples at 
 
 :^^ y" misbehaveing fowie, but they not being good of aim, 
 
 J only two came within half a score of inches of his 
 perch. He then stretched out his neck, and looking 
 down upon us, made a strange whirring noise, as if he 
 would deride us, as well as he could with his unman- 
 ageable voyce, and flew out upon y^ ground, seemingly 
 in great disgust. 
 
 y*"" " M' Gerrish was in such merry mood that he kept 
 y® end of y® table whereby he sat in right jovial 
 humour. Some did loudly laugh & clap their hands. 
 But in y** middest of y® merryment, a strange disaster 
 did happen unto him. Not haveing his thots about 
 him, he endeavoured y® dangerous performance of 
 gaping & laughing at y" same time, which he must now 
 feel is not so easy or safe a thing. In doing this, he 
 set his jaws open in such wise that it was beyond all 
 his power to bring them together again. His agonie 
 was very great, and his joyful laugh soon turned to 
 grievous gi'oaning. Y'' women on y° scafFoldes became 
 much distressed for him. And y^ pretty daughter of 
 my neighbour John Armitage, leaning over for to look 
 did lose her poise, & would have broke her bones by 
 falling to y® floor, had not y** strong arms of one by 
 catched her. 
 
 "We did our utmost to stay y* anguish of M"" Ger- 
 rish, but could make out little till M"^ Rogers, who 
 knoweth somewhat of anatomy, did bid y^ sufferer to 
 sit down on y" floor; which being done M' Rogers 
 took y*" head atween his legs, turning y*' face as much 
 upward as posaiblc, and then gave a powerful blow &
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 291 
 
 sudden press which brot y^ jaAvs again into working 
 order. But Master Gerrish did not gape or laugh 
 much more, on that occasion, you may be surej nei- 
 ther did he talk much, for that matter. 
 
 "No other weighty mishap occurred, save that one 
 of y® Salem delegates, in boastfully essaying to crack 
 a walnut atween his teeth, did crack instead of y® nut 
 a most useful double tooth, & was thereby forced to 
 appear at y"^ evening meeting with a bandaged face. 
 
 " There was much sound discourse at table on y® 
 affairs of our church and y** churches about us ; of 
 their difScultys & tryals ; how they become from time 
 to time exercised & distracted by wolves getting in 
 amongst y® flocks, so many constantly comeing here 
 from abroad, of unsound doctrine & ungodly lives. 
 Such, comeing and preaching their pestigious doc- 
 trines, shock all godly people and make nothing but 
 mischief amongst us. And we greatly fear that in 
 years to come y® wicked seeds that they sowe may 
 spring up, and if not choak to deadly effect, yet greatly 
 obstruct y" growth of true religion in y® land. Much 
 to this purpose was talked over by y*^ ministers and 
 delegates present. 
 
 " Obadiah Turner did make bold to reply that all ' 
 goodness was not confined to y*' old ways. In some > 
 new things there might be truth and comfort, and for ■ 
 his part, he was moved to look into new pretentions [ 
 before proclaiming them to be of y" Devil, & see if | 
 there be not some good that might be picked out ; 
 saying that he did not beleave that y" Devil ever yet 
 had entire possession of a human heart; & saying, too, 
 that there be them iri our midst who would fain do 
 God's work in judging of y*^ hearts of men ; which he 
 did not deem meet. And he asked wliero our blessed
 
 292 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 Christianity woiiW have been had every body keeped 
 their skirts clear of it while it was a new thing. Some 
 wondered at heareing y® good old man talk in that 
 wise ; but all listened with good heed to his short 
 speech. 
 
 "Much likewise was said about y*^ affairs of y'^ Collo- 
 ny, & what they across y® water may be doing for and 
 against us. It is undenyable that we have reason to 
 fear that matters will not long go so smoothely with 
 us as they have gone, for we have learned that divers 
 scandalous sayings have been uttered against us to ears 
 in high places. King Charles we do not think loves 
 us overmuch, tho we be loyal subjects, and in y'^ late 
 terrible war did our utmost to extend & make firm and 
 sure his rule in these parts. 
 rf^ "And on these political matters M"" Turner did like- 
 wise have a short say, warmly affirming that y^ people 
 of this goodly land will one day become a mighty 
 people & will then pay back y® wrongs committed on 
 their weakness. Y^ whole table clapped heartily at 
 his sayings. And one whom modesty would have me 
 hold nameless here, called on all present to drink to 
 y*' health and long life of Master Turner. It was done 
 with much good will, by some in y® use of cyder, and 
 by others in y® use of stronger drink. "Whereupon 
 M"" Turner replied, that as to y" long life he had al- 
 ready had that, & as to y® health, God had much blessed 
 him thro y® many years that he had lived, and he hoped 
 that for y*^ little part remaining, no heavy pains were 
 in store for him. 
 
 " Master Gerrish did move to much laughter by a 
 short speach, of great wit, about women folk. This 
 was before y® happening of y^ terrible accident to his 
 jaws. And it was greatly relished by y*^ faire ones on
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 293 
 
 5'® scaffoldes as well as by iis below. And I did behold', 
 many sparkling eyes peeping over & many thanks de-i 
 scending upon his head in y® shape of bits of ever- 
 green. 
 
 " Master Shepard would fain give ns some discourse 
 in Latin. But so many not knowing that tongue it 
 made little stir, tho y® Doctor from Cambridge took it 
 upon him to talk much of it, saying that it was very 
 brave and learned. 
 
 " Some songs were sung, mostly concearning old 
 Englande and things there ; none of y'^ songs being 
 unseemly in such a company & on such an occasion. 
 Divers psalms and hymns were likewise sung, y*' avo- 
 men upon y^ scaffoldes joining in with us below. 
 
 " Most of y*^ company were at times much exercised 
 with laughter, which hath been deemed healthful. And 
 so I think it is, in moderation. But too much is weak- 
 ening as hath been sayd ; the which seemeth true, for 
 one or two of y® lay bretheren on this occasion, who 
 did laugh most roisterly, became so weakened that 
 their heads must needs loll from side to side in great 
 looseness. 
 
 "We also had riddles and blind sayings put for to 
 guess out, & many other cleaver things to make y® 
 time pass pleasantly. 
 
 " And on y® whole we did find much profit as well as 
 pastime in y® occasion, being right well pleased with 
 what our ears did hear and our appetites did find. So 
 noble and savoury a banquet was never before spread 
 in this now famous town. So said Master Turner ; & 
 so all said. 
 ^ " God be praised." 
 
 And so ends the contemporaneous account of the 
 great Dedication Dinner. As tho shades of evening
 
 294 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 gathered the friends from abroad retired as guests to 
 the hospitable homes of the villagers. In many fami- 
 lies, the capacious brick oven had been put in requisi- 
 tion, and the suppers that smoked upon the tables on 
 that evening, might well induce those who had been 
 partakers of the public feast, to mourn for their lost 
 appetites. 
 
 An evening meeting was held at the new meeting 
 house, which was attended by the clergy and many 
 other grave people. Mr. Gerrish preached one of his 
 most luminous doctrinal discourses. And from his 
 solemn manner one might have imagined that not a 
 merry word had passed his lips nor a smile illuminated 
 his countenance in a month's time. There was still a 
 little stiffness in his jaws, but not sufficient to prevent 
 his usual clearness of utterance. 
 
 The young folk assembled at a dedication ball in 
 the little hall over the room which was formerly occu- 
 pied as the store of Dexter and Laighton. Some of 
 the delegates and others from abroad had brought 
 their daughters, sisters and sweethearts. And what 
 entertainment could be more agreeable to these, than 
 a moderate and modest indulgence in the fascinating 
 mazes of the dance ? They had a merry time ; and 
 as it afterward appeared such impressions were made 
 as finally resulted in the transplanting into Lynn of 
 two or three of the most beautiful flowers that the 
 neighboring settlements afforded. And the gay com- 
 pany were not at all overawed nor surprised on be- 
 holding, after the services at the meeting house were 
 over, half a score or more of sober visaged men and 
 women enter and seat themselves on the bench that 
 ran along the side of the hall, and remain, complacently 
 gazing on the hajipy scene, till the festivities closed.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 295 
 
 One may be pardoned for feeling a little amused at 
 some of the inconsistences exhibited in the foregoing 
 details. But they are characteristic of human nature. 
 It may perhaps be said that the old settlers in some 
 respects set their standard for the regulation of con- 
 duct higher than human nature would bear ; and in 
 their attempts to climb the height, became subject to 
 many slips and backward slides. Numerous instances 
 might be referred to in which there certainly was no 
 marked unity between their precepts and practices. 
 
 To speak again of dancing : they denounced that as 
 one of the Devil's most cunning traps by which to 
 ensnare the youthful soul ; but yet there is abundant 
 evidence that they regarded the dedication or ordina- 
 tion ball as a proper adjunct. Perhaps the most godly 
 people attended, and so made it what it ought to be ; 
 thus taking a different course from some modern good 
 people who never try to improve the world by exam- 
 ple, but delight to stand afar oif and fire gospel blun- 
 derbusses that echo about men's ears, attract attention 
 and may once in a while damage some redout of the 
 evil one. 
 
 Those worthy fathers had fled from religious perse- 
 cution and the slavery of the old world ; but once in 
 power here, they deemed it meet to deny to those who 
 could not conscientiously come into full communion 
 with them some of the dearest rights of citizenship. 
 And while preaching temperance in all things and lib- 
 erty and equality for all men there appear to have 
 been those among them who were without a protest 
 shipping Indian prisoners of war to Barbadoes, to bo 
 sold into slavery for return cargoes of rum. And the 
 Old Tunnel itself had its " nigger pew," as it was pop- 
 ularly called — a close board erection, high up from
 
 296 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 the gallery, in the extreme northeast corner of the 
 
 house. And there the poor cuffjs had to sit, shut up 
 
 like lepers, unseeing and unseen, while their grave 
 
 masters — for there was negro slavery in the Bay 
 
 State in those days — sat in the airy courts below, 
 
 listening to the glorious gospel of liberty and equality. 
 
 / The sin of incontinence Avas, by these pious men, 
 
 f deemed of the blackest dye ; but the agreeable custom 
 
 ■ of " bundling " by no means shocked them ; and the 
 
 blooming fruits of the institution who so frequently 
 
 appeared at the baptismal font, even in the Old Tunnel, 
 
 attested to its popularit3\ 
 
 But some might call such apparent inconsistences 
 by another name. Human nature is perverse and 
 inclined to rebel against rigid exaction. The strict- 
 ness demanded may have led some to revolt, and 
 recede towards the opposite extreme; forming, as it 
 were, a separate party in the midst of another. And 
 each party may have pursued a course consistent with 
 itself. This, however, is simply saying, in another 
 way, that the righteous may have been consistent in 
 their pretentions and the unrighteous in theirs. And 
 no one will dispute that. But the fact still remains 
 that many of the good settlers entertained the antag- 
 onisms in their own individual breasts. 
 
 And now, in drawing our volume to a close, we 
 propose introducing a few sketches of the jewels 
 that shone in the Old Tunnel during its earlier days, 
 though some of the brighter ones, who have shed their 
 lustre in other parts of our volume, will not be recalled. 
 And these sketches we shall intersperse with occa- 
 hional brief details of occurrences that seem worthy 
 of notice. As before remarked, however, it is not a
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 297 
 
 part of our plan to treat of persons or events pertain- 
 ing to times subsequent to 1699, excepting in cases 
 where it may appear incidentally necessary. 
 
 We have a disposition to present the bright side of 
 things. Though in our progress we have not shrunk 
 from presenting the dark side when duty seemed to 
 require. There is an old adage that it is better to 
 rejoice than weep. And Providence has ordered that 
 in the world there shall be much more to excite pleasu- 
 rable than sad sensations ; thus plainly indicating that 
 the former are more approved than the latter. And 
 we have endeavored, under these views, to deliver our- 
 selves in an agreeable way. So if the reader should 
 in our pages discover anything that seems like plea- 
 santry he will please consider it as dictated by princi- 
 ple, rather than as a spontaneous breach of that gravity 
 which nature has always striven to force upon us. 
 
 We commenced our task in an agreeable frame of 
 mind, induced by the modest determination to be sat- 
 isfied if by this Book we should be so fortunate as to 
 contribute sufficient to sweeten what Avould equal one 
 life time. And now let us see what sort of a calcula- 
 tion may reasonably be made. 
 
 In every year of one's life there will ordinarily be ' 
 three hundred and fifty days, during each of Avhich 
 eight hours will be spared from sleep and other neces- 
 sary and recreative demands. And hence there will 
 be in every year twenty eight hundred hours thus 
 spared. And in sixty years, which are quite as many 
 as can be calculated on aside from those of infancy 
 and sickness, there will be one hundred and sixty eight 
 thousand hours to be provided for. Now wc trust 
 that every person who reads this volume will find ten 
 hours of his precious life pleasantly and not uuprofitu-
 
 298 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 bly occupied. And in the same modest way we trust 
 that seventeen thousand individuals will read the vol- 
 ume. Not that there will be that number of copies 
 published, at least of the first edition ; for if but three 
 thousand are published and each of these is read by 
 six persons, we shall have eighteen thousand readings, 
 which, multiplied by ten, the number of hours devoted 
 by each reader, gives us one hundred and eighty thou- 
 sand hours, which is indeed twelve thousand hours 
 more than our estimate requires. As regards the 
 quality and intensity of the enjoyment to be derived 
 from a perusal of our volume, we have not sufficient 
 boldness to speak. And we beg the reader not to 
 conclude that these abstruse calculations have been 
 entered into for an ostentatious display of mathemat- 
 ical acquirements, but because by them some other 
 hitherto unprofitable steward may be incited to attempt 
 something for the increase of the common stock from 
 which the happiness of the world is in general de- 
 rived. In almost all cases difficulties lessen as we 
 meet them. And viewing or meeting an obstacle in 
 detail wonderfully reduces its formidableness. A cen- 
 tury is no great of an affair, disposed of by hours. 
 
 There is, however, another thought connected with 
 this matter of time. How can one individual know 
 what the exact conception of another is as to time ? 
 In other words, reader, how can you determine that 
 an hour as marked by the clock, does not appear full 
 five times as long to you as it does to me ? That 
 it may possibly be so, is shown by the fact that in a 
 dream one may in five minutes go through scenes that 
 in real life he could not go through in ten hours if in 
 twenty. This proves that it is not the absolute dura- 
 tion but our conception of it. Two men make an ap-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 299 
 
 pointment to meet in one hour. They do meet at the 
 given time, for both understand what the period out- 
 wardly and arbitrarily marked as an hour is ; but in 
 the mean time they may have lived, so to speak, essen- 
 tially different periods, as determined by their mental 
 conceptions. This is evidently true from the fact, 
 long since stated and by every man's experience con- 
 firmed, that as we grow older the years appear to 
 decrease in length. It has been satisfactorily estab- 
 lished that to one of the age of ten, a year seems just 
 as long as four years will seem to the same individual 
 at the age of forty. 
 
 And further, who can say that as regards the lower 
 animals, the conceptions of time may not be very dif- 
 ferent in different species, or even in different individ- 
 uals of the same species? Who is competent to show 
 that what we call the fleeting life of a butterfly may not 
 be to him as long as three score and ten years are to 
 a man? 
 
 Soon after noting down these reflections we hap- 
 pened to take in hand a volume of the Spectator, and 
 presently came across some speculations similar to one 
 or two of them. The first impulse was to ruthlessly 
 strike out what we had written, both because the old 
 moralist expressed himself much more felicitously, and 
 because ours might seem like imitations. But on sec- 
 ond thought we concluded to do no such thing ; for 
 however much a line or two might appear like imita- 
 tion, we could boldly cliallenge both word and thought 
 as our own and truthfully declare that we had not read 
 the others till ours were in black and white ; though 
 perhaps we ought to blush in acknowledging such 
 unacquaintance with so approved a model in English 
 literature. Instead therefore of molesting the lines
 
 300 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 we even took comfort from the circumstance that our 
 speculations had for once run in so high a channel as 
 those of the wise and virtuous Spectator of old. 
 
 The occurrence, however, gave rise to still other 
 reflections. No doubt writers have often been charged 
 with the really heinous offence of plagiarism when they 
 were not guilty. The same idea might spring up in 
 several minds ; and one might give expression to it 
 without knowing that another had anticipated him, 
 when in fact such was the case. It is only when the 
 phraseology or something else renders guilt morally 
 certain that the offensive charge can be justified. We 
 recently observed in a southern publication a some- 
 what singular explanation given in a defence against a 
 charge of plagiarism. It was, that years before, the 
 passage on which the charge rested had been atten- 
 tively read and deeply impressed upon the mind ; and 
 had been made use of without once realizing that it 
 was merely an offspring of the memory and not other- 
 wise of the mind. And this explanation was accepted 
 as sufficient. It may be observed, that intelligent 
 writers often quote, without designating as quota- 
 tions, phrases and even more extended passages, that 
 are presumed to be so well known as to leave no one 
 in error as to their origin. It seems as if none but a 
 critic in a high fever would object to this. It is sim- 
 ply relying on the intelligence of the reader instead 
 of occupying space by references or disfiguring the 
 page by inverted commas and apostrophes. 
 
 There is a curious conceit that we remember to have 
 come across in an old writer, to the effect that a cer- 
 tain number of ideas were originally created for the 
 use of the whole race, and that these have been circu- 
 lating ever since, sometimes turning up in one brain,
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 301 
 
 in one shape, and then in another brain in another 
 shape, but always essentially the same. Perhaps, how- 
 ever, it might be better to say that it was originally 
 ordained that the human brain should be capable of 
 working in just so many diflferent ways ; thus being 
 able to produce just so many diiferent thoughts or 
 ideas and when in different brains similar or identical 
 action takes place corresponding thoughts are pro- 
 duced. If anything like this is true, the power of 
 action must be almost without limit ; sufficient for the 
 production of more erratic and airy wanderers than 
 the solar system could accommodate. 
 
 It would cost us too much self-denial not to add 
 that there was one passage in the volume of the Spec- 
 tator alluded to from which we drew considerable 
 comforting assurance. The very unassuming author 
 thought that twenty would be a "modest computa- 
 tion" of those who would peruse each of his papers. 
 Now we had put down the number of our readers at 
 only six. We do not recall this to appear more mod- 
 est than he, but for the opportunity to add that if the 
 reader should consider ours, in quality, as standing, in 
 regard to the Spectator as six to twenty, we should 
 be ready to declare ourselves abundantly satisfied. 
 
 One does not half understand a man by reading a 
 grave and stately biography of him. And the biogra- 
 pher who treats only of his Subject's most dignified 
 traits leaves his work half done. Glimpses of his 
 every day life, of his loves and hates, his labors and 
 recreations, are needed for a proper understanding. 
 We would know what kind of meat he prefers for his 
 dinner, whether he loves plum broth and veal pie, as 
 well as what books he has on his library shelves, or
 
 302 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 what studies occupy his attention. It is interesting to 
 learn whether he walks erect and is of perfect form, 
 or stoops in his gait, is bandy-legged, or splay-footed ; 
 whether he wears an old hat and red waistcoat, or is a 
 dandy with curled hair and white kids. If he twitches 
 and jerks and touches the posts as he walks the street, 
 we like to be told of it. Whether the little girls get 
 kisses and the little boys cuffs when he meets them, 
 or beggars get pennies or curses it is always interest- 
 ing to know. 
 
 Boswell, who certainly was not deserving of mar- 
 tyrdom for his intellectual eminence, produced a won- 
 derfully interesting biography of that giant in intellect 
 and ill manners, about whom he so long revolved as 
 an obsequious satellite — a biography which will inter- 
 est mankind for ages to come. But if in place of that 
 gossiping author, one of the lofty sort had undertaken 
 the work the popular recollection of both subject and 
 writer would by this time have reached the verge of 
 oblivion. 
 
 The letters of great men usually furnish most accept- 
 able reading, for in them are generally found genuine 
 breathings of the spirit. And in preparing the biogra- 
 phical sketches in this volume, we have many times 
 had occasion to lament the impossibility of procuring 
 more letters and scraps of writing whereby to enrich 
 our pages. But most of the worthies were little 
 accustomed to the use of the pen beyond what the 
 common affairs of life demanded. We have gathered 
 what materials we could from contemporaneous sources 
 and endeavored, in an impartial way, to digest them 
 for the reader's benefit. 
 
 Such considerations as appear in the foregoing, in- 
 duce us to believe that the following passages from an
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 303 
 
 old letter which seems to have been the production of 
 one Samuel Walton would prove highly acceptable. 
 Whether the writer was of the same line with piscatory 
 IzaakjWe cannot say, though the genius of the two 
 seems to have been developed much in the same direc- 
 tion. We consider the letter a treasure, giving, as it 
 does, a graphic view of one or two characteristics of 
 Mr. Shepard, the first minister of the Old Tunnel, 
 which we have nowhere else seen alluded to : 
 
 " The minister, M"" Shepard, tho in no wise giiien 
 to saying or doeing any but grave things, yet hath 
 some loves that be not of the studie or the pulpitt. 
 And amoung his loves he doth reckon eals. He will 
 sometimes try the sport of catching the same. And 
 I would fain tell of a time we had on the ry ver of Sau- 
 gust, of a cold day, with our speares. 
 
 " M'' Shepard did say to me, in y® morning, ' Samuel,' 
 sayd he, ' I do beleave in eals, and am minded to go to 
 the ryver this afternoon and speare for some, not 
 haveing had a dish of the dainty things since y® last 
 week, of a Tewsday ; and, Samuel, I would have you 
 go with me.' 
 
 " ' Well, Master Shepard,' quoth I, ' it would suit me 
 well to go, and I will call for you in good time, with 
 my hand sled & speare.' 
 
 " ' So do, so do, Samuel,' sayd ho, ' and I must de- 
 pend upon you, as you come along, to call at M"" Pur- 
 chis's house, & get the loan of his spoare, as I haue 
 none. And I will be ready with an axe wherewith to 
 cut the holes in the ice, against your comeing with the 
 sled. And the Dame will likewise make ready for us 
 a bite of something whereby to stay our stomacks. 
 And if you have a mind, Samuel, you may bring along 
 your little red keg, for mine hath sacrament wine in it.
 
 304 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 aud I will put a little something in y" same t^ warm 
 our stomacks withal. For it is best, Samuel/ sayd he, 
 giveing his eye a little turn, ' to go prepared to meet 
 mishaps.' 
 
 '' * Of a truth, Master Shepard,' quoth I, 'you are 
 ever mindeful of y® wants of body as well as soul. The 
 keg shall be there.' 
 
 " Presently after dinner I did as M"^ Shepard had bid 
 me, calling at M"^ Purchis's for the speare and being at 
 the house betimes. Y'' minister was already in his 
 warm mufflers, red leggins and big bootes. So we 
 soon got on our way to the ryver, I dragging the sled 
 and he bearing y'' two speares on his shoulder, they 
 not riding well on the sled. We held much grave dis- 
 course on the road, about the Deuil & his late doeings 
 hereabout by witchcraftes and other diabolical contri- 
 vances, and y® defeats put on him by God's power thro 
 his servants the godly ministers. 
 
 " Getting upon the ryver, we straightway set about 
 our work, the time being short before sunsetting. Our 
 holes in y® ice being cut, ' Now,' quoth I to Master 
 Shepard, * stir about, stir about, for the air is mighty 
 chill ; and I dare promise we shall have a goodly mess 
 and be ready for home afore night cometh on.' 
 
 " Some lusty prey soon fell to vs, whereat we took 
 encouragement & did not note y® time till nigh the 
 going down of the sun. The cold grew to be very 
 great, insomuch that when we wetted our garments 
 they presently froze stijfF. And to our great discom- 
 fort the wind from the northeaste, began to blow hard 
 and the snow to fly. By a mishap, when cutting a 
 fresh hole, y'^ axe slipped from my benumbed hand and 
 went to the bottom, greatly to our grief, for the loss 
 of it was more than the gains by all the eals that we
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 305 
 
 could hope to catch. But it was a prouidence that 
 M" Shepard well sayd we should bear with patience. 
 
 " It getting dark apace, I gathered the eals into the 
 box vpon the sled, & advertised Master Shepard that 
 it was high time to think of moveing; where vpon he 
 withdrew his speare from y® hole, and being about to 
 step to the sled, came nigh to breaking his back by a 
 forward pitch, not being able to move his feet. 
 
 " ' Mercie on us I ' quoth he ' why, Samuel, my feet 
 are both froze hard to the ice.' 
 
 " I was much terrifyed, and sayd, ' Master Shepard, 
 I fear that you did not stir about, as I bid you, when 
 we began to speare. Did you not take note that while 
 speareing I walked around the hole and keeped my 
 feet astir, for y® new water drawing up with the poles 
 doth put one in great hazard of freezing down. I be 
 not so forward as to hope to instruct mine own minis- 
 ter in what doth pertain to y® holy ordinances or in 
 y® learning of y® schools; but I do think that in spearing 
 eals I may show more science than some having greater 
 godliness.' 
 
 "'Samuel,' quoth he, 'you did indeed bid me stir 
 about, but I thot your meaning was to stir the speare, 
 about, & that I uerily did, mvch to the weariness of my 
 arms, which have suffered great pains with the cease- 
 less stirring. But we must not parley, Samuel, for I 
 am beginning to greatly suffer.' 
 
 " The axe being gon I knew not what to do. With 
 the speare I could do nothing, y° prongs bending so 
 badly. And while cafeting about for some other means, 
 quoth M"" Shepard, 
 
 " ' Come hither, Samuel, and stand with your back 
 towards me, & near. You are shorter than I, and by 
 putting my hands vpon your shoulders, and gaining as 
 
 20
 
 306 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 # 
 they say a purchase for the strongest muscles, I may 
 peradventure strain my bootes from the ice or myself 
 from the bootes, tho they are mightie tight about the 
 ankle.' 
 
 " ' Well thot of,' quoth I, and stood as he did bid 
 me. But I came nigh being crushed by y^ force he 
 put vpon me, in the tryals to free himself; yet he could 
 do nothing. 
 
 " ' Samuel,' cryed he, ' this is indeed a bad business, 
 and I know not what is to come of it. But no time is 
 to be lost, for the darkness is already vpon us ; and 
 besides, y® snow is falling fast & y® cold is very great. 
 Haste you to the nearest habitation and crave succor. 
 Bring a kettle of hot water, an axe, or some means 
 whereby I may be discharged from this vile imprison- 
 ment. And, Samuel, bring likewise a little something 
 warming to take within, for that brought in the keg 
 hath long since been exhausted.' 
 
 " I essayed to do as he would have me, when lo, 
 much to my distress I found that I too had been 
 imprudent in too long standing still, & was myself a 
 prisoner, being frozen down as strong as Master Shep- 
 ard. Casting about as to what had best be done, we 
 could fix on nothing. And all y*^ time y® bad matter 
 getting worse, our hearts did begin to fail us. 
 
 " ' Samuel,' again cryed M"^ Shepard, after some thot, 
 ' we have nothing left, as I see, to depend on, save our 
 lungs. We must set up a halloing, such as shall be 
 heard by some wayfarer, if such should happen to be 
 upon the road ; or, if there be no traueller abroad, 
 then we must make ovrselues heard as far off as yonder 
 habitations at the foot of the hill, or even to y^ tavern 
 beyond. And, Samuel, wo must do it speedily, or 
 every thimble full of marrow in our bones will be
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 307 
 
 cliilledj and we shall be buiyed vp in y® snow which 
 begins to drift so around vs.' 
 
 " ' Had we not better/ quoth I, ' sing a psalm to- 
 gether, for by so doeing we may make a chord, as it 
 were twisting our voyces together and thereby making 
 a louder alarrum. And by the means of a psalm Ave 
 may likewise be crying for earthly help and praiseing 
 God at y^ same time, which we should always do.' 
 
 '•' ' Well thot of,' returned he, ' well thot of. Samuel, 
 there is always some good thing turning up in your 
 mind ; but if there be any of those high keyed songs 
 of the world's people that might be heard farder off 
 or catch the ear quicker than a psalm or hymn, strike 
 out vpon one, and I doubt not that God will overlook 
 our prophanity in our extremity.' 
 
 " ' I think. Master Shepard,' said I, ' that we should 
 neuer do wrong, be the extremity what it may. And 
 I make bold to exhort to the use of a psalm, in the 
 first place.' 
 
 " ' Well, well, Samuel,' quoth he, ' a psalm it shall 
 be ; and we must quickly strike the same or it will be 
 all ouer with vs. Begin, Samuel, begin ; and have a 
 care that the pitch is high.' 
 
 " ' Nay, nay. Master Shepard,' returned I, ' but you 
 know better than I y** psalm best suited to our condition 
 and peril.' 
 
 " ' 'Sdeath, Samuel,' he replyed, with some quick- 
 ness, ' we must lose no time in parleying.' And there- 
 upon he put his hands vpon his hipps, and commenced 
 in a mighty voyce y"^ most comforting words of the 
 psalm set to y** enspiring tune of Goodhope. And we 
 did sing with all our might, haveing greater care for 
 noise than musick. 
 
 " Presently we did hear one vp y^ lane, calling loudly
 
 308 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 for alarrnm, declaring that be heard y^ wilde beasts 
 crying down from the woods, and bidding all come 
 forth with musquets for to shoot them. Then great 
 fear did come vpon vs lest we should be fired vpon 
 thro the darkness and shot for wild beasts. So we 
 stopped our song and M^ Shepard cryed in plain words 
 of great lamentation and with a lusty voyce. And 
 presently to our great releaf and the saveing of our 
 poor, frail bodys some were made to hear our cryes 
 and understand our distresses. They speedily came 
 to our rescue ; and all declared that we were just 
 freezing and that in a few minutes all would have been 
 ouer with vs. Not being able to walk, they carryed us 
 in a tender manner to y® tavern, where we were well 
 warmed within and swaddled and doctored. But we 
 have greatly suffered euer since. 
 
 " I haue fears that ovr disasters be in some way the 
 work of the old serpent the Devil, for eals be some- 
 what in likeness of y® serpent kind. And henceforth I 
 will no more meddle with what may be children or 
 imps of y*' great tempter. And M"" Shepard hath de- 
 clared that he no longer beleaves in eals. 
 
 " God be praised for so preserving vs. Amen." 
 
 Among the refugees from European oppression who 
 came to North America after the establishment of the 
 earlier colonies, there were none more interesting than 
 the Huguenots. After the revocation of the edict of 
 Nantz many a tearful eye was turned hopefully to- 
 wards America, and many of these poor French Pro- 
 testants fled to our shores and established themselves 
 in little colonies. But the emigration flowed chiefly to 
 the south of New England, New York, Virginia, and 
 Carolina received them kindly. In some instances
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 309 
 
 special laws were made for their naturalization. And 
 as they were in very reduced circumstances, large 
 donations, public and private, were cheerfully bestow- 
 ed on them. Their taxes, for public purposes, were 
 very generally remitted. And in various ways they 
 were most kindly dealt with till they were able to 
 supply their own wants. 
 
 What kind of reception these friendless refugees 
 would have met with had they, to any extent, sought 
 shelter among the puritan settlements it is not now 
 possible to determine. But judging by the course 
 pursued toward others the presumption cannot be re- 
 garded as favorable. 
 
 The little lodgment that the Huguenots made in 
 what is now the town of Oxford, in Worcester county, 
 appears to have been their only one hereabout. And 
 though the English do not seem to have ever assumed 
 a decidedly hostile attitude towards this inconsiderable 
 colony, they yet do not appear to have offered them 
 aid or comfort. Alone they heroically met the assaults 
 of the Indians, and endured the keenest privations and 
 sternest perils. But they finally dwindled away and 
 disappeared, without having received help, sympathy, 
 or even christian recognition. 
 
 It was as true of the Huguenots as ot any people 
 that the earth ever bore, that they forsook their loved 
 firesides and homes for Religion's sake. By that one 
 fatal stroke of malign power, the revocation by Louis 
 the fourteenth of the gracious edict of Henry the 
 fourth, more than fifty thousand were forced to flee, 
 stripped of their possessions, and urged on by the 
 dread apprehension of the scaffold, the dagger and the 
 faggot. Numbers turned their eyes to lands beyond 
 the western wave. True, a wilderness lay before them ;
 
 310 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 but behind them loomed the red fires of St. Bartholo- 
 mew's. 
 
 It is refreshing to find that among the churchmen of 
 New York and Virginia, if nowhere else on the Ame- 
 rican shores, the poor Huguenots found a peaceful 
 retreat. And in after years their noble blood that 
 flowed down through the veins of Jay, Laurens, Bou- 
 dinot, and a host of others whose names have become 
 illustrious in American history, abundantly repaid for 
 all the benevolent efforts that were put forth to save 
 them in the day of peril. 
 
 On a chill, drizzly Sunday afternoon, in November, 
 just before the hour for the commencement of the 
 services at the Old Tunnel, there approached along 
 the road that wound up the middle of the open Com- 
 mon, a stranger, of such appearance as to attract the 
 attention of the loungers about the porches and horse 
 sheds. He was a gentleman, seemingly about fifty years 
 of age, tall, erect, and of fine proportions. His hair 
 was slightly lined with gray, and dark mustaches 
 curled upon his lip. His whole bearing Was singu- 
 larly dignified and commanding. But his highly in- 
 tellectual countenance bore the impress of care and 
 sorrow. He wore, buttoned closely to his throat, a 
 coat cut in French military style, but without any 
 decorations indicative of the soldier's profession. 
 
 Leaning upon one arm of this stranger was a lady 
 of middle age and extremely prepossessing appear- 
 ance. Her fine form and features attracted many ad- 
 miring eyes. But her countenance, like his, seemed 
 clouded by sorrow and anxiety. 
 
 Upon his other side tripped a beautiful girl of some 
 seventeen summers. She carried in her hand a bou-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 311 
 
 quet of late autumn flowers that she had evidently 
 gathered on lier way across the Common. She wore 
 a fashionably trimmed French bonnet, and had the 
 appearance of one tenderly bred. Occasionally she 
 would almost pause in her walk, to bestow upon her 
 parents, for such the others seemed to be, a look so 
 full of confiding love, and withal so tinged with the 
 sorrow that appeared common to them all, that the 
 coldest heart might well have been touched. 
 
 On reaching the seat to which they were shown, the 
 three strangers knelt, in silent prayer, in accordance 
 with the ancient and beautiful custom which prevailed 
 in all branches of the christian church, from the earli- 
 est days till the time when the Puritans commenced 
 their purifications. They knelt — and while on their 
 knees, a sudden break in the clouds illumined the 
 whole house ; the warm sunbeams streaming through 
 the little diamond panes and falling in inexpressible 
 beauty upon the bowed heads. The old Romans would 
 have deemed this a happy omen, and such strange 
 worshipers in some way favored of heaven. But our 
 unimaginative fathers probably considered it only as a 
 special interposition to enable them the more clearly 
 to discern an idolatrous act. 
 
 The services closed, and the congregation retired, 
 many of them stopping to lounge in the porches and 
 about the doors, to exchange salutations and discuss 
 the news and gossip of the week. The strangers 
 passed quietly out, and were suffered to go their Avay 
 without receiving any courteous recognition, or even 
 the slightest notice beyond being rudely stared at. 
 But if the villagers said nothing to them they said 
 enough about them and their " church fashions." 
 
 Some days passed and it was ascertained that these
 
 312 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 strangers were a family of French Protestants who 
 had fled from a happy and hixiirious home with the 
 small means that in their hasty retreat they were able 
 to secure. Something had attracted them to this par- 
 ticular spot, and they came with the intention of ma- 
 king arrangements for the purchase of land and the 
 establishment of a colony. 
 
 It appeared that the gentleman's name was Boudinot. 
 He was able to converse pretty freely in the English 
 language, and immediately set about the business for 
 which he came. He was not long in paying his re- 
 spects to Mr. Shepard and the chief men of the parish, 
 for the purpose of making known his plans and inter- 
 esting them in behalf of himself and his fellow sufferers. 
 But he found them as cold as stones. They seemed to 
 possess an extraordinary apprehension of everything 
 evolved by a French mind ; talked of the poverty of 
 the land ; and expressed in very decided terms their 
 dread of having the seeds of spiritual thorns scattered 
 in their beautifully tilled portion of the garden of 
 the Lord. 
 
 On the day following the third formal conference of 
 M. Boudinot with Mr. Shepard and the other chief men, 
 there was a great training on the extensive and conve- 
 nient area in which the Meeting House was centered. 
 An array of booths, in which were sold fruit, cakes, 
 beer, cider, and all sorts of muddling drinks, graced 
 the sides of the sanctuary. And the legitimate effects 
 of these were soon apparent. Some got drunk and 
 had fights. Some danced, with lewd girls, in the back 
 apartments of the booths, to the music of cracked 
 fiddles. Some laughed at the tricks of the buffoons 
 and speeches of the mock orators. And some soberly 
 watched the evolutions of the soldiers or quietly pro-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 313 
 
 menaded with their wives, daughters or sweethearts, 
 mourning, at every spare moment, over such depravity. 
 
 The troops assembled from far and near. And they 
 made an imposing display, each individual being array- 
 ed very much according to his own fancy. Here was 
 a coat of dingy red, and there a jacket of pea-green ; 
 here full yellow leather breeches and there gray tights 
 and red leggins ; here an unshapely bear skin cap of 
 enormous dimensions and ferocious aspect, such as 
 might excite the envy of the most uncivilized Russian, 
 and there a cap of squirrel or racoon skin, with tail 
 erect for a plume — to say nothing of others, of indes- 
 cribable material and fashion, decorated, perhaps, by 
 an eagle feather or a contribution from the tail of goose 
 or gobbler or eveti the more lowly inhabitant of the 
 barn yard. 
 
 On reviewing them, one might have imagined that 
 they had adopted the tactics of the valiant Chinese, 
 and depended upon their extraordinary appearance to 
 frighten invaders from their territories ; or designed 
 such a display as would be pretty sure to render their 
 Indian foes stupid from admiration. 
 
 We are sorry to believe, by the way, that the hostility 
 towards the Indians, in many instances, received a de- 
 cidedly religious coloring. Too many seem to have 
 thought that it was doing God service to destroy the 
 red men. And under such circumstances, many who 
 would otherwise have been least courageous were 
 zealous to meet the dangers of the field, finding it 
 much easier to bring their minds to fight for a pass- 
 port to heaven than to gain it by repentance and 
 amendment. Such has always been the case, both 
 before and since the sanguinary lustre of the Crusades 
 beamed upon the world. 
 N
 
 314 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 But we "would certainly say nothing disparagingly of 
 the courage of the colonial soldiery. The parade in 
 question appears to have been a sort of military fancy 
 show — a dress parade, to use a more refined term. 
 When they took the field for real service, they went 
 forth uniformly accoutred in homely regimentals but 
 with hearts undaunted by the prospect of a winter's 
 march through snowy wilds, to meet cunning and 
 relentless foes ; and with hearts all aglow for their 
 homes and their religion. 
 
 The troops, on the bloodless occasion in question, 
 performed a variety of extraordinary evolutions. But 
 unfortunately, the commander who was somewhat new 
 in his position, was inclined to pay his respects to the 
 liquor booths rather too often. So about the middle 
 of the afternoon, while going through an exercise 
 similar to the graceful one of whipping-the-snake, he 
 got the whole line inextricably entangled. He was 
 extremely mortified at his misadventure before such 
 a crowd of spectators, many of whom were from 
 abroad ; some, of superior military rank. The poor 
 man was in very great perplexity. He strode round, 
 ordering and countermanding, sweating and swearing, 
 till he was well nigh exhausted. The sober minded 
 felt great pain for him. And those disposed to make 
 merry over the mishaps of others — there being a few 
 such in the world even in those days — gave the reins 
 to their risibility. And presently by the excitement of 
 some and goadings of others matters seemed to be 
 fast passing from the comic to the tragic. Loud hoot- 
 ings began to be heard. And here and there strong 
 arms were raised, in gyrations demonstrative of any- 
 thing but peacefnl intent. 
 
 At this juncture M. Boudinot suddenly appeared at
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 315 
 
 the side of the distressed commander. His dark eye 
 glowed as if some new inspiration were upon him, and 
 he drew himself up in such a singularly soldierlike and 
 commanding attitude as to instantly attract the atten- 
 tion of those about him. Without any apologies or 
 hesitancy he immediately began, in a clear, full voice, 
 to issue orders to the entangled troops, who still con- 
 tinued in vain manoeuvring, like some gigantic snake, 
 wounded and desperate. Instant obedience followed 
 his commands, every soldier seeming as if bound by 
 some irresistible impulse to obey. Only a few simple 
 orders had been given, when, to the astonishment of all, 
 the coils and kinks in the ranks were resolved, and all 
 was restored to order. Once wheeled into line, the 
 panting soldiers looked upon each other in amaze- 
 ment, and then upon their new commander in awe, 
 and finally set up such a shout as would, had it been 
 all wind, have shaken the very belfry from the Meeting 
 House. 
 
 M. Boudinot entered with great spirit into the re- 
 maining exercises. He took the sword from the unre- 
 sisting hand of the commander and marched and drilled 
 the men in a manner that excited the greatest admi- 
 ration. Under his skillful orders the troops performed 
 intricate evolutions with an case and exactness that 
 astonished themselves as w^ell as others. They began 
 suddenly to look upon their legions as highly accom- 
 plished in the military art, and were not much sur- 
 prised when in his terse speech at the time of dismissal 
 he declared that after a little further discipline they 
 would be fit for an imperial review. 
 
 When M, Boudinot returned his sword to the com- 
 mander, that then cloudy-minded and abashed func- 
 tionary curiously examined it fiom point to hilt, as if
 
 316 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 in search for the hiding phice of the talismanic power 
 so recently developed. But being disappointed in 
 finding it still the same old sword, he attempted no 
 further exploits, but dismissed the troops forthwith. 
 A number of platoons of volunteers, were, however, 
 immediately formed, and with two drums and a fife 
 escorted M. Boudinot to his quarters — the dingy little 
 village tavern. And there they left him with a round 
 of cheers which brought his wife and daughter in 
 fright to the scene. 
 
 This exhibition of military skill in M. Boudinot, 
 instantly turned the tide. It now set tumultuously in 
 his favor, and in twenty four hours overwhelmed every 
 objection to his idolatry in kneeling in the Meeting 
 House and even to his French brogue. He was now 
 looked upon as one able to render essential service in 
 the day of peril. Mr. Shepard declared that it would 
 be rejecting an oftering of Providence to decline re- 
 ceiving one so evidently appointed to bo a protector. 
 A meeting was immediately held, and it was by accla- 
 mation decided to bestow much more than he had pre- 
 viously asked. And various other christian-like and 
 honorable acts were resolved on. Indeed it is difficult 
 to determine what they would not have done for him 
 had it been proposed as a condition on which he would 
 remain. 
 
 But within forty eight hours after the setting of the 
 sun that rejoiced in beholding that remarkable parade 
 of the brave colonial soldiery, M. Boudinot, with his 
 sorrowing little family had departed from Lynn, never 
 again to set foot upon her soil. They went to Vir- 
 ginia, where favorable terms for settling were readily 
 obtained and where they were soon joined by others 
 who^'had fled from distracted France. The daughter
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 317 
 
 soon married a wealthy young planter. And some of 
 the present leading southern families sprang from the 
 union. A grandchild of hers was a colonel in the army 
 of the Revolution. And one of the most able sena- 
 tors, in the present congress of the United States, 
 is accustomed to boast of his descent from her. 
 
 Among the noblest efforts of our forefathers were 
 those directed towards the founding of educational 
 institutions that would enable all classes to receive 
 such instruction as would be necessary for success 
 in life. 
 
 Tlie establishment of the free schools of New Eng- 
 land seems to have been the offspring of a new order 
 of thought. The idea had prevailed that the masses, 
 if educated, could not be governed by the so called 
 divinely constituted authorities. And there was much 
 worldly wisdom in the idea. For as soon as the masses 
 should become enlightened they might doubt the di- 
 vine authority. 
 
 When, however, the New England immigration com- 
 menced, this old opinion began to decay, and the con- 
 ception that men might possibly possess power to 
 govern themselves, began to prevail. And following 
 closely on that there seems to have been another, not 
 at first clearly defined, but easily traceable, to wit, that 
 here, in this newly reclaimed heritage, great experi- 
 ments in the art of self-government were destined at 
 no very distant day to be undertaken. And prepara- 
 tory to such important events, a certain amount, at 
 least, of education would bo necessary. One of the 
 first things set about, then, was the establishment of 
 elementary schools. And it is not perhaps too much 
 to say, that these early conceptions were the springs
 
 318 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 to which are to be traced, in an eminent degree, our 
 national happiness and renown. 
 
 At first, the clergy labored much in the educational 
 field. Indeed, they may, in a general "sense, be spoken 
 of as the first teachers. And great honor is due them 
 for their zeal and efficiency. They were not accus- 
 tomed to plead the inability of the youthful mind to 
 bear the burden of study, in excuse for their own indo- 
 lence. 
 
 The Third Plantation was always able to boast of 
 as efficacious means for the instruction of her youth, 
 as any of her sister plantations. And in our highly 
 favored time, as appears by the annual reports of the 
 committees, the schools within the borders of her 
 charter-blessed child are quite unsurpassed by any un- 
 der the canopy of heaven. Indeed, do not the state 
 educational reports show that the common schools 
 throughout the commonwealth are immeasurably supe- 
 rior to anything that the sun has discovered in any 
 other place since the time when he commenced his daily 
 search into the hidden things of earth. Greece and 
 Rome being now in the rear, it may be interesting to 
 imagine what we shall arrive at in a couple of centuries 
 more. As before remarked, it is a blessed thing to 
 have a good opinion of ourselves. But if in making 
 known such opinion it is just as convenient to avoid 
 odious comparisons and unnecessary detractions, it 
 is not objectionable to do so. 
 
 Blessings on those good old fathers for planting 
 those educational institutions which have produced 
 such glorious fruit. 
 
 Amariah Turnbody — a singular and unbecoming 
 name, by the way, and one which it is perhaps fortu-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 319 
 
 nate that ho did not have the luck to transmit — sway- 
 ed the scholastic sceptre for a time in the little rustic 
 gathering place for dirty faces and dull heads, that 
 stood on a small conical knoll, some ten inches beyond 
 the reach of the most extended shadow that the am- 
 bitious Old Tunnel could throw by the aid of spire 
 and setting sun. And he was an active and conse- 
 quential personage among the worshipers in that en- 
 deared fane. 
 
 Master Turnbody possessed an active brain ; a brain 
 extremely fertile of ideas, such as they were. But 
 unfortunately there was a degree of discord among 
 them that a colony of cats and dogs might emulate. 
 In their disunion all strength of character was lost; 
 for we suppose the converse of the popular maxim 
 must be admitted, and that in disunion there is weak- 
 ness. Any way, he was by their means reduced to a 
 simply eccentric character. 
 
 He no doubt had sufficient book learning for his 
 position, for he had gone up the ladder as far as the 
 Latin rundle. He had a genius for poetry, and wrote 
 out, in rhyme, some of the harder lessons, fancying 
 that in that form they could be more easily learned 
 and remembered. And no doubt he was right, for 
 jingle is more attractive to people in general than 
 solidity. But with his singularities were coupled some 
 of the most excellent qualities that a teacher of youth 
 can possess. He was pious, good-tempered and indus- 
 trious. 
 
 It is quite characteristic of schoolmasters to philoso- 
 phise and theorise. And Mr. Turnbody was not sin- 
 gular in this respect. Among other conceptions a little 
 out of the common order were his theories regarding 
 the lower animals. He believed that all animals had a
 
 320 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 way of expressing their sentiments, and that it was 
 within the bounds of possibihty, at least, for man to 
 discover the means by which the thoughts, so to speak, 
 of beasts, birds and fishes, could be ascertained. This 
 is an interesting conceit, well worthy of a Turnbody, 
 and one that no reasoning can prove false. A man is 
 always safe from exposure in whatever absurdity he 
 supports, provided he has the sagacity to locate his 
 entrenchments beyond the reach of human reason. 
 
 Mr. Turnbody was much pleased by the conviction 
 that he himself had grasped certain leading principles 
 that lay at the foundation of this curious knowledge. 
 And, acting upon this, he is represented to have 
 really shown wonderful skill in judging of the desires 
 and purposes of individuals of the lower races. He 
 seems, certainly, to say the least, to have established 
 an excellent understanding with some specimens, if it 
 be true, as stated, that he was one afternoon seen 
 going down the middle road of the Common, with a 
 cow, an old ram, a dog, a goose, and an enormous rat, 
 following close upon his heels, each heedless of the 
 others, but all anxious to gain his attention, and, per- 
 haps, as the poet says, to share the good man's smile. 
 
 These views of Mr. Turnbody were brought forcibly 
 to the mind of the writer, by a curious occurrence 
 witnessed an hour or two before commencing this very 
 page. And perhaps they would not have been alluded 
 to at all, had it not been for the occurrence. A brief 
 account of what we refer to may interest the reader. 
 
 Geese have never been famed for their intellectual 
 endowments, though that opportune and eloquent ex- 
 pression of their rational fears, on a certain occasion, 
 at Rome, might support some claim. But let the com- 
 mon opinion go. This very morning, while leisurely
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 321 
 
 pursuing our way across the open fields, our atten- 
 tion was arrested by two large flocks of those feathered 
 trumpeters, coming over the hills on their migratory 
 journey southward. They appeared at points quite 
 distant from each other. But both parties were belch- 
 ing forth with unrestrained voice, as if in warlike defi- 
 ance or important negotiation. In the rear of each 
 flock, as is common in these flights, were a number of 
 laggers ; and these evidently impeded the progress of 
 the squadrons, which seemed anxious to press on, as a 
 storm was vigorously pursuing. Whether these lag- 
 gers were lame or lazy, it was not easy to determine ; 
 nor was it of much consequence, as, according to the 
 proverb, Providence provides for both. And besides, 
 in this case, as in many others, lameness and laziness 
 would be equally detrimental to the other party. Pre- 
 sently the two flocks began to converge. And as they 
 rapidly approached each other their vociferations be- 
 came more and more alarming, till it seemed as if a 
 most destructive collision were about to take place. 
 They met. But no symptom of anger was manifested. 
 After a little manoeuvring, the laggers of both flocks 
 formed into a battahon by themselves, and took a more 
 inland course, while the two large bodies separately 
 bore away on their old courses, no longer impeded by 
 those that had weighed upon their skirts. How Mr. 
 Turnbody would have interpreted this management 
 we cannot say ; but it seemed to us very much like a 
 sagacious arrangement to get rid of dead weights in 
 a way that would bo effectual and at the same time 
 not repugnant to tender consciences. And avo are 
 furthermore delighted to record the incident as sup- 
 porting tlie comforting provorl> jnst alluded to. 
 
 Few things tended more to elevate Mr. Turnbody 
 N* 21
 
 322 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 in the estimation of the good people than his activity 
 and usel'uhiess in the sacred precincts of the Meeting 
 House. If the minister were indisposed, he was at 
 hand to read a chapter and expound, or make a prayer. 
 And he usually took it upon himself to line the hymns 
 and mark time ; which latter he did with a grace that 
 all the attempts of Father Kemp fail to reach. He 
 was always ready to assist the ladies, young and old, 
 from their pillions, and to show strangers to seats. 
 Indeed there was no useful work about the sanctuary 
 that came amiss to his ready hand, from the pulpit exer- 
 cises to the snuffing of the tallow candles that during 
 the evening meetings flared and dispensed rivulets 
 of grease over the tin candlesticks and thence upon 
 the heads of the worshipers. On one occasion, how- 
 ever, he came near becoming a martyr to his officious- 
 uess. 
 
 The Old Tunnel was so constructed that the bell rope 
 came down in the centre of the middle aisle. And the 
 bell ringer was of course one of the most conspicuous 
 objects. There he stood in the dignity of his great 
 office, bowing to the measured strokes that called to- 
 gether old and young, grave and gay. And as they 
 filed by him to their scats, carefully did the fair ladies 
 gather their robes around them and give ample berth 
 to his rib-breaking elbows. 
 
 Had the good dames of that day worn to meeting- 
 dresses as much extended as do the ladies of our time, 
 the poor old sexton would have been sorely put to it 
 for room. But the}' did not appear in the house of 
 worship in full dress. They labored under the belief 
 that He in whose special presence they gathered had 
 no particular regard for fine dresses, and left it for 
 modern worshipers to discover that He is pleased to
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 323 
 
 assume the ofSce of inspector of garments ; for it is 
 not allowable to say that any visit the sanctuary to be 
 seen of men. 
 
 But to return to the occasion on wLich Mr. Turn- 
 body met with the disaster that came so near extin- 
 guishing him. 
 
 One Saturday the sexton went out on a fishing ex- 
 cursion, and by some mishap, chargeable to wind or 
 tide, was unable to get back in season for his Sunday 
 morning duties. The hour had nearly arrived for the 
 commencement of the services, and the bell had not 
 yet sent its solemn summons abroad. Many had as- 
 sembled and were waiting in wonder at the silence 
 that reigned in the belfry. Mr. Turnbody was there ; 
 and after fidgeting about and several times going out to 
 look up the street towards the sexton's house, he spat 
 on his hands and boldly seized the rope, which, as just 
 remarked, came down in the centre of the house, in 
 view of the whole congregation. He gave one or 
 two lusty tugs, and presently some glorious peals an- 
 nounced to the world without that there was a new 
 acquisition within. 
 
 But Mr. Turnbody did not fully understand the art 
 and mystery of scientific bell ringing, and had not 
 been made aware of any danger. He neglected to let 
 the rope properly slip, and before he realized any 
 particular necessity for caution found himself half 
 way up to the roof, still grasping the rope as tightly 
 as if his life depended on the tenacity. He gave a 
 terrific shriek. But in a moment, the reversal of the 
 motion of the wheel brought him down to the floor 
 again with such violence that it is astonishing that 
 half the bones in his body were not broken. He lay 
 gasping. Men and women rushed to his assistaoco.
 
 324 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 He was presently restored to consciousness, and to 
 the great relief of all found to be but little hurt. A 
 vacation of two weeks was sufficient to restore him. 
 
 We cannot help thinking that Mr. Turnbody's ascent 
 afforded about as ludicrous a sight as was ever wit- 
 nessed within the walls of the Old Tunnel. Up he 
 went, like a fish fairly caught, his knees twitching 
 towards his chin, and the broad tails of his light blue 
 coat flaritig out mischievously as if determined to 
 bring into view sundry invidious rents in the unmen- 
 tionable garment beneath, which was of brown velvet, 
 and fitted so closely as to endanger the circulation. 
 He did not, however, believe in what he termed the 
 ''devil drawn whimsey " of the circulation of the blood, 
 which Harvey had many years before made known, 
 and which he and a certain traveling doctor had dis- 
 puted about, all the way, at the funeral of Obadiah 
 Turner. 
 
 At school, master Turnbody was fond of awarding to 
 this and that pupil, imagined to possess a resemblance 
 in character, the name of some personage of historical 
 renown. And he was accustomed to frequently remind 
 them of the virtues they should imitate and the vices 
 they should shun, as developed in their prototypes. 
 He had a Socrates, a Mark Anthony, and a Cromwell ; 
 a Xantippe, a Cleopatra, and a Mary Stuart. And it 
 would have surprised him, had he been permitted to 
 live as long as they, to have seen how strangely, as 
 trees, they departed from their supposed bent as twigs. 
 He would have seen his Socrates in the stocks for steal- 
 ing Mark Anthony's chickens. Cromwell he would have 
 beheld a love-cracked pauper. In the slattern wife of 
 a wood-chopper he would have discovered his Cleopa- 
 tra. And as to his Xantippe, he would have found
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 325 
 
 her a pious, and sympathising nurse of the sick, re- 
 nowned for her patience and kindness. But notwith- 
 standing all these, he was quite as good a prophet as 
 people usually are who attempt to discover the adult 
 in the child. And it should be remembered that in his 
 day the glorious light of phrenology had not been shed 
 abroad. 
 
 At the time Mr. Turnbody taught here, and for more 
 than a hundred years afterward, the people spent mo- 
 ney grudgingly for the outward appliances of educa- 
 tion. The school-houses were mean and inconvenient ; 
 the benches rough and uncomfortable ; and too often 
 the floors were damp and filthy. Brooms could not 
 be afforded, though a couple of quarts of rum would 
 have bought, of some strolling Indian, enough of those 
 made of stripped birch, to serve for a whole year. 
 Once or twice a month, however, the scholars were 
 despatched to the woods for hemlock boughs where- 
 with to sweep. And these expeditions were occasions 
 of rare fun to the boys, though tearing through the 
 briars and shinning up the rough trunks were death to 
 their linsey-woolseys. And when they marched home 
 with their woodland spoils it surely appeared as if great 
 Birnam wood had again started for Dunsinane, but mis- 
 taking the road had arrived at Lynn. 
 
 The venerable Ezekiel Oldpath was a teacher here 
 for some years onward from 1G91. His bald head was 
 conspicuous every Sabbath, near the northwest corner 
 of the Old Tunnel. lie was well qualified for the 
 duties of teacher, both by education and natural tem- 
 per. And he had taught in Boston, at intervals, for 
 some twenty five years, during the earlier part of his 
 life. At other intervals he had been airent for fishing
 
 326 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 companies, attended to surveying, acted as scrivener, 
 and so forth. His first appearance in Lynn was in the 
 capacity of surveyor. And he was so charmed with 
 the place that he determined to take up his residence 
 within her borders. 
 
 Master Oldpath's sterling sense placed him above 
 most of the prejudices and jealousies of the times, and 
 his urbanity and prudence had an excellent influence 
 on the restless spirits around him. 
 
 He was one of the most active and judicious in ope- 
 rating against the hallucinations and villanies of the 
 witchcraft eruption of 1692 ; and to his exertion, in a 
 great degree is to be attributed the fact that it prevailed 
 to a small extent within these precincts, while neigh- 
 boring places were absolutely distracted. He warmly 
 controverted the views of Chief Justice Stoughton 
 in a correspondence with that dignitary. And in con- 
 cert with the wise Saltonstall he rendered essential ser- 
 vice in saving, innocent lives. President Mather and 
 his redoubtable son Cotton came out several times to 
 confer with him and endeavor to induce him to look at 
 the mysterious matters through their spectacles. But 
 they found him as immovable as the everlasting rock 
 under the lee of which his modest habitation nestled. 
 
 There stood his little school-house, exposed to the 
 rough kisses of the cutting wind as it swept down from 
 the northern hills, forming a central point for the ed- 
 dying snows to dance about. The shivering little 
 ones came gathering from miles around, and eagerly 
 snatching their motley caps from their heads, unveiled 
 their purple faces to meet the ruddy glow upon the 
 hearth. Then would the good man lay aside the wont- 
 ed dignity and distance of the school-room, to assist in 
 restoring the benumbed limbs, ere he called his little
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 327 
 
 subjects to duty. And the duties of the day, in his 
 school, always commenced with the Lord's Prayer, 
 repeated in concert. Then followed the reading of 
 the Litany, every pupil audibly joining in the respon- 
 ses, or the Psalter, in its daily order. True, this did 
 not well please some of the more rigid anti-churchmen. 
 He was labored with on the subject, but declared 
 that though himself no churchman, he yet would not 
 dispense with those exercises so long as he taught; 
 for he deemed their influence of more value to the 
 young mind than all the other exercises put together. 
 He never did yield, and on his death bed recommended 
 a continuance of the custom. And we do not believe 
 that the school would have been damaged had it been 
 continued even to this day of worldly wisdom. 
 
 Master Oldpath took great pains, while lecturing 
 his pupils, to impress upon their minds such things 
 as would prove most useful in life. lie had a respect- 
 able class in surveying, and on many a pleasant after- 
 noon did he lead them forth, if not to show how fields 
 were won, to show how they were surveyed. But 
 above all, he labored assiduously to instill into their 
 minds the great principles of moral rectitude and living 
 piety. 
 
 As a naturalist. Master Oldpath was famed through- 
 out the colony. In his surveying expeditions he hud 
 good opportunity to indulge in his loved studies and 
 to collect specimens. And a capacious unfinished room 
 in his house contained a really valuable museum. The 
 great Linnasus was not then born. But Ezekiel Avas 
 able, by his own experience and the assistance of a 
 few others, to perfect a system of botanical classifica- 
 t'loz), quite ingenious and easy of application. And it 
 is a matter of much regret that the many useful facts
 
 328 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 he collected regarding the natural history of this region 
 have not been handed down to us through the medium 
 of more perfect records. Printing was not so common 
 and cheap then as it now is. The art preservative is a 
 blessed art, though not very discriminating ; for while 
 it preserves one page of value, it preserves forty that 
 had better pass into oblivion. 
 
 It was always pleasing to Master Oldpath to have 
 his neighbors and fellow-townsmen, as well as strangers 
 from abroad, examine his collection. And many a plea- 
 sant impromptu lecture did he give to the parties who 
 took him by surprise as he sat in his curiosity room, 
 arrayed, in his calico gown, velvet slippers and little 
 black skull-cap. And often of a moonlight evening has 
 the timid knock of youth summoned him to the agree- 
 able office of entertaining lovers who had strolled up 
 the balmy lane perhaps with a bouquet or curious 
 pebble, brought as a simple propitiatory offering ; and 
 his blessing was sure to go with them as they turned 
 upon their homeward path unseen among the whisper- 
 ing trees to kiss and talk of love. 
 
 The brilliant skies and balmy breezes often called 
 Mr. Oldpath forth upon long pleasure excursions to 
 the forest or seashore, though he usually took his sur- 
 veying implements with him, as if in compromise with 
 a practical conscience. And he made many observa- 
 tions and determined many facts, useful and curious. 
 It may be mentioned that he appears to have been the 
 first to remark that the gorgeous coloring of our 
 forests in autumn is not produced by frosts, but by 
 the ripening of the foliage. And it is remarkable that 
 many, even at this day, remain ignorant of the fact. 
 Observation shows that trees do not change color all 
 at one time any more than fruits all ripen at one time.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 329 
 
 The white birch and swamp maple, for instance, often 
 put on their beautiful yellow and scarlet, in August ; 
 and even, to a small extent, in a dry, warm season, as 
 early as July. Irving, Bryant and others of the most 
 charming American writers, would not have adopted 
 the error and assisted so much to fix it in the popular 
 mind had they been as observant of such things as 
 Master Oldpath. 
 
 Soon after the ripening of the foliage the heavy 
 frosts come. These loosen the leaves and they soon 
 fall. Then, if we have it at all, comes the Indian sum- 
 mer. That lovely interval aflForded a study of peculiar 
 interest to Mr. Oldpath. It was as difficult for him 
 to keep within doors during the half dozen days of its 
 continuance, as for an astronomer to remain housed 
 during an eclipse. He long endeavored to ascertain 
 the natural causes of such a delectable elemental 
 condition. But he was unsuccessful, and frankly ac- 
 knowledged that the red man's explanation was as 
 reasonable as any he could give ; namely, that it was a 
 period when a breath from the hunting grounds of 
 heaven was permitted to sweep down to earth. Nor 
 has any more rational explanation been given, to this 
 day. 
 
 Master Oldpath died with 'the scholastic harness on. 
 He was suddenly seized by the grip of the fell destroyer 
 while on his way from school, of a summer noon, and 
 after a painful struggle of forty hours yielded up his 
 breath. His last flickering thought seemed to be of 
 the precious little souls under his charge. And his 
 last words were : " Come, come my children we must 
 prepare to hasten home apace. How suddenly doth 
 night come upon us. Let us pray." 
 
 Mr. Shopard preached a long funeral discourse over
 
 330 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 his remains, containing many stately periods and much 
 sound doctrine. His text was : I. Kings, iv. 33 : '^ And 
 he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Leba- 
 non, even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the 
 wall ; he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creep- 
 ing things, and of fishes." 
 
 Many learned and good people from abroad came to 
 his funeral. And the Old Tunnel bell never sounded 
 in more mournful notes than while they were bearing 
 him to his final resting place in the Old Burying 
 Ground. 
 
 It is refreshing to dwell on a character like that of 
 Master Oldpath ; so unselfish, and so serene amid the 
 agitations and conflicts of the restless world. And 
 from a walk like his most useful lessons may be drawn. 
 We may perceive that better and surer paths to happi- 
 ness exist than those which end in the vanity fair of 
 wealth. The meanest creature of earth, air or sea, 
 was an object of interest to him. The noble oak upon 
 the hill top and the lowly fern in the vale afforded 
 him hours of pleasant study. The modest violet and 
 creeping moss which were heedlessly trodden under 
 foot by other men were to him more beautiful than the 
 most luxurious carpet of man's fashioning. With a holy 
 satisfaction did he contemplate all the works of nature, 
 discerning the hand of the great Original as well in 
 the whirling thunder storm that ravished the land- 
 scape as in the serenity of a summer twilight. 
 
 It is unquestionably true that many of the teachers 
 of the first sons and daughters of our favored land 
 were profoundly learned. And it is also true that 
 they kept constantly in view a more exalted object 
 than is common with teachers at this day. In that
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 331 
 
 less complicated condition of society comparatively 
 little of the diffusive kind of education, if it may be so 
 termed, could be brought into action. The ordinary 
 business transactions were simple, and that active 
 curiosity wliich now leads so many to endeavor to 
 pry into the mysteries of every conceivable depart- 
 ment of knowledge, without any definite object in 
 view, was not deemed so worthy of encouragement as 
 efforts of a more practical nature. 
 
 Many of the first teachers, as before remarked, were 
 of the clergy. And no one requires to be informed of 
 the fact that they were a learned race. A high toned 
 classic coloring often pervaded their discourses ; and 
 the fancied dignity imparted by the scholastic displays, 
 in writing and in speech, would now appear as border- 
 ing on the ludicrous. And the English hierarchy, 
 being able to withstand their valorous assaults with 
 the ponderous artillery of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, 
 may well have continued to claim invulnerability. And 
 again, being of the most rigid order, they naturally 
 inclined to look anxiously to the spiritual condition of 
 those under their charge. And this was sanctioned 
 and urged by the universal temper of the community. 
 So long as those elementar}^ principles which would be 
 required in the ordinary transactions of life were firmly 
 fixed in the mind, mere intellectual attainment was 
 regarded as of secondary importance. There were 
 but few books and proportionately little book study. 
 A comparatively large number, were, however, put to 
 the study of Latin, and without the aid of English 
 grammars, obtained a good knowledge of their own 
 tongue. Latin was, at that period, an almost neces- 
 sary study to all who would make any pretension to 
 learning. Not only were phrases in that language
 
 332 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 common in books on almost ever^f subject, and inter- 
 spersed in the legal forms, but the Sunday sermons 
 were enriched by them. 
 
 Some are inclined to imagine, in view of the limited 
 variety of school books then in use, that but little was 
 taught. But the fact is that the accomplished and 
 industrious teachers were a sort of embodiment of 
 classic and scientific knowledge, and through the en- 
 gaging and effective medium of familiar lectures and 
 conversations, imparted, in history, geography, and the 
 natural sciences, instruction to as great an extent as 
 was demanded or deemed expedient. 
 
 But, as remarked, the early teachers kept in view a 
 more exalted object than is in our day required, ex- 
 pected, or perhaps we may even say desired, of com- 
 mon school teachers. It was with them but a small part 
 of duty, to fit those under their charge, to be merely 
 successful members of society ; to qualify them for the 
 mere business of life, or to pass through life with the 
 mere characteristics of intelligence. Their better ef- 
 forts were directed to the nobler purpose of firmly 
 planting in the virgin soil of the uncorrupted heart, a 
 vigorous growth of those exalted virtues which would 
 bring forth the fruits of sterling principle and unswerv- 
 ing integrity ; so that when the youth went forth into 
 the world, every act, whether in business, politics, or 
 any other department of the social economy, might 
 rest on the sanctified basis of truth and justice. And 
 was it not this, that made the institutions they planted 
 so enduring? Was it not this that imparted to them 
 that solid, immutable character which has enabled 
 them to withstand all the conflicts that have from time 
 to time agitated society, and which have turned other, 
 and at times more prosperous institutions, upside down?
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 333 
 
 And what was the reward claimed by those faithful 
 old teachers for thus training the first children that 
 made merry these streets? The annual stipend of a 
 few pounds currency or perhaps a few measures of 
 grain or a few pounds of meat from each family. But 
 could that have been called a reward ? Most certainly 
 not. It was but the means of sustaining life. Their 
 reward was of a far more exalted and enduring kind. 
 
 We find the somewhat eccentric Doctor Jotham 
 Tyndale a worshiper at the Old Tunnel during the 
 last ten years of the seventeenth century. He sat 
 near the centre of the house. 
 
 In stature, Dr. Tyndale was singularly diminutive, 
 being hardly five feet high, and by no means corpulent. 
 And his physiognomy was such as a stranger would at 
 once determine belonged to one remarkable for some- 
 thing, though he might be puzzled to say what. His 
 chin was bony and tapering, his nose long, sharp, and 
 a little hooked. There was a redundancy of ivory in 
 his mouth, and his lips were very accommodating for 
 the display of the same. 
 
 In personal descriptions it is always expected that 
 the forehead shall come under notice, because it has 
 been ascertained — by the gas light of phrenology, we 
 believe — that the higher ficulties reside there. But 
 here we are at fault; for the Doctor's hair had such a 
 propensity to retreat upward, and the plain from tlie 
 brow to the crown was so regularly inclined, that it 
 was impossible to determine where the frontal terri- 
 tory ended and the summit level began. And besides, 
 his hair was always strained back to such a degree 
 that one would have supposed it difficult for him to 
 shut his eyes, and there bound into a cue, by an eel
 
 334 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 skin. And this cue was a distinguishing feature, one 
 in Avhich he took an ahnost childish pride, and one 
 which finally came near being the death of him ; such 
 a judgment often overtaking the worshiper of an idol. 
 The appendage projected almost horizontally and was 
 knotted at the end in most picturesque style. 
 
 We are aware that cues, wigs, hair powders, and so 
 forth, were not much in vogue at that time, but there 
 are always some whose genius travels ahead of their 
 age. And Dr. Tyndale possessed a rampant genius. 
 Such things, however, were known at that period. 
 Hair powders were used in England a hundred years 
 before, by the opera singers. And we read that wigs 
 of all colors were in use in the good old days of Queen 
 Bess. We also catch glimpses of cues all along from 
 the period of the Reformation ; to say nothing of the 
 old painting in which St. Peter figures with one. Yet 
 it appears that the greatest enormities of the kind did 
 not have their turn till Queen Anne's time. 
 
 Dr. Tyndale appeared a little vain in the matter of 
 dress. He wore yellow breeches tied at the knees by 
 tasty red ribbons, and a bob-tailed green coat, which 
 he always kept buttoned so tightly that the loops broke 
 out in rebellion against the strain put upon them. An 
 enormous white collar fell over the green one of his 
 coat, resembling an ancient lady's Vandyke. Long 
 scarlet stockings and leather shoes, with the toes 
 turned up like skate-irons, and kept well black-balled, 
 adorned his nether extremities. And jauntily upon 
 his head sat a round topped hat, with which the sport- 
 ive winds were continually playing pranks. 
 
 As to the parentage of Dr. Tyndale we are able to 
 state very little. Whether he could trace his gene- 
 alogy in a direct line to William Tyndale the celebrated
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 335 
 
 refonner and martyr who had the honor of producing 
 the first English version of the New Testament, we do 
 not know, but presume he could ; for any one can 
 trace his pedigree to just about the point he desires. 
 The pretty family trees that we sometimes see mod- 
 estly fruiting in parlors prove this. But we do not 
 mean to insinuate that the Doctor ever undertook to 
 so trace his lineage ; probably he did not ; for doctors, 
 as all know, are remarkable for their modesty. 
 
 Many people seem to think that all who go through 
 the same course of study must turn out equal in scho- 
 larship. And judging Dr. Tyndale by this rule he was 
 very learned for he went through, at Harvard college, 
 the same course with the most eminent men in the 
 colony. But judging by a rule that takes capacity 
 into account, we might be forced to a different conclu- 
 sion regarding his accomplishments. We do not mean, 
 however, to intimate that he was not worthy of high 
 respect ; for though not among the most prominent in 
 his profession, he was yet above the average. 
 
 The Doctor was very active, traveling hither and 
 thither on his errands of mercy with great rapidity, 
 sometimes on horseback with saddle-bags of medicines, 
 and sometimes on foot with a knapsack of the same 
 strapped to his back. His practice was extensive, at 
 least so flir as territory was concerned, and various. 
 He was, of course, both surgeon and physician. And 
 he even turned his hand to farriery when occasion re- 
 quired, though in this latter branch he had so many 
 rivals among the farmers who were ambitious to bo 
 ranked as professional men, that he could not shine 
 with any great brilliancy. 
 
 Few of Dr. Tyndale's patients had reason to com- 
 plain of his neglecting them. Indeed what physician
 
 336 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 can be charged with neglecting patients ; at least those 
 of the paying class ? Sympathy for those in affliction, 
 if not a positive sense of duty, prompted him to more 
 than ordinary care and attention. He had a feeling 
 heart, soothing manners, and a high appreciation of 
 fees. His medicines were prescribed in large quanti- 
 ties, as was the custom of the times. And by his 
 good nature and pleasant talkativeness, he did much 
 to keep the spirits up while the drugs went down. 
 He trotted the sick children on his knee, and told 
 them pretty stories of good boys and girls who loved 
 to take the sweet medicines that he brought. And 
 the older folk gulped down rivulets of his nauseous 
 concoctions, made palatable by an infusion of what 
 is metaphorically a product of the good wife's leach 
 tub. None had a happier way of flattering than he, 
 and none had a higher appreciation of its effects. 
 
 One of the most remarkable cures ever effected in 
 the human system occurred in the practice of Dr. 
 Tyndale ; and by omitting an account of it we should 
 leave even this brief notice greatly defective. 
 
 Aaron Rhodes lay very sick of a painful disease, the 
 nature of which does not precisely appear, though 
 from the accounts we judge it to have been some sort 
 of a bronchial abscess. It had rapidly enlarged and 
 there was imminent danger of suffocation. The Doc- 
 tor perceived that unless the internal gathering were 
 speedily broken death must ensue. But how to break 
 it was a question that all his ingenuity could not solve. 
 The crisis was fast approaching, and the worthy man 
 was very greatly exercised not only in regard to his 
 professional reputation, for it really seemed as if there 
 were no imperative necessity for the man's dying, but 
 also from grateful esteem for the patient, Avho had
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 337 
 
 Le friended him in various ways. He was constant in 
 his attendance, and manifested his anxiety, now by 
 gazing down the afflicted throat ; now by walking the 
 floor at a nervous pace, with his head down and his 
 cue pointing up and shivering under his agitation ; 
 and then by pausing to rub and press the patient ex- 
 ternally, in the neighborhood of the gathering. But 
 all his efforts seemed incompetent to avert a fatal ter- 
 mination. 
 
 Late on a Sunday evening, we find the sick chamber 
 presenting this tableau: The sufferer lies upon the 
 bed, with an uneasy struggling for breath. The Doc- 
 tor sits in an arm chair, before the fire, with his legs 
 stretched out and affectionately crossed. His beloved 
 cue projects back, over the little table that stands 
 behind his chair, with its array of medicine cups and 
 phials forming a body-guard to the tallow candle, the 
 radiance of which would be greatly augmented by the 
 friendly offices of the snuffers that glisten in their little 
 lackered tray upon the mantle. The prim nurse sits 
 nodding on one side of the fire, and upon the other, 
 curled on the cushion of the easy chair, reposes the 
 gray house cat, occasionally arousing for a moment to 
 gape and stretch and then returning to her sleep. 
 Almost perfect silence reigns. There is no wind with- 
 out, and the fire does not crackle, for the Rhodes fam- 
 ily burn peat. The* hard breathing of the patient 
 alone is heard. The Doctor himself soon begins to 
 feel drowsy and nod. And nod follows nod in accele- 
 rated succession. Finally, there comes one backward 
 bow, so forcible as to bob the end of the cue directly 
 into the flame of the candle. And thereupon, horror 
 and mystery, there comes such a terrific explosion as 
 almost shakes his little head from his shoulders. The 
 O 22
 
 338 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 darling cue is blown all to pieces and sent flying in 
 singed tufts into every corner of the room. 
 
 The Doctor bounded across the chamber with the 
 agility of a shot kangaroo, his elbow dashing through 
 the window and his head bending the metal sash. Then 
 he skipped up and down, shrieking and with his hands 
 working his head every way as if endeavoring to be 
 sure that it were still in the place where it grew. The 
 nurse and cat, by a process that neither of them at- 
 tempted to explain found themselves in a safe position 
 beneath the bed. 
 
 But how fared the sick man ? He had eminent cause 
 to rejoice under the fulfillment of the good old apho- 
 rism that every wind blows good to some one. How 
 shall we express our joy for him ? When the strange 
 explosion took place, he happened to be lying with his 
 eyes fixed upon the fated cue as it curiously bobbed 
 back and forth, seemingly at some tantalizing game 
 with the candle. And it appeared to him, as he lay 
 there watching, so much as if the candle when it got 
 a chance to retaliate for some teasing movement of 
 the cue, had given a snap that resulted in more than 
 it intended, that he could not restrain a burst of im- 
 moderate laughter. And that laughter saved his life. 
 And many a hearty laugh, before and since, has done 
 as much good. It broke the abscess ; and after a little 
 strangling from the escaping coiktents, he was relieved 
 and at once beyond danger. And he continued to 
 moderately indulge in the healthful exercise till his 
 complete recovery ; and indeed to the end of his life, 
 whenever the scene of that night came to mind ; the 
 Doctor himself not refusing occasionally to join in his 
 cachinnation, as they talked the matter over. These 
 occasions, however, were liable to end in sadness, for
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 339 
 
 the Doctor's band would instinctively stray to tbo 
 barren waste wbere once flourisbed tbe object of Lis 
 idolatry wbose loss bad been mourned over witb a 
 bitterness not exceeded in intensity by any dispensa- 
 tion from his saddle-bags. 
 
 But the cause of the destructive explosion was a 
 profound and alarming mystery for some time. There 
 seemed no possible way to account for it. If it should 
 prove that the Doctor's head were something like a 
 charged bomb-shell and liable to explode at any time, 
 it would be dangerous to have him about. But still 
 there was no authority for his restraint. People, how- 
 ever, immediately began to appear shy of meeting him, 
 and some of his patients forthwith sent word that they 
 felt so much better that he need not come again till 
 sent for. And the calls for his errands of mercy and 
 profit became alarmingly infrequent. 
 
 The extraordinary occurrence was of course soon 
 known far and near. And it was interesting to listen 
 to the many theories that were propounded in elucida- 
 tion. The one suggested by Mr. Shepard seemed the 
 most scientific, proceeding on the supposition that 
 thunder and lightning might exist in the human head, 
 in a dormant condition. And indeed it must be a 
 stupid head that has not some electricity in it. But 
 people wore not then so scientific as they now are, for 
 Franklin was not born. Had they possessed the know- 
 ledge that soon after electrified the world it is not 
 unlikely that they would have insisted, for the security 
 of human life, that Dr. Tyndale should wear a lightning 
 rod down his back. 
 
 But the mystery was finally solved. The Doctor 
 and his good wife were one evening sitting at the 
 supper table, partaking of their frugal meal and pleas-
 
 340 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 antly talking over the events of the clay. Presently 
 something recalled with special force to their minds 
 that unexplained catastrophe the memory of which had 
 continued to hang like a dead weight upon them. All 
 of a sudden the Dame dropped her spoon, which was 
 just then drawing near to her mouth, laden with lus- 
 cious pan-pie. Her eyes protruded, her countenance 
 assumed a strange expression, and she began to strug- 
 gle in the attempt to articulate something. The Doc- 
 tor sprang towards her, thinking that she was choked. 
 But she soon recovered herself and pushing him aside 
 told him to sit down and she would unburden herself. 
 The good man had before experienced what she was 
 pleased to call unburdening herself and did not antici- 
 pate much comfort. Nevertheless, he meekly seated 
 himself with open ears. 
 
 Dame T^'ndale now began by asking the Doctor if 
 he did not remember bidding her, while she was dress- 
 ing his cue, on the fatal day, to give it a good powder- 
 ing. He replied that he did so bid her, for he expected 
 to go to Boston to a doctors' meeting. She then looked 
 him straight in the eye for something like two min- 
 utes. Her gaze was reciprocated. And it would have 
 rejoiced any philosopher to observe the dawn and radi- 
 ation of intelligence as they appeared on those serene 
 countenances, marking as they did, with great strength 
 and beauty, the distinctions between man and the gra- 
 ven image. The talismanic word powder had power 
 to explode the whole mystery. 
 
 The worthy Dame had never before that day pow. 
 dered the Doctor's cue, and when called to the duty 
 had no conception that the dredging-box instead of 
 the powder-liorn should be resorted to for material. 
 In her simplicity she had managed to woik into the
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 341 
 
 cue such a quantity of gunpowder as would have 
 'probably blown his head to atoms had not a conside- 
 rable portion worked itself out during the day. 
 
 Through that comical agency, however, the cure of 
 Mr. Ehodes was effected. And had Dr. Tyndale pos- 
 sessed the sagacity of some of the profession, without 
 their honesty, he would probably have taken advantage 
 of the accident, and insisted that the whole was a plan 
 of his own to effect the cure. In that case he might 
 have been canonized for his wit if not for his skill. 
 
 Those accustomed to worship in our modern sanctu- 
 aries, with richly carpeted floors and cushioned seats, 
 can hardly form a just conception of the discomforts, 
 as they would appear to be, to which the worshipers 
 in the Old Tunnel were exposed. Bare floors below 
 and bare rafters above met the gaze of those who 
 assembled there. The wild winds of winter whistled 
 and squealed at the rattling windows, and often suc- 
 ceeded in the mischievous enterprise of powdering 
 the worshipers' heads with snow. Within, there was 
 no fire to set at naught their chiUing effects; and 
 warm must have been the hearts that could keep beat- 
 ing through the long drawn discourses. The heavy 
 galleries hung gloomily upon three sides ; and the 
 cheerful sun found it hard work to illuminate much of 
 the hallowed space. 
 
 Above the lofty pulpit hung the ponderous sound- 
 ing board, capacious enough to concentrate the vocal 
 eccentricities of the most airy rhetorician; and on 
 which, as Amy Martin declared from information de- 
 rived from the old lame man who carried the book 
 with blood-red leaves, the witches held an adjourned 
 meeting during a dreadfully tempestuous night in the
 
 342 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 ever memorable year 1692, they being driven from 
 the swamp in which their meetings were usually held, 
 by a great overflow of water. Considerable alarm was 
 excited by this information, coming through so authen- 
 tic a channel. Diligent inquiry and search took place. 
 But the most certain evidence of the sacrilege having 
 been committed consisted in sundry small indentations 
 apparently burned into the edge of the board. These 
 were thought to have been made by the fingers of the 
 witches as they were clambering up. But Master 
 Oldpath succeeded in convincing the most considerate 
 that they were produced by the sexton, who the year 
 before undertook to destroy a colony of wasps that 
 had taken up their quarters in a crevice above, with a 
 blazing pine knot attached to a pole ; through which 
 cruel act he came near burning down the house itself. 
 And by this incident we are reminded to present a 
 few facts connected with the great "Witchcraft outbreak. 
 Take wdiatever view we may of the strange excite- 
 ments of that memorable year — 1692 — they cannot 
 be regarded by the reflective mind in any other light 
 than as extraordinary and eminently suggestive. 
 
 Upon a gloomy Sunday afternoon in the year just 
 named, the Old Tunnel worshipers were meekly listen- 
 ing to one of Mr. Shepard's elaborate discourses, when, 
 as he was just arriving at the " improvement," the 
 whole congregation were startled by furious excla- 
 mations from a girl named Nanny Sealand. 
 
 "Whist! whist! whew!" she exclaimed, jumping 
 upon the seat and throwing her arms about in a vio- 
 lent manner; "Whist! dost not see upon the window 
 by the pulpit the shadow of Goody Bassett, beckoning 
 to Nabby Collins, in the corner there ? And dost not
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 343 
 
 see the book she hath, with blood-red leaves and black 
 boards?" 
 
 At this, Nabby Collins, who M'^as an ignorant, nerv- 
 ous girl of some seventeen winters, sprang up, shak- 
 ing and twitching as if an earthquake and a whirlwind 
 were experimenting on her, both at the same time, 
 and wildly snapped out : 
 
 "Ay, ay, at the dogwood swamp it is ! There 's the 
 meeting. You told me so before. O, I '11 be there. 
 Red bread to eat and red drink ! Devil's sacrament ! 
 I '11 be there, when the black dog comes to show the 
 way. He '11 scratch at the back door and howl on the 
 stepping-stone. 0, whist, whist, minister ! You 've 
 said enow, and lost your text ! See there, see there ! 
 a black cat sits on the beam above, nursing a red- 
 winged mouse. O, stop, minister !" 
 
 And by the time she had uttered her incoherent 
 exclamations her excitement had become frightful, and 
 she fell down in a spasm. Presently recovering, she 
 trotted, on all fours, with great speed, toward the 
 door. But those about her having by this time in 
 some degree regained their self-possession, restrained 
 her from making her way out. 
 
 " Great God preserve us," ejaculated Mr. Shepard, 
 " from witchcrafts and other of the Devil's doings ! 
 It verily seemeth that the vitals of God's people here- 
 about are straightway to be torn out by satanic claws !" 
 And he uttered a heavy groan, piteously expressive of 
 deep apprehension. 
 
 Without the " improvement," the services were 
 brought to a close. And most of the people lingered 
 about the doors for some time, with gloomy counte- 
 nances, discussing tlie prognostics of the approaching 
 storm. But Master Oldpath was there and endeavored
 
 344 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 his utmost to suggest to the minds of those about him 
 such common sense views as might do something to- 
 wards turning the tide of the excitement that he knew 
 must ensue. Perceiving Mr. Shepard's great perplex- 
 ity he urged him to at least do nothing to increase the 
 apprehension that the Devil was about to commence a 
 desperate foray upon this happy Israel. " For/' said 
 he, "if these in truth be the Devil's doings, God's 
 people will best show themselves by not owning that 
 he hath such power. If pious folk come to think that 
 they may at any time be snatched from God's hand by 
 the Devil, it might seem that the Devil hath the strong- 
 est arm. But for my part, I do not believe that Satan 
 hath much to do in these matters. They come by 
 frenzy of mind and roguery." And the sensible old 
 man said many things to the distressed crowd, calcu- 
 lated to allay their fears. That very evening, too, he 
 visited the afiiicted girls and gave much wholesome 
 advice to those who had them in charge. 
 
 Perhaps a few of the older persons now living, may 
 remember having in their boyhood seen, firmly nailed 
 to the northwest corner-board of the Old Tunnel, as 
 high up as the gallery window, a clumsy horseshoe. 
 It was almost as conspicuous as is the revolutionary 
 cannon ball that still so uniquely adorns the front of 
 Brattle street meeting house in Boston. That horse- 
 shoe was said to have been nailed there by the sex- 
 ton — whether at the instance of the watchful Shep- 
 ard it does not appear — some time during the week 
 succeeding the events just detailed. And it remained 
 for more than a hundred years. The reader cannot be 
 ignorant of the fact that horseshoes were early dis- 
 covered to possess the power of keeping witches and 
 other evil spirits at bay. In this age of conceited wis-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE, 345 
 
 dom, however, they have rather fallen into disuse for 
 that purpose. 
 
 As may well be supposed, the excitement spread and 
 things soon began to wear a threatening aspect. No 
 time was to be lost in parleying, and Mr. Oldpath, with 
 a couple of others of like way of thinking, formed 
 themselves into a kind of examining and advisory com- 
 mittee, assuming the duty of inquiring into alleged 
 cases of witchcraft as they might occur, expressing 
 opinions of them and giving advice. They had not, of 
 course, any power or inclination to interfere with the 
 jurisdiction of the courts, nor indeed to act in any 
 manner on formal complaints. But by judicious man- 
 agement in their circumscribed sphere, great good 
 was accomplished ; calamities and distresses of divers 
 kinds were averted, and no doubt innocent lives saved. 
 
 Some strange^ases came before them. 
 
 Jediah Breed, a drinking, but otherwise fair sort 
 of a laboring man, stated that on the Friday evening 
 before, he was seated in Rachel Moulton's back room, 
 about dusk; that he had been hard atjvork during the 
 day, cutting and splitting wood and was now resting 
 and waiting for his supper. While he was thus wait- 
 ing, and Rachel was frying the meat, there came down 
 the chimney what appeared to be a very large squirrel, 
 having a li«ad like that of a monkey. The animal sat 
 himself on the edge of the frying-pan, and seizing a 
 piece of meat, began to eat it, apparently with the 
 most ravenous appetite, regardless of its fiery heat or 
 the flames around him. The astonished chopper very 
 much wondered at what he saw, not only because of 
 the animal's power to endure heat, but also because 
 squirrels were never known to tako such food. Ra- 
 0^
 
 346 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 chel took no notice of the intruder, tliougb she stood 
 by the fire. And upon his expressing astonishment at 
 her blindness, she declared that there was nothing 
 there and that no meat was missing; that four pieces 
 were put in, and four remained. 
 
 Jeddy told the committee, when they came to exam- 
 ine upon the point, that he greatly wondered at Ra- 
 chel's denying that she saw the animal, for he was at 
 that very moment before her eyes ; and he could, more- 
 over, hear his teeth snap as he bit the meat. But he 
 did not count the pieces remaining in the pan ; nor did 
 be know how many were put in at first. 
 
 He further stated that as Rachel was spreading the 
 dishes on the table the animal leaped upon her shoulder, 
 and he, being greatly terrified, seized a birch stick that 
 lay at hand and endeavored to give the intruder a smart 
 blow. But he was too quick for hiu4 and dodged he 
 knew not whither. And he saw him no more. But 
 Rachel was greatly offended, declaring that she saw 
 no squirrel nor felt anything but the blow, which she 
 deemed insulting, and such as none but a drunken 
 man would infli^ on a lone woman. It was not, how- 
 ever, till they were seated at the table that the con- 
 viction was forced upon him that Rachel was an enter- 
 tainer of evil spirits. From the appearance of the 
 upper portion of her dress he was convinced that the 
 imp, having eaten his supper in the guise ofm squirrel, 
 had gone to rest in her bosom. 
 
 The good sense of Mr. Oldpath and his associates 
 at once discovered that the wonders described by 
 the besotted wood-chopper originated in a sudden at- 
 tack of Avhat is now known as a merry sort of delirium 
 tremens. He was closely questioned regarding his 
 recent drinking habits and obliged to own up to much
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 347 
 
 that he would rather have concealed. Finally, Mr. 
 Oldpath turned upon him with such a lecture as he 
 was very glad to hear the conclusion of, and ended 
 by advising him, with marked emphasis, to say no 
 more about the affair, or he might get to the stocks 
 for drunkenness and the whipping-post for assaulting 
 Eachel. 
 
 And he prudently took the advice. 
 
 Ruth Chase, a young woman who lived with Eli 
 Chadwell, witnessed some occurrences that came near 
 producing very great excitement. The committee 
 called on her to learn her story, and found her quite 
 ready to communicate the facts on which her dreadful 
 suspicion rested ; which suspicion was that she had 
 seen the veritable black man, the Devil himself It 
 was early on a Monday morning. She had jumped 
 from her bed* and drawn aside the window curtain, to 
 determine the aspect of the weather, as it was the 
 family washing day. The first object that caught 
 her attention was a tall, muscular black man — though 
 when closely questioned she would not affirm that he 
 was black, as it occasionally seemed as if he wore a 
 short black veil — coming out of the woods at a quick 
 pace. Ho had on a long gray jacket with huge but- 
 tons, and ample breeches with eel-skin knots, as they 
 appeared to be, at the knees. On his head was a three- 
 cornered hat. She could not distinguish his feet, but 
 an hour or two after went out and examined the ground 
 and could find nothing but cloven tracks. These, how- 
 ever, she admitted, on a rigid cross-examination, might 
 have been made by the cows as they came from pasture 
 the night before, though they seemed more rounded 
 than cow tracks. In his mouth was a long clay pipe,
 
 348 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 from which he now and then blew sparks, which flew 
 about like little blue stars, convincing her that there 
 was brimstone in the atmosphere. He had a bundle 
 under his arm, done up in a red handkerchief. And 
 from the shape of the bundle she thought it was a big 
 book — the book of witch records. She had beard 
 that the witches held a meeting the night before, it 
 being Sunday, in the North Swamp, and supposed he 
 had been there with the records. He went up by 
 Mr. Tarbox's barn and struck three blows on the wea- 
 ther-board with his crooked walking stick. Presently 
 Goodwife Tarbox came to the door, and they talked 
 together for a few minutes. He then handed her 
 something from the bundle, and disappeared. She 
 verily believed that he gave her the book to sign, or 
 some bread that was left at the witches' sacrament 
 held in the swamp. In closing, Ruth reluctantly ad- 
 mitted that she had a little grudge against Dame Tar- 
 box on account of a difficulty regarding a clothes-line. 
 
 During this recital, Mr. Oldpath himself seemed 
 possessed in some unnatural way, insomuch that his 
 associates began to fear that he was suddenly becoming 
 a victim of the black art. He jerked round, and eyed 
 the narrator with a most comical scrutiny. Then his 
 eyes glistened, and he seemed much put to it to restrain 
 a violent explosion of some kind or other. 
 
 But Ruth having ended, he sat quietly for a few 
 moments as if ruminating on the remarkable affair. 
 And then the explosion came, sure enough; it was 
 terrific ; but no damage was done as the element was 
 laughter. The others, though they loved to see him 
 in such a joyful exercise, could not join with him, for 
 they did not know what he was laughing at. And 
 they began to be more and more alarmed at the accu-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 34:9 
 
 mulating evidence that he was bewitched or getting 
 beside himself in some way. At length he gained 
 power to vociferate : 
 
 " Ruth Chase, if your eyes had been rightly open 
 you would have seen no wonders. You ought to 
 have known that it was me, yes, me, Ezekiel Oldpath, 
 whom you took to be the Devil. Look, now, see if 
 I may not pass current for a white man, and if my feet 
 would make cloven tracks ? look, look ! " and up went 
 an enormous hide-shodden foot to the table top. " On 
 that morn I took my kine to pasture at an early hour, 
 and did indulge myself with a pipe by the way. See- 
 ing mushrooms plentiful I did gather some into my red 
 handkerchief, and on my way home, spying Goodwife 
 Tarbox in her doorway, gave her not only a pleasant 
 morning salutation but some of the dainties. As to 
 what you say about striking the barn I know nothing 
 save that while near there I descried what I took to 
 be a weazel and struck at him with my walking staff. 
 One of the flaps of my hat got loose two or three 
 times and fell forward in a way somewhat detrimental 
 to my eyes ; and you must have made the black veil 
 out of that poor cloth." 
 
 It is easy to understand what the conclusion of that 
 examination must have been. 
 
 Increase Carnes, a middle aged man who lived on 
 the same street with Mr. Shepard — Petticoat Lane, as 
 it was afterward called — and whose bushy head cer- 
 tainly did not contain an unusually large amount of 
 sense, was sorely vexed, on several occasions, by 
 unseen assailants. He was present at the meeting 
 house at the time Nanny Sealand made her strange 
 demonstrations, and was observed to exhibit consid-
 
 350 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 erable excitement. He started up from his seat in the 
 western gallery, and after describing certain mystic 
 figures, in the air, with his arms, violently thrust his 
 hands into his pockets, and hastened out of meeting, 
 grunting and groaning by the way. 
 
 The particular transactions which he detailed to 
 Mr. Oldpath and his associates, took place at his 
 shop. He was a shoemaker, and worked in a rough 
 little structure that stood near the site of the present 
 City Hall. On Tuesday evening he went to his work, 
 after supper, as usual. It was very dark, and the sleet, 
 driven by a northeast wind, was almost blinding. The 
 first thing he did after entering the shop, was to grope 
 round for his tinder-box and matches. And while do- 
 ing so, he was several times startled by what he imag- 
 ined to be whisperings and suppressed laughter. And 
 he thought his fingers were now and then snapped at 
 by sharp teeth. They were also badly pricked, as if 
 awls had been thrust into them ; and he showed sev- 
 eral fresh wounds in confirmation of his statement. 
 
 Having found his tinder-box, he was much put to it 
 to strike a light, for the tinder had become damp ; 
 whereat he much wondered, as it was carefully cov- 
 ered. Plowever, he finally caught the faintest spark, 
 which he Avas leaning over and carefully nursing with 
 bis breath, when a leather scrap, coming with great 
 force, hit the box and overturned the whole into the 
 shop tub. He was terribly frightened ; but being en- 
 couraged by hearing the footsteps of some one passing 
 the shop, and momentarily expecting a neighbor for a 
 job of work which he had finished just before going to 
 supper, he gathered courage to search for the tinder- 
 box of a shopmate. This he found, and presently had 
 his candle lighted, and a fire blazing in the little fire-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 351 
 
 place in the corner. But his wood was green and he 
 could not induce it long to lend its virtuous aid in 
 cheering up the dirty domain. He punched the hissing 
 sticks, laid up the brands and blew upon them as well 
 as he could through his almost toothless gums. But 
 all to little purpose. In ten minutes the last spark 
 seceded and the brave little tallow-dip was all that 
 remained to war against the cold and darkness. He 
 placed it in a wooden socket, and by his crane-like 
 fixture swung it out in front of his seat, into a posi- 
 tion to shed most light upon his work. 
 
 Having made these preparations, Carnes took off his 
 jacket and sat down to work. He continued to hear 
 occasional whispering and tittering, and began more 
 and more to fear that some sort of witchcraft was 
 brewing. Nevertheless, he determined to tough it 
 out, at least till the expected neighbor called, for he 
 had some pride in the matter, having been taunted 
 as a coward. But he could not avoid peering about the 
 shop, as well as he was able to by the aid of his dim 
 light, as he now and then fancied that he heard rustling 
 or squeaking noises. In tiie back part of tlie shop was 
 a small space divided off by a barricade of fire-wood, 
 a heap of scraps, and a couple of cider barrels. But 
 he could not muster courage to venture an exploration 
 in that suspicious territory. As he sat busily at work, 
 however, his heart began gradually to revive. And 
 hearing persons occasionally pass near the window, he 
 finally gained such heart as to whistle a psalm tune 
 and mentally bid defiance to the whole army of devils. 
 
 How long he remained in this comfortable state, 
 whistling and working, it did not appear, but all of a 
 sudden, a gust of wind, coming, as it appeared to Ijim, 
 from the roof, instantly extinguished his candle, and
 
 352 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 left him in total darkness. At the same time he lieard 
 a horrible scratching and scrambling about the cider 
 barrels. And then he seemed verily to become the 
 sport of a legion of merciless devils. The leather 
 scraps flew about his head as if driven by a furious 
 "whirlwind, hitting him on every exposed part with a 
 force that made him dance in agony. Then he was 
 seized by the arms and shoulders and twitched about 
 in a manner that almost forced his joints asunder, his 
 unseen tormentors laughing all the while as if greatly 
 enjoying the sport. He was so terrified that he had 
 no power either to resist or make an outcry, and had 
 but slight expectation of surviving the assault. 
 
 As a sort of closing operation, he was forced down 
 again upon his seat, and there compelled to undergo 
 a kind of rough shampooing. Paste and wax were 
 worked into his hair, scraps crowded down his back, 
 and, worst of all, dirty water from the shop tub was 
 poured down his throat by the clam-shell full. There 
 is, indeed, no knowing how the violence would have 
 ended had not the expected neighbor arrived. The 
 moment that the door latch was raised, his tormentors 
 ceased their operations and disappeared. 
 
 The neighbor fortunately had a lantern. Carnes was 
 found in a deplorable condition. But he was not cut 
 or bruised. His hair and beard, however, were com- 
 pletely matted with wax and paste. Under repeated 
 assurances that he was not wounded, and had only, 
 from appearances, been the victim of some of the 
 younger devils who were out on a frolic, he revived, 
 and was soon able to go home, under convoy. 
 
 Early the next day, Carnes was for starting oflf in 
 great haste to make formal complaint to the court 
 against a decrepit old woman living on Nahant street,
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 353 
 
 called Patty Allen, as being the witch who sent the 
 evil spirits upon him. She had from some cause be- 
 come obnoxious to her neighbors, and was almost 
 friendless. Being of violent temper she was prodigal 
 of threats, and during an altercation with Carnes, a 
 day or two before, had warned him to look out for a 
 shower of something, but of what, he could not under- 
 stand, as she just then slammed the door in his face ; 
 but he thought it might have been a shower of scraps. 
 At all events, such a shower had come, and he natur- 
 ally connected the threat with the event. 
 
 Mr. Oklpath happened to fall in with Carnes just as 
 he was starting on his errand to the judicial dignitaries, 
 and was so struck by his appearance that he paused to 
 ask what disaster he had met with. The poor fellow 
 was bare-headed, though the morning was chilly, for 
 he was afraid to put his hat on lest he should never 
 get it off again ; and his countenance wore a most 
 rueful expression. Mr. Oldpath listened to his story, 
 and finally convinced him that the better way would 
 be for the committee first to investigate the matter, as 
 thereby the witchcraft might perhaps the more surely 
 be fixed upon the old woman. 
 
 No time was lost in getting the committee together, 
 and the examination was held in the shop where the 
 dark doings took place. Gideon Spinney, an aged 
 man who resided in the neighborhood, hearing of what 
 was going on, hastened to the shop, and found the 
 three Solomons in great perplexity. The testimony 
 had all been given in, and they saw no rational means 
 by which to explain away the convictions of the recipi- 
 ent of the supposed satanic favors. But Mr. Spin- 
 ney, as soon as he had got breath and attended to 
 bis nose, suggested that he was able to state some 
 
 23
 
 354 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 tilings that might throw h'ght on the affair, and went 
 on to say that the evening before, at about tiie time 
 Carnes judged the assault to have taken place, he was 
 passing along the road, and as he approached the shop 
 saw a young rogue making his egress from the back 
 window, followed by two others. Whether they ob- 
 served him or not he was uncertain ; but they immedi- 
 ately dodged over the stone wall. He was near to 
 them at one time, but attempted no pursuit, knowing 
 that they could easily outrun him. He however over- 
 heard one of them say, " By Jericho, ha' n't we had fun 
 with the mouldy old coward. Let him jaw my lame 
 mammy agin and call her a witch. If he does, there 
 will be another shower of scraps, like as not, and may- 
 hap thunder too. He '11 have to comb his old pate and 
 wash his face now, if so be 't his monthly scrubbin' 
 time ha' n't come round. I hope, though, we ha' n't 
 hurt his old carcase much." 
 
 The ancient manuscript from which the foregoing is 
 derived, is too much defaced at its conclusion to ad- 
 mit of being deciphered. But it can easily be imag- 
 ined how the case terminated. 
 
 Mr. Oldpath and his associates continued on their 
 way, examining into the alleged cases of witchcraft as 
 they occurred in the neighborhood. And they found, 
 at every step, so much that Avas explicable on natural 
 principles, so much that was clearly the fruit of appre- 
 hensive and strongly imaginative minds, and so much 
 that was chargeable to downright roguery, that they 
 •were more and more encouraged to proceed. And to 
 their judicious action is perhaps to be attributed the 
 freedom of the place from the grosser features of the 
 " lively demonstrations of hell," as Mather called them.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 355 
 
 It is thought that Mr. Oldpath had great influence 
 in opening the eyes of Judge Sewall, as he visited him 
 several times ; and on the occasion of the general 
 fast, made memorable as that on which the Judge 
 stood in penitential attitude before the congregation 
 at tlie Old South meeting house in Boston, while his 
 expurgatory paper was read, no one pronounced a 
 louder or more heart-felt amen than he. 
 
 The Mathers, and Chief Justice Stoughton found in 
 our worthy townsman a resolute defender of the un- 
 fortunate, and soon learned the expediency of not 
 unnecessarily coming in collision with him. But it 
 would be unfair to assume that Mr. Oldpath was en- 
 tirely exempt from the belief that such a thing as 
 Witchcraft may have existed. That would be, as it 
 were, to unchristiauize him, considering the universal 
 belief of the christian world at that period. Yet, 
 whatever his belief may have been, it is certain that 
 he was zealous in searching out the abominable cheats, 
 and ceaseless in his efforts to allay the excitement. 
 Nor would it be fair to assume that even a majority 
 of the cases could be explained as easily as those we 
 have given. Some seemed entirely inexplicable on 
 any known principle. And it was a note-worthy re- 
 mark of a late eminent jurist that had he been upon 
 the bench be could not have avoided pressing a con- 
 viction on the evidence presented in several cases. 
 
 Many attempts have been made to designate a suffi- 
 cient cause, aside from any thing supernatural, for this 
 extraordinary outbreak, known, the world over, as the 
 New England, or the Salem, Witchcraft — the Witch- 
 craft of 1692. The peculiar!}' trying situation of the 
 colonists, at the period immediately preceding, has 
 been much dwelt upon, as having been influential in
 
 35 G NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 preparing the public mind for such an excitement. 
 That certainly was a most dark period in our history. 
 The broad land was still, to a great extent, overshad- 
 owed by the ancient forest. The Indians had been 
 engaged in a desperate eftort to rid the land of the pale 
 faced intruders. And to their wily and ruthless war- 
 fare had been added French bravery and skill. That 
 dreadful conflict known as Philip's war, commenced in 
 1G75. The red men fought with a desperation that 
 could only characterize the death struggles of a brave, 
 proud nation ; a nation which indeed passed away 
 over blood-stained snows and amid the glare of blazing 
 habitations. Six hundred of the flower of the colonial 
 soldiery fell ; six hundred dwellings were consumed. 
 But the disasters of the " swamp fight," sealed the fate 
 of the red men. There was no one left, worthy to 
 bear the mantle of the heroic Philip. In 1690 the 
 French and Indian war raged. And the ferocity of 
 the leading parties was not mitigated by their mutual 
 professions of being followers of the Prince of Peace. 
 The political affairs of the colonists, too, had for a 
 long time worn a gloomy aspect. The colonial char- 
 ters were annulled in 1684. And in 1686, Sir Edmond 
 Andros commenced his oppressive administration. 
 
 They were indeed trying times. And the poor col- 
 onists might almost have been justified in the imagina- 
 tion, that having been so long exposed to the rough 
 usages of men, without being subdued, they were now 
 to have some experience under the tender mercies of 
 devils. But yet, viewing the matter in the serious 
 light that it deserves, one would hardly think that 
 political or warlike agitations had much to do with 
 opening the way for such an excitement as Witchcraft ; 
 particularly as the occult shadow brooded over regions
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 357 
 
 where such agitations were not known. It would? 
 indeed, seem as if such disturbances in temporal affairs 
 might have a tendency to divert the mind from those 
 views of spiritual affairs that appear necessary to pro- 
 duce such an excitement. Our whole country is at this 
 moment laboring under an agitation most terrific. The 
 flag of secession is unfurled; the lurid clouds of civil 
 war have burst; hundreds of thousands of those who 
 one year since recognised each other as of the same 
 happy brotherhood are now arrayed in opposing war- 
 like ranks. A season of unspeakable peril and distress 
 has suddenly overtaken the glorious Union formed un- 
 der our common father, the sainted Washington. God 
 alone knows what will follow this upheaving; but happy 
 should we be if we could rationally fear no greater ca- 
 lamities than those of 1G92. We are reminded of our 
 remark on page 121, and must say that the ship has 
 reached the breakers rather sooner than anticipated. 
 
 Does it not appear more likely that the " Delusion " 
 had its origin in the favorite conceit of our ancestors 
 that their shining piety had moved the evil one to 
 make special efforts for their destruction? 
 
 Some intelligent minds, however, will contend that 
 the Witchcraft manifestations, call them ultramundane 
 or not, were such manifestations as may take place as 
 strictly in accordance with some law as any event in 
 the natural world. The law may be past finding out, 
 but our ignorance cannot prevent its operation. The 
 earth, in its progress in space, may pass through a 
 region of meteors, astonishing and alarming the inhab- 
 itants. And so, they reason, may be the course in 
 spiritual things; — at certain points spirits may be dis- 
 cerned, and their influence felt ; and we may be called 
 to experience many things, startling, wonderful and ap-
 
 358 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 parently supernatural, but yet the results of immu- 
 table hiddeu laws. 
 
 When the Witchcraft spell broke, the minds of the 
 people underwent a reaction quite as remarkable as 
 any thing connected with the strange affair. It is a 
 sad subject, but presents features worthy of the grave 
 consideration of christian and philosopher. In almost 
 every age there is an eruption that astonishes and 
 terrifies the world. But in not many cases are we 
 forced to turn to the supernatural in forming an esti- 
 mate regarding them, for men's passions and evil ten- 
 dencies are sufficient. The progress toward these 
 eruptions may often bo traced. Sometimes it is slow, 
 almost imperceptible ; and sometimes it is like the 
 raging of the prairie fire. 
 
 Glance, for instance, at the infidelity of France ; 
 watch the working of the sweet poison thrown into 
 the body politic in the first half of the eighteenth cen- 
 tury ; see how like a subtile disease" it fixes upon the 
 vitals ; how by cunning and varied appliances it ulti- 
 mately reaches every class, circulates in every vein ; 
 and then, moulded by the ambitious for selfish and 
 depraved ends, and urged on by calm, inflexible en- 
 ergy, like that of a Buffon or a Condillac ; by allure- 
 ments like those of a Rosseau or a Voltaire ; by daring, 
 ferocious impiety like that of a Diderot, see it burst 
 forth in such a whirlwind as overwhelms with fierce 
 destruction, peace on earth, trust and hope in heaven. 
 Then were the sunny banks of the Loire made pestilent 
 by the dissolving remains, and the waters made red 
 and warm by the gushing blood of innocence. Then 
 the ghosts of the betrayed and sacrificed wandered 
 among the smouldering ruins of fallen temples and 
 altars, and wept for desecrated household fanes. And
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 359 
 
 this was just one century after the distractions in New 
 England. 
 
 Was there not something quite as unaccountable and 
 quite as horrible in the French Reign of Terror as in 
 the New England Witchcraft? And are there not 
 eminently useful lessons to be drawn from moral earth- 
 quakes such as these ? By watching the gathering 
 elements fearful dangers may often be averted. 
 
 In the third range from the pulpit, in the Old Tun- 
 nel, was the seat of the venerable Deacon Mudget. 
 He was always seasonably at his post, though he lived 
 nearly two miles distant. It was said — and greatly 
 to his praise — that he was never known to close his 
 eyes during the services, however protracted or sopo- 
 rific they might be. And he was noted for his deter- 
 mined opposition to everything wearing the semblance 
 of indecorum within the sacred precincts. Indeed he 
 seems to have been a sort of high church Puritan. It 
 is the excellent trait just alluded to that we wish to 
 illustrate, and shall at once proceed to relate an occur- 
 rence Avhich in its time made considerable stir. 
 
 We have alread;f had occasion in these pages to 
 celebrate the proverbial peacefulness and good beha- 
 vior of church choirs. But all rules admit of excep- 
 tions. And it would not be remarkable if once in a 
 century or two, members of a choir should be betrayed 
 into some slight exhibition of jealousy, ill-nature, or 
 other small indiscretion. 
 
 The choir at the Old Tunnel had unwarily slidden 
 into the reprehensible practice of taking sweetmeats 
 and fruit to meeting, wherewith to regale themselves 
 wliilc resting from their arduous labors, secure, as 
 they thought themselves to be, from the observation
 
 360 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 of those below, behind the gallery breastwork. But 
 Deacon Mudgot was not unapprised of their wrong- 
 doings. And his massive mind was for one Avhole 
 Saturday night, while watching with Aaron Rhodes, 
 deeply exercised in devising means to remedy the evil. 
 So lost was he, about midnight, in his reflections, that 
 he stirred the sick man's dose with the snuffers instead 
 of the spoon, and did not discover his error till the 
 patient began to strangle with the greasy motes. But 
 he finally hit upon a plan sure to attain his object. 
 
 Near the meeting house was a tree of delicious 
 pippins, just then in their prime, on which the mem- 
 bers of the choir had not unfrequently committed 
 depredations. And as the Deacon went to meeting, 
 tlie next day, he just balanced his pocket with one or 
 two of the apples — the great good to be accomplished 
 probably in his mind outweighing the small sin of the 
 appropriation. With the fruit in his pocket he entered 
 the house and took his seat among the singers. They 
 were astonished to see him there though he was 
 known to be a good singer. He was a little eccentric, 
 they were well aware, but none doubted that he had 
 come among them for a good purpose. Soon after 
 the sermon commenced, however, they were taken all 
 aback on seeing him draw a pippin from his pocket, 
 pare, and begin to cut it into small slices, now and 
 then, with unflickering gravity, bestowing a morsel 
 upon his own expectant palate. 
 
 Presently he generously handed to all the others, 
 pieces to satisfy their watering mouths. And there- 
 upon every pair of jaws in the choir were in motion. 
 But the first breath had hardly been drawn when it 
 became difficult to draw another. The facial contor- 
 tions on every side were extraordinary if not exactly
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 361 
 
 picturesque. The poor singers writhed and rocked 
 from side to side, their mouths frothing and their eyes 
 rolling in fine frenzy. Every one but the Deacon was 
 evidently suffering some horrible agony. He, good 
 man, sat calm as a summer morning, champing his pip- 
 pin, with eyes reverently directed pulpitward. Soon, 
 however, the agony of the choristers reached such an 
 unendurable pitch that they simultaneously started 
 from their seats, hawking, spitting, strangling, retch- 
 ing, and, in more than one instance, even taking the 
 step beyond. 
 
 The minister stopped short, and the whole meeting 
 was in an uproar. If the witchcraft excitement had 
 not subsided long before this, they would at once 
 have concluded that the Devil had concocted the mis- 
 chief. Finally, things reached such a pass that the 
 Deacon felt himself called upon to explain. He came 
 to the front of the gallery and with a sort of fugitive 
 gravity playing upon his countenance, went on to say 
 that he had long mourned over the undevotional hab- 
 its of the singers, and to the end that he might renew 
 their sense of duty, had procured a quantity of dragon 
 root, which he had distributed among them leading 
 them to suppose that it was apple. And he hoped 
 that the lesson they had received would have the de- 
 sired effect. Probably the reader knows what dragon 
 root is. But if he does not, he may be informed that 
 it is a root so intensely pungent, that, if gathered at 
 a particular season and from a particular location, cay- 
 enne pepper is more soothing to the palate. The 
 worthy Deacon had, with monstrous cunning, made 
 the distribution in such a sleight-of-hand way that no 
 one suspected his pious fraud. 
 
 The good man immediately left the company of the 
 P
 
 362 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 singers, or even the sanctity of the place might not 
 have saved him from broken bones. But the very 
 ludicrousness of the thing had a tendency to restore 
 some of the sufferers to good humor. 
 
 The matter seemed to pass off without such mani- 
 festations of resentment as might naturally have been 
 expected. Nevertheless, it turned out that on a dark 
 night, some time after, there was a great outcry in the 
 road that passed by the house in which the leader of 
 the choir lived. And by a strange coincidence, that 
 very evening there happened to be assembled there 
 all the female members of the choir ; while, by another 
 coincidence, quite as remarkable, all the male members 
 happened to be absent. 
 
 When the outcry took place, as if by a single im- 
 pulse, all the girls rushed to the windows. And instead 
 of manifesting terror, as womankind ordinarily would, 
 at what was evidently a most riotous proceeding, they 
 vigorously clapped their hands and actually screamed 
 with laughter. 
 
 The rioters had in their midst a venerable looking 
 individual, mounted on a substantial cedar rail. He 
 seemed very much frightened, expostulated, remon- 
 strated and begged for quarter, in a voice greatly 
 resembling that of Deacon Mudget. 
 
 Among the first pews set up in the Old Tunnel — 
 for they were not all set up at the same time — was 
 that of Henry Jetson. It was a little west of the cen- 
 tre of the house, well toward the pulpit, and quite 
 convenient for his deaf mother. No pew was more 
 constantly occupied or more attractive. It was hand- 
 somely fitted up in the style of the times. But the 
 chief attraction was Nora Humphrey, a ward of Mr.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 3G3 
 
 Jetson. Her beautiful face and tasty attire drew the 
 attention of many Avorshipers ; for at that time, tlie 
 devotions of some were liable to be diverted, as they 
 even now are, from the Invisible to the visible, espe- 
 cially when the latter appears in the shape of a beauti- 
 ful woman. 
 
 Nora was not a native of Lynn ; nor did she long 
 reside here. She was from England ; but had spent 
 some years, before coming here, with relatives in Bos- 
 ton. She was of a good family and had been disci- 
 plined in all that rendered a young lady in those times 
 accomplished. And as she "possessed a mind that 
 readily accommodated itself to life's vicissitudes and 
 sought for happiness in every position, with a deep 
 love for the beautiful and romantic in nature, slie 
 found her situation here especially congenial. We 
 well remember hearing a virtuous grandam speak of 
 her grandmother's relating how the bright-eyed, laugh- 
 ing girl, with rosy cheeks, and dark curling hair flow- 
 ing from beneath her fashionably trimmed French 
 bonnet, was accustomed to trip into the western door 
 of the sacred edifice, by the side of the good Mr. 
 Jetson. But we had always supposed that much fic- 
 tion was woven with the traditions, till confirmation 
 of their truth, in the main, was found among the old 
 writings before alluded to, which furnish so much of 
 the more local portion of this history. . 
 
 It will not be wondered at that Nora soon possessed 
 more than the friendship of youth of the other sex. 
 Yes, it appears that in more than one bosom she had 
 kindled a spark which a gracious smile would have 
 roused to a flame. 
 
 Among the most devoted of lier admirers Avas Charles 
 Wilson, a youth of much jDromise. And he appeared
 
 364 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 to stand foremost in her regard. He was her compan- 
 ion in the evening walk, her gallant at the social gath- 
 ering. And as months passed without any occurrence 
 to disturb their close intimacy, it was considered by 
 the village gossips as settled that the day was not 
 distant when a union would take place. 
 
 As things were thus proceeding, Lucy Wilson, a 
 twin and very dear sister of Charles, upon a pleasant 
 evening unexpectedly called on Nora. She found her 
 seated alone, near an open window, absorbed in the 
 perusal of a letter. 
 
 Of the interview between these two young ladies, 
 which proved so sad a prelude, we have found an 
 account embodied in a letter written by Lucy herself 
 to a female friend who appears to have been visiting 
 in a distant part of the colony. And from this letter 
 we extract as follows : 
 
 " Presently, as Nora perceived me, she sprang from 
 her seat, and in a right merry tone bade me welcome, 
 exclaiming, in joyful words, that she had good news ; 
 that the letter which she held in her hand had been 
 brought by the Indian Runner who received it at the 
 ship which had that morning arrived at Boston. She 
 said that it was from her betrothed, and urged her 
 to prepare speedily to depart for Old England, for he 
 would presently come to America, and return Avith 
 her as his bride to settle on his Lincolnshire estates. 
 
 " At this I was greatly astonished and disturbed, 
 never having heard that she even had a lover any 
 where abroad. But recovering myself, and fancying 
 that she might be only essaying a merry jest, I did 
 assure her that thus jesting was not seemly, and was 
 little relished by brother Charles ; for he had many 
 times gravely chidden me for my foolish gayety with
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 365 
 
 William Tarbell. But she, observing my concern, 
 assured me that she spake but the plain truth ; that 
 she indeed had been betrothed ever since she first 
 came hither. 
 
 "A sense of the great disappointment that I saw 
 was in store for my dear brother, falling heavily upon 
 me, I replied, with emotion that I could not restrain, 
 that if she indeed spake the truth, and were espoused 
 to one away, her retrospect should be any thing but 
 pleasant ; for she had deceived my brother, deceived 
 me, deceived us all. 
 
 " With sobs and strong protestations she declared 
 her innocence of all intention to deceive. Thoughtless, 
 she said she might have been, but not wicked. And 
 she fell upon my bosom weeping as if her poor little 
 heart would break. She begged that I would forgive 
 her great error, which now arose like a dark mountain 
 before her opening eyes. And she entreated me, in 
 words bespeaking great agony, to intercede with 
 Charles, that he also might forgive. And to God, she 
 said, she would that night fervently pray for remis- 
 sion. My heart was stirred with pity, notwithstanding 
 her grievous wrong ; and I endeavored to speak words 
 of comfort. She now clearly saw her error, she said, 
 though while the favored recipient of his courtesies 
 she had been involved, as it were, in a pleasant mist 
 that soothed her soul and veiled her eyes. I was, 
 indeed, cut to the very heart, and could only withdraw 
 in silence, bestowing my last kiss upon her fair fore- 
 head. And on my way homeward I held sad commu- 
 nion with my own heavy heart, seeking for the best 
 means by which to make known to my dear brother 
 the sorrowful news." 
 
 Without making further extracts wo may add that
 
 366 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 the unpleasant facts soon became known to every 
 village gossip. And the beautiful Nora was much 
 censured. She, however, while suflering many painful 
 hours, persisted in the declaration that she never in- 
 tended to deceive. And no doubt it was so. Her 
 offence proceeded from thoughtlessness. 
 
 The Indian Runner who had brought the letter from 
 the ship, seemed in some mysterious way to consider 
 himself implicated in the affair. He had been much 
 attached to the Jetson family, particularly to Nora, 
 who had received from his hand many a nosegay of 
 rare forest flowers, and given him some coveted return 
 from her store of trinkets. But this occurrence seemed 
 to make a strange impression on him. He made sev- 
 eral visits to a young laborer in the service of Mr. 
 Jetson, whom he in true Indian style designated as 
 Pitchy Sam, and held serious talks with him, in the 
 wood yard or corn field. At the close of the last 
 interview, he exclaimed with an energy of voice un- 
 common for an Indian: 
 
 " Ugh, ugh ! Pitchy Sam ! Me say she be wicked 1 
 she ought to die ! " 
 
 A short time passed, and the youth to whom Nora 
 was affianced arrived in Boston. It was soon arranged 
 that the nuptials should be celebrated in that town, 
 and that the wedded pair should take passage in a 
 vessel presently to sail on her return voyage. 
 
 The day came that was to be the last of Nora's resi- 
 dence in Lynn. The night came that was to be the 
 last whose shades would darken around her pillow in 
 her loved rural retreat. She had taken an affection- 
 ate farewell of those friends who had for the last time 
 come to pay their respects, and was now alone in her 
 chamber. For one moment she buried her face in the
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 367 
 
 vase of wild flowers upon her table, which had been 
 tendered as the last gift of the Indian Runner, who 
 had visited the house at nightfall. Then she knelt and 
 offered up a fervent prayer, in which, we may be sure, 
 the name of the heart-sticken Wilson was not forgotten. 
 And then on her pillow she sought repose from her 
 alternate feelings of happy anticipation of the future 
 and involuntary pain for the past. 
 
 The morning sun, whose first rays were wont to 
 awaken Nora, fell unheeded by her on her couch. 
 Amazed that with a long journey and a great event in 
 prospect, she had not risen as early as her accustomed 
 hour, her friends entered the chamber. A swollen 
 and lifeless form was all that remained of the bright 
 and beautiful one whom they had so much loved. On 
 her bosom lay the hideous coils of a venomous reptile, 
 his fangs still piercing her inanimate cheek. 
 
 " She ought to die !" portentous words from Indian 
 Hps ! The last request which the Indian Runner made 
 of Nora was that he might be permitted, with his own 
 hand, to place upon the table in her room the flowers 
 he had brought, saying that with that delicate act a 
 medicine man had connected a charm. Unsuspectingly, 
 his request, though odd, was granted. 
 
 The people of Lynn never saw him after that fatal 
 night. 
 
 The remains of Nora were deposited in the Old 
 Burying Ground, not far from the southeasterly cor- 
 ner. There is no mark by which to distinguish the 
 grave. The beautifully wrought stone, placed there 
 by the sorrowing youth who had come to claim her as 
 his bride, and which bore the single word " Nora," has 
 long since disappeared ; neither is there any swell in 
 the ground, for time levels all things. For many years
 
 368 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 the summer verdure thereabout was trodden doAvn, for 
 it was a spot to which the village maid in her evening 
 rambles would resort to drop a tear to the loved and 
 beautiful ; a tear to her whose verdant resting place 
 has now been refreshed by the dews of more than a 
 century and a half. 
 
 And a few paces southward from Nora's grave is 
 the spot where was lain the weary head of Charles 
 Wilson. The blighting of the affections of his warm 
 heart, the clouding of his sunny hopes, soon brought 
 him to a bed of sickness. And hardly had the white 
 mantle of winter been spread upon her grave when he 
 was released from all his earthly sorrows and conflicts. 
 
 The lesson involved in this brief relation should 
 not be unheeded by the youth of either sex. The 
 tender affections can seldom be trifled with in safety, 
 notwithstanding all the scoffing and philosophizing of 
 the cold of heart. 
 
 If it be unpardonable cruelty in a young man, when 
 he becomes aware that the affections of a youthful 
 being of the other sex, have, in the ever deepening 
 ardor of the female temperament, been directed toward 
 him as the object around which they would fondly 
 entwine, feeling in his embrace a safeguard against the 
 storms that sweep across the path of life — if it be 
 unpardonable cruelty in him, we say, to encourage the 
 more closely drawing of those tendrils, with the guilty 
 design of ruthlessly sundering them, or with the per- 
 haps equally reprehensible view to some undefinable 
 present gratification — is it not also unpardonable cru- 
 elty in a case where the sexes stand in a reversed 
 position? 
 
 Are there frigid worldlings who would sneer at oc- 
 currences like this, as if they resulted from some igno-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 369 
 
 ble principle of our common nature ? Go to, un- 
 sanctified ones 1 Are not you in love — some with 
 sordid wealth, some with childish honors? And are 
 your idols more worthy of true and holy love than the 
 sentient and glowing images of your Maker ? 
 
 Near one of the windows on the south side of the 
 Old Tunnel, sat Dame Ramsdell, the light of her mil- 
 dewed and strangely furrowed countenance, always, 
 excepting by favor of a point blank front view, entirely 
 hidden, if not literally under a bushel, certainly under 
 a bonnet of such dimensions as to be quite competent 
 to contain an equal measure. This bonnet was manu- 
 factured by her own industrious hand from rushes 
 gathered in the meadows. And she was otherwise 
 attired in an ample dress of tow cloth, the manufacture 
 of the same industrious hand. A capacious pocket 
 dangled by her side, often crammed with sweetmeats 
 for good children and herbs and ointments for sick 
 men and women. She had a formidable staff, on which 
 she relied for support in her walks, and as a weapon 
 of offence in punching giggling girls who made them- 
 selves merry over her infirmities and unfashionable 
 appearance. 
 
 This worthy dame became eminent among women, 
 for divers reasons. First, she had been the smartest 
 spinner and weaver in the place. Her old wheel 
 whistled, night and day, and the amount of raw mate- 
 rial that came in at its whistling and went out in the 
 shape of cloth, might have put to blush a Rhode 
 Island water mill. Second, she was greatly skilled in 
 the use of herbs. Her capacious garret was a vast 
 depository of spoils from the fields and woods, and 
 her very person was redolent of herby perfumes. 
 P^ 24
 
 370 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 Third, she was the mother of more children than any 
 dame who had lived in the place from the beginning 
 of the settlement. These she found useful as safety 
 valves for a naturally warm temper, as models on 
 which to display her manufactures, and as subjects 
 on which to experiment with her herby concoctions. 
 
 Again, she had bestowed on this appreciative com- 
 munity the inestimable gift of Zephaniah Ramsdell, 
 who, before his third decade was passed had grown to 
 be the pride of men and pet of women. Even in his 
 very early days Zephaniah made such an appearance 
 as indicated that he possessed a rare genius. When 
 he accompanied his mother to meeting he was dressed 
 exactly like a very old man, having a broad brimmed 
 hat, breeches, with eel-skin knots at the knees, and 
 enormous shoe buckles. Upon his nose, for his eye- 
 sight was a little imperfect, were mounted a pair of 
 huge, round-glassed spectacles, which an ingenious 
 neighbor had manufactured for him, by setting a cou- 
 ple of cheap burning-glasses in a leather frame, after 
 grinding down their convexity and polishing them as 
 well as he could. 
 
 By the time Zephaniah was a dozen years old, his 
 genius was so developed as to excite a strong interest 
 in the observant Dr. Tyndale. He insisted that there 
 should not be, in this case, another of those mournful 
 wastes of gifts so common in the community ; that the 
 youth should be put to study. And he offered his 
 own services in directing the toddling feet toward that 
 spring of which the poet advised to drink deep or taste 
 not. The lad was soon persuaded to grapple manfully 
 with the terrors of the Latin grammar. And such suc- 
 cess attended his struggles that he was speedily prepar- 
 ed to knock with confidence for admission at the front
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 371 
 
 door of blessed Harvard. He entered, and for some 
 months sustained the virtuous pride of his mother by 
 his rapid progress. 
 
 There are some things beside true love that never 
 do run smooth ; and Zephaniah was destined to be- 
 come practically acquainted with the fact before his 
 second collegiate year closed. He was one day sternly 
 called to account, by the venerable president, for hav- 
 ing taken a neighboring damsel on a sleigh ride. Not 
 being able to give such an excuse for his breach 
 of a salutary regulation as the worthy functionary 
 could appreciate, he was forthwith ordered to lay 
 aside his loose garments and prepare for a whipping 
 such as would afford a fair offset for the enjoyment of 
 his ride. Thus measured, he knew the punishment 
 would be terrible. But he submissively disrobed, and 
 endured the flagellation till he began to fear that his 
 wounds would get beyond the restorative power of 
 even his mother's most choice ointment. He then 
 ventured, in a modest way, to remonstrate against any 
 further infliction. But his remonstrance was as little 
 heeded as if it had been directed to the plaster bust 
 that adorned the shelf above their heads. The blows 
 continued to fall thick and heavy. And there is no 
 knowing to what the zeal for discipline might have led 
 had not a desperate blow from the sledge-like fist of 
 the now enraged Zephaniah knocked the classic head 
 of his superior through the window. 
 
 This indignity could not be atoned for. Zephaniah 
 was expelled in disgrace, and trudged home on a cold 
 winter night with his back burdened b}^ academic 
 chattels and his heart burdened by regrets and em- 
 bryo plans. He sat himself down again in his quiet 
 home, and assisted his mother in her multifarious oc-
 
 372 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 cupations ; became a little misanthropic and dreamy ; 
 took long, solitary walks in the woods and on the sea- 
 shore ; wrote poetry, of course ; and, in short, pursued 
 the same track that a genius usually does under such 
 difficulties. We have come across a number of poetic 
 scraps apparently from his pen; and must say that 
 in our poor judgment his proud mother was not far 
 from right in her declaration that he was an " oncom- 
 mon rhymer." We have a suspicion that the motto in 
 our title-page was composed by him, as well as such 
 of the other mottos as are in the same style. 
 
 Dr. Tyndale's interest in Zephaniah continued. He 
 was pleased to often have him at his house. And it 
 was finally arranged that he should enter as a student 
 of medicine. 
 
 Zephaniah made commendable progress in his studies 
 and became more and more a favorite with his patron. 
 
 One pleasant day a professional brother rode out 
 from Watertown, to visit the Doctor, and brought his 
 daughter, a blooming lass, with him. Zephaniah was 
 invited over to sup with the strangers. And who, of 
 all people on earth, should those strangers turn out to 
 be, but the very girl who was his companion on that 
 unfortunate sleigh ride, and her father. The two 
 young folk were soon engaged in animated conversa- 
 tion and the tender hearted maiden gave all but tear- 
 ful attention to the recital of the mishaps that had 
 followed their contraband enjoyment. While express- 
 ing many regrets for the suffering he had endured she 
 took occasion also to express much admiration of 
 his bold spirit and heroic action in the dark hour of 
 the flagellation. And in some mysterious way this 
 interview proved initiatory to an intimacy that occa- 
 sionally drew him to her father's house.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 373 
 
 Whether the cunning Dr. Tyndale had any hand in 
 managing the affair, we cannot ascertain ; but are able 
 to add that Zephaniah and Mary were presently affi- 
 anced, and when he had concluded his studies, and 
 Mary's father had completed arrangements for retiring 
 from practice, they were married. The happy bride- 
 groom entered at once into an extensive practice, 
 beside having every present need supplied from the 
 ample means of his generous father-in-law. 
 
 So, after all, the flagellation did not turn out to be 
 80 very disastrous an affair. 
 
 And herein is presented another instance in proof 
 of what has been so often said — that few can discover 
 in the boy, what the man will be. Few, indeed, have 
 the discernment of a Tyndale. Zephaniah himself 
 could not have foreseen his good fortune, even by the 
 aid of those unique spectacles that formed such a 
 dignified addition to his youthful visage. 
 
 It appears to have been rather a common thing, 
 during a long period, for individuals to sketch down 
 the Sunday sermons, or portions of them, as they were 
 delivered. An expert had little difficulty in doing 
 this, as the manner of delivery was usually very slow 
 and the enunciation distinct. The manuscripts were 
 then lent around among those who were too infirm or 
 lazy to attend meeting, and thus became effective aids 
 to the pulpit. Not that the preachers of those days 
 did not have itching eyes to behold their brilliant 
 thoughts in print — so different were they from the 
 modest clerical brethren of this day — but printing 
 was too expensive a luxury to be indulged in on any 
 but extraordinary occasions. There were no parish 
 or Sunday school hbraries, and few books of religious
 
 374 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 instruction, in circulation ; and the contents of those 
 few were so familiar that these sermons possessed a 
 delightful freshness. 
 
 Most of the specimens that we have discovered, 
 have, however, proved more or less defective. And 
 some are so purely doctrinal as to be of compara- 
 tively little interest. But from one, which we find in 
 so neat and light a hand as to induce us to think it was 
 written out by a female, perhaps after having been 
 taken down by some one else in rougher style, we 
 must be allowed to make a few extracts, as exhibiting 
 something of their manner of imparting ghostly in- 
 struction, and also as affording aid to the reader in his 
 pious reflections. AVe regret being unable to ascertain 
 who preached this sermon. It certainly is not exactly 
 in Mr. Shepard's vein, though it seems to have been 
 delivered at the Old Tunnel during the early part of 
 his pastorate. Joseph Whiting, a son of the beloved 
 Samuel who so long ministered to the society, was 
 settled as assistant to Mr. Shepard, some two years 
 before the Old Tunnel was built, though the connection 
 continued only a short time. And it seems to us 
 that tlie style of this sermon much resembles his. But 
 by whomsoever it was preached, few will deny the 
 value of the godly hints that even these few extracts 
 contain. 
 
 It should not be forgotten, however, that a great 
 many of the sermons of those times were in a style 
 very different from this. A good deal of the doctrinal 
 preaching was harsh and repulsive ; and the contro- 
 versial, for the most part, exhibited a spirit very dif- 
 ferent from what modern worshipers would call meek 
 and gentle. With the single remark that, considering 
 the ancient mode of delivery, the discourse would
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 375 
 
 probably have occupied full an hour and a half, we 
 proceed to the extracts : 
 
 . . . . " Behold, how beautiful, in this delicious 
 spring time, appear the blossoming trees. They stand 
 forth arrayed in more than kingly robes. And great 
 is the promise of a most generous bestowment of fruit 
 in due season. But, alas, how often do the fairest 
 promises fail. Yea, little indeed can we discern from 
 the blossoming what the fruit will be. Without con- 
 stant care and watchfulness, the insidious worm may 
 early begin his deadly work. The fiery blight, the 
 nipping frost, the parching drought, may come and 
 blast the brightest hopes. And so is it with the fair 
 promises of youth. Without constant care and watch- 
 fulness, the world, the flesh, and the Devil, by snares, 
 allurements, and damnable artifices, may corrupt and 
 destroy all that is beautiful and innocent. Therefore 
 do I fervently exhort all to watch and pray. Watch 
 against the stratagems of the old enemy; pray for godly 
 purpose and strength." 
 
 . . . . " Ah, how many before me are wont to esteem 
 themselves shining pitchers of silver in the tabernacle 
 of the Lord, full of precious wine. But I declare unto 
 you that in the sight of God ye are all lustreless pew- 
 ter pots, battered and unseemly, full of unwholesome 
 and bitter water." 
 
 . . . . " Praise is very pleasant to the human ear, 
 and multitudes are so greedy therefor that they will 
 even bestow it on themselves without stint. But one 
 is enlisted in a far less worthy service while prais- 
 ing himself than while striving to do so well as to
 
 376 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 command the praise of others. By rightly directed 
 efforts all may secure the sweet meed of praise ; but, 
 alas, how many strive to magnify themselves in the 
 eyes of their fellow men by ways that proclaim that 
 they would use virtue only as a stepping stone to the 
 good graces of those about them, not loving its own 
 precious self. False ambition ; vain strife ! We should 
 all do our best with the talents bestowed upon us. He 
 who possesseth but few talents and diligently employ- 
 eth them, is more worthy of praise than he who hath 
 many talents and doth exercise them but in part, even 
 though by that part he accomplisheth more than the 
 other. Yea, I say unto you, one talent, rightly and 
 diligently employed, telleth more for the glory of its 
 possessor than do ten talents for the sluggard. And 
 then again of praise ; what profiteth it if the whole 
 world laud and magnify thine acts if they be not acts 
 that thy heavenly father will approve ? " 
 
 . ..." In religion, as in all things else, zeal may be 
 likened unto fire, blind and unknowing of itself. If 
 directed by a true love to God and man, and by well 
 tempered judgment, it will lead to the holiest accom- 
 plishments. But if not so directed, in fierce rage it 
 will but consume and destroy." 
 
 ....'' Go forth into the fields. And there, away 
 from the angry strife and vain babblings of men, and 
 amid the beautiful exhibitions of God's handiwork, 
 meditate. Meditate upon thine own weakness and de- 
 pendence ; upon the good providence of God, thy 
 duty to thy fellow men and to thine own soul. Medi- 
 tate aright, and let thy meditations rule thine acts. 
 So shalt thou bring peace to thy soul, chasten thine
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 377 
 
 aspirations, and make thyself of more devout, unselfish 
 spirit. Ah, yes ! the balmy air will impart vigor to 
 thy body, and the nobler determination strength to 
 thy soul. Go forth, then, in the gray morn, the silent 
 eve, and amid the glorious works of nature, meditate 
 and enjoy." 
 
 . . . . " Christian, beware how thou enterest the 
 boundless wilderness of the law, for therein grow 
 many thorns and briars that plague and damnify. The 
 veiy air is full of temptation, and few indeed can es- 
 cape without having his christian garment torn and 
 bedraggled. Just though thy cause may be, despe- 
 rately uncertain is its end. Yea, one pound, safe in 
 the pocket, is better than three in the law." 
 
 . . . . " Examine thine own ways. Dost thou there- 
 in find cause to despise thyself? If thou dost, then 
 be assured that others will despise thee. But and if 
 thou wouldest stand well in the eyes of others, take 
 heed that thou doest nothing that seemeth wrong in 
 thine own eyes." 
 
 . . . . " "What is more unseemly than the pretentious 
 discourse of some even godly men. One saith, I hold 
 the true doctrine, come ye to my faith, or stumble in 
 darkness. But how knoweth he that he is in the 
 true faith? He diligently searcheth the scriptures, 
 perchance ; but can he say that his poor, weak mind 
 is sufiicient to compass the whole meaning? He treat- 
 eth the Word as if it were a thing of man's device, and 
 not a thing standing distinct from man and proceeding 
 from the Infinite. And should he not remember that 
 his neighbor, haply as wise and prayerful as himself,
 
 378 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 hath, by like diligent search, come to a different stand ? 
 Ought he not, then, the rather, modestly to say, such 
 or such seemeth to me the true doctrine? But and if 
 he doth not even get his doctrine from his own search, 
 but taketh that of the household of faith in which he 
 was nurtured, he but receiveth it at second hand; 
 and if they that taught him err, where is his reme- 
 dy? Alas, how often is God's holy word made fool- 
 ishness by man's interpretation." 
 
 Near the southern entrance of the Old Tunnel was 
 the seat of Francis Keddan. What little hair he had 
 was very white. He was also lame, and blind of one 
 eye. As he came in, his broken jaw would work as if 
 he fancied himself delivering an exhortation, though 
 not a sound issued from his lips. But as all had heard 
 of the terrible conflicts that occasioned his infirmities, 
 not a symptom of mirth agitated even the most thought- 
 less breast. 
 
 Mr. Reddan was pious, intelligent, and greatly re- 
 spected for his unwavering neighborly-kindness. He 
 was a native of England, and born in the neighborhood 
 of the renowned Hampden. Breathing a free air, and 
 associating with unsubdued spirits, he was, while still 
 a mere boy, famous for his stern opposition to every 
 thing that savored of tyranny. At an early age, he 
 suddenly left his father's house, joined the parliamen- 
 tary army, and soon gained from his discriminating 
 commander such acknowledgments as made him known 
 among the valiant hosts as a brave and trusty youth. 
 
 At the battle of Worcester he received his first 
 wound, which was very severe, and was the occasion 
 of that erratic working of the jaw just alluded to. 
 But this grievous experience by no means quenched
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 379 
 
 his ardor for battling in the cause his conscience ap- 
 proved. He continued to render good service to tlie 
 Commonwealth till his bravery could no longer avail. 
 
 After the Restoration, when so many who had been 
 active in the cause of the Commonwealth, emigrated 
 to America, he came hither. He intended to have 
 pitched his tent farther south ; and it was a disastrous 
 event that brought him to Lynn. When the vessel 
 in which he came over neared the land, they found 
 themselves off the entrance of Massachusetts Bay. A 
 violent storm arose, and it soon seemed as if the emi- 
 grant-soldier, after having escaped so many perils by 
 land, was at once to be destroyed by a peril of the 
 sea. The vessel was driven furiously into and about 
 the Bay, and finally stranded on Lynn Beach, which 
 has since become extensively known as the scene of 
 several of the most terrible shipwrecks that ever took 
 place on the Atlantic coast. 
 
 It was a dark and dreadful night of storm when the 
 vessel was wrecked. The sea raged with such fury, 
 and the cold was so intense, that it is wonderful any 
 soul on board survived. Only two, however, were 
 lost. The others, by various meauf^, reached the land, 
 and were well cared for by the townsfolk. The bodies 
 of the two who were drowned, were recovered, and 
 buried from the meeting house, with all the solem- 
 nities that could characterize the last rites over dear 
 friends. 
 
 Mr. Reddan was so much injured as to be compelled 
 to remain housed for several weeks. And the kind- 
 ness he experienced from those on whose hospitality 
 he had been thus suddenly thrown, made such a favor- 
 able impression on him tliat immediately on his recov- 
 ery he announced his determination to remain here.
 
 380 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 He married Anne Johnson, and settled on a small farm, 
 near Saugus river. 
 
 While Goff and Whalley, the regicides, were in the 
 vicinity of Boston, Mr. Reddan is supposed to have 
 rendered them essential service by warning of ap- 
 proaching danger. And at the time Goff so mysteri- 
 ously appeared in Lynn, as related in our sketch of 
 Oliver Purchis, he had been on the alert, for several 
 days. It is, moreover, believed that the midnight 
 flight of the regicide from the house of Mr. Purchis 
 was to the house of Mr. Reddan. 
 
 The great King Philip Avar again aroused the mar- 
 tial spirit of Mr. Reddan. And we find him in the 
 field bearing himself with the same bravery and expe- 
 riencing the same rough fortune that characterized 
 his earlier soldiership. He was at the massacre of 
 Bloody Brook, in Deerfield, in September, 1675, hav- 
 ing joined Lathrop's command. And he was one of 
 the very few who escaped the disastrous Indian am- 
 buscade. 
 
 After fighting heroically, for some time, Mr. Reddan 
 was borne down and trodden into the bog. Presently 
 a ferocious enemy discovered him in his helpless con- 
 dition, and proceeded to raise his head on a stump in 
 preparation for the scalping-knife. The implement 
 had already been drawn across the forehead, when a 
 youthful fellow-soldier, perceiving his peril, sent a ball 
 through the heart of the savage, who fell head fore- 
 most into a muddy pool. 
 
 Thus rescued, Mr. Reddan remained a while, gather- 
 ing strength, till able to crawl to a place of safety. 
 And before many days he found means to reach his 
 home. But he was not restored sufficiently to take 
 the field again during that war.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 381 
 
 Let US now take a look into the Old Tunnel. It is 
 a pleasant Sunday afternoon, a year or two after the 
 erection of the honored edifice. There sits the worthy 
 Mr. Reddan, with head erect, by no means ashamed of 
 the scars that disfigure his countenance, his loose jaw 
 laboring in the most grotesque manner, as his wander- 
 ing thoughts are called in, for the duties of the sacred 
 place. 
 
 And nestling close by his side, is his beloved and 
 really beautiful daughter Cora. She is dressed in a 
 pretty gown of English stuff, rather gaily trimmed, 
 with a silk sash, knotted at the side. The dress fits 
 her graceful person most charmingly, and altogether 
 she presents a picture of rare loveliness. There she 
 sits, with a quiet air, her serene blue eyes seldom 
 roving from the godly teacher in the pulpit, excepting 
 at short intervals to scan the scarred countenance of 
 her revered parent. And at those affecting intervals 
 such as sit near may often observe a tear course down 
 her fair cheek, for she knows of what perilous events 
 those scars are mementos. 
 
 Mr. Reddan loved his fair Cora with the ardor of a 
 widowed heart, for her mother had been taken away 
 years before, and he seemed to have little left beside 
 her, for the affections of his declining years to cling 
 around. And she was worthy of his love. They 
 were alwaj's at meeting together, and in their long 
 walks home, through the quiet green lanes, he endea- 
 vored to impress most fully upon her susceptible mind 
 the great truths to which they had been listening. 
 His long months of mourning had softened his heart 
 and opened new channels of reflection. And he now 
 felt the warmest sympathies and recognized the lofti- 
 est duties of the Christian. He seemed to bo enjoying
 
 382 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 a pleasant rest, after his many years of toil and dan- 
 ger. His means were now ample for his moderate 
 wants, and with a thankful heart he looked upon him- 
 self as highly blessed. Enjoying, also, the esteem of 
 his neighbors, and the consciousness of having per- 
 formed many worthy deeds, might he not feel at ease ? 
 
 But the scenes of life are constantly changing; and 
 no sooner does one begin to congratulate himself on 
 the prospect of repose than he is again upon the wing. 
 The beautiful Cora, on a certain evening had spent an 
 hour, in the best room, in company with her neighbor 
 Richard Lewis. This meeting was not unknown to 
 her father, for from him she concealed nothing. And 
 who could stand higher in his regard than Mr. Lewis? 
 for it was his quick sight and ready arm that saved 
 him from the ruthless scalping-knife on the bloody 
 day at Deerfield. 
 
 Presently Richard sought Mr. Reddan, and asked 
 him in. Cora sat quietly at her knitting work, as he 
 entered. Yet, a close observer might have discovered 
 that she breathed quicker, and that her cheeks were 
 more glowing than usual. But Richard had faced too 
 many perils to lose his self-possession on such an occa- 
 sion, and with an unfaltering voice asked the good 
 father if Cora might be his bride. 
 
 " I knew full well," he replied, with emotion, " that 
 it would come to this at last. "Well, well, Richard, she 
 may be thine. I would not obstruct the things that 
 be ordained, though nature will have it that I had far 
 rather the scalping-knife should have done its deadly 
 work than lose this sunbeam from my house." 
 
 He then took their hands and aflfectionately pressed 
 them together in his own, while his tears fell fast. 
 Then he silently withdrew. And Richard and Cora
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 383 
 
 stood some moments, as it were transJBxed by their 
 emotions, before they were enfolded in each other's 
 arms. 
 
 The betrothment of Cora and Richard had a strange 
 effect on Mr. Reddan. The whole current of his mind 
 seemed to change, and he began to lose all interest in 
 the affairs of life. Even the religious meeting had less 
 and less attraction for hira. His former serenity was 
 changed for a settled moodiness. And thus he con- 
 tinued, till, upon a fair autumn day, he was found dead 
 in the woods, with his hand still grasping the gun 
 which had evidently been the instrument of his death. 
 He was out hunting, and his death may have been 
 the result of accident. But there were those who 
 believed he had taken his own life. It is a harrowing 
 thought. But if it were so, how few can comprehend 
 the intensity of the affection he had for Cora; an 
 affection which took captive reason itself and left him 
 the blind victim of a fearful impulse. 
 
 One of the strangest scenes that ever happened at 
 the Old Tunnel took place on a dark evening in that 
 year so pregnant of mysteries, 1G92. It was a ver}^ 
 uncomfortable time for those abroad. A high wind 
 came down with a triumphant whistle from the north- 
 east, tlie sleet was cutting, and the cold benumbing. 
 Nevertheless, there was a numerous gathering, from 
 all the region round about. They had assembled to 
 hear the famous Cotton Mather discourse on the do- 
 ings of the invisible tormentors who were then begin- 
 ning their lively warfare against God's holy people. 
 
 All sorts of vehicles were standing in the lee of the 
 building, and the poor horses snorted and shook their 
 heads, as if remonstrating against the cruelty of their
 
 384 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 masters in leaving tliom thus exposed. And upon the 
 windward side, the gusts drove the hail and big drops 
 against the windows, with a fury that indicated a 
 determination to try the strength of the diminutive 
 diamond panes, or even, perhaps, to compass the great- 
 er mischief of carrying away the little belfry, and thus 
 leaving the edifice a noseless Tunnel. 
 
 Within the sanctuary, the tallow candles flared, as 
 the blast swept over them, and spitefully dispensed 
 their unctions droppings in a manner indicating that 
 in that place at least there was no respect for persons ; 
 and in their fitful radiance those solemn countenances 
 looked almost ghost-like. 
 
 But notwithstanding the divers petty annoyances, 
 those good people listened eagerly to the learned ha- 
 rangue of that acknowledged leader in the bravest 
 assaults on the kingdom of Satan. 
 
 The bold speaker had gone on triumphantly for 
 some time, and succeeded in working up the fears 
 as well as the pious zeal of his auditors to a wonderful 
 pitch, when, all of a sudden, as the gust blew open 
 the eastern door, their ears were assailed by an accu- 
 mulation of such unearthly sounds as they never heard 
 before ; and they absolutely started from their seats. 
 It seemed as if a prodigious band, composed of all the 
 higli-keyed instruments that had been invented since 
 the world began, had begun to play, without any re- 
 gard to tune or time. The conclusion that a legion 
 of remorseless devils had arrived, was adopted with 
 one accord, and those worthies who would have gone 
 forth unflinchingly to meet any earthly foe, stood trem- 
 bling with fright. And was there not reason for their 
 apprehensions — reason in the facts that he who was 
 then addressing them was the most determined foe
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 385 
 
 of all the dark powers, and that now, probably, a des- 
 perate attempt was to be made to extinguish him? 
 The horses neighed and twitched at their bridles, and 
 a straying bull ran bellowing down the street as if the 
 prime minister of evil himself were in pursuit. 
 
 The invaders, whoever they were, seemed approach- 
 ing ; and after the first paroxysm of terror was over, 
 a general rush was made to escape from the house, 
 DO one appearing to dream that within those sacred 
 walls they were most safe from all assailants from the 
 nether world. Pell-mell they rushed from the doors ; 
 and even the windows had to yield to the eagerness 
 of some. In an astonishingly short space the house 
 was cleared. And it seemed as if some flew into the 
 air and others sank into the earth, so quickly was the 
 whole neighborhood evacuated. And there stood the 
 Old Tunnel, solitary and alone, the winds whistling 
 among the rafters and sporting with the feeble tallow- 
 dips like cats playing with expiring mice. But the 
 unearthly noises continued to distract the air. And 
 in a short time another terror was added. Guns were 
 heard, in quick succession. True, this gave the thing 
 a little more of a natural and christian aspect; but 
 when once safely housed, few thought of venturing 
 abroad till morning should reveal the position of 
 affairs. 
 
 The next day surely did bring a revelation ; and a 
 rather comical one it was. It came through Ephraim 
 Rand and Obed Mansfield, two of the most alert sports- 
 men in the place. They had a splendid lot of wild 
 geese for sale. And the solution of the mystery made 
 some of the good people hang their heads as low, in 
 shame, as did the Windham folk on the occasion of the 
 frog invasion. 
 
 Q 25
 
 3 86 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 The solution was simply this : An immense flock of 
 wild geese had been overtaken by the sleety storm, 
 which so obstructed their flight that they did not 
 arrive here at the seashore till night had set in. The 
 ice had so accumulated upon their wings that they 
 saw the hazard of putting out over the sea. Being 
 forced to alight, they seemed to think it as well to 
 have a jolly time, and so began with exercising their 
 voices. They had taken possession of a field in the 
 vicinity of the meeting house, and while adjusting their 
 plans for the night seemed to grow more and more 
 excited. Their unearthly trumpetings soon caught the 
 practiced ears of Ephraim and Obed, who, seizing their 
 guns, speedily made merchandize of a goodly number. 
 
 We gather the following account of a most extraor- 
 dinary occurrence, alleged to have taken place at the 
 Old Tunnel, on a Sunday afternoon, in June, 1687, 
 from some notes on the blank leaves of a manuscript 
 sermon. 
 
 There was a very promising and deeply pious young 
 man in the town, named Daniel Graves. He was much 
 respected, in particular, for the good influence he ex- 
 ercised over the young men with whom he associated. 
 His death took place in a very sudden and awful man- 
 ner, in the early part of the month just named. Being 
 at work in his father's field, when a violent shower 
 came up, he sought shelter under a tree. But hardly 
 had he reached the shelter when a terrific electrical 
 discharge occurred, shattering the tree, and killing 
 him instantly. This startling dispensation was the 
 occasion of the preaching of the sermon from the 
 blank leaves of which our account is derived. We pre- 
 sume the discourse was by Mr. Shepard, though that
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 387 
 
 fact does not distinctly appear. The funeral took 
 place on a Friday, and on the following Sunday a 
 very large concourse gathered to hear the sermon. 
 And all felt so great an interest in the deceased, and 
 his mourning parents, for he was an only child, that 
 they attended on the services with softened hearts, 
 and minds open to receive the good influences that 
 might arise from a recounting of his virtues. 
 
 A long, solemn prayer had been made, the Scrip- 
 tures read, and the last couplet of the hymn lined off. 
 Then, just as the minister was making ready to rise 
 from the bench in the pulpit, to name his text, before 
 the astonished gaze of the whole congregation, the 
 deceased young man appeared, standing erect in the 
 pulpit. With a pale and serious countenance he care- 
 fully surveyed the assembly. Then he took the Bible, 
 opened it, and placed the mark against a particular 
 text.» Having done this, he again cast his eyes over the 
 congregation, till he met the gaze of a blooming little 
 girl of some twelve summers, the daughter of a neigh- 
 boring farmer. It was her gentle hand that laid the 
 flowers on his coflSn, on the day of his burial, and her 
 gentle heart tliat almost broke when she saw the sods 
 placed upon his grave. Bestowing an earnest and 
 tender look upon her he slowly raised his hand, and in 
 the act of beckoning, vanished away. 
 
 The choir were paralized, and could not finish their 
 strain. The young girl fainted, and others present 
 were greatly moved. The minister, however, and one 
 or two others, appear to have seen nothing of the 
 apparition. And having seen nothing, the godly man 
 was so amazed at the proceedings that he called 
 loudly upon old Deacon Newhall, for an explanation. 
 Many voices volunteered to give the desired informa-
 
 388 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 tion. And when it was given, lie seemed at first 
 inclined to doubt the good faith of their senses. But 
 before such a cloud of witnesses, his incredulity gave 
 way, and was succeeded by an astonishment that quite 
 equalled theirs. 
 
 After a few minutes of silence, they became suffi- 
 ciently calm to allow of the services being proceeded 
 with. On turning to the Bible, the minister found the 
 mark at the very passage which he had chosen for his 
 text, though he felt certain that he had not opened the 
 book. It will not be wondered at that this occurrence 
 produced a profound sensation. Various explanatory 
 theories were proposed; but we do not learn that 
 any particular one was fixed upon, in the popular 
 mind, as sufficient. Of course, a great portion of the 
 people could never be persuaded that it was not a 
 genuine ultramundane appearance ; an appearance full 
 as inexplicable as that of the phantom ship at .New 
 Haven, which had created such a sensation throughout 
 New England, many years before. And to the savans 
 of this day, who so well understand the mysteries of 
 atmospheric refraction, we imagine, it will furnish a 
 much more inexplicable phenomenon. It is not in 
 our power to furnish any explanation that would be 
 more satisfactory than what would occur to the intel- 
 ligent reader. We simply give what comes to us as 
 fact, and cannot hold ourselves responsible for what 
 conclusions it may lead to. 
 
 But this narration would be incomplete did we omit to 
 add a few words regarding the little maiden to whom 
 we have already briefly alluded. She was, in very 
 early childhood, much in the habit of running across 
 the field to the house of Mr. Graves, where she was 
 always welcome, to amuse herself in the garden or
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 389 
 
 within doors. Daniel M^ould meet her with a smile, 
 and was ever ready to aid her in the pursuit of happi- 
 ness, even through her own childish ways. But, above 
 all, as soon as her opening mind had gathered sufficient 
 strength, he loved to instill into it the most useful 
 instruction. Often would he sit by her, on the green 
 sward, and in a familiar way, without catechism or 
 story book, lead her to a lively contemplation of the 
 beautiful and pure. She became tenderly attached to 
 him ; would often run to take his hand on the way to 
 meeting; and never seemed so happy as when nestling 
 close beside him in the sanctuary. She was a rare 
 little maid; possessing extraordinary quickness of per- 
 ception, and a fascination of manner, quite remarkable. 
 We shall not attempt to describe, in detail, the ejGFect 
 of the spectral appearance upon her. The impression 
 was deep, but not unpleasant. She loved to talk about 
 it, and never seemed to doubt that the beckoning was 
 intended to apprise her of an early death. But it 
 created no fear; seeming only to inspire lier with 
 more and more zeal to profit by the good instruction 
 she had received from the departed dear one. She 
 often declared to her friends, with an assurance solemn 
 and affecting, that she should soon follow him to a 
 better land. And so it turned out. When the brown 
 leaves of autumn began to fall, she was laid in her 
 little churchyard bed, beside her beloved friend. 
 
 Is it not pleasant and profitable to linger in these 
 sacred precincts — to listen to the earnest voice and 
 stately periods of the godly preacher — to scan the 
 grave countenances of the old, the bright and health- 
 ful faces of the young — to hearken to the prolonged 
 strains of sacred song ? But in this last named portion
 
 390 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 of the service, to be sure, there was a little awkward- 
 ness, arising from the necessity of lining off the words, 
 in couplets. Yet the music was performed by voices 
 as sweet as are ever now heard in any of the multi- 
 tude of pretentious " churches " that cluster around 
 the consecrated site on which for so many years the 
 Old Tunnel stood, in solitary grandeur; and performed, 
 too, in as exact concord and as perfect time. What if 
 the unsanctified music of the organ never echoed with- 
 in those walls ? The worshipers there believed it just 
 as well to employ their own voices in uttering praise 
 as to use machinery. What if the fanciful tunes of 
 modern days did not greet their ears? They \veie 
 content to march sedately along their heavenward 
 way, to strains as measured as the ocean swell, instead 
 of hopping and skipping along under the enchantments 
 of ebon minstrelsy. 
 
 We have a sort of fugitive hope that we may, at 
 some future time, again visit this endeared shrine. 
 And perhaps we may be left to resume the pen and 
 bring before the reader certain instructive scenes and 
 characters pertaining to later times. What a preg- 
 nant history is embodied ia the period stretching on 
 from 1700 to 1800, and thence for another quarter of 
 a century, to the time when the favored spot which 
 had so long known the motherly structure, began to 
 know it no more? But we would by no means be 
 understood as promulgating a determination to inflict 
 on the innocent and unsuspicious community another 
 volume, as such an inconsiderate course might induce 
 some compassionate friend to try the restraining power 
 of bonds. Good intentions, it is trUe, may mitigate 
 the gravity of an offence. But it is difficult to over- 
 look some follies.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 391 
 
 And we must withdraw from those hallowed courts 
 wherein so many devout souls were strengthened and 
 sustained by the spiritual bread and wine ; those hal- 
 lowed courts wherein, for generation after generation, 
 gathered maturity as manly and true, youth as beauti- 
 ful and pure, as ever bowed down in the most gorgeous 
 temple on earth. 
 
 And where are all those who went up thither during 
 the period of which we speak? The old, have for scores 
 of years lain beneath the sod. The young men and 
 maidens, loved, wedded, became parents, grew gray, 
 and departed in the great procession. The infants, 
 who irreverently screamed as the baptismal water was 
 sprinkled upon them, also became old men and women 
 and passed away. The consecrated structure itself 
 became hoary with age, shattered and unfashionable, 
 and long since disappeared. 
 
 We have said that the Old Tunnel was, for genera- 
 tions, the gathering place of the most unalloyed of 
 puritanical stamp. And we need not repeat that it 
 is with unfeigned ^ifSdence that we speak of their 
 characteristics and opinions and of the position they 
 chose to occupy. 
 
 It is difficult for a writer to treat to any extent of 
 the Old Settlers without sometimes appearing to be 
 inconsistent with himself The difficulty is in the sub- 
 ject. There is so much to praise, and intimately con- 
 nected with it so much of at least a questionable 
 character, that the reader cannot be expected at all 
 times fully to distinguish the stand point from which a 
 given view may have been taken. 
 
 All know how easy it is to find fault, and how prone 
 most of us are to magnify the tailings rather than tho
 
 392 NOTABLE THINGS. ^ 
 
 virtues of others. Indeed, there seems to be much 
 less capacity required in distinguishing evil than good. 
 And where we find twenty who can at once discern 
 every blemish in another, we do not find three who 
 can as readily perceive the good points. A readiness 
 to judge of others does not involve a presumption of 
 superiority, as one may be vastly inferior to another 
 and yet entertain a very just conception of him. And 
 besides, every man has some point in which he is supe- 
 rior to other men. 
 
 In speaking of the early settlers, no one Mn'll deny 
 that they possessed characteristics as cold and cheer- 
 less as the northeast wind that howled over their 
 granite hills. But they also possessed characteristics 
 bright and beautiful as the sunshine upon the blooming 
 hills. The very earliest of the Puritan settlers in New 
 England, with exceptions, were more liberal in their 
 views than those of the succeeding generation. The 
 first, were reared in England, many of them in the 
 bosom of the established church, and by association 
 with minds of different orders and discipline, naturally 
 had many of their sterner points p<)lished down ; while 
 those born and educated here, had little opportunity 
 for circulating with those of other views, and naturally 
 inclined tenaciously to their training. 
 
 It was an anomalous age that gave birth to the colo- 
 nization of New England. The history of the world 
 presents no other point like it. The elements which 
 ultimately formed into those systems of polity which 
 in our day shed such lustre upon the name of England, 
 upon our own nation, upon every community of the 
 same lineage, were still in their incipient stage of 
 action, though long before had the premonitory pulsa- 
 tions been felt. The weighty pall of ignorance, super-
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 393 
 
 stition and servility, which had spread over the island 
 realm from the early feudal days, had become gradually 
 illuminated by the progress of a reformed religion and 
 the gushing out of a flood of light through the art 
 of printing. The popular masses were not now identi- 
 fied with the clods of the earth ; the lordly path was 
 not hedged with bowed vassals. A more commanding 
 but still not clearly defined conception of individual 
 worth and responsibility, of true liberty, was acting 
 like leaven and working the mass into that state where 
 some master hand could mold it to the loftiest pur- 
 poses. 
 
 But no age is without some traits of greatness and 
 goodness, for man at no time and in no place is entirely 
 devoid of the sacred principles on which they rest. 
 There was greatness in the feudal times. Some lead- 
 ing principles that marked the castellated grandeur of 
 that period have come down like stalking giants to us, 
 leaving their footprints on every intervening age, and 
 commanding the reverence of the wise and good in the 
 most refined period that the world has seen. 
 
 The Elizabethan was an age in travail with great 
 events, and itself one of undefinable greatness ; an age 
 of extremes ; as it were, of noonday and midnight ; 
 with no softening of dawn or twilight. There was a 
 keen perception of the rights of man, of the value of 
 the human soul ; and a vigorous determination to 
 trample on those rights, to enslave that soul. It was 
 an age of bigotry and blood ; of high conception and 
 chivalric deed. It was the age in which Puritanism 
 began its work. 
 
 No mirror, as we have before remarked, can more 
 faithfully delineate the cMlracter of a people than their 
 laws. Laws are the oilspring of circumstances, and
 
 394 NOTABLE THINGS, 
 
 through them the genius, spirit and condition of a 
 nation are manifested. And many of the lofty princi- 
 ples recognised in the jurisprudence of that age will 
 hold sway so long as law is required to regulate the 
 conduct of men. Take them from our own worthily 
 extolled web of justice, and some of the brightest 
 threads will be gone. 
 
 The swaddling-clothes of Puritanism were of black. 
 The fiery eyeballs of persecution glared upon the in- 
 fant's smileless countenance. And pitfalls and sharp 
 rocks were in the path of the tottering feet. The 
 reformers were at first sneeringly called Puritans, 
 because they were striving to purify the English 
 church of certain rites and dogmas, unscriptural, as 
 they to them appeared, which were of papal parentage 
 and which Elizabeth had retained probably from the 
 servile desire to avoid a rancorous opposition from the 
 many powerful Catholics still in her dominions. The 
 bosom of the church soon became too thorny a pillow 
 for their repose ; for whatever sins that church may 
 have to repent of, the petting of recreant children is 
 surely not one of them. 
 
 Reforms are usually better than reformers ; and if 
 we could only have the former without the latter the 
 world would be all the better for it. Reformers are 
 apt to press hotly and uncompromisingly towards an 
 end, regardless of the damage that may be done col- 
 laterally. The Puritans afford no exception ; at least 
 in marked instances. They adhered to their system, 
 rough-hewn and forbiddiag in many of its features, 
 with a tenacity strangely unyielding and a zeal not 
 always generous, not always enlightened or discreet. 
 Nor were they backward, ^p opportunity offered, in 
 carrying the war into the enemy's territory. Their
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 395 
 
 influence began to be felt, their inroads to be feared. 
 Theories new and of overwhelming moment began to 
 agitate the non-hereditary ranks. And the ruling pow- 
 ers, clerical and lay, had certain fearful glimpses for- 
 ward to a time when the swelling surges might in one 
 general destruction involve the great ecclesiastic and 
 regal fabrics. 
 
 Sincerity and zeal are not proof of justice and truth, 
 though often worthy of respect. Martyrdom itself is 
 not evidence of merit in the cause for which it is suf- 
 fered. But whatever may be our views, or whatever 
 may have been theirs, on the great matter of christian 
 truth and man's duty, we cannot recur to the trials 
 and sacrifices, the perseverance and strong faith of the 
 New England fathers, without sentiments of high re- 
 spect, of reverence, of awe. And some examples of 
 such exalted character present themselves, as make us 
 proud to tread the earth they trod. 
 
 Behold the godly Eliot. See him take his dark way 
 into the wilderness, to seek out and gather together 
 the straying red men that he may break to them the 
 bread of life. For many days together we see him on 
 his lonely way among the snows of winter, hungry and 
 chilled, at night seeking the shelter of some hollow 
 tree or overhanging rock, and wringing the water 
 from his garments lest through the "cold, dark hours 
 they freeze upon his limbs. And when the inhospita- 
 ble chiefs bid him quit their domains, he boldly de- 
 clares to them that he is on his Master's business — a 
 Master who is mightier than they — and will noiwiesist. 
 I will not leave you, he says ; I will pray for you ; I 
 will preach to you; I will convert you. He kept his 
 word. He suffered, wept and wrestled for them. He 
 gave them the word of life in their own tongue. Ho
 
 396 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 persevered, and won their respect, their confidence and 
 love. And there rose up a brawny phalanx, the breath 
 of whose grateful praise will play upon his brow in the 
 upper Paradise, sweetly as their own beloved south 
 wind plays upon the weary hunter's brow. 
 
 Who does not follow with reverential steps the 
 course of Roger Williams, whose history embodies 
 such a commentary on the contrarieties of puritan 
 character. See him take his devious way into the 
 country of the Narragansetts, beyond the colonial 
 jurisdiction, banished from those still dear compan- 
 ions whose hearts he had often cheered in their labors 
 and trials; from those firesides where childhood had 
 rejoiced in his smiles, where age had been made glad 
 by his heavenly love and sympathy. Banished — by 
 whom, and for what? By his own compeers, by those 
 with whom and for whom he had labored and suffered, 
 because, conscience-urged, he had disseminated views 
 of God's truth and man's duty, lofty indeed, but differ- 
 ing from theirs. And see the great work that he per- 
 formed in the savage country to which he bent his 
 steps. From the little band that followed, and the 
 awe-struck natives, he formed a church. And God's 
 praise never ascended in more acceptable strains than 
 were thence borne upward by the wintry wind. And 
 then was reared in that inhospitable wilderness, a po- 
 litical fabric, based on far broader conceptions of human 
 liberty and right, than had vivified other portions of 
 this wakening land. 
 
 AVho^without a thrill, can contemplate the character 
 and course of Hugh Peters — a character and course 
 full of incongruities, yet noble and commanding. See 
 him, in youthful vigor, moving by his fervid eloquence 
 audiences of thousands of the denizens of London;
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 397 
 
 then stealthily following the fleeing pilgrims to Hol- 
 land, cheering them by his counsels, aiding them by 
 his means. 
 
 Pass over a brief space, and behold him on the mar- 
 gin of Wenham Pond, addressing the assembled chil- 
 dren of the shadowy land. There stands he in the 
 full strength of manhood, upon the forest studded 
 declivity, the beautiful lake stretching out before him, 
 rejoicing in the summer sunlight, and bearing upon its 
 unruffled bosom the fairy-like Indian barks. The gray 
 old oak and flaunting pine lave their roots in the reno- 
 vating waters, and the unscared birds gambol among 
 the foliage. And who are they, surrounding the pale 
 brother from the far-ofi" land of the rising sun, and 
 listening to his story of wonders. They are a band 
 of stra3''ed brothers. The strong armed forest father 
 is there ; the young hunter from the chase ; the war- 
 rior from the battle ground. And there the white 
 eagle plume waves over the dusky brow of the forest 
 maid. 
 
 And again, behold him in the little rustic sanctuary 
 of the Third Plantation, by his tempestuous eloquence 
 arousing the hearts of the desponding settlers. 
 
 See him again in Old England, pleading with zeal 
 ardent and unquenchable for the rights of the suffering 
 colonists and making his influence felt at the very 
 heart of the nation. Behold him a master spirit riding 
 on the stormy waves of the Commonwealth, exempli- 
 fjn'ng again, in his own course, some of the contrarie- 
 ties of the age ; taking the field with the parliamentary 
 hosts ; praying ardently and fighting valiantly under 
 the same banner. " Verily," says Cromwell, " I think 
 he that prays best will fight best." An expressive 
 commentary on the spirit of the age.
 
 398 NOTABLE THINGS. 
 
 Where shall we look again for him ? On the sledge, 
 seated on his own coffin, in the mournful procession, 
 approaching the fatal block, to meet his destiny as a 
 regicide ; and to meet it, too, with the resignation and 
 nerve of exalted christian heroism. 
 
 And, lastly, see his blood-smeared and ghastly head 
 with sightless eyes yawning from a parapet of London 
 Bridge, the object of scorn and indignity to the rude 
 multitude. 
 
 The singularly dark views of human nature taken 
 by many of the old clergy were perhaps to some ex- 
 tent engendered by the spirit of the times and the 
 cloudy circumstances by which they were so frequent- 
 ly surrounded. Often did they seem to labor to render 
 the Christian's path thorny, his race melancholy. Their 
 minds were deeply exercised on the great and glorious 
 truths of God's word, but the dark side was kept in 
 view. They appeared not to realise that with justice 
 and dread, God himself had mingled mercy and love. 
 They pondered on the terrors and pains of hell, rather 
 than the joys and bliss of heaven. The rocky cliffs 
 that frowned above the surges that lashed these wild 
 shores, and the hills that towered above the shadowy 
 plains, were so many Siuais, from which were con- 
 stantly issuing the lightnings of Jehovah's wrath, the 
 thunders of his law. In cold and gloomy strains their 
 hallelujahs reverberated among the dim vales, and 
 their austere bearing and harsh speech were fitted 
 rather to chill than cheer the warm of heart. 
 
 Yet it was not so with all. There were many free 
 souls glowing in the warm atmosphere of the brighter 
 promises; joyous souls, quickened by the sweet inspira- 
 tions of mercy and love ; true christian souls, shedding 
 all around the most blessed influences of our holy faith.
 
 THE OLD TUNNEL MEETING HOUSE. 399 
 
 There are many still backward in awarding the 
 praise justly due to the early settlers. They look at 
 isolated facts and blemishes, and from them argue 
 that no real or at least intended good could have pro- 
 ceeded from such people. And when the undeniable 
 and substantial blessings are forced into recognition, 
 they turn to discover their origin elsewhere. 
 
 Many enlightened minds, who have little sympathy 
 with the dark and cold features of the old theology, 
 believing that something brighter and more heart- 
 attracting would have accomplished still more, are yet 
 ready to do reverence to those worthy fathers for the 
 great benefits that they undeniably did secure for all 
 generations that were to succeed them on this soil. 
 
 The early settlers so intimately blended the secular 
 with the ecclesiastical character, that we are, without 
 doubt, constantly liable to mistake the motive or prin- 
 ciple from which this or that result flowed. A com- 
 munity may possess vast political sagacity and yet 
 cling to a very poor religious faith ; or it may possess 
 the loftiest conceptions of christian truth, and yet act 
 upon false principles of worldly wisdom. And when 
 they are endowed in a large measure with both worldly 
 wisdom and christian grace, it is not easy to analyze 
 their economy. 
 
 This intermingling of the secular with the ecclesias- 
 tical is shown in the fact to which we have before 
 alluded, that no one was eligible to ofiice unless he 
 were a regular church member. This may be viewed 
 by some as savoring of the darkness from which they 
 had professedly just fled. All history testifies that 
 in a union of church and state, pure religion is most 
 liable to suffer. And hence any tendency to such 
 union is worthy of being guarded against. In this en-
 
 400 NOTABLE THINGS, 
 
 lightened age and country, ho^vever, there is proba- 
 bly little real danger, though the cry of wolf must 
 needs at all times be more or less distinctly heard. 
 But the object of the requisition alluded to admits of 
 more than one explanation. Perhaps they could devise 
 no better way by which to keep the churches full. And 
 we cannot divest ourselves of the conviction that if at 
 this day it should be determined that none but church 
 members could be office holders, there would be such 
 a rush into the sacred folds as no revival since the 
 great day of Pentecost has produced. 
 
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