I .< •«. •: nit-' !• 1?U' •f. ,W|VERSITy OF rflllH^^W^. SAN 11822 02560 PIEGO 9770 1» ^i ^^ .^•^ '-;*•' <^^TfcL»d. F:^- ^^^H li V ^^H |-^- ' ^P ^^'■•;, 1* ♦* '.i- K • > 1 ■■' > -T-^ 'jeRARY uti&C Ss A3 V.I THE LITERARY DIARY OF EZRA STILES, D.D., LL.D. VOLUME I Ri.v. KzRA Stii.es, D.D. From a Porlrait panited by Samuel Khtt; i)i i~~i THE LITERARY DIARY EZRA STILES, D.D., LL.D. PRESIDENT OF VALE COLLEGE EDITED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CORPORATION OK YALE UNIVERSLIY FRANKLIN BOWDITCH DEXTER, M.A. VOLUME I JANUARY I, ij6cj—MARCH ij, lyyd N \i W Y O I'l K CHARLES SCRHiNER'S SONS 1901 Copyright, igoi. By the Pkesidknt and Fellows of Yale University THE LITERARY DIARY OF EZRA STILES Ezra Stiles, the author of the following Diar}^, was the son of the Rev. Isaac Stiles, of the parish of North Haven, in New Haven, Connecticut, by his iirst wife Kezia Taylor, and was born on November 29th, 1727. He was graduated at Yale College in 1746, and then pursued further studies in New Haven. He was licensed to preach on the 28th of May, 1749, and the same week entered on a tutorship in Yale College, which he retained until his acceptance of a call to the pastorate of the Second Congregational Church in Newport, Rhode Island, where he was ordained and installed, on October 22, 1755. The following Diary was begun there in 1769. He married, Februar}^ 10, 1757, Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel John Hubbard, of New Haven ; and at the date of the opening of this Diary had the following children : Elizabeth, or Betse}^, born April, 1758 ; Ezra, born March, 1759; Kezia, born September, 1760; Emilia, born April, 1762 ; Isaac, born August, 1763 ; Ruth, born August, 1765 ; Mary, or Poll}^, born August, 1767. He was of a slight physical frame, — his height, 5 feet, 4)^ inches, his weight under 130 pounds. He received the degree of Do6lor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh in 1765. By the will of Dr. Stiles, a portion of his manuscripts became at his death (in 1795) the property of his successor 2 DIARY OF EZRA STILES in the Presidency of Yale College, and in this portion was inchided the Diary now printed. The other manuscripts of Dr. Stiles quoted in the annotations to the Diary were all included in this bequest, unless otherwise stated ; the one most frequently referred to is the '' Itinerary," or Record of Journeys, which extends to six volumes, and covers the years from 1760 to 1795. In editing Dr. Stiles's Diarj^, it has been thought impracticable to print the entire text. The omissions, however, ma}- be grouped under the following heads : — 1 . Repetitions of passages in other parts of the Diary ; and quotations from books, pamphlets, and newspapers, elsewhere easily accessible. 2. Daily or otherwise frequentl}^ recurring statements of the authors and subjects of his current reading and meditation. 3. Occasional extended expository or exegetical remarks on the Holy Scriptures. In cases where the author made additions to the text subsequent to the date of the original entr}^, such addi- tions are included within brackets. LITERARY DIARY January, 1769. 1. Lord's da)'. Preached forenoon & afternoon. Fine mild New Years day. 2. Read a chapter in Hebrew, & some Arabic. 3. Read two chapters in Hebrew, & Arabic. 4. Read two chapters in Hebrew. I begun to write my Ecclesi- astical History of New England & British America' 22'' of last month. Wrote some upon it. 5. Mr. Ephraim Judson" came to preach on the Hill (late Ar Vinal's'). 6. Read five chapters in Heb. & some Arabic. 8. Eord's day. Preached. Mr. Judson preached on the hill. 9. Wrote history ; finished first three sheets. Ezra^ began to learn hebrew about this time, ^t. 10. 10. Read two chapters. Begun Joshua in Hebrew; & read some Arabic. 11. Wrote Histor5^ 12. Wrote Historj'. 13. Read two Chap, in Heb., Arab. Wrote history. 15. Lord's day. Preached. 17. Wrote hist.; finished first Chapter. ' A volume of MS. notes and statistics, for the illustration of this histor}-, is included among the Stiles papers belonging to the College ; but the histor}- itself, so far as completed, was retained in manuscript by Dr. Stiles's family after his death. (Cf. Holmes's Life of Stiles, p. 132.) In 1875 this MS., or a part of it, was given to the Massachusetts Historical Society. See their Pro- ceedings, xvii, 137-38. ' A graduate of Yale, 1763, who was scLLied in Norwich, Conn., in 1771. See Diary, Oct. 9 and 16, 1771. ^ Rev. William Vinal (Harv. Coll. 1739), predecessor of Rev. Samuel Hopkins (Y. C. 1741) as pastor of the First Congregational Church, Newport ; ordained Oct. 29, 1746, dismissed Sept. 21, 1768; see also Diary, May 18, 1770, Oct. 25, 1773, and June 14 and 18, 1774. The church stood on Mill street, a short dis- tance south of Dr. Stiles's, and in 1835 was sold to a Unitarian Society. * Elder son of the diarist ; born March 11, 1759. 4 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 18. . . . Wrote hist. 19. Wrote hist. Dr. Whittelsey and M' Hubbard' came from Connecticutt. 20. Visited, &c. Wrote Hist. 26. Dr. Whittelsej-, &c., went away. Read three Chaps. Heb. 29. Lord's day. Preached. 31. Finished Joshua. Arab. February. I. Read heb. first chap. Judges. Arab. Wrote history. 5. Lord's day. Changed with M"" Judson in afternoon. 6. Heb. Arab. It is my custom to read daily a Chapter in the hebrew Bible ; and a portion of Arabic in Selden's Works. 7. Wrote History all day. 8. Wrote history. 1 1 . Made Fast .sermon for next week. 12. Lds day. Preached. 13. Mr. Austin^ came [& went away next morn.] 14. Wrote history. 15. Nothing. N. B. I weekly make two sermons. 16. Fast on the hill to implore divine Direction in Choice of Pastor. I preached foren. M'' Judson Aft. 19. Lds day. M' Judson & I changed Forenoon. 20. Wrote Hist. 21. Wrote Hist. Made map of Indian Tribes N. B. 25. Wrote Hist. Copied Map of Connecticutt. 26. Lds day. preached. 27. Finished Judges. Arab. Read serm., Mr. Smith of So. Carolina. 28. Begun I Samuel. Arab. March. I. Finished a Map of Connecticut divided into near two hun- dred parishes ; I have put down nearly all the Congregational, Bapti.st & Separate Meeting-hou.ses, besides the Episcopal Churches. This day I begun this Diary. ' Samuel Whittelsey (Y. C. 1764), of Milfonl, who married, Jan. 2, 1771, Mary Hubbard, a sister of Mrs. Stiles ; and Rev. John Hubbard (Y. C. 1744), of Mcrideii, a brother of Mrs. Stiles. It appears from a letter of Dr. W. (among Dr. Stiles's papers), dated Sept. 23, 1769, that there had been some thought of his settling in Newport as a physician ; but he remained in Milford. * See below, March 5. JANUARY 18-MARCH 18, 1769 5 2. Read Chap, in Hebrew. And finished reading Eutychii Origines Ecclesiae Alexandrince in Arabic a third time. Wrote History, and made a Map of the Patent granted to the No. and So. Virginia Companies 1606. Read in Stith's History of Virginia, and Douglass' Summary. 3. Writing Hist. — preached ni}- sacramental lecture. 4. Map of French, Dutch & Swedes Patents for No. Amer. before arrival of Leydeners at Plymouth. 5. Lds da}'. Preached A.M. from Jno. vi, 58, and adminis- tered the Lords Supper to my church. Preached P.M. i Cor. i, 31. — Yesterday came Mr Austin,' a Candidate for the Ministry educated at Yale College ; & this day preached the first Time to the first congreg''. Chh. in Newport. 6. Wrote seven pages histor}-. 7. Wrote hist. 5 pages & 2 maps. 8. Wrote hist. 5 p. 9. Made map of the Coast fr. Plymo. to C. Ann. 10. Nothing. — Read Dr. Bellamy on half cov\'^ 11. Read in Stith's Hist, of Virginia. By post have news of Diploma from Edinburgh creating Rev. John Rodgers presb. Min. at N. York a Doctor in Divinit}'. An English Gentleman this day offered to procure Five Thousd. subscriptions in England for my Historj^ — which I declined. 12. Lds Day. Preached from Luke xii, 47, Foren. & Aft. I made two Sermons last week. 13. Latin Lett, to Univ-" Ley den. 14. Ray's Travels v. 2. 15. Arminii Opera. i6. Examined with the Jew priest Jacob's prophecy of the scepter departg. from Judah. Read Eliot's Life in Dr. Mather's Magnalia. Most of this day with the Jews. 18. Went to S3''nagogue' with Mr. Austin : afterwards spent several hours in discourse with a roniish Priest, a Knight of Jerusa- lem or Malta, travelling from Hispaniola to Quebec. He tells me ' Punderson Austin (Y. C. 1762) ; see below, July 27, 1769, and April 17, 1773. Dr. Stiles was probably responsible for his candidacy here. ^ A pamphlet, in form of dialogue, pul)lished in January, 1769, which gave rise to a lively controversy. * The Jewish Synagogue in Newport was built in 1762-3, in the immediate neighborhood of Dr. Stiles's residence, Peter Harrison being the architect, and is still in use. 6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES there are in hispaniola 22 parishes, and 28 parishes between the Dominicans & Capuchins on french part of Hispaniola. That in all Canada, his native country, at the Surrendery, 1760, were One Hundred & sixty Thousand vSouls French, and between three and four hundred Clergy. This is LIBERTY DAY;' celebrated at Newport, B^ N. York, 6cc. The following account of the Synagogue, written by Dr. Stiles in 1763, is extracted from another volume of his jaapers. Dec. 2, 1763, Friday. "In the Afternoon was the dedication of the new " Synagogue in this Town. It began b}^ a handsome procession in which were "carried the Books of the Law, to be deposited in the Ark. Several Portions " of Scripture, & of their Service with a Prayer for the Royal Family, were read "and finely sung by the priest & People. There were present many Gen- " tlemen & Ladies. The Order and Decorum, the Harmony & Solemnity of "the IMusick, together with a handsome Assembly of People, in a Edifice the " most perfect of the Temple kind perhaps in America, & splendidly illumi- " nated, could not but raise in the Mind a faint Idea of the Majesty & Grandeur ' ' of the Ancient Jewish Worship mentioned in Scripture. " D'. Isaac de Abraham Touro performed the Service." The Synagogue is about perhaps fourty foot long & 30 wide, of Brick on a Foundation of free Stone : it was begun about two years ago, & is now finished except the Porch & the Capitals of the Pillars. The Front representation of the holj^ of holies, or its Partition Veil, consists only of wainscotted Breast Work on the East End, in the lower part of which four long Doors cover an upright Square Closet the deptli of which is about a foot or the thickness of the Wall, & in this Apart- ment (vulgarly called the Ark) were deposited three Copies & Rolls of the Pentateuch, written on Vellum or rather tanned Calf vSkin : one of these Rolls I was told by D' Touro was presented from Amsterdam & is Two Hundred years old ; the Letters have the Rabbinical Flourishes. A Gallcr}- for the Women runs round the whole Inside, except the East End, supported by Columns of Ionic order, over which are placed correspondent Columns of the Corinthian order supporting the Cieling of the Roof. The Deptli of the Corinthian Pedestal is the height of the Balustrade which runs round the Gallery. The Pulpit for Reading the Law, is a raised Pew with an extended front table ; this placed about the center of the Synagogue or nearer the West End, being a Square embalustraded Comporting with the Length of the indented Chancel before & at the Foot of the Ark. On the middle of the North Side & affixed to the Wall is a raised Seat for the Parnas or Ruler, & for the Elders ; the Breast and Back interlaid with Chinese Jlosaic Work. A Wainscotted Seat runs round Sides of the Syna- gogue below, & another in the Gallery. There are no other Seats or pews. There may be Eighty Souls of Jews or 15 families now in Town. The Syna- gogue has already cost Fifteen Hundred Pountls Sterling. There are to be five Lamps iK-ndant from a lofty Ceiling. ' The anniversary of the King's signing the repeal of the Stamp-Act. 1766. MARCH I9-APRIL 6, 1769 7 19. lyds day. Preached all day from Ps. xxxi, 19. Read Hervej^'s lyCtters : and examined the last chapter of Zechariah. 22. In Even^ heard book of Esther read out in Synagogue. 23. Read Magnalia. Purim to day. 24. Wrote Hist. Good Fryday. 26. Ivds day. Preached Mat. xv, 27, A.M. & Luke xi, 13, P.M. 27. Wrote History & read Sir Ferdinand Gorges. 28. Wrote a letter to Rev. Mr. WhitteLsey on the Import of ^'^^^ and the Trinity of the Zohar? April. 1 . Finished the first Book of Samuel in Hebrew. Made a ser- mon. Conversed with the romish priest, who shewed me his gold cross of the order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem or Malta. Wrote a letter to Dr. Alison'^ of Philad-'. upon the plurality of Elohim in Jehovah, and the rabbinical Trinity in the Zohar. 2. Lords day, preached Prov. ix, 12. & 2 Pet. iii, 11. Made two sermons last week. Read Theologia Germanica. 3. Begun 2d Book of Samuel in Hebrew ; read also Arabic. 5. Made a sermon. 6. Public Fast in province of Massachusetts & among the Con- gregational Clihs. in Rh. Isld. Formerlj'- here in my Congrega- tion & that of the first chh. we used to have but one Service on The "Tree of Liberty" was planted at the head of Thames street in 1765, and Vjore a copper plate, affixed in 1766, with the record of the repeal of the Stamp Act. In a loose memorandum Dr. Stiles writes as follows : This anniversary of the Stamp act repeal was celebrated at Newport by the Sons of Iviberty. At the Dawn of Day Colours or a large Flag was hoisted & displayed on the Top of the Tree of Liberty, and another on the Mast of Lib- erty at the point. At the same time my bell began & continued ringing till Sunrise. About nine o'clock a.m. the bell of the first Congreg'* Chh. began to ring & rang an hour or two. The EpisC. Chh. bell struck a few strokes and then stopped, the Episcopalians being averse to the Celebration. At Noon the canon were discharged at the point near Liberty pole or Mast. The colors were also displayed at the Fort all day, & on some Vessels. Towards night my bell rang again, & ended at about sunset, when all the colours were struck. The committee of the Sons of Liberty met & supped with Capt. John Collins. ' The book of Zohar, supposed by Dr. Stiles (see Diary, Oct. 29, 1772) to have been composed in the 2d century, has been conclusively shown by Dr. Ginsburg to be a forgery by a vSpanish Jew of the 13th century. '^ Francis Alison, D.D., an intimate correspondent of Dr. Stiles. SeeSprague's Annals of the Anier. Pulpit, iii, 73-76. 8 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Fast Da}^s. This day had public worship forenoon and afternoon ; when I preached two sermons from Joel ii, 12-14. Afterwards I read a chapter in Hebrew & a portion of Arabick. 7. Read Dean Swift on Spirit of the Whigs. And conversed with Mr. Welch who was in the City of Morocco last year. 8. Read Theologia Germanica. Made four Sermons this week. 9. Lds day. Preached in the foren. from Luke xii, 40. Be ye therefore ready also, &c., four adult persons of myCongreg*. having died within seven days, the funeral of one of which was still to be attended after meeting. Exchanged with Mr. Austin in the aftern. when I preached from Ps. cxix. iii. Finished the little golden Manual of mystical Divinity, entituled Theologia Germanica. II. Copied & translated the 13 Articles of the Jewish Creed. Read in Irenseus. 14. Visited by Mess''^ Willard & Hylier, two of the Fellows of Harvard College.' 16. Lds. day. Mr. Helyerd preached for me A. M. from Mat. V, 6. Mr. Willard preached P. M. from Mark viii, 36-37. 19. Wrote six pages History. 20. This afternoon I was in Company with Francis Bernard^ Esq"" eldest son of Gov'' Bernard. He was educated in the Universitj'' of Oxford. Of the Literature there we had much conversation. Wrote hist'y. 22. Sermon. Read Herveys Lett. 23. Lds Day. Preached A.M. from Ps. cxix, iii. P. M. Philip, i, 8-11. Examined Poli Synopsis upon Christ's Sermon on the Mount. Read Herveys Letters v. 2. 24. Magnalia. 26. Spinning Match at my House,' thirty-seven Wheels ; the Women bro't their flax — & spun ninety-four fifteen-knotted skeins : about five skeins & half to the pound of 16 ounces. They made ^ Joseph Willard (Harv. 1765), now Tutor and Fellow, afterwards President ; and Timothy Hilliard (Ilarv. 1764), now Tutor, afterwards pastor in Barnstable and Cambridge, Mass. -Graduated B. A. at Christ Church, Oxford, 1766, and died in Boston, Octo- ber, 1770, aged 26. ^ Dr. Stiles's house is still standing, on the east side of Clark street, opposite the lot next north of his church ; it was built as a parsonage during the earlier years of his pastorate, he having lived at first on Division street, two blocks to the eastward. APRIL 7-28, 1769 9 us a present of the whole. The Spinners were two Quakers, six Baptists, twenty-nine of my own Societ)'. There were beside four- teen Reelers, &c. In the evening & next day. Eighteen 14-knotted skeins more were sent in to us by several that spun at home the same day. Upon sorting & reducing of it, the whole amounts to One hundred & eleven fifteen-knotted Skeins. We dined sixty persons. My p'ple sent in 4"' Tea, 9"" Coffee, Loaf Sugar, above 3 qrs. veal, i)4. doz. Wine, Gammons, Flour, Bread, Rice, &c., &c., &c., to Amount of ^150. Old Tenor, or about twenty Dollars : of which we spent about one-half. In the course of the day, the Spinners were visited by I judge six hundred Spectators. 27. Nothing. 28. Yesterday Aft. I went to Elder Thurston's' meeting and saw Mess. Burroughs, set. 70, Barker, aet. 45, and lyilly, aet. 30, ordained Deacons of the Baptist Chh., by the laying on of hands of Elder Thurston, and Mr. Mason, Elder of a Baptist Chh. in Swanzey, who gave them a charge. The prayer and Imposition of hands was several & distinct over each Deacon, but the charge only one & general. It was the Thursday lecture weekly & in course. There were on this occasion three Elders in the pulpit, viz., Mr. Maxson', Elder of the Sabb. Bapt. Church in this T\ & Messrs. Thurston & Mason. Mr. Mason began with Prayer ; then they sung an Hymn composed b}^ one of the Deacons elect ; Elder Thurston then read the whole Acco'. in Acts of the choice & ordin-^ of Deacons, with the character or Qualific'^ of a Deacon in Timothy, as the basis of a Sermon ; after Sermon the three Elders descended into the Deacons' seat & sat with the three Deacons Elect. Then Mr. Thurston read the narrative of the transactions of the Chh. at several Chh. meetings respect^ the choice, and the final vote for electing these 3 Brethren ; and publickly asked their Acceptance, which they declared. Upon which he began praj^er, in which after a few introductory supplications, he laid both his hands upon the head of Deacon Burroughs, Elder Mason at the same time laying on one of his hands : — then having praj-ed over him a proper time & commended him to the divine blessing, Elder Thurston removed off his hands, & laid them upon the head of Deacon Barker and then on Deac. Tilley, pray^ distinctly & ^ Gardner Thurston, pastor of the 2d Baptist Church. See Sprague's Annals, vi, 50-54- '^ See Diary, July 24, 1776. lO DIARY OF EZRA STILES separately over each. Elder Mason joined also in each Imposit''. of hands. But ISIr. Thurston did not ask Elder Maxson to assist, & tho' he sat with them, he did not lay on hands, nor perform any part. The whole was concluded by a hymn composed by one of the Deacons, I suppose ]\Ir. Barker, an ingenious man ; it was read by Elder Thurston :— many perhaps half the singers in this baptist chh present, stood at the singing ; and yet this chh. & Con- greg^ never sang in public worship from its beginning or for the first hundred and & ten years, or from 1656 to 1766. Their first singing was 1766 or 1767. 29. Finished second Book of Samuel in Hebrew. 30. Lds day : preached A. M. 2 Cor. iii, 5, and P. M. Gal. iii, 29 ; lead two to own the Covenant, & baptized four Children. Read Institut. of Sanhedrim in Ainsworth on Pentateuch ; and Rabbi Judah Monis's Discourses at his Baptism in 1722. Made two sermons the last week. May. 1. Begun first Book of Kings in Hebrew. 2. Rev. Joshua Prentiss' here. 3. Election. Gov. Wanton. Dep. Gov. Sessions chosen. 4. Smiths Optics, \'. 2. Winthrop on Transit. 5. Prof. Winthrop's Eect. on Transit Venus. Preached my sacramental Lecture this Aft. i Pet. i, 12. 6. Dr. Lev\ Hubbard & Wife' came. 7. Lds da3^ Preached A. M. Heb. iii, i, and administered the Lords Supper, and received two persons into the Chh. In Afternoon i Jn". iii, 2, 3. ID. Received Dr. Franklin's Exp" Electricity 4^". 14. Lds day. Preached A. M. Matt, x, 41. Mr. Church' preached P. M. Numb, xxiii, 10, a candidate for the Ministrj-. 16, Went to association at S". Kingston. Mr. Parks^ preached. 'Joshua Prentice or Prentiss (Harvard 173S), pastor in Holliston, INIass., 1 743-88. * Leveretl Hubbard (Y. C. 1744), of New Haven, a l;rotherof Mrs. Stiles. His vnk, Sarah, only child of Stephen and IMar}' (Miles) Whitehead, of New- Haven, died Dec. 5, 1769. ^ Probably Aaron Church (Yale 1765), of Springfield, Mass., who was licensed to preach in Jan., 1769, & was settled in East Hartland, Conn., in 1773. * Rev. Joseph Park (Harv. 1724), of Westerly, from 1733 to his death on March I, 1777. APRIL 29-MAY 22, 1769 II ^ Among Dr. vStiles's papers is a list of "Jews in Newport in 2 Harts, 17. Returned : heard Even^ Lect. on hill by Mr. Hart' of Preston. 19. This Evening went to the Synagogue & saw two Copies of the Law deposited there. One a new Vellum Roll given by Mr. Lopez ^40. ster. The other a present from the Portugue.se Syna- gogue in London. Both with Silver Tops & bells washed with Gold. They have now Six Vellum Rolls of the Law. There are now in Town about Twenty-five Families of Jews.^ 20. Read 76 pages, or the first twelve Chapters of the first Book of Irenaeus against Heresies. 21. Ldsday. Mr. Austin preached for me A. M. from i Jn" v, 10. Rev. Penuel Bowen' of Boston preached P. M. from Ps. iv, 6. Read four chapters in Ireneeus. 22. Attended an Evening Lecture at Mr. Thurston's Baptist meeting preached by the Rev. Mr. Backus^ of Middleborough, a Baptist Minister. ' Rev. Levi Hart (Y. C. 1760). [760," as follows : 4 souls Moses Levy & Brother, Sarsidas, Aaron Lopez, Moses Lopez, Jacob Isaacs, Isaac Elizur, old Polloc, Issachar Polloc, Polloc, junior, . Rod. Levarez, Hart, Lucina, To this list is appended the note, Mar. 2, 1761, and 10 Families." From the draft of a letter of Dr. Stiles to the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Lardner, of London, dated June 20, 1764, and preserved among the Stiles Papers : We have 15 or 20 Families of Jews here, almost the only ones in New England (& perhaps there are not so many more on this Continent). They have eredled a small Synagogue in New York ; and another at Newport, met in for the first time in Decemb"' last ; it is superbly finished withinside at a Cost of £2, 000. sterling ; in the place of the Ark they have deposited Three Vellum Copies, Rolls of the Law, one of which is said to be above Two hundred years old, which I judge true from the Aspedl & Rabbinical Flourishes. They have a Chuzzan from Amsterdam. ^Harv. Coll. 1762 ; see Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, i, 708. ■•Rev. Isaac Backus, the historian, b. 1724, d. 1806. 7 6 7 II 5 2 6 I 2 5 2 " Moses Levy reckoned 56 souls of Jews 12 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 23. Employed in preparing for the Transit of Venus. 25. Employed in taking equal Altitudes &c &c. 26. Getting an astron. Sextant made. 27. Last night let down two Threads pendant from my Garret Windows, & affixed weights at the bottom, and immersed them in two vessels of water ; then ranged them to Alioth & the pole star. This noon regulated the two clocks by the Meridian. 28. Ldsday. A.M. The aged Rev. Mr. Maxwel' preached for me from Mat. xi, 28. He was formerly a Baptist Minister, but has for many years been a professed Psedobaptist. He is now aet. 81, was born in Sir Edmund Andross's time in Boston, Aug. 31, 1688. He always wrote his Sermons at full length & read them in delivery. He preached for me about a year ago when he read both his Sermons. Soon after his sight failed him. Lords day, Sept. 1 1, 1768, he preached at Bristol for the Rev. Mr. Burt ; this was the first time he preachecV without Notes or reading, the day he was aet. 80. The sermon he preached to-day was all written and delivered verbatim memoriter. He dare not venture to preach extemporaneously. I preached P. M. i Sam. xii, 22-24. My sermon one hour & five minutes, unusually long ; being commonly from half to three qu'^ an hour. June. I. Finished Sextant for observing the Transit of Venus. 3. Fine serene day. Assiduousl}^ employed in observing the Transit of Venus, which will not happen again in above an hun- dred years at either node ; and at this descend^ node again, not in Two hundred & 36 years or before A.D. 2004. We prepared Meridional Threads ranged to Alioth & the pole star when on the Merid., two Clocks well regulated, a Reflecting Telescope of 'Samuel Maxwell; born in Boston, Aug. 31, 168S ; ordained over a Baptist church in Swanse^-, Mass., April 18, 1733; announced his preference for keep- ing the Seventh Day as the Sabbath, Aug. 6, 1738; dismissed from Swansey church, April 5, 1739; accepted a call to Baptist Church in Rehoboth, Mass., Sept. 25, 1745, and was installed Dec. 25 ; declared for ptedobaptism, Jan. 8, 1753. and left the Rehoboth church, April 4, 1754; later, preached in Warren, R. I.; see, also, this Diary for April 3 and 25, 1772, and Backus's Hist, of the Baptists. His father was James Maxwell ; born in Dumfries, Scotland ; died in Boston, 1720, aet. 85 ; by first wife, Margery Crump, had 21 children ; by second wife, Dorcas Stone, of Lexington, had 9 children, of whom was Samuel. MAY 23-JUNE 7, 1769 13 Eighteen Inches, a Sextant of five foot Radius furnished with telescopic Sights, & a nonius division to five vSeconds. I saw the moments of external & internal Contacts, the first at II''' 31/ 27" P. M. app. Time, the latter II''- 46.' 46" P. M. Difference fifteen minutes eighteen seconds. We took 27 Altitudes of the sun on the day of the Transit. There were three observers at the same Time looking at the Sun.' I was the first that espied Venus's Entrance, the other two soon saw it tho' not till several seconds after I gave the word. The moment of Immersion, or first internal contact, was seen by two of us, Mr. William Vernon^ & myself, both gave the word the same Instant. We had two observers at each of the clocks. At Sunset Venus had passed the middle of the Transit & sat in the Sun's Disk. 4. Edsday. Preached A. M. from Job xxxviii, 31-33. Canst thou bind up the sweet Influence of the Pleiades? &c. P. M. Rom. xiv. 12. 5. Making calculations on Suns Altitudes, &c. 6. Calculations. Obs. Sun's Merid. Alt. 19. 7. 5. Eat. 41.° 26.' 53." 7. Received Providence obs. of the transit from Mr. Howel* who was present. External Contact, II''- 29.' 35" P. M. Immer- sion, II.'' 46.' 31." Altitudes, O 36.° 19.' & 39.° 28'. Venus's Diam. 58". Eeast Dist. Cent. 10.' 34". So difference of the two contacts 16.' 56," that is i.' 37" longer than at Newport. ^ Among Dr. vStiles's papers is a separate MS. volume devoted to this Transit. In this he mentions "The Arrangement of Observators," as follo-ws : Mr. Benjamin King at the Tube of the Sextant. Mr. Wilham Vernon and E. S. at the perpendicvilar Hair or Plumb. Mr. Henry Marchant at the Reflecting Telescope. Mr. Henry Thurston with a good Prospective at Corner House. In the House, at the Clocks. Mr. Townsends Clock. B. Stiles's Clock. Mr. Punderson Austin, Mr, William EHery, Mr. Christopher Townsend. Capt. Caleb Gardner. ^ A distinguished merchant of Newport, born 1719, died 1806. His house was near Dr. Stiles's, at the corner of Mary and Clark streets. See Mason's Annals of the Redwood Library, 84. ^ David Howell, Tutor and afterwards Professor in Brown University. His letter, dated Warren, June 5, 1769, is preserved among Dr. Stiles's papers, in the volume of manuscript matter on this Transit. 14 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 8. Waited on Rev''. Mr. Pembertoii' of Boston & Rev". Mr. Treat' of New York : — compared Clocks & the Meridian. 9. Went to Fricjids Gen. Meeting; and heard M""' Wilson,' an eminent Quaker Preacher lately come from Westmoreland in Eng- land. She spoke above an hour. She is a pious sensible woman. 11. Ldsday. A.M. Rev'^ Eben'. Pemberton of Boston, act. 65, preached for me. Ps. P.M. I preached from Hebrews v, 8-9. 12. Calculating Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites. 15. Sat out on a Journey into Connecticutt accompanied with Major Jonathan Otis,' a Messenger of my Chh.' ' Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, Jr. (Harvard 1721), was settled over the New Brick Church, Boston, 1754. *Rev. Joseph Treat (Coll. of N. J. 1757), installed in 1762 as colleague pastor of the ist Presbj-teriaa Church, N. Y. City, over which Mr. Pemberton was settled from 1727 to 1753. See, also, this Diary, Jul}- 25-27, 1769. ^ Rachel Wilson, from Kendal, Westmoreland. ■•Son of Nathaniel, of Sandwich, Mass ; born 1723. See Diary, Feb. 25, 1791. ' The notes of this Journey in the author's MS. Itinerary are in part as follows : June 15. Dined at Bristol; passed Provid. and 11 m. beyond; lodged at Pierce in Smithfield. 16. Dined Grosvenor's, Pomfret. Visited Mr. Ripley and lodged in Ken- nedy [/. e., Canada Parish, now Hampton]. y$,. At Pomfret parted with Major Otis who went for Mansf 'd. 17. Dined Mr. Whiting's at Windli. als. Scotland. !•=. Th. 87°>^, ¥>■. Th. 90° in shade, and V' 10^ 87°. 18. Ldsday at Mr. White's, Windham ; preached A.M. and partook of the Lds Supper. 19. Rode to Gilead : lodged Rev. Mr. Lothrop's. 20. Dined at Beckley's in Kensington. Th. 85° noon. Arrived at Meriden and joyned the Eccl. Council. 21. In Council. 6 Chhs. 22. Ord. Rev'' John Hubbard, Rev. Messrs. Breck, Rallantiue, Whittelsey, Dana, Lothrop, Stiles, joyning in Lay^ on hands. 23. Dined Dr. Dana's, Wallingf'', & rode to Carmel to visit Mother and Br. Bradley & Munson. 24. Dined Br. Isaac Stiles at North Haven. Th. 84° and at IV P. M. S6°>^. Roile to New Haven. 25. Ixlsday. Preached all Day for Mr. Whittelsey. 26. Set out for Newport. Dined Guilf"!. II''. Th. 8o°>^. Visited Rev. Mr. Ruggles, ancl Mr. Todd, Dr. Gale. Lodged Mr. Devotion's. 27. Th. 86° at crossing Sayb. Ferry. Again in Lyme XI'>. Th. 88°X- At Rope Ferry, II"" P.M. Th. 79°. N. Lond. Ferry IVj^ Th. 91°. VI'' Th. 82° at Stonjngton, VI>^ Th. 79°. • JUNE 8-JULY 3, 1769 15 20. Council of six Chhs. assembled at Meriden on Letters mis- sive from the Chh. there, viz. the Pastors and a Messenger for each of the Chhs. of Springfield first Chh. 8c second Chh., the Chh. of Westfield, of New Haven, Wallingford, & of Newport second Con- greg' Chh. A Pastor and Messenger fr. each Chh. 22. P.M. Rev'' John Hubbard, jun',' ordained Pastor of the Chh. of Meriden by Prayer and the laying on of the hands of the six Pastors in the Council,, viz. Rev'' Messieurs Rob. Breck, of first Chh., Springf'd, Moderator; James Dana, D. D., of first Chh., Wallingf'd, Scribe ; John Ballantine, of Westfield ; Chauncy Whittelsey, of New Haven first Chh.; Joseph Lothrop, of 2'' Chh., Springt'd.; Ezra Stiles, of 2'' Cong. Chh., Newport. 28. Returned home & arrived at Newport. July. 2. Ivdsday. Preached A.M. Cant, v, 8, & administered the Lord's Supper to 44 Communicants. P.M. Heb. vii. 26, 27. 3. Calculating Altitudes obs. Venus Transit. 28. Capt. Russel's in Stonington. VI'' Th. 79°. At Blevins, Westerly, X.^}4 Th. 87°. At Champlin's in Chariest" I'' Th. 89°. Last Obs. Here broke m}- Thermometer. Arrived at Newport X''. at night. Expenses 2 Doll. Dr. Stiles makes the following further note in his Itinerary under June 18 : Windham, June, 1769 — Customs, &c. Begin public W^orship by ask" Bless? on the Word— then sing — then read chapter in O. Test, in Forenoon — then prayer — singing — Preach?- — prayer — Bless?. Afternoon, same, read? Chap, in N. T. Lds. Supper once in vSix Weeks from Spring to Fall : not at all in Winter. Sing Watts — Sing standing about half congregation — Minister stood in last singing. Have read Scripture so as to have finished New Test, and begun again. Congregation 220 below, 40 in each Side Gallery & perhaps 80 in front — Total 380 not 400 souls, and yet a large Assembly and rather crouded. Four Deacons, & perhaps 100 or 120 Communicants all very serious & de- vout. The presence of the great Head of the Chh. seemed to be amongst them. The Rev*^ Mr. White prayed affectionately & under a powerful vSense of the Eove of Jesus. He did not say any Thing during the dispensing &participat? of the Elements, excepting Take, Eat, &c. Nor did he consecrate the Elements. He begun with observ? that Xt the night &c. instituted this Supper a Memo- rial, &c. Then prayed — brake the bread — Deliv>' to Deacons — Participation — Then he took the Cup & gave Thanks — poured out — ^delivered to Deacons, &c. — Singing — Contribution — Blessing. ' Yale Coll. 1744 ; a brother of Mrs. Stiles. In Dr. Stiles's MS. Itinerary are copies of various docimients relating to this ordination and the controversy over the rights of the local church as opposed to Consociation. Dr. Stiles's partici- pation in this ordination was supposed by some of his friends to have prevented his election to the Presidency of the College at this time. l6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 6. Copying Rev. Peter Hobart's antient MS.' S. Trials & Difficulties, i. With my own heart in keep- fr. the World & living to Gd. 2. On ace " of my wife — her pregnane)' — her declining & dangerous state — & anticipa- tion of irretrievable Loss in her death, as a Comp'^ & as an oeconomist & as to care of Fam. 3. M5' Children. Sollicitude about their doing well in Life, — Educ'' — Eternal State. 4. Sub.sistence or living, being in debt, &c. 5. My Chh. & Cong'. 6. So many Enemies, especially Chhmen. & Tories. 7. Lest my Imprudence involve me. 8. Concern for the Cong'' Chhs., & prevalence of Kpisc'' & Wickedness. 9. Labor in compile hist-'. 10. Fruitlessness of gt. part of my Labors. 1 1 . That generally things turn out diff-' from our plans respect^ child. & Fam. & Aims at doing pub' Good. 12. Want of stead}' daily calm Resign^, to Gd. 13. Absence of Comforter & divine presence. 14. Doubts about my Etern' state. Comforts. 1. A good Wife & Children. 2. Extensive know, of all K"'' of the World, of nat., above all of Gd. 3. Have got know, of Supreme Good. 4. Successfully gone thro' a great part of the Studies and labors of Life for one <;et. 42. 5. Some success in Min^\ 6. Beloved of my Chh. & Cong. 7. Have much Respect among Ministers, Chhs. and the learned World. 8. Have an E.state of /"500 ster., besides Income of ^100 ster. ann, as good as a Fund of ^2000 ster. ' This MS. contained records made by the Rev. Peter Hobart, of Hinghatn, Mass., from 1635 till his death in 1679, with continuation by his son David to 17 1 7. Dr. Stiles's copy is preserved among his papers; the original was lent him in 1768 by the Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Hingham. Dr. Stiles has also pre- served a copy of a letter from the same author to the ist church, Boston, signed "Peter Ilubbcrd " ; and a letter from his grandson, the Rev. Noah Ilobart, of Fairfield, 1772, commenting on the various modes of spelling the name. JULY 6-27, 1769 17 9. At Times sens. Coram, with God, at least high delight in contemplate^' his Glories & the immense Grace by J. G. all my hope. 10. Feeble hopes of happ)' Immort-'. 9. Ivdsday. Preached A.M. 2 Cor. x, 17, 18. P.M. Phil, iv, 6, 7. 12. Joseph S3^1vester Bsq'' ob. set. — .' 14. At IV'' 7' this Morning my Wife delivered of a Daughter. 16. Iydsda3\ I preached A.M. Job xix, 25, 26, & P.M. Ps. civ, 34, & baptized my Daughter Sarah Stiles. 19. Finished 2'' Book of Kings, Heb. Bib. Commenc'. Harv. Coll. — Professor Winthrop presided & gave Degrees.^ 21. News that the Parliament intend to repeal the obnoxious American Revenue Acts.° 22. Mr. Hopkins' came to Town. 23. lydsday. Mr. Austin preached for me A.M. from Ps. 97, i. I preached in P.M. James i, 25. Attended an Evening I^ecture on the Hill and heard Rev. Mr. Hopkins preach. 24. Mr. Hopk. preached first Serm. yest^' fr. Acts x, 29. 25. Rev. Mr. Treat' of N. York came hither. 26. Mr. Treat settled at N. Y., 1761. Dr. Rogers's Diploma bj^ Dr. Franklin' & Mr. Whitfield : he is now set. 43. Mr. Treat tells me that the Jews in New York expected the Messiah 1768, and are greatly disappointed. That this expect-' was excited by some comput"^ on the prophetic numbers by the Rabbins of the present day ; that two Jews from Constantinople visited New York last year. 27. This day Mr. Punderson Austin, V. D. M., left Newport, having preached to the first Cong. Chh. here ever since the fourth of March. Mr. Treat & Dr. Rodgers baptized about 170 in 1768 — ' A member of Dr. Stiles's congregation ; his second wife, Mercy (Daven- port), survived him. ^President Holyoke died June i, 1769. 2 The Townshend Acts, passed in June, 1767, imposing duties on glass, paper, painters' colors, and tea ; all but the last were removed in April, 1770. ''Rev. Samuel Hopkins (Y. C. 1741), of Great Barrington, Mass. He came to Newport as a candidate for settlement in the ist Congregational Church. ^ See above, June 8. ^ For Rev. John Rodgers see Sprague's Annals, iii, 157 ; and this Diary, March II, 1769, and Aug. 31, 1776. Dr. Stiles maintained a frequent correspondence with him from 1766, and many of his letters are preserved in the Stiles papers. Dr. Stiles's own diploma of Doctor of Divinity was procured from Edinburgh University in 1765 through Dr. Franklin's exertions. 2 l8 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES in two Presb. congregations, in the City of N. York. Their Sal- ary each ^250 L. M. Out of which pay House rent ^40, and for wood /,'20. Left ^190=^107 Ster. My usual Income besides Wood and House about ^95 to / 100 Ster. 28. Dr. Husius near Esopus a learned Dutch Min.' 29. Visited by Mr. Dawson," who has preached two Even'gs publickly in the late Moravian Meetinghouse here. He says he was a Linnen Draper in London, bro't up an Episc", about seven years ago became religious, & joyned Rev'' Dr. Gifford's Baptist Chh. in London. Failing in Trade, came to America, commenced Preacher, & had a call by a Eapt. chh. at Gorhamtowu in Mass.^ consist^ of about 24 Memb. male & fem. constituted by Rev. Mr. Smith' of Haverhill, & till this a Branch of Mr. Smith's chh. This chh. requested Mr. Smith to ordain Mr. Dawson, but he declined : and then the chh. by lay Brethren ordained him by Lay- ing on of hands. Before this he had preached at Haverhil for Mr, Smith, but not since. And Feb'-' last he made a Tour to the west- ward about 40 miles beyond Philad'' — but has not been acknowl- edged as a minister by Mr. Edwards of Philad^, Mr. Gano of N. York, Mr. Thurston of Newport, Mr. Stilman of Boston, &c. or indeed by any Baptist ministers. He however preached, he tells me, in the presb. meetingh. at New Haven, tho' not asked by the pastor, — and in the presb. meetingh. at New London ; — at Mr. Snow's meet*^' in Providence. I recollect that they told me last month that an illiterate Bapt. preacher wearing a Band offer*'' to preach at New Haven lately, when they were assembling at the Courthouse one of the p'ple proposed to go to Mr. Whittelseys meetgh. which they accord^ly did in night, but such disturb- ances arose that the preacher broke off in sermon & the whole con- greg' broke up in Confusion. As to N. London he told me Mr. Hart of Preston had changed with Mr. Woodb.' the candidate, &c., on Ldsday, and Mr. Hart a.sked Mr. Dawson to preach. Mr. The'. Green Merch^ set him to preaching in this place. He says ' The reference is luuloubtedly to Uoniine John Mauritius Goetschius, who was settled from 1760 to 1771 at New Paltz, near Esopus or Kingston, N. Y. He was orij^inally a physician. *See Diary, April 18, 1771, and Jan. 12, 1773. *Now Gorhain, Maine. A Baptist church was formed there in June, 1768. •• Hezekiah .Smith (Coll. of N. J. 1758). See Sprague's Antials, vi, 97-103. *I%phraim Woodhridge (Y. C. 1765), ordained at New London, Oct. 11, 1769. JULY 28-AUGUST 10, 1769 19 Mr. Gano wrote over to Dr. Gifford, & received answer that Mr. Dawson was of his chh. 30. Ldsday. Mr. Treat sailed for New York. Rev. Dr. James Dana' of Wallingford preached for me both parts of the da3\ In Forenoon from ; aft. Mat. v, 20. 31. In company with Dr. Dana. Sloop I^iberty burnt.' Violent Hail Storm this afternoon. August. [4. Gov"" Bernard sailed for L,ondon. Vale. I, Dedccus ! /, nostriLin^ 7. Rev. Elder Thurston tells me that Mr. Dawson was suspended from Communion in Dr. Gifford's Baptist chh., London — was refused communion at Mr. Gano's chh., N. York — then procured himself to be received into Mr. Bapt. chh. in Dutchess Co., N. York, but behaved so that he was excommunicated there. After this came to Haverhill & preached in Mr. Smith's Absence —thence to Gorhamt". He has many Hearers in Newport. 8. Mess''*- Scales & Austin" here again. 9. Attended evens'' Lect. Bapt. Mr. Davis^ preached. ID. Mr. Tutor Scales went away. This day one of the Jews shewed me a computation of one of the present Rabbins of Germany : wherein he makes Time, Times, and half, to denote the space from the last Destruct'' of the Temple to its Restor-' & Return of XII Tribes. Time he calls " Seventy Semitots" or 490 years, Times 980, half 245, total 1 715 years, ending he says A.D. 1783, when the Messias is expected. N. B. The Jews are wont in Thunder Storms to set open all their Doors & Windows for the coming of Messias. Last Hail Storm 31 July, when Thunder, Rain & Hail were amaz- ingly violent, the Jews in Newport threw open Doors, Windows, and employed themselves in Singing & repeating Prayers, &c., for Meeting Messias. Attended Mr. Hopk. Even^' Lect. • Harvard Coll. 1753. See Sprague's Annals, i, 565-71. ^See R. I. Colonial Records, vi, 593-96, for an account of " the first overt act of violence offered to the British authorities in America " The vessel was scut- tled in Newport Harbor on July 17, in revenge at her part in detecting viola- tions of the revenue laws ; and was set on fire on the 31st. ^ For Gov. Bernard, see IMentorial Hist, of Boston, iii, 27, 28. •'Stephen Scales (Harv. 1763), tutor at Harvard, 1767-70 ; and Punderson Aus- tin, as above, March 5, etc. ^Rev. John Davis, who had just come from Philadelphia, introduced by the Rev. Dr. Alison. See Diary, Junes, ^772, and Feb. 20, 1773. 20 DIARY OF EZRA STILES II. Providence Gentlemen returned the Astron. Sextant into the Redwood Librar)-. They tell me Providence is in Lat. 41° 50'.' 13. Ldsday. I preached A.M. Ps. 139, 17. P.M. Eph. 111, 7-10. After Meeting I baptized a sick child privately. Anniversary of Destruction of second Temple celebrated at the Synagogue. 14. Copying Rev. Peter Hobart's MS. records. 15. My Babe Sally very sick. 16. 14 Aug^ celebrated at Liberty Tree in Dorchester.' 18. Finished copying Rev. Peter Hobart's MS. 19. Writing Dett. to Dr. Chauncy," &c. 20. Lordsday. Preached A.M. Isai. xxvi, 12. P.M. Col. iii, I, 2, 3, old ser. Read Mr. Cottons Exp. of Ecclesiastes, & Sarson's Tracts. 21. Copying Rev. Jno. Lothrop's MS. Records of the beginning of the chhs. of Scituate and Barnstable.' Examined with Mr Touro' an hebrew Commentary on " the scepter shall not depart from Judah, &c.," but without Satisfaction. . . . 23. Finished reading a second time all the Arabic in Seldeni Opera, v. 3. Fol. 24. Attended Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture. Finished tran- scribing Rev** Mr. Eothrop's MS. 25. Congreg-' voted Mr. Hopkins ^70. ster. Salary, Wood & house." ' The correct latitude is 41° 49' 22''. -The anniversary of the date in 1765 of the uprising in Boston against the Stamp Act. * Rev. Dr. Charles Chauncy (Harvard 1721), pastor of the First Church, Bos- ton, born 1705, died 17S7. Dr. Stiles was an intimate correspondent. * Dr. Stiles had obtained this MS. during his recent journey into Connecticut, from Rev. Elijah Lathrop (V. C. 1749), of Gilead, in Hebron. The copy is pre- ser\-ed among the Stiles papers; it has been printed in vols. 9, 10, of the N. E. Hist, and Genealogical Register. * Isaac Touro, the priest of the Newport Hebrews from about 1760 until the war of the Revolution. He died in Jamaica in December, 1783, at the age of 46. His sons were benefactors of Newport and of its synagogue. See Mason's Reminiscences of Newport, 61-64, and R. /. Historical Magazine, vi, 100. «.\s illustrative of Dr. vStiles's feelings towards Mr. Hopkins at this time the following draft of a letter to the Rev. Noah Welles, of Stamford, Conn., may be (juoted : Aug. 26, 1769. The Rev' .Mr. H<>])kiiis has a Call from the Chh. late the pastoral care of the Rev**- Mr. Vinall. His peculiarities give some uneasiness ; & there is far from AUGUST II-SEPTEMBER 4, 1 769 21 28. This day I translated into English Eutichii On'gines Ecclesia Alexandfince from the original Arabic. 29. Copied the Arabic of Hutychius. 30. This morning at II''. 45' I got up and saw the Comet/ south of Pleiades & a little S.W. of Aldebaran in Taurus, and a tail ten Degrees long, whitish. At night watched for the Comet. But at XI'' at night the Heavens covered with cloud. Sept. 1. Good Obs. Comet at P 30' Mane, I^ongit. 6°, lyat. 13° 30' Aust. Wife seized with a Fit. Preached my sac""' Lect. Ps. 1, 5. 2. At IIP>^ mane Comet II 10°. I^at. 15° Austral. 3. Lordsday. Preached A.M. from 2 Cor. v, 15 & administered the Lords Supper to above fifty Communicants. Preached P.M. from Jno. vi, 66-69. And about five o' Clock P.M., after meeting, I married Billings Coggeshall and L,ydia Hammett at Deacon Cog- geshalls.'' Mr Ellery tells me the Comet rose this morning four minutes after midnight. 4. At II'' mane the Comet was conjojnied with y or Bellatrix in the left shoulder of Orion ... At III" 45' my Daughter Sally died, aged seven weeks & three days. At IV' 15' or 20' I observed the Comet disjoyned from y. . . . This Junction of the Comet with y Orion ascertains its place with the greatest precis- sion, to be in II i6i^° Eongit. & 17° Eat. aust. fr. ecliptic, & 6° N° of Equator. This obs. made at three .separate places in Town, viz., being a unanimity. However as the Chh. is small, he will probably persuade a majority to submit to his baptismal Restrictions. If I find him of a Disposi- tion to live in an honorable Friendship, I shall gladly cultivate it. But he must not expect that I recede from my Sentiments both in Theology and eccle- siastical Polity, more than he from his, in which I presume he is immoveably fixed. We shall certainly differ in some Things. I shall endeavor to my utmost to live with him as a Brother : as I think dishonorable that in almost every populous place on this Continent, where there are two or more Presb. or Cong. Chhs. they should be at greater variance than Prot. & Romanists : witness every city or Town from Georgia to Nova Scot, (except Portsm") where there are more Presb. chhs. than one. The Wound is well nigh heald here — may it not break open again. If Mr. Hopkins Candor is equal to his Sense and Abilities, it is in his power to make both our chhs. happy : else we must be disconnected. ^ A notable comet, first observed in Paris on August 8. ' Billings Coggeshall, born October 17, 1733, son of Deacon Nathaniel Cogges- hall (of Dr. Hopkins's church), by his first wife, Sarah Billings. 2 2 DIARY OF EZRA STILES by Mr Ellery & Mr. Thurston at Ur. EHery's, by Mr. Marchant' at his own house, and myself at my house. Upon comparison in the morning all agreed. 5. This morning at II'' by Mr. Ellery' s & Mr. Marchant's observations compared, the Comet nearl}- in a range with a in right shoulder & w, in Orion. . . . This aft. buried my Daughter Sail}', aet. seven weeks. 7. Catechised 45 Children. Commencemt at Warren.^ ' Henry Marchanl, afterwards an eminent lawyer. See also Diary, July 6, 1771- ' The college later named Brown University. To illustrate Dr. Stiles's relations with this enterprise, a draft of his letter declining a seat in the Cor- poration may be quoted: To the Chancellor, President, Fellows, & Trustees of the College of Rhode Island : Gentlemen, you will please to accept m}- respectful Acknowlegenients for the Honor you have done me in electing me one of the Fellows of the College. I was too sincere a Friend to Literature not to have taken part in the Institu- tion at first upon my nomination in the Charter had I not been prevented by Reasons, which a subsequent immediate Election could not remove. Which Reasons are still of so much Weight with me, that I beg leave to decline the office to which you have invited me. I am unworthy the repeated Deputa- tions, the Politeness & Respect with which 3'ou have condescended to treat me on this occasion. I heartily wish success to the College, & make no doubt but in time it will become an Honor to this Colon}- & to America. I hope. Gentle- men, 30U will lie animated & vigorously engaged in the Enterprize, in a Trans- action which I am sure, will honor you to posterit}-. With the greatest Pleasure & Alacrity I could have joyned with you in so noble a Work, but that I am obstructed by Reasons, which, however they may justlj- influence Con- gregationalists in general, ought not now to have any Weight with you as a Body ; and which shall not jirevent me from being ready to assist as effectually as if in the Corporation, nor from participating your Joy in the Figure & Pros- perity of this future Seat of Wisdom & Learning. . . . Newport, 3. Sept. 1766. In further illustration of Dr. Stiles's attitude is an extract from a draft of a letter of his to the Rev. J.J. Zubly, dated August 26, 1768 :— We had lately a catholic plan for a College in Rhode Island, but it turned out Supremacy & Monopoly in the hands of the Baptists, whose Influence in our Assembly was such that they obtained a most ample Charter to their purpose. They inserted my Name, but I take no part in the Institution — not you may be sure, because I am unfriendly to literature, but for other Reasons. However I heartily wish the College prosperity, as it is the only IMeans of introducing Learning among our protestant Brethren the Baptists, I mean among their Ministers. . SEPTEMBER 5-12, 1769 23 8. Violent N.R. storm at night. 10. Ldsday. I preached A.M. Isai. xxx, iS. P.M. Titus ii, 12. 11. Rev. Mr. Edwards Bapt. Minister in Philad'' last year soUic- ited in Eng. & Irel'' Benefact. for Rh. Isl. College : was at War- ren at Commencem^ last week, where he took final lycave of his Friends, telling them he had for sundr}' 3^ears had a persuasion that he should dj^e in 1770. This I was told of last evening. This day set out in company with Mr. Campbell & Mr. Ellis for Association. 12. At Association of the Congregational Pastors of the Colony of Rhode Isl'd, at Mr. Parks in Westerly ; assembled, Rev. Mess'^ Campbell, Torry, Park, Ellis' and myself. The IMS. correspondence of Dr. Stiles shows that as earh- as 1761 he was endeavoring to bring about the foundation of a College in Rhode Island. A copy of the Providence Gazette for April 28, 1764, which contains the charter for Brown University, is in the Yale Library ; a note is attached as follows, signed b}^ Dr. Stiles : — This charter draughted by Mr. William Ellery, Jun''. and myself before the Baptists deserted the Congregationalists. In an interleaved Almanac for 1763, belonging to Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells of Boston, is this entry, in Dr. Stiles's baud : Sept. 20. The Baptists desert their Junction with the Congregationalists, and engross all the Power in the proposed Rh. Isl. College to themselves, after they had agreed to share the Ballances with us. ^ These four were all Harvard graduates : — Othniel Campbell (1728), of Tiv- erton ; Joseph Torrey (1728), of South Kingston ; Joseph Park (1724), of West- erly ; and Jonathan Ellis {1737), of Little Compton. The records of the Old South Church in Boston (v. Hill's Hist., i, 466, 476, &c.) show that Mr. Torrey received contributions from that church, as a home missionary, also, Mr. Campbell. See, also, for Mr. Torrey, Collections of the Conn. Historical vSociety, v, 170. The Rev. David [Sherman] Rowland, of Providence (Yale Coll. 1743), was a member of the Association, but not present. A letter of his, in Dr. Stiles's unbound correspondence, refers to this meeting, as follows : — Providence, Aug. 31, 1769. Friend and D'^ S'. Last evening I received a message from B'' Ellis, acquainting me that our Association was to be at Mr. Parks's next week, and that he would be glad to meet me at Tower Hill munday about noon. I had never heard when, or where, we were to meet next, till last Evening ; previous to which I had appointed to Set out on Munday for Fairfield. — Am sorry to miss another meet- ing of my Brethren, but don't see at present how I can well help it; unless I should conclude to take my journey by the sea Side, which I am not very fond of, on account of the Ferries : But if I should conclude to goe that Way, I can't possibly tarry longer than to enquire after their welfare : Nor could I with any 24 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 13. Rev. Mr. Campbell preached the lecture. 14. Returned to Newport. Yesterday morning I observed the Comet's Tail ninetj^ degrees in length. 17. Ldsda}- A. M. Rev'' Morgan Edwards', a Baptist Minister from Philadelphia, preached for me from Jn ' iii, 7, and P. M. Mr. Davis of Pensj-r', a Baptist candidate, preached for me from Mat. v. 26. 18. Yesterday in conversation with Mr. Edwards I told him I understood that he had a Presentiment of his own Death next year. He intimated, it was true he had ; but seemed rather to avoid dis- coursing on it — adding that he designed to publish it to the world the beginning of the j^ear, when he purposed to print all his Expec- tation, <& send it his Friends as a new year's Gift, promising to send me one. He is solid, grave, learned Divine, tho'tful, pene- trating, cool & judicious, without Enthusiasm. He is now in firm Health (except an incidental cold) robust & hearty ; & aet 48, as he tells me. 19. Finished translating the Book of Isaiah. I have read the Hebrew Bible thus far in course. Employed in calculations for investigating the Trajectory of the Comet. 20. Began Jeremiah. Comet. 22. On Comet's Trajectory. 22. This Day President Manning told me that Mr. Edwards of Philad-' told him at Commencm* here, that his Expectation of dying next year had been of about Ten years' standing. He was rather averse to conversing about it. But upon Mr. Manning's urging, he sd. had it not by Revelation, nor Dream. But one day as he was calmly sitting in meditation, the Notion or Tho't instantly rushed into his comfort be at Towerhill by uoon, for I Suppose it to be 30 or 35 uiiles from hence. — I am no racer— you will be kinde enough to excuse me to the Gent, with my sincere and hearty regards — I am In hast Sir, your Sincere friend & Humble ser' D. Rowland. Sept' 1st P. S. I have within a few moments received a Letter from a Com" at N. York formed with a design to prevent an American Episcopate If it be possible ; the design you no doubt are acquainted with. This has pretty fully determined me to take my journey by the Seaside, that I may have an opportunity of a little conversation ujkju the affair — D. R To Dr. E. Stiles Bishop in N. P. ' See Sprague's Annals, vi, S2-85; he died in 1795. SEPTEMBKR 13-OCTOBER 3, 1769 25 Mind with distinct and vivid clearness, in a singnlar manner, he knew not how, but giving him a fixt indubitable Persuasion of the future fact, the year when he should die, viz., 1770 and the very- day of the year. He had endeavored to banish it out of his mind as a chimerical Notion, but it has ever since abode fixt & firm & indubitable, remaining still & always indubitable whenever he tho't of it. He was not fond of divulging it : but had mentioned it to a friend or two in England before he came to settle at Philad^, which was 7 or eight years ago, who communicated it as an Anec- dote to Philad''. & so the Notion (as Mr. Edwards calls it) got abroad. Mr. Edwards constantly refers his Inquirers to an ace", he intends to print next New Year's day. He told Mr. Manning the Text he intended to preach from on New Year's day, and the plan of his Discourse which was to contain this narrative. Previous to preaching it he intended to print the sermon (to be a secret between him and the printer as to the contents) & have it ready to deliver & send to his friends a New Year's Gift. He declined telling Mr. Manning the day he should die : which sd. he had imparted to none. Mr. Edwards' wife died 16 iVugust last. He told Mr. Manning, that soon after their marriage she had a persuasion that she should have six children, and dye in child-bed of her seventh child unde- livered, which proved Fact. She had often told this Expectation, and particularly to the women present at her Delivery of her sixth child, who remarked and spake of it at her Death. 24. Ldsday. Preached A. M. Rom. xi, 20, 21. P. M. Prov. X, 9. 26. Comets trajectory. Read Hart's answer to Whitaker. ' Oct. 1. Edsday. I preached A. M. Ps. cxix, 9. P. M. Eccl. xii, 13. Read President Oakes' excellent artillery Sermon, 1677. This aft. all my family went to Meeting, viz., my Wife, seven Children, a Maid, & my Negro Man : — shutting up the house. 2. New Year's da}^ at the Synagogue. 3. Began reading the Arabic in the second Volume of Selden's Works, folio. ' A pamphlet by the Rev. WilHam Hart, of Saybrook, Conn., pubHshed in 1769. 26 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 4. Rev^^- Mr. Brown of Killingly & Mr. Tutor How of Yale Coll. came.' 5. Lent Mr. Tutor How, Origines Kcclesise Alexandrinse by Eutycliius, Patriarch of that Chh. in the Tenth Century ; — which I had copied in the Arabic Letter ; — with the English Translation which I made from the Original Arabic. This Evening visited by a young Man— Hamilton, set. 20, born a mile from Providence, but bro't up in Coventry ; can read the Bible, but scarce knows the nine figures, can't set down any sum in figures, yet has a surprizing Talent at Addition & Multiplication of large numbers. I asked him with my Watch in my hand, how many Minutes there were in Ten Million years ? then in an hundred Million j^ears ? he told me both in less than one minute b}^ m}^ Watch. I gave him an Idea of the solar System — led him to conceive every fixt Star as Suns & centers of revolving Systems of Worlds. I told him to imagine all these hosts of Worlds filled with innumerable Millions of Inhabit- ants, and by considering our Earth, a Ball of 8 Thousand miles Diameter as having five at least, perhaps 7 or Eight hundred Mil- lions p'ple upon it, led him to estimate the number of Inhabitants in Sat., Jup., &c, our solar system of 6 primary planets & above fifty comets all cqualh' inhabited. From the collected N"- in our system, I led him to expand his Ideas of Numbers, by transferring himself to the innumerable Systems that fill the Realms of Immen- sity. He imbibed all with the greatest Avidity & Amazment, It being an api^lication of numbers of which he had no Idea before. 6. On the Trajectory of the comet. At night read Rev. Moses Mather's tract on the Qualifications for Bapt. & Lds vSupper. 7. Ld.sdy. Preached A. M. Ezek. xxxiii, 10, 11. P. M. i Cor. i, 18. Read Sermons at Gen. Fast in Ma.ssach. Apr 9, 1769 by Mr. Amos Adams, Pastor of the first chh. in Roxbury. In evening read in Theodorits Ecc. Hist, of third & fourth century. II. vSet out on Journey to Attleborough. 'Rev. Aaron Brown (Y. C. 1749), pastor of North Killingly, now East Put- nam, Conn.; his wife was the widow of his predecessor. Rev. Perley Howe (Harv. 1 731), and mother of Joseph Howe (Y. C. 1765), who had a brief but brilHant career, first as Tutor at Yale (i 769-1 772), and then as pastor of the New South Church, Boston (1773-75. See, also, this Diary, Oct. 21, 1772, and Sept. 15, 1775). OCTOBER 4-29, 1769 27 14. I returned, accompanied with Rev''- Mr. Searl. 15. lydsdy. Rev*'- Moses Tuttle' preached for me all da3\ 16 & 17. Went to Bristol for my Wife. 18. Read the life of Rev''- Henry Grove of the Taunton Academy. 19. Read one of president Chauncys Sermons on Justification. 20. Read Huddleston's I^etters upon Paedobaptism. 22. Ldsdy. A.M. Rev"^- Jn"- vSearl of Stoneham, ^tat. 48, preached for me from Gal ii, 17, 18, an excellent Sermon. Rev^' Moses Tuttle, P.M. from Rom. v, 10. Read further in Chauncy's Sermons on Justification. This day I have been fourteen years ordained Pastor of this chh. O Jesus ! how weighty a Trust? & how poorly executed ? Perhaps two hundred have died from under my ministry : how manj^ of them are perished thro' my unfaithful- ness ? how few have I assisted in ascending to Glory ? Oh the Blood of Souls ! may I be quickened to greater Fidelity in the Lds. Work, and resolve more and more thro' Grace to press home Evan- gelical Truths, warning every one, & testifying to all, Repent- ance towards Gd & Faith, &c., reprehending with all Authority, not shunning to declare the whole Truth. 25. Kvening Lecture on the Hill, I heard Rev''- Mr. McWhor- ter^ of Newark preach, — by Grace are 3'e saved, &c. Ephes. Mr. Zubly, Jun''-' of Georgia, here. 26. B"' Isaac Stiles' of North Haven came to see me. This Evening at VII'' I saw the Comet reappearing. It was about half an hour high & one pt. S. of West. It was in or near the left Fist of Serpentarius. 28. Mr Hopkins tells me, he saw the Comet last Monday Even- ing about ten miles out of Providence, as he was coming from Boston. 29. L,dsdy. I preached A. M. Rom. xv, 5, 6. P. M. Jn'^ vii, 37- ^Y. C. 1745 ; a classmate of Rev. John Searl, and in the class next before that of Dr. Stiles. " Alexander McWhorter (Coll. of N.J. 1757); see Diary, Dec. 23, 1779. Mr. McWhorter and his wife were at this time on their way to or from a visit in Boston. (Cf. Hill's Hist, of the Old South Church, ii, 124.) ^Son of the Rev. J. J. Zubly, a frequent correspondent of Dr. Stiles, for whom see Diarj-, May 16, 1772. -* Born Sept. 25, 1729; died March 13, 17S3. A half-brother of the writer of the Diarj\ 28 DIARY OF EZRA STILES November. 5. Ldsdy. I preached A. M. Gal. i, 4, & adm. L,ds Supper to above 40 Commun.;' P. M. 2 Cor. 7, 9. 8. prepare for Transit Mercury — 9. Obs. Transit of Mercurj' in m}^ Yard. Ext. contact, II, 52, 18, Int. contact, II, 53. 54, app. Time by clock, seen by Mr. Thurston. 12. Ldsdy. I preached James i, 12. P. M. i Cor. xv, 57. Read one of President Chauncj^'s excellent Sermons upon Justifica- tion, in which he consid. Satisfaction. 16. Public Thanksgiving. I preached Ps. Ixxxix, i ; attended Mr. Hopkins Evening Lecture. 19. Ldsdy. Preached A.M. i Cor. iii, 11-15. P.M. 2 Thess. i, 11, 12. Read four Sermons of President Chauncy — and some in Irenaeus. 21. Read Hermippus. 22. Einished Jeremiah in Heb. Bible. Began P^zekiel. Sermon. Ldsdy. I preached A.M. Ps. cxix, 114 — P.M. Prov. iv, 25- 26. 18. ' On a loose scrap of paper is preserv-ed the following nicants present Nov. 5, 1769." 'M" Stiles Miss Ann Clianning Mrs. More Mrs. Frost Mrs. Chesebro \\ro. Treby, of Providence Mrs. Stevens Mrs. Carr Mrs. Channing Mrs. Merriss Mrs. Rolong [=Roland?] Mrs. Many Mrs. Spinney Miss Bissell Miss Gary do. do. Mrs. Campbell Mrs. Trevitt Mrs. Burt Mrs. Peck Mrs. Sayer, jun. Mrs. Potter Mrs. Godfrey W"- S3'lvester Betty do. W"- Topham Miss Hannah Pitman Nurse Town send W" Way list, headed " Conimu- Mr Coit Mr. Chesebro Capt. Hammond Mr. Stevens Major Otis Mr. P. Cary Mr. Jno. do. Mr. Merriss Mr. Davenport Br. Primus Mr. Dennis Mr. IMany E. Stiles Mr. I'itm.'in Mr. Hersey W" Baker \V Trebv ABSENT. W" Searing W°Bennet W"- Peckham Mrs. Saver 'Sirs. Luther Mrs. Otis Mrs. Brown It is uncertain in which list the four following names are intended to stand Deacon Sayer, Tho. Brown, Job Caswell, Caesar. NOVEMBER 5-DECEMRER 25, 1 769 29 December. 2. Sermons. 3. Ldsday. I preached A.M. Acts xiii, 38-41. P.M. Rom. viii, I, «& baptized an adult, Moll)-, the wife of Tho. Weedon,' & with a silential Vote of the Brethren, admitted her into full Communion with the Church. Read Simplicii Comment'', in Caput 38 Enchirid. Epicteti. 4. Chh. Meeting for choice of Deacons, adjourned to Apr. 7. Magazines. 9. Sermon. Read Rev Jn° Norris excellent Visitation Sermon from Jn". 21, 15. preached July 30, 1689. 10. lydsday. A.M. I preached Rom. xv, 13. P.M. 2 Pet. i, 10,11, Baptized two children'^ one ten the other 7 or 8 years old, on Ace", of their mother, giving them a public charge at the same time. Read three Chapters in Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible this day, which is my Birth day, being now by the patience of a merci- ful G^' fourty-two j^ears old.' 11. Reading in Reviews, Mr. Dow's History of Hindostan. . . 13. Rev"*. Mr. Rowland visited me. 15. Examining with Mr. Rowland the Passage in Irenaeus respecting Infant Baptism, denied by Dr. Gill of lyondon. 17. Rev. David Shearman Rowland,^ of Providence, preached for me in the Forenoon, & I preached on the Hill from Mat. vi. 19-21. I preached at home P. M. from Eph. ii, 19-22. 19. Mr Rowl'' went away. 21. Digesting Materials for Ecc. Hist. 23. Last Night (tho' I seldom dream) I had two : in one I was at Commence at Harv. Coll. & saw Presid* Holyoke, &c. — : in the other, I had my Chh. around me in a private House, discourse with them on the Love of Jesus, & on the Exercises of the divine Life, earnestly psuad^ them to great heavenly mindedness & Holiness. 24. Ldsday. I preached A. M. Ps. 139, 23, 24. P. M. Jn" i, 50. 25. Christmas. Went to the Moravian Meeting A. M. & P. M. & heard Rev. Mr. Rusmeyer' preach. ' Son of Samuel and Ruth (Everson) Weeden. ^ These were Samuel and Ruth, children of Mrs. Weeden (see above, Dec. 3). ^Dr. Stiles was born on November 29, 1727, Old Style; but observed his birthday on the corresponding date by New Style. *See above, Sept. 12. ^ Rev. Albertus Ludolphus Rusmeyer, pastor of the Moravian Society in Newport from 1766 to 1783; see, also, Diary, Feb. 21, 1772. That Society was formed in 1758. 30 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 26. Wrote copj- Letter to Mr Channing,' a young gent, edu- cated under my Ministry, now lately removed to settle in Chariest"., S" Carolina. Mr. Xic. P. Tillinghast two days ago returned from Philad"^, He was there told that Rev. Morgan Edwards had let out or quitted his Dwelling house the ninth day of March next, expect- ing to die before that time. Dr. Eyres" this day tells me that five years ago Mr Edw*^* told some friends in Rh. Isld, that if he should live to New Years day 1770 he shd. preach on that Text — this year thou shalt dye. 27. Writing Letters to London — to D''. Franklin & Mr. Alex"" Dow, author of History of Hindostan.' This day heard that Rev. Sam' Lock,' of Sherburn, was elected Prses. Coll. Harv. 29. This Aft. fell in Comp\ with Mr. Nic" P. Tillinghast, who came from Philad"" abo't a fortnight ago. When there he dined with Rev. Morgan Edwards, but he said noth" of his Death. Mr. Sullyvan lives in the house with Mr. Edw"" & he told Mr. Tilling- hast that in way of Banter he had offered to rent Mr. Edwards house after the 9th or Eleventh of March next. Mr. TilP understood that this was the Day fixt for Mr. Edw''* death. 31. Ldsday. Preached A. M. Gal ii, 21. P. M. Eccles. xi, 7, 8. Finis Anni. 1770 Janry. 1. Ezra finished Eutropius & began Corn. Nepos. 2. Col. Godfry Malbone of Newport owns about one quarter of the Land in the small parish of Brookline in Connecticutt. For some years he voluntarilj' consented to pay a part of the ministe- rial Tax, as making a parish & settling a minister there has given perhaps a fourfold \'alue to his Land. I am informed that lately the parish voted to build a new Meetinghouse. His Lands as he is an Episcopalian are exempted by Law of that Colony. Per- ' John Channing, Jr., uncle of the Rev. Dr. W. K. Channing. The draft of tliis letter i.s in Dr. Stilcs's MS. Letter Book, Vol. iv (quarto, bound), pp. 421-30 ; it is devoted to religious counsel. •Thomas Eyres (Y. C. 1754), of Newport, •born Aug. 2, 1735. .\ draft of this interesting letter is preserved among the Stiles papers, and an abstract is given in Holmes's Life of Stiles, pp. 135-36. *St-e Diary, June 24 and Dec. 20, 1773, ^"fl May 24, 1779. DECEMBER 26, 1769-JANUARY 5, 1770 31 haps he felt himself under some Obligations of honor to contribute a part. I hear to-day that he had engaged to erect an episcopal chh there — prevailed upon 25 Families, as is said, to declare for the chh — & lately procured a Subscription here of three hundred Dollars in the Fryday Night Club, towards building a chh — & sent home to the Bp of London by Collector Harrison,' to get the Society to erect a Mission. Col. Malbone is a Gentleman of Politeness & great Honor, was educated at Oxford, and dispised all Religion. But now is become a zealous Advocate for the Church of England." 3. D' Eyres visited me this Morn'^' to discourse about the place of the Baptist College. He tells me that Providence has sub- scribed ;i^3090. Iv. M. of which about ;;!^2 200 truely is conditional that the College Edifice be erected there : but of the Eight hun- ered pounds they had before subscribed unconditional, they had the subscript, papers for ^300 in their own hands & refused to deliver them — holding in this manner about ^2500 conditional. D"' Eyres said that the Newport subscription was about Nine Thous'd Dollars, but said they did not choose to mention the Am" exactly, nor how much conditionally. The Case is this. M"" Redwood & some others have said they would give largely, in Case it was here, but that Providence by Artifice and Stratagem would in Event get it there ; & yet would not subscribe ; but will un- doubtedly give liberally. So there is a real uncertainty. They are endeavoring to get a Meet^ of the Corporation, but Provid. oppose it. jSP Manning the president is for Providence.' 5. My Sacramental Lecture preached by Rev'^ M' Hopkins — Cant. V, 16, this is my beloved & this is my friend. Read this day in Justin Martj^r, especially the passage respecting the Millen- ' Probably Joseph Harrison, Collector of the Customs at Boston since 1766, is meant. He had previously been a merchant in Newport ; and in connection with him in business was his brother Peter, the distinguished architect, who was Collector at New Haven from 176S to his death on April 30, 1775. -Cf. Larned's Hist, of Windham Co., ii, 6-15, for a full account of this affair. Colonel Malbone's church was opened on April 12, 1771. (See this Diary, March 8, 1771.) He was the eldest son of Godfrey Malbone (from Princess Anne County, Va.), and was matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford, in 1742; died on Nov. 12, 1785, aged 60. ^Cf. Guild's 3'Ianning & Brown University, pp. 108-14. Dr. Eyres was one of the Fellows, and Secretary of the Corporation. The decisive vote to go to Providence was passed on February 7. 32 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES mum. I lately read a letter of Rev'' David Imrie of Anandale in Scotland, dated Apr. 25. 1754, printed 1755. He supposes the Return .S: Conversion of the Jews, the Destruction of Antichrist, & beginning of Millennium,— will all be accompli.shed within /o?irij' vears fr. 1754 or by A D 1794 Mr. Hopkins tells me that M' Imrie has written a piece to prove the Indians of America to be the Ten Tribes, & sent it over in MS to be communicated to the Indian Missionaries, but not to be printed. 7. Ldsday AM. I preached Gal. ii. 20. admitted two Members into the chli & administered the Lords Supper. P.M. Mat. xviii, 10, baptized four Children, & propounded four persons to be received into the Church. 9. Read this Foren. in Seldeni Opera. This Afternoon Hon. Alex'' Grant Esq returned here to his Famil)' after four 3'ears' Absence, at London & Jamaica.' 10. Yesterda}' finished Ezeki el : to-day began Hosea. 12. Went to the Synagogue this Evening and heard a Son of M' Moses Lopez deceased, ^t. 13, read the Evening Service, M"" Tauro the Chuzan present. It is the Custom in the foreign Synagogues to initiate Boys ^Et. 13, thus to read publicklj'. This is the first Instance in the Sjniagogue at Newport. 13. Went to the vSynagogue A.M. Read in Dupin's Ecc. Hist. V. 1. 14. Ldsdy. I preached A M. Rom. viii, 37. P M. Ps. xxvii, 8. 15. Read in Euseb. Ecc. Hist — & Justin Mart5'r & Ditton on Resurrection. Also this da}' received a Sermon of Rev. Morgan Edwards of Philad" preached there the first Instant from Jer. xxviii, 16 — This year thou shall Dye. It was printed at Philad^ & sent by the Author to M"" Thurston the latter End of Dec. with orders not to communicate it till New Years daj'. Reprinted at Newport & published here this day. It is short, consist^ of but Eleven pages in duodecimo. He mentions a few Instances of pre- monition of Death, viz., Hananiah, Hczckiah, Saul, Dives: — Justin Martyr, Cyprian ; Hale, Usher, Jewel, Tyro, Peden. Then he mentions or alludes to his Wife's Impression " that she should die with her eighth Child, & in her eighth pregnancy she died, Aug. 6, 1769." And subjoins, " I myself know a Man, who on the ' Son of Sir Alexander Grant, of Scotland ; born 1733, and married, Oct. 20, 1760, Abigail, daughter of David & Abigail (Rogers) Cliesebrough, of Newport, born 1734. Sec also Diary, ISIay 29, 1770. JANUARY 7-18, 1770 33 ' Ninth day of March in the year 1755 was seized with a Persiia- ' sion, that at the End of full Fifteen years , from that Time, he should ' be dead. The Impression was sudden & strong, so strong as not ' to leave a doubt respecting the Issue, & has continued the same ' to this day. About four years after he told a friend of it ; that ' friend endeavouring to rally him out of the notion, made the ' thing known abroad, which was presently spoken of in various ' Ways. But the above is the state of the Case. Whether a Pre- ' monition or a Deception, time will show &that Time is at hand ; ' If the first the Thing will claim no praise because involuntary ; ' if the last, others have been deceived the same way without ' Blame, & that for the same Reason." p. 8. Again speak*-' of his own Congreg", he says, "this Congregation consists now of an ' hundred & fourty Nine Communicants, and as man}^ Hearers ' besides as will augment the Number to about Four hundred. ' If we suppose five in 100 will die, &c, a score will never see ' another New year's day " — But at least " it is certain, morally ' certain some one of us z<.nll die this year" ' ' there stands ' among 3^ou one who firmly believes that he is the Man. ' ' Extracted from the sermon this Aft.' I have for several years purposed to set up a monthly Meeting of my Chh. b}^ themselves, to pray & .sing together and to adapt a Discourse to Believers advancing & improving in the religious Life. My Congreg". consists of five hundred & fifty Souls Whites & seventy Blacks, Men Wom. & Children.' But of these about fifty or 55 are Communicants. L,ast Ldsdaj^ I proposed it ; and this Evening about twenty of the Brethren & Sisters met at my house for a religious Exercise & Conference which was carried on in this Manner. We begun with singing Watts Psalms standing ; then I prayed & sat down ; I then took the Bible & read i Cor. xiii, 13. & discoursed sitting ; then prayed ; then we had some Discourse & appointed nexi Meet^ at Brother Rob. Stevens, 2^ Wednesday Even^ next Month ; then sung standing, & dismissed with a Blessing. 17. Vaticin. K. T. 10 vel 15 ann. omnes uno die morit. 18. This day I persuaded three persons to profess the Faith. I am next L,dsday to propound them for Baptism & Admission to the Eds Table. I had Satisfac^lion in discoursing with them on the ' See above, Sept. 17-18, 1769. - See Diary, Jau. i, 177 1. 34 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES Doctrines of Grace and experimental Religion ; & have Reason to hope that as their Lives are unblemished, so they are also in heart Lovers of the Blessed Jesus. They have several years attended my Meeting, but two were originally Quakers & one a Baptist : but all now fully satisfied, that Water Baptism & the Lords Supper are Christ's Institutions, that Infants ought to be baptized, and that the Quantity of water is immaterial ; one of them will have two Children baptized.' 21. Ldsday I preached A.M. & P.M. from Ephes. iv, 30, & pro- pounded three more for full Commun in the Chh. Read Marshall's Sermon on Justification ; also examined Christ's Sermon on the Mount in Matthew & Luke to see whether its Address was confined to the XII, or extended to the whole promiscuous Multitude? There is an extend'^' Clause especially in Luke, address^ it to the Multitude, & even to the unregenerate of such Obdurac}' as to die in Impenitence & be rejected at last. However a consid. part must have been delivered with primary Reference to the Apostles only. 22. Read-' M'' Hopkins Answer to M' Mills.' 28. Lordsday — I preached A.M. — from Jn". viii, 46. P. M. from Ps. XXV, 10, & after Sermon admitted two Sisters^ into full Communion with the Chh.: &hada Collection made for a poor man at Prudence* having a Wife & Eleven Children, of whom the Wife and vSeven Children were blind, I think the Children were born blind ; the Contribution was ^230. 29. Young Men's rel. Meet^ at my house. 30. This Day if observed at all, ought to be celebrated as an anniv-' Thanksgiving for or Memorial, that one Nation on Earth had so much fortitude & public Justice, as to make a Royal Tyrant bow to the Sovereigntj- of the People, institute a judicial Trial of a Monarch, Resentence him to the Punishm'^ & Execution which he merited ; by dissolving his Pari'. 12 years, deforcing Loans on the * These persons (admitted to the church ou Februar\^ 4) were : Hannah (Smith), wife of Ebenezer Davenport, Jr.; Rebecca Phetteplace ; and EHzabeth (Smith), wife of John Stevens. * The True State and Character of the Unregenerate. A Reply to ^Ir. Jedediah Mills's Infjuiry concerning the vState of the Unregenerate under the Gospel. Hy the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport. Published in 1769. "Widow Mary Childs, and Hannah, wife of Captain Thomas Cliilds. * A small island north of Newport. The man was named Thomas Allen, and the contribution was equivalent to 6|^ guineas sterling. JANUARY 2 1 -FEBRUARY 4, 177O 35 subject by rigorous flues & arbitrary luiprisonments, bj'- burying D"" Laytou iu a Dungeon for 12 years for boldly telling the truth, for those proclam"' & Juliets by which Pyni, Bastwick Mothers suffered most barbarous Cruelties, & for exalting and sustain ing that Scourge of Justice, Religion & Humanity, ABp. Laud, for arbitrarily vacating the New Engl'' Charter in 1635 within 7 or 8 j^ears after he had granted it, & for establishing under ABp. Laud a Commission to rule the Colonies by subjecting to Episcopal & military Govennnent, with Authority of remand''' all offenders from hence to be tried in England at the pleasure of those who could with good will have bro' on an Extirpation of Puritanism from England and America by Fire & Sword — in a word, K. Charles I. had established Maxims of civil & religious Polity utterly subversive of all the principles of Runemede Liberty & the English Constitution. For if that point can be carried, that an Eng. Monarch can raise a Revenue, dissolve & institute Laws by Edict, and rule without Parliament twelve years, he ma);- banish Parliaments into Desuetude first and bring on an Annihilation, & thus the whole Government will be reduced to the will of the Sovereign — wdiich however the Case in most Empires on Earth, can' be the Case in Engl'' without an Abolition of English Liberty, a Demolition of the Pillars of the English Constitution. That Eng. Monarch which actually does this forfeits his Life to the pple. This was the Case of the despotic deluded Charles. It has been usual here to preach a Sermon on this Day. But M' Bisset' declined & omitted it this Day. This the first Time it has been omitted here. Febry. 2. Writing Letters to D'. Chauncy «S:c. Finished reading D'" Bellamy's Answer to Rev'' M'' Moses Mather on the Qualifications for Baptism & Comunion. 4. Ldsdy A. M. I preached Mark viii, 19, 20. P. M. Ps. cxix, 125 and admitted three Members'' into the Chh., baptizing them as also baptizing two Children. ' Rev. George Bisset, Assistant INIinister of Trinity Church, Newport. He died in St. John, N. Brunswick, March 3, 1788. See Sprague's Annals, v, 80, and Mason's Annals of Trinity Church, Newport, i, 150-52. The minister of the church, the Rev. Marmaduke Browne, was now absent on a visit to England. ' See above, Jan. 18. 36 DIARY OK EZRA STILEvS 5. This Eveuing the young Women of my Congreg^' met at"my house for a religious Exercise. Above Seventy. I prayed with them, & discoursed to them upon Jn" xv, 13, 14, and after they were dismissed, one came to discourse wuth me & desired Baptism and Admission to the Lds Table. This Day I receiv' the supple- ment or third Volume of V' Gov. Hutchinson's Hist, of Massachu- setts.' presented me by the Author. Received news that M"" Wilkes had recovered & received FourThous'^ vSterl^ Damages from L' Halifax, one of the Ministers of State ; & other agreeable Arti- cles of Intelligence, or rather of Expect'^ from Europe. 6. Read the Rev. M'' Mills' Tract on the Tenets of the Rev. Mr. Hopkins & others respecting the use of Means, & the greater real Vileness derived to the unregenerate by the highest Convictions & Illuminations, preceeding Faith. 7. Read in the public prints that Janry. 24th died at Marble- head the Rev"' & venerable John Barnard, A.M., aged above Eighty Eight years, in 55 "" year of his Ministry, having preached ever since Aug. 1701. He \vas born in Boston 1681, educated at Harv. Coll. went to England in , preached for the most emi- nent Loudon Dissent^ Ministers, returned & settled at Marblehead 1 7 16. He was author of printed Works to amount of six or seven Octavo Volumes.^ 8. Reading Gov. Hutchinson's Hist. Mass. V. 3''. At the Synagogue, where upon asking a little Jew Boy the use of the strings at the Corner of the White Surplice worn bj^ all Jews in their Worship : — he said, they kissed the strings three times at the Repetition of the great HtDCi^ or Hear o Israel the L'' our God is one Lord. Quere. Did this originally denote acknowleg* of Trinity in Unity ? 10. I was married Febr3^ 10, 1757. 11. Ldsday. Preached A. M. Ps. xxxii, 2. P. M. James v, 7, 8. Read Lee's Joy of Faith. 12. Society Meeting on the Hill respecting settling Rev. M"" Hop- kins. 13. \'isiting my people. ' Entitle*! A Collection of Original Papers relative to the History of the Col- ony of Massachusetts Bay, Boston, 1769. ' His autobiography is printed in the Collections of the Mass. Historical Soci- ety, 3(1 series, vol. 5, pp. 177-243 ; the original manuscript is among the Stiles Papers. FEBRUARY 5-18, 177O 37 14. This Even^ the Brethren & Sisters of my Chh met at B'" Rob. Stevens, where I discoursed to them from Jn°- xv, 8. 15. Attended M'' Hopkins' Sacramental Lecture upon the Hill this Afternoon. I preached it, i Pet. i, 8. 18. Ldsd}^ Preached A. M. Haggai ii, 7. P. M. Ps. xxvii, 14. This Sabbath Rev. Sam' Hopkins, Pastor Elect, administered the Lords Supper to the first Congreg-^ Chh. here— altho' he was 7iof installed, nor had accepted their Call : na}^ told me that he should leave them in a few weeks. This is a very new & almost unprece- dented Thing in New England. He baptized an Infant in Town last Summer. It was formerly in the last Century a great Doubt in New Engl'' whether a Minister might occasionallj' administer Baptism & the L,ds Supper in any Chh. but his own. From the Begin*^ Ministers changed & preached for one another, but did not baptize, &c., that is, they acted when abroad as preachers not ordained. I believe even the second Generation were passing off before an Instance of a vacant church asking a neighboring pastor to come and baptise or administer the Eds Supper occasionally — and still much longer before Ministers changing with one another occasionally baptised in each others' Congregations. Dr. Increase Mather by going to London & finding the presbyterian part of the Dissenting Interest rather exceed^ the congreg' part as to Numbers & Men of Eminence, contracted a presb. Turn in several Things. This upon his Return gave Disgust, & he found himself obliged to print in his Defence and assert the Brethren's Right in ecclesiasti- cal Councils, & some other popular Tenets. He with his Son made several Efforts to presbyterianize the New Engl'' Chhs., by resolv- ing all under ecclesiastical Judicatories, as in the plan of 1705. He also was a great Advocate for Ministers occasionally administering the ordinance in other Chhs. besides their own. And since 1700 it has graduall}' prevailed, so that it is now frequently done. But when an ordained Minister has been dismissed, it has not been knowm in New Engl'' before A. D. 1763 that such a Minister ever administered the ordinances in a Chh. before he was installed or solemnly invested with the pastoral Charge of a Church. Within ten years past the Long Isl'^ Chhs. , or rather Rev. M' Prime' and other Ministers of Suffolk presb^' have gone into the notion that no man ought to preach n'ithout ordination, & accordingly that presb'' now ordain at first, not waiting till the Candidate has a Call of a ' Ebenezer Prime (Y. C. 1718). 3S DIARY OF EZRA STILES Chh. The presb. Ministers of the Western Si^iods are much in the Notion of the extent & universality and perpetuity of a Minis- ter's official Authority. M' Hopkins has been acquainted that Way and drank in an affection for some of their peculiarities. His Friend D' Whitaker' came to N. Eng?' from the Jersies about 1759 with a contemptuous opinion of our N. Eng. eccles. Polity 6c Chh. Govt., attempted to get a kind of Eldership in the Chh. at Chelsea' under the name of a Chh. Committee ; and when he found the Brethren would not surrender their Jus Sufifragii in admittK to the Lds Table & in all Matters of Discipline ; he endeavored for a threefold partition of Chh. power, himself to have a Negative both on the Chh. Committee & the Chh. This he could not carry & settled as usual — but plainl}' accounting himself under no Oblig'\ tho' solemnl}' installed, to continue there longer than he chose. He deforced himself from them and went to lyOn- dou for solliciting Benefactions for the Indian School at Lebanon. The Chh. would then have dismissed him — he relinquished his Salar}-, promised to ask a Dismission on his Return, but chose to travel in character of a regular settled Minister in America. On his return the most of the Chh. & congreg-' urged his continuance, & to the last they refused to vote his Dismission. At length having a Call to a more eminent Chh. in Salem, he called a Council whose active members were three Ministers & their Messengers who called themselves a Consociation of New London. They arbitraril}'- & authoritatively disrais.sed D'' Whitaker without »& contrary to the Consent of his Chh.^ He went to vSalem & to persist in Singularitj- in opposing New England Superstition, installed him.self, by only reading the votes of the Chh. & Congreg^ & declaring his own Acceptance. This tho perhaps strictly sufficient was not prudent, as he could easily have had a council as usual. M' Hopkins bro't about his Disniission from Barrington contrary to the Desire and Expect' of his Chh. and Congreg-', who thought it impossible for him to be dismissed without their Consent which they resolved not to give. He gained a vote of the Chh. to gratify his Request in submitting or call' in a Council. This Council dismissed him last year. ' Rev. Nalhaniel Whitaker (Harv. 1730). See Sprague's Annals, i, 299. ' A i)arisli incUulcd in the present city of Norwich, Conn. ' A full copy of Ihe result of this Council, June 7 & 21, 1769, is in Dr. Stiles's IMS. I.clicrs, i, 559-62, folio. FEBRUARY I9-MARCH I, 1770 39 19. In the Evening I preached to a Meeting of negroes,' Jn"- xvii, 3. 23. Mr Ellery' came to discourse about the Charter of another College, on the plan of equal Libert}' to Congregationalists, Bap- tists, Episcopalians, Quakers. 24. I am told that Mr. Malcom last week signified his Desires to some of the Brethren of the first Cong. Chh. here to partake with them in the Lord's Supper last Lords day. His motion was declined. He is an officer in the Customs here : lately removed from Boston & settled here, & with his Family attends that Meet- ing. Tho' a Congregationalist, yet not Member in Communion with an}^ Congreg-^ Chh : j^et to qualifj^ for an office had received the Sacrament at an Episcopal Chh., I think in Boston. It is the declared principle of our Churches to receive to occasional Com- munion, any sober Communicants from any protestant Chhs., as Episc", Bapt., &c., if they should desire it. He pleaded this right. But the scruple arose on his Morals, which are exceptionable. 25. Ldsdy. I preached A. & P. M. from Luke xix, 9 : admitted the Wife of Capt. Jos Belcher' to full communion, & baptized her & eight of her Children in the public Congregation. Their old- est son being aet. 18 was not baptised, being old eno' to take the Covenant upon himself. 26. Yesterdaj' Mr. Hopkins baptised Capt. Balch's child.' So now he has executed all parts of the Office of an Elder. March. I. Last Evening I spent in Company with Mr. Tauro the Jew priest or Chuzan here. We discoursed on .sundry things — on the 70 Weeks of Daniel. He said that this had puzzled all the Rab- bins, nor did any understand it — that it was agreed by all that Daniel's whole Book was to continue sealed & unintelligible till the Time of the End. That however they gave forth conjectural tho' unsatisfactory Interpretations : as particul-' of this prophecy that the Messiah or anointed prince here was the Prince of the Armies of Gog «& Magog, n'ho should be cut off. I asked him where ' Another memoranduni states that about 40 were present. - Uiidoubtedh' the Hon. WiUiam EUery (Harvard 1747), afterwards a Sijjner of the Declaration of Independence. ■'Joseph Belcher married Hannah Gladding, Feb. 14, 1750. See Diary, Oct. 10, 1778. ••Timothy, son of Timothy and Sarah (Rogers) Balch. 40 DIARY OF EZRA STILES he found a Text that favoured the Jewish Purgatory? — he replied there was none in the sacred Books that was decisive, but that it was a Doctrine immemorially held and believed among them 2. Examine the Festivals of the Coptic xtians in two Arabic Kalendars in Selden, v, 2. Rev'' Mr. Hopkins preached my Sacra- mental Lecture this afternoon from Jn"- xxi, 16. Simon, lovest thou me ? when 3 members were received.' 3. Read in B" prints ace" of Death of a 3'oung Lad, Christopher Snider, set 11, at Boston 22d ult, the first Victim or Martyr of American Liberty. 4. Ldsdy. I preached A.M. ]\Iat. xii, 49, 50, baptized & admit- ted three Negroes Communicants : and administered Lds. Supper to 54 Commun^^ Hav^ admitted Ten since last Sacrament. P.M. Isai. XXX, 21, & baptized 2 Children Negroes. 5. I am told that Mr. Dawson 3'esterday plunged two at the Point — & that he administered the Lds. Supper in the Evening, continuing Exercise till Ten o'clock at night. Great Indecency & Confusion in the p'ple. present. Sometime ago he forbid 2i\\y but the regenerate to sing or jojm in an}^ parts of public Worship, telling them it was not the Dutj- but a great sin for an unregen- erate Man to pray or use any Means — & asked them, what they attended his preaching for? Say^ Gd. would convert them any where else as well as there : & that none were called to Dut}^ or using Means but the converted. As to the wicked — they were to be only told to believe & repent as the first & only Duty, and this they could not do till seized by Grace. That all means and par- ticuP' prayer was wrong. Perhaps he may have collected twenty Communicants." ' This admission of members on a week-day was unusual ; probably it was to avoid the standing up for admission two days later with " three Negroes." The persons admitted were Ann, widow of John Tojiham, Widow Barl)ut, and the wife of Dr. Stiles himself. * Extract from a letter of Dr. Stiles to the Rev. Chauncey Whittelsey, of New Haven, dated March 6, 1770 : — Mr. Dawson (who preached or did not preach, i. e., desisted in midst of his Discourse in your Meetinghouse) is forming a Baptist Church here in opposi- tion to Baptists & all sects in Town, Imilding it up on the very peculiarities of the new Divinity. He was lately a Bankrupt Merchant in London, came to America & spontaneously commenced preacher. But by strength of these princii^les lie renders himself popular— prevailing on a few Brethren of Laity in Gorhamlown to lay hands & ordain him last year. Here he preaches that MARCH 2-15, 1770 41 9. This day news from Boston, that an Aflfray had happened there between the Inhabitants & the Army, wherein the Soldiery fired & killed three men & wounded others : upon which the Bells all rang & the Town throwai into most alarms confusion.' This day ends the prediction of Mr. Edwards of Pliilad''. 10. This day heard the Troops w^ere removed from the Town of B° to the Castle. This Ev^ went to the Synagogue & heard the Book of Esther read there, it being the Feast of Purim. Under- stand Mr. Hopkins is likely to accept the Call, &c. 11. lydsdy. I preached A.M. Euke ix, 23. P.M. Eph. iv, 7. Admitted one pson" to owm the Covenant. Read in Dr. Cud worth's Intell. System, V. 2, and at length am become satisfied that Judas ^\^ partake of the Lds. Supper with Christ fully. 13. I understand by yesterday's Meeting that the Votes were 32 for Mr. Hopkins & 36 against him. 14. By Post have particulars of the military Massacre at Boston, 5*'' Inst., in which Mr. Gray & three others were killed. 15. This Even^ a relig. meet^ of the Chh. at B^ Otis. I dis- coursed from Heb. xiii, 20, 21. Above fourty members present. This da}^ I was visited by a Jew from Lissa in Poland & had much Conversation with him. it is sinful for the unregenerate to pray at all ; to use the Lord's prayer in par- ticular, for if they said Truth, they would say, not Our Father &c. — Heaven, but Our Father which art in Hell, our Father the Devil : — that Unregenerate are to use no means at all, there are no means appointed for them ; they are worse for attempting to use means, they are more likely or at least as likely to be seized by Grace, not using than using Means ; particularly as to attending his preaching, he asked them what they came there for, he had nothing to say to them, only to tell them they were heirs of Damnation and that would do them no good nor hurt, that it was to no purpose to attempt to attend any Duties whatever and particularly as much in a way of Grace whether absent or at meeting — and much even Abundance of such preaching : — nay further, none but Saints were the subjects of his preaching or Ordination, & forbid at length the promiscuous Congregation to sing with them or pray with them, and only a dozen or so now sing. He preaches the total depravity, Justification by the imputed Righteousness, efficacious Grace in Conversion, the coeternal Divinity of all Persons in the Trinity, the Infinity of the Evil of Sin, &c., &c. : If pos- sible he goes beyond the Address in the new Sermon [anonymous, by the Rev. William Hart] 3-0U sent. So that he does the Thing thoroughly — he makes no pauses or Reservations. Now this at this Time, is a very wonderful Looking- glass ! 'The so-called "Boston Massacre " occurred on Monday evening, March 5. ^Mary, wife of John Fry. 42 DIARY OF EZRA STILES i6. The Jew visited me again to-day. His name is Abraham Levi, cet. 44. ... I shewed liini the Comput''' made by a german Rabbi placing the Appear^' of the Messiah 1783. He smiled, & said they looked for him every day. — I accidentally sneezed, & he prayed instantly. At Sunset he excused himself «S: rose up & went to my East Study Window & prayed by himself : & then returned & sat down again to Discourse. He seems to be a man of Sobriet}^ spake of the Deity with uplifted hands & Eyes & with the most profound Reverence. 17. Mast erected on Liberty Tree this Afternoon.' 18. Edsdy. 1 preached A.M. Eph. iv, 32. P.M. 2 Cor. v, 10; baptized a child' & propounded four persons for Communion. 19. Yesterday the Rev. Sam' Hopkins gave his Answer to the Call of the first Cong. Chli. here, in the negative, alledging for a Reason that the Congreg-' was about equally divided for & against him. The votes last ■Monday 33 and 36. It is the aim of Col" Wanton' & other Chh. Politicians to confuse the Cause oi Libertj^ — Divide & impera. They yesterday hoisted Colours at the Point on the mast of Eibert}^ fired one Canon in the Morning, & two at the Fort in the Evening, at sunset. The Chh, Bell rang in the Even^, but no other. This Monday is the day agreed upon by the Tme Sons of Liby here & at Boston & New York. Accordingly this morning Colours were displayed on the TREE of LIBERTY. The Committee supped in Turn with Henry Marchant Esq'. All the Bells rang. Colors also on mast of Lib-' at Point* & sundry Houses. It is said that some of the Negatives to Mr. Hopkins were overcome with yesterdaj^'s Sermon, & relent. Proposals for reconsider" their Votes & settling him. 20. This Evening the Committee met and desired Mr. Hopk. to stay another Sabb. — to have another Society Meet^ next Fryday, when they expected unanimity in renewing his Call. ' Kept as the anniversary of the King's signing the repeal of the Stamp Act on March 18, 1766. The lot on which the Iviberty Tree (suitably marked) stood, at the head of Thames vStreet, was set apart as a public trust in 1766. ' Sarah, daughter of John & Mary Fry. 3 Joseph Wanton, Jr. (Harvard 1751), Deputy Governor of R. I. in 1764 & 1767, called Colonel in distinction from his father, Jcsepli Wanton, Governor 1770 1775- The father died in Newport in July, 1780, and the son (a refugee) in New York City the next month. *This Liberty Pole at the Point was cut down in September, 1770, because of a house being built on the site. MARCH 16-28, 1770 43 21. Rev'' Othniel Campbel visited me. He told me that when he lived at Plymton' he baptized an adopted child for a Brother of the Chh : that one of the aged Brethren objected, but upon shewing the Opin. of Mess'" Cotton & Willard for it, he was satisfied, & at a Chh. meeting, all agreed, 25. Ldsdy. I preached all day from Rom. vii, 9. 26. This Day A.M. the Brethren of the first Congreg" Chh. met & renewed their Call to Mr. Hopkins and P.M. the congregation met & concurred. Yesterday Mr. Dawson baptized two Women, one of which, Mrs. Spencer, had been baptized by Immersion many years ago — but now again submitted to berebaptizedby Immersion, because she was not converted when it was done before. This Eveng. I read 140 pages in Gerard Brandts Hist. Reforma. in Flan- ders &c. abridged, vol. i. 27. Spent the Forenoon in examiu" the 15 Psalms of Degrees. . . This Evening in Company with Deacon Pabody' of the first Cong. Chh, who is a strong advocate for Mr. Hopkins. He told me there were about thh-ty Men at the Meeting on Mondaj^ only tlirec of which voted against Mr. Hopk., besides which there were some Neu- ters — that some who were before engaged for him did not appear — that some who had come about still did not act tho' present. 28. I perceive the State of the first Chh. not materially altered. On Monday 19th two Men went to Mr. H. & told him they had indeed opposed him, but were now desirous he slid, settle. The few warmly for him were now warmer than ever. Mr. Tanner particu- larly exerted himself and went about giving out, as he told me, that Mr. H. had bowed the hearts of all the p'ple. This was propagated for the week & it was generally said all but two Families were now come about, as they phrased it. By which, they all expected of one another a greater & more general Engagedness than there in fact was. This discouraged those who remained realh' against him from appearing at the Meet^'. Capt. Warner resigned his Committeeship, as was said, consent^' however not yet to leave the Meet*''. The Fact was, no Alteration was made in more than seven men ; three of ' He graduated at Harvard! 1728 ; was pastor of the 2d church, Plj-mpton, Mass., now Carver, from June, 1732, to Aug., 1746 ; and in Tiverton, R.I., Oct., 1746, till his death, Oct., 177S. He received while settled in Tiverton an annual appropriation from the Old South Church, Boston, for over 20 years. (Cf. Hill's Hist, of the Old South, i, 538.) ■^See Diary, Sept. 3, 1771. 44 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS which, Arnold, James, & Landers, became engaged, the other acqui- esced. Capt^ Hammond, More, Balch, three of the principal Mem- bers of the Chh., remained as before, the last neuter, the 2 others signers in opposition. Young Mr. Friers of my Congreg^ went and claimed Right to vote by the pew belonging to the Family. On the whole as there did not appear but about thirty, so these were mainly of the former Number 33 subscribers for him. Hence the state much the same as before ; only so brought about that there don't seem to be but three against, and the rest for him ; whereas in Truth there is more than one-half against, many of the others don't like him, & not above 30 Families or one quarter of the Societ}^ that are sufficiently engaged & desirous of his Settle- ment. Were three quarters as desirous as these, it would be a clear Call. Mrs. Osborn & the Sorority of her Meeting are violently engaged and had great Influence.' They & the 2 Deacons & Two Thirds of Chh. were warmly engaged for Mr. Hopkins.'^ ' Mrs. Sarah Osborn, whose Life by Dr. Hopkins was published in 1799, was the presiding officer of a religious society of women which met weekly. She was also a schoolmistress, & Dr. Stiles's elder children had been taught by her. "^ The subjoined list, taken from Dr. Stiles's papers, represents the composi- tion of the First Church congregation, about ten years before Dr. Hopkins's settlement over it. "DIST OF MR. VINAD'S MEETING." Jno. Alison Abm. All Ailing Ben. Almy Caleb Arnold Wid. Arnold Constant Bailey Jos. Bailey Wid. Bailey Tim" Balch Jno. Banister Jos. Brown Josiah Brown Buckmaster Jos. Burill Burrel Wid. Campbel Chandler Wid. Chase [Date, probably 1760.] Jer. Childs Billings Coggeshal Deacon Coggeshal Henry Coggeshal Nath'- Coggeshal, Jun'' Tho. Coggeshal James Cohoon Jno. Cohoon Wid. Cohoon Capt. Cole Mrs. Collect Isaac Cowdry Mrs. Cranston Jno. Donnerly Draper Family Ben. Dunham Dan' Dunham Jos. Dunham Erving Ewen David P'airbanks Jno. Fairbanks Peter Franklin Wid" Franklin Jno. Ghent Elisha Gibbs Elisha Gibbs, Jun'' Jno. Gibbs Lanson Gibbs William Giles Lewis Ginnedeaux Joseph Gladding Nath' Gladding Gladding, Jun"" Dr. Gray CaleVj Hacker Arnold Hammond Eln" Hammond MARCH 30-ArRIL 5, 1770 45 30. I understand Mr. Hopkins has determined to accept his Call. April. 1. Ldsday. I preached A.M. Ps. xxxii, 2. P.M. Ezek. xxxvi, 25, & baptized two Adults and one Infant, and admitted four per- sons' into full Communion. 2. Yesterday Mr. Hopkins accepted his Call. 3. This Day Mr. Hopkins informed me that Wednesday nth Ins* was appointed for his Instalment ; Sz. that his Church requested me to preach the Sermon at his Instalm'. I agreed to give an answer tomorrow. 4. I informed Mr. H. that I would endeavor to preach his Instalment Sermon. This day died Mr. Jacob Herse}' of my Clih., get 86>^, born Sep. 1683.' 5. Public Fast. I preached A. M. Ps. li, 4. P.M. Job v, 17. Contribution for the poor, ^130. Yesterday by the prints I found that a College was established in New Hampshire on Connecticut River by the Name of Dartmouth College. This is D"" Wheelock's Indian School at Lebanon now converted into a College by a char- Mrs. Hazard Hensliaw John Heth Tho^ Holmes Wid. Hookey Jos. Howland \Vm. James Capt. King Wid. Ladd Wid. Lamb Jno. Landers Jno. Langley David Lindsay Uriah Lyon Mrs. McDaniel Mrs. Malcom Thos. Melvin Thos. Melvin, Jun^ David More Sam' Nichols Osboru M^s. Otis Deacon Peabody Perkins Sam. Pitman Ezra Pope Wid. Potter Mr. Price Raynolds Raynolds Sam' Rhodes Eben. Richardson Ross Jos. Ryder Wid. Sanford & Son Wing Shepard Dan' Smith Jos. Stacy Stanhope Wni. Stevens Jacob Stockman Capt. Stoddard Mrs. Stoneman James Tanner Mrs. Tew Theoph. Topham Wid. Townsend Mrs. Vial James Waiscot Jno. Waitscoat Wid. Waistcoat Jno. Walker Wid. Warren Wid. Weaver Rich'i Whitehous Jn° Wilson Rich'^ Wilson, Sexton Mrs. Wilson Mrs. Wood Sam' Yates ' Elizabeth Jones, Peace Clark, Hannah Preston, & INIary Jones. ^ In an earlier memorandum Dr. Stiles says : Mr. Hersey b. at Chelsea, then part of Boston, Aug' 26, 1684. Bapt. Old N" Boston, own' Cov' there ; moved to N; York 1721— to Newp' 1730. 46 DIARY OF EZRA STILES ter from the Crown.' Mr. Whitfield is convert- his Georgia Orphan House into a College. And by an Advertism- in S" Carolina Gazette I find application is made to that Assembly for erecting a College at Charlestown. There is now depending before the Gen. A.ssembly of Rhode Isld a petition for a Charter for a College here in Newport, since the first Rh. Isl'd College is fixed at Providence. College Enthusiasm I 6. I begun to make Installment Sermon. Funeral Mr. Hersey. 8. Lord.sday. I exchanged with Mr. Hopkins A.M. & preached Ps. 119, 125, and P.M. at home Rev. xiv, 13, and baptized Eliz' Infant of W" Downer & afterward attended Funeral of Wife of Geo. Gardner, set. 43. 11. Rev'' Samuel Hopkins, lately dismissed from the Chh. in Great Barrington, was this day publick^' installed Pastor of the first Cong. Chh. here, by an Ecc. Council of the Chhs. of Bristol, Little Compton, Tiverton, my Chh. and the first Chh. in Preston. Rev. Mr. Campbell' began the solemnity with prayer. I preached the Sermon from Jn" xvii, 3, This is Life eterri. to know, cfc. and read the Result of the Council, the votes of the Chh. & of the Cong. & led the Chh. then to renew their Call by uplifted Flands. To w*^ Mr. Hopkins expressing his Acceptance, Rev. .Mr. Ellis' gave him the pastoral charge of this Flock : the Rev' Mr. Hart' gave the Right Hand, and closed with prayer. Mr. Hopkins read the Psalm & gave the Blessing. In the Afternoon at TV' a Concert of vocal Musick in Mr. Hopkins' Meetinghouse, introduced by a Sermon by Mr. Hart on I think Rev. v, 9. Then Mr. Gilbert with his Schol- ars (his pupils in Singing the winter pa.st) entertained the Audience with Psalmody & Anthems. 12. Read Dr. Chauncy's .second Reply to Dr. Chandler. Dined with the Mini.sters, &c. Even''' Lect. Lsai. lii, 13, by Mr. Hart. 13. In company with .Mr. Austin'' — read his piece on the jjhilo- sophical Construction of Chimnie.s — & discoursed largely on several Branches of Divinity & Metaphysics. ■'Charter dated Dec, 13, 1769. A provisional site chosen for the College in FeVituary, J 770. *S<--e above, March 2/, 1770. 'Rev. Jonathan Ellis (Harvard 1737), pa.stor in Little Compton. *Rev. 1/,-vi Hart (Yale fjfvj), of Preston, New London County, Conn., — the nearest of Dr. Hopkin»'» theological intimates. *Punders<^jn Austin (Y. C. 1762). APRIL 6-27, 1770 47 14. Resumed my dayly reading a Chapter in the Hebrew Bible & a portion of Arabic' 15. Lordsday. Mr. Hopkins is gone to his Family at Great Bar- ringtou to remove it hither : he left Mr. Austin to preach this Sab- bath. We changed this forenoon: he preached Jn° xiii, 31, 32, and I from Jn'' vi, 37. And P.M. I preached from Gal. vi, 9, and admitted two members, Dr. Jn'' Bartlett" and his Wife on Letters testimonial from the Cong. Chh. in Westerly to this Church. iS. Proxy' Rh. Isld. 20. Last Evening monthly Meeting of the Chh at B" Hammonds ; assembled 45 Brethren & Sisters : — I discoursed to them upon Rom. viii. 16, the inward Witness. 22. Ldsday. I preached A.M. i Cor. i, iS. P.M. Ps. Ixxxvi, 15. Propounded W" Sarah Newton & two other psons for full Comm. Appointed Thursday III'' P.^L, for catechising the Chil- dren & the Negroes. Crouded Audience, most of Mr. Hopkins pple. present in Afternoon. Excessive hot. Fahrenheits Therm'^ in North Shade Eighty three & half, highest Altitude of the daj- : Wind S. W. light airs, hazy, sultry. . . . [This day Mr. Dawson & his pple. quarrelled.] 25. Rev'^ J"' Hubbard of Meriden came here, my Wife's Brother. I perceive my N. Haven Friends approve my taking part in Mr. Hopkins' Instalment. 26. Visiting with B' Hubbard. Aftern. catechis' children in Meetingh., 20 Boys, 30 Girls, 4 Neg. Tot. 54. Evening went with B' to introduce him to Mrs. Frost.* 27. Capt. Pollipus Hammond' of my Chh sent for me to pray with him, in perfect health. At XI'' Dr Jn*-' Bartlett performed upon him the Operation of couching or depressing a Cataract in his E3'e. I ' This daily reading, as appears by tlie abbreviations in the margin of the Diary, had been intermitted since the 5th inst. -Surgeon in tlie Revohition. honorary- M. D. from Yale Coll., 1779; wife Lucretia. They had removeii to Newport the week before. After leaving Newport he settleil (in the spring of 17S3) in Nantucket, Mass. *The annual town -meetings for casting "proxies" for general Colony offi - oers. The "election," two weeks later, included the formal report and registry of these proxies, besides the votes of tlie members of the Assembly. See the law regulating proxy votes, p.isse<.l August, 1760, in R. I. Colonial Reconis, vi, 256-57- ■'Whom he subsequently married. See Diary, Sept. 20, 1770. * See Dian.-. Feb. 5, 1773. 48 DIARY OF EZRA STILES saw the Operation. Emploj'ed much in extracting from Rev*^ Mr. Tho. Ruggles' Historj- of the Chhs. in Guilford from 1639 to 1769.' 28. Rode out to Mr. Redwood's Country Seat" with B' Hubbard. 29. Ldsday. Rev'' Mr. Jno- Hubbard of Meriden preached all da3' for me, & I supplied Mr. Hopkins' pulpit. May. 1. In Even- I married Nath' Sowle & Abigail Vose. 2. General Election in this Colony : Hon. Joseph Wanton' cho- sen Gov'' for the year ensuing, an Episcopalian — : and Hon. Darius Sessions' chosen Dep. Gov., a Congregationalist. This day Mr. Hubbard went away. 3. 'Sir. Bellomj' Bosworth" tells me he lived a month this last Winter as Schoolmaster in the House of Elder Young, a Baptist minister in Smithfield aet 48 circa : that he appears to be a solid substantial Man, j-et don't believe that Christians are obliged to ' Printed in full in the Historical Magazine, Apr., 1869 (vol. 5, 2d series, pp. 225-33). An interesting letter from the author (Y. C. 1723), dated June 21, 1770, is bound with the extracts here referred to, among Dr. Stiles's papers ; the fol- lowing is an extract : — Rev" S^ : Your favour, with the Historj^ I Receiv"*, for which I Return 3'ou my Thanks. . . . You have Set me a very Large Task— I'll begin by answering Some of your many Queries. And with Regard to the Church in Guilford, T/iey never Had, and upon Principle never would admit a Ruling Elder: Altho in all other Things M' Whitfield, & M"" Davenport and Their Churches exactly agreed, and practised, yet in this they were Quite Different. / have made Diligent Ejiquiry into the Subject many years ago, with old people who were personally acquainted with the first members of the Church. They all invariably agree, that as I\P Whitfield was never ordained in any Sense at Guilford but officiated as Their pastor in virtue of his ordination in England, so he nor the Church would Allow of a Ruling Elder, and the ancient Tradition in the Church here was that New-Haven, & after other Churches in the Colony conformd Their Judgement and practise to M' Whitfield" and his Churches Judgement, who were strictly Congregational. I said The Church of Guilford & New-Haven in all other things were one in opinion & practice, members were Admitted by Relations and by Holding up the hands of the Brethren. The Conformity was Uniform. *Hon. Abraham Redwood's country seat was in Portsmouth, about five miles from Newport. For a notice of the owner see Mason's Annals of the Redivood Library, 67-69, and Newport Historical Magazine, i, 9-12. "See above, March 19, 1770. ■•Yale Coll. 1737. 'Died in Bristol, R. I., Dec. 12, 1786, aged 70 years. APRIL 28-MAY 3, 1770 49 Family Worship ; & seldom practises it ; & that only on Lordsday morning, & this not every Ldsday ; never pforms it on Sabbath Evening, nor any other day of the Week ; that he has seen Elder Young administer the Eds. Supper in a private house to a Branch of his Chh. in Scituate. He says in Scituate thej^ have 3 or 4 bap- tist Meet^houses which they preach in, in Circulation in Summer, but leave in Winter & hold Edsda}^ Meet^'^ in private houses in different vicinities, so as to come to the same place once a month — that this is the common practice thro' the Counties of Provid. & Kent or the back Towns. The largest Meeting he saw did not more than fill 3 Rooms of house. Elder Young is Illiterate — don't like the College — says when the old Ministers die off he foresees a new Succession of Scholar Ministers : -that it has got so far already as scarcely to do for, a common Illiterate Minister to preach in the baptist meet^ at providence. The Baptist College was last Week or Week before voted to be removed to Providence, & the Browns & Jenkes intend to turn off Elder Windsor' & put in President Manning for their Minister. Upon the Corpor^ insist? on an Answer from Manning respecting his Removal — he applied to his Chh. & Congreg"^ at Warren for Dismission from his pastoral ReP to them. This they utterly refused. He however the same day answered the Corporation that he would go, & has violently rent himself away from his Chh. This Instance among the Baptists. Another among Congreg-', viz., Mr. Sprout' rent from his Chh. at Guilford without their consent, to get a better settlement at Phildel^ — D' Whitaker from his Chh. at Chelsea for a better Living at Salem — Mr. Hopkins, &c., &c.' ' Rev. Samuel Windsor, Jr., pastor of the ist Baptist Church, Providence. Difficulties soon after this date arose, and Mr. Windsor withdrew and formed a new church at Johnston, in the suburbs of Providence. -Rev. James Sproat (Y. C. 1741). * Compare with this paragraph the following from Dr. Stiles's Itinerary of about this date : — Dr. Wheelock's Dismission. He is presbyterian in principle & seldom attended Associations for some years past. . . . N. B. He was presbyterian in principle when a candidate, 1735. . . . From them he adopted large Commun. accounting that all of adult years, good doctrinal Knowl. & blameless Lives should come to Lds. Supper. He prevailed on his Chh. to give the decision of the Question as to his Dis- mission into the hands, not of the Consociation ; nor of an ecclesiastical 4 50 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS 4. I preached m}' sacramental lyccture in the Meet^'h as usual — from Jno. vi, 48, I am that Bread of Life .^ 5. Rev. Mr. West' of Stockbridge came to preach for M'' Hop- kins. 6. Ldsdy. I preached A.M. i Cor. i, 9. admitted four Com- municants, & administered Lord's Supper to sixty-two Members. 9. Rode out with :\Ir. West to Mr. Redwd's & M"" Bowler's' Gar- dens : & conversed much upon Metaphysics. He has a peculiar notion about Sin — that there is no Imputation of sin from Adam, but Gd. created every Man a Sinner : had Adam stood in Innocency, Council of Pastors & Chhs. promiscuously selected ; nor to the Associated Pastors of Windham County as an Assoc. ; nor to the West. Committee ; but to seven pastors chosen by him and the Chh., to whom they by Vote mutually referred & submitted the authoritative determination. Accord*-' to Letters Missive to the pastors only (not to their chhs.) six met Apr. 10, 1770, at Lebanon Crank & heard the Matter laid before them. Which was not whether Dr. Wheelock slid, be dismissed — this was agreed — but whether he slid, be dismissed noiv. For the Dr. was desirous to have his rela- tion to this chh. continued till he should be fully settled in the presidency of Dartmouth intended Indian College at Coos. This the people of his Charge disliked, & chose he should now be dismissed. Because he might obstruct the settlem' of a Candidate, as Mr. Judson had been discouraged. It was the Opinion of the Counsel that it was best he slid, be dismissed now. But he prayed them in their result to continue him till the next Ldsday, that he might preach his Farewel Sermon as pastor. Accordingly in the Result they declare his pastoral Relation to cease & be dissolved as soon as the next Ldsdy Service was ended. Which accordingly took place, without any Vote of the Chh. receiving or ratifying the Result. This is a second Instance at least of a new Method. When a pastor wants to be dismissed, he gets his chh. to put the power of dismission out of their hands & vesting it in a council of pastors. Whereas the Chh. & pastor ought to call in a Council not a. judicature, to advise the Chh., and the Chh. should by Vote ratify or reject the Advice. Mr. Hopkins operated in the same manner with his Chh. at Great Barrington. And Mr. Fish is now negotiating a similar Dis- mission. All this is most foreign from Consoc. power & Authority. ' From another memorandum of Dr. Stiles the following is gleaned : — After Lect. stayed the B" & laid before them the Desires of Nassau Hastie formerly about 35 y. ago a Commun. in the Chh. of Scotl<^, & W" Mary Cham- bers, a Commun. 30 y. ago in Presb. Chh. B" under M'' Moreh''. They have lived here 30 y. & otherwise of blameless & godly Lives, but never asked Commun. till now, & this without Certif. Agreed to admit them by leade them to assent to the Cov' publickly. -Stephen West (Y. C. 1755) ; see Diarj^, Feb. 13, 1772. ^For Abraham Redwood see above, April 28, 1770. T'or Metcalf Bowler, see Diar}^ June 10, 1773, & Mason's Annats of Trinity C/iurcli, Newport, i, 107-8. MAY 4-16, 1770 51 Gd. would then have created all his posterity holy, but now he creates them Sinners. I objected this made Gd. the Author of Sin : he replied it amounted to the same Thing if should suppose inter- mediate Events between Gd. & the Creature becom^ a sinner. As in the Berkeleian immaterial Scheme, instead of resting in a sub- stratum of Matter, we recurred to the Fiat and perpetual Agency of Gd., so as to spiritual Things, every Thing was an Act of Gd — all in Creatures & Intelligences was Gd. — his plan required natural & moral Evil as well as holiness, in order to display his Perfections & Character in all Variety of Exercise. Yet no Blame to be ascribed to him, but all blame to the Creature. But this last with his former Positions he did not reconcile. He is an ingenious Man. 10. Attended an Evening Lecture on the Hill where Mr. West preached from Psalms v, 4, 5, an ingenious Sermon. 11. Much convers'' with Mr. West upon the Hopkintonian Sys- tem : & upon Dr. Dana's answer to President Edwards on Liberty. Ezra finished Cornelius Nepos, which he began Jan''^' last. 12. Mr. All tells me he came from the North of Irel'd abot 48 y. ago ; that Rev. Mr. McGregore bro't over a Body of settlers to B" about 4 y. before him, so about 1718. They finally settled Nut- field. His son, now Rev. Mr McGregory of , had no College Education — but a Man of Learn^ & a Preacher a Minister of Emi- nence.' 14. This day my Father Rev'' Isaac Stiles," second Pastor of the Chh. in North Haven, has been dead ten years. 15. Rode to Providence to As.sociation, where met with Rev'' Mess. Towns^' Burt," Ellis,' Rowland.' 16. Mr. Burt preached the Lecture from Hosea vi, 6. For I desired Mercy, &c. We dined in Comp^' with Rev^' Mr. Weld' and ^The father, James McGregore, died in 1729; the name of Nutfield, New Hampshire, was afterwards changed to Londonderry. The son, David McGregore, was pastor of a new parish in Ivondonderry from 1737 till his death in 1777. See Sprague's Annals, iv, 27-30. ^Y. C. 1722. 3 Solomon Townsend (Harv. 1735), born in Boston Oct. 24, 1716, pastor in Barrington, R. I., from Sept., 1742, till his death in 1776. See Bicknell's Hist, of Baj'vington, 224-29. ••John Burt ; see Diary, Oct. 8, 1775. ^Jonathan Ellis, pastor in Little Compton. « David S. Rowland (Yale 1743), pastor in Providence. 'Habijah Weld (Harvard 1723), pastor of the ist Church in Attleboro', 1727-82. 52 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Thatcher' of Attleboro' & Hide' of Rehoboth, & Mr. Prentice," a young Candidate. In the Evening I preached an Evening Lecture in Mr. Rowland's meet^'house i Peter, i, 8, present eleven Ministers & a large devout Assembty. 17. Returned to Newport. Visited Mr. Hopkins. 18. Writing or rather finishing a Eetter to the Rev. Mr. Vinal." Reading M' Hopkins' Answer to Mr. Hart. Mr. Hopk' & his Wife & two of his Children came here 16"'. 19. Finished Job in hebrew Bible. 20. Ldsdy. A. M. I preached 2 Cor. v, 14, 15. P. M. Psm. cxix, 40 — and baptized Benj" Infant of W" Wilson on the Fathers acc°, he having owned the Cov' & the Mother being a Baptist or Anti-psedo-baptist. I have baptized all his Children before. This Aftern. my Wife got to Meeting ; not liav^ been since 25*'' Feb^' ult., being confined b}- Sickness. Sung Watts Psal. 116, p' 2''.^ After meeting attended the Funeral of Miss Molly Vernon :" at vi o'clock. Mr. Dawson preached in the Courthouse. A Negro Burying, the Chh. bell toll'd (all our Bells sometimes toll for Negroes), a proces- sion of Two Hundred Men, & one hund. & thirty Wom. Negroes. 21. Ezra began Sallust. East Wedn- I first knew that Univ^ Edinb. conferred Doctorate in Div- on Rev. Samuel Haven of Portsm". 22. Dr. Coffin of Newbury visited me.' 23. This day Mr. Samuel King" took ni}- Picture in Miniature. ' Peter Thacher, Jr. (Harvard 1737), pastor of 2d Church in Attleboro', 1748-85. ''Ephraim Hyde (Yale 1759), pastor in what is now Seekonk, 1766-83. ^Probably Thomas Prentiss (Harvard 1766), afterwards settled in Medfield. * See above, Jan. 5, 1769. The draft of this letter in Dr. Stiles's papers shows that Mr. Vinal had been charged with intoxication before his dismission from Newport, and had confessed to the fact, though not to the habit ; he had never- theless been recommended by the dismissing council to the churches, but had found difficulty in obtaining recognition in Boston. '■' The first stanza is : — What shall I render to my God For all his kindness shown ? My feet shall visit Thine abode. My songs address Thy throne. * Youngest child of Judge Samuel, and sister of the Hon. William Vernon ; born Dec. 23, 1721. See A^. £. Hist, and Geneal. Register, xxxiii, 316. ■" Charles Coffin (Harv. Coll. 1759), born 1741. * Born in Newport, Jan. 24, 1749 ; afterwards a well-known artist; see below, Aug. 22, 1770. MAY 17-31, 1770 53 24. In Evening held a Meeting of the Brethren & Sisters of my Chh. at Sister Peckham's, when I discoursed on Cant. iv. ult. & v. I : present above fourt}^ Members. Next to be at Sister Childs 21 June, if my proposed Journey pmit. 26. By the York Prints I find the Reverend John Ogilvie, Episc" Minister at New York, created Doctor in Divinity, I judge from Oxford :' as such he was admitted ad eimdem at the Commencement last Week at N.Y. Coll. 27. I^dsdy. Preached A.M. Prov. viii, 17. P.M. Philip, ii, 15, 16, & proposed catechising the Children & Negroes next Thursday. 28. Sat for my picture. Began to transcribe my vSermon at Mr. Hopkins' Instalmt. for the press. 29. Yesterday Alex'' Grant' Esq. & his Lady of my Congreg"" set out for Boston to embark there for London : In the Last Ldsday contrib. he gave me a half Jo or 8 Doll. & she a Guinea. Since his Return from Jamaica last Jany. his Family have made me pres- ents to amount of Eight or nine Guineas. She has been a Member of ni}" Chh. from the 3'ear 1756. Sat for xwy Picture. 30. This day a voluntary Bee or Spinning Match at my house. Begun by Break o'day, & in fornoon early were sixty-four Spinning Wheels going. Afternoon seventy wheels going at the same Time for part of the time. Ninety-two daughters of Liberty spun and reeled, respiting and assisting one another. Manj^ brought their flax, especiall}' of my Society — the Spinners were of all Denomina- tions, Chh., Quakers, Bapt. & Cong. &c. The}- spun One hundred & seventy Skeins ( fourteen-knotted ) and seven Knots. They found two-thirds of the flax. The 170 Skeins weighed thirtj-two Averd. Of the 70 stationed to the 70 Wheels, 41 or more were of my Meet^, and of the 92 about 53 were mine. The ^-arn very good. A whole Calf, 4 Gammons, 3"'-* Tea, 32"" Sugar, i Loaf do 9"'^ Wine 3 Gall., & Sundries, sent in to Amo' ^172 = ^6. 10. o. L-M. 31. This da}' from a cursory Reckoning found One hundred and thirty Spinners in my Congregation. At III'' P.M. I catechised 13 Boys, 17 Girls, 5 Neg. Tot. 35. A stormy Afternoon. Yester- day the Merch^' in this T" met at the Courthouse & agreed to store their goods lateh' imported — to remove the late Resolutions of Bos- ton & Phila''-' to break off all commerce with us, & to engage the ^ This is corrected in the manuscript at a later date to Aberdeen, where the degree was conferred in 1769. Ogilvie was graduated at Yale in 1748. 'See above, Jan. 9, 1770. 54 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS other Colonies to desist Trad- with us : because we had violated the salutary Non-Import" Agreemt. An Instance, that five or six Jews & three or 4 Tories may draw down Vengeance upon a Country.' June. 2. Sat for my Picture. Silkworms hatched. Transcribing mj^ sermon for the press. C. G. in Carcere. 3. Ldsday. I preached A.M. 2 Kings v, 17, 18. P.M. Acts xiii, 38-41. 4. Saw a B" print ; — the Election of Councillors held in the College Hall at Cambridge, contrary to the remonstrance of the President & Fellows, & contrary to the protest of the Representa- tives. Rev. Mr. Cook preached there. The same day the da}^ was religiously celebrated at Boston, Dr. Chauncy preaching to a crouded assembly, then all the Ministers invited to dine at Famdl Hall by the Merchants & other Sons of Liberty. A great number of pastors were present : among the rest the aged & venerable Israel Loring of Sudbury, M\. 88 & above, being the oldest Min- ister in America : Also Rev. President Locke ; & Rev. Mr. Apple- ton of Cambridge. The Virginia print informs that May 7, 1770 the Reverend James Horrocks,^ the Bp of London's Commissary for Virginia, was sworn in one of his Majesty's Council of this Colony, and a Judge of the General Court. About A.D. 1700 or 1690 a commissary was appointed there, made Member of the Council & Lived to a great age & died about 1743. I know not who preceded. But it seems the Ministr}- are fond of introducing into America a junction of the civil & episcopal powers. The episcopalians would complain bitterly if any other protestant Minister (retaining his priestly office) should be sworn of the council & a Judge in a civil Court. There have been one or more Instances of a Baptist Minis- ter (while continuing such) being Members of the Assembh' as Representatives in the Colony of Rhode Island, particularl}' Elder ^ Newport traders had agreed, in concert with other American merchants, to refrain from importing British goods at this time ; conseqviently, when viola- tions of this agreement were reported, public meetings were held in Boston (May 18) and in Philadelphia (May 23), at which it was resolved to break oflf all dealings with Newport until its inhabitants (who had not expressed their resentment at this duplicity) should have given full satisfaction. - He went to England in 1771 to ask for an American Bishop. He fell into ill health there and was sent to Portugal, and died at Oporto in 1772. JUNE 2-2 2, 1770 55 Gardner, whom I have seen & heard in the Assembh^ : Also, 1765, the Rev. Ebenezer Devotion,^ Pastor of the Congreg'^ Chh. at Scot- land, als. Windham, in Connecticut, was elected Deputy by the town of Windham, & sat as such in the General Assembly, Oct. 1765, at New Haven, when I saw and conversed with him : this was to oppose the memorable Stamp act. Some of the Epis*^" Clerg\' in Virginia & Mar>dand are said to be in office for the Peace. In the Prov. of N. York I have known Rev. Mr. Throope^ of L. Isld. to be in civil office. Rev. Cott. Math. Smitlf of Sharon in Connec- ticutt is noiv Pastor of the Chh & clerk of the Court of Probates in that Town. I know of no other Instances. 12. This day I sat out with my Wife on a Journey into Connecti- cutt. We went via Bristol, Providence, Plainfield, Windham, and Hartford, to N. Haven. Kept first Sabbath at Coventry, where I preached P.M. for Rev. Mr. Huntington. Reached New Haven 20*^'' and rode to Meriden & kept Sabb. & preached all day for Mr. Hubbard. Left my Wife at N. H. 23'' & returned to Newport 30'". [The notes of this journey in Dr. Stiles's Itinerary are as follows: — 12. Tuesday. Set out with my Wife^dined at Turner's 2/9 proc.-* Bristol ferry 2/. Lodged at Mr, Burt's. 13. Provid. Ferry i/. Tavern i/. Lodged at Mr. Checkle^^'s, Provid. 14. To Barber 8'^. Dined in Johnston at Fish's 2/. Rode 18 miles to-day & lodged at Cook's in Scit. 2/10. 15. Dined at Eaton's 2/8. Mends collar i/. Lodged Mr. Whiting's, Scotl'd. — Horse i/. Mends &c. 1/7. 16. Dined Windh. 2/3 ; reached Coventry. 14 m. this day. 17. Ldsday. A.M. Heard Rev. Mr. Huntg. preach. Gen. . P.M. Preached myself. Col. 3, 1-3. 18. To Robertson's 4/. Dinner 2/. At Olcot's ir^. at &c 9^. rode 16 m. & lodged at Mr. Russel Woodb. at E. Hartf'^. 19. Crossed ferry to Hartf-^ i/. Barber's 5'^. Visited Rev. Mr. Dorr & Rev^ Mr. Whitman & Secy Wyllys— rode to Weathersfd, called on Rev. Mr. Lock- wood— dined at Col. Chester's in Cornp* with Rev. W"» Russel of Windsor & Lady— i/. Lodged at Madam Hall's in Meriden. 20. Dined at D'' Dana's in Wallingf'' & rode to New Haven. 22. Rode to Brother Isaac Stiles' at North Haven : & visited Deacon Cooper, my Father's good Friend, & some others. • Yale Coll. 1732. nvilliam Throop (Y. C. 1743), of Southold, County Surrogate, 1754-56. ^Y. C. 1751. * Proclamation money, i. e., money at the values fixed in O. Anne's Procla- mation of 1704, which reckoned the Spanish dollar and " piece-of -eight " (the commonest silver coins in N. England) at 6 shillings. 56 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 23. Visited my Mother at Carmel, & Brethren, &c. & rode to Merid. 24. Ldsday. Preach for B"" Hubbard all day. A.M. Col. iii, 1-3. P.M. I Chron. xxviii, 9. Sing N. E. Psalms. — Rainy day. no persons below, 89 above circa. 25. Rode to N. H. Visited College. 26. Free Masons' procession to Mr. Whitty'" Meet*-', where he preached a Sermon fr. Ps. cxx. — Dined with the Masons in Comp" with Rev. Mess''' Whitt-v, Cha. Jeff. Smith, & Mr. Hubbard, Episc° Mission^.' 27. Gave my Wife a Johannes, &c. & sat out for Newp*. Lodged at Mr. Todd's E. (ruilford. Mr. Ruggles tells me, Milf'' p'ple. came from Hartford — not with N. H. & Guilf'* p'ple. from Engl^. Dr. Rosseter from Wethersfield abot. ph. 1655. Earn. Tradit. he took three Degrees in the Uniyy in Engl' he sh-^ renew the Cov' — con- sids he had so long neglected the ordinances. Which he did. 3 Stephen Whitehead Hubbard (Y. C. 1766), a nephew of the Rev. John Hub- bard and of Mrs. Stiles, and eldest son of Dr. Eeverett H., of New Haven. He had been prepared for College by Dr. Stiles. 58 DIARY OF EZRA STILES the pastor tells me. This is the first organ in a dissenting presb, Chh. in America except Jersey College — or Great Britain. Mr. Rowland tells me that since it was set up, a Providence Gen- tleman being at Elizabeth Town in the Jersies he was in comp=^ with Dr. Tho. Bradbur}- Chandler the episcopalian and mentioning that an organ was erected in Providence the Doctor said, he did not know but that they were entituled to a praemium — that a Gent, in Eng''' had by will left ^500. ster. to the first dissenting Congreg"" that should set up an organ. Also an English Gent, lately travel^ thro. Providence told Mr. West the same Thing. I w^as at Provid. June 13 when the Organ was erected & setting up. Mr. Checkly' who w^as concerned in psuading the p'ple. into it gave me an account of the motives he used wdth them, but said nothing of this Dona- tion. The}^ knew nothing about it when they erected the organ, & Mr. West had exercised himself upon it a month in learn^ to play ; before they knew, &c. However, they had the Information before Juh' 8. Inst., when they first used it in public Worship. Mr. Rowland tells me it gives great offence to the Episcopalians in Provid. who say, we have nothing to do with it. Perhaps about ten years ago there was an Organ erected in Nassau Hall for the use of the Scholars at public pra^-ers — on Edsdays the college attend pvib. Worship in the Meet^' h. of the Town of Princetown. I then thought it an Innovation of ill consequence, & that the Trustees were too easily practised upon. They were a little sick of it. The organ has been disused for sundry years, & ne\'er was much used. In the year 1754 I saw in the Dutch calvinist Chh. at New^ York a small Organ, which was the first there & had been there I doubt not many years. ^ II. Rev. Mr. Hopkins & Eady, Rev'' Mess""" Rowland, Hubbard, & Cousin Whitehead, & Mr. Benedict,' candidate, dined wdth me. In Evening I attended nn- monthh' meeting of the church at Sister Childs, present above 40 members. I discoursed on Gal. vi, 16, as many as walk by this rule, peace, &c. ' William Checkley (Harvard 1756), an officer of the Customs in Providence, who died in 1780, and whose widow married Dr. Stiles in 1782. He was the son of the Rev. Samuel Checkley (Harvard 17 15), first minister of the New South church in Boston. ^vSee, also. Diary, Nov. 6 and Dec. 12, 1771 ; and May 16, 1785. ^Joel Benedict (Princeton 1765). He was settled in what is now Lisbon, Conn., in February, 1771. JULY II-I9, 1770 59 12. Catechised the Children P.M. 12 Boys, 38 Girls, 4 Neg. Tot. 54. Attended Mr. H. Even^ Lect. Mr. Benedict preached on Mar\-"s chus" the better part. 13. Visiting. 14. My Inst. Sermon printed & published. 15. Ldsday. Rev. Mr. Hubbard preached all day A.M. Prov. P.M. Ezek xxxiii, ri. At V;'/2h I preached at Prison, Titus ii, 11-14. 16. I set out with Mr. Whithd. Hubbard' for Commencement at Harvard College, where we attended Wedn-' iS"* Ins', Rev. Presi- dent Locke presiding for the first Time ; he confer 'd the Degree of A.B. upon 34 & that of A.M. upon 43. Total 77. The President was dressed in a Black Gown & square Cap, as were most of the Graduates. The Bachelors all dressed in black cloth coats of amer- ican Manufacture, covered with a thin black Gown & Sqr. Cap. Among other exercises was a Dialogue in Chaldee held between three Bachelors — taken out of Daniel : at the close of this the Presi- dent subjoyned a Short speech in Chaldee : but he did not make any latin Oration. 19. I preached the Thunsdy Lecture at Boston, Luke xii, 32, and spent Aft. & next da}^ in copying MSS. in Library of old S" Chh. and in Library- of Rev. M'' Mather, which has come down to him from Rev'^ Richard Mather of Dorchester. Here I saw the original MS. of the Cambridge Platform in the \\^riting of Mr. Rd. Mather, the principal compiler.^ ^ The Itinerar}' of this journey is as follows : — 16. Ferry 6)4^: dined Mr. Burt's. He joyned us & we rode to Daggets, 6"^, & lodged at Stearns, Attleboro — 2/8. 17. Mans. 6'^ Robb. 2/ — Dedham 4''. lodged Brooklyn 2/3. 18. Commenc' Harv. Coll. Dined at Professor Sewall's 2/. 19. I preached Thursdy. Lect. Boston. Dined with Dr. Eliot, Mr. Bridge, Mr. Burt, &c. at Judge Hubbard's. 20. Dined at Rev. Sam'l. Mather's (son of Dr. Cott.): all foren. in So. Chh. Steeple transcribe &c. MSS. Aft. in the Lib^ of venerable Rich'^., Increase, Cott., & now Sam' Mathers ; exam-' heb. Commentaries & MSS. &c. At sun- set left Mr. Dani Hubb'i'^ & rode to Roxb^, visited Mr. Adams & extracted fr. Roxb>- Chh. Records. Expences 3/8 & 8'i. 21. Breakf. Dedh. i/— Walpole oats t>j4 Mans. 2/ Steans 2/. 22. Ldsdy. I preached in Mr Rowland's Meet-. 23. Rode to W" Green's at Occupastuxet. 24. Rode to E. Greenw. & preached in the Courthouse. 25. Arrived at Newport. - Now in the Library of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. 6o DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES 22. Ldsdy. I preached at Providence in Mr. Rowland's Pulpit,' A.M. 2 Cor. vii, i. P.M. Jn" vii, 37 ; the organ played on in Worship. 24. I preached a Lecture in the Court House in East Greenwich, from Rom. iii, 22-24, without any written Notes — the first Time I ever preached entirely ex Tempore. There are about half a dozen Congregational Families : present 120 persons or more, of Different Denom. behaving very seriously. 25. Pari' prorogued — Tea Act not repealed. 30. Professor Winthrop's two sons' here — went with them in the Even*^ to the Synagogue ; where was read the whole Book of Lamentations & a mournfvxl vService, it being the Eve before the Annivers^' of the Destruction of the Temple. August. 2. At V P.M. catechised 14 Boys, 32 Girls, 5 Negroes, Total 51. Attended Mr. Hopkins' Even^ Lecture. Mat. v, 6. Mr. White- field arrived here. 3. Received a Letter written entirely in Hebrew, from William Olive, aet 60. now living in S" Kingston, Narragansett. He was born in London, educated at Halle in Germany, in Hebrew, but no ' The following paragraph is from Dr. Stiles's Itinerary of this date : The course of divine Service in the Congreg"* Chh. at Providence under Rev. Mr. Rowland is this. — The Congregation rise & the Minister asks a Blessing on the Word & the divine presence in the Solemnities of public Worship — then the people sit, & the Minister reads a Chapter in the Bible — then the bills asking prayers &c are read by the Minister — then the Assembly rise & the Minister prays for a quarter & half an hour— then sing Watts Version of Psalms the people striking in with the Organ, & many sing standing, perhaps half the Congregation— then Minister takes a Text of Scripture, expounds it & preaches — the people sitting — Sermon being ended, the people rise & the Minister prays a short prayer — then singing & the Organ — then Minister pronounces the Blessing & dismisses the Congregation. But the Organ does not then play. This the Forenoon Service. The Afternoon the same, only in addition, between the last prayer & singing is the Contribution— & the last singing always con- cludes with the Xtian Doxology, & when it comes to the Doxology the whole Congregation rise & stand with great Solemnit}'. And after the Blessing is given, the Minister publishes the Banns of Marriage. The organ is a Chamber Organ, as large as a Desk & Book Case, containing about 220 Pipes. . . . ^ Professor John Winthrop (Harv. 1732), the distinguished physicist, of Har- vard College, born 1714, had four sons now living : — John, born 1747 (Harvard 1765); Adam, born 1748 (Harv. 1767); James, born 1752 (Harv. 1767); William, born 1753 (Harv. 1770). JULY 22-AUGUST 7, 1770 6 I other of the learned Languages. Some of it was english words only in Hebrew Letters. He understands sundry European Languages, particularly the se^'eral Dialects of the German Empire. I suppose him of Jewish Extract. 4. Yesterday the Rev. George Whitfield, aetat. 56, arrived here from New York. At V o'clock this Afternoon he preached at Mr. Hopkins' Meeting-house on Ps. li, 11, Take not thy holy Spirit from me. In 1745 my Congregation passed a Vote against his preaching in our Meetinghouse. But my people being verv desir- ous of hearing him, the committee met & agreed that notwithstand- ing that vote it is expedient, to ask him to preach for me tomorrow: accordingly I have asked him. There is a young Jewess in Town, born here, one Miss Pollock,' set. phaps 15, that wath other young Misses attended a Writing School for two years past where the Master often gave religious advice and exhort'^ to the children ; bv which she became so affected that she often said she w-ished she & her Family were Christians. This at length alarmed her Friends & they kept her at home. She heard Mr. Whitefield toda}-, and greatly admired his preaching the Gospel of Christ. 5. Ldsdy. A.M. Rev. Mr. Whitfield preached for me from Job, Acquaint now thyself with God & be at peace. P.M. I preached Jn° iii, 16, 17. Mr Whitfield at Dinner told me that Baron Smyth was a reall}- religious man, as well as Ld. Dartmouth : that he had preached before L'" Bolingbrook, the Deistical Writer, who heard him with the Gravity of an ArchBishop, & thanked him : — that he had seen a Letter of Ld. Bolingbrooke's, written a little before his own death, & after the Death of his Wife, in which his Ldship wrote to his Friend, that he found "his philos- ophy failed him." Yet he says Ld Bolingb. died a Deist. At VI'' P.M. he preached on i Cor. iii, 11, other foimd" , &c. in the Fields^ adjoyning Mr Hopkins Meet^ to a thousand or fifteen hundred People. 6. Hon. James Otis, Jun.,' Esq'', the Patriot, in Town. 7. Evening Lecture V' P.M. at Mr Thurston's Baptist Meeting. Mr. Whitfield preached, Zech. ix, 12. Turn ye to the stro?ighold, ye ' See also Diary, Feb. 16, 1771. ^ Oil Mill street, opposite Division. ^ Born 1725, Harv. Coll. 1743. The assault which finally overthrew his reason occurred in the summer of 1769. He was a first cousin of Major Jona- than Otis, of Newport, mentioned two days later. 62 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS prisoners of Hope. About one Thous'' persons below & three hun- dred in the Galleries ; & 4 or 500 around abroad. 8. At VI o'clock this Morns Mr Whitfield preached on Gen. i, 2, and the Earth teas zvithoiit form, &c to about Eight hundred below & three hundred in Galleries of Mr. Hopkins' Meetinghouse, a few abroad. Dined with him at Mr. John Wanton's,' a Quaker, in Comp'^ with the Rev Mess" Hopkins, Thurston, Rusmeyer, and sundry' Gentlemen. Yesterday Dined with him at Major Otis's with Mr Hopkins & Mr Thurston. No Minister except a Baptist ever before preached in Mr. Thurston's Baptist Meeting. About Six 3'ears ago Mr. Campbell a Congreg' Minister prayed there after a bapt. Min. had been preaching. At HI'' P.M. Mr. Whitefield departed hence for Providence.^ 9. Mr. Hopkins' first catechis*, about loS children. 12. Ldsdy. I preached A.M. i Jn" ii, 29, P.M. Ps 139, 17. Pub- lished Mr Sam' King. Read Dr. Waterland's Sermons on Chri.sts Divinity. 16. Finished transcribing the lyCtter to Duraeus in 1660 signed by 35 New England Ministers.^ Attended Mr. Hopk. Lecture. . . 17. I Chron. xix. How much History' comprized in one short Chapter ? This Day I received news of the Death of that eminent 3'oung Minister, the Rev'' Charles Jeffery Smith, atEong Island, the lo"" Instant, aet . He was possessed of an Estate of about Six or seven Thousand sterling on Eong Island in Eands & Monies. His Eands he was selling off in order to remove to Virginia, having made a large purchase there about 40 miles from Williamsburg. He had devoted himself & his Estate to the service of Christ, & for A'ears past had expended much of his Incomes in sending Mission- aries among the Frontier settlements of Virgin. & the Carolinas, presbyterians destitute of a preached Gospel. With a view of fur- ^ Merchant, son of Gov. Gideon Wanton, and distingnished for his hospitality. ' In connection with these notices of Whitfield's audiences, the following measurements by Dr. Stiles of the various meeting-houses, etc., in Newport, may be of interest : — 1st Congregational Church (Dr. Hopkins's), 60 x 40 feet ; 2d Congregational Church (Dr. Stiles's), 60x42; ist Baptist Church (Mr. Upham's), 4o>< x -ipYz ; 2d Baptist Church (Mr. Thurston's), 59x49; 3d (Sabbatarian) Baptist Church (Mr. Maxson's), 36 x 27 ; Church of England, originally 70 x 45 34^, an addition of about 30 feet made to the length in 1763 ; Friends or Quakers, 80 X 45 ; Jewish Synagogue, 40 x 39}^. ^ This was printed in 1664. AUGUST 8-20, 1770 63 thering this Design he purposed to remove & settle there, & devote all the Incomes of his Estate to pious uses. But it pleased God to cut him off in the Flower of lyife. He had been ordained by a Pby. sundry- years, but declined accepting the Care of any particular Chh. ; chusing to serve his I^ord in a peculiar kind of usefulness ; espe- cially as he was occasionally subject to a paralytic Impediment in his Tongue, which sometimes suddenly seized & silenced him in midst of public speaking. He was a religious Projector ; & tho' a pious, serious, good & learned Man, yet there seemed to be a spice of something not altogether right, I dont mean sinful, for he was a man of pure & unpolluted morals. He had Income eno. for one Man : but had conceived that by buying a plant"- in Virginia he could double if not treble this Income — all which he meant to devote to pious uses. In June last I saw him with his Wife at New Haven, when he opened to me his Design & the reasons of his Expectations. His scheme was full of good Intention, but I thought the prospect of increas^ his Income chimerical, & wondered to see so good a mind so carried away. I then observed to him to this effect — that he had eno. & in such circumstances as to give him no care — & that this new Enterprize would involve him in new cares & sollicitudes of a Worldly kind which would interfere with Spiritual & divine Life. But he warmly tho't otherwise. The day he died he walked out a gunning — telling his Wife he should be soon back again, desired her to have Dinner read}' by One o'clock, for that he should ride out with her in the Afternoon. He was found dead lying upon a point of I^and & his gun hnng by him.' 19. I preached A.M. i Jn" iii, 10. P.M. 2 Cor. v, 20, & admitted Miss Susanna Dyre into the Chh., first baptizing her.' . 20. Perused a M.S. Diary of Rev. Tho"* Shepard, of Cambridge.^ This M.S. begins Nov. 25, 1640 & ends March 30, 1644. At the ^ Graduated Y. C. 1757. A negro is said to have confessed many 3'ears later to having shot him. - A volume by Shepard, printed in 1747, entitled " Three valuable Pieces," includes "A private Diary, Containing Meditations and Experiences never before Published " ; Dr. Stiles wrote in a copy of this volume, "This is printed from a transcript of a part only of the Diary. I have in my hands the original MS. of the author . . How it came to Newport I know not. It was preserved in the Coggeshall Family till 1771." The editor is indebted for this extract to the Rev. Dr. Alexander McKenzie, of Cambridge, Mass. See, also, Proceed- ings of the Mass. Historical Society, ist Series, v. 2, pp. 492-93. 64 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Beginning I find this entry, " My son Thomas was born in Old Eng"' in London Anno. 1635, Aprill 5 : & about a twelvemonth after brought over the sea & baptized in New Eng' '* by Mr. Hooker. My son Samuell was borne Octob. 18, 1641. My son John was borne March 9, 1643 ( according to the account of Old Eng''' who begin the yeare March 25 ) but the first month by New England account, & so 1644, But he died the same Yeare July 14." — " My second son John was borne Aprill 2, 1646." " My son Jeremiah was borne August II, 1648." This Mr. Shepard was Pastor of the Chh. of Cambridge & died there Aug 25, 1649. set. 44. His son Thomas was after- wards Pastor of Charlestown. This Diary mainly consists of religious Experiences & the conflicts with sin &c. Interspersed are some allusions to Events. Thus, at Feb. 14, 1640/1 — " there was a Church Meeting to be resolved about our going aivay." Hence it was a question even in 1641 whether the}' should remove again. The first Chh. that settl-' in Cambridge removed off with their pas- tors Mr. Hooker &c to Hartford in 1636. Mr. Shepard «& his Chh that came over that year took up their place & settled at Cambridge, bu3dng the houses of Mr. Hooker's Chh : but in four years they talked of Removal — so great were the Discouragm*^ Oct 29, 1641, " I was troubled about the poverty of the Churches." " Nov. 10, I kept a private Fast, for Eight to see the glory of Gd^ Truth & fayth an infused fayth ; & a Sp. of prayer, & for conquest of pride: — & for assistance, guidance (whether I should set up Eecture ag:) & success & blessing in ni)^ poore Ministry : " &c. " Nov. 13, I was considering the Estate of the Cuntr}- by reas. of its poverty. I had 2 arguments suggested to make me hope the Lord would releeve us : i : bee : if the L'' had given himself for this people to redeem them fro. the greatest sin of the world, then fro. out of those sins w^ o'' Debts occasioned now. 2 : bee : We are a poore afflicted peple, cast out of our own Cuntry from o'' freends & comforts there, and all o' Sorrowes & sufferings here are in part by reason of THERE CRUELTY & PERSECU- TION, & therefore the L'* Will deliver us." Jany 2, 164^, " In singing Psal. 132, 12 : 13 : 14 : 15, in the publike, I was sweetly refreshed by seeing," &c. Hence the .singing was part of pub. Worship. ' ' Janr}' 1 1 , when the Church was receiving in of Mem- bers," &c. Hence the Chh, not the pastor admitted Members. 21. Reading Mr. Shepards M.S. Diary: "1642 May: 13: on a day of fasting with the Church, when my Brother Frost was in AUGUST 21-23, 1770 65 prayer, &c." Hence private Brethren sometimes prayed in public Congregation, while the pastor was present. They do occasionally still among the Baptists especially on days of fasting. I remember when I was a boy, I have heard my father after Sermon in after- noon desire a Deacon or private Brother to make the closing prayer in the Congregation : but it was when he was unwell. July 1642. He went to Hartford & July 10 partook of the sacra- ment : — " Sl when I came home I observed the very same day Satan was busy in the church, to /(ff up private Mens Gifts ^ Returned July 17. " July 19. I was troubled with many cloudy darke black Thoughts & cares about subsistence : & being so m'' troubled I asked my own heart, whether I were God or noe thus to take his worke out of his hand." 22. Received from L,ondon Gallcei de Sibyllis 2 vol. 4*" Read the first book. . . . This day I sat to Mr. King for my Picture which he urged me to take on larger canvass. Monthly Meeting of the Chh. in the Even? at Sister Stevens (Jno. ) when I discoursed on Philip i, II, That ye may be filled with all the Fruits of Right. &c. , . . Read part of the second Book of the Sibjdls. 23. Capt. W"' Augustus Peck this da}^ visited me. He brought my Books from London : he tells me there is a secret Intelligence office in lyondon in street where the Jews live. It has subsisted about four years & has thirty clerks : it is supported by the Minis- try : & has settled a correspondence in all parts of America — has four Correspond** in Boston, & two in Newport, one of which is Mr. Geo Rome' Mercht. to each of whom the Ministry exhibit Stipends. As it appears in London, it is intirel)' a Jew Affair — a Jew Compting House, & is unknown in London, Capt. Peck sailed to London in a Vessel of the Jews & by this fell into the hands of the Jews there, dined with sundry, and not being strong for Ameri- can rights, they used to open before him ; in comp'' he heard one Mr Clark I think speak of their secret Intelligence office — & upon Peck's questioning, &c. he colored up and diverted the Discourse. Capt. Peck says, that this office boasted of having Intelligence of every Occurrence of any consequence in America. Attended ' Mr. Rome came from England in 1761, and was principally occupied as an agent for British creditors of Newport houses. He fell into disfavor by espous- ing strongly the cause of the crown during the Stamp-Adl excitement, and fled from the colony late in 1774. See Updike's History of the Narragansett Church, 332-43. 5 66 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Mr. Hopkins' Eveii^ Lecture & heard Mr. Hart of Preston preach 3 Jn" 4, I have no greater Joy than to see my children walkg &c. 24. Sat again for my picture. Mr. Hart told me that Dr Wheelock had pitched on Hanover in Connecticutt River in Province of New Hampsh. for the place of Dartmouth College — had three miles sqr. land given in that Town — & removed last week from Lebanon in Connecticutt & was gone up to Hanover to settle there.* 26. Lds dy. A.M. Philip, iii, 18-20. Published three couple, of which Rev. Jn" Hubbard of Meriden & Mrs. Mary Frost one : I dined at Mr. Vernon's & just before dinner married his Daughter Amie' to Mr King, only the family present. P.M. Zech. ii, 10. ... At V' this afternoon I went & preached in Goal to the prison- ers & a large Body of pple, 2 Cor. v, 14, 15. 27. Transcribing Gov. Winthrop's MvSS.' This Even^ I went to the Synagogue, & heard Mr. Satius' perform prayers. He is a young man of about 22 get. & a Chusan of the Synagogue at N.York. Visited by Dr. Hodges of Phila. ' The site was finally selected on July 5, and Dr. Wheelock with the first relay of assistants reached Hanover to begin the settlement early in August. - Daughter of Samuel and Amy Vernon, born Nov. 19, 1747 ; married vSamuel King, the portrait-painter (see above, May 23, 1770). 3 The following letter, from John Still Winthrop (Yale Coll. 1737), is pre- served among the Stiles Papers : — New London, Dec 7"^. 1767. Rev<> Sir, I ReC^ your favour b}^ M'' Jn° Coit and agreeable to your Request, I now send you the two vols, of y** MS. Journal of the First Governor Winthrop from his Imbarcation on Board y« Arrabella at North Yarmouth in England to his Arrival at Charles Town in New England and Continued Down to about the time of his Death. I wish they may be of Servis to you in your undertaking which would give me great Pleasure to hear. I beg Sir your Particular Care of them and when you have Done with them. Please to Return them b}- some safe hand. With my Compliments to yo' fire side and all friends at Newport I am Rev'' Sir Your most Humb' vServ' J. S. Winthrop. Dr. Stiles copied about one-third of the whole MS., and this copy is among his papers. The standard edition of the text was published with notes by James vSavage in 1853. ■i Gershom Seixas (phonetically spelt Satius), son of Isaac M. and Rachel (Levy) Seixas, of Newport; born in New York City Jan. 14, 1745, installed Kazan of the Synagogue there in 1768, died July z, 1816. See Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society, No. 4, pp. 201, 204-09. AUGUST 24-SEPTEMBER I, 1770 67 29. Read Griffith's Quaker Tract — & also a Tract b}- S. H. supposed to be Mr. Hove}- a Baptist minister which adopts Mr. Sandiman's Sj'stem. Visited this afternoon by Dr. Easton,' a Student in Physic in Philad-\ Wrote a letter this Even^ to Dr Alison of Philad^ upon the Complaint made by the Baptists of their persecution in New England by Congregationalists. 30. Sat for my Picture. Attended Mr Hopk. Evening Lect. Mat v, 8. Peacemakers. In Evening read Mr. Shepards Diary, in which I find July 19. 164- ' ' I was troubled with many cloud}^ darke black thoughts & cares about subsistence." This shews he was in worldly straits. July 21, Fast public. Aug. 28, Sacram't. Sept. 12, Fast at Chariest". Sept. 21, Fast. Nov. 13, Sacram't. Dec. 7, Eecture. Janry. 28, Chariest" Lecture. Feb. 12, Sacr't. Feb. 21, private Fast. March 2, 1643, Fast General. March 15, " publicke Fast for England." 22, Roxb-" Fast. "In going to Roxb-' fast I had many trouble- some Thoughts about those that opposed the Elders in the way of admission of Members." This shews a controversy in that chh. on this subject. Aprill 21, Chariest" Eecture. 23, Sacram't. June i, Fast. July 2, Sacr'. Aug. 2, Lecture. Oct. 12, heard Mr. Cotton at Boston. Oct. 24, a Sacram't. Dec. 10, Sacram't. Feb. 14, Fast. Feb. 25, Sacr't. March 6, Fast. March 28, 1644. "With Goodwife Hildred with the Elders at pra3'er." Hence Elders in the Chh. March 30. " I saw the great Cause of base & vile Lives was base & low Ends." This day finishes the Diary. He led a ver}' tho'tful holy & devout Life, full of Self-examina- tion & experimental Religion. 31. P.M. Sacr't. Lecture. I preached Eph. iii, 17-19. Sept. I . Yesterday I read a Pamphlet consisting of a Sermon by the Shaver upon the Expulsion of six Young Gent, from the University of Oxford for praying, read^ & expound^ the scriptures & singing hymns in a Conventicle. Dedicated to the Vice Chancellor & Heads of Houses ; with a Defence of Priestcraft. Being the Eleventh Edit, in Eight Months, 1769.' This day I finished another pamphlet 'Jonathan Easton (M. B. Coll. Philad. 1771). ^ The author of this brochure was John Macgowan. The edition here described was printed in 1769, and a twelfth edition, per- haps due to Dr. Stiles, appeared at Newport in 1770. 68 DIARY OF EZRA STILES of 70 pages by S. H. Minister of the Gospel : supposed Mr Hide Sep. mill, about Brooklyn near Boston, originally from among the Separates at Canterb- & Plainfd in Connecticutt.' He holds Sinners unregenerate not to be exhorted to duties in order Salvation — Sandi- man's Notion of Faith — Universal Vote in Chh Acts, no dissenting voice — Laying on of hands at Baptism — no Deacons in present state of Chhs — Community of Goods — no gather^ b}- Chh Cov' — nor as.sent to Articles of Faith or Cov' at admissions — every chh. chuse & ordain two or more Elders, &c. I was told the Author was a Baptist Elder. But he reprehends Baptists, Presb., Cong., Epi-sc*^. & Romanists. He finds fault with Boston, Marshal, Hervey, Bellamy, &c. Seems to think the Separate Chhs did .set out well, but have apostatized for want of Discipline. He has written some things very sensibly. This with the Writings of Backus & Holly, might be shewn as a specimen of the Abilities of the Illiterate Men of New England even in Writing as well as the Things of Religion. These productions would be considerable even for University Men. This Foren. I went to the Synagogue & heard M'' Satius read the Law & Service. How melancholy to behold an Assembly of- Worshippers of Jehovah, Open & professed Enemies to a crucified Jesus ! . . . 2. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached Zech. xiii, 7, & administered the Lds. Supper to 63 Communicants. P.M. 2 Pet. ii, 20, 21, & bap- tized a negro Infant on ace'' of her Mother, a member of ni}^ Church. Read^ Life of Rev. Caleb Smith of Newark Mountains in the Jer- sies, born on Long Island Dec. 29, 1723, Licensed by the Pb}'. of N. York Apr. 1747 ; ordained Nov. 30, 1748 ; and died Oct° 22, 1762, aet. 39. A Minister of Eminence for Learn^ & piety." 3. I set out on a Journey to Connecticutt to fetch home my Wife' & arrived at New Haven 7*'' Inst. Next day visited my Mother at Mt. Carmel in N. Haven. ' This was Samuel, son of Jonathan Hyde, of Newton, Mass.; born Septem- ber, 1719, died in Methuen, Mass., October, 1775. ' Graduated at Yale in 1743. ^ The record of this journey, in the Itinerary, is as follows : — Sept. 3. Crossed the Ferries 1/4 & i/. Arrived at Dr. Torrey's 2/. 4. Dined ChampHn's 1/6. Oats, &c. 5'^. Lodged at Russel's, Stonington, 2/6. 5. N. Lond. ferry, &c. 8''. Barlan's6''. Rope ferry 2''. Sayb. 7;^'*. Lodged, at Mr. Hart's. 6. P. M. Rode to E. Guilf-^ & lodged at Mr. Todd's. 7. Arrived at New Haven & found my Wife better. Deo grates. SEPTEMBER 2-20, 1 770 69 9. Wsdy. I preached P.M. at Mount Carmel for Rev. Mr. Sherman. Assembly 280 or 300 psons. 12. At the Commencm' Yal. Coll. 13. Rev. Noah Welles of Stanford preached the Concio ad Clerum in the College Chapel to about 120 Ministers. This day was held at New Haven a Convention of Deputies from all the Towns in Connecticut but eight to deliberate & consult on the Non-Import'' Agreement. They resolved i. to adhere to it. 2. To withdraw Commerce from New York. 3. To receive Rhode Island into favor.' This afternoon my wife and I set out for Newport. [10. Gov' Hutch, betrayed & delivered & surrend. Castle W" to Col. Dairy mple of accursed Memory."] 19. We arrived safe to Newport, & found our Family comforta- ble. Deo Grates sunto. In Evening Rev. Jn'' Hubbard of Meriden & Messr" Barret & Ives & Wh. Hubbard, his companions, arrived here. 20. I married Mr. Hubbard & Mrs. Frost Widow.' 8. Rode to Mt. Carmel. 9. Ldsday. Preached there for Mr. Sherman. 10. Visited Rev. Sam' Hall of Cheshire & dined with him. P. M. rode to Wallingf'' & visited Dr. Dana, & came to Br. Isaac's at No. Haven. 2 Doll. Mother. 11. W" [= Widow] Grannis, ^Et. 86, born at Salem, name Chubb. Visited & examined Mr. [Warhani] Mather's Library in hands Mr. Jno. Davenp'. 13. Pd. to mending Chair 5/. Bridle, &c. 6/. Dr. Van Maestricht, &c. 1/6. Rode to Branford 4/2. 14. Dined at Dr. Ruggles', Guilf'' & rode & lodged at Mr. Todd's 1/6. 15. Dined at Lay's 9/. & rode to Mr. Hart's Saybrook. 16. Ldsday. I preached all day for Mr. Hart. Assembly, 200 below & 120 in Galleries, a full Congregation. Sang N. Eng. psalms A.M. & Watts P.M. 17. Sayb. Ferry 1/2. Oats 5''. Boy 1/4. Rope Ferry, &c. 3/2. N. Lond. Ferry 2/6. At Groton near Dr. Woodb. 4/. 18. Oats, &c. 8'^. Dinner Bliv. 2/4. Lodged Hawkins 3/4. 19. Ferry 3/. D" 3/. Arrived home at Noon. . . . Tot' expences, &c. 9 Doll., of which gave 2 Doll, to my Mother. ' The resolutions passed by this convention, of which Gurdon Saltonstall was chairman and Silas Deane clerk, were published in the newspapers, e. g. in the Connecticut Journal of Sept. 21. "^ Col. Dalrymple had been in command of the British troops in Boston for the past two years, and had incurred popular resentment in connection with the so-called Boston Massacre. 2 Mary Russell, born March 2, 1736, married in April, 1761, George Frost, who died the same year. Mr. Hubbard was a graduate of Yale ( 1744) and brother of Mrs. Stiles. The marriage took place at the house of Capt. Pollipus Hammond. 70 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 23. Ivdsdy. A.M. I preached Philip, iii, 13, 14. P.M. Mr. Hubb" preached Eph. iii, 17. 24. Mr. Hubbard & his Wife set out for Connecticutt. 26. The Boston prints this day bring Ace" that Univ^ Oxford have by Diploma created Rev. Mather B}des, Jun., an Episcopalian, S.T.D. I also find by last York post that there is arrived at New York one Dr. Eivingston, ordained by the Classis of Amsterdam for a Dutch Chh. in New York.' This Evening a monthl}^ Meeting of my Chh : I discoursed on Rev. iii, 21, about 30 present. Next at B' Car5''s 24 Oct". This da}^ I rec'' a letter from Dr. Franklin in Eondon, with Reland's Introduction to the Rabbinnical Eiterature. 29. Went to the Synagogue — this being the great Day of Atone- ment. 30. E'dsda}'. A.M. I preached 2 Thess. i, 6-10. P.M. Rom. v, 10. Propounded Jn" Toph. for owning Cov' for Baptism of his child. Read Dr. Eaw's Tracts. Oct. 2. Heard of Mr. Whitfield's Death. 3. Post come in. By the prints Rev. George Whitfield the cele- brated Itinerant died at Newbury- Port, 30"' ult., being E'dsdy. Morning, suddenl}- b}- the oppression of the Asthma, set. 56. — He first came to New England Sept. or Oct. 1740. Told Mr. Hopkins that there were one hundred Thousand Methodists. Mr. Whitfield preached above Seventeen Thousand Discourses. 4. Rode to Tiverton P.M. 5. Preached Rev. Mr. Campbells sacr' Eect. Coloss. iii, 1-3. 6. Returned to Newport. 7. Edsdy. Preached all day Prov. ii, 3-6, and at V" P.M. preached at the Goal from Col. iii, 2. Read the Chapter de scrip- toribus evangclids in Bowles' Pastor Evaugeliciis. 8. Mr. Professor Winthrop has computed the Elements of the Trajectory of the Comet which appeared for Eight days after 26''' June last. Time Perihel. Aug. 8" 23" 0' A.D. 1770 Place Perih. X. 27° 5' Perih. Dist. 62141. Node descend*^ !S^ 18. 15 Inch Orb. I. 42 1 Rev, . John H. Uvi ngstou (Y. C. 1762). SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 13, 1770 71 Motion of the Comet distinct. It must have arrived at its descending Node July 5. It had no Tail. In a few days it was in such a position that its Tail must have appeared if it had any, yet none could be seen. Most Comets have Tails, "some have been seen without them ; & even without such a turbid Atmosphere as generall}^ surrounds Comets ; & some are said to have been seen as clear & bright as Jupiter.'' This Comet remarkable for its swiftness. Till this the swiftest was that A.D. 1472, observed by Regiomontanus, which described about fourty deg. a day. " Our Comet run more than 40'' on first of July ; But certainlj^ it was not the same Comet as that." N.B. I was told this observ'' at Cambridge was made about XI'' or XII'' at night, & at IX" the next night, /. e. it wanted 2 or 3 hours to complete the day. I observed it from IX'' to IX'', at which hours respectively it was not far from due East of Alpha Lyrae & Pole star, passing b}' them within 5 or six degrees. This was a space of fourty six Degrees. Mr. Winthrop adds it was in Perigee about noon July I, wdien it was within one fiftieth part of the Suns Dist. & was not seven & half Times further from us than the Moon. Whence it was a small Comet. The Elements do not agree with those of any of the fifty-six Comets hitherto calculated, & therefore its period cannot be assigned. This then makes the number of knoivn Comets to be fifty seven. Probably the whole number of them may be much larger still. The capillitium of this comet about as large as that last year. 9. Rode over to Saconit.' 10. Preached an Evening Lecture at private House, Rev. Mr. Ellis, from Philip, i, w, filled fruits Right. 11. Returned from Little Compton & catechised children. Find by the prints that Mr. Whitefield was buryed in a new Brick Tomb under the presbyterian Meetinghouse at Newbury Port, of which Rev. Mr. Parsons is Minister. 13. At the Commencement at Nassau Hall, 26. Sept ult., the hon- orary Degree of A.M. was conferred on Rev'' Jn" Joachim Zubly, of Georgia, & others. " The following Gentlemen received the Degree of Doctor in Divinit^^ viz. the Rev. Mr. Robert Finlay, & the Rev. Mr. J710 Gillies of the City of Glasgow ; the Rev. Mr. George Muir, of Paisly in Scotland ; the Rev. Mr. Archibald Ladley, of New York ; ' Saconit or Seconnet, the Indian name of Little Compton, the nearest town on the mainland, due east from Newport. 72 DIARY OF EZRA STILES and the Rev. Mr. Eben. Pemberton of Boston. The first Doctorate in Div" given in an /American College, was that conferred by Harv. Coll. Camb., Nov. 7, 1692, npon the Rev. Increase Mather, A.M. And this is the only one hitherto conferred in New England.' The first Doctorate in Medicine was conferred on Daniel Turner, of London, by Yale College, 1720. These two are the only Doctorates in either of the learned Professions hitherto conferred in New Eng- land. Dr. Witherspoon at Jersey Coll. conferred the first Doctorate in Lares, Sep., 1769, upon John. Dickinson, Esq'', of Philad^, the celebrated Patriot & Author of the "Farmer's Letters;" & on Jos. Galloway Esq\ of Philad^. In 1768 or 1769 the Colleges of Philad'' & N. York each begun to give the Degrees of Bachelor & Doctor of Physic. Thus all the Learned Degrees are now conferred in the American Colleges as amply as in the European Colleges. The first in Har\'. Coll. Catalogue 1642 is Benj. Woodbridge, D.D. but he received this Degree after his Return to England from one of the Universities there. In 1696 there is Roland Cotton, M.D. I know not certainly where he had his Degree. This Afternoon arrived here Rev. John Witherspoon, D.D., Presi- dent of Nassau Hall, with Rev. Mr. Bacon." The Doctor lodges with me. 14. Ldsdy. A.M. Rev. Mr Bacon preached for me, i Jn" iii, 9. P.M. Dr. Witherspoon preached for me, Eph. v, 16. Had much conversa. with President Witherspoon, who is a very learned Divine. 15. Dr. Witherspoon was born in Scotland, 1723 ; went to the University of Edinburg, 1736; ordained 1745 & settled succes.sor in the Chh. from which Dr. Leechman was removed when Elected Professor of Divin^' in Glasgow. Came to America & invested with the presidency of Jersej^ College, Nassau, 1768. He is now aet 47. This Aft. he set out for Providence. He took the Degree of Doctor in Div^' in I think St. Andrews, 1764. ^10. Ster. 16. Extracting from Gov. Winthrops MS. 17. Dr. Witherspoon told me there was a wide Breach among the Seceders in Scotland, (which may be 150 or 200 Chhs.) respecting ^ The next doctorate conferred in New England was the degree of D.D. given by Harvard to Nathaniel Appleton in 1771. ^ John Bacon (Princeton Coll. 1765). He had latel}' been invited to preach for three months in the Old South Church, Boston, where he was settled in 1771. OCTOBER 14-22, 1770 73 a clause in the Burgher's oath about the estab. Religion : they divided under Names of Burghers & Anti Burghers : the latter had even excommunicated the former. One of the Erskines was a Burgher, his Son, a Minister also, an Antiburgher. A Gentleman once met the son & said to him, Sir, I have lived to see two strange Things — I sazu your Father give you up to Gd. in Baptism, & I have seen you excommunicato &. givi^ig your Father over to the Devil. Rev. Edward Upham,' Pastor of the first Baptist Church in this Town, tells me, he yesterda^^ concluded to resign the Ministry here & return to Springfield. 19. Transcribing Gov. Winthrops MS. 21. Ivdsdy. I preached A.M. & P.M. Ps. 36, 10. 22. This day I finished reading the Old Testament in the Original Hebrew, which I began to read in Course near three years ago, or Janr}' 30, 1768. I have all along compared the English & hebrew together, and am able from my own knowledge to say, that the English Translation now in use is an excellent & very just Trans- lation & needs very few corrections. And was it again to be trans- lated I cannot expect it would be better done. I have cursorily examined the late Quaker Translation,^ which is b}^ no means equal to that in use ; which was really made by Tin d all : For tho' his TransP w'as burnt, yet I have seen one of TindalV s copies preserved in the Faston Family on Rhode Isld ; & have compared the Great Bishops Bible, & find that that & K. James in use, are truly but Revisions of Tyndall. I do not wish to see another English TransP, till the English Dialect of the two last Ages shall have become obsolete & untilligible to posterity. But this will not be till English America is fully settled from the Atlantic to Mississippi, When the English of the present Idiom may be spoken by One hundred Million, all of whom may be able to read the Scriptures in Tyndall' s Translation. Probably the English will become the vernacular Tongue of more people than anyone Tongue ever was on Earth, except the Chinese, who are above one Quarter of the human Race, being .seventy Mil- lion fencible Men, implying above Two Hundred & Fifty Million souls. 1 Born in Maiden, Mass., March, 1709, B.A. Harvard 1734, ordained at (West) Springfield, Oct. 15, 1740, removed to Newport 1749. See also this Diary, April 14 and 19, 1771, and Sprague's Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, vi, 43-4- ^ By Anthony Purver ; London, 1764, 2 vols, folio. 74 DIARY OF EZRA STILES This day fifteen years ago I was ordained, by my Father, Mr. Torrey, & Mr. Burt.' Thro' the Patience of Gd. I am still con- tinued an unworthy Pastor under the great Head of the Church. I am the third Minister in the second Congregational Chh in Newport Rhd. Isld, which was gathered above 42 years ago or Apr. II, 1728, when Rev. Jn° Adams'^ was ord. Pastor, to whom Rev. James Searing" succeeded, to wdiom I succeeded. 23. Yesterday came here Mr. Stephen Sewall Professor of Hebrew & the other Oriental Languages at Harvard College, Cambridge, & Mr. Andrew Eliot Jun.' one of the Tutors. 24. Went to Synagogue &c. Mr. Sewall is well acquainted with Hebrew & its Dialects as Samaritan, Ethiopic, Syriac, Arabic, Chaldee — but not with the Armenian, Persic, & Coptic. We exam- ined the Inscriptions on the Mountains at Mt. Sinai as given Bp. Pococke. . . . This Even" at our Monthly meeting of my Chh., at Brother Carys about 35 present. I discoursed on Heb. iv, 15, 16. 25. Visited the Synagogue & Mr. Tauro the Chuzan. Attended Mr. Hopk. Ev^ Eect. Mr. Eliot preached i Pet. ii, 21. 28. Ldsdy. I preached A.M. Deut. iv, 39, 40, an old Sermon. P.M. Mr. Tutor Eliot preached Philip, iv, 6. 29. Mess'* Sewall & Eliot went away. Read Rev. Jn° Wilson's MS. towards forming the Camb. platform.^ Nov. I. This day I began the hebrew Psalter with the view of enter- ing into the very Ideas & Spirit of the Author, considering him as 1 Rev. Isaac vStiles (Yale 1722), of North Haven, Conn.; Rev. Joseph Torrey (Harvard 1728), of South Kingston, R. I.; Rev. John Burt (Harvard 1736), of Bristol, R. I. ' Only son of the Hon. John ; born in Nova Scotia ; graduated at Harvard 1721 ; dismissed from this charge on February 25, 1729-30 ; died in Cambridge on January 23, 1739-40, in his 36th year. A volume of his Poems (mostly religious) was published in Boston in 1745. ^ Yale Coll. 1725. His widow, Mary (EHery), was a member of Dr. Stiles's congregation. * Son of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Eliot, of Boston ; settled as pastor in Fair- field, Conn., 1774, died 1805. ^ The later history of this MS. is untraced : it was probably lent to Dr. Stiles by the Rev. Solomon Townsend, of Barrington, who is known to have had in his possession at this date other MSS. of like origin. Cf. Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 2d Series, iv, 161. OCTOBER 23-NovEMBER 7, 1770 75 conversant in sublime & unerring Ilhnnin-', not only as some of the prophets were as to occurrences in the outward state of Israel, but as one exalted into high real Commun. with the fountain of Light, in those manifestations of the div. Character & Holiness which Angels & Seraphs continually contemplate & adore. All the Rabbins ascribe the second Psalm to the Messiah. Attended Mr. Hopkins' Even^ & Sacr* Lect. Ps. Ixxv, 3. — I bear up Pillars, &c. 2. Preached m^' sacranit. Lecture. 3. Find by the prints Ace", of a naval Fight off the Morea & at Entrance of the Archipelago between the Russians & Turkish Fleets, about twenty ships on a side (or 19 Russ. 23 Turk.) on 15"' Jul}' ult. The Russians took three ships & sunk two & dispersed the rest. On the same day the Russian Army gained a Victory over the Turkish Army North of the Danube & not far from Bender. Persia have entered into Alliance with the Russians. Egj'pt has revolted. The prophesies Jer. xlvi to li. seem to be fulfilling. 4. Edsdy. A.M. I preached i Jn" iv, 9-1 1. Admitted Mrs. Ellery W°, Relict of Gov. Ellery :' admin. Eds. supper to 65 Com- municants. P.M. I Cor. ii, 2. 7. Case of S. G. of Westborough in C\ Worcester, Mass. as I rec'' it from Mr. Parkman, Pastor, Dr. Crosby the physician that attended her :' she being about twelve years of age : — 1759. End Nov. or beg. Dec. S. G. set. 12, wet her feet in gath^ cranberries & Dr. Crosby treated her as hav' the Jaundice till spring. 1760 March. Dr. Greenleaf gave her 5 gr. Calomel & Jalap, which worked once only : & a day or 2 after another potion w'^ did not work, & that day week after .she began to spit, & in few days Saliva plentiful ; cartharticks used for eight days not preventing it. MVilliam Ellery (Harvard College 1722), Ueputy-Governor of Rhode Island, 1748-50, died in Newport, March 15, 1764; his widow. Elizabeth, daughter of Col.JobAlmy, of Portsmouth, R. I., died in July, 1783 (see this Diary, July 29, 1783). Dr. Stiles contributed to the Neivport Mercury of March 19, 1764, an obituary notice of the Deputy Governor. They were great-grandparents of the Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing, of Boston. See Newport Hist. jMagazine, iv, 183. In another memorandum Dr. Stiles mentions that this morning's service was about three hours long. « Ebenezer Parkman, minister of Westboro', was a Harvard graduate of 1721 ; and Samuel Crosby was the most noted physician of that region, living in the nearest part of the adjoining town of Shrewsbury. ^6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES May 8, she ceased making Water. Dr. Ball called in & the Saliv" increased. (April, began to have hysteric Fits, i8 or 20 a day.) Upon urine ceas^, her mouth closed till Even'-' or till bed time " & after all was still & quiet, she would open her mouth & could eat : the rest of the time she found ways to get spoon victuals thro' her Teeth. She soon lost feeling in her feet, & could not stand alone." Thus she continued and had fits every night till "April 22, 1761, when Dr. Wheat of Boston sent her powders & Pills," w*^ she took a week before her spitting abated. " She had spit about a Gallon a day for the greatest part of the Time ; about 3 qu'"* a- daj^ for a while before Dr. Wheat was applied to." May 15, more powders & spit^ abated. May 20 or thereabouts her spitting ceased. May 22 ''made about a Tea spoon full of Water, which daily increased to about a Jill once in 24 hours. ' ' May " 23'' day she opened her Mo2ith & took her powders & spoke tho' after a broken Fashion. Her feet gathered strength about the same time & she went by the help of a chair. 27"' day went alone & by the help of somebody to lead her Went out abroad. She has now a tolerable appetite, but her fits follow her in the Even^ with- out much alteration from what they have been hereto fore."'^ " N. B. Since the aforementioned i''^ of June, 1761, her fits have left her & she has gradual!}' recovered a tolerable State of Health : is able to attend publick Worship & to pform the common ord^ Business of a family. We whose Names are hereunto anext have all along been well acquainted with the aforementioned case & can attest to the Truth of the foregoing Relation. W. May 1770 Eb^ Parkman, Pastor. Francis Whipple, Justice of Peace. (the nearest neighbour to the above S. G.) ^ this wrote 1761. Sam' Crosby Physician." 10. Reading I^ives of Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon, R. Solomon Jarchi, R. Aben Ezrge, & R. David Kimchi. Finished the Eng. Bible in course at Morning Family prayer. I find by the Prints the Univ^' of Oxford at one Time conferred the Doctorate in Div^ on Mr. Peters' of Philad^\ Mr. Breynton' of Hallifax, & Mr. Byles of Boston, all Episcopal Ministers & the two first Europ. the last a ^ Richard Peters. See Diary, Dec. 21, 1772. ^ John Breyuton, in charge of St. Paul's, Halifax, Nova Scotia, since 1752. NOVEMBER I0-20, I770 77 Proselj'te from the 'Congregationalists, & formerly Cong. Minister at N. London.' The University also gave Master of Arts to Mr. Inglis an Episc" Min. in New York. 11. lydsday. I preached Ps. 119, 135 without Notes or premedi- tation. P.M. Prov. X, 9.^ 12. Read the Life of R. Abarbinel in Reland. Read also Dr. Pemberton's Sermon at the Boston Thursday Lecture, Oct. 11, upon the Death of Mr. Whitefield, Text i Pet. i, 4. The last Ser- mon Mr. Whitfield preached was at Exeter in New Hamp. the day before his Death — he was a7i hour & fifty five mimites in Ser- 7)1071 : & afterwards rode to Newburyport, where he died next Morning of an Asthma. 14. I find that the Gen. Assembly of Connecticutt in their Session at New Haven last Month voted to found a Professorship of Nat. & Experimental Philosophy in Yale College [»& the Corpor*^ Elected Rev. Mr. Strong Professor of Phil.]' Read a long MS. Account of the Removal of Mr. Davenport from New Haven in 1668 to the first Chh in Boston upon the Death of Mr. Wilson ; & the Councills & gathering the third Chh. in Boston." 18. Ldsday. A.M. I preached 2 Cor. ix, 10. P.M. Dent, viii, 15, 16 & sung Ps. cxiv. in Dr. Watts' Version. Read in Young's Night Tho'ts. And also a Pamphlet on the Conversion of Rabbi Jachiel Hirshel, sent me b}- Mr. Zubly. R. Jehiel was born . . in Swabia A.D. 1706, fell under Convictions 1743 : was converted, & made profession Monda}" May 23, 1746, & Thursday after was bap- tized by the protestant Minister, Mr. Werdmiller, at Zurich in Switzerland. Rev. Mr. Zubh^ of Georgia was born at St Gall in Switzerland. ° 20. Late News that my Friend Mr. Paddock" died at Surinam. 'See, also. Diary, Aug. 6, 1771. ^ In another memorandum of pastoral acts, under this date Dr. Stiles adds : — Notified a Funeral in Absence of the Sexton. ^ This statement is not quite accurate. The Corporation voted (October 16) to elect Mr. Strong, in consideration of the fact of the Assembly's making a grant to discharge the existing debt owed by the College. ■*This MS., of 87 pages, not quite complete, is among Dr. Stiles's papers ; it gives a sketch of these events, from 1667 to 1674, and has been printed in Hill's History of the Old South Chtirch, Boston, i, 12-89. ^ See, also. Diary, May 16, 1772. « Probably Elisha Paddack, who was living in Swansey, Mass., in 1767, and made copies for Dr. Stiles at that time of the inscription on Dighton Rock. 78 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 21. Monthly Meet« Chh I preached i Pet. i, 3, 4, 5 ; present 52. 22. xAittended Mr. H. Evening Lect. Ps 119, 70. By a Letter from Dr. Alison I find the Rev. Mr. Gordon' & Wife are arrived from London to Philad^. He arrived about 3 weeks ago. 23. Mr. Wardel of Bristol lately told me, that the Throop Fam. & many others assisted in build^' the Chh there for M= Sparran,* after he returned with orders, under notion that the Liturgy was not to be used, but that the divine service was to be pformed as usual among Congregationalists. But when the}' came to find that the Liturgy must be used &c, they drew off & ceased. For Mr. M'^Sparran at his first return pformed Ldsday service at Col M'intosh's house, with extempore prayer &c. 26. This Afternoon in Conversation with Mr. C. of P he told me it was certain that Ld. Hillsborough in Discourse with Rev'' Morgan Edwards, the Baptist Min. in Philad'', when in London Aug' 1769, had encouraged & promoted the complaints of the per- secution of the Baptists by the Presbyterians in N. Eng'^ & directed him to collect & procure all Baptists Complaints, & send them home to Eng'' & they should be favorably heard, with Assurance of Redress. And this was a vScheme of the Ministry to set the Bap- tists against the Congregationists, & prevent the former from joyn- ing the Latter in opposing an American Episcopate, under the notion that they should meet with more Liberty & less oppression under episcopal than presb. Government. 27. Sister Baker died, aet. cir. 55.' 28. Finished read" "the present state of G. Britain & her Col- onies in N" America with regard to Agriculture, PopuP, Trade & Manufactures," printed in London 1767. 363 pages 8^'' I have studied fifteen hours this day : very unusual. Snow^ Dec. 2. Ldsdy. I preached A.M. Acts xvii, 30. P.M. Ps. 116, 15, funeral Sermon on Death of Mrs. Baker, a pious poor Widow & Sister of the Church. 5. Read^ Rev. Tho Pollen on Lds Supper. He was Episc" Mis- sionary in Newport from 1754 to 1760.' 1 See Diary, June i, 1771. ■^ vSee also Diary, March 31, 1773. 3 Widow Hannah Baker, born Oct. 20, 1716. •*Sonof Edward, of Hodson, Hertfordshire; E.A. Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 1 72 1. See Mason's Annals of Trinity Church, i, 111-14, 118-20. NOVEMBER 2I-DECEMBER 12, 1770 79 This Da}' Ezra finished Salust. Composed a Sermon for public Thanksgiving. 6. Public Thanksgiving observed in the two Congregational Chhs. in Town' as usual, on the day appointed by Proclam'' in the Massachusetts, whom we always imitate Voluntarih- as to the pub- lic Fast in Spring & Thanks^ in fall. This year N. Hanip. held Thanks^ on same day — Connecticutt a fortnight ago. I preached Isai. Ixiii, 7. And attended Mr. Hopkins Even^ Eecture Dan' V, 23. 12. Mr. Thurston brought me the Charter authenticated by the Gov. Sec'''' & Seal of this Colony containing an Act of the last Gen. Assembl}- for Incorporating the Congregational Chh. at Providence under the pastoral care of the Rev. David Shearman Rowland. An Ace" of the Interment of the Rev. George Whitfield in a new Tomb before the pulpit in the Presbyterian Meet^'house in Newbury- port Oct. 1770. " The manner was this, viz. at I o'clock all the Bells in Town tolled half an hour, & all the Ships & other vessels (which were mam') in the harbor, put on their respective Signals of mourning which the}' continued till night. At II o' the clock the Bells tolled a second Time half an hour. At III o Clock the Bells called to the procession : it being a very raw & rainy da}', the procession was only one Mile, which was not half the length intended — neither could the fiftieth part of the pple follow by reason of the cold & wet. I am told one hiindred and four Coicples followed the Corps. The Bearers the Rev. Dr. Haven of Portsmouth, the Rev. Messrs Rogers of Exeter, Jewett & Chandler of Rowley, Parsons of Byfield, & Bass of Newburyport. Mourners nu'self & Family. I walked first with Mr. Smith that waited on Mr. Whitefield, next James Clarkson Esq'' of Portsm" with m}' Daughter Phebe, Capt. Bordman with Eucia, Capt. Sawyer with Eydia, Tho^ Parsons & his "Wife, Moses Eittle & his Wife, then the Ministers & after them the Elders of ovir Chh ; — when we returned from the procession, the Corps was carried into the Meet^house &. set down on the Bier in the broad ' Another memorandum of Dr. Stiles states that the service lasted from 10.30 A.M. to 1. 15 P.M. He also says : The Cong. Chhs. at Saconet, Tiverton, Bristol, Warren, observed the day. That at Provid. under M"' Rowl*" did not, he being out of Town— but the Chh. mixt of Bap. & paedobaptists under Mr. Snow observed it. I know not whether the small Cong. Chhs at S° Kingst" & Westerly observed it. 8o DIARY OF EZRA STILES Alley. Then Mr. Rogers, in the pre.sence of as many people as could stand upon 12000 (twelve thousand) foot of Flooring, made a very adapted & affecting prayer. Then was sung the third Hymn of the second Book of Dr. Watts' s spiritual Songs; & then the Corps was entombed. But before the Tomb was sealed, Mr. Jewett gave an excellent Exhort'', which I suppose is printed with the funeral sermon, tho' they are not j^et come to hand. " This is a short View of the case. You'll judge whether more than three Thous'' p.sons could not stand crowded on 1 2000 feet of Flooring. Some say at least Eight Thous'* stood within the Walls. I think there was more than six Thous'' within the Walls. How many that could not get in, but filled the neighboring houses & street I'm not able to say : but it is suppo.sed that many more in number were abroad & in surrounding houses than within the Walls. " " Jonathan Parsons ' ' " P.S. The people from Boston were sent for to my hou.se, that (if they pleased) they might walk with the Mourners, as they pre- tended to be Mourners : but they did not come ; at least they were not seen by me nor the Waiters. Mr. Hubbard came into my house afterwards & I gave him a pair of Black Gloves." "J. P." — "The Expence that the pple had been at to provide a new Tomb to lay his Body in, besides other Expences, in the whole to Amount of about fifty pounds sterling." The above is extracted from a Letter Dated Nov' 8, 1770, From the Rev Mr Par.sons, in who.se house Mr Whitfield died. In 1 761 I was at Newbury & measured Mr Pansons Meeting hou.se now standing, & found it Eighty-three feet long & fifty- eight feet wide.' This gives the Area of the lower floor 4814 sq'' feet. If there are double Galleries (which I forget) I .sh'd. think they would not exced 2000 foot apiece = 4000. The whole Floor- ing can't possibly excede 8 or 9000 feet instead of 12000. Mr. Whitf'' preached in Mr. Thurston's B. Meet^., Newport, which is about 46 X 70 feet. From the pulpit I counted one quarter, & so estimated the whole, & became assured that the whole Area below did not contain above One T/ions'^ & the Gallery about three hundred — & it was crouded as much as possible, 500 at least stand- ' The original memorandum is in Dr. Stiles's Itinerary for May, 1761 ; it includes also the measures of the ist Clnirch (Rev. Mr. Tucker), 54x44; the 3d Church (Rev. Mr. Lowell), 70x54: and the Episcopal Church (Rev. Mr. Bass), 54x43- DECEMBER 13-31, 1770 81 ing abroad. I judge Mr Parsons Meet^li. cannot contain in the most crouded manner above Two Thous"' or 2500 Souls. And I think this is the largest Meetghouse in New England. I measured Dr. Sewalls in Boston 80 and about 55 feet.' 13. Last Week Mr. Dawson returned here from N York. Mr. Hopkins had no Lecture to night, it being snow & fowl Weather. 16. Ldsd3\ I preached A.M. Zech. i, 3. P.M. Mat. vi, 10. This day all mj- Family went to Meeting (as frequently before), being Eleven Persons, viz myself & Wife, 7 children, i maid & i Negro Man Servant. 1 8. Visiting my people, & discoursing with them on their spirit- ual concerns. 25. There are but three Bells' in Town ; all which used to ring on Christmas Eve. Mine did not ring last night. Mr Hopkins rang a little. Only the Chh. Bell rung steadily, & this left oif at nine o'clock in the Evening, & did not ring again till IX this morn- ing. This Afternoon I went to the Moravian Meeting, which cele- brates Christmas, & heard Mr Russme5^er preach from Rom ix, 5. He was educated at the Universit}^ of Gripswald in Germany, but speaks English fluently. 26. Chh Meeting at Dr. Bartlets. I discoursed on Heb x, two last verses. Present about fourty or upwards. 27. Making entries in Chh. Records. Attended Mr. Hopk. lect. 28. This Morn*^ at \%^ awaked with Cry of Fire ; three Dwell- ing Houses were burnt down on the south side of the Parade, & within six or seven Rods of my House : and then thro' a kind prov- idence the Fire was subdued, partly by water Engines, partly hy pulling down &c. Alarm of devouring Flames of last great da}- ! 30. Ldsdy. I preached A.M. Mat xi, 28-30. P.M. 2 Pet iii, 10, II, on occasion of the late Fire. 31. There were thirty five persons dislodged by the Fire : most of the Furniture saved, but more of it stolen than burnt. One of the Buildings was a good one & rented for 150 Dollars per ann. Ex- clusive of this the Total Doss of houses & Goods might be ^150 or at most ^200 sterling. The Charitj^ of the people has more than supplied the Loss of all except the Buildings. Mrs. Dennis, Wife of John Dennis, had the presence of Mind to leave a paralytic husband & 4 children, go out of her house to the next adjoyning, which she ^ The Old South meeting-house, built in 1730, and still standing. ^ See this Diary, Jan. 7, 1772. 6 82 DIARY OF EZRA STILES saw afire, to save a lame helpless Woman in a Chamber reached by the flames, & whom she knew must perish in the flames in a few minutes. She took her upon one hip & her Babe on the other & carried them both down stairs, the stairs then in flames. And delivering her abroad, she returned & took care of her own Family & Goods. Mr. Dennis's house was all in flames in a few Minutes & burnt to Ashes. Finis Anni 1770. 1771 Janry I. It has been my manner for some years daily to read a chapter more or less in the Hebrew Bible. With this I have lately jo5'ned the reading or Examination of the Rabbinical Commentators, par- ticularly at present of Rabbi David Kimchi. Filling up my Chh Records for last 3'ear.' ' The following list of families in his Church at this date is preserved among Dr. Stiles's papers. The appended figures, showing the number of visits, indi- cate at what houses he was intimate : — William Vernon, 10 Widow Ryder, 4 Frederic Hamilton, 5 Benj" Doubleday, 11 Pollipus Hammond, 11 William Ellery, Esq., 7 Mrs. Searing, 13 John Bartlett, 10 Jacob Richardson, 3 Nathan Bebee, 5 W™ Symmes, 2 W" Wilson, 3 James Pitman, 7 Benj" King, 21 W" Hannah Bennet, 7 Benj* Cluirch, 5 Thos. Brenton, 3 James Clark, 7 Jacob Stockman, 7 Thos. Brown, Mariner, 6 Widow Susanna Treby, 4 David Chesebro', 20 Robert Stevens, 32 W" Carr & Clark, 14 Caleb Gardner, 31 John Channing, 44 Joseph Belcher, 16 Peleg Cary, 10 John Cary, 5 Samuel Treby, 8 John Pitman, Esq., 14 W" Abigail Pitman, 14 Edward Simons, 4 W" Tripp, 4 W" Mary Davenport, 12 Edward Murpli}', 4 Benj" Pitman, 5 Lemuel Crandal, 7 Peter Parker [removed] W" Aug. Peck, 9 Isaac Dayton, 16 Joseph Hamand, 10 Eleazar Trevett, 15 Eben"' Vose, 7 Nath'l. Sowle, 4 W" Sylvester, 3 Eben'' Richardson, jun., Thos. Richardson, 6 Eleazar Trevett, jun., 5 W<- Wilson (Benj.), 3 JANUARY 1-6, 1 77 1 83 5. Wrote Letters to M'' Sayre & M" Grant in London and covered 2 of my Inst. Serm. & 3 of Mr Johnsons Election Sermons— for D^ Conder of Lond. & D'' Robertson of Edinburgh . 6. Ldday A.M. I preached 2 Cor. v, 21. Readmitted Brother Sayer & adm. Lds Supper to 60 Communicants. P.M. Ps. 84, 11, Benj"* Slierburn, 12 John Stevens, 6 Job Bissel, 4 Charles Davens, 5 Eben"' Davenport, jun., 5 Philip Ackland, 5 John Mai com, 6 John Newton, 6 Simon Newton, 11 George Mowatt, 6 Abraham Dennis (except Wife), 13 Thomas Childs, 6 Rowland, 5 Job Rowland, 6 William Merriss, 9 W" Peckham, 10 W Marg* Topham, 7 Eben'' Finch, 3 John Simson, i Richard Simson, 4 Mrs. Roland, i Philip Moss, 7 Jno. Topham, 7 W° Ann Topham 5 Deacon Sayer, 14 W» Beebe, 6 Benj* Sayer, 7 Joshua Sayer, jun., 4 Samuel Crandal, 6 Jos. Crandal's Family, 4 James Brown, 3 Benj" Baker, 4 Nathan Luther, 10 Eben'' Davenport, sen., 8 Joseph vSmith, 8 Rob' Gibbs, 2 James Carter, i Widow Ingraham, i Widow Kennecott, 4 W° Bennet's Fam., 4 Kendal Nicols, 3 W» Katherine Nicols, i W" Nicols (Herb.), W« Barbut & Son, W^^ Howard, Mr. Watt, 2 [removed Sept. 1771] Wilk. Treby, i Mr. Sam'l. King, i Major Otis—July 18, 10 Mr. Wood, 4 Ben. Dayton, 3 Hez. do., 4 Mr. Ferguson, 3 Sam'l. Crandal, 2 Chas. Davins, i Capt. Hamilton, 5 Hai,f Families Wife of W" Downer, 2 W" Rumrill, 8 Sam'l Vernon, 4 Cap' Hatch, 2 Mrs. Frj'ers, 4 Henry Marchant, Esq., 7 " " since July 8, 1771, when he embarks for London, 16 Eben'' Richardson, Esq., i W» Mary Newton & D., 6 W" Murphy, 4 Wife of W" Potter, 3 Philip Peckham, 5 W" Bridget Treby & Gr. Ch., 2 Wife of George Nicols, 2 W" Guyse Haggar, 2 Benj" Ingraham, 2 Wife of Eben'' Williams, i Wife of Lewis Bilio, 6 Wife of Thos. Brown, 3 Joseph Brown, 4 84 DIARY OF EZRA STILES & read two Briefs for the sufferers by the late Fire. And married a Couple' in the Evening. [M"" Hopk. admitted 2 Members : the first.] 7. Present at the opening the Body of Peter Peckham deceased by D'' Jn"" Bartlett, who fovind the Kidneys both filled with a Pus & much Grit, Chalk, or Matter like Mortar of Lime ; & some Calculi of angular & irregular forms. The Ureters contracted. The Blad- der reduced & skin or Coats indurated & thick, under utmost Dis- tention not containing two spoonfulls. A little chalk}- or Gritty, but no Calculi. His Heart, Lungs, Liver & other Viscera all in good state : The youth died get. 17^^. 10. I preached M' Hopkins's Lecture Philip, ii, 15. 12. Rev. Nehemiah Strong introduced and established Professor of Math. & Nat. Philosophy at Yale College 21"' Dec. ult. Read a Wife of Jon" Stoddard, 8 Wife of Capt. Hyers, Children of W" vSherman, i Wife of Saiiford, 3 3 Children Mrs. Bell (Heatly), W" Jones, 4 Wife of Davis, 4 Mr. Weeden, 3 S1NG1.E Persons &c. Jn° Coit, 2 Israel Chapman [removed] Daniel Russel, i Aged W" Treby, 4 W" Chambers, 3 W° Bridget Treby, 4 Tim" Allen, 3 Susanna Dyre, 3 Mercy Hamand, 2 Ann Ingraham, 2 Ann Channing, 11 Sarah Graves, 2 W° of Gov. Ellery, 24 Benj" Ellery, 2 Rebecca Petteface, 4 Hannah Tabor, 2 Desire Robinson, i Peace Clark [lived with me] Esther Phillips, 2 Hannah Preston, 2 W" Spinney, 3 Alice Towns'^, 5 W* of Jn" Simson, jun., i ' Elijah Tompkins, of Little Compton, R. I., and Elizabeth Pratt. Mr. Whitwell, 7 Sarah Oldham, i W" Cole, 1 Miriam Cole, V 8 Hannah Cole, J Mr. Miller, i Elizabeth House, 2 W" Hunt, Eben'' Campbell, 3, W'' Shore, i W" Wills, 3 Nathan Ingraham, W. of Benoni Tripp, 1 77 1, July 15 Capt. Miller, 5 Sam'l Hehshaw, 3 Sally Donaldson, 3 Mrs. English, 4 Mrs. More, 9 Wife Brown (Exp.) 4 W" Stevens, 2 926 Visits There are manv omissions. JANUARY 7-23, 1 771 85 Volume of Yoricks Sermons. I am told that a Number of Baptists, Sabbatarians & Thurstons, have had lately two Meetings at private houses where they performed the Pedilavium. Their last Meeting was at M'' Bliss's at Green Inn about a week ago. The next to be in April next. It has been extraordinary- mild & fine Weather for several da^'s : this day Fahr. Therm. 52 in N" shade. 13. Ldsday. I preached all day Mat xi, 28-30, & notified Contrib. next Sabb. Foren. for Sufferers by late Fire. 16. Monthly Meetg Chh at B"" Otis. I discoursed an hour & half on Jn" xvii, 17. Present about 40. 18. At IX*^ at Night a terrible Fire on Taylors Wharf not sub- dued till after Midnight. It distroyed one Dwellgh., 3 vStores, one Sugar House, & sundrj' shops. 20. Ldsday. A.M. I preached Isai. xxvi, 9, on Occasion of the late Fire. After Sermon had Contribution for the sufferers in the precede fire of 28"* ult. P.M. Mat. xi, 28-30, last Sermon. Pro- pounded Tho*" Watt for owning the Covenant ; & desired young Men of the Congreg-^ to meet at my house tomorrow Even^ for a religious Exercise. 21. In Even^ Meeting of 3-oung Men of ni}- Congregation at my house : when I gave them a View of the terrestrial Globe with a Eecture on the Scripture Geography ; after which I prayed with them & discoursed on Psal. cxix, 9. 22. Mr. Hopk. baptized five Children last Sabbath, I think the first since his Instalm' in April last. 23. Copying Gov Winthrops MS. By the Prints I find that at Cam- bridge 14"' Inst. Lieut Gov. Hutchinson with M'' Hulton and M" Burch stood sponsors for John Apthorp' Esq his Son Jn" Trecothick baptized b}- Rev. M' Seargeant, Episcopal Clergyman. Gov. Hutch- inson affects to be accounted a Congregationalist & is a Member or Communicant in D'' Pembertons Cong. Chh in Boston. This is a specimen of a Coalition with the Chh, so as bring the Chh of Engld into Supremacy in N. Engld, which I have long judged agreeable to ^ John Apthorp was a son of Charles Apthorp, of Boston, and brother of the Rev. East Apthorp ; one of his sisters was the wife of Barlow Trecothick, who was elected Lord Mayor of London in 1770. The Rev. Winwood Serjeant was the snccessor of the Rev. East Apthorp in charge of the Episcopal Mission in Cambridge. Cf. Sprague's Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, v, 81, 176 ; and Bridgman's King's Chapel Burial Ground, 278. 86 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES Gov. Hutchinson. In extracting I copied this day the most of 13 pages of Gov. Winthrops MS : 24. Copied from p. 32 to 76 MSS. . . I did not attend Mr. Hop- kins Lecture. 25. Extracted 74 pages MS. to p. 152. 26. Extracted about 100 pages MS. or to p. 252. 27. Edsdaj^ A.M. I preached Eevit. xix, 12. P.M. Job ii, 10 and baptized Job son of Job Bissel. In the Eveng extracted MS. 28. Extracted to p. 348 MS. 29. Finished Extract MS. 30. Copied some loose papers, & some Gleanings upon Review of the MS. Thus I have at length finished extract^ from both Volumes of Gov. Winthrops MS. Hist, of N.E. from March 29 1630 to Dec. 26, 1644, contained in 2 Vol. Vol. I, 184 pages: Vol. II, 366 pages ; Tot. 550 pages in 4*" My Excerpta are comprehended in about 166 pages in 4^° or nearly One Third of the Original.' 31. I returned both Vol. MSS. to M' Winthrop of New London and resumed Heb. Rabb. Febry. 2. Went to the Sjaiagogue. 3. Ldsday A.M. Rev. M' Bacon, Pastor Elect of the Old S° Chh in Boston, preached for me i Cor. i, 23. P.M. I preached Ps. 37, 18. And baptized M"' Watt's Infant publickly in the Congreg-', he first owning the Chh Covenant. Last Tuesday the Old S" Chh B" gave a call to M'' Bacon, & M' Hunt aet 26, to settle Colleague Pastors in that Chh — 54 Brethren present. This was D'' Sewall's Chh. M' Bacon is of M'' Hopkins' principles, among other Things holding that for the Baptism of Children one of the parents must be in full Communion — & if they dont come to the Lds Supper, neither shall they or their Children have Baptism. But M' Blair^ held the same principle, which excited such Difficulty as necessi- tated him to ask Dismission from this same Chh in Boston. On this Trial there appeared 5 or 6 of the Chh of M' Blairs Opin. & above 40 against it. D'' Sewall was ag' it. Indeed one principal Reason of 1 In another memorandum Dr. Stiles sa3-s of this day, No Sermon at Chh. : only prayers. The day was usually observed as the anniversary of the INIartyr- dom of King Charles 1. ' For vSamuel Blair see below, March 14, 1771. JANUARY 24-FEBRUARY 4, 1 77 1 87 form^ this Clih A.D. 1670 circa, was because their Brethren the first Chh Boston, would not practice on the Synod of 1662, but required one parent in Communion. The principle on which M'' Blair (Colleague with D'' Sewall) came to this Conclusion, was diff. fr. that w*^ brings M' Hopk. &c to it — the one was the same as in Chh of Scotland, where all persons of good Know. & moral Life, come to the Table, & have Baptism &c without consid*-' the Ques- tion, whether they are regenerate. Now M'' Hopk & M' Bacon require Regener*^ as the indispensable Qualific''. M'' Bacon was at difficulty with the Chh in B" — to refuse Baptism to such as could make profess, of faith without com^ to the Lds Table, was not only contrary to the Orig. Found'' Principles of that Chh, but to a recent declared Determin'^ in the Case of M'' Blair. Indeed all this was known to M'' Bacon & M^ Hunt before they went to preach on Pro- bation. The Chh sent a Committee to know their purposes on this Question. M' Bacon told me he replied, that tho' he judged who- ever was qualified for one was also for both ordinances ; 3'et if they could not see their Waj- clear to come to both, & }"et could to the one, he did not see that it was his Dut}' to hinder him ; & so that he would baptize in the usual manner on owning the Covenant, without exacting their coming to the Lds Table : & so said M'' Hunt. Which gave satisfaction. I had talked so exactly in the same Manner with M'' Hopkins, (& which he never did nor could confute) at his first coming here, that I suspected he had received these sentiments from him, tho I did not suggest it to him ; but M'" Bacon in Course of Convers^ said he had last fall (when at New- port) conversed with M' Hopkins upon it, & he would say little or noth^ to him about it. Indeed it was well known to the Hopkin- tonian party that B" Old S" would never receive this principle of theirs ; & yet they were fond of having one of their Brethren set- tled there. I look upon it an Instance of Temporizing.' 4. . . . This Aft. I spent in comp^ with Rev. M' Smith a Prus- sian & Lutheran Minister. He was educated in the Uni\-ersity of Frajikfort on \h& Oder. Where, when about set. 16, he was called 'Dr. Stiles's distrust was well-grounded. The Rev. John Bacon (Coll. of N. J. 1765) was installed over the Old South, Sept. 26, 1771, at the same time with the Rev. John Hunt (Harv. 1764) ; but difficulties soon arose on doctrinal points, in consequence of which Mr. Bacon was dismissed, Feb. 8, 1775. See Sprague's Amials of the Amer. Pulpit, i, 686, and this Diary, April 20, 1772 ; also, YlWVs Hist, of the Old South Church, ii, 124-71, 208-10. 88 DIARY OF EZRA STILES forth into the War b}- the King of Prussia ; & afterwards he became Chaplain to Prince Ferdinand in the last War, i. e. officiated in praying & Preaching— but not baptizing or administer^ the Com- munion. He came to America about four years ago, and preached among the lyUtheran Congregations in Pensylvania ; and was ordained in that Province b}- three Liithcran Ministers, without the presence of a Superintendent, none being in America. He married last year to a woman at the German Flatts' above Alban}-. There are about 90 or 100 Families of Germans at Boston, some Luth. some Calvinists. They have called him, & mean to form a Congre- gation & build a Meetingh. For this, he is going to I^ondon, to ask of the German Clihs. there about ^500 or more for the Meeting- house, & to ask of his Majesty a Salary. Two Episcopal Clergy- men in Boston visited him, & told him he might probably be assisted by the Society, & discoursed about Ordination. He gave them to understand that he judged his own ordination valid, & after referr^ them to the Angels of the Chhs in the ReveP as each, Bishops, he humourousl_y ridiculed the notion of Reordination, & rallied D'' Bjdes in particular who being a Minister before should go to I^on- don onl}^ to get a Gown, which M'' Smith himself had already. In the even'^ I had a Meet" of the young Women of my Con- greg-' at my house ; I discoursed Rev. xix, 7, 8, 9. There were present about 70 or more. 5. Ezra began Ovidii de Tristibus. Even*-' I^ect. at Mr. Hopk. Meeting. Mr. Bacon preached. . . I was in comp-' to day with Cap^ Hamilton & a Dutch Gentleman ; both had been to Latitude Eighty One^ North on the Whale Fishery. They said that on the Greenland side the Sheet Ice extended off shore 40 Leagues or more, at least that from Mast Head Land could not be seen — that in Ma}^ & the first of the WhaF the whales lay on that side, & the Ships fastened to the Ice, by cutting a hole & carry '^ the Anchor on the Ice and so the Vessel lay, the [ice] being there 5 or six feet thick. Afterwards the Whales remove to the other side or east- ward : then the ships remove to Sir Tho* Smiths Ba}-, Hackluyts Headland &c — That while Cap*^ Hamilton lay here, it was not near so cold as before ; the Vallies free from Snow & Ice & filled with Grass ; no Ice adherent to the shores & Bays, except what came ' The township including iHon, in Herkimer County, on the Mohawk River. ^ 79° is the highest point known to have been reached as early as this. FEBRUARY 5-7, 1 77 1 89 float^ from the Northward ; He was about the 80"' deg. from May to 28"' August : — the Sun perpetually above the horizon or most of the Time : — by which means the Weather became moderate & even warm, for he said the Pitch in the Vessels Seams zuas melted; he often icas cloathed only in a flannel Jacket ; »& was generally more moderate than the Winters in New Engld ; & that the Sea was open, tho" frequently charged with floating Ice. 6. Ver}' cold. Therm" six deg. above o. this Morn*^. In the Salem Print, Jany. 29. ult. I find Animadversions on a Proposal to erect a Consociation of Chhs in that Vicinit}', on this Maxim " com- munion of Faith necessary to Commun. of Chhs." I suppose this is set a foot by D'' Whitaker,' an enterprizing 3'oung Presbyterian from the Jersies, who removing thence & settling here is endeav^ to assimulate the N. Eng. Chhs to Presbyter^^ and to render himself important by erecting a new System within our Chhs, under the pretext of guarding them against erroneous Doctrines. Men in all Ages have endeavoured to aggrandize themselves on the Ruins of the Chhs Liberties. The plan of this Consoc. is briefly, that it consist of the Pastors & one Messenger delegated from each Chh ; to begin with 3 or more Chhs : to be a standing & decisive Council for those Chhs, they not to have Eib'' to apply to or call in any other : to license Candidates &c. This transfers the power ovit of each distinct Chh, & renders all subordinate to a Judicatorial Policy never suggested by Christ — »& that on a principle upon which one might ascend to the all comprehensive & all absorbing Policy of the Pontificate. I am apprehensive this Salem Witchcrafte may prevail. 7. Reading in Purchases Pilgrims. Attended M' Hopk. Even^ Eect. M'' Bacon aetat. 32. preached Rom. ix, 22. He had before laid down two propositions. I. That the End of God in punish^ the wicked was his own Glory. II. He would manifest this Glory in fill^' the wicked as full of Misery & Wrath as their Capacities would admit. The first he discussed before. This Even*-' he con- sidered the last. In convers^ M'" Hopk. informed the Difference between D'' Wheelock & D' Pemberton and the rest of the Indian Commission- ers at Boston ; & also D^ Wheelocks Diff. with Rev. M"" Kirtland Ind. Missionary at Onoida. When D'" Wheelock sent D'' Whitaker & M"" Cecum home to Engld to sollicit Benefactions, the Boston ' See above, under Feb. 18, 1770. 90 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Commissioners sent home a Letter (pen'd by D' Pemberton) to shew that they did not approve it. D' Pemberton said (biit^not in the Letter) that " D'' XAHieelock was a man of unbounded Ambition, & not fit to be at the head of such an Institution." ' He told M'' Hopkins this. This Letter created an Obstruction, & occasioned a Difference. M' Kirtland & M"' Ralph Wheelock vSon of the Doctor were at College together" & there had a Difference. Mr Kirtland had gone forth after this under M' Wheelock, to the Indian Mis- sion. At length he proposed to marr}', but wanted a little subsist- ence. B}- some means, he was neglected while on the Mission, & want of supplies was supposed to be ow° to the Doctors Son. When M'' Kirtland pressed the fixt supply, the D'' told him he would do as well as he could for him but could fix noth^ certain. Upon this M"" Kirtland wrote to M' Whitfield in England for Supply. By his Influence there and in Scotland a supply of ^loo. ster was sent over to M'' Kirtland expres-slj^ and not to come into the hands of D'' Wheelock. This gave offence & the Breach became open. Upon this the B" Commissioners took M'' Kirtland into their service & fixt him a salar}-. And this fixt the Breach, supposed to have originated from so remote a Cause as a trifling Difference at College.' 8. Read M'' Pitt, Ld Chathams Speech in Pari', lo. Ldsday. I preached A.M. & P.M. on these united Texts Exod. XX, 8 & Rev. i, lo. On the Sabbath. The Anniversary of my Marriage. I pub. Bans between John Mumford & Anstis Ham- mond, and propounded Simon Newton for Admission into the Chh ; & baptized William the Son of Geo. Mowatt ; and notified religious Meet" of the Negroes at my house. This Day I have been married fourteen years — & have been very happy in an industrious, sensible & religious Wife, the Eldest Daughter of Co' John Hubbard of New Haven. We have seven Children living, besides one that is not. Read Bp. Newton on prophecy. [This or next Sabb. M'' Dawson bapt. 2 persons at the Point, tho' excessive cold & shores full of Ice.] ^ Cf. this Diary, May 27, 1779. -' At Princeton, where the Rev. Samuel Kirkland (to use his own later spell- ing) received his degree in 1765 ; Wheelock migrated in 1764 to Yale, where he was graduated the next year. ^ In Kirkland's Life, by his grandson, S. K. Lothrop, the breach is supposed to have arisen from Ralph Wheelock 's overbearing conduct at the mission. A partial reconciliation with Dr. Wheelock was arrived at in October, 1771. FEBRUARY 8-20, 1771 9I 11. Read- Newton. I have long desired to find the Period in which Egypt received Circumcision This even^ I instructed about 50 Negroes or more from Rom. iii, 22-25. Finished reading the first \'olume of Bp. Newton on Prophecy. By the prints I find under the London News of Nov' last, that the Episc° Clergymen in Maryland had lately preferred a Petition to the King asking a Bishop for that province. 12. Read a Pamphlet pub. at B" last month being Ten Letters to Bp. Hoadly on the Mode & Subjects of Baptism. 14. Writing Reflexions on the X Letters. I did not attend M"" H. Lecture pr. by M'' Bacon. 16. M'' a Jew came to m}- Stud}- this Even^ to converse on the New Testam' After he was gone I was told, that he is courting j\Iiss Pollock a young Jewess much inclined to Xtianit}', & who has expressed her Wishes that her Mother & family would become Christian. That they had both got an English New Testa- ment & read it privately together ; & were surprized in the Fact by her Friends, who were highly displeased. 17. Ldsda}^ A M. M"" Bacon preached ior vi\Q.—fear not little flock. P.M. I preached Exod. xx, &c Sabbath &c. & published Jn" Mumf*^ & Anstis Hammond 2^^ Time, Will'" Bently & Hannah Pit- man & Tho' Honswell & Priscilla Cory, first Time. And pro- poundd Mary Davis for Admiss. into full Communion. I under.std ISP Hopk. this day propounded three. 20. Chh Meeting at Sister Trevett's. I discoursed on i Pet. 2, 7. perhaps about 40 present ; next to be at S' Toph. last Wedny next Mo : an excessive cold Day & Even^. Fahr. Therni''/^'^ above Cypher. This Evening at VI" 25. died M' John Channing ;' an hospitable & generous Friend to me — an immoveable Advocate for the Doctrines of Grace & particularly Ju.stific"' by the great Atonem* & the divine Righteousness of the Ld J. C. imputed to the peni- tent Believer. He was much of a Gentleman, a Merchant of Emi- nence negotiating 3 or /"4000 Ster. per aim. in Commerce. About 1750 he was largely in Trade in Comp' with M'' Chaloner his Wifes Brother, & own six or seven large Vessels Brigs &c. In 1755 they failed for ^150,000. Old Ten' and perhaps the creditors lost ^80 or /locooo or about Ten Thous'' SterP. This gained them many ' Grandfather of the Rev. Wm. EUery Channing. He was son of John and Mary (Antram), from Dorsetshire, England, and married on Jan. 5, 1746, Mary, daughter of Ninian Chaloner, of Newport, and widow of James Robinson. 92 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Enemies. Recover^' from a Bankruptc>- Mr Chann" again went into Trade and from 1760 to 1770 traded chiefly in European Goods to about 3 or ^4000. ster per Ann. In which Time he met with Losses above ^1500. ster. besides ^^1200 ster. bad debts. It is feared an Insolvenc}- must take place on a settlem^ of his Estate. How far the principle of Righteousness & Moral Virtue was affected in the mixt scenes of Commerce, God only knows. It is greatly happy to live disentangled from the World. He died set. 56. He was born in Boston, & I think baptized by one of the D'' Mathers. His Father left Engld in Q. Anns Reign — -was a Puritan — & his Grandmother used to carry Victuals under her Cloke to the puritan Ministers in prison last Century. He never would be perverted from an Affection to the puritan Cause. And tho' much in polite Life, never learned profane Swear- nor Drinking — tho' he loved affluence & even luxurious Entertainments for his Friends. He loved & kept a good Table, lived high as to Eating, greatly — intirely temperate as to Drink^. He was a sensible Man, sociable, of a noble spirit detesting every Thing mean & dishonorable. 21. This Aft at Uj4^' died M''" Hammond set. 63. wife of Cap' PoUipus Hammond' — She was exceeding kind to the poor. No Lect. at M'' Hopkins because of intense cold. 22. Cold Moderated. 23. Th. 32 at Noon. M' Bacon set out for Boston. It is said Bristol Ferry is so frozen that a Waggon passed across on the Ice. Made a funeral Sermon on M'' Channing. 24. Ldsdy. A M & P M. I preached on Heb. xi, 13. These all died in Faith, &c. I published besides the others, Nathan Beebee, &c. Admitted vSimon Newton into full Communion, he standing up in his Pew. 28. Digesting Materials for Ecc. Hist. New Eng. In Even^ attended M'' Hopk. Lect. He preached Heb. xii, 25. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. After Lecture we went to Cap* Mores to the Marriage of his Daughter. M' Jn " Chan*-' son of dec*^ arrived from Carolina. March. I. I preached my Sacram* Lect. Col. i, 10, & published six Couples. 3. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached Rom. iii, 25, without Notes — admin- istered the Lords Supper — published 3 Couples. P.M. Mat. v, 7, ' Sarah Mumford, of Newport, born 170S, married 1734. FEBRUARY 2I-MARCH 8, 1 77 1 93 a funeral Sermon on Sarah the wife of Capt PoUipus Hammond. Read Newton on Prophec}*, 50 pages. 4. Red 226 pages in Newton ; & some in Auhis GelHus. . . Last Monday Even*^ M' Hopkins had a Meeting of the young Men of his Congreg^ at his House : this Evening he had a Meet^ of Young Women . 7. A satyrical piece against me in the Providence Gazette to ridi- cule my Notion of the Rapidity of American Population & Growth of the N. E. Churches.' I did not attend M'' Hopkins Lecture. 8. Col. Malbone of Pomfret has sent down to Newport to invite a numb, of Gent, to come thither next month to celebrate the Con- secration of an Episc" Chh, which he has procured to be erected there." It is said that there are about sixtj- Families become Episc" within a dozen or fifteen Miles round the Chh. Mortlake of Brook- lin is a Parish of small bounds made out of Pomfret & Canterbury Pomf. thus Div. Line. Cant. It contains perhaps 130 Earn, presb. A Congreg^ Chh was gath- ered there perhaps about 1730, M'' Avery Pastor, to whom suc- ceeded M'' Whitney' present Pastor a worthy Man, and acceptable to the few Episc'' themselves. M"^ Malbon, Father of present Col. Malb. , perhaps 40 y. ago purchased about Five Thousd Acres in the S° part of Pomfret, all which fell into [& was a quarter part] Brooklin. He put Negroes, stock & Tenants upon it & it became a valuable Plantation : but never settled his Family upon it. It was a little doubtful whether the Land of a nonResident Episco- palian was subject to ministerial Taxes ; and old Col. Malbon being a very catholic Chhman, and the ministerial Tax being for many 3'ears at first very small on his Tract, because new & uncultivated, perhaps not much more than the Tax of one Famih^ out of 70 or 80, w° 70 or 80 fam. might give M'' Aver}'^ a Salary of ^50. L. M. thus the Tax being small perhaps scarce 2 or 3 Dollars per ann. for 30 years. Col. Malbone consented to pay it steadil}- ; In this man- ner it became a Thing of Course to comprehend this Estate in the Rate Bill. As the Estate grew in Value the proportion of Tax increased upon this Tract more sensibl}' than on other Estates. For the other three Quarters of so small a Tract was settled & bro't to ^ In a communication signed "A. Z.," in the Gazette of March 2. ^ See this Diary, Jan. 2, 1770. ^ Ephraim Avery (Harvard 1731), and Josiah Whitney (Yale 1752). 94 DIARY OF EZRA STILES at once ; but now at length this Qu"" was so cultivated as to be of great Value, & so as to pay latelyy?//)' Dollars a year min. Ra:te. Old Col. Malb. died a few years since : & the sons loosing greatl}' in Trade, at length removed & settled at this Estate. Young Col. Godfry Malbone treated the Min. M' Whitney with Respect & Hos- pitality & had no Difference with him. But influenced b}- his Chh Connexions in Newport & to gratify his wife & family, he began at length to be disposed to have a Chh near him. Which could be done if 30 or 40 Families could be brot to agree to support or help in support^ a Clergyman. For if the Society in Engld would give ^30 or £\o. ster. & as much more could be raised in the Vicinity, Col Malb. proportion would be less than w^hat he now p'' to a Dis- sentg Minister. And then he shd have a Min. to his Liking. The Episc" at Newport joyned in to assist in build^ the Chh. Matters thus prepared, it only remained to find occasion for breakg off a friendh' connex. with M' Whitney & pple. Had none offered, they were too ripe not to break off, especially after the Col. remov" him- self and Famih^ there. But one offered & it was seized. A new Meetingh. was wanted & proposed at the Society Meet". Col. Malb. mildh' or with seeming Mildness opposed it, recommend^ a Repair, as some others opposed it. The Vote was carried for Build*-' & a Tax levied. And as the Malbone Estate was a q'' of the parish it would pa}' a very large share. Thereupon M"" Malbone declared off, and for the first time determined (what had been pre- determind in Newport long before) that the Estate shd pay no more : but he would build a Chh if a suitable Number would Con- form. So he went to proselyt^, & easily got a doz. or more of those who voted ag^ Rebuild". He told the build^ a Chh shd cost them noth*^ it shd be built by himself & Newport Donations ; & they shd pa}^ only their Rate to the Clergy m. & this Rate, no more than to the Dissent'' Ministers. Then he sent forth into Cant^' Pomfret &c & found a number of discontented & uneasy persons, and sang to them the same song &c. And bj' one means & another he has pre- vailed on, the Episc" say 60 families, the Presb. say 25 or 30, to declare for the Chh of Engld. Col. Malb. procured 3 or 400 Dol- lars at Newport, some subscriptions among the Episc" at Boston & N. York, & thus built a handsome Chh. This Edifice is have a grand Consecration this Spring. They have no Clergyman as yet, but are seeking out for one.' ^ For a fuller account of these events, see Miss Larned's Hist, of Windham County, ii, 6-15. MARCH 9-16, 1 77 1 95 . 9. M'" Read tells me they now have one Rul*-' Elder M' Cushman' in the Chh of Dartmouth under the Rev Sam' West Pastor. 10. Ldsday. Stormy Day. I preached A M. Ps. cxii, 4, without notes. & published two Couples. P M. 2 Cor. xiii, 5, & admitted Mary Davis into the Chh : & propounded Phyllis, Serv' of Gov. Lyndon." 13. Last Evening I married two Couples, M' Bebee & Miss Skin- ner & M' Bently & the only surviving Daughter of the late Deacon Pitman. 14. I preached M' Hopk. Eveng Eect. Prov. ii, 3-6. M'' Pemberton come to Town ; informs that M'' Blair is at Boston — formerly Pas- tor of the Old South.' [The Episc" put by their Ball or Assembly on Ace" of M'' Brown supposed dying.] 16. This Foren. at X'' Died here the Rev'' Marmeduke Browne* A.M. set 40. circa. Incumbent of the Chh of Engld in Newport and Missionar}' from the Society for Propag^ the Gospel. The Chh Bell tolld about i>4 hour or from about X'^ 5' to XI" 15'. M' Brown w^as born at Providence in this Colony, where his Father Rev. Marmeduke Brown^ was Episc" Minister. He, that is the Father, came to N. Eng. with D"" George Berkley afterwards Bp of Clo}-ne in Ireld, & has for many years past & still is the Episc" Mission^ at Piscataqua in N Hampshire. He sent his Son to Dublin for a liberal Education, after which he took Orders & became Itinerant Miss^' for the Prov. of N Hampshire : upon the Removal of Rev'* Tho^ Pollen from Newport to Jamaica 1760, M"" Brown succeeded at Newport. In 1769 he went home to Dublin to secure an Estate left him by his Wife : when he went to London, & Antwerp in Flanders : & returned to New^port in Aug^ or Sept. last. He came home in a feeble State & has been declining ever since. He was a good classic Scholar in Latin & Greek — had a ' See this Diary, April 13, 1775. ^ Col. Josias Ivyndon, Governor 1768-9. 3 The predecessor of Messrs. Hunt and Bacon, from 1766 to 1769. See Sprague's Annals of the Auter. Pulpit, iii, 268-70; and Hill's Hist, of the Old South Church, ii, 78-119, 138-40. He had resigned his pastorate while absent in Pennsylvania ; and the object of this visit was to resume friendly relations with his former parishioners, who had felt aggrieved by the circumstances of his resignation. •* See Sprague's Annals, V, 79-80, and Mason's Annals of Trinity Church, i, 145-48. * Error for Rev. Arthur Browne (B.A. Trin. Coll. Dublin 1726). 96 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES general acquaintance with I)i\init\', but not deeply read in it : of indifferent parts, yet made a tolerable Figure for a Chh Clergy- man, [for in X. E. they are generally of very ordinary Talents.] And since his Return from Europe, it is said he discovered some- thing of a serious sense of Religion. He said that London had abandoned all Religion & Virtue. He left onh- one Child Arthur Brown about vet 15.' It is a great Thing for any man to die ! it is a great Thing for a Minister to die, & render an Ace" of his Steward- ship to the great Head of the Chh I 17. Ldsdy. I preached all day on Job xxxvi, 26, and bajitized two Children — M'' Simpson's «& M' Ben. Sayer's. In the Evening I married Tho' Crandal & Ann Topham, jun. The Episc" or Trinit}^ Chh shut up «& no Ser\-ice performed in it all day, on Account of M'' Browne's Death ; tho' M'' Bisset the Assistant Minister is in Town. Superstitious ! 18. At six o'clock this ]\Iorngthe Colors were displayed at Liberty Tree, the Annivers^ of Repeal of the Stamp Act i']66. The two Presb. Bells rung ; but the Chh Bell was silent, but at length rang with the rest. At sunset the Colors struck & a Canon discharged. In Even" the Committee of the Sons of Lib-' supped at Gov. Lyndon's. 21. Attended as a Bearer at the Funeral of the Rev. M"" Browne. The other Bearers Rev. John Usher of Bristol, Rev. M'' Graves of Providence, Rev. Sam' Hopkins, Rev. Sam' Faj^erw^eather of Nar- rag., Rev. Luke Babcock of Phillipsburg New^ York, all Episcopa- lians but M"" Hopkins. The three Bells tolled at I. P M. then at II when we repaired to the House : at III the Procession moved and coming to the Chh the Corps were deposited before the pulpit while Rev. M' Bisset ( chh Schoolmaster & Assistant Minister) read the Service — part of the ninetieth psalm in Tate & Brady sung & the Organ played — then M'' Bisset preached from Ps. xc, 12. so teach us to numb, our days &c. He gave a very high Character of M"" Browne. Then the Corps were let down &; buried under the Chh just before the Chancel & on the North vSide of the pulpit, M' Usher reading the Funeral Service at the Interment. A great Body of people were convened, some said 4000 — the Chh is 100 feet long & 40 wide, so the Area 4000 feet, one Gallery of per- haps 10 feet depth mak*-' in whole 2000 -f- 4000 = 6000 sq"" feet. I ' B. A. Trill. Coll. Dublin 1776; became an eniineiit Irish lawyer. ^fx& Dic- tionary of National Biography, vii, 41. MARCH 17-30, 1 77 1 97 judge the Chh would not contain 1200 souls — I suppose within tS: without there were about 1000 or 1200 people. In the Even« I attended M' Hopkin's Lecture when he preached Jn" xii, 26. If any man serve me, him 7ciU my J-'ather honor : a full Lecture. After Lecture I went to Cap' Pollipus Hammond & married M' John Mumford, Son of W", & Miss Anstis Hammond, Daut;hter of Pollipus. 22. Read Rev. Mr. Westle5^'s Sermon on the Death of Mr. White- field . . . This day I rec*' a Packet from New Haven contain" 2 pamphlets, one Mess. Breck, Ballantines & Lathrops Ans. to Assoc, of N. Haven Count)^ — another M' Dickinson on the New Divinity.' I find by the prints that the Commissions have been published at Boston 14"' Ins' constituting L' Gov. Hutch. Governor, and Secret^' Oliver L' Gov. of Massachusetts. 24. Ldsdy. I preached all day on Change of the Sabb. from these two Texts jo3'ntly Exod. xx, 8, & Rev. i, 10. I published 2 couples viz Abijah Fisher & Mary Bennet — & Zephaniah Pease jun. & Hannah Tabor. And after Sermon P M. baptized Phyllis Gov' Lyndons Negro servant & admitted her into full Communion . [This day died Gov"^ Shirley at Roxbury set 76.] 26. Last Evening M' Isaac Hart, a Jew of this Town, sent me, to read, a Letter in Hebrew he lately received from Macpelah in the Holy Land. . .^ 27. This Even^ monthly meeting of my Chh at Sister Topham's. 28. Attended Mr. Hopkins' Even^ Lecture. He preached from Rev. xxi, 7. 29. Went to the Synagogue, it being Even'' of the Passover. 30. Went to the Synagogue, it being PASSOVER. They read from two Vellum Copies or Rolls of the Law in the Forenoon. In the Afternoon they began by reading a Portion out of Solojnons So7ig. This was new to me. I knew not before that the Canticles were ever publickly read in the Synagogue — & least of all that it ' The first named of these pamphlets was A Letter from the Klders in the Pro- vince of Massachusetts-Bay, who assisted in the Ordination of the Rev. John Hubbard (the diarist's brother-in-law), at Meriden, June 22, 1769 (New Haven, 1770, 8° pp. 24); the second was An Answer, by the Rev. Moses Dickinson, to two important Questions, on Blindness of Mind, and the Work of Regeneration. (New Haven, 1770, 8° pp. 64.) - The original Hebrew of this letter is copied by Dr. Stiles, and a few pages later (under date of April 26) an English translation is given. 7 98 DIARY OF EZRA STILES was a usage at the Passover. They shewed me a Copj^ of the Canticles with a Spanish Translation : & also subjoyned was a Spanish Translation of the Chaldee Targum on the Canticles. The preceding I^etter contains a Represent^ of the Jews suffering in the holy Land. It is dated from Hebron in the year of the Creation 5523 corresponding with A.D. 1763. Signed Aaron Ali- phander, Hijam Jeudah alias Gomez Peto, Isaac Hajja Zabi the priest, Elias Son of Archa, Phinehas Mordecai Bag Ive, Abraham Gedelia the younger. The>' represent that they are taxed or amerced 25,000 Pieces of Eight, & send forth two Brethren to collect it by contribution. This Letter was sent to Mr. Isaac Hart of Rhode Island. . . . 31. lydsdy. A.M. I preached on Luke xi, 13, & pub. 2 Couples. P.M. finished course of Sermons upon the Sabbath. April 1. Died W° Barbut aet 59, of my Chh. 2. Last Evening the Rev. M' Rusmeyer the Moravian Minister here, brought me a new Edition of Serranjis' Greek Psalms. Francis Okely A.B. lately of vSt. Johns Coll. Camb. in his Travels into German}'^ found the onl}- Copy, & last year published it in London with his Lat. TransP Entitul- it " Psalmorum aliquot Davidis Metaphrasis Grgeca Joannis Serrani et Precationes ejusdem Graeco latinge, &c." Serranus was a French Refugee who fled to the Canton of Berne & being received kindly there, wrote and ded- icated this Greek Version to Hieronimus Emanuel head of that Canton 1575. The same year it was printed by Hen. Stephens. It consists of 24 Psalms selected promiscuousl3\ To these Okely has joyned "Grsecorum quorundam Lyricorum Poemata sacra" of the moderns. It consists of 250 pages 8"". The Design of the Publi- cation is to furnish the Universities with a greek Classic which may instil Christianity into you at the same Time as thej^ are learning the Greek Language. He has sent over to get them introduced into the American Colleges. He has printed a Thousd Copies : & if this succeeds, he purposes to furni.sh others both Greek & Lat. vSo that the Authors to be learned for the Dead Languages be changed — & instead of the antient Gentile Authors full of idolatrous Worship, the modern christian Aiithors be substituted. There can l)e but one objection ag* this, that the Greek of Homer Xenophon & Thucydides must be jnu'cr tlian that of the moderns — & the MARCH 3I-APRIL 8, 1 77 1 99 Latin Authors of the Augustine Age purer than the moderns — the Hebrew of Moses & Isaiah, than of Jarchi or Mainionides, tho' these last are excellent. Yet it may be said, as the onh' End of leani" the dead Languages is to understand Lat. Gr. & Heb. & not so much to write them perfectly & elegantly (an impossible Attempt !) so the Interpref^ & Syntax of these Languages may be learned sufficiently accuratel}' from less perfect Compositions — w'' have the advantage of convey*^ evangelistical sentiments with the Language. To which it may be again said — that in english Books these sentiments may be conveyed with still greater clearness & Facility. So that I rather incline to the Antients, banishing Horace, Juvenal & the unchaste Tribe, and making a Choice of the best. Cicero, Justin, Tacitus, Virgil for Latin : — Homer, Xenophon, Plato, Dionysius among the Greeks — I think for Language cannot be equalled for Purity of Language. If a stranger Avas to learn Eng- lish, he would not learn an English Book wrote by a German or Italian, but by a Pope or an Addison. 3. Buried at Boston i^' Inst. Gov'' Shirle^^ set. 76. 4. Catechised Children this Atternoon, 20 B. 30 G. Attended M"^ H. Even^ Lect. 5. All day digesting Materials for Ecc. Hist. 7. Ldsdy. A. M. I pub. 2 couples & preached on Ps. xxxiii, 18 ; present a Seceeding Minister late arrived from Scotland. P.M. Ps. 89. 15. Compared the 52 & 53'' Ch. of Isaiah in English & original — exam'' Dr. Owen & Bp. Kidder. 8. This Afternoon I was visited b}^ Rev. M'' Roger a young seceeding Minister lately from Scotland. He arrived at Boston a fortnight ago or 23^* ult. with his Wife. He was educated at an Academy of Seceders in Scotland. He was ordained first of Aug'' last. He tells me the controversy about the Burghers Oath began 1748 & divided the Seceeders into two Synods, the Synod of Burghers consist^ of Eighty Ministers & that of the Antiburghers consist^ of above one hundred Ministers : & that the Interest col- lectively consists of about Two Hundred Ministers «& as man>- Chhs in Scotland, inclusive of six Ministers in America, one at Albany, one at N York M"" Mason,' & one at Philad\ That Rev" M"" Gibb of Edinburgh is one of their most, eminent Ministers, & M"' Willison 1 Rev. John Mason, father of Rev. John Mitchell Mason, the distinguished Presbyterian preacher. See Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, vol. 9 (Associate Reformed, pp. 4-1 1). lOO DIARY OF EZRA STILES of I^ondon another who wrote the Examination of Palsemons or Sandemans Creed. He says the Sccecders began with four Minis- ters, the Erskines & others, who formed the Seccession 1732. The Chh of Scotld contains about 900 or a Thousd Ministers. The Seceeders have in 40 years grown from 4 to 200. The six in Amer. have formed a Prsby. here subordinate to & a Member of the S^'uod in Scotland. M'' Roger belongs to the Antiburgher Synod. He came over in consequence of Applic' of this Presby. to that Synod : the Presby. informed the Synod that they had the Care of Eighteen Congregations & Meetinghouses in America. He .seems to be a serious Man, a mighty Admirer of all D' Owens Writings 11. Did not attend M' Hopkins' Eecture. Reading Basnage's Hist, of the Jews ; & writing a Latin Letter to a Moravian Minis- ter at Astracan on the R. Volga, to inquire after the Ten Tribes among the Kalnnics & Usbcck Tartars about the Caspian sea. 12. M' Roger tells me each Synod has an Academy, one at All- way near Stirling, another at Haddington S. E. from Edinburgh. Here are educated the Seceders. By the Prints I find a Chh gath- ered March 27, 177 1 at Monadinock N" 4. in N. Hampshire ; & Rev. Benjamin Bridgham ord. Pastor at the same Time.' 14. Ldsday. A M. I preached Col. ii, 9, 10. P.M. i Thess. ii, 11, 12. propounded Mary Wilson for full communion ; & notified public ann-' Fast next Thursday, & contrib. for the poor P.M. . . . This day Rev'^ Edward Upham A M. Pastor of the first Baptist Chh in Newport for 22 years past, preached his Farewell Sermon. He is remo\-ing to Springfield, where he was formerly Pastor to a Baptist Church. 17. Examining MS. Letters on Indian Affairs addressed to D'' Cott. Mather &c. Whence I collect these summary memoirs, viz. That the first who preached the Gospel to the Massachusetts was Rev. Jn" Eliott of Roxbury, who having learned the Ind. Language began first to preach to them Oct. 28, 1646. Rev. Roger Williams had preached before this to the Narraganset Indians. M' Eliot in a Letter dated 22^* of the 6' 73, says " There be (thro' the Grace of Christ) six Chhs gathered accord^ to the order of gath*^ Chhs among the English, one at Natik, one at Hassannemeset 28 miles to the West, one at Mashepoge 20 miles East of Plymouth, two at Martyns Vinyard, & one at Nantucket. In 1696 M"" Rawson was appointed ' Rev. Benj. Rrij^ham grad. at Harvard 1764 ; this town was re-chartered in 1773 under the name of Fitzwilliani. APRIL II-18, 1771 lOI to visit all New Engld, where he foimd Thirty Indian Churches. Now 1 77 1 there are Ind. Chhs in N. E. one at Mashpee, one about Sandwich, one at Natick, one at Housatunnuk, one in Narraganset, two on the Vinyard. There are a few small Congregations besides which [have] preach^ occasionally but are not Chhs, viz at Pot- nummekot on C. Cod, Pequots in Stonington & Groton, at Mohe- gan, at Niatuck in I^yme; So are seven Chhs & three or 4 occasional Congregations. All the Indians in N. Eng. could not now make Ten Congregations of a hundred Families each. By the prints I find that "April 10, 177 1 the Rev M' Timothy Hillyard was ordained Pastor of the East Chh in Barnstable " By the prints also I find that lately died at Danbury in Connecti- cutt M' Robert Sandeman Founder of the Sect of Sandimanians. He came from Scotland into New-Engld Autumn 1764. then about set. 47. as he then told me.' 18. Public Fast in the Provinces of Massachusetts, Connecticutt, & New Hampshire by civil Authority : and the Congregational Chhs in Rhode Island. I preached both Forenoon & Afternoon from Isai. lix, i, 2. Contrib. for poor. This day M'' Dawson was installed Pastor of a new Baptist Chh in this Town, in the manner following. The Congregation assem- bled at X.'' o'clock A M. & continued in the Exercises till IV P M. There was present only one Baptist Elder M'' Jenkins of Narragan- sett, said to have had only new lyight Eay-Ordination. They begun by singing a Hymn given out by M'' Dawson, who then prayed : then M'' Jenkins gave another Hjmm & prayed. After this M"" Dawson gave a history of his Life, read some Certificates concerning himself, & gave an acco* of his Conversion, which he said was when he was six years old. Then M'' one of the Brethren stood up, gave a word of Exhortation, narrated his Expe- riences, & declared his satisfaction in having M"" Dawson his Minis- ter. Then M'' Hubbard another Brother stood up & gave his Voice for M"" Dawson. I think only these two Brethren stood up to speak. Next several Sisters stood up one after another, & declared their Experiences, & their Satisfaction in M'' Dawsons being their Minis- ter, engaging to stand by him in all his Difiiculties & Trials thro* good and evil Report. Thus the general Consent & Aquiescence of all the Brethren and Sisters was taken. Upon which M'' Dawson declared his acceptance of the Office to which he was thus called, ' See this Diary, Aug. 5, 1772. I02 DIARY OF EZRA STILES which he accordingly took upon himself. I do not find that there was any charge given. But to finish the Proceedure, Elder Jenkins then publickly gave M'' Dawson the Right Hand of Fellowship, but used not Imposition of Hands. And then the solemnity was concluded. There may be a dozen or fifteen Communicants of the Church, which received no other Gathering or Embodying — than that, after M'' Dawson had baptized a number last 3'ear he at length about the M" of March last year, administered the Eds vSupper to them once or twice, When Differences soon arising this Ordinance was discon- tinued. M'' Green & some others disagreed & left him. And M'' Dawson himself went away to Philad-' last 3'ear ; but return- ing this year & baptizing a few more, resumed the purpose of sett- ling among them. And the public Coalescence »& Transaction of this day may be considered as constituting them a Chh. 19. Translating the Eetter from Macpelah. This da}' Rev. Edward Upham with his Wife & Family sailed for Connecticutt River — removing to vSpringfield. His Congregation & Friends accompanied them to the Ship with many Tears. 21. Edsdy. AM. I published D' Peter Thatcher Wales & M" Ei'dia Potter both of Portsmouth, & preached Deut v, 29, and pro- pounded Abigail & Ann Hammond for the Commun. in my Chh. P.M. Exchanged with M'' Hopkins — he preached Dan. x, 11. I preached Ps. 119, 40 & prop. Mary Gladd^ for Commun. in his Chh. 24. Col. Nathan Whiting of New Haven died there the 9"" Instant set 47.' Chh meeting at Sister W° Channings when I dis- coursed on Jno. iv, 10. 26. Did not attend Mr. Hopk. Eect. last night. 28. Edsdy. A M. I published the Banns of D' Wales &c. second time, and preached on Ps. 119, 59, all day. And P M. admitted W° Wilson into full communion : notified Eds supper next Sabb. & sacr'. Eect. next Frida}- at Five o'clock Afternoon. The Eunar Eclipse this Evening came on about VIII'' 20' & went off about X. 25' or 27 app. Time at Newport. It was a thick Air. About half or six Digits eclipsed. Time diff. from the Almanacks. 29. This day arrived here Cap*- Gilbert from Eondon. In him came oxer a printed Plan of Imperial Union, viz the Parliament of Ireland to he dissolved, & its Members be incorporated into the British Parliament : and America to be allowed fifty Members of Parliament. ' Yale Coll. 1743. He was a second cousin of Mrs. Stiles. APRIL 19-MAY 6, 177 1 103 30. The Rev. M'' Albert IvUdolph Ritssmej^er Moravian Minister here shewed me sundry I^etters from different Parts of the World, collected & circulated among the Unitas Fratrum, which I read this Evening. May 1. This day the Gen. Election here. The Hon. Joseph Wanton Esq. chosen Gov : the Hon. Darius Sessions Esq. chosen Dep-' Gov- ernor : and Henry Marchant Esq. chosen Attorney General. I received by the Post from Boston Rev. M' Lathrops Sermon on the Murder of 5 March 1770. also M'' James Lovells English Oration Apr 1771 : also the printed Charter & Regulations of the Corpora- tion of the first Congreg-' Chli in Providence under M' Rowlands pastoral Care. N.B. M'' Snows' Chh was originally Congregational at its Gathering 1746 — after his Death it will probably become Baptist 2. Attended M' Hopkins Even^" Lect. he preached Jn" xiv, 13, 14. A Letter from Gen. Gage this day laid before the Assembly, notif3'ing his Majesty s pleasure that a Regiment be stationed at Newport, & desiring Barracks may be prepared. The Assembly laid it by. 3. Sacrt. Eect. at V P.M. I preached i Cor. xi, 24, 25, and pub. Dr. Wales last Time. 4. This Day the Assembly agreed not to obstruct the coming of the Troops, if the}- came onl)^ as marching Troops & not to make any Stay. But if otherwise, the Governor immediately to call the A.ssembly. The Assembly adjourned as usual to June. This Concession seals the Death of American Liberty. May God humble us for those sins which have brot down these heavy Judg- ments & Calamities upon us.' 5. Eds da}'. A M. I preached Jn" i, 14, admitted Abigail & Anne Hammond into full Communion ; administered the Lords Supper to 68 Communicants. P M. Hosea xiv, i, 2. 6. I find an Ace" in the N Lond. Gazette that D' Johnson has hired a House at Stratford for the Residence of the Dean of Limer- ick,' who is coming over sent hither by the Society for propag. ^ For Rev. Joseph Snow see below, June 25-26, 1771. - The troops were not sent to Newport. ^ The reference (under an erroneous title) is to the Rev. George Berkeley, son of Bishop Berkeley. See below. May 18. See also, Beardsley's Life of Samuel Johnson, 341-42. I04 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Episcopacy, to take Inform^ of the State of the Episc" Chhs in America. It is said to reside here four years & then to return to Europe. But I suppose he is to be turned into an American Bishop. Rode to E. Greenwich. 7. At East Greenwich I preached all day. A M. from Jn'' i, 14, to about 100 persons in the Courthouse. P M. Ps. 119, 50 to about 130 or 140 persons. There are about a dozen Families of Presby- terians there & in that Vicinit}'. 8. I returned to Newport. By the prints I find that Five hun- dred persons are coming from Islay in Scotland to America as set- tlers, I suppose for St. Johns. A large Colony are also coming from Sky. The first Inst. May were two Ordinations. The Rev'' Enos Hitchcock was ord. " Co-pastor'" with the Rev'' Jno. Chipman in the Second Chh in Beverly . . . The Rev" Isaac Story was ordained the same day at Marblehead Copastor with the Rev'' Mr. Bradstreet. 9. No Lecture at M"" Hopkins. I married D' Wales of Portsm" this Aft. & M' Fisher of Providence in the Evening. II. In the Gent. Magaz. Dec. is an Ace" of the City & suburbs of Canterbur}^ — Medium of 4 years from 1766 to 1769, Total Births 291. Deaths 296, Marriages 88. There are 987 Houses within the Walls (S: 851 without, all 1838 ; as by a late Numeration. Rev. D'' Richard Price F.R.S. reckons not 5 but 43/( persons to a house for London. Thus the Inliab. are 8730 Souls : to which add 320 poor usually maintained in the General Workhouse & in six poor hospitals make Tot. Inhab. about 9000. If the Deaths be considered a 30"^ the Total about 8880. Remark, i. Newport Rh. Isld has a Th. or 12 hundred Houses, & near 8000 Souls Whites & Blacks, & yet the medium of its Deaths not much above 200 per ann, or about -3 of the Deaths of Canterbury. From 1760 to 1770 total Deaths in Newport 1629 Whites & 407 Blacks = 2036. Boston is more than double the Number of Deaths, & yet its houses said to be not above 3000 & its vSouls 15 Thousd. There are 500 Burials at Boston, not 300 at Cant^', so Boston much larger than the Archiepiscopal City of Can- terbury. 12. Lds day. I preached all day from i Jn" iii, 23. Baptized Clark Crayton Son of Cap^ Belcher. 13. At V" P M. I catechised 87 Children. News that the Lord MAY 7-23, 1771 105 Mayor of London Crosby was sent to the Tower about 20'" March, for discharging a Printer apprehended by a Messenger of Parliam^ . & arresting the Messenger. 14. Ezra having spelt & read to the 52'' Psahn in the Hebrew Psalter, this day began to translate the first Psalm. I purpose he shall translate only a verse or two a daj^ before Breakfast. 15. Formed an Emblem of the Universe. 16. Attended Even^ Eect. at M'' Hopk. meeting. M' Niles' a Candidate for the Ministry, pr. fr. Jn" i, 12. This Even'^ M' Hop- kins returned from Connecticutt, & brought with him D"" Bellamy of Bethlem & M' Searl of . 17. Attended another Even^ L,ect. at M"' Hopkins. D'' Bellamy preached from Ps. The Ld reigneth, therefore &c. 18. I am told that the Dean of Limerick is D'' Berkley Son of the late Bp Berkley ; & that he has £ 1000 ster per ann. from the King. In Afternoon D' BelP' preached at the Bapt. Sabb. Meeting Ps. 91, i. 19. Ldsday. AM. Rev. M'' Searl of Stoneham'' preached for me from Jude v. 6. — unto the Judg' of the great Day. P M. D"" Bellamy preached for me from i Cor xiii, 13. — Faith, Hope, Charity. At VI'' the D'' preached again at M'' Hopk. Luke xv, 17. These words " And when he came to himself." — 20. Read- Voltaire's Phil. Dictionary. This Even^ Dr. BelP' preached at Mr. Hopk. Meet", Jno iii, 18. 21. Went to the Association of the Congregational Pastors at Little Compton. 22. I preached the Assoc. Lecture from Mat. xi, 28-30. At V" Rev. M"" Rogerson^ preached again. Present Rev^' Messrs. Town- send, Campbell, Ellis, Rogerson & mj-self : six were absent. M"" Staples^ was present, a Candidate preaching at Dighton : he prayed. We wrote a Letter Testimonial »& recommendator}- for Rev. M"" Rowland^ of Providence. 23. Returned home. This day D^' Bellamy left Newport on his Return to Connecticutt. He preached seven times publickl}- in Town : M'' Searl twice. ' Nathaniel Niles (Coll. of N. J. 1766), afterwards a prominent layman in Ver- mont. ^ See above, Oct. 22, 1769. ' Robert Rogerson, minister of Rehoboth, Mass., 1751-99. ••John .Staples (Princeton, 1765), a native of Taunton, Mass. ' Mr. Rowland (Yale 1743) was straitened for support and was contemplating removal. He finally resigned in Aug., 1774. Io6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 24. This day a Spinning Match at M"' Hopkins' about eighty Wheels. 25. Two days ago arrived here one Pearce of Narragansett from a Captivity of fifteen j'-ears. He was taken by the Indians at the Tak^ of F' W" Henry' above Albany & on Hudsons Ri^'er, & car- ried back among the Indians to the Mississippi &c. He left here a Wife & several Children, his Wife is dead, his Children living. He eats but once in fourty Eight Hours or two Days, a Custom the Indians brot him to. Went to the Synagogue. Read in Voltaire's Dictionary philosophical. 26. Lds dy. A M. I preached Heb ix, 2S. Present aged M'' Bart- let Father of D'' Jn" Bartlett of my Chh. P.M. Isai. Ixvi, 10-12. I published two Couples Benedict & Hezek. Daj'ton &c &c. Yes- terday M"" Hopkins''' Brother of Rev. Sam' Hopkins, came to Town, & preached all day & Even" Ivccture. I did not attend it. 29. Finished read^ Voltairs profane Philos. Dictionar)-. He has some instructive Remarks This day there was much religious Exercise in Newport. It was Charles's Restor^ at Chh of Engld. — M' Dawson preached abroad at the Point & baptized two persons by Immersion in the Sea in the Afternoon about HI". At VI*" M' Kelly^ a young Baptist Minister Candidate, preached at late M'' Uphams Meeting — at ¥11^2 or about sunset M'' Russmej^er at Moravian Meet^ held weekly Eect. & M'' Daw\son preached at his own Meef^, M'' Hopkins preached his Brother's Even- Eecture — and at the same time was a monthly Meeting of my church at B'' Rob. Stevens' when I discoursed on Jude 20, 21, to about 48 Communi- cants, & finished a few minutes after Nine. 31. D"" Eeverett Hubbard^ of New Haven made Lieut. Colonel of N Haven Regiment of Militia by Gen. Assembly. Wednesday last an Episc" Convention at Norwich. June. I. Finished the hebrew Psalms & began again. Afternoon went to the Sabbatarian Baptist Meeting & heard M'' Kelly preach on the Parable of the good Samaritan. Afterwards I was visited b}- the Rev. W"' Gordon of London who with his Wife came to Philad^ ' Aug., 1757. " Rev. Daniel Hopkins (Yale Coll. 1758), of Salem, Mass. ^ Erasmus Kelly, born in Pennsylvania, July, 1748. See below, Oct. 9, 1771, and July 24, 1776. ^ Yale 1744 : brother of Mrs. Stiles. MAY 24-JUNE 10, 1 771 107 last Winter. He was educated in the Academy in London now under D"" Conder : was thirteen j-ears in the Ministry at Ipswitch in Engld, & thence removed to a Congregation in London & succeeded the Rev. D"" Jennings. He obtained a Release from this Congreg^ & came over out of an ardent Desire to spend the rest of his Days among the Puritans of New England.' 2. Ivds dy. A M. I published two Couple. Rev'' William Gor- don of London preached for me Luke ii, 30. P M. I preached Philip, ii, 15, 16, and notified Society Meeting to morrow at V. P M. and catechising Tuesday V P M. Attended an Evening Lec- ture at M' Hopkins Meet*^ when M'' Gord. preached Lleb. ii. 3. In Even^ I married Benedict Da^-ton &c. 3. M'' Gordon & Lady went via Providence for Boston. He is set. 43 or one year younger than I am. This Afternoon my Con- gj-gga yoted to apply to the Gen. Assembly for a Charter of Incor- poration. 4. I have now Three Thousd Silkworms hatched. At V" P M. I catechised 20 B. 50 G. 4 Neg. Tot. 74. 5. Spinning Match at my house, 70 Wheels ; spun «& brot in 1 87 fourteen-knotted Skeins of fine Linnen yarn. My kind people sent in to us Tea, Flour, Sugar, Gammons &c &c to the amount of 35 or fourt}^ Dollars, the greatest Part of which was left. 6. I find the two Associations in Hampshire County, «& the Con- gregational Convention at Boston have incensed Gov. Hutchin.son with flattering Addresses. Attended M'' Hopk. Even^ Lecture at VI"^. He preached Jn" xvi, 8. 9. Lds dy. M. I preached Ps. 119, 140, & pub. Hez. Dayton last Time. P M. I preached Gal. vi, 14, and at the Desire of the Committee communicated a Vote of the Congreg^ for a Foren. Con- tribution every Ldsd}^ for Repair of Steeple &c And notified a Meeting of the Brethren of the Chh at my House tomorrow V. P.M. 10. Last Even^ I married Hez. Dayton & Ruth Smith at her Mothers. This Afternoon my Chh met & I laid before them the Draught of a Charter or Act of Incorporation which they approved & voted to joyn with the Congregation in solliciting the Gen. Assembly now sitting to grant the same. After this the Congreg* 1 He settled in Roxbury, Mass., as pastor of the 3d Parish from July, 1772, to 1786, when he returned to England. Best known by his History of the Revo- lutiofi. See below, June 2, 1789. I08 DIARY OF EZRA STILES met at the Meetinghouse & approved the same Charter & Voted & signed a Petition &c. To this Petition — in the name of the Chh & Congreg-' — the signers are promiscuous without distinction of Com- municants &c. About 700 Silkworms (out of 3500J skin'd the first Time ; & the rest ahnost universal!}' asleep. 11. The Charter read first Time in the Assembly, & opposed by M'' Moses Brown of Providence a Baptist. 12. By the B" prints I find that 5^'' Instant died Rev. Samuel Phillips Pastor of 2" or S" Chh in Andover set. 82.' A venerable ' Graduated at Harvard College, 1708. See vSprague's An^ials of the Ainer. Putpit, i, 273-75. Dr. Stiles visited Mr. Phillips in June, 1768, and has preserved the following notes in his Itinerary : — Rev' Sam' Phillips, born Feb. 17, O. S. 1690, Pastor of 2'^ Chh., Andover, began preaching there Apr., 1710. Ord. 17. Oct., 1711. Chh. gathered same day, 14 Males, 21 Females, who also signed the Chh. Cov' with the Males. Deacons ( In" Abbot, ob. 1720 circa 1711 •, . t^ AVm. Love joy Nehemiah Abbot Jn° Abbot, son of Jn'' Isaac Abbot Joseph Abbot Jn" Dane Hezek. Ballard. The 4 last liv*-' 1768 & officiat*^. Use Cov' — All baptized — not one family unbaptized — about 200 fam. Negro Servant in Cov' having formerly owned it, had child lawfully ; Mr. Phillips offered to bapt. it for the Master — refused to do it for the Servant's right unless freed. The IVIaster promised for the EduC & Mr. Phillips baptized it. Ex ore D. P/iittips. In Mr. Phillips' Register of Communicauts as they were 1762 with .\dditions to this Time they amounted to Two Hundred & Sixty nine : of which Eight are since dead : so Total of Commun. now living & in regular stands 261. 102 INIen 167 Women dead 4 4 98 163 Fem. From all I can learn this Chh. & that at Hinghani are in the best State of any— & nearly as perfect as this World will admit. They are not only gener- ally baptized & as many Commun. as can be expected— but keep up family Religion & Worship, are sober, industrious, just, kind, and as a people live godly Lives, walk*^ in all the Ordinances & Command" of the Ld. blameless. Particularly Mr. Phillips, who is a truly evangelical & apostolic Pastor, told me that of the 261 Communicants not one was under Scandal. JUNE II-I2, 1771 109 Minister of the truly puritan Stamp with whom I was well acquainted. He was formerly a great Opposer of M' Whitefield & the Extraordinaries of 1741 — he was an Old Light Calvinist. The Charter took up the Assembl}- the whole Forenoon. AP Moses Brown, M"" Jenks & M"" Hopkins formerly Gov. [the Provid Deputies &c] M' Cumstock &c strongly opposed it. M' Cranston and M' Geo. Hazard Newport Dep. spoke for it, tho' both Chhmen. Upon calling the Vote in the Lower House, it was granted by three Majority only. Three or more Quakers voted for it. By convers^ wdth — of Narrag. I find that M'' Solomon Sprague' (son of old Elder Sprague) was ordained Elder of the Baptist Chh in Exeter (called New Lights) June 1769 by the La3ang on of the hands of five Baptist Elders- viz Elder Joshua Moss'' of N. London, Elder Worden' now^ removed to Hosac, Elder Young, Elder Gallop & One that saw Elder James Rogers ordained at Richmond, & afterwards of S** Kingston, told me that five Elders laid on hands viz Elder Joshua Moss of N London, Elder Palmer' of Stonington, Elder Babcock' of Westerly & two others forgotton. This Afternoon the Charter was read in the Upper House, and without saying any Thing upon it, immediately put to Vote by the Governor Joseph Wanton Esq, and passed, tw^o or three not voting at all, & one only voting against it. The Dep' Gov. Darius Sessions' Esq is a Presb. or Congregationalist. Old Light yet Calvinist— too cunning for all the Men in the Parish. Customs — 6 Catechizings per ann, once in Meetinghouse, rest in diff. Vicini- ties : begin Communions on first Sabb. April & continue once in 6 Weeks till six Sacraments completed in the year : begin Sabb. on Saturday Evening, as do most or all of the Chhs. all around & perhaps in Mass. Province. Reads Scripture in Foren. public Worship, formerh' Afternoon also, now omits thro' Age. Sing Old N. E. Version. Use Relations. Mr. Phillips has Estate of ^4000. Sterling : has 3 Sons, one worth ^loooo, the other ^20000 Ster. apiece, no Daughters. ^ Son of Elder David Sprague, and born April 2, 1730. The father founded the Baptist Church in Exeter, R. I., and died in 1777 ; the son succeeded him as minister there in 1769, and died on February 26, 1794. He was also a physician. - Joshua Morse, born 1726, ordained 1750 in what is now Montville, Conn., died 1795. ^ Peter Worden, born 1728, ordained 1751 in Warwick, R. I., removed to Coventry R. I., 1757, and Cheshire, Berkshire County, Mass., 1770, died 180S. ■'Wait Palmer, ordained 1743. * Stephen Babcock, ordained 1750. * B.A. Yale 1737. no DIARY OF EZRA STILES The Gentlemen of my Congreg-'' who appeared for us were M"" Rob. Stevens, M"" Otis, M'' W" Eller}-, M'' Marchant, D"- Bartlett. Few others of my Meeting present. 13. By the B" Prints I perceive that the address to the Gov. from the Convent, of Cong. Pastors at Boston was hastily procured & early in a very thin Convention before the Ministers were fully come together. There are above Three hundred Cong. Pastors in Massa- chusetts. Only Seventee7i proved a Majority out of Twenty four only then present in voting this flattering Address to a Man w^ho declared his ' ' profound Veneration for the Church of England ' ' and tho' a Communicant in our Chhs as well as in the Chh of Engld, speaking of the Cong. Chhs to the Pastors calls them " your Churchs." I have been formerly a Friend to this Man, have had the honor of receiving several lyCtters' from him while writing his ^ The following extracts are from Gov. Hutchinson's letters among Dr. Stiles's papers : — Boston, 15. Feb. 1764 Rev' Sir, My good friend Mr. Chesebrougli mentioned to me some time ago that you was employing some part of your time in a History of the Country, but whether it was a general history of the Colonies or of any one in particular & whether your plan was large & circumstantial, or compendious & more general, he did not acquaint me. I have spent some time in a work of this nature which I have now ready for the press ... If I had known that a gentleman of your talents was engaged in a work of this nature, I should not have thought there would have been occasion for my employing myself in the same way ... I intended to have published the work here, but as there is some probability of my going to England in a few months, I shall suspend the publication until that matter is determined. . . Boston, 4 July, 1764 Reverend Sir, Your obliging letter of 7. May I did not receive until yesterday. It happened to find me at leisure which I do not expect to last long, and therefore embrace the first opportunity of answering it. I am sorry you have conceived so favor- able an opinion of my performance. I remember the old line, Magnus mihi paratus est, adversariiis expedatio. . . I have let the manuscript rest for 4 or 5 months expecting an answer to my request for leave to go to England where I intended to have printed it, but I cannot yet obtain an answer & am in doubt what it will be when it comes. I have therefore laid aside the thoughts of my voyage, if our Assembly should be disposed to renew their request to me, and shall begin to think of printing it here. ... I have had too great a share myself in our publick affairs for 30 years past to think of publishing that part of our History. I threaten Mr. Otis sometimes that I will be revenged of him after I am dead. JUNE I3-18, 1771 III History, which when printed he was pleased to send to nie, — Intt it was while I tho't him a hearty Friend to Massa. Charter, American Liberty, and the Congreg" Chhs — I now consider him an enemy to all three. At VI'' I preached M' Hopk. Lect. Ps. 119, 59, he being absent. A melencholly Murder in S. C. Fam-', his Wife & Daugh- ter carried to Goal this Ev^ at XI'' at night.' 15. Cap* Jo. Bull a Tory tells me he was lately told by a Boston Gentleman a Presbyterian, that above four hundred persons in Bos- ton had turned Chhnien since the late political controversy there. I doubt. 16. Ldsd}- AM. I published James Tanner jun. &c & preached from Philip, iii, 18-20. P M. Col. i, 12. And communicated a Let- ter from five aggrieved Brethren of the Chh in Kennedy' in Connec- ticut ask^ this Chh to sit in council there 25"' Ins*. But M"" Hopk. being absent on a Journey, it was thot not best that both Congreg'' Min. shd be out of Town at a great Distance together — so concluded not to send. 17. Read^ President Edwards' MS. o\\ Justification. 1 8. B}' the Prints we have an Ace" of a Battle in North Carolina. The Oppressions of^ Government having wro't up the pple into the fury of taking Arms in Hillsboro' & the back Counties : Gov. Tryon raised with immense Difficult}' about a Thousand enlisted Militia & some field pieces & went against them last Month. It is said the Regnlators were Two Thousand strong. On 16*'' of Maj^ they came to Battle at Alamance. Tryons Party suffered, so as the Boston, 15. Jan, 1764 [should be 1765]. REvd vSiR, I am very much obliged to you for your favorable opinion of my book. . . . I think, from my beginning the work until I had compleated it, which was about twelve months, I never had time to write two sheets at a sitting without avocations by publick business, but was forced to steal a little time in the morn- ing and evening, while I was in town, and then leave it for weeks together, so that I found it difficult to keep any plan in my mind. . , . I have no talent at painting, or describing characters. I am sensible it requires great delicacy. My safest way was to avoid them and let facts speak for themselves. I was astonished after reading Robertson's History of Scotland and having settled Mary Stewart's character in my own mind as one of the most infamous in His- tory to find him drawing her with scarce a blemish. , . . 1 Cf. below, Sept. 8, 19, and 24, 1771. - Canada Parish, then in Windham, now the town of Hampton-, named from the earliest settler, David Canada ; cf. Larned's Hist, of Windham County, ii, 65. 112 DIARY OF EZRA STILES killed & wounded were fewer than fifty, of which dead & such as ma)' die of wounds not above 15 or twenty. Of the Regidators it was said killed, wounded and Taken were about Two Hundred — on 28"' May it was talked they were 350. What shall an injured & oppressed people do, when their Petitions, Remonstrances & Sup- plications are unheard & rejected, they insulted by the Crown Officers, and Oppression & T3-ranny (under the name of Govern- ment) continued with Rigour & Egyptian Austerity !' 19. Received from M"" I^everett of Boston 18 Copies of D'' Chauncys View of Episcopacy &c 9 in sheets & 9 in Calf gilt & lettered. Price 6/ and 8/4 E. M. 20. Various Accounts of the Battle at the River Almansee in N" Carol "The glorious & signal Victory of this day, gained over a formidable Body of lawless Desperadoes, under div. Provid., is much to be attributed to the cool intrepid & souldier- like Behav. of his ExcelP' the Gov', who was in the Center of the Eine during the whole Engag^ & in the most eminent Danger hav^ had his Bayonet shot away with a Musket Ball. Nothing could equal the Firinncss & Intrepidity zJ'' zv" our Troops behaved. The Craven 8z. Beaufort Detatchm'* on the Right Wing sustained a ver}- heavy Fire for 71 ear half an Hoiir ; & the Carteret & Orange De- tatchm'** on the Eeft Wing performed wonders for Raw & inexpe- rienced Militia who had scarce Time since their Inlisting to learn the Exercise." Thus far the Newbern Ace" probably drawn up by Martin Howard jun. Esq.^ of note. This Acc° speaks of the Regu- lators as ' ' embodied in Arms to oppose the Pro\-incial Forces under ' Cf. Winsor's Narrative and Critical Hist, of America, vi, 80-81. ■^ Formerly of Newport, and driven from there in consequence of his accept- ing the appointment of Stamp-Master in 1765, when he was burned in effigy. See R. I. Hist. IMagazine, v, 224-27. In ilhistration of his reputation the following extract ma}' be given, from a letter addressed to Dr. Stiles, on April 8, 1767, by John Whiting, then at New- bern, N. C. : — I have had the honour of dining & drinking tea, with my lord chief justice Howard, sundry times ; he is very alert, in high spirits, and extreemly com- plaisant & polite, & greatly improv'd & refin'd, whether it is to be ascrib'd to the European air, or American fire, I don't pretend to Determine ; but think it is allowed that the latter is the greatest refiner ; and perhaps the sons of liberty vx&y claim some acknowledgement for his present honorary & lucrative situa- tion, with which they have riggled him. He is very much caress'd by the Carolineans, they are much pleased with his free, facetious, & polite behaviour, for he is really a man of sense, and a Gentleman. . . . JUNE 19-20, 1771 113 the command ' ' of the Governor. So Gov. Tryons Army were Provincials — Militia raw & inexperienced : which have been con- temptuously dispised & scorned by the Crown civil & military Officers, as Paltroons & Dastards : — & yet in this Ca.se "nothing could equall their Intrepidity & Firvi/wss." So also as to the numbers. From all the acco'^'' we may*j3erhaps collect that the Gov. had a Thousd men on his side, & perh. 1500 Regulators. In this terrible action which lasted so long & was fought with so much Bravery & two Field Pieces or Brass three pounders, — it is wonderful that the killed & wounded slid be but sez'en and sixty on one side, & fourty & joo on the other. Capt Richardson of Newbern a Governors Man arrived at New- port June 6, in 19 days from Newbern, & his story was, that the Gov. marched from Newbern with two hundred men about a fort- night before, sailed, joyned by sixtj^ from Cartwright Count}' — two Brass three pounders with other suitable Artillery. About 10"' Ma3^ he was encamped at Hillsboro' about 180 miles fr. Newbern in the heart of the Country of the Regulators, his Army hav^ increased to about fifteen iiundred strong & waiting to be joyned by Gen. Waddel. Two daj-s after he rec'^ Advice fr. Waddel that he was 60 miles northward, was beset by Eight Hundred Regul-"^ & himself had but three hundred & fifty \\\&n, but expect^ 150 more. Upon reciev^ this 12 May the Gov^ marched to cut his way thro' the 800 between him & Waddel. M'' Rhdson also said that iG'*" May arrived an Express fr. the Gov. to M'' Howard in Newbern Chief Justice, requiring him to repair to the Camp by 31^' May to try tzcenty Regulators w° his Excelly had in Custody, among whom the famous D'' York. That Judge Howard (who was to set out on 21^') told him that he understood Herman Husbands was at his own House, with 800 Regulators to protect him, & they did not intend to attack the Gov. unless he came to take s'^ Husbands or his Estate, in which Case they would give his Excelly one Voile}' with their Rifle Guns, & then Bush fight him. But Richdson bro't no Ace" of the Battle, tho' he came from Newbern iS"" May. He reported that it was said there were five hundred Highlanders among the Regulators. The Gov. in pub. orders of May 17 calls it a "signal Victory obtained over obstinate & infatuated Rebels. His Excelly. sympa- thizes with the Eoyalists for those brave men that fell and suffered in the Action." 114 DIARY OF EZRA STILES At Newbern May 23" divine vService performed at Chh by Rev. James Reed Minister of the parish to offer up Prayers & Thanks- givgs to the Almighty for the signal & very glorious victory obtained by his Excelly our Gov. over ohstniaic & desperate Rebels. The Boston Gazette Jvme 17, 1771, says "The Public are here presented with an astonishing account of a CIVIL WAR in North Carolina in or near the County of H-llsborough." At VI'' P.M. I preached Even" Lect. for M'' Hopkins in his Ab- sence from Ps. 31, 19. 21 I find by the Western prints that the Gen. Assem- bly have lately erected a college in N" Carol, by the name of Queens College, & that Col. Edmund Fanning' once my Pupil at Yale Col- lege is elected President of it with three Tutors under him. 22. Heard M' Morgan new Organist plaj- at Chh. 23. Ldsdy. A M. I pub. M' Tanner & preached from 2 Cor. iv, 15. And after last prayer a Contribution for Arrears of Repairs of the Meetingh. & Steeple in 1766, there being an Arrear of above 160 Dollars. P M. I preached Mat. xiii, 23. Contrib. as usual. Read in Goodwin on Justify" Faith. Rev. M'' Snow preached for M'' Hopkins. 24. Collected ^^esterday /"44.5.0 or ^)'^ Doll.," & a Ticket one Doll., for Repairs A.M.; and 4 Doll, & one loose for me P.M. 25. M'' Snow of Providence was a private & Illiterate Brother of the Congregational Chh there under M'' Cotton.^ In 1746 he headed a large Separation which almost broke up that Chh. A body of new Light Separates from the Cong. »& Bapt. Chhs united under M'' Snow & formed themselves into a mixt & distinct Chh, & Elected M'^ Snow Pastor, and he was ordained about 1746^ according the manner of the Separates by the Laying on of the Hands of I think the M"' Paines & others. The Chh embodied by a Chh Covenant ' Yale 1757. Queens College was chartered in January, 1771, with Col. Fan- ning as the first named in the Board of Fellows or Trustees. - By an order of the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1769 the Spanish milled dollar (5 shillings in lawful money) was to be reckoned as equivalent to ^8 old tenor. •'Josiah Cotton. See below, July 24, 1771. ■* In February, 1747. Joseph Snow, born in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1715, was a carpenter by trade. The church over which he was ordained is now repre- sented by the Beneficent Congregational Church. In 1793, however, he with- drew with many of the members and the church thus separated is now repre- sented by the Union Congregational Church. He died in 1803. JUNE 21-28, 1771 115 which I have, & it is a good one. Among other peculiarities of this Society are these — M'' Snow baptizes Adults and Infants, the latter by Sprinkling only, the former by plunging or Sprinkl- indif- ferently as any chuse — the Baptist Controversy not a Term of Com- munion /. e. Anti-p£edobaptists & Psedobaptists sit down together amicably at the Lords Table — the Deacons & any gifted Brethren have lyiberty & opportunit}- of praying & Exhorting in the Ldsdy pub. Congregations — they have an inveterate Displeasure against the old Congregational Chhs & Pastors. A Majority of the Breth- ren are Baptists, and if a Successor to M' Snow should be Anti- psedobaptist, this would become & end in a baptist Church. M'' Snow is a Paedobaptist. 26. M'' Snow never was admitted to preach in either of the Con- gj-gga Qi-^i^s in this Town or Colon}-, before last Sabbath. How M'' Hopkins will approve it &c &c. His Predecessor M' Vinall tho' a great Whitfieldian, would never consent to admit M"" Snow. Dea- con Coggeshair introduced him in M'' Hopkins' Absence : he has been warml}- engaged to introduce him for ten years past — but could never effect it till this Time. I once heard M'' Snow preach in the Sabb'^ Meet^ in Newport. He is loud & boisterous, but deliv- ers many sound Truths, and pretty well understands the Doctrines of Grace, & is of a sober .serious exemplary Life — & perhaps has a better Understanding of the Gospel Scheme than three Quarters of the Pastors of the Waldenses & Albigenses, or of the reformed in the South part of France. I hope he does good. Tho' I greatly disapprove of — his Lay ordination — & of his running about into congregational Parishes in opposition to the Pastors, & holding sep- arate meetings, & promoting a spirit of Disaffection to a learned Ministry. ... In the Even^ monthly Chh. Meeting at Sister Childs. 27. I preached M-" Hopk. Lect. VI" P M. i Cor. i, ult. 28. M'' Todd went awa3^ In New Haven print I find that June 3'' Ins' died the Rev'' Jo.seph Fowler' Pastor of the first Chh in East Haddam. He had been in the Ministry there 20 years. I had an Invitation to that Chh in 1750, & preached there several Sabbaths ; but chusing to continue in the Tutorship in Yale College a few years longer, I declined the call. And M' Fowler was settled there soon after. 1 Nathaniel Coggeshall, born 1702, died 1784, See this Diary, Dec. 17, 1784. - Yale Coll. 1743, ordained May, 1751. Il6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 29. B3' the Virginia Prints it appears there was held 4"' Ins' a Con- vention of some of the Episc° Clergy of that Province, of about a dozen or 14 Ministers out of about one hundred. They voted an Address home for an American Bp. — that a committee should pre- pare an Address & procure it to be signed by the Clergy. Two or more professors in the College of W^ & Mary entered a long pro- test against it. 30. Ldsday. A.M. I pub. Mr. Tanner last time — preached Ps. 70, 4 — contribution. P.M. I preached i Pet. iv, 18. Contrib. as usual. July. 2. Catechising 19 Boys 44 Girls 8 Negroes. Tot. 71. 3. Writing L,etters to London, Scotland «& Holland. 4. Some silk worms done eating* Rode out to Bristol Ferry, dined, returned — and at VII. P M. I preached M' Hopkins I^ecture, Luke xi, 13. 5. Draughted a Plan for a ministerial Fund. There are above 95 married men & 55 young men, or 150 Men in my Society ; 123 married Women & 84 young Women, besides children. 150 Men .... 1043 Doll 207 Women . . . . 460 357 1503 Dollars Fund. Now I propose that 20 or 30 of these should subscribe 10 & 20 Dol- lars, the most of the rest two Dollars, those least able i Dollar, to be paid out of their Estates at their Death, or in their Life Time, if they please — retaining Liberty to erase their Subscription any Time during their Lives. The most of these persons will die in 30 years. So this^ in one Generation would produce a Fund of 1500 Dollars which at interest would give 90 Dollars per ann. And in another Generation it might arise to 200 Dollars a year. And it is not desirable that the Fund should ever rise higher. For it is just as right & equitable that the persons of the Congreg^ for the Time being in all future Time slid pay, as that their predecessors .should. Now if there be an Income of ^60. L. M. per ann. the Congreg'^ (if it continue 100 Families, as it is now equal to 130 Families) can easil}' raise 70 or ;^8o. more ; & this is eno to afford ^120 Salary to the pastor and ^^20 to the poor. I preached my Sacramental Lec- ture at V. P.M. Jn" viii, 30, 31. JUNE 29-JULY 8, 1 77 1 117 6. Drawing a Plan of Travels for M'' Marchant ;' Travels 2000 Miles in niak- Tour of Europe & seeing the principal Cities. From London thro' Holland & Hanover to Berlin 500 Miles— from Berlin thro Dresden & Prague & Vienna & Venice to Rome, 710 Miles — from Rome thro' Genoa, Turin, Geneva, & Paris to London 780 Miles. Thus ©Berlin O Venice Rome© This may [be] performed in two Months Riding, and one Month Leisure for viewing the Places. The Travel about 30 English Miles a Da}'. The whole might be ac- complished for about 100 Dollars. He intends to be gone a year, & intends to travel to Holland & Paris at least. 7. Lordsdy. AM. I preached Jn'^ i, 29, and administered the Communion to 52 Commiinicants. P M. I preached Ps. xxvii, 10. M'". Hopkins returned home last Frida}- Evening. This even" I married James Tanner jun. & Hannah Haszard at my House. M"" Agent Marchant spent the Even^ with me designing to set out for London in the Morning. At Farewell parting he presented me wdth a Gratuit}^ of three Guineas. 8. Above Three Thousd Silkworms are cocooing. Perhaps 150 remain feeding, & almost .satiated. M' Hopkins saw Rev. M"" Leavenworth of Waterbury, who was at New Haven the Day of Gather'^ the new Chli there, & told him that M'' Bird was installed the same Day, & either M"" Mills of Ripton or M'' Pumroy of Hebron'^ gave him the Right Hand of Fellowship.' On the 19"' or 20^*^ of June ult. this Chh was gathered under the Leading of s*^ Mess""* ' A copy of this Plan is preserved among Dr. Stiles's MSS. ; it covers 24 quarto pages. See, also, this Diary for Dec. 4, 1772. Henry Marchant, a member of the Continental Congress, an eminent lawyer of Newport, born 1741, died 1796. He was now Attorney-General of the Colony, and under appointment as agent at the court of Great Britain. - Jedidiah Mills (Yale 1722), of the present town of Huntington, Conn., and Benjamin Pomero}- (Yale 1733). - This report was incorrect. The church in New Haven known as the Fair Haven Church was gathered in June, 1771, but though Mr. Bird supplied the pulpit for much of the time until a pastor was settled (in February, 1773), he was never installed. See Dr. Dutton's History of ilie North C/iurch, pp. 65, 76. Il8 DIARY OF EZRA' vSTlLES Mills & Pumroy out of Rev'' M'' Edwards's Clih. There were about one third of the Chh and Congreg^ opposed the call & settlemen* of M'' Edwards two j^ears ago. They continued about one year or less negotiating a proposal for M'' Fish of Stonington to be settled Col- legue. But this being procrastinated till the minority were satis- fied the Majority were not sincere in joyning that proposal & seeing nothing likely to be done in it ; thereupon in Sept 1769 separated & began to hold Ldsday Worship by themselves in the Courthouse, one of the Brethren carrjnng on the Worship b}^ Prayer, Singing, & reading a Sermon out of a printed Volume. In a few Sabbaths after this, D'' Wheelock preached, & M'" Pumroy came & assisted several sabbaths ; at length M'' Bird their old Minister when together, preached to them. In the Summer 1770 they erected a large Meetinghouse in New Haven near that of Rev. M'' Whittle- seys, covered & soon assembled in it. The neighbouring Ministers of the Association discouraged it with all their might : and the Con- greg'' has risen up intirely in opposition to them. These neigh- bor^' Pastors all refusing to forward them ; and even the Candidates declining to preach for them, they were obliged to take M'' Bird again. The}' were the rather induced to this for two Reasons viz i . that M'' Bird had taken M' Edwards Congreg^ in 1750 when separate, in a low Estate, dispised by the then As.sociation, & not larger than this present Separation, and raised it up into the biggest Meeting in Town : & they had bruited it that he could do the like again : & the}^ were not likel}' at present to get a 3'oung Candidate because discouraged by the Pastors. 2. M'' Bird had a good Estate in Town, and could subsist on a less Salary- from them than any body Else. Accord'^ they determined to embody into a Chh State & have the Ordinances regularly administered among them. Thereupon they applied to M' Mills & Pumroy, Veterans in Separation-mak- ings, and they came, & under their Guidance, a new Chh of about a dozen Male Members was gathered. But previous to gathering they the separating Brethren sent to the Rev'" M'' Edwards & his Chh & desired them to object & shew Reasons if any they had, why the}' should not b|; gathered into a distinct Church. There- upon M' Edwards with his Deacons repaired to them, and said, the Chh had already alledged her Reasons against their Separation from them, & the.se they well knew, & that these the Chh persisted in & adhered to, but had nothing further to offer. After this at a pubHc Congregation in the New separate Meetinghouse the Chh JULY 8, 1771 119 was solemnly Embodied in the usual Manner by reading over the Chh Cov* & Principles of Belief with the Names subscribed, & leading the covenanting Brethren to acknowledge & ratify the same by a public Vote ; «& thus they covenanted to walk together (as a distinct Chh) in the Ordinances & Fellowship of the Gospel. This is the third Congregational or Presb. Chh besides the College Chh within the Old Society- , or compact part of the Town of New Haven. Then the new Chh were publickly led to give a Call to the Rev'' Sam' . Bird to be their Pastor ; which Call he then accepted, & then took upon him the pastoral Care of this Chh.* Then one of the Ministers gave him the Rt. Hand of Fellow- ship ; but I have not heard that thej^ gave him a new Charge. And thus things were settled. Now it may be remarkt that this Instalm*^ is in a new & unusual Manner in our Chhs. These Min- isters appeared as Ministers only, not as sent by their Chhs nor accompanied with any Messengers from their Chhs, nor properly as an ecclesiastical Council ; neither could thej' give the Rt. Hand of Fellowship in the name of the Churches. For now a long Time since 175S the Consociation of that Count}^ have claimed the exclu- sive power of Ordinations & Instalm''* into the pastoral office in the Chhs of their Circuit. This bro* on a Discussion of the powers of ordin'' Councils which had been universalh' called in iDy the Chh to ordain their pastor Elect. The Chhs had always invited whom they pleased, but in no Instance called the Consociation as such. In that County the Consoc. have prevailed to have seven ordin-' viz, M' Trumble of N" Haven, M' Waterman of a separate Chh in Wallingford led off & separated by the Consoc, M'' Hawley of Bethany, M' Sherman of Carmel installed, M'' Elles of N" Branford, Collegue with M'' Merick, M^ Bray of Cohabit,' M'' Foot of Ches- hire Collegue with M'' Hall. In the same County in same Time have been 4 Ord. in the old way or contrary to the new & usurped claims of that Consociation, viz, M'' Edwards of New Haven, M^ Hubbard of Meriden, M'' Wales of Milford, & now M'' Bird installed at New Haven. Milfd & Meriden were once consociated Chhs, M'' Edwards's was a separate Chh set up in opposition to the Con- sociation 1 741 ; M' Birds new Chh is also gathered in Opp" to Con- sociation ; & has even Installed its Pastor without any Eccl. Coun- cil at all. The Appell'' of an Ecd. Council is given primarily to a ' This sentence was subsequently erased. * Thomas Wells Bray (Yale 1765), of North Gitilford. I20 DIARY OF EZRA STILES number of Sister Chhs convened by their Pastors & Messengers as Delegates, & called in b}^ the Chh desiring their Advise, & origi- nall}' having no Auth-'. There have been Meet''''^ of Ministers alone from the beginning, stated or occasional — as statedly in Asso- ciations especially fore loo years past — occasional as upon Fasts for Droughts, sacramental Lectures, extraord^' I^ectures ; & also as called in by a Chh to advise in Cases of Difficulty. And tho' in this way they often subserve the End & use of a Council, yoX they are not considered Ecclesiastical Councils in the sense of our New Engld Chhs whether Congregational or Consociated , both of which mean b^^ Council, a Council of Churches. It is the understand^ of the Body of our Denom. (for both Cong. & Consoc. are one with me) that Elders only have power to ordain. From the Begin^, however the Chh called in what has since been distinguished from other Councils by the name of an Ordaining Council. There sometimes arise difficulties in the Chh about the pastor Elect, in w^ the Chh needs & desires the Advice of Sister Chhs. This Council serves that End accord" to the Idea of Congre- gationalism. The Ministers as Elders (not as members of the Council) ordain the pastor Elect : and in the Name of their Fellow Laborers give the Rt Hand of Fellowshp. But then in this part the Pastor giving the Rt. Hand acts a double part, both equally important, he by vote of Council & in the name of the Chhs con- vened gives the Rt Hand in Token of the Fellowship of the Chhs. , as well as Fellowship of the Pastors. Now if the Pastors are vested with their Sacerdotal Character from Christ, they can confer it in Ordin-" & in token of receiv" the ordained Brother into their ministerial Fellowship can give the Right Hand. It seems this has been done in M'' Birds Instalment :— and it is universally done by the Baptist Elders, who never act in ordaining Councils, but ordain officially as well as baptize. This day M' Henry Marchant set out, via Boston, for London, Agent for the Colony of Rhode Island at the Court of Great Britain. 9. We have it reported that the Regulators have surrounded & taken Gov. Tryon & four hundred men. M"" Huntington was ordained Pastor of a new Chh gathered at Worthington last Month.' ' Rev. Jonathan Huntington, born in Windham, Conn., 1733, ordained at Worthington, Mass., June 26, 1771, died 1781 : a brother of Gov. Samuel and Rev. Dr. Joseph. JULY 9-14, 1771 121 He was an ingenious Man, but not of academic Education. There is a Law of the Province that a Minister must either have a Degree at a College, or be approved by the Association. The Chh had appointed the Day of Ord" & sent for the Council before they were apprised of s'' Law. Upon which the Assoc, convened at N° Hampton & approved him previous to the Ordination ; after this he was ordained. Also M"" Niles was to be ordained last Month at Abington.' 10. Great Freshes or overflowings of the Rivers in Virginia latter End of May, by Reason of long & great Rains. Equal to the Ogygian or Deucalian Floods in Greece memorable in Antiquity. The Damages computed at half a Million Sterling. Upon James River only, five hundred houses were swept away by the Flood — From Shockoe, Warwick &c two Thousand Hogheads of Tobacco — Waters up 5 or six Lengths of Shingles on the Roofs of Store- houses — all the Islds & low Grounds under Water — last years Corns &c &c Stock &c washed of — upon Roanoke still worse, much damage on Rappahannoc. This years Crop Tobacco supposed must be lessened Twenty five Thousand Hdds. 11. In convers^ with Rev. M'' Rusmeyer he shewed me a Letter from a Moravian Minister at New York who tells him that the Brethren have a Mission at a place which they have named Sarepta lying on the River Wolga, 150 English Miles due north from Astraca7i : and that if I will send a Letter of Interrogatories about the Kalmuck Tartars and the Ten Tribes, he will forward it & pro- cure an Answer. Mr. Rusmeyer also told me of two new Missions of the Brethren lately opened ; one at Labradore among the Eski- maux Indians whither two or more of the Brethren went to settle last spring. He said Mr. Gorham Gov. of Placentia on Newfound- land, being at N. York lately went to Bethlem & was present at the religious Exercises of the Brethren there. Gov. Gorham saw the afores"^ Brethren at Placentia in their passage for Labradore 14. Ldsdy. AM. Ps. xix,7. P.M. Ps. xxxvi, 7. Capt. Childs (Tho)^ & Fam'" removing to settle at Bridgwater, desired public Pra^^ers in the Congreg'' that they may be commended to the divine Blessing. His Mother & Wife are Members of my Church & very pious Persons. Also at M' Agent Marchants Desire, left behind, ' See below, Aug. 31 and Oct. 2, 1771. ' Thomas Childs, son of Thomas and Mary Childs, was baptized at Newport on May 16, 1742, and married Hannah Fryers on June ir, 1769. 122 DIARY OF EZRA STILES we commended him to the div. Blessing, as he is going to London. This m}- wifes Birth Da}^, being foiirty j^ears old. I am in the fourty fourth year of my Age. Sacrament of Lds Supper at M"" Hopkins Chh tooday. 1 6. Wednesday July 3. Ins' "was ordained to the Work of the min'', at Warren in Bristol County (b}^ the unanimous choice of the Baptist Chh & Cong, in that Town) the Rev. Charles Thompson, A.B. the first son of Rhode Isld College who has 3'et engaged in the sacred Oihce. The Rev. Eben. Hinds of Middleborough began the Solemnity with Prayer & preached an excellent sermon upon the Occa.sion, to a polite & crowded Auditory from 2 Tim. ii. 15. Study to shezv thyself &c. The Rev. Noah Alden of Bellingham delivered the Charge ; M' Hinds gave the Rt. Hand of Fellowship, & M'' Alden concluded with Prayer." Remark i. The Baptists ordain by Imposition of Hands, tho' that is not mentioned here. 2. This Ace" is drawn up more after the manner of Presb. or Cong. Ordinations than usual, & I believe was conducted more in that distinct way. For usually in Bapt. Ordin'^ they lay on hands & pra}- & sa}- a few words which ma}* be considered as an Introduc- tion of the person into the Min^' — but it is all one work and usually the Work of one man as speaker (tho' two or 3 lay on hands in Ord^) — So in performing a Baptism, after Sermon, the person is baptized, & after this, shifting Apparrel, the person is presented at the Deacons Seat »& the Elder baptizing lays on his hands & prays — yet it is all one Action or a continuation of one Work performed by one Man. But in this Ordin^ the Work was distinguished into parts much in the Presb. manner. 3. While Congregationalists have an Ordin-' Council consisting of Pastors & Messengers of Sister Clilis, yet the Baptists never have such Councils. The Chh & Pas- tors elect calls in the Baptist Elders or Teachers of Sister Chhs : and these Elders are not .sent by their Chhs, nor in Ordinations do they act as Delegates of their Chhs, but as Elders endowed with Office Power from the Head of the Chh. They baptize whomso- ever they will without consult^ their Chhs, the}' administer the Lds Supper abroad occasionally without a.sk- Eeave of their Chhs, they ordain Elders without being sent by their Chhs. They don't do it in opp" to their Chhs, but they do it officially. But when they admit Members to the Lds Table in their own Chhs, and in Cen- sures & all Chh Discipline, and in ecclesiastical Councils, the Bap- tist Elders lead the Brethren to Votes & proceed & are governed by JULY 16-17, '^11^ 123 their Votes : & I don't find that their Elders ever claimed or exer- cised a power of negativing the Chh. Rem. 5. Formerly the Bap- tist Ministers were fond of the Appell'^ Elder ^ & the Baptists usu- ally call their pastors Elder in common Discourse, as Elder Eyres, Elder Thurston, Elder Alden, Elder Hinds &c. But since the College is erected they begin to assume the Titles Rev. Ch^ Thomp- son, Rev. Noah Alden &c, tho' heretofore they have shewn an Aversion to these presbyterian Titles. Rem. 6. The above M"" Hinds & M' Alden, tho' pious & good Men & of good Knowledge in the Scriptures (about as knowing as the common pple in New England usual!}' are), yet the}' are not Men of College Education, know nothing of the learned Languages, or Ecclesiastical History, or S^'stematical Divinity. They are well read in the Bible, and some Tracts on the Mode and subject of Baptism, & a few Sermons, make all their Reading. At least this is usually the Qualification of the Bapt. Elders. Within 2 or 3 years indeed D' Gills Bod}^ of Divinity as it is called has been published among them. And as this truely, instead of being a connected vSystem of Theology, is only a Collection of Sermons upon a number of principal & import- ant Subjects, (which may be dipt in here & there ad Libitum with- out Connexion,) so I believe it probable some of the Baptist Elders are now perusing some of these selected Discourses as to particular points, such as Election &c &c. July 8 & 9 Rev. M'' Burt & Townsend of Barrington set out with the Delegates of their Chhs to hold an Eccles. Council at Dighton. Council adjourned. Ephraim Miner of Stonington had twenty sheep sheared this Season, the wool taken off the whole was One hundred & three pounds J ounces, as weighed in the presence of several persons. The lightest Fleece weighed 4"' 2'" the heaviest seven pounds. 17. At XI'' A M. the Spire of the Chh Steeple taken down. East Saturday M'" Agent Marchant sailed from Boston for London, in the Ship Boston pacquet, Cap' Lyde. An Eccles. Council at Rutland lately vindicated & cleared the Rev. M'' Buckminster' from the Accusations of Cap* Isaac Stone of Oakham. "The Council likewise authorized by the parties adjudged Cap* Stone to defray the public Expences, which he did accordingly." 1 Joseph Buckminster (Harvard 1739), father of the Rev. Dr. Joseph (Yale 1770I, of Portsmouth, N. H. 124 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 1 8. Wrote Letters of Recommendation for Sister Mary Childs Widow, & Sister Hannah Wife of Tho^ Childs, remov^ to settle at Bridgwater in Massachusetts, both Communicants in my Church. M'' Tauro the Jew priest or Chuzan in this Town tells me there are about a Dozen Jew Families in Philadelphia, and that thej^ are open- ing a Synagogue there. He is lateh' from New York, but did not see the York Chuzan because he was gone to Pliilad-' upon that affair. I suppose therefore that he has gone to form them & begin the Synag. Worship there. They have no Edifice as yet. But I conclude this may date the Beginning of the Sj'nag. Worship in Philad\ Attended M'' Hoj)k. Even'' Lect. he preached Jn" xvi, 1 1 : of Judgment &c. 19. By the Western prints I find Gov'' Try on escaped to Newbern, where arriving about Ten o'clock at Night unexpectedly, that little Town or Burrough of perhaps 70, or Eight}^ houses was illuminated. He immediately came off on Board a Sloop [vSukey Cap^ Yarborough] for N York where he arrived 8"' Ins* in five days fr. N'^ Car" & pub- lished his commission as Gov. there in Room of the Earl of Dun- more who is to be removed to Virginia. At Night the City of N York was illuminated. The York print contains an early Address of the Rector & Episcopal Inhabitants of N. York, full of Flattery to one returned from plunging his Sword in the Bowels of Ameri- cans. Martin Howard Esq Judge &c condemned about a Dozen Regulators, all hanged, but one. 21. Ldsday. A.M. I preached Ps. xix, 7. P.M. Rom. ix, 3,3. Reading Dr. Watts Lyric Poems, &c. 22. Read"^ Junius Americanus' Letters. Judge Howard held Supreme Court at Hillsborough from May 30 to June 20 upon the Regulators. . . 23. On first of May ult. Mr. Pitt alias Ld. Chatham concluded his speech in the House of Lords thus : — " that tho' no Man prided himself more on his Attatchment to his native Country, the Proceed- ings of those pple., who called themselves its Governors, had ren- dered it so disagreeable to him, that was he but ten years j^ounger he would spend the Remainder of his Days in a Country (meaning America) which had already give?! such Earnest of its Independent Spirit. Nor shd. my advanced Age (continued that spirited Noble- man) even nozv prevent me, did not Considerations of the last Conse- quence {viy bodily Infirmities) i?tterfere.'" Extract from Prints. JULY 18-24, "^ll"^ 125 24. Commencem' at Harvard Coll. Wediiesdy 17"' Ins* when among other Exercises President Locke made a Latin Oration — & there was a Dialogue in Greek, & another in Samaritan. There were graduated sixty Tzvo Bachellors of Arts, & thirty Eight Masters — total one Hundred. And the Degree of Doctor in Divinity was conferred on the Rev" Nathanael Appleton of Cambridge. Thus above 100 were graduated. I suppose this was more than ever were graduated at one Commenc*^ in America. Among the Masters, Rev. Naphtali Dagget President pro Tempore of Yale College, Rev. Eliphalet Williams of Hartford & Fellow of Yale College, & Rev. M' Bacon of Boston educated at Nassau, having before rec'' the Degree of A.M. at their respective Colleges, were admitted ad Eundeni. Also the Honorary Degree of A M was given to Jn" Cuming Esq. of Concord. The Doctorate in Theology has been conferrd in Harvard Coll. but once before viz on the Rev'' Increase Mather about Eighty years agone. Dr. Appleton' proceded A.B. ' The following notice of him is extracted from a letter of the Rev. Dr. Charles Chauncy, of Boston, to Dr. Stiles, dated May 6, 1768 : — " I have also been intimate with Mr. Appleton, who is an upright, faithful, excellent preacher, tho' much wanting in correctness ; and a man of very con- siderable power, and has been of great service to the College by his wise endeav- ours to promote its good. He deserves to be remembered with honor." The following is an extract from a letter of Dr. Appleton to Dr. vStiles, enclos- ing some statistics respecting his congregation : — " Camb. July 19, 1760." "Rev'? Sir, "I think it would answer some very good Purposes to have a just & particu- lar account of all y» Congregational Chh' in New England, together with y*^ number of families y* make up such Congregations, published to y* world together with an account of y'' Chh' of England, & y" Scituation in y« midst of these Congregations ; and with y" Numbers y' belong to y" Churches of Eng- land. And as it would cause y" Congregational Chhs. as you say to appear a very Respectable Body, so it would set forth how small a proportion y" Chh. of England bears to it, and would give y® world to see how far y^ mony in y" hands of y" Society for propagating y* Gospel in foreign Parts is from being applied to that use — the Churches of England in general being an handfull of people in y* midst of large Towns where y" Gospel is freely & faithfully Preached by Congregational Ministers. It is grievous to think that when our Pious Ancestors came over into this Land, when an howling wilderness, to enjoy y« Gospel in y'^ purity & simplicity of it y' the Chh of England should thrust it self in among us. But this is to bow with humble submission to y" great King & Head of y^ Chh. who can answer his own great & gracious pur- poses in ways y' we dont see thro', and this we must remember that Liberty of 6c>«5aV«£-^ is a grand New England principle." . . dence &c. 1728. Oct. 23- others. 1717. Oct. 9- 1664. May 27. 126 . DIARY OF EZRA STILES at Harv. Coll. AD. 1712 ; was ordained Pastor of the Chh in Cam- bridge A D 17 1 7. He was born at Ipswitch Dec. g, 1693. Son of Hon. Jn" Appleton : his Mother was the eldest Daughter of Presi- dent Rogers. He was ordained by D' Increase Mather who preached & gave the Charge, D' Cotton Mather who gave the Right hand of Fellowship, Rev M'' Angier of Watertown & Rev M'' Rogers of Ipswitch all laying on Hands in his Ordination. This I had from his own Month. I can trace my Ordination thro' D'' Appletons up to Bishop Morton in England, thus 1755. Oct. 22. Ezra Stiles ordained by Rev. John Burt of Bris- tol, Rev. Joseph Torry of S" Kingston, and ni}" Father. 1741. May 13. John Burt ordained by Rev. M' Cotton of Provi- Josiah Cotton ord. by Rev. Nath' Appleton & Nath' Appleton ord. by D' Increase Mather &c. Increase Mather ord. receiv^ his Charge from his Father Rev. Richard Mather of Dorchester &c. 161 8. Nov'' 13. Richard Mather ordained Presbj-ter or Priest by Bishop Morton in England ; & 1 634 silenced by D'' Neale A B P of York ; came over to N. Eng. & became Pastor of the Congrega- tional Chh in Dorchester Aug. 23, 1636, where he died Apr. 22, 1669. D'' Morton was Bishop of Chester. Again Rev. Peter Thatcher' of Milton was ordained by his Father Thomas Thatcher of Weymouth & Boston, and he by first Patriarch Rev Jn" Cotton of Boston. Mr. Thatcher of Milton and others ord. Rev. Nath' Clap of Newport, &c Thus I trace &c Ezra Stiles i755 Rev. Othniel Campbell told me Jn" Burt 1 741 that Rev. M' Thatcher of Middle- Jos. Gardner 1740 boro' (who died 1743) ord. him Nath' Clap" 1720 1732 & told him, he could trace Peter Thatcher . . . his ord. thro' his Father &c to Tho' Thatcher 1644 Mr. Cotton. John Cotton of Boston 'Born 1651, graduated at Harvard 1671, died Dec. 17, 1727; his son Peter, born 1688, graduated at Harvard 1706, was ordained in Middleboro', Mass., 1709, and died there April 22, 1744; and his eldest son Peter (Harvard 1737) was settled over the East church in Attleboro', Mass., from 1748 to 1785. ' A graduate of Harvard in 1690, and the first pastor of the Congregational church in Newport ; born 1667, died 1745. JULY 24, 1771 . 127 W Torry was ord. 1732' by M'' Tho^ Prince of B" &c and he by the Mathers. D'' Cotton Mather says he was ord. May 13, 1684 by the Imposition of the Hands of his Father D'' Increase, Rev. M'' Allen of the old or first Chh B" & Rev. Jn" Eliot of Roxbury the Indian Apostle. Thus 1755. Ezra Stiles ord. by M'' Torry &c 1732. Joseph Torrey ord. by M'' Prince, M'' Searing &c &c 17 1 8 Oct I. Thomas Prince ord. by D' Mathers, D'' Sewall &c Also thus . . 1755. Ezra Stiles ord. by Isaac Stiles his Father 1724 Nov. II. Isaac Stiles ord. b}- Mr. Whittelsey. 1 7 10 May Sam' Whittelsey ord. by M'' Sam' Street & Copastor 1672. . . Samuel Street ord by M'' Nicolas Street his Father 1659. Nov. 26. Nicolas Street ord by Mr. Jn" Davenport — & in Engld .... Jn'' Davenp* ord. by a Bp in Engld I have traced my Ordination to the first Ministers that came out of Engld ; among others to M"" Cotton of B"— M"" Davenp' of N. Haven :— M"^ Prudden of Milford :— M"" Tho^ Welde & John Eliot of Roxbury :— M^ Rd. Mather &c &c. My Father Rev. Isaac Stiles of North Haven was ordained Nov. II, 1724. set. suae. 28. by the Rev. Samuel Andrew of Milford Rev. Samuel Russell of Branford, gave the charge Rev. Joseph Moss of Darby Rev. Nathan' Chauncy of Durham Rev. Samuel Whittelsey of Wallingford Rev. Joseph Noyes of New Haven Rev. Jacob Hemingway of East Haven The Sermon preached by M'' Moss or M'' Chauncy, some say one and some the other. Rev. Sam' Hall of Cheshire (ordained a month after) tells me M'' Moss preached it. Jude Cooper then a Boy, tells me, he remembers the Text 2 Cor. v, 20, A/'ow then we are Ambassadors for Christ &c. My Father died in the Ministry at N'' Haven, May 14, 1760, set. 63, Min'' 36. On Occasion of D'' Dana's ordin^ at Wallingfd 1758, at which he assisted, he said, "that he had assisted at above Thirty Ordinatio7is of Ministers before that, & 1 On Ma3^ 17, 1732, at South Kingston, R. I., over a church of five members gathered that day. 128 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES that he was as clear in the Expediency of proceeding in this as any of the others." These were some whom he helped to ordain. . Rev. Sam' Hall, New Cheshire, Dec 9, 1724 Rev. Sam' Russell, Cohabit, 1725 . Rev. Tho'' Ruggles, Guilfd, March 26, 1729 Rev. Theophilus Hall, Meriden, Oct 29, 1729 . Rev. Philemon Robbins, Branford, Feb 7, 1733. Rt. Hand . Rev. Jonathan Todd, E. Guilford Oct 24, 1733. Last Prayer . Rev. Daniel Humphry of Darby, March 6, 1734. Preached. . Rev. Abel Stiles his B'' Woodstock, 1737. Preached i Tim. iii, I. . Rev. Sam' Whittelsey jun. Milford, Dec. 9, 1737. . Rev. Jn" Trumble, Westbury, 1738. Preached Rev. Mark Leavenworth, Waterbury. Rev. Nathan Birdsej', West Haven, Oct 13, 1742. Ex ore ejus Rev. Benj. Woodbridge, Amity, 1742. D". Rev. Jonathan Lyman, Oxford, 174 — Rt hand . Rev. Nath' Taylor, New Milford, June 29, 1748. Charge Rev. John Richards, Cohabit, Nov 1748. . Rev. Warham Williams, Northford, June 13, 1750. Right Hand . Rev. Nicholas Street, East Haven, Oct. 8, 1755. Last ptayer Ezra Stiles his Son Newport Oct. 22, 1755. Preached 2 Tim ii, i. Rev. Elizur Goodrich, Durham, Nov. 24, 1756. . Rev. Amos Fowler, Guilfd I. ] to ^ 1 „ ' > . . . June 8, 17 so. . Rev. Richard Ely D". IV'" i . Rev. Chauncy Whittelsey, New Haven, March i, 1758. Right Hand . Rev. James Dana D D. Wallingford, Oct. 12, 1758. 24 All that are dotted I had from their own Mouths. The rest I had from Rev. Sam' Hall of Cheshire last year when he was aet. 75. Who said he was present, & well remembered my Fathers assist^' with him in Eleven Ordinations at least ; & to Mess" Theo. Hall, Leavenw., Birdsey, Woodb., Goodrich, among the rest. M'' Todd assisted at Richards' s & told me Father assisted also. None of these are doubtful, unless RusseV s. I have not yet had opp° to inquire the others, but from what I recollect mj^self of the Times, & from cursory Convers'' with sundry persons at N " Haven & par- ' Should be, Jiuie 8, 1757. JULY 26, 1771 129 ticularly Mother Stiles now living, I make no doubt but he assisted in ordaining the following persons : Rev. Jonathan Merick, of N" Branford Rev. Sam' Arnold,' West Haven Rev. Tim" Allen, D" Rev. Stephen Heaton, Goshen Rev. And'" Bartholomew, Harwinton Rev. Jon*" Ivyman, Oxford, gave Rt. hand Fellowship Rev. Tho^ Canfield, Roxbury in Woodbury Rev. layman Hall, Stratfield" Rev. M'' Palmer, Cornwall Rev. Ashbel Woodb. Glassenbury. In 1770 M'' Hall of Cheshire gave me the Names of twenty four Pastors whom he had assisted in ordaining, including one instal- ment. D'' Bellamy this Spring gave me the names of twenty two Pastors in whose Ord. or Instal. he had assisted.' This Even^ monthly Meef^ of the Brethren & Sisters of the Chh at Sister Steven's (Jn°), when I discoursed on Rom. viii, 14. 26. The Rev'* Samuel Hall of New Cheshire was cotemporary with my Father in the Ministry, & the greater Part of L,ife very intimate Friends living but six miles apart. M'' Hall was born at ' Should be Jonathan Arnold (Yale 1723). ^ " Not " is added in pencil. 3 The list is : In Litchfield County Nath' Roberts, Torrington Ammi R. Robbins, Norfolk Thos. Canfield, Roxbury Noah Benedict, Woodbury Reuben Judd, Judea Benj" Wildman, Southbury Daniel Brinsmade, Judea Noah Wadhams, New Preston Judah Champion, Litchfield Jer'^ Day, New Preston Abel Newel, Goshen Jehu Miner, South Britain Hez'' Gold, Cornwall Asahel Hart, Canaan John Searl, Sharon In Fairfield County David Judson, Newtown Lyman Hall, Stratfield James Beebee, North vStratford In New Haven County Sam' Bird, New Haven Jon" Edwards, New Haven James Sproat, Guilford In New York Province John Smith, Rye 9 130 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Wallingfd Oct 5. 1695, two years before my Father. He was ordained a month after Father was ordained. In 1770 I visited M'' Hall when he gave me this Account : — that he was ordained Dec. 9, 1724, by the Rev'' Messieurs. Joseph Morse of Darby Nath' Chauncy of Durham John Southmayde of Waterbury Jacob Hemingway of East Haven Sam' Whittelsey of Wallingford preached Joseph Noyes of New Haven Isaac Stiles of North Haven M'' Andrew of Milford sent for, but did not come : Messenger one from a Chh with the Pastor ; Cap* Jn" Munson Mess, from Chh of New Haven. M' Hall had a Collegue settled 1767. From his Ordin^ 1724 to Mar. 12, 1767 Baptisms in Cheshire . . . 2013 Admitted Communicants . . . 670 Burials ...... 626 Sep. 9, 1770. Actual Communicants four /uDidred & nineteen exclusive of Episcopalians, & only of M'' Halls Church. A large Chh ! I believe largest in New England. M'' Hall said to me, that Rev Sam' Whitt-' of Wall, told him, he was ordained by M' Street of Wallingfd, M'' Andrew of Milfd, M"' Pierp* of N. H. M^' Russel of Branfd, & M' Moss of Darby. 28. Edsdy, A.M. I published Jn" Treby & W" Bradford. . . . I am told that this day the Fish Market was opened at the Grain- ery, & the Market house also near the Parade. 29. M' vSam' Broome of N. York visited me. 30. M'"^ Ellis of Newbern, N" Carolina, breakfasted with us. She is lately from thence. Says Gov. Tryon found thirty eight Regulators killed at the Battle at Almansee, & no more, besides wounded. She says Parson Read of Newbern has twenty Chapels under him. Mr. Broom told me that the two united Presb. Chhs in N. York gave ^250. to D'' Rogers & ^150. & house to M'' Treat:— M' Treats House cost them ;^6oo. — they paid ^200 Interest being in Debt for monies hired near ^4000. for building the new Meeting house : — that D"' Ogilvie was the only Episc" Clergyman in N. Y. who JULY 28-AUGUST I, I 77 I 131 vouchsafed to attend a Presbyterian Lecture : that ever}^ Ldsdy. Even'' they had preach^ alternately at the Presb. Meetings : — that M'' Broom & his Brother had 2 Pews in each Meet^ & paid ^20. a 3'ear both. Aug. I. This day M'' King finished my Picture.' He began it last year — but went over the face again now, & added Emblems &c. The Piece is made up thus. The Effigies sitting in a Green Elbow Chair, in a Teaching Attitude, with the right hand on the Breast, and the Left holding a preaching Bible. Behind & on his left side is a part of a Library — two Shelves of Books — a Folio shelf with Eiisebij Hist. Ecc, Livy, Du Halde's Hist^ of China, and one inscribed Talmud B., Aben Ezra, Rabbi Selomoh Jarchi in hebrew Letters, and a little below R. Moses Ben Maimon Moreh Nevochim. By these I denote my Taste for History, especially of the Roman Empire, & of the Chh in the 3 first Centuries & at the Reforma- tion — the State of China as contain^ a systematical View of an antient pple for 4000 years, being one Third or more of the human Race & different from all the rest of the Orientals — the Rabbin. Learn" part'' in the two most eminent Periods of it ; the first before & at the Time of Christ contain^' the Decisions of the house of R. Eleazar at Babylon, and those of the Houses Hillel & Shammai at Jerusalem ; the second period was at the Revival of the Hebrew Learning in the XI^'' & Twelfth Centuries, when arose those Lights of the Captivity, Jarchi, Maimonides &c. I prize this Learn'' only for the scattered Remains of the antient Doctrine of the Trinity, & a suffering Messiah, preserved in the Opinions of some of the Rabbins before Christ — the very Labors of the modern Rabbins to obviate or interpret them into another sense & Applica- tion evincing their Genuiness & Reality. The Moreh Nevochim which was originally written in Arabic, is curious for many Reasons ; it was a capital Work, & became an Occasion of the greatest literary Dispute among the Jews since the days of Hillel — it contains great Concessions, which have recommended it to Xtian Divines. On the other Shelf are Newton's Principia, Plato, Watts, Dod- dridge, Cudworths Intellectual System ; & also the New Engld primaeval Divines Hooker, Chauncy, Mather, Cotton. ' Now in possession of Dr. Stiles's great-granddaugliter, Mrs. Charles C. Foote, of New Haven. 132 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES At my Right hand stands a Pillar. On the Shaft is one Circle and one Trajectory around a solar point, as an emblem of the New- tonian or Pythagorean System of the Sun & Planets & Comets. It is pythag. so far as respects the Sun & revolv- Planets : it is newtonian so far as it respects the Comets moving in parabolic Trajectories, or long Ellipses whose Vertexes are nigh a parab. Curve. At the Top of the visible part of the Pillar & on the side of the Wall, is an Emblem of the Universe or intellectual World. It is as it were one sheet of Omniscience. In a central Glory is the name mP?^ surrounded with white Spots on a Field of azure, from each Spot ascend three hair Lines denoting the Tendencies of Minds to Deity & Communion with the Trinity in the divine Eight : these Spots denote i^Innocency ,^ a Spirit, a World, Clusters or Systems of Worlds, & their Tendencies to the eternal central yet universal omnipresent Eight. This world is represented by a Cluster of Minds whose central Tendencies are turned off from Gd to Earth, self & created good — and also in a state of Redemption. Intervening is the Crucifixion of Christ between two Thieves — both Tendencies going ofif, but one turned back to the Eight. Denotes also a converted & an unconverted Man. At a little Distance on the Eeft hand is a black Spot the Receptacle of fallen Angels & the finall}' wicked. And as we know onl}^ of two Worlds (out of infinite Myriads) that have revolted ; so this is big eno' to contain all these, if none w^ere saved. And the collection of moral Evil «& Misery, in comparison with the moral Perfection & Happiness of the immense Universe, is but a small Spot & as nothing in proportion to the to -n-av. So that under this small minutesimal Exception of the Misery of all the fallen Angels & even most of the Posterity of Adam, when we consider what is held forth in the Description of Coloss. i, 16. of Principalities, Dominions &c innumerable grand assemblages of Intelligences, we may say AEE HAPPY IN GOD. These Emblems are more descriptive of my Mind, than the Efiigies of mj^ Face. I have selected the Books to my Taste. I posess & have read all Newtons Works & his Principia often : and am highly delighted with his Optics & Astronomy. Plato I have & read with pleasure. Watts & Doddridge I esteem as good sound Divines, evangelical Preachers, & tho' not the most learned, yet of an excellent Spirit — in them w^e have a good Idea of evangelical apostolic pastors. Cudw'orth I esteem for his Collection of all the AUGUST 2-4, 1 77 1 133 Mythology of the fabulous Ages, which I conceive to have origi- nated from primeval Revelation to the Originals of all Nations. President Chauncy I conceive the most truly & extensively learned of all the N Engld Fathers, especially in the Sciences, the School- men, the Eccl. Hist, thro' all Ages of the Chh, & perfectly acquainted with the three first Centuries, & the Reformation, & the Corruptions of the Pontificate — add Speculative or Systematic Theology and the Knowledge of the learned Languages, particu- larly Greek & besides Hebrew, its several Dialects as Syriac, Arabic, Samaritan : a Man of Piety, Zeal for pure Religion & exemplary uncorrupted Fortitude in the Redeemers Cause. M"" Jn" Davenport was in my opinion the next to him for immense Read- ing & Learning : but I selected Hooker as rather more eminent. He was of vast Erudition tho' not so extensive & universal as Chauncy : but he had a Penetration, Depth of Thot & solidity of Judg' beyond them all. Richd Mather, & Jn" Cotton were of a second Class for Learning, but greatly useful. I attended M'' Hopkins Even^' Lect. he preached upon Luke xv, 18, the Return of the Prodigal Son. At ¥111^2 an Alarm of Fire at the upper End of the Town in Col. Coles Tanyard : but happily extinguished. 2. This day visited by M'" Richard Stiles' of Bermudas aet. 49, Merchant. He meditates a settlement at Newport or some part of the Continent ; & is going via Boston for Engld to bring over Goods to open Store. He has a Brother in N York, & another in Philadelphia — this last is immensely rich, worth Seventy Thousd Philad"- Money, having an Income of Four Thousd per ann. chiefly by means of two rich Wives in Succession. I find by the New London print that 16"' Ins' died Rev. Ebene- zer Devotion'^ Pastor of the 3'' Chh in Windham in Connecticutt, aet. 58, Min^' 36. He was Son of Rev'' Eben'' Devotion of SuflSeld — was a Gentleman of solid Understanding, extensive Reading, & eminent for every kind of Merit. A great Divine, a pious Man, an able Politician ; & in 1765 on Occasion of the vStamp Act, he was sent & sat Member in the General Assembly in Connecticut, tho' it was a very singular Instance. 4. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached i Jno. iv, 16. P.M. Ps. cxlix, 4, & notified catechising at Meetinghouse as usual. Excessive hot. ' See H. R. Stiles's Stiles Genealogy, 665-66. - Yale Coll. 1732. His step-mother was an aunt of Dr. Stiles. 134 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 5. At V P M. Catechised 20 B. 35 G. 4 Negroes, Total 59. M' Burt of Bristol here. This an excessive hot clay, Fahrenheits Therm. Ninety tivo at half an hour before One, & again at Three P M. 6. M' Burt of Bristol here. He tells me a further Ace" of D'' Byles' & Christ Chh B". Last winter a Dispute arose whether the £,\o. per ann. allowed b}^ the Society" in Engld was to be a part of the /,"ioo. per ann. promised by the Congregation? D' Byles said it was given to him, & he would have it over & above the ^100.: his Congreg'^ opposed this. Upon which he shut up the Chh Doors last Spring for two Sabbaths & a Fast ; and at the same time engaged the rest of the Episc" Clergy in Town not to preach for the Congregation. This irritated them highly. They applied to Commodore Gambler's Chaplain,'^ but D'' Caner' had engaged him at the Chapel, th" the Chapel had three Ministers in Town viz D'' Canner, M' Troutbeck & M'' Fog. Upon this they were told if they would submit to & treat their Minister well, i. e. give him ^100. in addition to the ^40, all would be well. Their Re- sentments rose high : the}^ said they would be priest ridden no longer ; they were chhmen indeed but would have & even make a Minister of their own. Upon which they applied to M"" James Lovell Grammar School Master^ & offered to make him their Minister & ordain him themselves — that he should read what prayers or parts of the Liturgy he pleased, »& leave out or omit the Athanasian Creed & any parts he please, omit Godfathers & Cross in Baptism, & drop the Funeral Service — & besides pray extem- pore as much as he pleased. He replied that as he depended on the select Men for the School, he would know whether, in Case he made Trial & yet for an}^ Reasons the Affair shd not be carried thro' it would prejudice him as to his School ? The Chh Wardens on this waited on the select Men — who answd it shd not hurt him as to the School. Upon which M"" Lovel performed divine Service in Christs Chh the next Sabbath, read^ the Liturgy, omitting as he pleased, delivered a Sermon &c. This brought Byles to himself. He immediately went Cap in hand to the Heads of the Congreg'' & ^ Rev. Mather Byles, Jr. (Harvard 1751), Congregational pastor in New London, Conn., 1757-68. ^ James Gambler was commander-iu-cliief of the fleet on the North American station from 1770 to 1773. ^ Henry Caner (Yale 1724), Rector of King's Chapel, Boston. •* B. A. Harvard 1756, assistant to his father in the Boston Latin School. AUGUST 5-S, 1771 135 told them, he " humblj^ tendered them his Services in the Name of the Lord Jesus." Upon which thej- received him again. Had he stood out the Congregation would have settled M'' Lovell — and as he could not be episcopally ord. without canonical Oaths &c which they knew he would not submit to ; .so rather than ordain themselves, both he & they would have asked Ordin-' from the Con- greg^ Pastors. And since they had agreed to give up all the exceptional Things in the Liturgy & to give full Liberty for free prayer, our Ministers would have had no Difficulty, but would have freely ordained him. It would have ceased to be Episcopal, & in Effect become a Presb. Congregation using Forms of praj-er under great Liberty. Thus they would be lost to the Chh of Engld. This Pinch bro't the Clergj^ to their senses. But it shews that if they were well & firml}^ invested with Power they would subjugate the Churches. Upon this Occasion, there was a second Edition of the Dream, written formerly on Occasion of M'' Byles leaving the Congreg^ Chh at New London, & turning to Epis- copacy : in w^hich the Puritanism of the Mathers, of whom he descended, this first Defection & Apostacy in the Family, & a prophecy of his future Contempt, are strongly painted. 7. I find that June 20 ult. the Rev. & Hon. Commissar}^ with his Lady took Shipping from Williams''- in Virginia for Engld : — I suppose to solicit the Affair of a Bishop. This day in Newport Fahr. Therm, rose to Ninety four & two Thirds, within one & half deg. of Blood Heat, w*^ is 96. The hottest in this Towm for nine years or more. Monday night last at X'' my Wife & Betsy first espied a nebulous Star west from Jupiter, which they took for a Comet. I lookt at it but could not determine. It lay on the West Edge of the Milky way, & was on the Meridian about Nine. Yesterday I mentioned it at Cap*^ Vose's, when he told me his Son said he saw a Comet la.st Friday Night ; and upon ask- the son, found he saw it in the South. 8. Reads \^ Boylean Lectures : & Hieron. Rubeei de stilatitiis &c. Attended M'' Hopk. Lect. He pr. Isai. 65, 20. He made an Infant of Days the same as a Child that dies 100. set. and the Old man the Sinner aet. 100 : That a glorious State of the Chh would come, when verj^ children should know as much as men now — j'et some sinners — & that the wicked set 100 would be as ignorant then as Children now. 136 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 9. Lncian the Greek Satyrist flourished at the Bud of first Ceuf, from before Trajan to &c & died about aet. 90. he was con- temporary with Justin Martyr. He became a philosopher aet. 40. perhaps about the Time that Justin became a Xtian. It is by some supposed that Lucian was a Xtian. With whatever View he wrote his Philopatris, he makes Triephon preserve the Character of a serious sensible & consistent Christian — nor do I perceive any sneer upon him. Critias had occasion to adjure or attest a Gd : he called Jupiter to Witness. Triephon objects. Critias then attests sundry other heathen Gds, whom Trieph. ridicules in succession. Critias tired out, says, " Crit. Whom then shall I invoke ? Trieph. GOD reigning on high, great, aethereal, eternal ; the SON of his FATHER; the SPIRIT proceeding from the Father, ONE from THREE, and THREE from ONE. This you must esteem Jupiter, this you must look on as GOD. Crit. What you teach me Numeration, & yours is an Arith- metical Oath &c — I dont understand what you say, Three one. One three : &c. Trieph. Hold your peace, for what I have yet to tell j^ou are worthy of Silence. — &c — I will teach you what the Universe is, & who was before all Things — &c — : for indeed / have met tvith that Galiltran, with a Pate bald behind, & an aquiline Nose, zvho cutting the liquid Air penetrated iyito the very third heaven & there learned all that ivas valuable & great : he renezved us by Water, 8z. made us walk in the Steps of the righteous, & redeemed us from the Regions of the Impious." Rem. I. Accord^ to L,ucians Description of a christian in the forepart of the second Centurj^ or rather the latter part of the first. Christians then held a Trinity in Unity, as one God. 2. The christian whose Convers"^ lyucian here describes was one who was converted & baptized by S' Paul, & so before A D. 67. for Paul was beheaded that 3'ear. 3. We have a Descript. of Pauls person — bald Pate behind — aquiline Nose — rapt into 3'' Heaven. Again, 4. Water baptism called Regeneration. — This is the descript. of the Trinity in the Original Yi/'t/xeSovra ©eov, ®tov u6iTov ovpaviwva, vlov TraT/aos, Trvevfia €k Trarpos eKTropevo/xcvov ; EN EK TPIf2N Kai EE EN02 TPIA. 10. This day my son Isaac is Eight years old. By the Western prints find ace", given by one of the Regulators of the Battle of Almanse in May. Of the Regulators AUGUST 9-10, 1771 137 Seven killed on the spot Two killed or died after running a little waj^ Eight Died of their Wounds since Three not out of Danger May 17. The Gov. fired in 15 Minutes, after had given them an hour for consideration. Most of them instantly retired back — only about three hundred engaged Tryon — of these not twenty killed & wounded & 20 or 30 taken. They judged they killed of Tryons lAenJifty- seven. How different the Accounts ? Tryons Ace''. & the Junto of antiamerican Myrmidons along the Continent, represented it as great an Enterprize & heroic fighting & General- ship, & the Victory as glorious as that of Gen^ Wolfe at Quebec. A great Battle which lasted they said i| and two hours — & yet killed not twenty Men on a side. The Regulators say it lasted but half or three Qurs of an hour, & this inveloped in smoke. This Afternoon visited by M'' Raynolds who arrived yesterday from Nova Scotia. He removed thither from Newport 1761 & settled at Cornwallis : where M'' Phelps' is Congreg'' Pastor. He tells me last year 1770 was the first Presb. Ordination ever per- formed in that Province. A Dutch Chh at Eunenburg had called M'' Brown a Dutchman to be their Minister. Where he was ordained by the Eaying on of hands of the following Presbyterian Pastors who had been ordained before their settlement in Nova- scotia. Rev. M'' Lyon of Cobequid "" Rev. M'' Secomb of Chester^ — preached Rev. M' Murdoch of Hortou" — gave the Charge Rev. M"" Phelps of Cornwallis — gave Rt. Hand Fellowship. M'" Murdoch is a Seceeder — yet uses Watts' Psalms, and is marry- ing a Daughter of M' Malachi Salter of Halifax, Merchant, a Con- gregationalist. There is another Seceeder Minister in Nova Scotia. D'' Eyers told me he was at Providence last Wednesday & viewed M'' Browns Thermometer. At III^ P M. it stood at 95 in the house. M'' Brown suspended it abroad on a post in the yard in the Sun, when it rose to 107, and thence it was said the heat of ' Benajah Phelps (Yale Coll. 1761). He returned to Counecticut in 1778. ^ Of Truro : from New Jersey. ^John Seccombe (Harvard 1728). •* James Murdock, a native of Ireland. For further details of these minis- ters, see the Proceedings of the Mass. Historical Society, 2d series, iv, 70. 138 DIARY OF EZRA STILES that day was 107 at Providence. D'' Ej'res then took the Therm". & suspended on the outside of the house at IV'\ in an Eastern shade when it stood at 95^^. At Newport 94! was the highest Altitude of that day. The Chh at Horton, now under M' Murdoch, was originally gathered a Congreg". Chh after the manner of New Engld bj^ sub- scribe^' a Chh Covenant : & Mr. Fuller' was ordained in New Engld at their Request & sent its pastor. M"^ Murdoch has altered some of its Customs — particularly has a long Communion Table — & admits by Tokens. But does not think himself obliged to all the Restrictions of the Seceders in Scotland — tho sent out by one of their Synods. This Aft. I received a Letter Missive to be communicated to our Chh, asking us to assist in an Ecclesiastical Council at KennedjMn Windham the last Tuesday of this Month. Dated Aug. 9, 1771. M'' Raynolds tells me Rev. Dr. More" of Halifax is not yet returned from soliciting Funds in Europe for the presbyterian Ministers in Nova Scotia. I see in the Virginia Gazette, the Lower House of AssembP' voted their Thanks to the Gentlemen of the Clergy who protested against the Petition for an American Bishop : now this Assembly are Episcopalians. 11. Ldsday, A.M. I preached Isai. xlix, 4. P.M. Ps. Ixii, i, 2. 12. Died wife of Lewis Bilio. 13. Inspected the Transcript of the Charter of my Congregation on Parchment for Authentication by the Governor. 15. Read Essays on i. Thenat., use & subj"' of the Sacraments. 2. on Regeneration. 3. on the Means of Grace. B}^ Rev. Jn". Blair A M. Pastor of the Chh of Good-ivill in Prov. of N York. Printed this 3^ear. M' Blair was formerly Professor of Divinity in Jersey College.^ He is for having all come to the Lords Table. All baptized in Infancy are brot into the visible Chh as Members & subjects of Discipln and Treatm' as Chh members accord" to their states & Ages. As in believers, some require one Treatm' some another — despond^ Saints require Comfort, all require spiritual food, wicked & visions professors censure &c — So for Infant Mem- ' Daniel Fuller (Yale 1762), of East Haddam, Conn., ordained June 5, 1765. - From Ireland. Cf. Mass. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 2d series, iv, 70. ' Born in Ireland in 1720, and pastor in Walkill, N. Y. See Sprague's Annals of the Atner. Pulpit, iii, 1 17-19. AUGUST II-15, 1771 139 bers ; they are to be taught the Doctrines of the Gospel with the closest Application to their Consciences, & are to be called upon to Dutys as the}^ become capable, & so in course to the Lds Table, without consider^ zvhether they are regenerate or not — & in Case they neglect this or any other duty, to be disciplined. And upon this plan all baptized Parents to have their Children baptized of course, unless under Censure. M'' Blair supposes it absurd to speak of a dormant Principle ot Holiness in Regeneration— or to suppose that a Man may be regenerated some time before Faith : he supposes the principle & its Exercise go together, Activity & L,ife being of the Essence oi the principle. If a man may be regenerate & hol)^ some Minutes & hours before the Exercise of Faith, he sees not why he mayn't be months &c and even regenerated and go to hell at last. If it be said Gd will alwaj^s give Faith to the regenerate, so that no regenerate person shall die without Faith ; 3'et this does not satisfj' because the Scripture connects Salvation with Regeneration (as well as Faith, Repent^, Love &c) so that when & where there is Regener"^, there and at that very Moment there is in the soul ever)- Thing necessar}" to Salvation. Whereas if there be an intervening Moment or days or months or years between Regener* & Faith, (Faith being indispensably necessary): for so long a Time a person might be regenerate & yet not in a State of Salvation. This at least is a part of M'' Blairs Train of Reasoning, tho' he has not pursued it so far as this. He is clearly & fully for Sinners using the Means of Grace in order for obtaining Grace : tho' he thinks there are no promises to the Unregenerate. And does not think that Enmity against Gd increases with Conviction : & that a soul under a conviction of the Evil of Sin & its Punishment, & without a sight of the ExcelP' of Holiness, may be brought to desire of Gd that he would make him holy & save him which desire, in these Circumstances (& tho' on no higher Principle) far from rendering the Sinner more odious, is acceptable to God. Attended M' Hopk. Lect. he preached on 2 Cor. iv, 18. This Afternoon M"" W"' Rogers jun. a Baptist Candidate preached at M' Thurstons Meeting. He was educated at Rhode Isld College. This the first Time he preached publickly.' ^Born in Newport, 1751, graduated at Brown Univ. 1769. See Sprague's Annals of the Ainer. Pulpit, vi, 145-48. I40 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES 1 6. Secretary Ward having signed & affixed the colony Seal to the Charter of my Congregation, three Gentlemen of the Congreg^ viz M"" Rob. Stevens, Major Otis & D' Bartlett waited upon Gov. Wanton with it this Morning, who immediately signed it, & made Delivery of it according to Act of Assembly. [Among Dr. Stiles' s unbound memoranda is found the following list :— Persons of Adult years in m (Those dead or removed, Tinioth}- Ailing Philip Ackland Job Bissel Joseph Belcher Joseph Belcher, jun. William Belcher William Bennet dead William Bently John Bartlett Nathan Beebee James Brown dead Joseph Brown William Barbut dead Bebee rem. Tho. Brenton dead David Chesebrough Benj" Church Peleg Gary removed John Gary Jno. Coit dead James Glark rem. Samuel Grandal Lemuel Grandal Robert Carter James Garter W' " Garter W'» Cole Sam'l Cole John Ghanning, son of Jn" DeC^ Walter Ghanning rem. W"' Grandal rem. Tho. Gourtane rem. Tho. Grandal rem. Abraham Dennis rem. Abm. Dennis, jun. rem. Ezekiel Dennis rem. Benj" Doubleday rem. y Congregation Aug. i6, 1771 Oct. 1775, are so marked.) Eben' Davenport, sen. ren Eben'' Davenport, jun. Isaac Dayton Benedict Dayton rem. Hez. Dayton rem. Isaac Dayton, jun. left us Charles Davins Charles Davenport Benjamin Ellery rem. William Ellery William Finch Jno. Fryers, jun. abs. John Finch rem. Adam Ferguson Thos. Finch rem. Wm. Do., jun. abs. Caleb Gardner Rob. Gibbs dead W°' Guyse Haggar Nassau Hastie dead Fred. Hamilton dead Pollipus Hammond dead Stephen Hammond, abs. Hatch abs. John Howland rem. Howland left us Joseph Hammand Thos. Hamand Payne Hamand rem. Saml. Henshaw dead W"" Howard abs. Jno. Hamand abs. Benj* Do. abs. Benj'' Ingraham John Ingraham Nathan Ingraham Benj* King rem. AUGUST 1 6, 1 77 1 141 Samuel King rem. W" Kennicott dead Nathan Luther left us Henry Marchant rem. G Miller Miller rem. George Mowatt abs. Edward Mtirphy left us Philip Moss Malcomb rem . W" Merriss W™ Merriss, jun. dead Simon Newton John Newton Kendal Nichols dead Jonathan Otis rem. Nathaniel Otis rem. Joseph Otis rem. W" Augustus Peck rem. Benj. Peck abs. John Pitman Benj" Pitman rem. James Pitman rem. W°' Pitman abs. Joseph Pitman Peter Parker rem. Philip Peckham rem. Eben'' Richardson Thomas Richardson Eben' Richardson, jun. dead Jacob Richardson Daniel Russel Ezra Stiles Joshua Sayer rem. Benj" Sayer, jun. rem. Joshua Sayer, jun. rem. Lewis Sayer rem. Robert Stevens rem. Robert Stevens, jun. rem. W" Stevens rem. John Stevens John Stevens, jun. Jn" Simson, sen. dead Richard Simson Simson Jacob Stockman Jon" Stoddard fam. rem. Jos. vSmith Nath'l Sowle Samuel Simson Edward Simands Jonathan Simmands, son of Edw"* Nathan Do. Benj-^ Sherburn dead Henry Sherburn in Army Ben Do. do. W" Symnies do. Eleazar Trevett Eleazar Trevett, jun. left us Constant ^ ^bs, John I D'^ Benjamin J ^^s. Samuel Treby rem. Treb)-, son of Sam' rem. Peter Treby abs. Wilkin s Treby left us John Topham Army W°> Do. abs. William Tripp fam. rem. Elijah Tompkins left us Tabor Do. Jno. Treby, son of Jno. Samuel Vernon Samuel Vernon, jun. W" Ward Vernon, dead William Vernon Sam' Vernon, son of Wm. W"" Vernon, son of W" Ebenezer Vose Eben'r Vose, jun. abs. Army W™ Do. dead Edward Do. William Whitwell Richard Ward left us James Way D" Jn" Young D" Sam' Weedon, jun. John Wood Jno. Bartlett, jun. abs. Thos. Newton abs. Pitman Jno. Pitman, son of W" Abigail 142 DIARY OF EZRA STILES rem. rem. Women Adults in Man-, Wife of Phil. Ackland Lucretia, W. of Dr. Bartlett Hannah, W. of Capt. Belcher Betsy Belcher rem. Hannah Bennet, W" rem. Hannah, W. of W'" Bentley Hannah Bebee, W" rem. Mary, W. of Nathan Bebee Hannah Beebe, jnn. R. Eliza Bennet R. Martha, W. Job Bissel Sarah Bissel Susanna Bissel R Sally Bennet R Eliza, W. Tho. Brown Sarah, W. James Brown W. Brown R Mary, W. Tho. Brown (Pitman) Katherine, W. of Tho. Brenton R ]\Iary Bebee R Bebee R Abigail, W. of W" Cornell R Ann Carr, W° Ann Clark, W" Bathsheba, W. Capt. Church Hannah, W. Jno. Car}' Mary Channing, W" rem. Ann Channing Ann Channing, daughter of Mary R Betsy Channing R Eliza Cary R Abigail Cary R Aged W° Cary dead W" Chambers dead W" Carter Mary, W. James Carter Mary Carter jNIargaret, W. Sam. Crandal Rebecca Crandal Abigail Crandal, W. Joseph Patience Do. Daugh. of Do. Jean, W. of Crandal Susanna, W. Lemuel Crandal Eliza ) ■r^ , 1 ^ Crandal — Lem. Deborah \ Eliza, W. Tho. Courtane dead Hannah, W. James Clark rem. my Congregation Miriam Cole Hannah Cole dead Peace Clark rem. IMadam Eliza Coggeshall, \V° R Patience Church Margaret Cheeseborough, W. David R Alice Car}' Widow Davenport Susanna Dyre R Mercy Dennis R Rebecca Dennis R Hannah, W. Eben'r Davenp't., jun. Rhoda Davenp't. Suse Davenport Mary Davis, W« Mary Doubleday, W^. of R j\Iary Dayton, W. Isaac R Deborah Dayton, W. Benedict R Ruth Dayton, W. Hezek. R Eliza Dayton Lydia Dayton Dorothy Davins, W. of Charles Rachel Downer, W. of Abigail, W. William Ellery Elizabeth Ellery R Lucy Ellery Almy Ellery Elizabeth Ellery, Relict of Gov. R Mrs. Fryers, W. Jno. R Susanna Fryers R Rhoda Fryers R Margaret Finch, W. W'" Eleanor Gardner, W. Caleb Betsy Gardner R Eleanor Gardner, jun. Anstis Godfrey, W. Capt. James R Ann Gardner, W. W'" Charity Gibbs, W. Rob. Eleanor Gibbs Abiel Gibbs Sally Gardner, D. of Geo. R Sarah Graves Abigail Hanunond Ann Hammond R Eliza Hamand, W. Jos. Ann Howland, W. of R Kennecott R AUGUST 1 6, Sarah Howland, W. of R Abigail Hamilton, \V. Fred. R Thankful Hunt, W Sarah Howard, W. of abs. INIercy Hamand R Jeanette Heatly -v Polly Heatly - left us Teinpe Heatl}^ J Eliza House Anstis lugrahani, W" Ann Ingraham Eliza Ingraham Eliza Jones Polly Jones Mary King, W. Benja. R Amy King, W. Sam'l R Mehitabel King R Polly King R Honorah Kennecott, W" R Anstis ^ Phebe Eliza Lydia -^ Judith Luther, W. Nathan Eliza More, \V. David R Rebecca Mowatt, W. of dead Mrs. Malcom R Malcom R Miller, W. dead Miller Mary Merriss, W. W™ Isabella Merriss W» Murphy ) ^^^^ ^^^ Murphy, W. i Agnes Moss, W. Ann Newton, W° dead Mary Newton, W. Sim. Patty Newton R Betsy Newton R Mary Newton R Sarah Nicols, W. Kendal abs. Ann Nicols, W. Geo. R Abigail Newton, W. Jno. Abigail Nicols R Katherine Otis, W. Jona. R Polly Otis Susanna Otis R 1771 Sarah Oldham Mary Peck, \V. Aug. R Polly Peck R Mary Pitman, W. Jno. Jvsq. Eliza Pitman Polly Pitman Hannah Price, \V. Abigail Potter, W. R Eliza Parker, W. R Mary Peckham, W- R Mary Peckham, jun. Abigail Pitman, W. Benj. R Abigail Pitman, W , R Susanna Pitman Rebecca Petteface Esther Phyllips Eliza Pratt Hannah Preston Pitman, D. Sam. Rebecca Ryder, W" Rebecca ^ 143 Patience ^ dead Mary ^ Kate J Eliza Richardson, W. Tho. Abigail Richardson, W. Jacob Mary Robinson, W Sarah Rumrill, W R Sarah Roland, W. Barthol. Desire Robinson R Hanna Richardson, \V. Eben., jun. Anstis Sayer, W. Deacon R Betsy Sayer R Sarah Sayer, W. Benj. R Rebecca Sayer, W. Joshua R Eliza Anstis Stevens, W. Rob. R Abigail Stevens R Luc)- Sherburn, W. Benj R Hannah Sherb. R Eleanor Sherb. R Mary Searing, Relict of Pastor Sarah Searing Bathsheba Searing Eliza Stiles, W. of Pastor dead Eliza Stiles, jun. Pyliza Stevens, W. Jno. Mary Simonds, W. Edw. 144 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS Mercy Sylvester, W° Wife Jno. Wood Abigail Sowle, W. Do. Satn'l Treby R Mary Symes, W. W" Anstis Treby Mary Simson Wife Wilk. Do. Eliza Simson Mary Spinney, W° A1)out 200 Women Mary Stoddard, W. Jon" R 164 Men Suse vSylvester Penelope Stelle, W" R 364 vStockman, W. Jacob Martha Smith, W. Jos. R Deft at the Flight, 22 Oct., 1775 W° Sherman about 60 Men W° Bethiah Bennet R 90 Women D. of Stockman W" Townsend 150 ] Betsy Vernon left us 18. lydsdy. I preached all day on Job xiv, 12. And communi- cated a Letter Missive inviting this Chh to sit in Council at Wind- ham. 19. This Afternoon my Wife sat to M"" King for her Picture.* M'' Ellis of Compton " here. He told me a story of an Event formerly on the Cape, I think at Barnstable. Two Brethren of the Chh had unhappily got into a Lawsuit, & in prosecuting it had become guilty of such Indiscretions & broken peace, as that it came into the Chh — & seemed impossible to reconcile. Two other Brethren of that or another Chh observing it, marvelled that such irreconcileable Enmity should arise among Christs Disciples for a Lawsuit — & were confident they could go to Law^ & not quarrel. They make the wicked Attempt : & for sake of Trial commenced a Lawsuit one with another. But they soon embroiled their Spirits, and the Thing proceded & ended in total Breach of Friend- ship and most irreconcileable Enmity. Dangerous to tempt Satan, & try our own strength ! 20. The Medea of Seneca gives ace" of the Voyage to Colchis after the Golden Fleece : in a Chorus is sung a hymn in celebration of the Benefits of Navigation, especially in exploring Countries & transplating Colonies : so that the Indian is transplanted to the Araxis, & the Persian upon the Elb & Rhine. Then the hymn closes with this prediction : ^ Now in possession of her great-granddaughter, Mrs. Charles C. Foote, of New Haven. ' Rev. Jonathan Ellis (Harvard 1737), of Little Compton. Mrs. Elizabeth (Hubbard) Stiles From a Portrait pai)!tcd bv Samuel King in lyji AUGUST 18-23, 1 77 1 145 venient Annis Secula seris, quibus Oceaniis Vincula Rerum laxet, & ingens Pateat Tellus, Tiphj'sque novos Detcgat orbes, iiec sit Terris Ultima Thule. This daj' Daught. Ruth six 3^ears old. 21. Our Savior seems to forbid Divorce in all Cases but one, viz, Fornication or Adultery. But the apostle Paul i Cor. vii, 25, gives another Case wherein a Separation is right. Bid if the un- believing depart, let Mni depart. A B' or S' is not under Bondage in stick Cases. Idolatry. In Evening monthly Meeting of the Chh at B'' Hammonds. I dis- coursed on Isai. v, i. — My Beloved hath a Vine3^ard in a very fruitful Hill. Next at Sister Peckhams last Wednesd}^ of Sep- tember. There were 57 B' & Sisters present at this Meet^' it being a pleasant Evening. I think we never had so many before at a monthly meeting. We seemed to have the presence of Christ with us in our Solemnit3\ Gd grant we may improve in the divine Life under all his Cultivations. I again read to the Brethren & Sisters the Letter missive from five Aggrieved Brethren of the second Chh in Windham calling an ecclesiastical Council there on last Tuesday of this Month. There were 14 Brethren present — of which two spake against sending, & seven spake for sending, I myself discov- ering a Disinclination, but told the Chh I would acquiesce in what they tho't best. On putting the Vote to send, all voted but two ; on putting th.e Negative they did not Vote — so the Vote passed Nem. con. The second vote was that B"" Bartlett & B"" Peleg Cary accompany the Pastor as Delegates. Voted unanimously — the two Brethren joyning the others in this Vote. The Sisters were pres- ent & one of them spake once : but the Brethren only voted. 22. Attended M'" Hopk. Lect. he preached on Ps. 66. 18. If I regard Iniq^ in m}^ heart &c. The Discourse was designed to lay a found'* for every one to make this Conclusion that no praying antecedent to Conversion can be acceptable to God. This I don't believe. 23. This Afternoon visited by Deacon James Barker of Baptist Chh in this T" under Elder Gardner Thurston. He tells me of the Members of their Chh the Men are about one Third & the Women Two Thirds : — that the thursdy Meet^' before the sacram' 146 DIARY OF EZRA STILEvS is for Business & Discipline ; when the Elder & six Brethren, or seven Brethren & more may transact Business. vSome have lately- objected & said that they ought not to proceed without a Majority of the Chh present — and that this Majority should include the Sisters. On which has arisen the Question whether Sisters have a rio-ht to vote in the Chh. Now the Deacon says they alledge that in a memorable Controversy of 2 or 3 Brethren with Elder Eyres in this Chh perhaps about 1750 or 1747, on a vote whether Elder Eyres' should be dismissed, the Sisters generally voted & it was carried that he should not be dismissed. M' Green &c &c. urged or objected, it was done by the Sisters vote ; & it was replied there was also a Majority of the Brethren in the Vote. The Deacon (w^ho was Elected & ordained 1769 or 1770)' says the Sisters Voted at the Election of Deacons — three chosen at the same Time. Far- ther, that the Sisters as well as the Brethren are present at the Examination of persons offering themselves for Baptism & Com- munion : & the Sisters ask any Questions as well as the Brethren. There is no vote by uplifted hands in Admissions — but the Elder turns to all & asks, whether they are satisfied ? and if there is no objection, the Time of Baptism is appointed. But this is conducted in such a manner as not to settle the Question of the Sisters Vote : tho' in this Case they vote as much as the Brethren. But another Instance is this, M' Manning upon leaving Warren & settling with the College at Providence, desired to be admitted a Member in the Baptist Chh there. It was not agreeable to Elder Windsor who foresee &c.' However the Vote was put in the Chh & carried for his admission : but the Sisters generally voted in it. Elder Windsor asked the Opinion of the next Baptist Association, ivhether the Sisters had a right to vote in Chh Meetings f But the Association declined considering the Question, because they said they would leave every Chh to its own usages as to Admissions. On the whole : — it appears plaine to me that it is a Usage & practiced Principle among the Baptists of this Colony, (especially the two antient Chhs of Newport & Providence under Hands) to admit the Sisters to equal \'otes in the Chh meetings, & this by Lifting up of * Nicholas Eyres, born in Wiltshire, England, 1691, came to New York City in 1715, and to Newport in 1741. He died in office here in 1759. Dr. Thomas Ej'res (Yale 1754) was his son. - See this Diary, April 28, 1769. ■' Cf. this Diary, May 3, 1770. AUGUST 25-27, 1771 147 Hands. In the fifth-day Meetings before Sacrament, the Sisters stay & hear — & Deacon Barker, says, sometimes ask Questions ; «& frequently when a Vote is called, some few of the Aged Sisters Lift up Hands with the Brethren, or walk with them one side or the other, when they shew their Minds by Division. This he has seen. But the younger sisters keep their places and say nothing. And as votes are not frequent — so there is usually an appearance as if the sisters only sat & heard, but had no Voice : & probably their Voting is growing into Disuetude — so that the usage may be intirely dropt in another Generation in these old as well as in the new Churches. As to the Congregationall Chhs I never knew or read of the Sisters voting : they often stay with the Brethren & see & hear what is transacted, but dont even speak in the Church. Nor in admissions is their Consentment to be taken, when the Vote is put. But upon the principle that there can be no vote unless every Brother consented, the Consent of every Sister may be required. It is said by some no person ought to be rec'^ to sit down at the Table, unless every Member could have true Fellowship with him r This is said even by some who would not allow the sisterhood to vote : but inconsistently. 25. lyordsday A M. I preached on Ps. cxii, i, and P M. 2 Thess, ii, 16, 17, and notified the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the next Ldsday ; but the sacramental Lecture to be omitted as I expect to be absent on an Ecclesiastical Council. This day my Daughter Mary is four years old. 26. This day M"" Hopkins & I sat out on a Journey for Wind- ham, accompanied with D'' Bartlet a Delegate from my Chh & Mess'^ Antony & Dennison Delegates from M"' Hop. Chh. 27. [This day Rev. M' Kelly & Wife arrived here from Phila- delphia.] Assembled in an Ecclesiastical Council at Kennedy ' consisting of the Elders & Messengers of four Chhs. The Council consisted of Eleven members present, i. e, four Pastors & 7 Mes- sengers. We formed this day, & chose M'' Hopk. Moderator & M'" Leonard Scribe : & appointed the next day for hearing. This Council was called not by the Pastor & Chh, but by five aggrieved Brethren of the Chh, to consider Accusations against the Pastor. We found that the Chh was neither on Saybrook nor Camb. plat- forms, yet considered itself Congregational. It was gathered June ' See above, June 16, 1771. 148 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 5, 1723 when Rev. W" Billings' its first Pastor was ordained & it was considered as being then on vSaj-b. platform, the Pastor early claim^ a Negative in Chh. \'otes. This produced an early •opposition. And the Pastor was obliged to lead the Chh in 1724, to vote "that the sacred Scriptures was their onh' Rule of Chh Discipline & Gov' " or to this Effect. M'' Billgs died 1733 : and Rev. M'' Mosely" the present pastor was ord. May 15 1734. He early claimed this Exercise of negative ; for by Copy of a Chh Vote in 1736 certified by him it appears that he then entered his iieg. or Concurrence. About 1743 he was disgusted with Consoci- ation Power, & upon find^' the above Vote of 1724, he expressed a satisfact. to some Brethren that the Chh was not on Sayb. plat- form, add*'' he thot God was eminentl}- with that Chh in lead*'' them to that Vote. A few j'ears after he altered his Sentiments & resumed the Negative ever since. The Chh consists of between 50 & 60 B^ most displea.sed with this negative 3^et esteem^' their pastor an eminentl}' holy & godly minister acquiesced in it. Half a dozen or more openl}' opposed it but in vain. At length they meditated an Expedient viz, Clausing a Ruling Elder or Elders as a Ballance to the power of the Teaching Elder. At the same Time enter^ into Articles of Complaint to the Chh ag' the Pastor for sundr}^ Exercises of this Negative, & for suddenly dissolv^ Chh meet^'% & for not call- Chh meet-'' upon Request of a number of B'. &c. &c. &c. The Pastor would not suffer these complaints to come to the Chh. The aggrieved called a Council in 1769 who advised to apply for a mutual Council. The pastor & Chh (exclu- sive of the aggrieved) thereupon called (not the Consociation) but a Council of the Chhs of Uxbridge, Woodstock, (Leon*'') Eebanon first, Preston second, &c., & in the Letters missive limited the Council to consider onh- the Accus^. brot by the Pastor against the aggrieved, but not their Accus'' ag' the Pastor. The Pastors Accus* was founded on a Paper of Complaint & Accus'' ag' him- self laid into the Chh by the aggrieved, w*^ he said was scandalous, contemptuous & censurable. N. B. P'or this paper he had led the Chh to lay the aggrieved B" under Censure. The Council cleared the B" & advised the Chh to withdraw the censure : w' they did. Perhaps here the aggrieved ought to have rested, especially the Judg' of the Council must have been founded on a Decision of the ' Yale 1720. * Samuel Moseley (Harvard 1729), died in office 1791. AUGUST 30-31, 1 77 1 149 Justness of their Accusations. However they insisted to have their Accusations considered by Council & called us. We could upon the same principles have cleared them again, & adjudged them to have supported their Accusations. But we defered it. We disapproved of the severe & bitter Expressions against the pastor in the Brethrens papers of Charge &c which they might have calmly supported without. One of the aggrived is removed to an adjoyn'^ parish of Westminster in Cant-' where a Chh was gathered last year, & intended to have been embodied in this Chh. But Mr Mosely hastily brought on a Trial of him in the Chh : the Brother offered to submit to a Trial by the Chh unsub- jected to the pastors negative, and delivered in his Accusations ag' the pastor with severe Expressions but all amount^-' to a bold & firm Denial of & Protestation against this pastoral Negative : the Chh voted to proceed with their Pastor. Upon which s" Brother left the Meet- refusing Trial. Immediately on w*^^ the pastor led the Chh to vote him guilty of Contempt of that auth-' w'^ Christ had placed in the Chh, & voted the paper scanda- lous, & thereupon Excommunicated him. This was I think in the Fall of 1770. The day before our Council met the Pastor went out of the Parish, leaving a letter for us. We advised a mutual Council, & adjourned to last Tuesdy Oct" to be dissolved of Course if s'* council met. 30. Returned to Newport. 31. I find by the Western prints that the Number of Regulators in N" Car " to whom have been tendered & who have taken the Oath of Allegiance amounts to above Six Thousand. Now the number of Taxables in 1764 were about 24 Thousand inclusive of Negroes, & the Souls not quite four Times as many.' Suppose 24,000 men Whites, it seems the Regulators one Quarter at least. In Truth all the Province except the Crown officers & Connexions, are in heart Regulators. An Ordin^ Council convened at Abington in Massach. the begin- ning of June last, for ord° M'' Niles. A Charge of 29 Articles was bro't against him, chiefly the Errors of the new Divinity as tis called. The Council refused to ordain him." ^ The population of North CaroHna in 1764 was really about 147,000 ; in 1771 about 218,000. - The Rev. Samuel Niles (Princeton Coll. 1769) was finally ordained at Abington on Sept. 25, 1771, and died in office in 1814. I50 DIARY OF EZRA STILES This day I conversed with Widow Penfield of Bristol who told me she was aet. 94. She was not born in Bristol, but came there 84 years ago being set. 10. when with the rest of her fathers Fam- ily, she was baptized by the Rev'' Samuel Lee, whom she well remembers. She is a Communicant in the Chh of Bristol. M"" Hopkins told me in Coming from the Council that he should be fifty 3^ears old about a Month hence. Sept. I. lyordsday A M. I published El}^ Evans and Eliza. Cranston, & preached on Cant, ii, 3. Then administered the Lords Supper to 65 Communicants. P M. 1 preached on 2d Cor. v, 14, 15 — bap- tized two Infants — & notified catechis^' the Children & Negroes next Tuesday at V"" P M. 3. Memoir of the Family oi Pabodie as I received it from Deacon Pabod}' of Newport. William Pabodie & Elizabeth Alden [one of the first Child, born at Plymouth,] were married Dec'' 26, 1644. He came out of Eng- land & settled first at Plymouth ; afterwards removed & was among the first Settlers of Saconet or Little Compton perhaps about 1680. For many years he kept up the Lordsday Worship in his house w^here most of the settlers attended — by praying Reading & sing- ing : till about 1700 when the}^ got a preacher. He was a ver}^ pious & exemplary Man : became Deacon of the Chh. He always sat with the Minister in the pulpit (tho' not as Elder). He was with his Son W" in the Foundation of the Chh in Saconet at its Gathering in 1704. Of which Chh he him.self & afterwards his Son William Pabodie — & afterwards his Grandson W" Pabodie (& I think another Grandson, viz. Joseph Pabodie) were Deacons. These are all dead. But another of his Grandsons, viz. Benjamin Pabodie, born 1717 is now living an exemplary Deacon of the first Congregational Chh in Newport Rh. Island : from whom I have this Account. The Children of William I. who died Dec. 13, 1707, set. about 84. [His Wife died tet. 92 circa. M' Eben. Davenp" an aged Member of my Chh knew them both.] 2 Elizabeth Pabodie was born Apr. 24, 1647 I John Pal)odie was born Oct. 4, 1645, died without Issue Mary Pabodie D" Aug. 12, 1648 ' Ebenezer Davenport, son of Jonathan, born in Dorchester, Mass., Sept. 2, 1691. SEPTEMBER 1-5, 1 77 1 I SI Marcy Pabodie Martha Pabodie Priscilla Pabodie Priscilla Pabodie 2 Sarah Pabodie Ruth Pabodie Rebecca Pabodie Hannah Pabodie William Pabodie 13 Ruth Pabodie Janry. 21, 1649 Febry. 24, 1650 Nov. 16, 1652 Janry. 15, 1653 Aug. 7, 1656 Jany 27, 1658 Oct. 10, 1660 Oct 16, 1662 Nov. 24, 1664 Apr. 3, 1667 William Pabodie II & Judith Tilden' married June 27, 1693. Their Children Elizabeth Pabodie John Pabodie William Pabodie Rebecca Pab. Priscilla Pab. Judith Pabodie Joseph Pabodie Mary Pabodie born Apr. 10, 1698 Feb. 2, 1699 Feb. 21, 1701 Feb. 29, 1703 March 14, 1705 Jany. 23, 1707 July 26, 1709 Apr. 14, 1 7 12 William Pabodie II. & Elizabeth Peck Widow of Jon^' Peck were married March 20, 17 jj of whom was born Benjamin Pabodie b. Nov. 25, 1717. Deacon at New^port. His Mother died 14 of Dec. following. This day I finished Transcribing M'* Hutchinsons Trial before Boston Chh 1638, from an original MS.' And at V^ P M. I cate- chised 70 Children & Negroes. 4. Reviewing MSS. of Rev. Rich^' Mather. [This day Com- mencm' at Providence.] 5. I was told last week that M' Hayes, a Jew of Philad^ was lately converted to Christianity, was baptized by Rev. Morgan Edwards & beconie a member of the Baptist Chh at Philadelphia. M' Hays Brother lives here in Newport. Two days ago I asked him about it. He said he knew^ nothing of it, & did not believe it : & added, if his B' had become a Xtian it was only to answer his Ends, he was not sincere, for he never knew one sincere in chang- ing his Religion and becoming Christian — & added there were ' Daughter of Stephen and Hannah (Little) Tilden, of Marshfield, born 1670. ^ This is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Societ)-, 2d series, iv, 159-91. 152 DIARY OF EZRA STILEvS many covert Xtian Jews in Spain & Portugal — & that the Jew blood was spread among them all — & that it could be proved that the King of Spain or Portugal was of Jew Extract. But I suppose the Thing is true, for M' Edwards is now here at Commencm' at Providence, and told this story in Town last Week. It is said that the Mother of M"" Hays (the Family lived in N. York ) once became a Xtian but afterwards renounced Xtianity for Judaism. A third Congreg-' Chh was gathered this Summer in Roxbury' near Boston, & D"" Pemberton administered the Lds Supper to it. Here the Rev. W" Gordon late from L,ondon officiates— the pple having agreed with him for one j^ear. I attended M' Hopk. Ev^ I^ct. Ps. Ixii, 8. 6. M'' Jabez Dennison now Schoolmaster here is just returned from a Visit to his Father in Killingl3^ I desired him to inquire of his Father &c. He tells me his Father gave him this Account'^ ' Now the First Church in Jamaica Plain, Unitarian : organized Dec. ii, 1770. ■^ Dr. Stiles siibsequently received the following letter. The writer of it died in Pomfret, Conn., in 1787. KiLUNGLY Sept: 25"' 1 77 1 Dear Son, I Receivd j'ours Dated Sept. 14: 1771 in the which 5^ou informe me: that 3-011 are in helth it is Like wise So with us at present: thanks be Given to God therefor: you informe me that it is the Desire of Doct. Stiles that I should Give some Short acco': of ni}- nativity: and Life. I shall therefore first Speak Something about my anchasters. Edward Denison my Great Grandfathers Father Lived in the town of hartford in England: he moved into New England I think A: D 1638. Brought 3 Sons with him (viz.) Edward, George, & Daniel: he Dwelt in Rocksbury there he Setled. Edward: George at New London: Daniel at Ipswich: George was my Great Grand Father he Returned to England in the year 1647: and when the war Brok out in the Regin of Charles the first: between the king & parlement he was Comander in one of Crumels troops: after the war was over he Returned to New England and Setled at Stoning- town: had 3 Sons born John William and George: he was a Congrega': man by profession, his Eldest Son John was my Grandfather, he Setled at Stoningtown about the year 1676. this Capt George Denison and Capt Avery in the time of the Indine war made Several Expeditions in all which at those Severall times they killed and took two hundred and Eighty of the Enemy: these Expeditions were within the Space of one j-ear: in all which time thej^ Lost none neither by Sword or Sickness: his Son my Grandfather afore mentioned had vSix Sons (viz. ) John George Robert Will'" Daniel & Samuel. Robert was my Father: he was Setled at vStoningtown. I was born in the year 1709, and was (as my Father informed me) Baptized that year by the Rev"* INIr. James Noyes who was then minister of that place. I was brought up or taught in the Congrega' principels the which I made Choi.se of to be my own and (as I thought) Jo3'ned to Such a Chh untill I found to the Contrary. For in the year 1742 those Laws in Connecticut were in force Conserning any persons preaching or Exhorting in SEPTEMBER 6, I 77 I I -J — that he was originally a Member or Comniuiiicant in M' Jewits Chh in New London,' which is psedobaptist : that he was settled in the Edge of Colchester, & yet attended M'' Jewits Ministry. It so happened that he had not procured his two oldest Children to be bap- tized. I^atter Knd of 1740 he had another born, this Schoolmaster. This was at the Beginng of the religious stir, with w"'' M'' Denison was much carried away, & became awaked to his duty to get his Children baptized. In 1741 or 1742 there was a Law in Connecti- cut prohibit*^' any Minister from preach*-' or performing any part of the min. office out of his own parish, on penalty of loosing a legal right to his Salary. M"" Little the pastor of the parish in Colches- ter where M"^ Dennison was an Opposer &c & so M' Denison could not in Conscience apply to him to baptize his Children. But he applied to M'' Jewit, M' Pumroy of Hebron, & M' Wheelock of Lebanon, all in neighbor^' parishes, & whom M' Denison accounted Publick w-ithout the Consent of the minister of the parish and niajior part of the Chh: and the Setled ministers if found Breaking Said Law were to forfit their Saleries. So that they were bound by parish Lines: and I DwclHng Remote from the Chh where I Belonged in a nother parish and when I Desired Ba])tism for my Children I was Disappointed: the parish Line was in the ministers way and when I tould how Large the Commition was that Christ Gave to his min- ister the Great thing was the Loss of the Salery if the Laws were Broken: that when I was Denied Baptism for my Children I Began to Question whether the minister himself Believed he had any warrant from the word of God to Baptize Infants and So I tould him and I came to this Conclution mj- Self: that if I Could find no Command: in the word of God for it I would not have my Chil- dren Baptized and upon the whole I made profession of Believers Baptism in the year 1743 being by Denomination a five principle Bap: and I Differd in nothing from the Congregational But only in the mode & vSubject of Baptism. I was Called on probation to a peopel at ashford and after I had improved with them to thire Satisfaction I was Called to be thire pastor and Did answer the Call in the affermitive and was ordained over Said Chh by Eben"" Molton Elder of a Chh at brimfeild and Docf Green Elder of a Chh at Lister: and tho: I thought my principels were according to Scripture: yet I was ferefull that I omitted my Duty to my Children which Caused me oft to Serch the word of God and to Beg of him that he would Lead me into all and the whole of my Duty: and after I had passed through many tryals about my Children: I Began to think whether the Infints of Beleiving parents were in fact Debared fromc the Exter- nal Seal of Baptism: I thought with my Self if that was the Case our Children in this Day of Gospel Light was in a more Sad Condition than the Children under the Law : they were Surcumsised : and was this a priviledge thought I ? and one part of the Blessing of Abraham: how was it Come on those Gentiles ' Rev. David Jewett (Harvard 1736) was ordained over the North Church in New London, now the church in Montville, 1739, and died in office in 1783. 154 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES regenerate & converted. But Ihey declined to baptize &c, About this Time he fell into Acquaint'' with Baptists & examined the Scriptures & concluded against Infant Baptism. He had begun to exhort «& preach before this : & soon became a Baptist, & preached to a small Baptist Chh in & about Ashford. Over this Chh lie zvas ordained Pastor^ by the Laying on of the Hands of Elder Moidton of Brimfield & others ; which Elder Moulton had first bap- tized M'' Denison by Immersion. It is said Elder Moulton was ordained by a Baptist Elder from Boston. M' Denison had removed & settled his Fam^' at Mansfield, (a main Collection of New Light Separates being there), & thence itinerated & went to Ashford adjoining. He continued a Baptist but a little while, a year or two or so ; & upon further Inquiry judged himself mistaken & renounced his Baptist Principles. But continued to itinerate & preach round about among the separate Meetings which began to be formed 1744 or sooner. The one half of the paedob. Chh of Canterbury became a separate Chh, at the Ordin"' of Rev. M"" Cogswell 1744 over the other half. that Deny Infant Baptism? and while I was Contemplating on these things that pasage of Scripture Came into my mind in Gal : 4 : 28 : now we Brethren as Isaac was are the Children of Promise: I now Concluded from what I understood by this text that the Blessing of Abraham was Come on the Gentiles in the whole of it internal & external and if I Being a Beleiver was become Abrahams Son What had I Done to testifj- by my practice that I was Such a one. Abra- hams Son Isaac Dedicated his Children to God in an ordinance But I had Done Quite the Reverse: it would be to Lengthy to tell Here what I went through about the affair But I have thus much to Say that it was Gods word that Con- vinced me of my Error and L,ed me into the truth: I went to my friends the Baptis and informed them what Light I had Received from the word they tould me that it was not a bar to hinder our Communion But that I Could not prop- erly be acounted a Baptis Elder unless I would rebaptize persons — But the}' were willing I should Injoy the Liberty of ni}' own faith and I was Dismist. octo 9 1745 the Congre Chh at mansfield began I was chosen by the Chh to Assist in the ordaining thire Elder vStrong gave him his Charge in the Same Year the Elders and Deacons were ordained. Sept 10 1746 I was Sent from the Chh at mansfield to assist in the ordanation of Solomon Pain of Cauterbur}- & Thos Stevens of Plainfield and Did Give Each of them their Charge M'' Pain was ordained the loth Day and M' Stevens the nth Day of the X month . . . Rev'* and Dear Sr I have answered a few Quest in the things you Sent to me for But meny of them I Could not answer. . . . So I am Yours to Serve Tho* Denison ^ In November, 1743. SEPTEMBER 6. 1 77 1 155 A second separate Chh in those parts was gathered at Mansfiehl Oct 9. 1745: And this Chh chose John Hovey Teaching Elder, who Feb. 174V6 was ordained by prayer & laying on of the Hands of Thomas Denison formerly Baptist Elder, Jn" Austin & Matthew Smith Laymen ; at the Same Time said Smith & Denison were made Ruling Elders, &s'' Austin & Shubeal Dimick made Deacons of s^ Chh at Mansfield. There were eight Ordin" of this kind among the Separates this year 1746 at most of which M' Denison assisted. At length a sep. Chh was formed at Newint,' which called M' Denison to the Office of Teacher. Some Doubt as to his Ordin" when a Baptist — whereupon he was reordained by Mess'* Hovey &c &c persons whom he himself had ordained. This was about 1747. M' Denison hereupon immediately baptized his Children of which he had four living or more : s'' Scholm^ one, who thinks he was about six years old, & the oldest child about four year older than himself. He remembers his Baptism, & that his Father per- formed it by Sprinkling. M' Denison after some years left this Chh, which afterwards coalescing with their old Light Neighbors united in calling Rev. Jesse Ives of Academic Education their present Pastor, unless latel}' dismissed.^ Since this M'' Denison removed — & is now settled at Killingly & preaches to a paedobaptist sepa- rate Chh there. I find an Acco* I had from the mouth of Rev" Samuel Maxwell formerly a Baptist Elder, but for about 18 years past or since 1753 a paedobaptist. He was born 1688 & is now living. Among other Baptist Ordinations of which he gave me an account last Spring, I find he gave me this Ace" of Elder Moultons ordin* at which Elder Maxwell himself assisted. Elder Ebenezer Moulton was ordained Elder of the Baptist Chh in Brimfield on the 4'" Day of Nov. 1 74 1 by the Laying on of the Hands of Elder Jn° Callender of Newport, preached 2 Tim. 2.2. Elder Sam' Maxwell of Newport. Elder Benj^' Marsh of Sutton. Elder Jeremy Condy of Boston. M' Jn" Callender of Newport was ordained about 1731 by his Uncle Elder Elisha Callender of Boston & M' Sam' Maxwell then ^ Newent, a parish in the present town of Lisbon, Conn. - Mr. Ives (Yale 1758) was called in 1766 to a parish contained principally in the present town of Sprague (formerly part of Lisbon ) . 1^6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Deacon & no others & M' Maxwell told me. Elder Elisha Callen- der was ordained Pastor a Bapt. Chh in B" by 3 paedobaptist Elders yii—B' Increase & D"" Cotton Mathers & Rev M'' Webb of Boston, no baptist Elder or Lay Brother assisting in Ordination. [I have this Ordin' Sermon by D' Mather in print.] So that Elder Moul- tons ord. may be traced thro' M' Callender to Presb. Ordination. M' Maxwell' was ordained Teaching Elder of a Baptist Chh at Swanzy by £/di-r W/waton Teacher of the same Chh, Elder Comer of the Bapt Chh in Rehoboth & Deacon Kingsly Apr. 18. 1733. In 1739 he was dismissed from that Chh partly for some scruples about the Sabbath & partly for being too charitable to the Presby- terians. From 1739 to 1745 he lived chief!}'- at Newport, & preached both at the Sabb. & other Chhs Bapt. & Presb. in New- port. Westerly (S:c &c &c and in his Travels he constantly preached & baptized, particuP' in 1741 1742 1743 I find in his MS. a Eist of 15 or more Baptisms by him. So tho' he had not a pastoral Charge of a Chh in 1741 yet he considered himself & acted as a Min- ister of X, & was received as an Elder by the Elders that joyned with him in Elder Moultons ord. in 1741. The M'' Callenders & M' Condy were educated at Harvard College & in great Reputation with the Congregational psedobaptist Ministers. Elder Wheaton was probably ordained by Elder Euther Teacher of the same Chh. Elder Luther was ordained July 22. 1685 by Elder Hull of Beverly and Elder Emblin of Boston, & died 1717. aet 80. 7. In 1670 [or Feb 16. i66yj Rev. Tho' Thatcher late Pastor of Weymouth, was Reordaincd Pastor of 3'' Chh in Boston, by the Laying on of the hands of Rev. Me.ss" Allen of Dedham, Shephard of Chariest" cS: Torrey of Weymoth. The Chh of Cambridge had no Pastor at this Time, but sent 3 Delegates to this Ordin^' Coun- cil, one of which was president Chauncy who began the Ordination with prayer at the Meetinghouse. He had been ord. by a Bp in Engld & .silenced for Puritanism, came to N. E. & was a dozen years Pastor of the Chh at Scituate, where he preached, baptized &c till 1 65 1 circa when he was chosen presd' of Harv. Coll. & was such at this Ordination of his Pupil M"' Thatcher.' He w^as a njL-mber of Chh of Cambridge, not Pastor nor Elder. The Rev" Josiah Flint was ord. Pastor or Teacher of Dorchester Dec' 27, ' Sec also this Diary, May 28, 1769. ' For Uiis ordination, see Hill's Hist, of the Old South C/itirch, Boston, i, 1 22-25, «59-6f). SEPTEMBER 7, 1 771 157 1671. President Chaiincy was again sent by the Chh of Camb. to this Ordin ' and acted officially — he gave the Right Hand of Fel- lowship to M' Flint — as M'' Bowman the present pastor of Dorch. informs me by Letter this year. Now the Felloivship at ordinations is twofold in the constant understand*^ of the Congregationalists — Fellowship of the Chhs — & Fellowship in the ministerial office. So far as Presid^ Chauncy acted by way of address to the Brethren •of the Chh, declaring the Fellowship with them, he may be consid- ered as empowered by & acting in the Name of the Delegates of the Chhs : — but in address^ the ministerial Fellowship to the ordained Pastor or receiv^ him into the Number of Flders & Fel- low lyaborers in the Vinyard of Christ, he assumed the ministerial Character Or acted as an Elder a Felloio Laborer himself. I suppose he considered himself as invested with Power to ordain Elders in any Chhs to his Death, whether he himself had the Pastorate of a Chh or not : and that he had power to baptize, & administer the lyds Supper at any Time if desired thereto. The Chh of Dedham refused to send to M";' Thatchers Ordination 1670 : yet their pastor Rev. M'' Allin went to it tho' not sent by his Chh. At the Desire of B " 3" Chh M"" Allin sat in the Ord. Council & laid on hands, & gave the Charge to M' Thatcher. There were but four Ministers present viz Presid"^ Chauncy, Mess''^ Allin, Shephd, & Torry — the three last at the Desire of the Chh laid on Hands — Presid' Chauncy did not lay on hands ; tho' he began the Ordination by public Prayer. I conclude it was a little doubtful how far the president should be considered as retaining his presbyterial or Official Char- acter as an Officer in the Chh of Gd ; tho I believe he himself was clear. But at M'' Danforths' ordin^ next year he acted more offic- ially in a part which has never been performed in the N. E. Chhs by a Eay Delegate, that I know of. In 1642 M'' Tho^ Carter'^ was ordained Pastor of the new gathered Chh in Woburn, by Eaying on of the hands of two Eay Brethren of the Chh not Elders, in the presence of Mess'^^ Wilson, Cotton, Shephard, Eliot, Mather &c & under their Direction, one of s'' Ministers continuing in prayer after s^ Brethren had laid on hands. That Chh had no Elders, nor Brethren very suitable for such an action. It was deliberated by the Council whether some of their ^ Error for (Rev. Josiah) Flynt. -See also this Diary, March 6, 1781. 1-8 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES Ministers should lay on Hands, & determined not to be expedient as it would seem to introduce a Dependency of Chhs. 8. Ldsdy. A M. I pub. Banns of Ely Evans &c. preached Jo" XV, 24. P.M. Eccles. xi, 9, 10, at the Desire of vSally Crandal let. 16. under Imprisonment for a capital Crime. She was present in the Congregation attended with an officer. Tho' so young has had 2 Children illegitimate & at different times — both at full Maturit\ — but dead : yet under such Circumstances of Violence as rai.sed Suspicions of Murder This day M' Hopkins administered the Lds Supper to his Church. 9. Reading Rev. Richd Mathers MSS. This Even^' went to the Synagogue, New Years Eve. 10. This is Newyears Day with the Jews. The first Ldsdy this month. Rev. M' Rowland of Providence at the vSacram^ told his Chh that he did suppose this was the last Time he should admin- ister the Lords vSupper to them — as he was necessitated to meditate a Removal for want of Subsistence. The Chh & their pastor were mutually & deeply affected. He sat out the day after Commencem*^ on a Journey to visit his Friends in Connecticut & took himself another Situation, expecting to be absent three sabbaths at least : & sent to me to endeavor supply *'' his pulpit one of them. Last Ldsday, two Baptist Ministers preached in his pulpit at the De.sire of the Committee viz. Young M' Rogers of Newport, & Rev. M'' Ganoe' of New York. A Gentleman of the Congreg'' tells me that the Congreg" have met & come into such agreem*^" about sup- port- their pastor that tis hoped he will continue. This pa.dobap- tist Congregation, in the beginning of the year 1770, consisted of fifty whole Families or more, and 13 half fam. or more, besides a number of single young Men & Women scattering : as I took a List from ^.V Rowlds mouth upon a cursory Recollection. From which tS: from my own Observ'' when occasionally preaching in it. I judge the Congregation to be equal to sixty five or 70 Families at least. They are able, if Gd gives them a heart, to maintain the Ministry. They agreed to give M"" Rowld /lOo. L M. per ann. 1'' 1'',/.K a S'lMl.l'.S AK:iiii tl"-' ■^"'■■l^'i' ^•-■'l'^ ""■'• "'■'• '••"'*^' C;iii(li', I'ark, Caniphell, Mllis, Hopkins. 17. 'Pliis day lanu' Rev. Mess" 'l\)wn.send, Burt, RoKcrson, lliile. So we are now ten I'astors ]iresi'ut, M' Rowland only absent. We formed by choos'' Mod' ^v Sc-ribe, M; then admilttd M' Hopkins as a Mend)er. 'iMuie was much eon\eis' with M' Hopkins about his ]K'culiar jMiiuiples, but not as a Term of Adnnssion— because we dei-laied tlial liis Adnnssion did not impl\ an .Approbation of his peculiaritii'S, least of ;dl that an\' ol' us btliexed tlu in : but th.it while we were a.^ietd in bein.i; oi tlu' same Denomination, we coidil walk toi;ether in llie.se iViendl>- Meetiuj^s under an Indnl- geuee of each om.' his resjxct i\e ]>teidiarities. M' I'arks, Camp- bell, iV Isllis contesl(.(l the priutipK' of ])assi\'e Re.i.;i.'neratiou by the Spirit witlioiii I,i,!;hl. M' Hopkins did not sa\- it was witiionl Lij.;ht, but ascribed all I'Mncacy to the vSj)' ^S: denied any iCflicacy to 'i'ruth. The others coirsidered this Cousc'cpience as flowinj; vi/, that a man mi,L;lil be rej;enerated \k-us tlie Doors 6c lets in the Ijelit ol' l^aiii;. Truth, but the Truth regenerates 6cc. (.d opeiu'd tlie heart ol I,>(lia to receive the Truth, the Truth converted iur. On these Mela phors M' Hojjk. eriticisi-d 1. He did uoi suppose- the only o])ei ' of the Sp' was in t)])eng the Windows and letting in I,ight— nor if the ]A^h\ cctuld be supi)oser. David McCluic. of Kasl Wiudsor, Comi. II 1 62 DIARY OF EZRA STILES \'ote that this was disobed. to parental Gov* & so a Breach of a moral Rule ; & thereupon D' Wheelock censured & dismissed him from the College. Rev. M' Forbes of Brookfield is imployed by the Boston Commissioners to look out for Ind. Mission^'. He recommended this young Man : & the B" Commissioners took him into their provision, & put him to study at Harvard College — where he entered this year. yV M'Cluer was half a year among the Onoydas near L,ake Ontario. He says Missionary Kirtland inquired after, & he thinks visited a large Rock in the Seneca Country between Erie & Ontario, charged with antient strange Characters on a horizontal Surface or Top of a Rock — the Rock being about as big as a common Dw^ell*'' Room. The Indians could give no Ace" of it. 19. The Ministers went home. I attended M'' Hopkins Lect. at VII''. He preached on Mat. xii, 30. — He had been this Aft. to hear M'' Edwards of Philad" at the Bapt. Meet"^ who asserted that Christs loving us was the primary Reason of our lovin^ him, as M' Hopkins told me. M'' Hopk. shewed that being for Christ implied disinterested Love to him primarily for his own ExcelP'^ & not because he first loved us. Yesterday S. C was indicted for Murder^ &c & plead not Guilt}'. 20. The B" Thursd)' paper gives the London Account of the Return of the Ship Endeavor from the East Indies July ult. She was sent thither with three Astronomers to observe the Transit of Venus — of which the}' had an excellent Observation. " T/in' dis- covered a Southern Continent in the Latitude of the DuteJi Spice Islands — the people were hospitable ingenious & civil, of a copper Complexion but handsome «& well made " Remark, i. In Lat. 5°. S' far beyond Java, the Philippine Isles &c, and on the East side of a large Isld called New Britain is a place called C. George. I suppose this the place of Observation. 2. As to Discov- of a new Continent, I conceive it onl}' designed to procure a new Voyage from the Admiralty. For tho' I doubt not a southern Continent, yet I don't conceive that this Frigate was near it : & that the Lands & Islands they toutched at, are only new Guinea &c already often visited by Dampier & other Voyagers.'^ 3. However one thing is worthy of Attention, viz the Copper ' See a))ove, Se])t. 8. ' Cajitain Cook in the Endeavor explored the eastern coast of Australia for the first time with accuracy. SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1771 163 Color of the Inhabitants of these numerous Islands. The Chinese are fair — the southern part of India have Blacks \vith curled hair, the rest of India White : — The American Indians I suppose sprang from the Canaanites or Phoenicians (as did the Spaniards in part and all the punic & mauritanian population) and so did some Hordas of Tartars : but whence the Copper Complexion of the Inhabitants of the Oriental Islands ? And are those of Java, Sumatra, &c twaunj^ also ? Have they sprung from the Phoen. Navigators sent by Solomon to the East from Kziongeber ? Sept. II. Inst, the Rev. M"' Manasseh Cutler' was ord. Pastor of the third Chh of X in Ipswitch. The Solemnity was introduced hy singing an Anthem. The Rev W Brown of Killingly made the first prayer, the Rev M"' Balch of Dedham preached a Sermon suitable to the Occasion. The Rev M"' Parsons of By field in New- bury prayed before the Charge, the Rev M'' Rogers of Ip.swich gave the Charge, the Rev. M'' Leslie of Ipswich gave the Rt. hand of Fellowship, the Rev M'' Payson of Walpole made the conclude' prayer. A Psalm was sung & the Bless- given. Then an Anthem concluded the Solemnity." The Rev M"" Hide of Rehoboth gave me an ace " of a Separate Bapt. Ordination 4th Inst (or Commencm* daj-) at Rehoboth. One Winchester, "^ of a Separate Congregation about Brooklyn near Boston, had been guilty of an antenuptial Fornication — & after- ward became a Preacher in the vociferous & blustering wa}-. A number of the same Wa}^ were formed into a Bapt. Chh in Rehob. & called him : but insisted he shd make up with the Chh at Brook- lin, of w"^ his father was Deacon. He went there & delivered them a paper in which he justified himself as married in the sight of Gd, tho' not in sight of men. His Father gave him a Certifi- cate signed by him in Name of the Chh, "that tho' the son had not asked Forgiv. of the Chh yet the Chh forgave him." A New Light Bapt. Elder from about Pomfret was the only Elder present & performed the Ordination in a boisterous if not blasphemous manner. He preached or raved from "feed my Lambs": — & begun by say- he shd say noth''' about the stand^ Ministers & Chs (meaning Presbyterian) — then at length he brok out— now I am ' A graduate of Yale in 1765 and a native of Killingly, Conn., where he was prepared for College by the Rev. Aaron Brown (Yale 1749). ^ Elhanan Winchester, afterwards a Universalist. See also this Diary, July II, 1781, and April 13, 1790. 1 64 DIARY OF EZRA STILES going to fire a Canon ! a Canon ! a Canon ! & hollood & yelled so that he was heard a Mile & half. A Canon ! against the stand- Chhs & Ministers— & described them as antiXtian ; Wolves, Hirelings &c &c &c. Then he would shew how Christ was with his true Chh — " aye & he will be here by & bye" — " //<" this Even- I preached M"- Hopk. Lect. Rom. vi, 23. 18. On 25"^ ult. arrived at N York Hon. W"" Samuel Johnson Esq LL.D. special Agent for the Colony of Connecticut (upon the Mason Case') before the Court of Great Britain, whither he went in the Fall of 1766 : so has been absent near five j-ears. He left the Mason Case undetermined. This day Rev. Sol" Townsend of Barrington here. A^arious occur- rences. A most melancholly Event. The good Ed sanctify it &c. 20. Edsdaj'. A M. I published Josiah Tory & Susan. Turner at my Meet^ a second Time : they had been published at M'' Hop. Meet^ once. I preached on Mat. v, 4. P.M. Isai. xxvi, 8. 21. Spent the day in Reviewing ni}- Fathers Manuscript Sermons, with some view of selecting enough to form a printed Volume. In a Thanksgivs Sermon about 1739 I find he speaks of his Congrega- tion being " near Ninety Families or upwards." At his death 1760 he left it increased to above iSo Families, besides a dozen Episcopal Families.^ His Parish (North Haven) was 50 or 60 Families when he was ordained Nov. 1724. ' Respecting the title of Connecticut to a large tract of land belonging to the Mohegan Indians, deeded to Major John Mason (for the Colony) in 1640. - The following list is found in Dr. Stiles's papers : — Families in N'^ Haven A D 1760 Jude Cooper Enos Grannis Tim" Barnes Seth Barnes Wid. Utter Scales Dan Barnes Dan D" Abel Brocket Rich'i Brocket Josh. Barnes Wid. Barnes Sam' Brocket Jn" Brocket Moses D" Steph D° Enos D° Jn° Brocket Jn° Pardy Ben Barnes Ben D" D" Dan Finch Dan Finch Jun Caleb Hitchcock Lieut Blacksly Jon'' D" W" Rogers Abel Smith James Smith Henrj- Barnes Jn° Barnes Wid. Jacobs Wid. Barnes Mr. Winston Deacon Cooper Jn- D" James Pierpont Jos. Pierpont Ben Pierpont Jn» Jacob Jos Jacob David Jacob Thos. Humeston James D" Joy D" Jn° Sanford Theop. Keaton Dan Eaton Moses Sanford Cap' Sanford James Heaton Jn" Frost Wid. Frost W" Sanford Sam. Brocket Seth Heaton Tho^ Beach Ben Beach Eliph. Pardy Obad. Hill Jn» Hill Cap Sacket Tho' Ray Jos Hull Ben D " Dan D» Sam' Pierpont Ruben Bachelor Wid. Sanford Christ" Todd Hez. Todd James Todd Eben. Todd IVrat. Blachly Abr. D" Zophar D" Tho. Munson Laurens Clinton Moses Bradlj' 7S DIARY OF EZRA STILES 22. This is my Ordin^ Da}-. I have tliis day been sixteen years Pastor of this Flock. I have been ttventy two years a preacher of the Qospel — was licensed by New Haven C" Association May 30. 1749 : — preached at West Haven my first Sermon June 18 follow^', being the memorable hot Ldsday thro' New Engld &c. In 1752 being in an infirm state of Health I purposed to lay aside preach^' & the Thots of the Ministry-, studied the Law three years & qualified my- self for the Bar, taking the Attorneys Oath 1753, & practiced at the Bar until 1755. I expected to have done preach^ after I became an Attorney ; but such were the Calls for supply^ vacant pulpits, win- ter & other occasional preaching in neighbor^ Parishes, that I con- tinued preaching, if any thing more constantly than before ; my health growing better. It pleased Gd so to order, that I beheld it mv duty to accept a Call at Newport, where I was ordained Oct. 22. 1755. M"' Burt has said the year 1755 was remarkable for three Men leaving the Bar for the Pulpit — one was Rev'' Tho^ Barnard of -3'' Rev. M'' Turner at Duxbury ordained Salem — another myself- July 21. 1 755-' Sam' Thorp Wid. Todd Sam' Tuttle Jn" Blachly Tuttle Step. Hill Eben Blachly Abel Basset Jn" Hill Joel D" Titus Todd Ens. Eaton James Bradly Bishop Caleb Turner D° Bishop Jos Turner Dan' Basset Aaron Tuttle Jo}- Bishop Sam' Basset W" Tuttle Wid. Gilbert Allen Ezra Tuttle — Dolbear Jesse Wolcott \Vid. Tuttle Phiu. Clark Isaac Thorp Jun Deac. Tuttle D° D» Jn° Parker Jac. Brocket Sam' Mix Wid. Thorp Jon" Tuttle Joel Cooper James Bishop Wid. Todd Jos. Do David Thorp Gide Todd Wid. Smith Moses Thorp D° Jos. Bradly Isaac Thorp D" Ab'" Bradly Gershom Barnes Giles Dayton Dan Mansfield Serg' Humeston Jon" Dayton W'id. Ives Eph. D" Ja* Payn Sam' Ives Tho. Mansfield Elihu Sperry Capt Ives Eben Blachly Tho' Walter // 'est Side River Ja' Bishop Eleazar Todd Aaron Blachly David D" Eben. Bradly ' Thomas Barnard (Harvard 1732) was settled over the 2d Church in Newbury from 1739 lo 175'- Charles Turner graduated at Harvard in 1752. D" :\I'- Little Jehiel Tuttle — Todd — Todd Dan' Tuttle Jos. Basset Spencer Jas Turner James Todd Serj. Ives Wid. Ives Geo. Mix Jn° Gilbert Simon Tuttle Wid. W^olcott Isaac Blachly Joesph Basset Jun. Joel D° Noah Ives Ben Curtiss Ashbel Stiles Doctor Munson Ben Bishop OCTOBER 22-28, 1 771 179 23. Review^' my Fathers MSS. Sermons & selected 100 with some View of forming a Volume for the press.' 24. I preached M'' Hopk. Lect. Amos iv, 12. 25. Examined first sheet proof of M'' Townsends Sermon in the press. The Printer has a Journeyman one Theophilus Cossart^ born in Berlin : — travelled to Genoa — thence to Egypt, 1751 cir. where he lived two years in Grand Cairo. He never was at the Cophti Worship : but has been present at the Greek Chhs & saw the Sacram' given therein : the Communicants receive standing of the Greek Priest, who gives it in a spoon — the Bread & Wine mixt together like Pap — of which the priest feeds the Comniun. with a spoon. He tells me the Copti Language has been lost now about eighty years— the Arabic having become vernacular in its stead. He was at Yale College twelve years ago : — has lived in Chariest" S" Carol. — Philad'', Boston &c. He appears to be a Freethinker & Philosopher but, as he says, not licentious. He thinks the Morals of the Mahometans superior to those of the Christians in general. 26. Reading the Jews Heb. Prayer-Book. 27. I published the Bans for two Couple ; & preached i Tim° iv, 4, 5. P M. I Jn" iv, 19, & propounded two persons, Rob'' Gibbs for owning the Cov', W" Abig. Pitman for full Communion : notified Eds Supper next Sabbath & sacramental Eecture Friday IV" P M. Also at the Desire of the Committee I notified a Society Meeting of ' the Men of the Congreg'^ next Wednesday III'' P M. 28. East Even^' by Cap' Shand I received two Letters from London one from M'' Agent Marchant Sept 5. the other from M" Grant^ Sept. i. M'' March' sa3"s " D"" Price told me that America might rest assured, that no Application would soon prevail for an American Bishop." Read largely in Justinians Inst. Jur. Civ. — and Budaei Philosophia. Also read out Voltaire's Ignorant Philosopher. This Da}' the Episcopalians in Town rec'' Letters from the Society for propagaf the Gospel, whom they had requested to continue the Salary &c. The Society' wrote them, that the\- discontinued it ; but made a present of ^25 to the son of the late Rev'' M'" Brown. The Society have supported the Minister of this Chh near 70 years, or from before 1706. The Chh met this da)^ to consider & raise a ' This plan was not carried ont. - A long letter from him, dated at Providence, May 4, 1773, is among the Stiles papers. ^ See above, Jan. 9 and May 29, 1770. I So DIARY OF EZRA STILES Salary for the Rev M' Bisset, whom the)' before chose the Minister of the Congregation. 29. This Aft. visited by \r Theophihis Cossart a German cet. 42; bom at Berhn 1729 : came to London 1750, where he was acquainted with Rev M' vStackhouse Author of Hist. Bible & Body Div^' in 3 Fol. \'olumes — whom he knew to have kept a Concubine at his Country Seat or Living near Reading,' & at the same Time had a Wife in London. From Lond. M' Cossart sailed up the Mediter- ranean 1 75 1 — was at Genoa, Italy, Alexandria, Grand Cairo in Egypt, where he lived two years. Came to America 12 or 15 years ago : has lived at Chariest" S" Car", in \'irginia, Philad^", N York, Boston, Newport, Quebec. Has been in the W. Indies. Under- stands Hebrew, Greek, Latin. French, Engli.sh, & a little Arabic. He is a Printer. He .says he is happy & contented, never was or felt himself in Danger by sea or Land, enjoys perfect Health ; loves &. praises Gd, & is ready to die having no doubt he shall be happy after Death. He wants for nothing in this World, & yet is not rich, subsisting on dail\- Labour. He believes in the Communion with unseen .spirits good & evil — says he himself is constantly guided by his Guardian Angel, who admonishes him in Dreams, when & where to go next. That he now knows it is the Will of his Guardian Angel that he .slid go to Carolina — biit ivhen, he don't know. He asked me what I thot of Socrates' Genius ? He is steadily observing ; but dont want to make any Noise or to be much taken notice of, chuses to live disconnected from the World, of which he .says he is general Inhabitant — all Countries & Cities being alike to him. He neither appears to be, nor alTects to be taken as a Man of any great Learning. He tells me Paederasty is o])enly practised in Egypt — all women there are veiled except whores. A few naked Santons, G^'mnosophists ; he .saw' one there art. 40, a fat, strong man, who always lived & lodged abroad, went vitircly naked, not even modesty covered ; he had a grave, demure look, did no work, provided himself no victuals, but W'as plentifull}^ sup])lied as every body thot it the greatest honor & priviledge to give him food : he was full of Contemplation. When men had bar- ren wives, they got this vSanton to favor their vSpou.ses, & accounted highly of the Issue. He .says the common pple. in Egypt are numerous &.seem contented &easy, tho' oppres.sed with Exactions: they live in a jilain manner, their few wants easily supplied in a ' A gross libel ; in 1750 Mr. vStackhouse was 73 years old. OCTOBER 29-31, 177I 181 fertile country, so marry soon, &c. The}' want for noth''' so much as Wood, of which they have little or none — firing commonl)' of Straw & Dung — the}^ bake cakes on this fire. They sit on the floor, & eat with their fingers in the dish, using no knives in eating — retain many antient usages. 30. Finished reading & review^ Voltaire's Philosophical Dic- tionary. . . In Kven'^ I attended the monthl}^ meet^ of my Chh. at Sister Trevetts & preached on 2 Thess. i, 11, 12. 31. At XI A M. attended the Funeral of Cap"^ Holmes aged 96 or nearer 100. He was born in Middlet" on this Isld.' He was carried to the Friends Meeting, where we sat awhile, till at length Mary Hull arose & spoke about ten Minutes ; then the corps was carried forth & buried near the Meetinghouse. He was carried on the Shoulders of Frie?ids, who put him into the Grave — & covered him with the Earth themselves, tho' hav^ filled the Grave they left the Sexton of a Presb. Meet*'' to finish it. There were about 150 persons at Meeting. By B° Prints yesterday. — At Dartmouth College died Rev. John Maltby A M. He was born at New Haven. D'' Wheelock marry- ing his Widow Mother, educated him at Yale College where in 1745 he was my Chambermate. Afterwards he w^as Tutor in Jersey Col- lege. Then was ordained by the Presby. of New York or Bruns- wick, for the Presb. Chh in Bermuda, which had sent thither for a Pastor. M"" Maltby was Pastor of this Chh in Bermuda many years. Two or 3 years ago, he resigned the Charge, & removed to the Continent & took the Charge of a Presb. Chh at Wilton in S° Carolina. Here he buried his Wife — & fell into a low state of Health : for Recover^' of which he now came on a visit to the North- ward to his Father-in-I^aw at Dartm° College — where it pleased Gd he should die set. about 42.' Rev. Nathan^ Cotton^ lately died at Pensacola. He was son of Rev. M^ Cotton of Newtown in Massach. He renounced his Fathers Religion, become a jovial Priest in the Chh of Engld — & died. This Aft. I rode out to Middlet° & married Josiah Tory & Susanna Turner. In Even^ I preached M"" Hopkins Lecture in his Absence on Ps. 119, 40. ' Probably a son of Obadiah Hohnes, Jr. ■^ He had just entered on his 45th year : graduated at Yale in 1747, the year after Dr. Stiles. 'Harvard Coll. 1750, son of the Rev. John Cotton (Harv. 1710), of Newton. l82 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Nov. 1. At IV' P.M. ^ly Sacramental Lecture, I preached upon Luke xxiii, 46-48, and desiring the Brethren of the Chh to stay after the Assembly was dismissed, I read to them the Confession of A.P. for antenuptial Fornication, to which she assented : then the Breth- ren accepted it. 3. Ldsdy. A M. I preached Luke xxii, 29, 30 & adm'' Lords Supi:)er to 55 Communicants. P ^L Jn" xv, 5, & baptized a Child of Tho' Browns, taking it in my Arms as there was no Man to hold it up. M' Hopkins absent, but none of his Chh present partook with us. The Forenoon Sermon I preached without Notes. 4. In Eveng I read 20 pages in the Heb. Prayer Book. 5. Powder Plot. — Pope &c carried about. 6. Wednesday 23"^ ult. Rev. Ephraim Ward' was ordained Pastor of the first Chh in Brookfield by Rev. M' Woodward of Weston who made first prayer Rev. M' Haven of Dedham, who preached i Thess. v, 12, 13. Rev. M"" Forbes of Brookfield, praj^er at Imposition of hands Rev. ISP Jones of Western who gave the Charge Rev. M' Miriam of Newton, prayer after Charge Rev. M"" Cushing of Waltham, Right Hand of Fellowship The 14"' Ins^ is appointed by Gov. Trumble & Assembly a Day of public anniversary- Thanksgiv" thro' the Colony of Connecticutt. And 21^' Ins' b}- Gov'' Hutchinson & his Council is appointed for pub. Thanks^' thro' Massachusetts. The Assoc, of the Boston pas- tors have recommended the Congregational Chh in Providence to the Charity of our Presb. Brethren in the Western united S3'nods. A Committee of the Congreg'^ have drawn up proper Letters Testi- monial, for M' Jonathan Badger. M'' Badger was born in Boston, removed & .settled in Chariest" S" Carol, where he acquired a good Estate ; & two or 3 years since retired from business, came to N Engld & settled at Providence ; where he became a Member of the Chh under M' Snow, which is a mixture of Baptist & paedobap- tists — Mr. Snow the Pastor is psedobaptist, but plunges those who desire it. The other Chh was truly most suitable to him, but he liad been informed there was no Religion in it. But upon find^' his mistake he has been very friendly and assisting to that Chh — & put his own Organ in it & plays upon it frequentl)^ — this brings him often at M' Rowlands Meeting. Mr. Badger was grieved that M"' ' A graduate of Harvard in 1763. NOVEMBER I-I2, 1 77 1 183 Rowld was so illy supplied, & proposed the form^' the benevolent Society. This proposal he had made for M'' Snow also but the Con- greg'^ would not listen to it. However it took with M'' Rowlands pple, & affords a good prospect of a Fund. Thus M'' Badger tho' of another Chh, has kindly afforded his kind Offices for this. And having had the Small pox, he kindly offers to carrj- to N York & Philad'' an Address & Applic^ of the B" pastors for Benefactions for M'' Rowlds Chh. This Afternoon he waited upon me with all the papers & Letters Testimonial. I rec'' a Letter from a Gent, of that Congreg'^ desiring me to write to N Y. & Philad-' in Approba- tion & Furtherance of this Design. 7. Solar Eclipse yesterday about i P M. invisible at Newport by Reason of Clouds. M'' Hopkins returned in the Ev^. I did not preach his Eect. being unwell. 8. Mr. Townsends Convent" Sermon printed. 10. Edsday. A M. I preached i Jn" i, 3. P M. Acts ii, 38, 39. admitted Widow Abigail Pitman into the Church. Rob* Gibbs owned the Cov*^ for Baptism of his Infant. I read the same Cove- nent to both : Then voted in the Widow by a silential Vote a Mem- ber in full Communion in both ordinances : but passed no Vote on M' Gibbs. Having read the Cov* I turned to the two oldest of M''^ Pitmans Children (set 15^^ & 13^ years) & said to this Effect you have heard the holy profession & Covenant read to your Mother, & to M'hich she has consented — so far as you understand it, do you also give your Assent to the same? The}- assented. Then I bap- tized four Children of M'" Pitman viz, Jn", Mary, Tho' Gilbert, & Benjamin, by pouring Water upon them with my hand & washing their Faces in the Name of the Trinity : — then I baptized Elizabeth an Infant of Rob* Gibbs : — and Charles an Infant of Brother Zingo a Negro. 12. M'' Hopkins tells me that not long time since a Chh was gathered in S. W. parish in Litchfield in Connecticutt.' A Con- troversy arose, & a number withdrew & gathered another Chh in the same parish. The first Chh had chosen Rev M'' Brinsmead of Judea stand*^' Moderator, till thej^ should have a Pastor. By him the Chh called in the Consoc. of Litchfd Co. The second Chh chose a Brother their stand" Moderator. D'" Bellamj^ was Mod"" of the Consociation. In the daily Adjournmt' dur^ the session of ' The church in Litchfield South Farms, now Morris, was gathered in 176S. See below, Jan. i, 1772. 184 DIARY OF EZRA STILES the Council, D"" Bell-' adjourn 'd the Consoc. — M'' Brinsmead the Chh — & the moderate B'" adj'd the new Chh. The Question was whether this second Chh was a true Chh ? The new Chh acceded to some Agreements — & the Consoc. declared the first the true Chh & advised the other to dissolve itself. It was dissolved— but since that, the}" regathered & still subsist two Chhs. The\' talk of Call^' in N Haven C° Consoc. to joyn Litchfd Consociation. 13. This day I was visited by M"" Lewis Delile a french young Gent. aet. 23. born at Hispaniola — educated eight years in the Univ^' in Bourdeaux Old France — understands & writes I^atin well : but knows not Greek or Hebrew. He is well acquainted with the belles Lettres, and has studied the Politics & Constitutions of antient & modern Empires. He proposes teach- French & Fencing. I find b}' the Prints that the Clause, in the Proclam'* for public Thanksgiv"^ in Mass. thank^' heaven for preser^dng our civil & relig. Liberties inviolate, is very offensive. Only D'' Pemb. & M"" Bacon read the Proclam^ in B", the rest of the B " Ministers did not read it in their Congregations.' Most of the Pastors in the Plym° Assoc, at their Meet- strongh" excepted ag' it, & voted either not to read it, or to omit the Clause — but determined each in their Sermons to discuss that Clause & every part of the Proclamation. 14. I married a Couple in Ev- : So did not attend M'' Hopkins Lecture. 16. Rode to Providence. 17. Ldsd}'. I preached in M'' Rowlands Congregation, about 250 or 300 persons present. The Organ did not play. A M. i Jn" iv, 19. P M. Mat xi, 28-30. They now have Weekly Contributions in all the Congregations in Town viz, M'' Rowlds, M'' Snows, the Chh of Engld M"" Graves, »& the Baptist M"" Manning or Elder Windsor — not in the Quakers. The T" of Providence is 500 Dwell- Houses & about 4000 Inhab. or half as big as Newport. There is a small Congreg'' of Sandemanians of 3 or 4 families which meet ever}- Ldsd}' in a private house. On Mondy, I went to view the Col- lege where five or six lower Rooms are finish- off : they have about twenty Students, tho' none yet living in the College Edifice. I visited M' Jn° Angel, who told me he was born in Providence Oct. 4, 1 69 1, vSon of James Angel vSon of Tho'' Angel who came from ^ Dr. Pemberton was an intimate of the Governor's ; and Mr. Eacon was a comparative stranger and not posted as to the situation. Cf. Hill's Hist. 0/ the Old South Church, ii. 146-48. NOVEMBER 13-17, 1 771 1S5 Salem with Roger Williams. This aged Jn" Angel uses the thee & thou Language, wears the Hat &c but denies or refuses to be called a Quaker or Friend. He is a great Admirer of the famous Samuel Gorton of Warwick the last Century. He shewed me three Quarto Volumes in Print, of M' Sam' Gorton, entitled An uncorruptible Key of CX'*" Psalm: in 2 ])arts, 120 & 119 pages 4'° Printed 1647. Expo.sition of the fifth Chapter of James, or Saltmarsh returnetl from the dead : 198 pages 4'" Printed London 1655. Antidote against the common plague of the World. In defence of s*^ Exposition. Dedicated to Oliver Ld Protector &.c dated Warwick in the Naniganset Bay Oct. 20, 1656, in 296 pages. Printed 1657. These Books M' Angel told me were written in Heaven, & no Man could read & understand them unless he was in Heaven. He said that Geo. Fox the Quaker visited Gorton, but that Gorton was far above him, so as Fox was nothing or a Babe in Comparison with him. I askt if they seemed to be one, or agree as far as they went ; but he rather chose to consider them as having no Connexion, & in short, he would not account Gorton a Quaker.' AP Angel told me an Anecdote which he had from his Mother — that Roger Williams, on his death bed once seeming to awake out of a Doze or Sleep, said ' ' I have been all wrong : ' ' [or we have been all wrong] without much addition or Explanation ; & so died. I asked M'' Angel what it was supposed W™* meant ? whether he considered M'' W"^ as dying of M'' Gortons principles ? he sd no : Gorton & Williams had no great Communication together in Lifetime — nor did he suppose he died of Gortons &c. I asked if W"" died a Quaker ? he said ' From other memoranda of this interview (in Dr. Stiles's Itinerary) the fol- lowing additional sentences are taken : Gorton lives now only in him, his only Disciple left. He says he knows of no other . . He said that Gorton preached in London in Olivers Time & had a Chh. & Liv? of ^500 a year offered him ; but he believed no sum could have tempted him to take a farth^? for preach?. . . He said Gorton was a holy man, wept day & night for the Sins & Blindness of the World, his Eyes were a fountain of Tears & always full of Tears :— a man full of Thot. & Study ;— had a long walk cut thro' the Trees or Woods by his house, where he constantly walkt Morns & Even?, & even in the depth of Night alone by himself for sacred Contemplation & Enjoyment of the Dispens" of Eight. He was universally beloved by all his Neighbors & the Indians, who esteemed him not only as a Friend but one high in Communion with God & Heaven, and indeed he lived in Heaven. Mr. Angel died in Providence on Dec. 23, 1774. lS6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES no. I added — if he died in the Disbelief of Water Bapt. & Lds Sup- per as understood b}- Presbyterians i, e Ordinances literally (I sup- pose he died a baptist as to Immersion) — M' Angel supposed he held Bapt. & Lds Supper to the Death, tho' he sd M'' Gorton had demonstrated that those ordinances were abolished, by Arg'" impos- sible to be answered. I asked whether W'"^ by being wrong did not mean that he had been wrong in disusing these Ordinances till a more perfect state of the Chh, & in beconr a vSeeker & waiting for new Apostles? Angel said, he believed he meant so ; but that nothing certain & determinate could be collected from the little W""^ said in his last Moments : nothing more than he then perceived he had been mistaken & in the wrong, in some Things in Religion. His Grandfather Tho^ Angel he sd was M"' Williams' hired Man at Salem, & came away with him ; and the Angel Family preserve many particulars respecting M'' Williams. I am told one M' Brown now lives about 13^ Mile out of Providence ver^- aged I think set. 95. whom Rev. Morgan Edwards Bapt. Min. in Philad'' visited this fall, when he told M' Edwds that he well remembered & was present at M' Roger Williams' Funeral in Providence — that he was buried under Arms with military honors, as he had been a President or Chief Magistrate in this Colony. I don't find when he died — he was SoUicitoi- of the Colon}' 1680, not .so 1681 — probably he died about that Time' Gov. Hutchinson sa3-s he died 1682. Rev. M"" Blacston" an Episc" sold the Land of Boston 1631 and removed to Blaxton River & settled six miles north of Provid. & Rehoboth.' He had a great Library, was a great Student ; there is a Hill now called Study Hill, on which he used to walk for Con- templation : he rode his Bull for want of a Horse — to Boston — to Provid. — to vSmiths in Xarrag. He sometimes came to Providence & preached there : the first Time to one Man two Women & a number of Children, whom he invited & collected around him by throw^ Apples to them. But he did not preach often. D' Jabe/. Bowen tells me, that when the 25 Acre Men came, w*^ was about 1645, the}- made up one hinidred & one or two Men fit to Ixfar Arms at Providence & tho.se parts. It is .said M' Blacston was living 1675 and that his House & Library were burnt in K. Phillips' War. In 1644 Rev. Sam' Newman removed from Weymouth with ' Died in .April, 16S3. * Sec The Memorial Hist, of Bostou, i, S3-S5. Ill the presfiil town of Cumberland. NOVEMBER 18-26, 177I 187 part of his Chh & settled Rehoboth. Here he wrote his Concord- ance using in his Study only Pine Knots for Light to study by. He died 1663 set 63. Four very considerable Men W"'% Blackston, Newman, & Gorton lived in a Vicinity with no Connexion tS: little Acquaintance. 18. I lodged at Rev. M'' Hides' in Rehoboth. He cannot recover an}' of M' Newmans" MSS. Supposes the}' fell into the Hands of late Rev. M'' Avery"* of Norton b}' a Marriage Connexion. Next da}' visited Rev M'' Townsend of Barrington & M'' Burt of Bristol : & came home Wednesdy Evening & attended Chh Meeting. 21. Thursdy. Public Thanksgiv^ thro" Massachusetts & New Hampshire, & in the Cong. Chhs in Newp', Barrington, Bristol — not at Providence iu M'' Rowlds, tho" it is at M' Snows. M'' Rowld being detained at Newport preached the Thanksgiv*^ from Isai. 57, 15, The High & Ivofty one &c. Contribution for the poor ^112 or 14 Dollars. M"" Chesebro' invited me & my Family to Dinner. Mr. Hopkins had an Eveng Eect. but I did not attend it. 22. M'' William Channing of Dorchester in Engld is here. I dined with him to day. His Father & the Father of M' Jn" Chan- ning of Newp' deceased last Winter, were Brothers. He is a curious Virtuoso & Naturalist. 24. Edsdy. About one o" Clock this Morn« died Col. Benj'' Sher- buni set 57, one of my Congregation. I preached A M. Ps. cxxx, 7. P.M. I Thess. V, 15. this an old Sermon. The Night before last one Flag a Dutchman »& his Wife quarrelled ; upon which he threw the Tongs at her, & stuck into her Temple, & the Brains weeped into the Crevice. He was put into prison : & this Morn- at IV'2 she died. 25. Writing Letters to London. 26. Attended Col Sherburns Funeral. M'' Cossart spent the Evening with me. This day I wrote the following Letter con- signed to the Care of M'' Agent Marchant in London. Clarissimis Reverendissimisque Viris Facultatis Theologicae Professoribus in Academia sive Leidensi, sive Ultrajectina, sive Genevensi, sive denique in aliqua Universitate Reformato- rum, ubi D. Marchant Itineribus suis transient : Ezra Stiles S.T.D. Nov' Anglus Americanus, S.P.D. ' Ephraim Hyde (Yale 1759). ^ Rev. vSamuel Newman, first minister of Rehoboth. ^Joseph Avery (Harvard 1706), married Sarah Newman, great-granddaughter of the Rev. Samuel, and died 1770. See Clark's Hist, of Norton, 84. iSS DIARY OF EZRA STILES Ecclesice Congregationales in Nov" Anglia a primordiis suis sin- u-ularem retulerunt amicitiam & Reverentiam erga Ecclesias dissen- tientes in Anglia. Ecclesias Regni Scotorum, Ecclesias etiam Calvin- ianas seu Reformatas sive Belgio, sive Gallia, sive Germania : cunctas liasce ejiisdeni Fidei et Ordinis presbyterialis Sorores Eccle- sias existimantes. Hujusce Harmonise, Patres nostri Pastores Ecclesiarnm Americanarum plurima olim Pignora acceperunt. Civ- itas Lugduno-Batava siiperiore Seculo, Ecclesiam Rohinsonianam ab Anglia exulatam, Hospitio fovebat : etr ilia demiim translata his finibus Terue considebat. et Initiuni Rei ecclesiasticse americanse hodie florentissimse posuit. Favores et Beneficia Fratrum Batavo- rum erga patres Exules nostros cum summa Gratitudine apud nos recensentur hodieqiie memorantnr. Communem amicitiam mutu- iimque Amorem testatur Nortoni nostri Responsio ad Sylvam Quses- tionum ApoUonij vestri de Articulis Fidei Ordinisque Ecclesiarum : testatse sunt postea Laisdeni et Mathcri fraternse conscriptiones. Primus autem Patribus demortuis et caelitiis evocatis, nexus hujusce Specimina et Insignia aliquatenus cessaverunt. Attamen hunc usque diem Fxclesias Reformatas veneramur, et Agnitione priore egloria- nuir : et vestrae nobiscum Harmoniae pignora cum gaudio recepturi fuerimus. Dextram Sodalitij & Honoris Academise Scoticse Pastori- bus nostris dederunt, & Gradum SS. Theologiae Doctoralem Nos- tratibus quibusdam hodiernis condonarunt. Ne igitur vobis tsedeat, si idem Amicitice Testimonium atque Honoris peteremus, erga duos eminentissimos piissimosque Ministros Verbi divini nov' anglicanos, scilicet, Reverend um C//«?atd Morum Integritate, ' IJ.D. rrincfton 1774; Mr. Whittelsey was never doctorated. NOVEMBER 26, 1 771 189 demum Laboribns publicis & Utilitate florent. Uiide digni extite- riint uti Doctoratus in SS. Theologia Gradu Tituloque exornaren- tur. Igitur ignoscatis peto, me illius ordinis socium perexiguum, prorsus indignum, penitusque vobis ignotum, e remotissimis Orbis Terrge finibus Orationem allaturum, Rem totam iiarrasse, & Rationes ob ociilos posuisse vestros, ut sine Deceptione judicetis. Itaqiie si haec fide digna videantur, a vobis huniillime petimus, quod utrosque Viros hosce reverendos, in sacrosancta Theologia Doctores crearetis & renunciaretis. Pastores plurimos confratres meos his Literis commendatitiis cooptasse potuissem, ni cupiisseni hunc honorem DD. Whittelsey & Welles inexpectatum, et iis ne sentientibus qiiidem adportari ; namque me hgec de iis meditantem omnino igno- rant. Prseterea peto gratis ut hie Gradus donaretur, absque ullis ofiiciis consuetudinisve prsemiis ; quae quantumvis Dignitatibus Academiarum largiendis usitata sint, tanien honoris causa nonnun- quam remittuntur. IMartinus Bncer hunc Gradum suscipere renuit, donee gratis in numerum Doctorum- Theologorum cooptatus fuit ; quippe ' ' omnem pecuniae praestationem hisce abesse Judiciis et Testimoniis censuerit." Nos quoque rogamus Honores academicos erga veram lyiteraturam libere & e longinquo fluentes, non venales, nee ulla Su.spitione Pretii aurive contaminatos. Reverendus D. Witherspoon CoUegij Neo caesariensis Praeses nuper hunc Gradum Doctoralem in Reverendum D. Ladley Ecclesiae Belgicae Neo-Ebora- censis Ministrum, gratuito contulisse dicitur. Clarissimus Juris- consultus Henricus Marchant Armiger Americanus, Proairator & Agens vice Colonise Rhodiensis Rei politicae in Aula Britannica, negotia quaedam in Belgio perficiet. Ille vobis de horum Virorum Meritis Testimonia ore tenus impertiet. Quaecunque Beneficia & honores vos illi reddetis, in bonam partem accipiemus, accipiet & patria nostra, qua floret Ingenii & Jurisprudentiae fama. Si vero Petitionem hanc, quam de ejus manu accipiatis, favore vestrae Uni- versitatis dignaremini, — Diplomata Gradus seu Doctoratus, manibus illius commissa, salva nobis advenient. Et hujus Beneficii ne immemores erimus judicatote. Deum. O. M. praecamur ut in Aca- demias Belgicas universasque Academias & Ecclesias Reformato- rum, I^umen Roremque coelestem descendere faciat, et easdem Bene- dictionibus divini Jesu aeviternis ornet et illustret. Viri et Fratres Reverendi clarissimique valete. Dabam e Novo-Portu in Colonia Rhodiensi, in Nov' AngliS, quinto Calend. Decemb. Anno Salutis nostrse, M.DCCLXXI. Ezra Stiles. 190 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 27. Writino: Letters. 28. Attended Mr. Hopk. Eveng Lect. Rom. iii, 15, adapted to the late Murder here. 7,0. Attended the Funeral of W Doubledays Child, which died suddenly of a Quinsy. Dec. 1. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached Mat. xiii, 44-46. P.M. Ps. xxv, 16-18, and notified a religious Meet" of young Men at my house, on too morrow Evening. Read one of President Edwards his post- humous Sermons. . . . This E\-ening I began to read Mr. Edwards's two Dissert"' of Gods /asi End in Creation, & Nature of Virtue. I have often seen, but never read it before. 2. Wednesdy Nov. 20. 1771. "the Rev. Abner Benedict^ was ordained to the pa.storal Office in the Chh & Society of Middlefield. Several of the Rev. Elders sent to on the Occasion, being invited to another Council, were thereby, prevented from attending. There- fore the Rev. M' Baldwin of Danbury, being occasionally present, was desired to begin the Solemnity with prayer : the sermon was preached by the Rev M' Smaller from i Cor. iii, 6, / have planted &c. the Rev. D'' Bellamy made the ordaining prayer & gave the Charge. The Rev. M'' Triimbnll of North Haven gave the Rt Hand of Fellowship : and the Rev M'' Day of New Preston being present was desired to make the concluding Praj-er." Middlefield is a Parish in Middlet" Connecticutt — six miles from Meriden — & in the heart of disputed Ordinations & consociation Claims. The power of chusing Pastors is in the Church & Congregation ; & when elected, the Chh should ask any three or four Elders of the Chhs to come & ordain the pastor Elect in a holy manner by prayer, fasting, & Laj-ing on of Hands. The office power is conferred only by Pres- byters. What need then of LaN'-messengers of the Chhs towards forming an Ordaining Council ? This has introduced some Con- fusion — we can scarcely distinguish what is done by them [i e Elders & Delegates] as Messengers of the Chhs & what as or by the Elders only as officers in Christs Kingdom. If a church has difficulties about settling a pastor Elect, it may call in a Council of Chhs which Chhs may assemble by their \,2.y Messengers only or by their Elders i e pastors also, for the Elders may be sent by the Chhs : and in Council may give their Advice what shall be done. The}^ ' Yale Coll. 1769. NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 5, 1771 191 ma}' advise, for Instance, to the ordin^ of the person. But here the}' should stop. After this the Chh is to ask the Elders as pres- b3-ters & officers (not as Delegates of the Chhs) to lay on hands & ordain. Then the Elders are to agree among themselves the parts the}' shall severall}- perform. But now the usage is for as things to be voted in Council by pastors & Messengers — & the whole Transaction is so complex & indistinct, that it has the appearance as if the Lay Brethren joyned in Ordination. Indeed the Elders universally conceive themselves onh' as hav- this power— & again in Connecticut consider themselves as not as Delegates or Messen- gers of the Chhs, but as hav"^ an original Right to sit in Council as representing the priesthood, while they allow the Brotherhood to sit in Council by Messengers as represent^ them. The Brotherhood acquiesce as long as their Voice is heard & noth- can be done with- out them. They alwaj's choose their Elders shd go to Council. But they dont understand things in the same Eight as the Elders. The Elders find themselves obliged to act in Concert with the Brethren. Hence arises a kind of practical Composition of powers. There have happened frequent Instances in Fairfield County, that Ministers occasionally present (not sent to b}- the Chh) have been voted in by the Council — to sit in Council — »S: partic-' to assist in Ordination. One Instance Rev. M'' Todd of E. Guilfd once told me. This at Middlefd is another in C" Hartford. — This Even"^ the young Men of ni}- Meet~ had a religious Meet^ at my House — when we sang prayed & discoursed on Col. i, 9, 10. Present perhaps 25. 3. Snow all da}'. Finished Edwards on Gods End hi, &c. 4. Reading Edwards 2^ Tract or Dissert^, viz. on the Nature of Virtue, which I finished this Evening. These Dissertations have been printed six years in a posthumous volume published 1765 ; and have made great Noise in the world. But I never read them till now. This day M"' Badger of Providence returned, from Philad ' having been thither & at N York to sollicit Donations to the Congreg^ Chh at Providence, but without success. By him I rec'' Letters from D'' Alison of Philad^ & D'' Rodgers & M'' Treat of N York. To-day I rec'^ i\.yliffs Hist, of the Univ^' of Oxford, a present from M'' Agent Marchant in London. Excessive cold. Fahr. Th. iS. 5. Read the most of Vol. i of Ayliff. . . Snow storm all day. No Lect. at Mr. Hopkins. Yesterday a Lect at Mr. Kelleys. 192 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 6. Reading all day in Ayliff : nearly finished both \"olumes. Read 13 hours this day. 7. Died Wife of Nat. Gardner. 8. Ldsdy AM. I pr. Heb. iii, 12. P M. i Thess. v, 23: & bapti7.ed Benj'^ Infant Son of W™ Finch. 11. In the Pensylv' Chronicle, among Addresses to Gov. Richard Penn latel>- arrived, I find one from the Roman Catholics signed by Robert Harding their Minister whom I heard preach in Philad'' 1754. 12. An Organ is lately erected in the Episcopal called Kings Chh in Providence ; and 10"' Inst, at a church Assembly, notified b}^ printed Hand Bills, it was first played on in divine Service, Rev. Jn° Graves the Minister preaching a Sermon, & after that, a Contribu- tion for the Expences. This I suppose was Consecration of the Organ. This Organ was taken from Concert-Hall in Boston — from being improved in promoting Festivitj', Merriment, Effeminacj^ Luxury & Midnight Revellings — to be used in the Worship of God. Xo Lecture at Mr. Hopk. this Evening. 15. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached Ps. 90, 12. P M. 2 Cor. vii, i. 16. At Chariest" S" Carol, in Oct" last arrived Two hundred & fifty Protestant settlers from the N" of Ireland in one Week : & double that number are still expected thence this year. And next year one Thousand Farmers & Manufactorers will come over from Ireld to Georgia. 17. Finished reading the Confessional. In the Prints, at the Portsm" Article Dec 6. I find — " on Wednes- day & Thursdy 27. & 28"' of last month the Rev. M' John Murray preachd at D' Havens Meetinghouse in this Town, since which on friday he again preached at the Request of the Rev'' D'' Langdon, & on vSaturdy. at Greenland for the Rev M' McClintock ; also again for D"" Langdon in the Forenoon, being Sacrament day, & in the Afternoon of the same day for D' Haven, & on Monday in the Foren. at the Meetingh. whereof the late Rev. M' Drowne was Pastor. On Mondy Morng at the Desire of the Rev M' Foster of Berwick, he set out from hence & preached there in his way to his way to his Flock at Booth-bay." " M' Murray after he left Boston preached at the Request of one of the Ministers at Marblehead, Ipswitch Hamlet, Chebacco, Parish of By field, & at Newbury-port : lie was also in\'ited by D"" Whitaker of Salem, but other Engagm'^ prevented him." This M"" Murray was once, about 1766, Presby. Minister in Philad'' in M^ Tenants Chh. He was born in Ireland, DECEMBER 5-17, 1771 193 studied a year or two in a University in Scotland : but not finished his Studies, could not be licensed in the Presbyteries in Ireld — but went over to the Classis of Northumberland in Engld & there was licensed. This was eno' & w'ould have procured him Admission into the Presby. & Sjmods of Ireld. But his ambition needed more ample Testimonials. He went into Scotland : & return^ laid before the Presby. of Balymena in Ireld his License from the Classis, & also a Testimonial of his being admitted into the Presby. of Edin- burgh — this last signed by the Moder" & Scribe of the Presby. Upon which he was received into the Presbytery of Balymena & became a Candidate under the General Sjniod. It appeared after- wards that the Mod'' & Clerk of Edinb. Presby. never signed any Certificate of this or any kind, nor did s'' Presby. of Edin. ever receive M"" Murray, nor was he known to them as a Presbytery. Thereupon the Gen. Synod of Ireld censured M" Murray for Forging his / Credentials from Edinburgh. Upon this M'' Murray seemed to drop the Thots of the Min^, & projected Eead^ a Colony of Settlers from Ireld to Kenebec — which he did. Upon Arrival in America — he travelled from Kenebec to Philad^ — & seems to have resumed Thots of the Ministry. At New York he fell sick, or seemed so : & sent for L^awyer Smith jun. to draught his Will. The Presby. Chh in N Y. was destitute by the Death of M'" Bostwick. M' Murray in a short Acquaint'"^ at old M'' Smiths (the Dictator of that Con- greg*) conceived a secret tho' unknown Affection for his Daughter. To this Daughter he bequeathed Thirty Thousd pounds Sterl^ in his Will, enjojai^' Secrecy on the Brother. He recovered. It began to be understood that he was a preacher. M'' Smith gave out he was a man of Fortune & such a Minister they needed. He preached and they were all in Raptures, & gave him a Call. During this & for health he journeyed to Philad^, & preach^ there in M'' Tenants vacant Chh, they also called him. Having the Option of both, he chose Philad*. Here he was ordained by the Presbytery, tho' not without some Notifications of the Suspicions, &c. Soon after authenticated Papers were procured from the Synod in Ireland, shewing M'' Murray was under Censure for forging Credentials , &c. M'' Murray alledged that this Censure was not for Forgery, but on Ace" of his Calviyiisni & Orthodoxy. His Chh at Philad'' tho't best he shd go over to Ireld & settle those Matters, & procure Testimo- nials of Innocency as to Forgery, as to the rest they were satisfied : accord^' voted to continue his Salary a year. He set out via Boston 13 194 DIARY OF EZRA STILES & Kcnebec for Ireld carn-ing Letters to Gent, in Ireld to certify whether Orthodoxy was the only Reason of the Censure. M"" Miirrav in Sept. 1765 or 1766 came to N Engld (when I saw him & he told me he slid return in about .six Weeks tho' he informed me not his Circumstances) went to Bo.ston &c & tarried till Dec. \\'hen instead of embark- for Europe he returned to Philad* — called the Presby. & demanded a Dismission. It was given him, & he returned to New Hngld, & finally settled at Booth-bay where he gathered a Chh of Iri.sh Settlers &c. Soon after I think Spring 1767, a Letter from Ireld came to another at Philad^ in Answer &c amply testif>ing M'' Murray Innocency. Both Letters past thro' yV Murray s Hands : & as suspicion now arose high, it was increased bv find- the Date & the Postofiice Stamps interfered. It was after- wards found that this Letter was forged, & that the Gent, in Ireld neither received nor wrote &c. Upon this the Presby. of Philad* published their Renunciation of M' Murray — the Assoc, of Boston Pastors did the .same. And thus he has been under a Cloud since. He wrote and jjrinted an An.swer & Vindication which I have read ; I never heard it satisfied any. How these eminent Pastors at Portsm" &c have settled all the.se Things wdth M' Murray, I do not know.' 18. Chh. Meeting at Brother vStevens where I discoursed on Cant, i, 7. A pleasant Eveng. & full meeting, & I hope the presence of Jesus was with lis. This Afternoon I visited the Criminal again in Pri.son. He tells me he was a Calvinist in Germam*, & a Com- municant at the Lds. Table. Correcting the pre.ss for Col. Churchs Hist, of K. Philips War in 1675. 19. Attended Mr. Hopk. Lect. He preached on Prov. xvii, 27. An excellent .sermon. Reviewing Col. Benj. Church's History of K. Philips War 1676 at the Request of the printer — adding Engli.sh or present Names of places written in Indian Names in the Original. M' South wick is printing a second Ivdition : first Edit. 17 18. 22. Ldsday. A.M. I preached Rom. v, 2. P.M. ibidem. Read iu Clemens Alexandrimis and Bp. Butler's Analogy. 24. The 13^'' Inst a Chh was embodied at Sanborn ton in New Hampshire, ik. the Rev. Joseph Woodman' was ordained Pastor. ' See also this Diary, Oct. 20, 1772. Mr. Murray outlived the effect of his early indiscretions, and had a useful career, dying in the miuistr\- in Newbury- porl, Mass., in 1793, aged 51. ' Princeton College 1766. DECEMBER l8, 1771-JANUARY I, 1772 195 The 22" Ins' the new Meet^house was opened in Boston belonging to the first Baptist Chh there ; when Rev M' Stilhnan Bap. Minister preached Ezra v, 11. The Exercise began & ended with Anthems. 25. I did not attend Christmas either at the Chh of Engld or Moravian Church. M'' Kelley preaches a Lecture on Wednesday once a Fortnight ; he preached this day, as is said, a Christmas Sermon. Excessive cold. Yesterday Morning the Mercury in Fahrenheits Therm" was at two Degrees above Cypher or 30 deg. below the freezing point. It ascended to Nine degrees the highest Altitude of the day ; & in the Even" it descended to five. This Morn= it had risen to seven, & gradually rose, till at Sunset it was at 28. In the Even^' M'' Dawson preached against the Observ^ of Christmas. 26. Mr. Hopk. had no Eveng Lecture. 29. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Ps. xxxii, 11. P.M. on Ps. cxix, 167, 168, and baptized Catherina MacAulay Daughter of D"" John Bartlett & Lucretia his Wife ; and James Son of John Topham & his Wife. Also notified the meeting of the young Women of the Congregation at my house tomorrow Evening. Also notified the Lords Supper next Sabbath & a preparatory Lecture Friday- III }4,^ P.M. — Read Poll Sjmopsis on xviii"' Chap, of Matthew. 30. This Evening Meeting of 50 or 60 young Women of my Con- greg''^ at my House ; when I discoursed on Eph. i, 7. A. D. 1772. Jan>-. I. Continue reading dayly a portion of Hebrew, both in the Chaldaic & Rabbinical Letters : sometimes the Bible, sometimes the Jews prayer book ; sometimes examining passages in the Targums, or the Exposition of R. David Kimchi. I have nearly finished the Hebrew Liturgj- in Course. This abounds with Repetitions, as our Savior speaks. This day the Rev. Erasmus Kelly Pastor of the first Baptist Church here preached a New^^ears Sermon — this year thou shall die. In the Afternoon, Rev. Mr. Hopkins Pastor of the first Congrega- tional Church here, preached from the same Text at Ma'm Osborn's at a new years day Fast. I collected 32 poor Children for Messrs. Pemberton & Dennison's Charity School Thursdaj' & Saturday Afternoons. 1^6 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS Received a letter from Rev. Dr. Dana dated 29 Nov. iilt. wherein ]yQ says_'- I last week joyned a Council at Litchfield South Farms.' The other Members were the Rev. Messrs. Whitman, Russell, Eells. Goodrich, Whittelsey, Gould, Cotton M. Smith, and Hunt- ington. — The Rev'' Messrs. Bartholomew, Ta3dor, & Patten were also invited " — but ab.sent. — " We were called on a Dispute about the half-way practice. This wasexplicitly adopted when the Church was first formed about three years ago. But some of its Members, thro' the Influence of Dr. Bellamy, watched an opportunity to vote it out at a thin Meeting. This was done last year. ' ' By an Addition of 3 persons dismissed from Dr. Bellamy's Church to this, the parties became — " Eleven to nine.'' Upon which the minority embodied into a Church by themselves, or rather declared them- selves the Church as abiding by their original principles. ' ' Since these proceedings they have acted as two distinct Churches — the Bellameans having for their standing Moderator Mr. Brinsmead. This Party in the Church did not joyn in the Call of our Council, but have called the Con.sociation of the Count}' to meet this week. In a full Society Meeting there was a large Majority for calling a mutual Council : but when the Church met to nominate the Mem- bers, none of the Bellameans were present. — We recommended Gentleness & Moderation — a Day of Fasting & prayer — and Appli- cation to the Consociation for their Approbation of and A.ssistance in calling a mutual Council. " Cheshire Church have voted Communion with some (& herein implicitly with all; of our Members. Mr. Hall on our Return from Litchfield, said expressly , they should noiu receive auy Members from my Church, & that he had rather preach for me tha?i any of the Con- sociation. The Gordian Knott is cut. We are desired by a number of the Association to attend their next Meeting. Pra}' let me have your sentiments whether it be expedient." Remark i . The Members of this Council would not ten 3'ears ago have .sat with Dr. Dana & Mr. Whittelsey.' They are Whitman of Hartford ; Eells of Middletown who assisted in condemning Dana and Whittelsey and wrote and printed against them ; Russel " Now Morris, Conn. vSee this Diary, Nov. 12, 1771. ■New Haven County was agitated in 1758-59 over what was known as the " Wallingfonl Controversy," respecting the settlement in that town of the Rev. James Dana, who was suspected of Arminianism. The Rev. Chauncey Whittel- sey (Vale 1738), pastor of the First Church in New Haven from 175S to 17S7, sympathized with Mr. Dana. JANUARY I, 1772 197 of Windsor ; Goodrich of Durham who condemned Dana ; Gould of Cornwall ; Smith of Sharon ; these were in the Ministr}- before Dana : Huntington of Middletown ordained since. Two of the Absentees were not Enemies to Dana, Mr. Bartholomew has printed in his Vindication. Remark 2. The Controversy at lyitchfield, which jojais Dr. Bellamy's parish, is truly only this, whether a con- verted and gracious person willing to enter into the full profession of all the Doctrines of Christianity and solemnly enter into Covenant with God to endeavor b}" his Grace to live a hoh^ life ; and yet thro' certain terrifying Apprehensions about the lyord's Supper, or scru- ples of preparedness or doubts about a good Estate, dare not come to the Eord's Table ; but desires to have his children baptized: the Question is whether this shall be refused ? and that he shall not be admitted to baptism for himself (if unbaptized) and his Children, unless he covenant to come to the Supper ? Dr. Bellam}- insists on the last. And Dr. Dana also — tho' on ver^^ different principles — yet their practice is the same. I am of different opinion and prac- tice. Remark 3. I think the Advice was improper^tends to con- tinue Council after Council, till the little parish wearied out, will fall a prey to Episcopalians, Baptists, Separates, &c. Besides it is too far gone to be healed by any mutual Council. The only way is to leave them to walk in two small Churches. If Time should enlarge them so as to continue and to be able to support the Gospel among them, it will be most for their peace to subsist independent of one another. If one or both dwindle, Time may bring them to a Coalescence. Remark 4. Mr. Hopkins tells me both Churches had agreed to call in the Consociations of Eitchfield and New Haven united. But two objections afterwards arose. Mr. Trumble the Moderator of New Haven Consociation refused to call his Consocia- tion : besides the Society refused to be at the Expence of a united Consociation of fifty Churches, viz. about 30 New Haven Co. 20 Litchfield Co. There would probably convene two thirds or 3^ the body or 70 or 80 Ministers & Messengers. Upon this the Bellamean Church or 1 1 Brethren by themselves called in the Consociation of Litchfield County only, to sit the last Week in November. And thereupon the Society and Church of p Brethren called in and assem- bled the Council of which Dr. Dana gives Account, to meet the week before. They met & advised — what ? to apply to the Conso- ciation next week— for what ? to determine the Case ? no : — but to approve a mutual Council, and assist in calling it. Remark 5. Here 198 DIARY OF EZRA STILES obsen-e these Ministers were themselves Members of four different Consociations : and some of them high for Consociation power to decide all Controversies. Yet here we find them desiring that the Consociation itself should, instead of deciding themselves, refer the case to a mutual Cojigregational Council, according to the old mode of the Country. Remark 6. The change of Rev. Samuel Hall' of Cheshire is marvellous. He has been as much at the head of the Life and Spirit of the Wallingford Controversy, as lyUther was of the Reformation. Like Saul, not only consenting but held the Clothes &c. He -rt'as foremost in convening Consociations and thun- dering out Ecclesiastical Anathemas against Dr. Dana and his Church, and the Ministers that ordained Dr. Dana. Has even forced some of Dr. Dana's Members (providentially removed and settled in Cheshire) to renounce Dr. Dana &c. and make a public Confession & humble themselves for joyning & communicate with Dr. Dana and his Church — forced them to this Renunciation and Confession, before he would admit them to the Lord's Table in his Church. But, good Gentleman, after a 12 years War, he is now for peace, aet 76. Indeed he would never have engaged, but to sup- port his Brethren and Relations, the powerful Family of Hall in Wallingford, who with their Connexions a third of the parish were vigorous in opposition to Dr. Dana's Settlement. The Objection against Dr. Dana was the Surmise of Arminianism ; this surmise lay as strong upon Mr. Hall, who in 1758 assisted in ordaining Mr. Whittelsey, likewise under the same surmize, as were all Old Lights in general or the most of them. No apparent Alteration in Dr. Dana or his Church, nor in Rev. Mr. Todd, or Rev. Mr. Chauncy Whittelsey, nor in Rev. Mr. John Hubbard who have upheld an As.sociation among themselves, distinct from the County Associa- tion. To break up the former, the latter now invite them to come in ; and are proposing a General Amnesty. Even Mr. Hall, who has not preached in Dr. Dana's Pulpit since his Ordination 1758, had rather preach for him than for any of the Consociation. Tem- pora nuitantur ! et nos — 2. Increased the poor Children to above 70. This Afternoon for the first Time the Charity School opened, present 42 Boys and Girls. In the Evening I attended Mr. Hopkins Lecture. . . . Kept the Redwood Library this Afternoon. 'Yale Coll. 17 16. JANUARY 2-8, 1772 199 3. I preached my Sacramental I^ecture at lllj4 P.M. John vi, 37. an old Sermon : present Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Kelly in the pulpit. Have increased the school to above 100, which is the designed Complement. On New Year's day I resumed writing my Ecclesiastical History of Neta England &c. About three years ago I began to digest and compile and wrote perhaps two Quire of paper in 1769. Since this I have been much emploj^ed in transcribing Memoirs and collecting Materials : but have discontinued composi- tion for near 3 years. I am now resuming it, if it shall please God to give me Health and Time to accomplish it. 4. Children at school 80 ; this the second Time. Reading Can- did Disquisitions. Compiling & writing History. 5. lyord's day. A.M. I preached Rom. viii, 32, and adminis- tered the Lord's Supper to 60 Communicants. P.M. I preached Luke iv, 19, or Isaiah Ixi, i, 2. and published the Banns of Marriage between James Pitman and Mary Guest Widow. 6. Read Mr. Fish's Answer to Backus : dined with the Town Council at Mr. President Richardsons. 7. The Vestry of the Church of England met yesterday and voted to ring their Bell at XI A.M. at I and IX P.M. — it has not rung at night for a year or two : my Bell ringing for IX. This day said Bell rang at XI, I, IX, for the first Time. My Bell rang as usual being paid for by the Town. Formerly the Church Bell only rang. But on repairing or rebuilding the Church steeple ours was employed. The Church are contriving to resume it. And I could earnestly wish they might have it, as my Steeple is within 30 feet of my House &c. Mr. Hopkins Bell dont ring. These are the only Bells on places of publick Worship in this Town. Mr. Thurstons Baptists and the Friends would as soon erect a Crucifix as a Bell on theirs. 8. No XI o'clock Bell. At Noon died here the Rev. Keith, lately an Episcopal Clergyman in South Carolina. He left his Living last Summer, and removed hither and lived with his Brother, a retired Life. He died a Bachellor. About half an Hour before I. the Church passing tolled on Account of his Death ; and the i o'clock was omitted, but rang at Nine. Mr. Chesebro' gave me two Dollars towards buying Books for the Charity School ; and i Guinea Mrs. Bakers' Legacy to me. — Writing History. ^See above, Nov. 27 and Dec. 2, 1770. 200 DIARY OF EZRA STILES g. Attended the Redwood Library as usual, being Librarian. A..NL went to Friends Meeting and heard Mr. Neal an Enghsh Friend :' present 500. Carried 7 Dil worths Spelling Books to School and delivered them to Messrs. Pemberton and Denison as Mr. Chesebro's Gift ; — gave some religious Counsel to the Children and prayed with them : present 134 Children. Attended Mr. Hop- kins Lecture. . . . Spent the Evening till IX o'clock with Mr. Hopkins. He told me he was writing for the press. The work was first a Tract on the Nature of Holiness,"^ vii\i\Q\\\\Q. should resolve into Love. Then he intended 3 or more Appendixes, one in Answer to Mr. Hart of Saybrook — another to Mr. Mather of Stan- ford or Middlesex — a third to Mr. Dickinson of Norwalk : and if occasion requires, a fourth in reph* to a piece of Mr. Heminwa}^ of ^^^ells wrote against Mr. Hopkins and now in the press. In short he means to write a general Defence as he says of Mr. Edwards Notion of \'irtue, and of himself. In conversation I excepted against his resolving Holiness into Love exclusively, or making this to consist in Love more than in Rig/iteousness, fustice, Goodness, or any 07ie natural or moral Perfection. Observing we might with equal propriet}' say Love was Holiness ; Righteousness was Holiness ; fustice was Holiness ; Mercy was Holiness ; Vengeance was Holiness ; &c. &c. I thought Holiness arose from the Conjunction of all Per- fections and Excellencies, and that it was rather perfect Rectitude than Love. He thought Love was not so much a Branch of univer- sal Perfection, as that wherein all Perfection essentially subsists : it not only, as an}' one attribute implies all other Perfections, but is that wherein all take their common Nature, and is the highest prin- ciple in the divine Essence — and so is Holiness. 10. Yesterday I bought this Book, 3 sterling. This day I made the above Entries." This day I read a large 4'" pamphlet of no Pages, entitled " The Customs of primitive C/uirches.'" It is anon}'- mous, but its Author is the Rev. Morgan Edwards, Baptist Minister of Philadelphia. It is without Date, but it was published 1769. Mr. Kelly of whom I borrowed it, sent me this note — "Sir, 3'-ou must not think, that the principles contained in this Book, are the principles of the Baptists. They are only the Sentiments of the Author. Yours &c. Era. Kelly." ' Samuel Xeale, born iu Dublin, 1729, died in Cork, 1792. ' Published at Newport in 1773, pp. viii, 220, octavo. * Heginning with January i, 1772. JANUARY 9-13, 1772 201 11. In Gent. Magazine Sept ult. I find the M. deReaumur, the late French Academician, . . has great Encomiums. I conceive him not a Man of true Greatness either as to Genhis or Acqidsition. There are thousands of Reaumurs — Newtons are rare ! But shall the Newtons only be entituled to the Reputation of true Greatness ? Yes — there shall be 2d & 3d Classes of degrees of Greatness below Him — and I esteem Reaumur, Maupertuis, &c. proper to rank in a fourth Class. . . . This Afternoon I attended the Funeral of Rev. Mr. Keith late an Episcopal Clergyman of South Carolina, set. 65. The Pall Bearers were Rev. Mr. Hopkins a Congregationalist, Rev. Mr. Fa}"erweather an Episcopalian, Rev. Mr. Maxsen Sabbath day Baptist, Rev. Messrs. Thurston and Kell}^ Baptists, and myself. The Corps carried to Church and Servdce performed, but no Sermon, He was buried in the Church yard. He was 12 years Minister in the Episcopal Chapel in Aberdeen in Scotland, where, I think, he was born; and 26 years in South Carolina.' There were 147 poor Children in the Charit}^ School this Afternoon. 12. Edsdy. Preached all da}-. 13. In reading Mr. Fish's Answer to Backus''' I find some things which may be of use in my Ecclesiastical History. Respecting Canterbur}- in Connecticutt. This Town was taken off of Plainfield perhaps about 17 10. Its first Minister Rev. Mr. Easterbrook,^ after him Mr. Jenison^ was among them — Quere, whether ordained? then Rev. Mr. Wadsworth^ was pastor and dismissed. The Exer- cise of Consociation power in 1741 in different parts of Connecticut respecting the Revival of Religion, alarmed many Ministers and Churches. The Churches had usually sent delegates to Consocia- tion not distinguishing between this and an}' Ecclesiastical Council : thus Canterbury Church probably had done. There was no vote of this Church to receive Saybrook platform, but their usage and ^Alexander Keith, Jr., a native of Aberdeen and educated at King's College in that city, settled in Georgetown, S. C. The Rev. Samuel Fayervveather, of Narragansett, preached a funeral sermon the next day. (Mason's Aiuials of Trinity Church, Newport, i, 152-53.) "^ The Examiner Examined, by the Rev. Joseph Fish, of (North) Stoning- ton, Conn. ^Samuel Estabrook (Harvard 1696), died 1727. "• Samuel Jennison (Harvard 1720) accepted a call for settlement in 1727, but the arrangement fell through. See Larned's Hist, of Windham County, i, 290-291. *John Wadsworth (Harvard 1723), 1729-1741. 202 DIARY OF EZRA STILES practice was deemed to settle them upon it. The Church was in 1743 and onward divided into two parties nearly equal, I think only one Majority and this with those called Separates. Mr. Fish says this part— "Jan^' 27, 1743" (viz. 17473) "had declared against and gone off from their former usage and practice, the other part of the Church remaining under Saybrook " — p. 76. " On the 27"" of November" viz. 1744, "sixteen (i. e. of the Church) withdrew from the rest and voted Mr. James Cogswell their pastor," said the Committee of his opposers, to the Consociation called to ordain Mr. Cogswell Dec' 26, 1744. There was a great Majority of the Con- gregation for Mr. Cogswell. The Result of the Consociation among other Things .says — " It does not appear to us that ever there was any \'ote of the Church, acting as a Church, or any Covenant or Agreement recorded or taken Care of by them, that can be eviden- tial, that they were a Congregational Churrh, according to Cam- bridge Platform : and the known ordinary practice and usage of the Church seems to determine the contrary : although the sentiments of many or most of the Chnrch members might have been for Cambridge platform.'' — " From the Papers and Transactions of the people here laid before us, we think it plainh* appears, that the antient proper Church Members of the Church of Canterbury are divided into t'a'o parties, and as far as they can, have formed thetnselves into tu-o Churches : a number of them having declared against and gone off from their former usage and practice, and declaring themselves a Congregational Chiuch according to Cambridge platform, and taken upon them to admit Members, and deal with their Brethren w^ho are differently persuaded &c." — "The rest abiding by Sa^-brook Regulation, and resolving to act and conform themselves to it in matters of Discipline." It appears to the Coinicil "that a very great Majority of the Society had called Mr. Cogswell to be their Minister and were satisfied with him, as ahso the Church who adhere to their former usage." — Then they ordained ''Mr. fames Cogs-cL'ell a Minister of the Gospel unto the Society and the Chris- tian />r(7/!>/r a 7w /jat'^ m//^'^ him, and who shall willingh^ put them- selves under his Ministerial Care." " We do not pretend to force or impose him upon the Congregational or dissenting Brethren &c." The original Church Records remain in the Hands of the said Congregational Church Opposers of Mr. Cogswell. "As to the Church L'tensils ; as the Church was about equally divided by the Se]);ir:ii ion Ijoth parties agreed to divide them equally," p. 78. I JANUARY 13, 1772 203 think Mr. Fish says this, perhaps Mr. Backus. Speaking of Mr. Smith's Ordination among the Separates in Stonington, Mr. Fish saj^s " By the Records or minutes of their Church it appears that Mr. Smith was chosen Nov'' 27, 1746, and ordained 14 days after, viz. Dec. 10, 1746, and that he was excommunicated by a Council Aug. 3, 1749." He ministered about one year as he Mr. John Smith himself says, who adds, " soon after I was ordained at Ston- ington I preached to the people from Ephes. ii, 22, in a clear Line of Gospel Truth : all on a sudden I perceived that the Church did not give me Fellowship" — this occasioned some Talk that day — " we parted in great Confusion." — " We must see E3'e to Eye (says Mr. Smith) or ni}' Eips will be forever sealed. The laboring point could not be gained. I took a tour into the Countrj- — returned before sacrament da}-. The Church desired me to proceed as usual. I objected and refused. Then the Church called a Council and charged me with Neglect of Duty" and 3'et said in Council, "we have nothing against Brother Smith, and so every man went to his Tent. — After a few Sabbaths my Mouth was quite stopped that I could not speak for Want of Fellowship. All this happened in about the space of one 3'ear after my ordination. — Soon after this I left the people and the place and moved my Family to Mansfield, where I lived for about one year before I heard any Thing from Stonington. — The Church of Stonington called a Council — sent to me to an.swer their Charge. I attended it and the}' had a full hear- ing of the matters alledged against me. — The Moderator turning to me says — there is some accursed Thing with you, that you, by your softness, hide from us : and for which I now, in the Name of the Eord Jesus, declare you unworthy to have a standing in his House, and hereby cut you off from all Priviledges in the same, and deliver you over to the Buffettings of the Devil. Another of the Council says, I as a Friend to the Bridegroom, and in the N'anie of the Bride the Lamb' s IVife, declare yoii unfit to ivalk the streets of the Netu Jerusalem, and hereby do cast you out of the saine, and set you down in the cold Shades of Aiitichrist and the dark Lanes of Babylon, to be buffettcd by the Devil, and eat no more of the Children' s Bread. Another says, as you are now excomunicated by the holy Ghost you will soony€\\\^ a Great Grand Daughter of the ' Son of IchaV>o(i Hrown, of Cambridge ; graduated at Harvard 1714. See, also, the Saltotislall Genealogy, 127. FEBRUARY 1 4-2 4, 1 772 213 first John Cotton Minister of Boston. Of ten Children five sur- vived her. She educated four sons at College three of whom were settled in the Ministr}- \-iz Rev. John Brown of Hingham now living Rev. Cotton Brown of Brookl}^! died 1751. Rev. Thomas Brown of Falmouth now living Ward Brown A B. died 1748.' In the Even- I had a religious Meeting at my House of the young Women of my Congregation. I discoursed on 2 Cor. viii, 9. 18. Shipt for London 14''' January ult. from Charleston, South Carolina four hundred fifty five pounds of exceeding five raw Silk and thirty six pounds of a poorer sort, all the Growth and Culture of Purrysburg South Carolina. ig. Monthh' Meeting of the Chh at Sister Tophams. I preached. 20. Compiling History. No lyccture at Mr. Hopkins. 21. Rev. Mr. Russmeyer spent the Afternoon with me. He was born in Lunenburg Son of a Counsellor at Law ; educated with an Uncle in the University of Grypswald in Pomerania.'' His uncle was a Lutheran Minister and a Pietist. Mr. Rusmeyer became a Disciple of Count Zinzendorf . A few j-ears ago the Unitas Fratrum sent him to Newport, where Bishop Spanenberg formed a Moravian Church 1758. Mr. Rusmeyer tells me he now has but eighteen Comm7cniea?its and administers the Lord's Supper once in eight weeks. 21. Reading the History of Tamerlane. Compiling History. 22. Writing History. 23. Lordsda}'. I preached all day on i Jno. i, 7 . . . Read Dr. Mayhew's Sermons. 24. Compiling History. In the Evening a very full and serious Meeting of Negroes at my House, perhaps 80 or 90 : I discoursed to them on Luke xiv, 16, 17, 18. " A certain man made Excuse." They sang well. The}' appeared attentive and much affected ; and after I had done, many of them came up to me and thanked me, as they said, for taking so much Care of their souls, and hoped they should remember m^' Counsels. There are six or ^ Graduates of Harvard : John in 1741, Cotton in 1743, Ward in 1748, Thomas in 1752. '^ He was matriculated at the University in June, 1730, and received the degree of M.A. in January, 1738. He came to America in 1745, and was first minister in Lancaster. Pa. He returned to Lancaster in 1784. 214 DIARY OF EZRA STILES seven Xegroe Communicants in the Baptist Churches in Town, 4 or S in the Church of England, seven in my Church and six or seven in Mr. Hopkins' Church : perhaps 26, and not above 30 professors out of Tweh-e hundred Negroes in Town. 26. At Boston Lordsday i6th inst. the Rev. Mr. Stihnan bap- tized eleven persons by Immersion. And Tuesday 11 Inst, the Members of Dr. Cooper's Congregation in Boston unanimously voted to build a new Meetinghouse, and in one half day the Sub- scription arose to ^1900. L. M. and was completed last Week : the Hon. John Hancock, Esq', gave One Thousand Pounds L. M. in this Subscription. At Wilmington North Carolina Session of Assembl}- ended middle January last ; among other Acts, an Act was passed for ' ' Founding, Establishing and Endowing a College called Queens College in Mecklenburg County.'" 28 At IV P.M. Rev. Mr. Kelly a Baptist preached my sacramental Lecture on Matt, xi, 28. 29. In the Forenoon I went to the Synagogue. In the Evening though Saturday Evening which I keep as holy Time, Mr. Enoc Lyon a Jew came to visit me desiring some religious Conversation. He spent four hours with me conversing upon the Things of God. We freely conversed on Things respecting Judaism and Christianity. I shewed him from the Rabbins, that by Quotations from the Tal- mud, some of them allowed the first Appearance of Messiah was to be in Humiliation and particularly that the}- applied 53" Chapter of Isaiah to Messiah, Also that by the Jewish Writings the Messiah was Jehovah ; As he allowed original sin and the infinite Evil of sin, I labored to shew the necessity of punishment in the persons of the sinner, or of him that should bare the Iniquities &c. He allowed Jesus to be a holy and good Man giving a hoi}' Law. But did not see the necessity of Satisfaction or a Messiah's Atonement, God being infinitely merciful. March. 1. Lord'sday. A.M. I preached on Col. i, 27, and adminis- tered the Sacrament to — Communicants. P.M. Mark v, 34. Before the Communion I admitted John Ferguson and his Wife Members in full Communion, by a silential Vote. 2. Began to read the Volume of a Collection of Jewish Prayers * The name was changed to Liberty Hall Academy about 1775, and the insti- tution broke U]j in 17S0. FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 5, 1772 215 and Service for the Beginning of the Year, and the great Fast or Day of Atonement in a thick octavo. . . . Among other Things this Book contains descriptions of the Worship of the Angelic Hierarchies, i. e. the grand Divisions under which the}' worship God. Also the Keter Malkut. Yesterday in the three Baptist Churches in Town was read a Brief, asking the prayers of the Churches, for their Brethren in Montague, suffering Persecution from the Presbyterians there : at the same Time was a Contribution for the sufferers in Mr. Kelly's Church 15 Dollars, Mr. Thurston's 30, Mr. Maxsen's 5, about 50 Dollars in all. I understand a Tax for building a Meetinghouse was distrained on a Baptist and his Cow taken &c. I presume it might have been avoided b}- his certifying himself a Baptist before the Town Clerk, as the I^aw directs. But the Baptists are deforc- ing this point that they will be freed of Taxes without being even at this little pains. Would the Apostles or primitive Christians have accounted themselves persecuted, if they could have enjoyed lyiberty of Conscience wnth Freedom of Tax-' to the established Religion whether Jewish or pagan, upon the easy condition of pro- ducing a Certificate to the Civil Magistrate under the Hands of an Elder and 2 or 3 Brethren, testifying that they were acknowledged as Christians ? Their refusing to do this would have been pride and worldly Wilfulness, not Christian Patience under persecution.' 3. Reading Warburton's Julian. It is said that a Baptist Elder in Montague near Deerfield has had a Cow &c. distrained for Taxes to the Presbyterians, to the Loss of about one hundred Dollars. For him the Collection was made here and the Messenger is come forward to get a Collection at Providence 4. Finished Warburton's Julian. In the Evening a religious Meeting of the married people of my Flock at Mr. King's, when I discoursed on Acts xx, 20, 21. The Rev. Mr. Barnum of Taunton came into the room after exercise began, but I knew it not till we had finished. He lodged at my house 5. Mr. Barnum says there is Tradition that Mr. Hook" was Minister at Taunton or Cohannet about 2 3-ears, and was chiefly supported by one Man Mr. Williams a Deacon of the Church : — ^According to Backus in his History of tlie Baptists (ed. 1871, ii, 163-64), certificates were duly filed, but were thrown out on a technicahty. ^Rev. William Hooke, of Taunton, Mass., 1637-44; of New Haven, Conn., 1644-66. 2i6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES and that he was ordained by I^aymen. In Hutch. Hist, i, 424, I find Mr. Hook was ordained Pastor of the Church of Taunton. Mr. Barnum lodged at Mr. Hopkins'. Snow^ storm and no lyecture. 6. Messrs. Barnum, Pemberton and Dennison dined at my house. Mr. Barnum does not coincide with Mr. Hopkins' sentiments and Pecuharities. He was born in Danbury in Connecticutt ; educated at Jersey College where he graduated 1757 the year President Burr died : ordained Pastor of 2^ Church in Wrentham 1760 and dis- missed 1768; Installed Pastor of Church Taunton Feb. 2, 1769. He is now ^t. 35. Of good person and agreeable Appearance, but I believe not of great Abilities or Improvements ; I believe an amiable useful Man.' 7. Mr. Barnum went aw^ay. At XI" A.M. I attended at the Superior Court, the Trial of Flack for the Murder of his Wife. The pleadings lasted about an hour and half. The Jury without going out immediately brought in their Verdict, not guilty of Murder, but guilty of Manslaughter. And so the prisoner at the Bar saved his Life. In the Afternoon I went to the Charit}^ School, about 80 Children present : I prayed with them and gave them religious Counsel. Wrote a Letter to the Rev. John Joachim Zubly of Savanna 8. Ldsdy. A.M. preached on i Jno. ii, 5. P.M. Gal. vi, 9. 9. Perusing an Exposition of the Revelations, a Duodecimo of 262 pages printed 1720, entituled "The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to his servant John. And now by Revelation hath opened the M^-stery contained in said Book unto his Servant /' upon i Peter i, 8. Fifteen Deaths in this Town the week past, four times more than the common Mortality here. 23. I baptized Brother Merriss's Infant Rebecca privately at his house, Brother Dennis and Sister Tophani of the Church present. A very sickly Time, a universal Cold which becomes either Peri- pneumony or Pleurisy as it seats on the Lungs or side. A very ' l-'or Mr. Wheaton see also Diary, July 9, 1773. MARCH I9-APRIL 2, 1772 219 dj^ing Time. This day I visited thirty families, and came home at Night greatly fatigued and sick myself. Mr. Thomas Brenton died suddenl}' this Afternoon. 24. In the prints, at the Article under Wilmington, in N° Caro- lina, Jan^' 15, last, I find it said that upwards of Three hundred people have arrived here from the Isle of Sk}- to settle in and about this Province. I also read lately in another print, of the Arrival of above Two hundred settlers from the North of Ireland at Georgia or one of the Southern provinces. I judge the Total of settlers from Europe arriving to all the English American Colonies from Nova Scotia to Florida in the year 1771 did not exceed 4 or five Ships with perhaps 7 or 800 Souls, Men Women and Children. Visited the sick and baptized Frances the Wife of Capt. Hyers being dangerously sick. I first took the profession of her Faith and solemn Dedication of herself to God and the Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of three Sisters of the Church, as well as a Room full of others : then I prayed, then baptized her, then prayed and gave the Blessing. 26. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins lecture. 27. Writing a Letter to the Rev. Mr. Bush,' Moravian Minister at Astracan near the Caspian Sea. 28. This day I received a Letter from the Rev. Dr. Haven of Portsmouth &c. . . . On the 14"^ Inst. March died at Uxbridge the Rev. Mr. Nathan Webb aet. 67 and 42'^ of his Ministry : a very worth}' and pious Minister. 29. Ldsd3\ A.M. I preached from Eccl. xii, 7. P.M. from Ps. cxlvii, II. 30. Read Mr. Tyler's Sermon at the Dedication of Col. Malbons Trinity Church in Pomfret fryday Apr. 12, 177 1. Begun reading the History of England by Mrs. Catherina Macaulay . 31. Examined the word Elohim. April. 1 . This Even^ we had a religious Meet' of the married people of the Congreg'' at Mr. Doubledays, when I preached about an hour. 2. Public anniversary Fast in Provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire : Mr. Hopkins' Meeting and mine obser\-ed it. I ^ The first draft of this letter to Mr. Busch, in L,atiii, is preserved ; an abstract of it is given in Holmes's Life of Stiles, 158-62. 220 DIARY OF EZRA STILES preached forenoon and Afternoon on Ezra viii, 21, an hour and quarter nearly in Sermon both parts of the day. In Forenoon after first pra}-er I read 3'' Chapter of Jonah ; P.M. 2'' Chapter of Joel. Sung Watts' Psalms as usual, Ps. XII. and LVI. and CXLVII. Contribution for the poor. A snowy and very stormy Day. 3. Snow storm continues violent. There was one Woman in New- England who was an Hebrician, perfectly understanding the Hebrew Bible, which she used to carry with her to Meeting ; and also would frequently have Recourse to it in Conversation with ^linisters. She was taken off a wreckt Vessel, as I understand near Plymouth in New England. After this she returned to England while a Girl, and there lived in a Je7v Family and 7i'as taught Hebrew. After this she returned to New England and settled and died here. She married Mr. Parker, by whom she had a Daughter Paltah Par- ker, whom she named Paltah or the Deliverance of God, in memory of her being saved from the Wreck. She married Capt. Mansfield, then Capt. Darrel, and lastly Mr. Maxwell of Boston Father of Rev. Samuel Maxwell' an aged Man now living. She died about 1722. This is a loose Memoir I pencilled from the Mouth of Miss Molly Brown of Boston a Maiden Eady and Descendant from &c. I sus- pect there is some defect in the story ^but I conclude so much is true, that she had an Ancestor brought up in a Jew Family and able to read the Hebrew Bible. 4. Reading Mrs. MacAulays History. 5. Lord's day. I preached A.M. on Ps. xl, 2. And extended the Intermission .season to II>< h. P.M. when I preached on Lsaiah Ixii, I 6. Catechised 19 Boys, 31 Girls, 3 Negroes. Total 53. 7. \'isited the Rev. ]\Ir. Russmeyer and discussed with him sun- dry Criticisms on the Hebrew. He reads Hebrew very well, and showed me a Hebrew and Greek Bible given him 1727 when he was a Boy by a German Countess, who understood Hebrew. 8. To day arrived here two ships from London. I received a Letter from Mr. Agent Marchant in London dated March 5 inclos- ing a long Letter from the Rev. Dr. Philip Furneaux a Dissenting Minister at Clapham — near London dated March. [Dr. Furneaux wrote as follows : See below, April 25, 1772. APRIL 3-8, 1772 221 Rev' and dear Sir I received your obliging favour by M' Marchant, with whom I have twice had the pleasure of dining at a common friend's in London, and I am fully persuaded he deserves, and will continue to deserve all the handsome things you say of him I find you have some knowledge of my good friend M"" Gordon, who is now settled near Boston, and I doubt not with the divine blessing will be very acceptable and useful in the situation in which providence hath placed him. With respect to an x\merican bishop, I think D' Chauncy of Boston hath fixed that matter upon the true foundation, when he saith, in his controversy with D' T. B. Chandler, that he hath no objection to a person's coming and officiating in an episcopal character, any more than in the character of a Presbyter, provided he comes upon the foot of toleration and not of establish- ment, provided he be not introduced by any act of state, giving him any authority whatsoever, be it more or less. I do not know whether I have used his words, but I think I have not mistaken his sense. I do not apprehend that the Ministry here have yet shewn any disposition to the scheme of sending bishops to America ; and I am firmly convinced have never attempted to prevail upon any of our brethren to adopt that design in any shape. Some of the bishops and clergy on this side of the water, as well as the generality of the clergy, I suppose, on yours, have such a design very much at heart ; and if it be true, that your missionaries have sent over a petition for the appointment of an American Episcopate, some attempt perhaps may be made to carry their point ; but I believe the ministry at present do not wish to be troubled with any such business. Perhaps an affair of an ecclesiastical nature which hath lately hap- pened here may take up the attention of the bishops and clergy as well as of the ministry too much to admit of their bringing on soon any other affairs of that kind, I mean a petition which hath been this session presented to Parlia- ment, for freeing the clergy from subscription to the 39 articles of the church of England, which they are now required to comply with by law upon taking orders, and upon entering on a cure of souls ; as also to free young Gentlemen at the universities from subscribing these articles at matriculation (which sub- scription is required at Oxford, though not at Cambridge) and at taking any degrees in law, physick, or music, as well as divinity ; which is required at both the Universities. The petition was presented to the House of Commons ; it went upon the general principles of Liberty, stated the right of private judg- ment, the sufficiency of the scriptures, and the impropriety of any human tests upon men whose business it is to preach according to the scriptures, and who engage to do so at their ordination ; and who therefore must if they would dis- charge their duty conscientiously, preach according to what they in their best judgments believe to be the sense of scripture. The debate was long and interesting, and conducted, on the side of the petition particularly, with great good sense and force of argument. The Gentlemen in administration in general opposed it. The most violent opponent was one of the members for Oxford Sir Roger Newdigate, of the old Tory Stamp ; who begun his speech in this manner. The most extraordinary thing in the world, two hun- dred Clergymen (N. B. about 250 signed the petition, and a great many more would have signed it no doubt, if they had thought it would have succeeded) two hundred Clergymen, saith he, about the 200"' part of the Clergy of Eng- 222 DIARY OF EZRA STILES land, petitioning this house to destroy the Church. These are your tender- conscience G^ntlem^u ; I don't like tender consciences ; I don't like the name ; I hate tender consciences. What did the tender consciences do in the last age ? did they not overturn church and state ? These men mean the same. They want to root up foundations. He at last moved for rejecting the petition, which had been brought in and candidly and handsomely recommended to the House by vSir William Meredith ; and his (Newdigate's) reason for rejecting it, was, because the act of union had rendered the Church of England immutable, and therefore a petition for alterations in the Church was inadmissible. This reason for not receiving the petition was generally exploded. But the petition was argued against from the apprehended necessity of some tests besides the Scriptures, to prevent the church from being a nest of all manner of sectaries and heretics ; from the reasonableness and indeed necessity of every Society's having some rule or center of union. The articles were what the Church of England had adopted for her rule ; and it would be wrong to alter or remove them at the request of so small a number. They were not obliged to subscribe, there was no compulsion upon them, if they did not choose to do it ; they could not say they were injured in not being appointed to preferments to which they had no claim, if they would not comply with the conditions upon which alone they could be granted &c. In favour of the p3tition Sir George Saville distinguished himself by a speech that for seriousness, eloquence, manly sense, and genuine sentiments of liberty exceeded I think anything that I have ever heard. It struck the House exceedingly ; there was a profound silence and a kind of awe upon all present, the whole time he was speaking — I distinguish, saith he, between the Church of God and Christ and the Church of England ; and wherever the Church of England interferes with the Church of Christ, I give the preference to the latter. — The scriptures are the only rule to the Church of Christ. — Adhering to the scriptures is the first principle of Protestantism, or as I choose to pronovmce it Proto/antism : the protestants protested against the exorbitant powers claimed & exercised, and the superstitions and corrup- tions practised hy the church of Rome, under the authority of the pretended Successor of St. Peter: which puts me in mind of a Gentleman, who being once asked, who w^as the first protestant, replied, S' Paul, for he withstood Peter face to face. As for the articles, saith he, which the petitioners protest against ; I speak it with submission to man, but I speak it in the presence of God, some of them in my judgment are unfounded, some of them contrary to reason and scripture, some of them subversive of the genius and design of the gospel. After expressing great concern at the manner in which the petitioners had been treated, he used these expressions — I beseech you ; I become an earnest and humble suppliant to you, by the benevolent spirit of the gospel, by all that is serious : I beseech you by the bowells of Christ, that this affair be treated not as a matter of policy, not as a matter of levity, not as a matter of censoriousness, but as a matter of religion. Afterwards he said. Some Gentlemen are apprehensive, that in case the scriptures are substituted in the room of the articles, it will be the means of admitting to the church a great number of sectaries. Sectaries, Sir ! had it not been for Sectaries, this cause had been tried at Rome. Thank God it is tried here ! APRIL 9-1 1, 1772 223 Some Gentlemen fear that if we lay aside the articles, and place the scrip- tures in their stead, by throwing down all the distinctions we shall admit papists into the Church, and together with them, their religion too. But they forget, that papists are excluded b}' the oath of Supremacy, and by the declara- tion against Transubstantiation, against the invocation of the Virgin Mary and other saints, and against the sacrifice of the mass. And if any other test be needful, let them be made to acknowledge liberty of conscience, and the right of private judgment ; let them abjure persecution. That is a truly protestant test. But can any one seriously think, that encouraging free enquiry and the study of the scriptures will issue in the Romish religion ? When I see a rivu- let flowing to the top of a high rock and requiring a strong engine to force it back again ; then shall I think that freedom of enquiry will be prejudicial to truth; then shall I think that liberty of judgment will be prejudicial to the protestant religion ; then shall I think, that adherence to the scriptures only will lead to Rome. Some Gentlemen talk of raising barriers about the church of God, and of protecting his honour. Language that is astonishing, that is shocking, that almost approaches to blasphemy ! What, man, a poor vile, contemptible reptile, talk of raising barriers about the church of God ! he might as well talk of protecting omnipotence, and raising barriers about his throne. Barriers about the church of God, Sir ! that church which, if there be any veracity in scripture, shall continue forever and against which the gates of hell shall not prevail ! His remarks afterwards upon the enlarged spirit of the gospel and the sufficiency of Scripture, were clear, strong and convincing. The debate cer- tainly made proselytes. Yr. affect. Brother and humble serv' Phil. Furneaux.] 9. Finished writing the lyife of Col. Benjamin Church, to be affixed to the new Edition of his History of the Indian War, called King Philip's War, now printing. He was born 1639 and died at Little Compton Jan^ 17, 17 17/18, Aet. 78. Did not attend Mr. Hopkins' Lecttire. 10. Inspecting the Pre.ss : and writing a I^etter to Rev. Wm Hart, extracting from Dr. Furneaux' s. 11. Received sundry Packages from London, inclosing a long Letter from Mr. Marchant dated Feb. 26 and 27 :' one from Dr. ' The following is an extract from Mr. Marchant's letter : I have not the least doubt, but that Dr. Price was right in his Conjecture, that America is safe & secure from any Bishop, at least at this Bout. The President of New York is here to settle with the famous S' J. G y. It seems the monies collected for the College of N. Y. by Him have not yet been all accounted for. The Pres' is also desirous of obtaining a New Charter for their College giving it the Name & Powers of a Universit)'. But what 224 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Franklin Jail' 13; and one from Mr. Joseph Jennings of Feb. 15, with a Vohnne of Rev. Dr. Lardner's Life &c. wrote by Mr. Jennings.' Mr. Marchant .sent to ni}' Care for the Redwood Library 2 Vohnnes 4'" the Zend Avesta and Vendedad Zade of Zoroaster, translated into french from the Persic by M. Perron printed at Paris Powers a University has that our N. England Colleges have not as Seminaries of Learning necessary for that Purpose I profess I do not w^ell understand. Mv own Suspicion is, that they would be glad to enlarge the narrow bigotted Institution but are ashamed to own that for the true Cause. What the Virginia President is here for, I don't remember to have heard. . . I think you must be mistaken about the ministerial Jew-store, 30 Clerks employed, &c., if you meant litterallj- so. They have Intelligences from secret Quarters undoubtedly, but with such a Staff of Officers, Dependants, and growhng Expectants, there can be no great Occasion of a particular Set of Men for that Purpose. Your Intelligence respecting the Society's withdrawing the Sallary from the Clih. at Newport is most certainly true. ' The letter of Mr. Jennings is, in part, as follows : Rev^ S', It gave me great pleasure to hear from you last Summer by your worthy friend ^P Marchant for the favour of whose acquaintance I am obliged to you ; the last time I had the pleasure of his Company he read me a paragraph in your letter to him expressing your desire of seeing the Memoirs of my late honourd Uncle D'. Lardner, which Volume accompanies this Letter and of which I beg your acceptance, depending on j-our Candour in the perusal and that you wnll make all proper allowance for a Tradesman's undertaking to collect Memoirs of a Man of Letters. The onl}' apolog}^ I can make is that I was the only person in possession of the materials & that when I had put them in order & connected them, some of my friends were so partial as to press me to publish them m3'self. It also fell to my Lot to draw up the Inscription to be cut on his Tomb Stone which you may perhaps like to see and which I therefore copy : — In this Tomb are deposited the Remains of the Rev'^' Nathaniel Lardner, D.D. Author of the 'Credibility of the Gospel History ; Antient Jewish & Heathen Testimonies to the Truth of the Christian Religion, and several smaller Pieces : Monuments of his Learning, Judgment, Candour, Industry, Beneficence & true Piety. He was born at Hawkhurst, in the County of Kent, June 6 : 16S4 : & died on a visit there July 24 : 1768 in the Ssth year of his Age. " An Israelite indeed in whom was no Guile !" I find no encouragement to print the History of the Heretics nor any more Sermons. We have but few reading people left & Sermons except those in the high Calvinistic strain are quite a drug here, the good folks among us distinguishd Ijy the name of Methodists being almost the onl}- readers of Volumes of that kind. I am, Rev'. vS'., your most humble vServ'. Jos : Jennings APRIL 12-18, 1772 225 1 77 1, being a new and valuable Work. He also sent me a little Pamphlet of the Rev. Joseph Priestly IvL.D. in which he vilifies the Doctrines of Original Sin, Election, the Divinity and Satisfac- tion of Christ &.C. — insisting that Jesus Christ was only a Man.^ 12. lyord's day. A.M. I preached on Titus iii, 7. P.M. James i, 22, and propounded Ann Wife of Wm. Rowland for Admission to full Communion in the Church. Read Dr. Gardners L,ife. 13. Reading Magazines & English Prints. Examining the Zend Avesta. 14. Reading Magazines &c. 15. Monthly Meeting of my Chh. at Brother Pollipus Hammonds, when I preached on 2 Pet. i, 10, 11, 12. 16. Yesterday I received from London the two Folio Volumes opera Dionysii Areopagitae, Graec. L,at. . . . This Afternoon I spent at the Redwood Library in Compan}^ with a French Physi- cian from Bretange in Franch educated at a Universit}* in Normandy. Very stormy and Mr. Hopkins had no Lecture. 17. Goodfriday. I went A.M. to the Moravian Church. The Service begun with chaunting or singing a long H^^mn on the Cru- cifixion : then Rev. Mr. Rusmeyer read an Account of the Trial and Crucifixion being a harmon^^ of the Evangelists and chiefly compiled in Scripture Language. It was printed. Then he read the Texts of the Da}^ or two passages one in the Old and the other in New Testament. Then la^'ing aside his Book and still standing, he preached : after an introduction he took, for a sort of Text, the Words of Pilate behold the Man, and preached profitabh' and affect- ingh% present thirty Women and fourteen Men and few Children. The Afternoon Mr. Channing spent with me. Read 150 pages in Dionysius. 18. A.M. I went to the Synagogue, it being 1105 ilDt^ Sab- bath of the Passover. They read in the Lata the passages which give an Account of the Exodus and Institution of the passover ; and also a passage about V" of Joshua concerning Circumcision and rolling away the Reproach of Egypt. Several mentioned over the Names of their dead friends, for whom Prayers were immedi- ately made. Large offerings or Alms were made to probably fourty ^This was no doubt Priestley's tract published anonymously with the follow- ing title : — An Appeal to the serious and candid Professors of Christianity . . By a Lover of the Gospel. 3d edition. London, 1771. 12°. pp. 24. 15 2 20 DIARY OF EZRA STILES dollars as one of the Jews estimated, and I believe true ; for sundry offered Chai Livre i. e. /,"i6 or two Dollars — and I judge Mr. Aaron Lopez offered ten or a dozen of these Chai. I asked one when they should have killed the Pascal Lambs if they had been at Jerusalem ? he replied, too day. But I doubt it ; he was ignorant. 19. Lordsday. A.^L I preached on Prov. viii, 30 and published two Couples for Marriage. P.M. Eph. i, 13, 14. 20. Mr. Hopkins was to see me too day. He tells me he has received Letters from Boston informing that Mr. Bacon has lately preached to his people seven Sermons on Justification by the imputed Righteousness of Christ ; wherein he had greatly offended most of his Congregation and .satisfied none.' Mr. Bacon also wrote Mr. Hopkins a Letter upon it, but not sufficiently .stating the matter for him to judge upon it. 21. On 2'' Inst, died the Rev. Joshua Eaton A.M. Pastor of the Church in Spencer, set. 58, Ministry 28. He was educated and graduated at Harvard College 1735. He studied the Law and settled as a practitioner of it at Worcester for some years. He was always of a serious Disposition, and at length determined to devote himself to the Service of God in the Ministry : and accordingly was ordained in 1774 Pastor of a new Church in Spencer, then a young settlement and I think part of the Town of Leicester. I myself .spent 3 or 4 years in the study and practice of the Law" ; and then settled in the Ministry. 22. Rode wnth my Wife to Bristol. This day at Dighton was ordained Rev. John Smith^ by Rev. Messrs. Tob}^ Thatcher, Brett, Turner, Barnum, neighboring Pastors, and Messrs. Hart and Fuller of Connecticutt. Mr. Hart preached, Mr. Toby the Moderator gave the Charge, Mr. Brett Right hand of Fellowship. 23. Day of Fasting and Prayer in Mr. Burts Congregation in Bristol. I preached A.M. Isai. lix, i, 2. Mr. Hopkins came from Ordination at Dighton (not of the Council) and came into Meeting in the first Prayer, this Forenoon. P.M. He preached Prov. xvii. — Confesseth and forsaketh &c.^He tells me Last Fryday Rev. Mr. Staples' was ordained Pastor of a new church in Westminster, for- merly a part of Canterbury in Connecticutt : difficulties could not ' These sermons are said to liave been the occasion of the proceedings which led to his withdrawal nearly three years later. "Born in Plainfield, Conn.; graduated at Princeton in 1770. ^ John Staples (Princeton 1765). APRIL 19-25, 1772 227 be settled by the Council sooner. As to Dighton — Rev. Mr. Fisher' (the most aged Pastor in New England) was unable to attend. — in his Name, some of the East or old Society came to the Council and represented that the pastor did not concurr. The Council sent a Committee to wait on him. It seems the Church is small, but seven or 8 Brethren — a Division into 2 Churches has been aimed at, but not effected : and Mr. Fisher as pastor conducted all Church Votes. He had led the Church to vote a Call of Mr. Smith, but did not sign the lyCtters missive to call the Council but directed some one else to write. Being treated with respect b)^ the Council he agreed not to obstruct and acquiesced &c. So Mr. Smith is ordained Copas- tor with Mr. Fisher. It is probable he will continue Pastor for the whole Town that he may have his Salary. If there should be two Societies and Churches, this venerable Father will be rather considered as a Minister past the Labours of the Sanctuary, for he is unable to preach. Mr. Hopkins tells me that a Brother of Smith has a Call to settle at Canterbury, under a Union of the Old and New parties or Churches. Also that lately at a Church in South part of Volunton Rev. Mr. Morgan" was ordained by Messrs. Hart, Fuller, &c. Not academic — but pious. 24. Returned from Bristol. 25. Reading the lyondon Prints. The Rev'' and aged Mr. Samuel Maxwell^ of Warren, was at the Fast at Bristol. He was born I ' Nathaniel Fisher (Harvard 1706). See also this Diary, Sept. 8, 1777. '•^ Solomon Morgan was settled in April, 1772, over the Nazareth Church, in what is now Sterling, Conn., and remained until February. 1782. " The following notes are found among Dr. Stiles's collections : — • Rev. Samuel Maxwell, Born in B" Aug. 31, 1688. Ordained at Swanzy, April 18, 1733, by Elder Wheaton, Eld. Comer & Deacon Kingsly. Feb. 1736/7. Preached at Marshfld. & P.M. went with Bapt. to Presb. Meetg. Aug. 6, 1738. Informd. his chh. of his Scruples about the Sabbath. Apr. 5, 1739. Dismissed fr. chh. Swanzy. Sep. 13, 1745. Rec^ Call Chh. Rehoboth & accepted it 25th Inst. Dec. 25. Installed. Ap. 24, 1749. Unwills to baptize those who had been sprinkled. Apr. 4, 1754. lycft chh. Rehob. Janry. 8, 1753. Declares for Psedobaptism. 1761. Adm. Lords Supper at Warren. 1755. Went to Block Isld. 1764 or 5. Supplanted by Mr. Manning. 1769. Preached for E. Stiles & read his Notes. Last Time. Soon after blind. 228 DIARY OF EZRA STILES think i68S. He told me he well knew the famous Grammar School Master Mr. Ezekiel Cheever of Boston, Author of the Accidence: that he wore a long white Beard terminating in a point ; that when he stroked his Beard to the point, it w^as a sign to the Bo3\s to stand clear. This Mr. Cheever was formerly one of the first set- tlers at New Haven, and dwelt there in 1638. In Mr. Maxw^ell I have seen a Man who had been acqviainted with one of the original and first settlers of New England. Now a Rarity ! May, 1770. He dd. me the MvS. [Died in the War about 1776.] INIr. Maxwell never heard that Mr. (John) Miles (of Swanzy) was rebaptized b}' plunging, nor does he believe he was. Mr. Maxw. never knew or heard of a Ruling Elder among Baptists. ]Mr. Maxwell for a while was Sabbatarian, preached a year & half to Sabb. Chh. in Newpt., & baptized several persons at Westerly without Imposit" of hands, & yet neither at Newpt. nor Westerly would the Chhs. let him partake at Lds. Supper, because he not under hands. . . Sep. 6, 1771. Mr. Maxwell's great Age makes him forget. For in a MS. of his own I have before me a Copy (in Mr. Maxwells Writing) of a Letter to Rev. Mr. Turner dated May 23, 1722 & signed by " Ephraim Wheaton Teaching Elder and Henrj' Sweeting Ruling Elder, " . . in the Chh. of Swanzy. Mr. James Maxwell born at Dumfries in Scotland, removed to America, set- tled at Boston, where he died 1720, aet. 85. He had Thirty Children b}^ two Wives. By his first Wife, Margery Crump, he had Twenty-one Children.' She had Twins divers Times & died aet. 38. James | i^^^j^ j-^^^^ ^^ -^^ -^^^^ -^^^ ^^^^ Bach, before Memory, &c. John j ■" Phelice, married Thomas Pellet of Concord & died at Glassenb'y. Susanna, died aet. 17. Children to N" 21 all died in Infancy. Mrs. Maxwell was fifteen years old at Birth of her first Child. After her Death he married Dorcas Stone- of Lexington, by whom he had nine." She died also set. 3S about A. D. 1691. Her children : Dorcas Maxwell, married Tho"* Stratton of Watertown. others Samuel Ma.xwell, b. Sei)t. 168S, from whom I have this Ace" 1764, tetatis 76, who has had 7 children. Of the 30 children only Thret- lived to have issue ; besides these, three lived to grow up but died without marrying. David died a Bo}-, and rest, that is 23, died in Infancy. ' The only ones whose binhs are recorded in Boston are, Sarah, 1666 ; Felex (daughter), 1667 ; Mary, 1673. ' Daughter of David Stone, and born December, 1652. •"• The births of six are on record, viz.: — Dorcas, 1677 ; David, 1679 ; Susanna, 16S1 ; James, 16S4 ; Samuel, 16R6 ; Samuel, 1688. APRIL 26-27, 1772 229 26. Lord's day. A.M. I preached 2 Cor. iii, 18. P.M. Mat. vii, 21. and admitted Ann Rowland Wife of William' a Member in full Communion with the Church 27. Mr. Samuel King is returned from Salem, where he resided the Winter past. He tells me the Total of Men able to bear Arms in Salem is seventeen hundred. Now I judge Newport to contain but Two Thousand Men and Seven Thousand Souls — in 1755 the Whites in Newport were but 5500 Souls. Mr. King .sa3%s that Salem is very rich having above One hundred Tho2isand Steiding at Interest out of the Town of Salem — this must bring Six Thousand Sterling yearl}" Interest into Town." He says Dr. Whitaker ex- communicated Deacon Pickering for contumac}^ ; and the Deacon and Son &c. are gone to Rev. Mr. Barnard's Meeting. In seeking a Collegue for Mr. Barnard his Congregation became divided, about Two Thirds for Mr. Dunbar and one for Mr. Barnard's Son. The latter were so engaged that they determined to form a new Church. Accordingly they offered to sell their pews in the Old Meetinghouse at a high price ; unexpectedly the offer was accepted and the Pews (about twent}^) sold at above 100 Dollars each, to total Amount of about 2500 Dollars. Hereupon the minor part were amicably dis- missed and gathered into a Church about six Weeks past, and have agreed to call and settle young Mr. Barnard \ while the others have called Mr. Dunbar who is to be ordained Collegue with old Mr. Barnard.' Young Mr. Barnard's Party assemble in Dr. Whitaker' s Meeting and assemble with them, the Dr. preaching one part of the Lord's day and Mr. Barnard the other, till the new Meeting- ' William Howland married Ann Sears, Jan. 22, 1768. ' In Dr. Stiles's Itinerary for May, 1761, are preserved the following statistics of Salem : — Main Street built upon i ]i mile ; about 400 Dwelling Houses counted by Mr. King. MEASUREMENTS OF BUII,DINGS. Mr. Barnard's Meeting House ...... 71-49 Town House .... ... 52.29 School House . . . . . , . . 52.22 Mr. Leavits Meeting . . . . . . . 60.48 Mr. Dimans . . . . . . . . 58.38 Chh. ......... 43-34 ^Thomas Barnard, Jr. (Harvard 1766), was settled over the North Church on Jan. 13, 1773. ^ Asa Dunbar (Harvard 1767) was ordained on July 22, 1772. 230 DIARY OF EZRA STILES house be built. Mr. Hopkins' Schoolmaster at Salem has married a Daughter of Mr. Saunders one of Dr. Whitaker's Church and I think an Elder. An offended Part}- have determined to withdraw from Dr. Whitaker and gather another Church and settle Mr. Hop- kins. This is but a small party of perhaps 40 or 50 Families, and will leave a sufficient Congregation to the Doctor, which is now the largest in Town. There are at present three Meetinghouses and one Episcopal Church in Salem, and I think a little Quaker Meet- ing. These with the two new ones forming will make six Congre- gations, besides Quakers : for which at a Medium may be near three Imndred Men each, or abo\-e two hundred Families : unless as in Newport there are manj' of no Religion. 28. Read Macaula}- &c. Rode to East Greenwich. 29. Preached a Eecture in East Greenwich at the Schoolhouse, the Superior Court sitting in the Courthouse. I preached from Titus iii, 7, to about 70 or 80 persons and among the rest was Mr. Champlin a Baptist Preacher. In the Afternoon I rode through Warwick old Town, inquiring the History of the first Mr. Samuel Gorton, and find his moral Character still respected there, though his opinions are not received. I lodged at Widow Green's at Pastuxett.'' 30. Rode to Providence ; visited the Grave of the famous Mr. Roger Williams' (once Pastor of Salem) — there is no inscribed stone or Monument at the Grave. He was buried about ten rods back from the Spring in the main street called W^illiams" Spring to this day ; nigh to which I saw the spot where his House stood. His Grave is on the side of the hill in the lot adjoyning the 14 acre Lot lately purchased by the Congregational Church for a parson- age : it is I .should judge 20 or 25 Rods South East from the Church of England. I rode to Rehoboth, and preached Tit. iii, 7, a sacramental Lecture for Rev. Mr. Rogerson at Palmer's River in Rehoboth. Here I met Rev. Messrs. Townsend and Hide and had a very agreeable Interview. After Lecture I rode to Bristol and lodged at Rev. Mr. Burt's. Here I spent the Evening with Rev. Mr. Leonard of Woodstock. ' Daniel Hopkins (Yale 1758), brother of the Rev. Samuel, of Newport ; the Third or South Church was organized in February, 1775, and he was formally callefl to the pastorate in March, 1776. •Now Pawtuxet, in the town of Cranston. 'See also this Diary, Oct. 6, 1785. APRIL 28-MAY 6, 1772 231 Mav 1. Returned to Newport. Mr. Hopkins preached my Sacra- mentar Lecture Eph. vi. 24. Yesterday Morning at Warwick I conversed with Major James Arnold,' who told me he was ^t. 83, and that he remembered the first Mr. Samuel Gorton of Warwick, that he died when he was a Lad perhaps 15 or 16 years old : and that he was a Man of proper stature neither very large nor small. I saw afterwards another Man at Warwick JEt. between 60 and 70, w^ho told me he knew and remembered the first Samuel Gorton and that he died about 48 or not 50 3-ears ago : this satisfied me that he knew the son onh" and not the Father. I suspect -the same as to Major Arnold.^ 2. Received a Letter from Professor Se^call oi Harv. Coll.' 3. Lordsday. A.M. I published two couples ; — preached on Jn" X, 9, and administered the Lords Supper to 64 Communicants. P.M. 2 Cor. iii, 18, and notified Catechising. 4. At V P.M. I catechised between 50 & 60 Children. 5. In the Evening I married Samuel Pitman, jun. and Rebecca Proud. 6. This day was the General Election at Newport, when the Hon. Joseph IVantoti, Sen. was chosen Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island for the year ensuing ; and Hon. Darius Sessions was chosen Deputy Governor. There was no opposition — but one prox^ going out this j-ear. In the House of Deputies I saw Stephen Hopkins, Esq. formerly Governor of the Colony ; and he could be so still if he pleased. He is Chief Justice of the Superior Court — a man of Penetration and Sagacity and very considerable Acquisitions in those Branches of Knowledge that form the Polititian and Legislator. ' Son of Israel and Mary, of Providence. ■^ The elder Samuel Gorton died in 1677 ; the younger in 1724 : so that Dr. Stiles's suspicion was justified. ■^ A portion of Professor Sewall's letter is as follows : Rev" Sir, I should have endfeavored to have sent yoi; the disputed verse in the Pentateuch by Mr. Channing, notwithstanding his sta}' was very short, had the rigour of the season permitted. It was vacation time, — no fire kept in the Library, — the Polh'glott not permitted to be taken out, & impossible to write there. ••"Prox," the colloquial name in Rhode Island for the ticket, or list of candidates, presented to the people for their votes. 232 DIARY OF EZRA STILES The Rev. Mr. Rusmeyer favored me with the Reading of the Brethrens Accounts. 7. JNIr. Rusmeyer visited me and we had much conversation together. Reading the Journals of the Unitas Fratrum. . . . At- tended Mr. Hopkins' Even^ Lecture at vii o'clock. . . . Received a Letter from Rev. Mr. West of Stockbridge, dated 2 2d April. 8. This Forenoon I was visited by Saimicl Niks an Indian of Xarragansett ^Et. 66. He told me that he was formerly a Com- municant in Mr. Parks Congregational Church in Westerly, where he was baptized by Sprinkling. Here he was dealt with for exhort- ing in the Congregation : upon which he and about a hundred Indians withdrew i. e. the chief body of the Narragansett Tribe which was Christianized. They built a new Meetinghouse 25 feet square : and spontaneously gathered themselves (above twenty Brethren in number) into a Church or agreed to walk together as such. Mr. Stephen Babcock a Deacon of Mr. Parks Church had also separated, and became an Elder among the Separates a mixture of Baptists and Paedobaptists, and was ordained I think by some baptist Elders. There was an Indian from Groton of the Remnants of the Pequot Tribe, who came and preached at Narragansett ; and he was by the Laying of hands of Elder Babcock and others ordained Elder of this Indian Church ; his Name was James Simon or Simon James. But about half a dozen Brethren adhering to him, he and his Adherents met in a private house ; to these he administered Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for 3 or 4 years and then removed. At the same time Samuel Niles carried on in the Meetinghouse ; and at length about 15 Brethren who refused Simon, united and called vSamuel. But as none of even the Separate Elders would ordain him ; the Church chose and appointed three Brethren In- dians to ordain him. They began Exercise in the Meetinghouse about noon and held it till near sunset. The 3 Brethren laid their Hands on Samuel Niles, and one of them viz Wm. 'Choise or Cohoize or Oc-Hoyze prayed over him and gave him the charge of that Flock : during which such a Spirit was outpoured and fell upon them (as he expresses it) that many others of the Congrega- tion prayed aloud and lift up their hearts with pra)^ers and Tears to God. This continued for a long Time above half an hour or nearer an hour ; — the white people present taking this for Confusion were disgusted and went awa>-. Afterwards they sang and were dis- mis.sed. Ever since he has ministered there in holy Things, preach- MAY y-S, 1772 233 zng-, baptizing and breaking bread. He himself was baptized a second Time, and this was by plunging, and I think by an Indian not an Elder. Yet he professes to hold it indifferent : and it was agreed that baptist or paedobaptist principles and practices should be no Term of Communion. Accordingly Samuel baptizes both Infants and Adults, and the latter by Sprinkling or plunging, as any are persuaded in their own Minds. He has now Ninety Indian Communicants in the Church at Narragansett, to whom he breaks Bread once a Month : he breaks Bread also to two other Indian Congregations, one at Groton and another at Mohegan. For though Mr. Occum preaches there and has been long ordained, yet he has not administered the Ordinances since his Fall.' Samuel Niles cannot read. It seems extraordinary that such an one should be a Pastor. He is however acquainted with the Doctrines of the Gospel, and an earnest zealous Man, and perhaps does more good to the Indians than any White Man could do. He is of an un- blameable Life as to Morals and Sobriety. He has \^y great In- fluence over the Indians. I read to him some of the Letters of the Unitas Fratrum from the two Indian Congregations in Greenland — with which he was mightily pleased ; as he never heard of these 2 Churches before. I also gave him an Account of the Sarepta Brethren and the prospect of introducing Christianity among the Kalmuks and Tartars in general, from whom I told him I supposed the American Indians sprang : and for whom I hoped God was about to do great Things. I found it pleased him. To give him a better Idea of Things I took him into my Stud}- and shewed him a terrestrial Globe, which he had never seen before. I told him he might believe the World a Flat if he pleased, I meant only to shew him the general position of Countries. He said of his own accord he believed it was round like a Ball." This day I have studied and been incessantly employed for fourteen hours. ^ Samson Occom, the noted Indian preacher, fell into intemperance in 1769-70. ^The following is extracted from Dr. vStiles's Itinerar}- of Sept. 9, 1772: — Rev. Mr. Parks tells me that Elder Babcock was formerly his Deacon ; and that Sam' Niles, Ind. Minister, was one of his members. That Babcock did not preach or exhort before he left them, nor was disciplined for that. But that he was overbearing and censorious in Chh. Matters, reflecting on Mr. Parks and the Brethren. For this the Chh. talked with him — which he resented, etc. At length he had a Vision and call from Heaven to preach the Gospel (not to 234 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 10. Lord's day. I preached A.M. on John vi, 47. P.M. Ps, Ixxxvi, II. And after Sermon read the public Confession of W. S. Avith a Renewal of his Covenant, and then I baptized his Child.' Also propounded Mrs. Bebee for full Communion. I judge about four hundred or 450 Persons in the Congregation. 1 1 . vSent Letters by Mr. Hopkins to Connecticutt, to Mr. Chauncy W'hittelsey & Dr. Dana. 12. Mr. Russmej-er and his wife were once at Elder Stephen Babcock's in Westerly, and had opportunity of seeing a Baptism by Immer.sion, and the Administration of the Lord's Supper. At the Close of the Sacrament i. e. after the Cup, they all rose up to pray, and besides the Elder man)- others broke out in loud prayer, and enthusiastic Vociferations all together, making the greatest seeming Confusion. Mrs. R. could not endure it and went off, saying they offered strange fire ; and asking whether they thought the Lord was on a Journey at a distance that like BaaV s Priests they eried aloud ; adding that the Lord was not in the Thunder \_]Vhir/iuind'] nor in the Earthquake , but in the small still voice. These Religionists a.sked her, whether there was not some such Appearance when the Spirit came down on the Disciples at Pentecost? Now I know (for I have been an Ear Witness) that the New Light Separatists at Times both in Public Congregations, and in Family Worship, all or many pray aloud together, na}- I have heard (but last 3'ear or lately in Newport) a Man praying aloud and his wife singing aloud in a sort of Concert in the same room and at the same Time. But I little thought they indulged this as an Imitation of Pentecost. 13. B\- the Prints I find that last Ldsdy. Rev. Mr. Bowen^ asked a Dismission from liis Chh. in Boston. . . The Even^ Monthly a particular Chh. ) but to strange Nations. And was ordained an Evangelist general by Sol". Pain, Dr. Sprague of Exeter, Mr. Palmer, etc. Dr. Spragues leather was a Bapt. Elder. — Q. who ordained the Dr.? Mr. Palmer was a pajdobapt at Stonington — at length desired to preach, and applied to N. London .Association of Ministers to be licensed to preach, which they refused — & he then turned Baptist. Inquire who ordained him, for he is called Elder Palmer. Mr. Babcock was not a Baptist at his Ordination — but turned afterwards, and was plunged. Mr. Parks says he lately admitted one into his Chh. who had no other Baptism but among the Separates — being baptized by an Iniian Simon, an Polder ordained among the vSeparates. 'John Way, son of William and Mary (Way) Syms. "Penuel Bowen (Harvard 1762), pastor of the New South Church from 1766. MAY 10-15, 1772 235 Meet^ of the Married people of my Congreg^ at Sqr. Richardson's, where I discoursed on i Jno. ii, 2. 14. Received Dr. Warren's Oration 5th March from Professor Winthrop, bj* Rev'' Mr. Fayerweather. Monthly Chh. Meeting at Mr. Jno. Gary's. I discoursed on i Tlies. ii, 17, 20. . . No Lecture at Mr. Hopkins' Meet^, he being gone to the Election at Hartford in Connecticutt. 15. Mr. Marcy' went away. Dr. Stirling visited me. On Wednesday Evening last I received Letters from Col. Leverett Hubbard and Rev. John Hubbard giving an Account that Father Hubbard" had been .seized with a paralytic Shock, now ^t. 69 ; and also that on 25th April died at New Haven Brother William Abdiel Hubbard.' I weighed and found the Silk only of my wife's black Padusoy QfOv^'xv foiirty one Ounces. Now i pound or 16 ounces of raw silk looses one Quarter in Boiling ont and Coloring, which are done at the same Time, so is 12 ounces. Most colors do not sensibly increase the Weight ; few increase it above one ounce ; except Black which increases a quarter or more, or rather near twice the weight of Washed silk : that is soft or double Black returns 16 oz. for 16 oz. as one side of Satin ; Dounce or dull Black as filling of Satin increases 4 oz. i. e. 16 = 20. So then 40 oz. of black is made of 32 oz. raw silk in Gums, or 24 oz. of boiled and White vSilk. Mr. Green of London, now in Town, who gives me this Information and who has been used to carry raw silk to the Boilers and Dyers, adds this Information further — i. That White silk was died as much as any other Color, viz, smoking it in the Flowers of Sulphur or Brimston and tinging it with Blueing. 2. That Oyls either alone or mixt with Soap or Ley, were so far from recovering or giving a Gloss, that nothing more effectually destroj'ed a gloss. Hence the workmen would some Times knavishly drop a little on the Skeins that they might be useless and be thrown aside, and fall into their own hands. But. 3. The only and real way of giving a brightness or Gloss was by stretching the Skeins with great Force, till the Gloss appeared ; and for this, they had a hook &c. to give a vigorous Strain to the Fibres and a heavy Twist, as they dry it after dying. The Gloss and Colour never given after Weaving. ' Perhaps Hadlock Marcy (Yale 1761), who married Alethea vStiles, first cousin of Dr. vStiles. The diary does not mention his arrival. ■^ Col. John Hubbard, father of Mrs. Stiles, survived until Oct. 30, 1773. ^Born Dec. 15, 1736 ; fifth son and sixth child of Colonel Hubbard. 236 DIARY OF EZRA STILES If they color or die a piece woven, it looses its Gloss ^Yhich can't be recovered : except in the Pressures for Tabby. 4. China have pro- hibited the Exportation of raw silk. 5. There are 200. Thousand Silk Manufactures in London. 6. That none of the Throwsters or Twisters in England can or ever do make Chain ; they twist only for Filling. Indeed for Gauzes and coarser silks they twist for both : — but for a Damask for Instance the Chain of it was never known to be twisted in England. The Chain of all the finer Silks are brought from Italy, and only from Piedmont there, never from India nor the Levant. I observed that the finest Organzine was made of four cocoons to the Thread, and that I covdd not see why this might not be twisted in London as well as elsewhere ; but he persisted in it that it could not be done. — I asked him whether Sul- phur would not bleach Linnen ? He said it was not used : but that some of the vicious Manufacturers used Vitriol to give a sudden White to the outside, and this rotted the Linnen — : that a gentle- man in New York Importer of Irish Linnens had lately lost much Credit on his Linnens in this respect. 16. Received a Packet from Rev. Mr. Zubly of Savanna with his Sermon on Faith Hebr. xi, 6, preached at Charlestown South Caro- lina in which he vindicated the Reformers, Mr. Hervey &c. against Dr. Bellamy, who said that Hervey &€. cannot pj^operly be called Christians. ]Mr. Zubly says Mr. Morgan Edwards of Philadelphia has been there to receive the subscriptions made with Mr. Smith for Rhode I-sland College. Mr. Edwards told him "he embraced the Baptist Principles and entered into the Ministry at the Age of Six- teen " i, e, says Mr. Z. — " at ^Et. 16 he was a very forward young Man, & to become a preacher at once became a Baptist." Mr. Zubly is a Man of wealth, at his own expence he built a Meetingh. at Savanna, which continues his Property, he yearly renting the Pews. 17. Lord's day. A.M. I preached Mat. xxiv, 44. P.M. Rom. X, 12, 13. Read Mr. Zubly's Sermon on Faith. Mr. Miner' a young Candidate preached at Mr. Hopkins' Meeting. At Night I married Robert Carter and Mary Lanaken. 18. Examined R. David Kimchi on 2'' Psalm. 19. \'isited this Morning by Dr. Bellam^-and Mr. Hart who came yesterday with Mr. Hopkins. Received a Letter from Mr. Whittel- ' Thomas Miner (Yale 1769). MAY 16-24, 1772 237 se}' of New Haven. Mr. Bird' has desisted from the Ministrj- at New Haven, and his Church have applied to Rev. Mr. Spencer,^ and on his declining to Rev. Mr. Brainerd.^ This Afternoon rode to Bristol to Convention. 20. Convened at Rev. Mr. Burt's in Bristol the Rhode Island Convention of the Congregational Pastors. Rev. Mr. Rowland of Providence preached the Lecture on Eph. iv, 15, 16 — " ma}- grow up — edifying of itself in Love." He was just two Hours \\\ Sermon, the longest Sermon I ever heard. It was very instructive and entertaining. We voted him our Thanks and to print it.'' We had a very agreeable Interview of Pastors. In the Afternoon I returned to Newport : where were Ministers from abroad — Rev. Mr. Brett Pastor of Freetown, Rev. Mr. Stevens Pastor of Kittery, Rev. Mr. Hart Pastor of Preston, and Mr. Miner a3'oung Candidate, and also Rev. Mr. a Methodist Preacher at Philadelphia one of Mr. Westly's Disciples, this last I did not see as he went immediately to Providence. 21. M}^ kind People had a spinning Match at my House. We had seventy seven Wheels going all da}-, which delivered in at Night 224 fourteen knotted skeins of Linnen ; which they gave us. The}- found Flax and Provisions and sent in Ten pounds of Tea more than used, and Gammons, Sugar, Rice &c. more than we used. The whole innocent, chearful, decent. 22. Dined with the Ministers at Major Otis's : had much conver- sation on Faith &c. and the Pecularities of the new Divinit}-. In the Evening Dr. Bellamy preached a Lecture at Mr. Hopkins' Meeting on i Thess. v, 17, praj- without ceasing. He asserted that it was the D^lty of both regenerate and 2inrege7ierate to pray &c. The Aft. & Evening I spent in Company with Rev. Mr. Stevens. 23. In Company with Mr. Stevens, Dr. Bellamy &c. the Doctor preached for Mr. Maxsen at the Sabbath-day Baptist Meeting P.M. 24. A.M. Dr. Bellamy preached for me on Luke xv, 17. P.M. Rev. Mr. Stevens preached for me on 2 Tinio. i, 10. After Sermon ' Rev. Samuel Bird, the first minister of the church which separated from the First Church, New Haven, in 1742. His dismission from this society in 1768 led to another secession, mainly of his friends, who formed a new church, the pulpit of which he suppHed for sometime. Cf. above, July S, 1771. '^ Elihu Spencer (Yale 1746), of Trenton, N. J. ^ John Brainerd (Yale 1746), of Mount Holly, N. J. ■* This was printed at Providence in 1772 (75 pp.), with title, Catholicism ; or, Christian Charity. 238 DIARY OF EZRA STILES I admitted Elizabeth Bebee Wife of Nathan to full Communion in the Church, and baptized Man- her Infant its Father holding it up. Excessive hot all day, Fahrenheit Thermometer at II" P.M. stood at ninety Degrees. At Vr' Dr. Bellamy preached again at Mr. Hopkins's Meeting on Prov. xv, 8, to a crouded Audience, of 550 or 600 Persons. This Sermon I disliked. 25. Reading Perron's Zend Avesta. Dr. Bellamy and Rev. Mr. Stevens went away. I sent Letters to Dr. Chauncy and Dr. Haven. Conversed with Capt. Balch on disinterested Benevolence. 27. Received a Letter from Mr. Agent Marchant dated in London 17 March. He says — " Since I wrote 3'ou I have had the Happi- ness of being introduced to Mr. Lucas Treasurer of Gu^^'s Hospital — Chairman of the Deputation of the three dissenting Denomina- tions. He is a Gentlemen of an excellent good Character, a great Friend to civil and religious Liberty, and pos.sessed of a ven*- con- siderable Fortune. During my Visit to him Dr. Gibbons, a worthy Dissenting Clergyman came in, and we had a ver}- agreeable &c. " I can certainly inform you, that whatever other Business Dr. Cooper had here, and he had doubtless some — yet Petitions have been presented by him, and the President of Virginia College (Horrox ) to the K—g, the A — ch B^p of Canterbury, the B—p of London, and Lord H — h praying for an Aviericayi Bishop. But their Petition met with no Countenance. The Chairman of the Deputation of Dissenters was notified of the Application b}' a lead- ing Lord in Administration, and informed that although it did not seem a Question but that Episcopalians in America had a Right to a Bishop — yet the real Necessity of it did not appear — and that political Reasons were altogether against it ; and that he might depend upon it such a Measure would not be adopted without the Assent of the Dissenters, if then. — And that it might be depended upon there was not the least Inclination to give Uneasiness to America either in civil or religious Concerns. As to 7'eligious mat- ters I am confident it is true." — An Ofiicer in Bengal writes — " In 1765, when the Prince and Father of Nabobs — shook his awful Brow and said let there be a Monopoly of the Necessaries of Life for the Benefit of my Famih" and Friends, he signed the Death Warrant for Two Millions of his Fellow Creatures. And when he said let the Coin be adulterated, he issued an Order for depopulating Three Thousand Villages ! I speak from Experience and ocular Demonstration. I have known MAY 25-31, 1772 239 Bengal for many years. I have travelled over that Country-, when it was in ReaUt}- the Garden of the World, when the A'illages were large populous and flourishing &c. ' ' Extract London prints Feb. 5, 1772. Remark i. Compact settlements in an}- Countn.-, ma}- be called Cities, A'illages, Towns &c. Thej- are in even,- Coimtr^-, and defined bj- some militar},-, ci\-il, or religious Xame. Thus in Eng- land are Nine Thousand parishes or Church Livings &c. Probably we ma}- rely on this Traveller, that the Region of Bengal now imder English Government contains 3000 lesser Di\-isions. Xow if we deduct 30 or 40 for larger Cities and ver\- populous, the rest maybe estimated at 100 or 150 famihes apiece: and this would give perhaps half a Million Families, imph-ing Two Million Souls. Rem. 2. Under the Disgust against Lord Clive this Officer might represent the Desolation of the late epidemical Sickness and Famine in Bengal greater than the Truth, and consider it as an almost total Depopulation of the Country- ; which he might know (for it is known there ) contained about Two Millions. Rem. 3. Though the English Government in Bengal is perhaps no better than a Usurpation and arbitrary- Tyranny, 5-et I much doubt whether the Monopoly of Food was the onh" Cause of the Famine and Deaths. That it furnished opportunit}- of exhausting vast Treasures is true. But in Fact there was not enough Rice &c. for the people. The populace rose and forced open the Stores : Hunger and Famine in any Country- at a certain desperate Crisis will bring on a \'iolence. which no Army nor T^-ranny could ever suppress. Besides why should the Monopolizers stan'e people ? — they would rejoyce to feed and supply them — it was their season to get Money : to what purpose to keep it till there was another Crop. There were doubtless some Instances of hard hearted Cruelty. But the great thing was. the Staff of Life was cut off. Rem. 4. I expect that this unnatural Government of the East Indies by Europeans, will bring on a most terrible Insurrection, and A'engeance will burst upon the Heads of the Europeans. 2S. Wrote a Letter to Rev. Dr. Chauncy. Attended Mr. Hop- kins Even'^' Lecture. 30. Went to the S\-nagogue -^-ith Mr. Turner. 31. Lord's day. I preached all day on Rom. xiv, 17, 18. The Kingdom of God &c. I published Mr. Belcher &c. Afternoon Sermon being ended I descended from the Pulpit into the Deacons Seat (as I always do for Baptisms) and baptized Peter a negro 240 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Infant Servant of Dr. Bartlett a Connnunicant in my Church ; a negro woman 1 'iolet the Mother held it up : the Master standing in a near pew. Previous to the Administration I read publickly the following Writing, with a particular Address to Dr. Bartlett. "In the antient Covenant established with Abraham God " ordained that, he that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with ''thy J/ofwr must needs be circii»ieised. Gen. xvii, 13. Baptism ' ' succeeds as Seal of the Covenant in the room of Cireumcision ; " and the Subjects of both are the same ; accordingly we read that " Lydia and her Honsehold, Stephanas and his //ouseho/d were bap- " tized. This Child as a Servant of Dr. Bartlett our Brother and "of his Household, is to be baptized on Account of his Master : " whom, on this Occasion, I shall lead to an Engagement used by a " Minister of the Apostolic Age and who w^as ordained by the "Hands of the Apostle Pa?c/, viz, Dionysi2is the Areopagite, w^ho " says, that in administering Baptism to Infaiits, those who assumed "upon them the Care of their Education, made the following "Engagement, — to which you. Sir, will please to attend. Yoji '' engage for this Child, that as it eomes to a Mind capable of under- " standing holy Things, you will by yoiir religious Cotaisels direct and "persuade it, to renounce and keep itself intirely separate from Evil, ' ' to profess our holy /Religion , and to live according to such a profession. "Thus you promise." The Original is not easily rendered into English Words or phrases expressive of the Import in Greek. The Word o/AoAoyo) and 0/i.oA.oyta mean more than the English Word pro- fess, confess, confession. It is like Confessio in Latin con-fateor, talk together. It denotes a Covenant, an Engagement, a mutual Stipulation, ... June. 2. Writing Letters to Father Hubbard, &c. New Haven, to Mother Stiles, Dr. Dana, &c., &c. Visiting. 3. Reading Sir Thomas More's Life. He denied the Ecclesias- tical Supremacy to be in the King (herein he was right) and asserted it to be in the Bishop of Rome (herein he was wrong). He said the Parliament could not make Henry VIII Supreme Head of the Church. He disapproved the Divorce &c. And for this was belieaded. Quere — did he die a Martyr to Christianity. Gov. Hutcliinson asserts the political Supremacy over the English Col- onies in the King and Parliament : suppose he should live to see JUNE 2-5, 1772 241 that point decided in favor of America as effectually as &c. at the Reformation ; and should be called in Question by his Country for advising endeavoring the Introduction of a foreign Jurisdiction ; what could he sa}- more than Sir Thomas More ? — Meeting of mar- ried people at Mr. Morse's, I preached i Tim. ii, 4, 5, 6. [Before this, Rev. Mr. Wheeler came to Town to settle in Church School.] 4. Reading Mr. Edwards' History of the American Baptists Vol. ist 12'"" printed 1770 at Philadelphia. I am told that Mr. Bordman' a young Preacher among the Westlean Methodists about 28 years of Age came from England to Philadelphia a 3'ear or two agone. He passed through Newport last Week via Providence for Boston. Mr. Pemberton this Week from Boston tells me this Gen- tlemen made Application to the Boston pastors for Ordination. It seems the Westleians have no ordained Ministers among them but Mr. Westh^ himself and yet they are accounted a Body one hun- dred. Thousand. They form separate Assemblies, but receive the Ordinances of Baptism and Eord's Supper at their respective parish Churches. They have man}- preachers, and they now want ordina- tion. The English Bishops refuse to ordain them. IVestly dont approve of applying to the Dis.senters for Ordination. But Mr. Kelly (wdio is acquainted with him) sa3-s that this Mr. Pilmer wants to be disconnected from Westly and set up for himself, and that he is a serious popular preacher. — Attended Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture. The Rev. Mr. Colton^ of Bolton in Connecticutt preached on Acts xxiv, 25,— Felix trembled. 5. Reading Edwards' Materials for Histor}- of the Baptists. Mr. Kelly tells me that the Rev. Mr. Davis' Pastor of 2^* Baptist Church in Boston, a j^oung Man, is lately become blind. He has been confined the Winter past with the Gout, which at length shifted and settled in his head, and has unhappily taken awa}' his sight. He has preached at his own house, but intends to lay down his pastoral Office. He is a sensible Man, had an academic Education in the College of Philadelphia. ^ Dr. stiles first wrote this name as Pihner ; and later in the paragraph has preserved that form ; but the person meant is Richard Boardman, who returned to England about eighteen months later. See below, June 24, and Sprague's Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, vii, 8-1 1. - George Colton (Yale 1756). ^ See below, Feb. 20, 1773. 16 242 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 6. Examining Passages in Dion^'sius and Irenaeus. Went to the S}-nagogue with Mr. Colton and his Wife. Fasciculi of various Flowers were fastened about the Candles and on different Parts of the Svnagogue, to morrow Evening being Pentecost. 7. Lord's day. A.M. Rev. Mr. Geo. Colton preached on Rev. vi, i-] . great day — We dined at Mr. Chesebro's, and after Dinner prayed with his Xegro Servant Portsmouth sick of a Dropsy. P.M. I preached on Acts xxiv, 25, an old sermon. 8. Reading Edwards' History of the Baptists and finished it. Also Reading Dionysius de divinis Nominibus. Had much Dis- course with Mr. Hopkins on knowing God, personal Identit}-, and the Prayers of the Unregenerate : on all wiiich we think somewhat differently. This day is Pentecost, and yesterday was Wliitsunda3\ This P.M. I catechised 64 Children. 9. I have had great delight this daj^ in meditating on Exod. xxxiii, 19, and xxxiv, 6, compared with Romans viii, 18. . . . 10. East Evening I married Mr. Joseph Belcher, Jr. and .Miss Cahoone. At Dartmouth College May 20, 1771, Rev. Messrs. David McC/euer 2i\\6. Levi Fn'sbi {hoth. educated b}' Dr. Wheelock) were ordained to the Ministry with a special View to a Mission among the Indians at Muskinghavi beyond the Ohio, about 800 Miles off, where a remarkable Door is opened for the Gospel. 1 1 . Translated Ire^iaetis' Letter to Victor concerning Easter, and sent it to Mr. Rowland of Providence, he not having the Original by him. . . . This Afternoon I attended the Funeral of Mrs. Mowat : And Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture at VII'' he preached Ephes. iv, 18. The Gaspee Skooner was burnt off against War- wick yesterday Morning about II'' and the Captain wounded." 12. Searching Eusebius concerning Easter. Attended Friends General Meeting, heard aged Peter Davis speak, set. 80, &c. 13. Rev. Atherton Wales of Manshfield came. 14. Lord's day. A.M. Mr. Wales preached on Ps. xxxvi, 2, an excellent Sermon. P.M. I preached an old Sermon 2 Pet. iii, 11, and baptized two infant.s — one of which belonged to Mr. Hopkins' Meeting ; the Father a Quaker, yet consenting his Wife .should ' The schooner Gaspee had been stationed in Narragausett Bay to enforce the revenue acts, and the commander had made himself obnoxious by his ofTiciousness. On this occasion the vessel ran aground while chasing a sloop, and was destroyed by a party of patriot volunteers from Providence. See Arnold's Hist, of R. /., i, 309—14, 318—20, JUNE 6-15, 1772 243 ha^-e the Children baptized : She had owned the Covenant but was not in full Communion, though had had 4 or 5 Children baptized before and is of good Life. I baptized it upon condition she wovild not leave Mr. Hopkins' Meeting. It would be curious to consider a Platonist under several views as I . Plato himself and his Disciples still continuing in Idolatry : this we may see in Nonius, Plotinus &c. 2. One become a Jew, or one being a Jew yet instituted also in Platonism. This we are said to have in Philo. However I differ from the whole learned world and suppose that Philo received nothing from Plato, but took all his supposed Platonism from the Caballa. 3. A platonic philosopher converted to Christianity. This we have in Dionysms the Areopa- gite, Justin Martyr, Clemens Ale xandr inns &c. If they were not particularl}' platonists 3'et they were philosophers, who imbibed the most important Principles of Platonists. 4. One converted to Mahometism Now I think it most natural to consider Dionysius particularly as an Athenian Philosopher, after his Con- version, retaining the philosophic Language in speaking Gospel Truths, as the Jewish Christians spake of them in Hebraisms, and Converts of ever}' nation in the Idioms of their respective Lan- guages. The Moravians on the Volga are learning the Kalmuck and Tangut Language and the phrases in which they express spiritual Ideas concerning God, Angels, Religion, that the}' may communicate Christian Truths in their oriental phraseolog}'. The Language of the American Indians expresses the Gospel in a very peculiar Manner. A Platonist would talk of Christianity in a different Manner from a Jew. Hence the Peculiarity of Dionysius and his Master Hierotheos. He calls the Svni in the Firmament T7/S ayaOoTTjTo^ 6€ianien.] 19. Reading ISIr. Leaming's 2'' Defence of Episcopal Church Government printed 1770 in Answer to Mr. Wells.' A trifling Thing ! 20. Reading the Baptist Piece ' ' The Spirit of Liberty ' ' but chiefly on the Baptist Controversy, and a piece of Railing against three quarters even of the Baptists and all other Sects. Among others he speaks of Mr. Jl^rsf/j'. Of whom the Author says — " My Thoughts of Mr. JVes/cy as a Gentleman and as a Scholar are ver}- respectable, and what he is worthy of, — //^a/ he is a Man of surprizing parts, a great Historian, and is as enteiprizing as he is great, , — but as to Mr. Wesley being a Christian, I dare not, Theophilus, attempt to deceive him or 3'ou in thinking so " Methinks here is a little Uncharitableness ! I have no Idea of Mr. Westly's being a great Genius, Scholar or Divine. 21. Lord.sday. I preached. . . Reading Origens Homilies. 23. Last Evening I rec'' Letter dated 12"' Inst, from Dr. Dana, who says, — "Dr. Bellamy has at length given out at Litchfield South Farms \ and after five Consociations , the parties have now shaken hands and agreed to practice on their original plan," — -which Dr. Bellamy calls the half zvay Covenant. Mr. Kelly tells me the Author of the Baptist ^^■^\\v^\i\(i.\. funius jioiior, is Rev. Mr. Allen now at New York — he was a Baptist Minister in England who differed from and with all his Brethren the Baptists there, finding ' Hy the Rev. Jcreniiali Iveaniiiig (Yale 1745) in answer to the Rev. Noah Welles (Yale 1741). ' See above, Nov. 12, 1771, and Jan. i, 1772. JUNE 16-24, 1772 245 fault with all : he came over this Spring to New York and is quarrelling with Mr. Gano and the Baptists there. Mr. Gano asked him for Testimonials, he said he had none but what he carried in himself and this Book which he said was a sufficient Recommendation of him. 24. Wednesday loth Inst. Rev. John Keep' was ordained Pastor of the Church of Sheffield. Rev. Mr. Strong of New Malbro' began with pra3'er ; Rev. Stephen Williams of Springfield preached Exod. XXV, 8 ; Rev. Mr. Farrand of Canaan made the ordainmg prayer ; Rev. Mr. Bidwell of Tyrringham gave the Charge ; Rev. Mr. Allen of Pittsfield gave the Right Hand, and Rev. Mr. Collins of Lanesborough made the concluding prayer. The ordination of Messrs. Cleuer and Fri.sb}- May 20 (see June 10) was performed thus — ^" Rev. Mr. Noble made the introductory prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Olcott the prayer before Sermon ; the Rev. Dr. Wheelock preached a pertinent Sermon from ]Matt. xxiv, 45, and gave the Charge ; the Rev. Mr. Powers made the praj'er be- fore, and the Rev. Mr. Burroughs after the Charge ; and the Rev. Mr. Welman gave the Right Hand of Fellowship," — concluded with an Anthem sung by the Students. Mr. Kelly tells me that, not Mr. Pilmore, but Mr. Boardman was the Methodist Preacher who lateh* went to Boston, and on his Return preached a Lecture last Thursday Evening at Mr. Kellys. I asked him [Mr. Kelly] about the Application to the Boston Minis- ters for Ordination. He said he talked with him about it, and Mr. Bordman told him that he was not seeking for Ordination himself, but was urged by Dr. Alison of Philadelphia to apply to New England for it ; and accordingh' Dr. Alison gave him two open Letters, which he was to seal and u.se or not as he pleased ; one to Dr. Chaunc}' of Boston, and another to me : but that it was not a Thing he was sollicitous about, or would press on any. He did not deliver the Letter to me. He sailed for New York friday Morning. Mr. a Northampton Man visited me last Evening. He says Mr. Hooker's^ Congregation is near three hundred Families, and not one but upholds dail}- family prayer, and asking a Blessing at Table. Monthly Meeting of the Communicants at Brother Otis's, when I preached on Cant. viii. 5. Next to be at Sister ' Yale Coll. 1769. ^ Rev. John Hooker (Yale 1751) was settled at Northampton, Mass., from 1753 to 1777. 246 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Davenport's 15th July. — When Mr. Wales was here he told me, that soon upon his Settling a wealthy Member of his Church took offence at New singing' — by himself, called Ten Councils — got no Satisfaction — and has now gone over to Church of England. 25. Received a Letter dated 23'^ Inst, from the Rev. Mr. Whittel- sey of New Haven, with the Account of his Ordination there March i, 1758 Copastor with Rev. Jos. Noyes, by Rev. Messrs. Samuel Hall, Isaac Stiles, Jonathan Merick, Theo. Hall, Samuel Whittel-sey, Jonathan Todd, Nathan Birdsy, Benjamin Woodbridge, and aged Pastor Mr. Noyes. Mr. Samuel Whittelsey preached, Mr. Hall (Samuel) Moderator made the ordaining Prayer and gave the Charge, Mr. Stiles gave the Right Hand. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins' Evening Eecture. 27. Reading Origen. 28. Lord's Day. I preached . . and appointed the Lds Sup- per next Ldsday, & a preparatory Lecture on Friday at V' P. M. 29. Mr. Wilson the first Minister of Boston, Mr. Davenport first Minister of New Haven, Mr. Cobbet of Lyn and Ipswitch, Mr. Thatcher first Minister of Boston Old South, and sundry others, were ordained twice in New England by Imposition of hands. It seems to have been superfluous. But I find a similar Instance in the primitive Church at Jerusalem, and an Instance of Collegue Bishops or Copastors. 30. Reading Eusebius. July. 1. Religious Meeting of the married people at Mr. Davenport's. Mr. Hopkins went with me and made the first pra3'er. I preached. 2. Attended Mr. Hopkins Even*? Lecture . . . An Excessive hot day. Therm" 91 at Noon. 3. Mr. Kelly preached my Lecture John iii, 14, 15. A good Sermon. Son Isaac broke out with the Measles. 4. Visited by Mr. Pemberton. A long Conversation. 5. Lord's day. A.M. I preached on Luke xxiv, 35, 36, and administered the Lord's Supper to 66 Communicants. P.M. 2 Thess. iii, i. At VT' Mr. Hopkins held an Exposition on the shorter Catechism in his Meetinghouse, as some time past. But I have not yet attended it ; it interfering with my Family Devotions &c. which I always have on Lord's days just before Sunset. ' Singing by note (or by rule), introduced into New England about 1720-30. JUNE 25-JULY 10, 1772 247 6. A new Meetinghouse for Elder Dawson was raised this day at the North End of the Town, a little East of the Tree of Eiberty, about 30 or 35 feet square. 7. At V P.M. I catechised 15 Boys 30 Girls and 3 Negroes, Total 48. Many Children of the Congregation sick with the Measles. Rev. Mess''' Hopkins & Rusmeyer at my house. Mr. Rusmeyer left with me Congreg^ Accounts. 9. The Church under Mr. Hopkins have determined to joyn with Mr. Vinal' in calling in an ecclesiastical Council to advise them on the mutual Accusations of Mr. Vinal and the Church There was a ver^- great Aurora Borealis between IX and X last Night. Not red but white, the luminous Pillars or Corruscations reached within ten degrees of the Zenith, some arose from the North East some from North West, but mosth' from under the Pole, ascending a little East of the Pole Star near to Alpha Lyrae. But the most remarkable Thing was this, Sheets of Light ascended from the Northern Horizon in frequent quick Successions, rising aloft like luminous Vapour or thin white cloud, passing 40 or fifty Degrees in a second or two of Time. These sheets were 60 or 80 degrees long and 20 or 25 degrees broad, and flowed upward with amazing Velocity'. I never saw such a phsenomenon before. This Afternoon I visited Mr. Rusmeyer. He shewed or related to me some of the Brethren' s Usages. None but baptized persons are admitted to Co7igregation Meetings for reading Accounts &c. The Minister speaks with them, and finding suitable dispositions, says at a Meeting A B by name is admitted, and so they sing a Eiturgy or Y{.yvau. When a Communicant is admitted, it is also done by the Minister (sine Suffragiis) b}" Imposition of Hands of the Minister who blesses the person in the name of the Lord, by a Kiss, and by a Liturgy or Hymn ; — if the person be a Brother : — if a Sister, it is performed by the Deaconess or Eldress (who at present is Mrs. Rusmeyer) who lays on hands, blesses, and salutes with a Kiss. Then they sit down together to the Lord's Supper ; which is once in two Months and alwaj-s on Saturday Evening. I attended Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture, he preached i Cor. iii, 6, 7. 10. Reading Origen contra Celsum. I have Eighty Communi- cants in my Church, of which seven are Negroes. I directed the Negroes to come to me this Evening ; when three Negro Brethren ^Rev. Wm. Vinal, Mr. Hopkins's predecessor in office. See this Diary, May 18, 1770, and Oct. 25, 1773. 248 DIARY OF EZRA STILES and three Negro Sisters met in my Study. I discoursed with them on the great Things of the divine Life and eternal Salvation — counselling and encouraging and earnestly pressing upon them to make their Calling and Election sure, and to walk worthy of their liolv profession, and especially to maintain a daily Intercourse with heaven in holy duties and divine Contemplation on the Love of Christ. Then we all fell upon our Knees together, and I poured out fervent Supplications at the Throne of Grace imploring the divine Blessing upon us, and commending ourselves to the hoi}" Keeping of the Most High. We seemed to have the delightful presence of Jesus. II.. . . I find in the Connecticutt prints that June 24 past Rev. Thos. Brockway' was ordained Pastor of the vSecond Church in Lebanon late imder Dr. Wheelock's pastoral Care. And I am told that in June also was ordained at Pequonock Parish in Windsor Rev. Mr. Foster not of Academic Education. 12. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached 2 Cor. v, 8, 9. P.M. Jno. xiv, 21. 14. This day my Wife is 41 years old. Rode out seven Miles upon the Island to Mr. McCorrie's and baptized his Infant Son Andrew. This day I was visited by Mr. Samuel Kennedy a licensed Candidate from the North of Ireland. He has been in America about a year and half, and has been preaching to an united Congregation on Susquehanna near Juniata River. Those Congre- gations have lateh' withdrawn from the Jurisdiction of the Presb}"- tery of Donnegal and the Synods of New York and Philadelphia. He brought with him a Call signed by 108 Men of the Congrega- tion engaging a Salary of ^100. a year. And came to ask Ordina- tion among the New England Pastors. He brought a Letter to me from the Rev. Mr. Ewing of Philadelphia dated 7*'' Inst, recom- mending him for Ordination. He brought ample Testimonials from the Presbytery of Dinimore in Ireland. This Church is chiefly of the Old Side, and desired to be annexed to Philadelphia 2'' Presby- tery. But the late Synod refused their Request. Upon which they withdrew from the Synodal Jurisdiction. It seems the Synod have a \' ote or Regulation that a Minister shall be ordained by none but the Presbytery to which the Congregation belong. Hence said 2^* Presbytery cannot consistently ordain Mr. Kennedy : and he does not cluise to be connected with or under the Jurisdiction of Donegal 'Yale Coll. 1768. '■' Dau Foster, became a Universalist. JULY II-16, 1772 249 Presbytery. There may be 130 Ministers of the Synod, of which perhaps 100 or more are of the New Side, and 20 or 30 of the Old. And the New outvote the Old, and are endeavoring to break them up. A Petition was brought into Synod last Session from some of Dunegal Presbytery to divide the 2'' Presbytery of Philadelphia and put some of the Ministers to Donegal, and swallow up the rest in Philadelphia first Presbytery. This was offensive to Dr. Alison, Mr. Ewen &c. of said 2'' Presbytery. Hinc illae Lacrymge ! Dr. Witherspoon (to whom Mr. Ewing is a great Enemy) is at the Head of the New Side, which is the largest party. Mr. Kennedy is a Presbyterian and would gladly joyn the Old Side, and be received into Philadelphia 2'' Presbytery with Dr. Alison &c. But the Presbyteries cannot receive a Member without the Concurrence of the Synod. And the Synod refuse to put Juniata under Phila- delphia and remove it from the Jurisdiction of Donegal. I dont find that Mr. Kenned}^ has applied to or been refused by the Synod. But under all these Circumstances, he chuses to remain unconnected with the Synod : and so is seeking Ordination elsewhere. 15 In the Evening had Church monthly Meeting, Mr. Kenned}^ present, but I could not persuade him to preach. I discoursed upon i Cor. i, 18. Elder Thurston came in and sat with us Mrs. Todd of New Haven Church was at Meeting with us. I find by the prints that Monday 6*'' Inst. Rev. William Gordon was installed Pastor of the third Church in Roxbury. He was formerly 13 years Pastor of a Dissenting Church in Ipswitch in England, afterwards several years Pastor and Successor in Dr. Jen- nings' Church in Eondon ; and came over to America 1770, to live and die with the Puritans in New England. He is an excellent Man. 16. This day Mr. Kenned}^ returned for Pensylvania, without Ordination.' I thought Mr. Burt and Mr. Townsend &c. would chuse to take Time for Consideration before they could be prevailed on to joyn in ordaining him ; and so I advised him to make no further Application least it should be fruitless. Dr. Alison's Congregation in Philadelphia some few years ago built a Meetinghouse on Societ}' Hill, and became two Congrega- tions, though but one Church (as in New York), the Meetinghouse belonging to the Congregations joyntly :— the Ministers being Min- isters of both without distinction, Dr. Alison and Mr. Ewing alter- nately preaching in both each Sabbath. It belonged to the second ^ No one of this name appears to have entered the Presbj-terian ministry. 250 DIARY OF F.ZRA STILES Presbytery of Philadelphia. A few years since the joynt Congrega- tions called Mr. Akin' to the Ministry and the said Presbytery fixt him there : and the Congregation in this new Meeting seemed to be a distinct Church, though I am not informed that it was. For Reasons Mr. Akin has been removed. And the people of that new Congregation (through persuasions of the New Side) have been prevailed upon to detach themselves and act separately from Mr. Ewings stated Congregation, and give a Call to Rev. Mr. Dufl&eld* of near Susquahanna, and ai)plied to said second Presbytery of which Pr. Alison and Mr. Ewing are principal Members to translate Mr. Duffield. or to concur in applying to the S^'nod for that purpose. The Presbytery, partly because Mr. Duffield was new side, and partly because both Congregations being joynt proprietors in the Meetinghouse it was judged unjust to obtrude a Minister contrary to the Con.sent of one half the proprietors, refused to concur. Upon which the new Congregation applied to the last vSynod which sat at Philadelphia this year, and asked them to enforce the Call and remove and settle Mr. Duffield among them. — The Synod accord- ingly approved the Call : which has given great Offence to Mr. Ewing &c. This has been effected very much through the Influence of Dr. Witherspoon ; who upon his coming to America in 176- did not meet with the most Cordial Reception from Dr. Alison and Mr. Ewing. And it is thought that Dr. Witherspoon takes pleasure in abolishing the Importance and Influence of Alison and Ewing ; and their old side Connexions ; and for this Reason falls in with and improves the New Side Party. I wrote Letters to Dr. Alison, Mr. Ewing, & Professor Davison, all in Philad'', by Mr. Kennedy, who left me this da}-. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture. 17. M}- daughter Betsey had the IMeasles in 1759, and we tho't Ezra also, being then a sucking child six weeks old & then had some Eruption, with one days sickness. However yesterda}' he unexpectedly broke out ; and we have now five down with the Measles, Ezra, Kezia, Emilia, Ruth, & Mary, that is, all the Chil- dren, except Betsy & Isaac who had them. 19. Lord's day. I preached A.M. on 2 Cor. iv, 3, 4, and P.M. on Prov. viii, 17 and 32 to young Children: Samuel Hatch, aet. i^/z being drmvned a Week ago. Read in Zinzendorf's Maxims &c. 'vSamuel Kakin (Princetou Coll. 1763). '■'George Duffield (Princetou 1752), of Carlisle, Pa. JULY 17-21, 1772 251 20. Last Evening I received a Letter from London dated Ma}' 14, wherein Mr. Marchant informs me that he had gotten the raio silk, we raised and sent over to him, manufactured, and that the Silk Man a Capital Man in the Business said — "your Silk was of the best kind he ever had ; much better than the Philadelphia Silk which he used for the Shute only — the zchole icarp is of your ozvn, which is always of the best Silk. He was surprized to find it so well wound off by a person untutored in the Art, for those little parcels which appeared like mere Snarls, all wound very well and with little Wast." I sent home about 21 Ounces and desired Mr. Marchant to buy some raw Philadelphia Silk if a few ounces were wanting, that the whole might be American Manufacture. The most of that I sent was wound at Charlestown and Philadelphia by European Winders but the little parcells were wound by my Wife seven years ago, and b}' much handling became snarled, yet was well wound according to the Italian manner. Mr. Marchant says — " I dined a few days ago with your Friend Mr. Saj-er in Companj^ with Mr. Lee. And spent most of the Evening with the celebrated Mrs. Macaule}',^ I had the pleasure of saluting that matchless spirited Lady. She talked with pleasure of the two Commonwealths of Rhode Island and Connecticutt, and was surprized that amidst such Havock and Slaughter of Liberties and Privileges, there should at this da}^ exist two such free States. She earnestly hopes we shall preserve them to the latest Times. She expressed a Desire of seeing our Charter, and I have sent her the volume of our Colon}^ Statutes &c. — I sent her also 3-our Sermon on the Christian Union, for which she sent me a Card of Thanks. She very politely invited me to call upon her again, which I purpose to do. She is in a very infirm State of Health through long Confine- ment in her studies. But her Spirit rouses and flashes like Lightning Kpon the Subject of Liberty, and upon the Reflexion of any Thing noble and generous — she speaks luidaunted and freely lets forth her Soul — and disdains a cozvardly Tongue or Pen.'' This day the Committee of the Congregation began to shingle our Meetinghouse. The old Shingles have lain on ever since it was first built 38 years ago. The present new ones are so much better than the old (however very good) that the\- will sustain the weather 50 years to come. 21. Riding out 2 or 3 miles on the Island in a Chaise, I .sat reading ' Catharine Macaulay — see below, Oct. 19, 1772. 252 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS in a little pocket ^'olume (Edwards' Hist, of Bapt.) small print black Letter, in Sunshine. At length the Letters on the page directly before my eyes all appeared red as if printed with red Ink. I instantly supposed it arose from the Contraction of the Pupil by Abundance of Light, or some Effect on the Chrystalline Humor of the Eve, so that the Pencil of Rays reaching the Retina consisted of those of the least Refraction or of the red rays only ; or that though the black Letters absorbed the most of the rays, yet in an abund- ance of rays the surface of the letter was such as to reflect some as well as transmit or absorb others. And thus I rode on reading as we went, but I perceived my E^'es to be pained, and I seldom read riding, or abroad. I observed the other lying oblique to ni}" Ej'e was still black but turning it down it became also red. I recollect that I went to Church on Christmas about 1762, and coming out of the Snow and sitting in pew before the pulpit and looking stedfasth^ at the Minister I observed the Cushion and Hanging around the Desk to appear ^;y^?z / which I wondered at, as I knew they were of red J ' civet. I viewed it again and again and indeed pretty con- stantly while at Church — (thinking with myself that the effect of luminous' Snow on the pupil was the occasion of it) and remarked that the green Color continued perhaps a quarter or half an hour — then the red returned and the Cushion looked as it used to do. By Xoon to day the workmen finished shingling the South Side of the ^^eetinghouse which is 42 feet by 60. This afternoon I received a Letter from Dr. Rodgers of New York dated July 13. Inst, together with a packet of Pamphlets, Mr. Brown of Edinburgh his vSermon before the Societ}^ for Christian Knowledge 1769: and Dr. Oswalds before the same 1770; and also a Tract of Abram Jagel the So7i of Hananiah Entituled, Good Doctrine, lately translated by a Jew in New York, — and a printed Pastoral Letter of the Synods of New York and Philadelphia dated May 26, 1772 to the Churches under their Care. This evening I baptized Thomas son of Samuel Weedon and Abigail his Wife, a Child of two years old dangerously sick. The Father has been in doubt as to Infant Baptism, and the Mother originally a Baptist, though of late both usually attend my Meeting and are both of sober Lives, but -both unbaptized. Both expressed their desire that the Child might be baptized. His Sister lived with liim Widow Davis a Member of my Church, and now present, with anotlier Sister of the Church. I asked both parents, if they con- JULY 22-25, 1772 253 sented z.\\<\. freely gave it up to their Sister, so far that she should have the Command of its religious Education, if it should live? They both freely consented. Then I turned to Mrs. Davis and asked her, whether she freely adopted and accepted this Child for her own, and promised if God should spare its Life to bring it up in the Knowledge and Fear of the Lord, and as her own now gave it up to God, and desired baptism for it? She signified her free Assent. Then I made a Prayer, and baptised it in the name of the Trinit}', and then commended it to the divine Blessing in a finishing pra^'er. There were many persons and Children present in the Room during the whole Time of ni}- discoursing with the parents on the Nature of the Ordinance, and the Administration of it ; and though some of them were Baptists, I thought they seemed to be seriously affected with the Solemnity' of the Transaction. 22. Mr. Michael Todd here. 23. Rode with Company out upon the Island to an Entertainment. Attended Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture, he preached on Rom. x, 13. In the Evening Rev Samuel West' the learned Pa.stor of the Church at Dartmouth visited me, and lodged. We sat up till after Midnight discoursing. He is writing a piece on Liberty against President Edwards' Scheme. 24. This forenoon Mr. West went away. He objected against inferring a Trinit}^ from the plural Names of God in Scripture. . . 25. Rev''. James Lockwood A.M. died 20th Inst. ^Et. 58. He was born at Norwalk, graduated at Yale College 1735, was Tutor of that College. Ordained Pastor of the Church in Weathersfield Feb. 28, 1738 9 and continued in the ministr}- there ever since. He was a Man of little Stature ; a good Classic Scholar, and ingenious in Mathematics and Philosophy. Of a polite Taste, a ready Elocu- tion, and performed the office of the Ministry in the House of God and among his People with good Acceptance. He was a Man of Caution and Prudence and avoided intermeddling deeply in any of the religious Controversies. This Caution and Wisdom together with the goodness of his public performances, made the World think him a deeper and greater Man than he reall}' was. He was a pretty, ingenious Man ; not a great Man, neither in intellectual powers, or Acquirements. He was formed for usefulness, and was an honor to the Ministry'. He was a Calvinist ; and more lately ' Born 1730, graduated at Harvard 1754 ; an intimate friend and correspondent of Dr. Stiles. In later life he was classed as a Unitarian. 254 DIARY OF EZRA STILES has been supposed to incline to the Xew Divinit}- — his Brother Rev. Mr. Lockwood of Andover being fully in it. He was a Gentleman of sober Deportment, carrying rather a grave Severity in his Coun- tenance, and >-et far from Moroseness : there was Vivacity' in his manner ; his chearfulness was regulated with Prudence and Cir- cumspection. He was one of those of good natural powers, who through proper Cultivation soon come to Maturity. Besides the Academic Sciences, he applied to Systematic Theology ; and Ridgly and [fWfl'rfl' contained all his Knowledge this Wa)- . He soon laid in a stock from these and a few such Authors which he spent upon all his Life : and I am inclined to suppose he was as great a Divine at the age of 30, as at his Death. I was intimately acquainted with him 24 years ago, and occasionally all along since. He spent his Labors in a large parish of perhaps 300 Families, who are said to be as well instructed in Religion as any Church in Connecticutt. He has had the prudence to lead that Flock in great Peace and Love through his Ministry. He preached and printed two Election Sermons (which I heard him deliver) in 1754 and 1759. He printed a Sermon on the Death of Rector Williams, and perhaps some others. In 1737 he was chosen Tutor oi Yale College, in the Room of my Uncle Rev. Abel Stiles settled at Woodstock. [About 1758 he was chosen President of Jersey College but declined.] In 1760 he was cho.sen one of the Corporation of Yale College, in which are Ten Fell on.' s : [and 1767 was elected President of Yale College but declined it.] A Jew spent the afternoon with me. ... At Circumcision the}" have one Godfather & one Godmother, avaSoxoi, Prsesentatores ; the real Father maj- be God-father. But most usually some near Rela- tion is desired, & they are fond of it as an honor done them — as persons are fond of being invited as Guests or Bridemen at Wed- dings. Their office is this : the Godmother brings the Infant in her Arms to the Door of the Room in which the Circumcision is performed, or door of the Synagogue if it be done there ; & delivers it to the Godfather, who receives & holds it during the Operation, & then carries it back & delivers it to the Godmother waiting at the Door. Neither they nor the Parents (& the Father is present) make any promises about educating the Child : yet in ca.se the parent dies, the Godfathers have some special care of Minors. At the time of the Operation the Godfather makes sundry offerings, & that for the Child is sometimes very large. Hence poor people are JULY 25, 1772 255 fond of having rich Godfathers, & so the rich are sometimes greatly burdened. To remedy' this in the Sjaiagogues in London, a num- ber of rich Jews are associated for this purpose, to stand for an}^ & all the poor children, so that when a poor child is born one of the Associates according to a Lot drawn stands. I asked whether the Original of Godfathers might not be that they shd. stand as Wit- nesses of Circumcision? He replied, he tho't not, for there always were eno" present at the Ceremony for Witnesses. He said the Day of Circumcision, the Name of the Child, & the Names of the Godfather & Godmother, were recorded & kept. But he said it might be done without, for Moses a parent circumcised his own child & this without Godfather, &c. A circumciser .... seldom circumcised his own child. An}' one might circumcise. It was not a part of the Office of Priests or Levites — neither was there any ceremon)^ at constitut"^ a Circumci.ser — any one took it up as he pleased. He in America got a Living by it ; but not so in Europe W'here he had no Fees, but accounted it an honor to perform the operation besides that it was highly rewarded in heaven. If any performed the number of his Name (or about 250 or 300) he merited Heaven, & thenceforth his Name of Moel, Circumciser, was very honorable. So that there were eno' in Europe fond of the Perform- ance, & kept the Foreskins in a Box, he had seen some 30 years old. He said he knew one Family in Engl'd (I think Coven tr^^) not of Jew Blood, but English & a Xtian, viz., a Man, his Wife & two Daughters — they came to London & he saw them renounce Xtianit}- & profess Judaism, & that the}- became more strict in daily S^'na- gogue Pra3'ers &c. than the other Jews. He ga\-e me an Account, &c. The Man was first circumcised, after wds. baptized in a Bagnio — in which there are vStairs to the Bottom where one stands to his Neck in Water, then his head is plunged three Times in Water. The Women were baptized in the same Manner. I asked if this was performed in the sight of the Congreg^. He said no ; but some Jewesses took the Women aside by themselves ; & so as to the Man. He added, that the more strict Jews, baptize relig- ioush^ by trine Immersion three -Times a 3'ear, at Passover, & I think Pentecost, & Da}' of Atoneme7it : that is, it is a religious Purification with them. But such a Strictness is not exacted. When a Woman recovered from L3'ing in, she went to Synagogue on the Sabbath. Her husband was that day called up as one of the seven to read the Law :— after his passage was read, he made an 256 DIARY OF EZRA STILEvS offering for his Wife in money instead of 2 Turtle Doves. If their Child was a Daughter, the Father now gave it a Name, & the Reader proclaims, that her Name shall be called in Israel A. B. But there is no Baptism of an Infant Girl of Jew Blood. . . I think the Girl is not bro't to the vSynagogue at Naming, nor has Godfathers & Godmothers. 26. Lord's day. A great Aurora Borealis last Night. I preached A.M. on 2 Cor. iv, 3. P.M. Col. i, 10. Read Mr. Hunt's Sermon on the Death of Mrs. Sarah GilL Wife of Mr. Moses Gill of Bos- ton Merchant, who died Aug. 5, 1771, aet. 43. Daughter of late Rev. Thos. Prince : with about 30 pages of Extracts from her Writings or Papers. If I should digest a Volume of female lyives, as I meditate to do, I shall number Mrs. Gill among them, and in.sert No. 2 and 3'' and 9'" as a specimen of her Genius and Writ- ing and proof of her sublime Piety. I was personally, though not intimately acquainted with her, from 1754 to about 1766. At Y P. M. my Wife and I attended the Funeral of Billy Marchaiit who died 3-e.sterday get. 3 years, only son of our w^orthj' Friend Mr. Agent Marchantm London. The F'uneral proceeded in fifteen Chaises. Mrs. Marchant fainted at the Grave. He cometh forth like a Flower and is cut down ! 27. Received a Letter from Rev. Wm. Hart of Say-Brook dated July 18, with his Piece fresh from the press, " A Scriptural Answer to the Question, what are the necessary Qualifications for Attend- ance on the Sacraments?" It is customary with the Jews for Parents to lay their hands on the Heads of their Children and give them their Blessing. If it be a son, the father laying his hand upon him says " The Lord make thee as Ephraim and Mana.sseh." Gen. xlviii, 20. If a Daughter " The Lord make thee as Sarah, Rachel and Leah." This is frequently done at Meals and Friday Evening after Supper, when the Children come to the parent for the Blessing. I have .seen old Mr. Moses Lopez do it to his Boys in the Synagogue, after Service. — The Beginning of this July died Rev. Mr. Merick' of ' Jonathan Merrick (Yale 1725), of what is now North Branford, Conn. His colleague was the Rev. Samuel Eells (Yale 1765). The following is an extract from a letter of the Rev. John Devotion, of vSay- brook, to Dr. Stiles, dated April 25, 1768 : — Mr. Mirick of N. Branford is unable to ofTiciate, desires a Colleague. But the People press a Resignation that his Estate nui)- help support the Ministry — liard Measure I think towards one that has served 40 years. JULY 26-29, 1772 257 Branford, set. 70 circa. He has labored of a Palsy several years past — Mr. Eelles is his Co-pastor. This Afternoon I made an Index to this Diary. 28. Rev. Asa Dunbar ordained Collegue Pastor with Rev. Thomas Barnard over the first Church in Salem Wednesday 22d Inst. Rev. Dr. Appleton of Cambridge preached. 29. The Rev. Mr. Shaw' of Nantucket & I went to the Mora- vian Wednesday Night Meeting & heard Rev. Mr. Rusmeyer preach. ' ' A Council consisting of the Elders and Delegates of the First Church in Roxbury, First Church in Marblehead, The Church in Wenliam, The Church in Chelsea, Second Church in Reading, with Delegates from the second Church in Salem and the West Church in Boston, convened at Salem for the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Asa Dunbar as a Pastor of the first Church there, Colleague with the Rev. Mr. Thomas Barnard ; and after solemn prayer, and proper Inqziiry and Consideration of the Character and Qualifications of the Candidate, the Council unanimously voted to proceed to the Ordination, which was performed in the presence of a numerous and very respectable Assembly in the following manner : the Rev. Mr. Adams of Roxbury began with Prayer ; the Rev. Dr. Apple- ton of Cambridge preached a Sermon suitable to the Occasion from 2 Tim. ii, 15. The Rev. Mr. Swain of Wenham prayed and gave the Charge ; and the Rev. Mr. Paj^son of Chelsea gave the Right Hand of Fellowship." Rem. i. The Churches set down accord- ing to Priority of Gathering — though there is a doubt when Mar- blehead shall be considered as a Church, whether from about 1643 or 1684, at which Time it was gathered or regathered. 2. The Church of Cambridge is not there in Council though its Pastor was. Had that Church appointed a Delegate or sent the Pastor alone, it would have been in Council. Usually the Pastor Elect chuses the Preacher, and usually the Church send to him and his Church ; but frequently otherwise. Thus Mr. Todd of East Guilford was desired b}' Mr. Bartlet" of Reading in Connecticutt to preach — Mr. Todd went and preached, and the Council voted him of the ordain- ing Council, though his Church was not sent to. 3. The 2d Church of Salem was present, but Mr. Diman its Pastor absent. There is great Controversy in Town. I presume he absented liim- ^ Bezaleel Shaw (Harvard 1762). '^ Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett (Yale 1749), ordained in May, 1763. 17 25S DIARY OF EZRA STILES , self on prudence. 4. Tlie \\'est Church Boston present, but Mr. Howard its pastor absent — providentially. 30. Attended Mr. Hopkins Even^ Lecture. Mr. vShaw preached it. -^i Mr. Shaw tells me Nantucket contains about 4500 souLs — perhaps 100 Indians : there are no Baptists, 4 or 5 Families Churchmen, and 150 to 170 Families Congregationalists, the rest Quakers and Nothings. There is no Episcopal Church, one Quaker Meeting only and one Presbyterian or Congregational of which Mr. Shaw is Pastor.' The church was first gathered Nov. 26. 1767 (the day of Ordination) consisting of about a dozen Brethren, have received but 2 or 3 Brethren since — Brethren and Sisters in Church now between 40 and 50. Sing Tate and Brady's \'ersion — have Lord's Supper once every two months — baptized on owning the Covenant without insisting upon coming to the Lord's Table. Aug. 1. Reading the Life of Father Paul of Venice, & his Rights of Sovereigns. 2. Lord's day. I preached A.M. on Rev. xxii, 8, 9, and pub- li.shed William Coggeshall and Patience R}'der. — P.M. i Kings x, 8. Reading Dion. Areop. 3. Reading Monthly Rexiew April, 1772. "Human Lymph probably coagulated in a heat between 114 and 120^ Degrees of F'ahrenheit's Thermometer : that the Senon requires a heat of 160 degrees to fix it : and that consequently the Blood cannot be coagu- lated even b}- the most morbid degree of animal Heat, which ne\'er rises above 112 in the most ardent Fever. ' ' p. 424. Blood heat 96. F'everii2. Coagulation, 114 to i2o}4. How nigh to death is Fever? but 2 or 3 degrees jierhaps. I have known it loi degrees al^road in a shade. ' The followinj^ statistics respecting Nantucket are taken from Dr. vStiles's Itinerary : — .\u><. 5, 1 761. Conversation with Mr. Peckhani of Nantucket. Al)out Soo FaniiHes as he judged ; of which 50 or 60 fain. Presln-terians. Not above 50 Indian Men. .\ug. 8, 1761. Mr. Josiah Barker of Nantucket told me that that Island . . had about Soo families on it. Was originally settled by 20 persons who divided the whole into 20 shares ; afterwards thej- associated 7 more, & so now the whole is in 27 shares. They have about 6 or 7000 Sheep. They buy 50 or 60 Shcej) from the main yearly. They plant 900 or 1000 acres Indian Corn together. JULY 30-AUGUST 5, 1772 259 4. Received a Letter from Rev. vSanuiel West of Dartmouth . . This Day Mrs. Channing presented me with a Hebrew Bible of her former husband Dr. Robinson. 5. Monthly married Meeting at Mr. Rngli.sh's, I discoursed on Cant, viii, 5. Next at Mr. Peckham's 2d September. In the Boston print of 3d Inst, it is said. ' ' A Monument has been cut in this Towm by Mr. Henry Chris- tian Geyer, Stone cutter at the South End, to be sent to Connecti- cutt : it is executed in the composit Order with twisted Pillars, and the other proper Ornaments, having a Cherub's Head on Wings, and the following Label from his Mouth Rev. xiv, 6, 7. — On the Tomb-stone is this Inscription. Here lies Until the Resurrection The Body of ROBERT SANDEMAN' A Native of Perth, North Britain, who in the face of continual Opposition From all Sorts of Men Long and boldly contended For the antient Faith : That the bare Work of JESUS CHRIST, without a Deed, or Thought, on the part of Man, Is sufficient to present The chief of Sinners Spotless before God : To declare this blessed Truth As testified in the holy Scriptures He left his Country — he left his Friends, And after much patient Suffering Finished his Labors At DANBURY 2^ April 1771, aged 53 years. Deigned Christ to come so nigh to us As not to count it shame To call us Brethren — shall we blush At aught that bears his Name. Nay let us boast in his Reproach And glory in his Cross, When he appears, one smile from him Shall far o'erpay our Loss." iThe founder of the sect of Sandemanians. Dr. Stiles collected in 1764-65 materials for his history, which are preserved in a MS. volume. 2 6o DIARY OF EZRA STILES 6 Attended Mr. Hopkins' Evening lyccture ; he preached on Ps. xxxvii, 4. In company with Mr. Peck Separate Minister at Rehoboth. Mr. Hopkins did not ask him to preach. He seems to be a serious pious Man. 7. Mr. Peck dined with me, and gave me an Account of the general conference of thirty Churches met by Delegates in 1753 or 1752 at Exeter in Elder vSprague's Meetinghouse — Mr. Peck was a Member present. Near half and half Baptist and Congregational. \'oted open Communion between Baptists and Psedobaptists, through the Separate Interest.' Mr. Samuel Peck is now 66 years old. He learned Latin about 1725 enough to enter College and was designed bv his Father for a College Education — but prevented. He was ordained over a Separate Church in Rehoboth as Pastor Oct. 1751 by the La>'ing on of the Hands of Mr. Solomon Payne of Canter- bury. Vlx. Thos. Stevens of Plainfield, Mr. Shepherd of Attle- borough. Teaching Elders among the Separates, and also Deacon Richmond of Providence who laid on hands. We had much Con- versation. 8. Writing or copying a Letter to Astracan near the Caspian Sea 9. Lord's day. I preached all da}' upon Isai. xl, 31, and noti- fied Catechising to morrow at V P.M. This day Rev. Mr. Ru.ss- meyer and his wife sailed for Philadelphia. 10. This day Son Isaac ret. 9 & began to go to Mr. Pemberton's Grammar School. Catechised 22 Boys, 33 Girls, 5 Negroes, Total 60 Children. This day sailed for London a Raft or Ship of Tim- ber consisting of a thousand Tons of square Timber and 300 Tons of Pine wharf Logs : the Premium for the Timber 40 shillings ster- ling a Ton, will produce ^2000. sterling, besides the Sale of Tim- ber. The Sailors were procured with great Difficulty, as the Safety was much doubted. It was built at Warren. I read out Mr. Hart's Piece on Qualifications for Bapti.sm and the Lord's Sup- per. Painting Inside Meetinghouse. 12. Visited Mr. Touro the Jew Priest or Reader, and discoursed with him on sundry Texts in Hebrew. Monthly meeting of the Brethren and Sisters of my Church. I discoursed on Ruth i, 16. We had a sweet and full meeting ' I-"or a fuller account of this conference, and of :\Ir. Peck, see the Proceed- inj(s of the Mass. Historical Societ}-, viii, 220-23. AUGUST 6-17, 1772 261 13 Rev. Samuel West of Dartmouth spent the day with me. He preached Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture, Gal. iii. . . . 14. Mr. Hopkins and Mr. West at my Study discoursing largely for 3 hours on metaphysical points, respecting Liberty, Prescience, Decree. Mr. Hopkins supposed Prescience was founded on Decree, because Decree onlj- rendered Futurition certain in Nature. Mr. West supposed this would make God the Creator of his own Knowl- edge ; whereas he supposed Omniscience was not a moral but natural perfection, so depended not on the divine Will or choice — any more than his omnipotence or self-existence. Mr. West and I examined and criticised on many Hebrew words 15. Visited by Mr. Kaulbach of Nova-Scotia. 16. lyOrd's day. I preached A.M. on John iv, 24. P.M. John iii, 36. Mr. Hopkins sick and no preaching in his Meeting. 17. Mr. Kaulbach is an Elder in the German Calvinistic Church at Lunenburgh Nova Scotia, and is sent out to collect Monies for Building a Meetinghouse. He was one of about 200 Germans which came from the Rhine and settled in Nova Scotia A.D. 1750. They first sat down in Halifax, then settled at Lunenburg about 1753 or 1754. They are now above sixt}' Families — have been destitute of a Minister from the Beginning ; but assembled on Lord's daj'S prayed sang and read a Sermon together at Mr. Kaul- bach's house. The}' applied to the Germans at Philadelphia to send them a Minister but without success. The Episcopalians had built a Church in Eunenburgh and the Clergymissionaries preached there (though onl}^ 2 or three Episcopal families in Eunenburgh) and endeavored to dissuade the Germans from meeting by them- selves, would have them break up and come to Church. Many went to Church. But Mr. Kaulbach upheld his Meeting. The Episcopalians thinking the}' should carry their point if they could discourage and dissolve this Meeting, used every Stratagem and Art to affect it, and even proceded to Measures, threatening to inform against the Germans as disaffected to the civil Government — and sometimes came to the House and authoritatively forbad Mr. Kaulbach to have a Meeting, which they called Sedition and Rebellion. Some were intimidated. The Germans Children speaking English, they now wanted a Minister that could preach in both Tongues. Mr. Bruin Romcas Comingoe, commonly called Mr. Brown, (now at the Age of 46) came over among the Germans about 1752. Had not an University Education but had been 262 DIARY OF EZRA STILES brought up iu the family of a Germau [Dutch] Calvinistic Minister aud understood Latin. From 1764 to 1770 he had lived under the Ministry of Rev. Mr. Seccomb Pastor of a Congregational Church in Chester near Halifax : who very much formed him in Theology. His countrymen at Lunenburgh, discouraged as to expecting a Minister from Philadelphia, at length united in calling Mr. Comin- goe to the Ministry. And determined to apply for his Ordination first to the English Presbyterian or Congregational Ministers in Xova Scotia, and if they declined, then to send him to Philadelphia to ask Ordination of the German Ministers there. They accord- ingl}"- applied to four Presbyterian Ministers, who assembled upon the Occasion not at Lunenburg but at Halifax. Deacon Ferguson of Halifax and Mr. Kaulbach were acquainted &c., and agreed to inform the latter when more than one Minister was in Halifax, when they might come thither and apply for Ordination. Rev. Dr. More Presbyterian Minister in Halifax was absent in England raising a Fund. Rev. Mr. Seccomb frequently and usually preached at Halifax. Mr. Seccomb and Mr. Lyon being in Town Information was sent to Lunenburg. Mr. Kaulbach and Mr. Shuply carrying the Call in the Behalf of the German Congrega- tion, accompanied Mr. Brown the Pastor Elect to Halifax 80 or go Miles. When there, it was thought best to have more Ministers to give Solemnity to the Transaction, as it was- vehemently calum- niated b}'- the Churchmen as if the Presbyterian Ministers headed and countenanced Sedition among the Germans. Accordingly Mr. Kaulbach rode 50 or 60 Miles further & across to the Menis Towns and procured Rev. Mr. James Murdoch a Presbyterian Minister in I think Horton, and Rev. Mr. Lyon Pastor of a Congregational Church in Cobequid and Rev. Mr. Phelps Pastor of a Congregational Church in Cormcal/is. The two last with Rev. John Seccomb (<'Et. 65 cir. ) had been ordained by Congregational Ministers in New England. Mr. Murdoch was ordained in Scotland among the Seceede?'s, and came over a Seceder, but accepted a Call to a Congregational Church ; and I believe has introduced Elders, as the Congregational Church in Halifax and sundry Congregational Churches in New England have 2 or more Elders besides the Pas- tor to this day. His Church do not consider him as a Seceeder but only as a good preacher and a worthy Man : and he troubles his Congregation with his Presbyterian & Seceeding principles as lit- tle as Dr. Ladly a Scotch Presbyterian Minister now in the Dutch AUGUST 17, 1772 263 Church in New York. These 4 Ministers being assembled at Halifax (without lay-Delegates and Elders from their respective Churches), after the Manner of an Ordination Council in New England ; ) did publickly in the Presbyterian Meetinghouse there, ordain Rev. Bruin Romcas Comingoe a Minister of the Gcspel to the Dutch Calvinistic Congregation at Eunenburg, by the Eaying on of the Hands of the sd. Rev. Messieurs Seccovib, Phelps, Murdoch^ and Lyon.^ Mr. Seccomb preached on John xxi, 15, 16. Mr. Murdoch read the Result of the Council, or as it is called a Repre- sentation of the depressed state of the Dutch Calvinists in Eunen- burgh, with Reasons of their proceeding in Vindication of them- selves as well in ordaining a Minister for Germans, as one not of academic Education, declaring that thej^ had examined him as to "his Knowledge of speculative and practical Religion ; his Ability rightly to divide the Word, the Articles of his Faith &c." " And we can assure this Audience (and others) that he has given us ample Satisfaction in all these particulars. And if we are Judges of these Matters, his Knowledge of the Scriptures makes that com- monly received Maxim among the Schools true concerning him, bomis Textuariiis est bonus Theo/ogiis." Mr. Murdoch then put the Question publickly — " Mr. Kaulbach and Mr. Shuply, do you as Commissioners from the Congregation of Calvinists at Eunenburg renew in their Behalf, your Call to Mr. Bruin Romcas Comingoe?" Quest. 2. " Do you, Mr. Br. R. Comingoe accept of the said Call and Invitation to be their Pastor?" Both Questions answered in Affirmative. Then he put 9 Questions to Mr. Brown, respecting his Belief of the Scriptures, the Heidleburgh and Asseniblys Cate- chism, promise 10 adhere to the Doctrine and Discipline and Gov- ernment of the reformed presbyterian Churches with Allegiance to King George III''. This done Mr. Eyon gave the Charge, and Mr. Phelps the Right Hand of Fellowship. — This zvas the first Ordina- tion performed in Nova Scotia, 21 3^ears after its Settlement as an English province. The province was settled 1749 — this Ordination was on Tuesday July 3, 1770, his Excellency the Rt. Hon. Lord William Campbell Governor of the Province with a Number of his Majest^^'s Council and persons of several Denominations were pres- ent on the Occasion. Upwards of Sixty Families Germans are under Mr. Brown's Care, engaging to give him for Salary a Dollar a Famil}^ and a Bushel of ' See also this Diary, Aug. 10, 1771. 264 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Wheat yearly. Having received Ordination he went to Lunen- burg and was received with great Joy by his people, to whom he preached the next Lord's day on " Peace be to this House " — when the whole Congregation wept Tears of Joy. He immediately led the Congregation to chuse three Elders Mr. Kaulbach, Mr. Lay, and Mr. Shuply, and nine Deacons, which Elders and Deacons he ordained by prayer and laying on of his hand and blessing them in the name of the Lord. The Elders are officers for Life usually, the Deacons only for two years when new ones are chosen and ordained. The Deacons do not serve at the Lord's Table, but visit and inspect the Conduct of those in their Neighborhoods : and as the families live scattered some 6 or 10 miles off, so they appoint a Deacon for every neighborhood. The Minister and Elders receive and repel from the Lord's Table, and admitted immediately about 80 or 90 Communicants, among whom Mr. Brown administers the Lord's Supper four Times a 3^ear. This is the forming a Congre- gation. They do not sign a Confession of Faith and Church Covenant as in gathering Churches in New England. All the writing and subscription there was at Lunenberg was only to a paper signifying their Desire to have Mr. Brown their Minister and promising individually to give him so much yearly. The Idea of the Reformed seems to be this, a promiscuous Congreg-' of bap- tized and unbaptized agree to call, and call a Minister and chuse persons in their Behalf to present the Call; and the Minister receiv- ing the Call seeks Ordination, then comes to his Flock and enters on the pastoral Office and Charge without further Ceremon3\ He leads them to chuse Elders &c. which he ordains. Then he and the Elders have the care of the Church jo^nitly. The Minister soon notifies in the Congregation that the next Lord's day he pur- poses to administer the Lord's supper, and notifies any and all that desire to partake to meet at a place and Time appointed before the Elders ; when the Minister and Elders examine the persons as to their Knowledge, Faith and Lives, and judging them qualified approve them, and the Pastor gives each Communicant a Note or Certificate. The day before the Sacrament is a preparation day and a Sermon. At the Sacrament the Communicants bring and deliver to the Pastor his Certificate and receives the Com- munion thus : The Minister coming to the Sacramental Table, which stands just before the Pulpit, makes a prayer over the Bread and Wine ; the Communicants then come up and stand around the AUGUST 17, 1772 265 Table (10 or a dozen at a Time) as many as can, and in a standing posture receive both Elements at the hand of the pastor, who in delivering the Sacrament to each person repeats the words in i Corinthians xi, 24-26. They retiring others come up to the Table &c. &c. Now this Examination for Communion is to be repeated every Time : so that there doth not seem to be a body of Communicants having a right of Course to partake (as in the Congregational Churches) but the}- are to be made anew and settled every Time the Ordinance is administered. In the Congregational Churches, if they are once admitted and embodied, they are intituled to all Privileges of Course, till the Church discipline them for Scandal. But this is not the Idea of the Scotch or Dutch Presbyterian Churches, in which the Communicants are a Bod}' by themselves only for the present Participation, and then are dissolved, and to be gathered or formed or prepared anew : and for this end they are to be spoken with by the Elders every Time. When a person's Qualifications have been once thoroly tried and approved, 'and he continues to lead an exemplary and steady Life, he needs do no more but signify his Desires to the Elders and he is received again. But the Thing must all be done anew ever}^ Time. If the Elders find Scandal &c. they refuse and the person is repelled, till he repents and in some Cases makes a Confession in the publick Con- gregation. These Examinations previous to Communion being carried to great Severity introduced auricular Confession of secret Sins to the priest for obtaining absolution in the romish Church. Though this is not exacted in the protestant Churches, yet in all a preparation is required— and in most a sort of Absolution or new Approbation is exacted. — The Calvinist Ministers baptize the Children of all persons of good Lives or free from Scandal, whether Communicants or not. — Mr. Kaulbach has been to Philadelphia asking Contributions towards their Meetinghouse 35 and 40 feet — received Monies not only from Germans, but the two English Presbyterian Churches in Philadelphia Mr. Ewing's and Mr. Sprout's about /^i2. each. — Also contributions in the Congrega- tions in New York and Albany. He applied at New Haven, but they declined. In 1750 arrived at Halifax one Ship with four hundred souls Germans, (Mr. Kaulbach among them, now 43 years old) ot which full one half died the first year. In 1751 two small ships less 266 DIARY OF EZRA STILES crouded, and in 1752 one more — in all brought perhaps 250 Ger- man passengers. None came afterwards. Those that lived through the Seasoning might be 400 souls or 80 or 90 Families. From them derive all the Germans in Nov^a vScotia, originally Lutherans and Calvinists the greater part the former, and both without Ministers. They sat down at Halifax till 1753, when in June the most ot them removed and settled at lyunenburg about 60 miles West of Halifax. When they first came, both Halifax and Lunenburg were Wood and Forest ; there came to them at Lunenburg a small body 25 or 30 Families of French protestant Families from Europe with their Pastor Rev. Mr. Moreau or Maurieau. The Church Politicians per.suaded him to take Orders from the Bishop of London — and introduce a French Translation of the Church of England Liturgy into his Congregation, under a Salary from the Society &c. The Lutherans met by themselves on Lord's days, and so did the Cal- vinists and read Sermons &c. At length the Church Polititians lookt out a Lutheran Minister to churchify or episcopize them. They fbund Rev. Paid Prezeliiis a Swedish Lutheran, who came over a Minister to a Swedish Lutheran Congregation in Pensyl- vania. He was a changeable Man — became successively in America, a Lut/ieraji, ^ Mcnnonist, a Tiinker Baptist, a Moravian, and now an Episcopalian. Him they persuaded to be reordained by the Bishop of London, take a Salary from the Society, and become a Mission- ar)^ to the Lutherans at Lunenburg. He is said to be not only mutable as to his religious principles, but of an unsteady Conduct and doubtful, jovial, merry Morals. To finish the Conversion of the Lunenburg Germans to the Church of England, the Rev. Mr. Breynton Episcopal Missionary at Halifax went to London 1770 and brought over 300 Church of England prayer Books translated into German and distributed them at Lunenburg — it being given out by Mr. Prezelius, that it was expected whoever received them became Church men. About 1769 died Rev. Mr. Moreau. The Church Polititians found Rev. Mr. De la Rosh a French Calvinist Minister educated at Geneva, reordained by the Bishop of London, took a Salary from the Society and is come an Episcopal Clergy- man to the French in Mr. Moreau' s stead. He is a learned serious good Minister. These are the religious Stratagems of the Church to episcopize Lunenburg. They are a.ssiduous in civil and political Stratagems. Mr. Zuber- bulher was a German Calvinist brought up in Switzerland. He I AUGUST 17, 1772 267 had a learned Education in a University. The)^ have made him a Councillor, and Judge of a Court — they episcopized him and depended on his Influence to draw over and secure the German Calvinists, and to confirm the French Converts. The Deputies in General Assembly from lyunenburg, 3 of which are German, are episcopized. Great Assiduity used to persuade the people that all would soon conform to the Church, and that it would be fruitless to stand out. Thus every Thing cooperated towards swallowing up all, and the Calvinists among the rest, in the Gulph of Epis- copacy. Judge Zviberbulher once a Brother Calvinist now a zeal- ous Chhman, forbid them to assemble for Worship at a private house and called Mr. Kaulbach to account for convening the people saying it was seditious. They were threatened with civil prosecu- tions, assured that the civil Authority would not permit them to have their Minister ordained in Nova Scotia, given to expect the Frowns of Government, Loss of Offices &c. &c. Pains was taken by the Church part)^ to discourage, intimidate and prevent the Ministers from proceeding at the very Time of Mr. Bruin's Ordina- tion. Every Art was used to subdue and extinguish the Calvinists. But Mr. Kaulbach and others assumed Spirit & Resolution & went through with it, to the Amazement of the Germans themselves as well as Court Polititians. It was determined if the Presbyterian Ministers declined ordaining, Mr. Brown should go to Philadelphia for Ordination. This settled the point. Mr. Brown being ordained, they begin to be treated with more Respect and less Acrimony. About 30 Men have subscribed to build a new Meetinghouse 30 or 35 and 40 feet, but for this were obliged to hire ^100 or ^150 sterling of which near /"loo is yet unpaid. They have raised and covered but not glazed the House. The}^ have bought a Ministry House half finished for ^50. Mr. Kaulbach will carry home a Collection of about ^100. Philadelphia money ; of which ^^^33. collected in the German Calvinist Church in Philadelphia. Now 1772 there are about 300 Families in Lunenburg. Thus estimated 150 Families Lutherans ) • • , Rev. Paul Prezelius ^ ,- episcopized 45 " French 3 Rev. Mr. De la Roche 60 " Calvinists Rev. Bruin R. Comingoe 40 to 43 " no Religion. 2 " English Episcopal. 268 DIARY OF EZRA STILES The Lutherans excited by the Example of the Calvinists are seek- ing a Lutheran Minister and may perhaps draw off into a Lutheran Congregation. So that the Episcopization of Lunenburg is yet critical. There is a Lutheran Congregation at Halifax which have built themselves a Meetinghouse and constantly assemble there on Lord's days and read Sermons &c. in the Lutheran Manner, but without a Minister. The Church Polititians have persuaded them to suifer Mr. Breynton to baptize their children — and he sometimes goes to their Church and administers the Lord's Supper to them ; they have been persuaded to have it written over the Door in gold Letters ''King George's ChiDx/i'' instead of King JESU'S Church. And what is the most surprising part of this Church Craft Intrigue and Hypocrisy, this place of worship is certified in the Society's Abstracts as one of the Chapels belonging to the Mission. There are about 60 Communicants in Mr. Bruin's Church, 16 Brethren, rest Sisters. The first Church Officers thus Rev. Mr. Brown Pastor 9 Deacons Mr. . . Kaulbach \ Martin Bourn Valentine Wightman Mr. Michael Lay - Elders Baubist Beckman Leonard Urick Mr. Shuph' ) Philip Herman Jacob Moser Peter Swicker John \"akel3^ Henry Coch 19. By the Prints I find the Bill in Parliament to free Dissenters from Subscription to the 39 Articles, was rejected. The Bishop of London told the House that he was authorized to sa}^ that manj' of the most eminent dissenting Ministers were against the Bill. Dr. Priestls', a Presb5'terian Minister was handled with great Severit)' b}' the Bishop of Landaff, who read passages in the Doctor's Writings, at which Mr Pitt (Lord Chatham) shrugged and groaned wnth Horror and Disapprobation. Mr. Pitt spoke in favor of the Dissenters or for the Bill. At Concord in Massachusetts July 3. ult. convened at the call of the Church and aggrieved there, a mutual Council consisting of 13 Churches. Present by their Elders and Delegates The I St and 2d Churches in Stoughton The I St and 2d " in Rowley The ist and 2d " in Newbury The Church in Nottingham West The 2d Church in Cambridge AUGUST 19-24, 1772 269 The Church in Newbury Falls The 2d Church in Shrewsbury The Church in Upton The Church in Groton And I St Church in Portsmouth by their Delegate Rev. Samuel Dunbar Moderator. This shews the Church has right to call Churches promiscuously and at a Distance as they please. An ex parte Council had sat there a little before convened by certain aggrieved Brethren. Concord has been used to Councils 30 years past. The mutual Council disapproved some Indiscretions and Imprudencies in the Rev. Mr. Emerson' Pastor of Concord, as well as some things in the aggrieved— then concluded not to go through all the Articles of Charge, but to advise a mutual Amnesty and Forgiveness. 20. The small pox is in Town brought here by a Vessel last from Virginia, she arrived here 13th Inst. 7 or 8 days on her passage from Virginia. Tuesday one White Man and two Negro Boys were carried to Coasters Harbor. This daj' Daughter Ruth seven years old. The Letter, that Publius Lentulus the Proconsul, wrote from Jerusalem to the Roman Senate, describing the Person and Character of JESUS CHRIST This Letter in Latin I have not seen. It is generall}^ considered as a Forgery. I see nothing in it but what would be natural for an observant Proconsul to write ; and it seems to be in the free epistolary way. I extract it from Examen de Ingenios or Tryal of Wits originally written in Spanish by Dr. Juan Huartes, (who says he holds it for a true Relation) & translated into English by Mr. Bellamy A.D. 1698. 21. No Lecture at Mr. Hopkins' Meet'g last night. 22. Reading Dionysius : also Rev'' Elisha Fish of Upton his ser- mon on Gen. ix, 27. 23. Lords day. I preached A.M. Ps. civ, 34. P.M. i Jno. iii, 3. Both old Sermons. Reading Bp. Lewis Count Zinzendorfs Max- ims ; and also in Dionysius Areopagita. 24. Instance of Court Fraud and Knavery. Count Struensee . . . beheaded Apr. 28, 1772 ... In the Ages when Persia or the Medo-Persian Empire claimed Greece as a Member of the •William Emerson (Harvard 1761), grandfather of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The difficulties arose principally from the rejection of a person who had offered himself for admission to the church. 270 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Empire, and sent Armies for the Reduction of it together with the lesser Asia, they used great address to draw over the Athenian Nobles and Generals into their Interest. Carrying them home to the Court of Persia and shewing them the Extent and Splendor and Power of the Empire, enobling and pensioning them highly — they sent them back. . . . — Gov. Hutchinson for a Pension of ^1500. sterling is laboring the Persian Interest with his Country. 25 In the late Combinations of the American Mer- chants against Importations &c. and against the exorbitant Fees of the Customhouses — some Merchants kept themselves from the Combinations. Mr. Aaron Eopez' a Jew Merchant in this Town is one. For this the Collector &c. shew him all Lenity and favor. He has above twenty Sail of Vessels, and his Captains are all exempted from Swearing at the Customhouse, and make their entries &c. without Oath. But the Oath is strictly exacted of all who were concerned in the Non-Importation Agreement. This I was told yesterday by one of Mr. Lopez's Captains long in his Employ. The Man o' War yesterday seized his Vessel and Wines by Accident and Folly of the people who in 5 row Boats were endeavoring the night before to run 41 Quarter Casks of Wine. The Vessel and Wines will be condemned — but it is said they will be set up at a Trifle and Lopez will bid them off at far less than Duties ; so that he shall make his Voyage good. Favor and Partiality ! And yet these Customhouse Men are perpetually clamoring on cheating the King of his Revenue. The Customhouse in Newport produces ;i^200o or ^3000 sterling per annum to the Revenue Chest at Boston ; — a fourtnight ago they shipt ^800 sterling to Boston, and retained ^200 for Contingencies. There is such a swarm of Officers, that like the plague of Locusts they devour all before them. They very particularly torment the Sons of Libert)^ and all who opposed the Antiamerican Measures of the Parliament and Ministry. This Summer Mr. Christopher EHery's^ Vessel fell into their hands, a Sailor having a bag of 20 lbs. of Tea, this was the only Thing : He was obliged to go to the Commissioners at Boston and it cost him 60 or 80 Dollars to get her delivered. I have known Collector Dudly' refuse a present, a Cask of Wine or &c. ' See this Diar}-, June 8, 1782. '•"Son of Dep. Gov. William Ellery, born 1736, died 1789; his wife was Mary, daughter of Samuel Vernon. "Charles Dudley was Collector of Customs at Newport from 1768. AUGUST 25-26, 1772 271 and tell the Owner (whom he went to befriend) that he was obliged to refuse all Gratuities and dare not take any Thing — neither did he from him in several Voj^ages. The Collector answered his End — this Man believed it, and trumpetted through Town, that the Collector received nothing but lawful Fees. Much about the same Time I heard a Captain say that his people had wheeled home to the Collector Wines Fruits &c. and they were not rejected nor returned. I have been informed of much higher Customhouse Frauds and Peculations. How did Dudly get his Office ? His Father is an Episcopal Clergyman in the West of England in some of those diminished Towns where 30 or 40 Freeholders elect two Members of Parliament : the Father was the omnis Homo of the Parish and could by his Influence command the Election. He set his price, as is said, that his son shd have the CoUectorship of Rhode Island. The Member of Parliament procured it for him. Dudly behaves in Office as well as any of them : but bad is the best. I w^ould not, for 10 Thousand Worlds, administer so many Oaths to known false Accounts or be knowingly accessory to the daily Perjuries which he midwifes into the World of Error & Sin. This Day the Town of Newport voted for Inoculation for the Small Pox. A Bill was preferred to the Assembly sitting here last Week for lyiberty of Inoculation. The Assembly referred it to the Sessions in October ; and directed that the several Towns in the mean Time should signify their Approbation or Disapprobation and instruct their Deputies accordingly. A vote is carried in this Town to instruct their Deputies to vote for it the next Sessions. But it is very offensive to a great part of the Town, who fear it will occasion the spreading of the Small pox in the natural Way. The Negro Boy died of it last Sabbath : but the other two are likely to do well. This day Daughter Mary is five years old. 26 Mr. Checkly shewed me a Collection of Church papers respecting the Congregational Church in Providence, latelj'- received from Rev. Josiah Cotton their former Pastor, and chiefly respecting the Convulsion in which the Separation was formed. That Church was gathered Oct. 23, 172S when Mr. Cotton was ordained. Continued in Peace till 1741 ; when the Church con- sisted of about Members. Deacon Joseph Snow (Father of him afterwards Minister) led off" and headed the Separation. Four of the Separates wrote a Letter dated Apr. 2, 1743 to Mr. Cotton desiring a Council to consider Articles of Charge against him. 2-2 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Upon which Mr. Cotton appointed a Fast to seek God &c. Mr. Cotton was a pious Man and orthodox, but an Opposer. They accused him as a dull general preacher — for holding Sanctification the best Evidence of Justification &c. At length thej^ stuck up over rhe Deacon's Seat a Notification dated Sept. lo, 1743 and appoint a Church Meeting in which is among other Things, as fol- lows. — " Reason 2. That we suppose that every Member of a Church hath a Right both by the Gospel and our Platform to be heard of the Church in the Cause of Offence from any one or more of the members. Reason the 3". That though the power of Office is vested in the Elder or Elders of a Church, yet the power of Priviledge is vested with the Brethren in common ; so that they have right to call the Church together in extraordinary cases tvithout the Elder or Elders. Reason 4*''. That oicr present Cause is extraordi- nary. For i" Mr. Cotton our Elder and Pastor is the Offender himself and 2^. that Mr. Cotton has refused the Brethren their Right of being heard, which is theirs according to the Platform, therefore We appoint a Meeting of this Church to be held at the house of Joseph Snow junior to begin at one of the Clock on thirds day Next in the after noon, then and there to cJiuse one or more of the Brethren to head and moderate and lead this Church in said Meeting according to Platform and hereby notify both Pastor and Brethren to be present, in order to here the agreved Members and Mr. Cottons reply to them, and to act and do in that and all other respects that the Church shall see fit to act upon according to the Word of God & our Platform. Jabez Ross Joseph Snow Benjamin Cary John Ta5^1er Peter Tefft Solomon Searll Jo.seph Snow jun. Thomas Knolton Barzilla Richmond John Pain Alex^ McRary Samuel Tefft " " A true Copy of the Original Notification which is Signed by the mager part of the sd Church." Tliis I tran.scribe from the Original sent to Mr. Cotton being in Deacon Snows Hand Writing. Soon after this John Taylor rased out his name, Thomas Knowlton turned Baptist, John Tift con- fessed his fault, Jabez Ro.ss married his Wife's Sister and removed to Topsfield. AUGUvST 26, 1772 273 Those that met upon this Notification chose Joseph Snow jun. Moderator and his Father Deacon Joseph Snow sen. Clerk, and adjourned, and met again Sept. 27 1743, Mr. Cotton not present. They sent Mr. Searl and Mr. Ross a Committee to wait upon Mr. Cotton with their Articles of Complaint and request him to appear before them and answer. Mr. Cotton refused to go but gave them a Boston print of Sep. 6 1743, containing the Testimony of Rev. Mr. Stone' of Harwich concerning the Times. They thereupon drew up a Paper in which they call themselves the Church, wherein they write among other Things — " it was proposed to the Church whether Mr. Cotton's extraordinary Conduct was a sufficient Rea- son why this Church should proceed to Reject and depose him from the ministerial Office in this Church. — Voted in the Affirmative. Furthermore it w^as debated whether the above Reason was suf- ficient Ground for the Church to ad))ionish him as a Member and Brother. — Voted in the Affirmative." This was signed by the Moderator and Clerk and a copy certified by the Clerk. Then on the same paper was subjoyned a Declaration "furthermore do sig- m.{y to you that this Church doth reject and depose You from the ministerial Office in this Church" — together with an Adiiionitioyi. After the Admonition was added on the same paper — " Providence Sept 29 1743. We the Subscribers Members of the Congregational Church of Christ in Providence do hereby signify our joynt Con- currence with the foregoing lyctter in full John X Tayler J^^ez Ross mark Benjamin Cary Samuel Tefft Solomon Searll Alex' M'^Crery Jo.seph Snow John Pain Barzilla Richmond Peter Tefft Joseph Snow jun." Between signing the first paper and this Thomas Knowlton became Baptist, which was the reason of his not signing. Samuel Tift voluntarily erased his name Dec. 22 1743, as did J. Taylor 13 Febry following. The Pastor and his adhering Brethren as the Church dealt with the separating Brethren, and administered an Admonition and Sus- pension dated March 22 1743/4. read to them March 25 by Mr. ' Nathaniel Stone (Harvard 1690), pastor of the ist Parish in Harwich, after- wards part of the town of Brewster, on Cape Cod. 18 274 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Coniptou and Mr. Separates. Benj. Cary Deacon Snow Thos. Knowlton Alex^ ^rCrearj' Solomon Searl Peter Tifts John Pain Joseph Snow jun' Ebenezer Knight Marshall. The Names shew the number of Barzilla Richmond Elizabeth Snow Sarah Snow Sarah Snow jiin' Sarah Hunter Thankful Carj' Hannah Pain Hannah Cook Ann Taylor lo Zerviah Field Sarah Ames Ann Ames Kezia Knowlton Susanna Knowlton Elizabeth Searl Sarah Richmond 15 10 Brethren 15 Sisters. These were the Foundation of the Separate Church in Providence. This Admonition was read publickly Apr. 29 1744 to the whole Con- gregation. It was read again afterwards Aug. 14 1745, " at a reg- ular Church Meeting in the Meetinghouse, I read this Admonition &c. (it being Tuesday) to our separate Brethen. There being there present, eighteen Brethren, equallj^ divided. J. C." Five of the Separates wrote a Letter to Mr. Cotton May 25. 1745 desiring him to call a Council, by Advice of Rev. Geo. Whitfield. Mr. Whit- field had advised them — to take back their Admonition — return to the Lord's Table — Mr. Snow fo leave off preaching — and call a Council to conciliate them. They declined 3 Articles of Advice, and asked a Council. This brought on a Church Meeting called by the Pastor, who with his Adherents readily agreed to a decisive Council ; but some of the Separates insisting it should be onl}^ advisory, nothing was done, but administer the Admonition. Before this "at a regular Church Meeting began 14 Aug. 1744 &c We the Subscribers being members of the Church of Christ in Providence whereof the Rev. Mr. Josiah Cotton is Pastor have heard and considered the thirteen Articles exhibited hy our sepperrate Brethren against our Reverend pastor — do judge the matters and Things alledged — not proved & of no Validity at all. We therefore deem him as the regular Pastor of our Church now as ever. And whereas our separate Brethren to the number of Eleven or 12 did promise and engage, that if our Rev" Pastor could make out that those Brethren which were of the standing part of the Church, were the majority that they would acknowledge that they were wrong in what they had done and would return again. Whereupon the Brethren desired the Pastor to call over the names AUGUST 26, 1772 275 of the standing part of the Church, which was done, and found to be fourteen in Number, besides two more not then mentioned, which makes sixteen in the whole ; which promise they fell from &c. Upon the whole, when we consider the Carriage and Conduct of our separate Brethen towards our Rev" Pastor and his Adherents we cant but judge that they are in a great measure led by a spirit of Prejudice, Error and Delusion ; from which we pray the God of peace and Truth to deliver tliem. We further desire that our Rev" Pastor would make a Church Record of what is con- tained &c. Witness our hands. Matthew Short Thos. Field his Joseph Bagley Deacon Thos. X Dexter Benj. Belknap Deacon mark John Johnson John Ames Benj. Marshall " "A true Copy &c. attested by me Benj. Marshall Scribe." The separate Meeting was upheld from 1742 or 1743 to 1746/7 by many Preachers and Exhorters among them, and these indiffer- ently Baptist or Presbyterian — for this meeting coalesced all of any Denomination caught with the exhorting Spirit of those Times. But they had no Church formed nor Ordinances of Baptism and Supper administered. At length they resolved to embody and ordain Mr. Snowjun'' Pastor, agreeing in two fundamental Con- cessions that au}^ Brother should have Liberty of speaking and exhorting &c. in the Congregation, & that the mode and subjects of Baptism should be indifferent and no Bar of Communion — the Pastor to baptize Infants &c by vSprinkling and those who desired it by plunging. Accordingly they gathered their mixt Church by a Doctririe of faith and Church Covenant, as usual in Congregational Churches, in 1746/7. The first Separate Ordinations by Laymen in those Times began 1746 at Mansfield in Connecticut by Messrs. Pain, Denison, Stevens &c. who went the rounds in Connecticutt, &c. ordaining Elders &c. They were sent to ordain Mr. Snow, and some of them came, and Mr. Snow was ordained by the lay- ing on of hands of Mr. Solomon Pain and Mr. Thos. Stevens sep- arate Elders in Connecticut, and one lay Brother of the Church (as Mr. Snow himself told me) on Feb. 12, 1746/7. Previous to which Mr. Cotton sent this Letter. 276 DIARY OF EZRA STILES " Providence 9 Febr. 1746/7. To Messrs. Deacon INIarsh, Sol" Pain, Mr. Denison and Thomas Stevens. Gexti.EMEN — Having been informed a few days since by my Brother Peter Tift that the 12"' of this Inst. February was to be ordained over him and our other separating Brethren, Brother Joseph Snow jun' as their pastor and that by yourselves, I thought it my indispensable Duty in conjunction and at the request and by the united Consent of the adhering Members of my Church to take this first opportunity of bearing open and explicit Testimony against either their proceedings or yours in any thing of this nature. Assuring }^ou that Mr. J. S. jun' (with 10 or 12 more of our Brethren) lays under Scandal with this our Church ; and ergo according to the Rules of the Gospel and our Church platform he and they, with twice that Number of Sistci's, have some of them had 2 Letters of admonition and suspension sent to them formerly, & others more lately one Letter of suspension and admonition. Therefore we do now protest against your and their present process, till they shall be first regiilarly by an Ecclesiastical Council and according to Platform dismissed from us ; and also he the said Snow examined and approbated with regard to his Qualifications as a INIinister & experience & Evid. as a Xtian &c. &c." J. CoTTOX." But it had no Effect. It seems as if 12 Brethren and 20 sisters or more, or about 30 Members Communicants left Mr. Cotton and united in Mr. Snow's Chh. So early as Apr. 11 1743 the Separates proposed a Council — but it was with a view to get Mr. Cotton dismissed. They complain of Refusal. The following Letter shows that matter. " Provid. 19 July 1745. " Mv VERY DEAR DE.\R Brethrp:n. — Yesterday P.M. after our solemn Thanksgiving (and before the Catechising) was read twice in our Church a Letter dated 25 May 1745 signed J. S., E. K., S. S., P. C. and J. S. jun' wherein 3'ou seem to request a Coi;ncil. On which I reply as I have truly before and repeatedl}', viy good will. But my dear Church think themselves no way con- cerned therein being totally overlookt neglected and slighted by your taking no Notice of them in any form whatsoever in said Epistle and desire me thus to write their INIinds to you. But as soon as they shall properly be addressed by you, they will be ready with my ufiworthy self their and your Elder to come into a Council in order for a Reconciliation, and in the mean Time We remain your aggrieved Brethren and hearty friends. JosiAH Cotton Pastor (in their Behalf.)" These are extracts from the Original Papers now in the Hands of Mr. Checkly, lately procured from Mr. Cotton, being in the hand writing of Mr. Cotton, Deacon Snow, and Mr. Marshal. Remark i. If the Separates in 1743 were a Majority of the Breth- ren, yet their proceedings were violent and disorderly. 2. If a AUGUST 26, 1772 277 Minority (as by the Declaration of Pastor and his adherent Breth- ren in 1744 when the standing Brethren were 14 and Separates 12) then they were highly censnrable and the Suspension of the vSep- arates i74}i disabled them from acting till reconciled. They might form another Church but could never after act as members of Mr. Cotton's Church. The Congregational Church therefore, did not go with the separates but continued with Mr. Cotton and his Brethren. 3. This Church dismissed Mr. Cotton about perhaps 1748/9, when he removed and became Pastor of the Church of San- down in New Hampshire.' About 1751 or 1752 the Congregation of Mr. Cotton procured Rev. Mr. Bass of Ashford' and he preached 8 or 10 years, but did not administer the Ordinances. He died there 1762. The Church and Congregation were reduced to a low and disconsolate State. Rev. David Sherman Rowland, lately Pastor of Plainfield, came and accepted a Call of the Church and Congregation Apr. 1763. About this Time and I think a little before, there was a Daj' of Fasting and Praj^er held by Rev. Mr. Burt Pastor of Bristol, Rev. Mr. Carnes' Pastor of Rehoboth &c. who with their Churches were Feoffees in Trust holding the Meet- inghouse in Providence for a Congregational Church &c. At which Time there was a Revival of the Church, a recovenanting, and several new Members admitted and Baptism administered. Mr. Rowland settling took the pastoral Care (without Instalment) accounting himself a Minister, and immediately administered Bap- tism and lyord's Supper, and admitted Communicants. During the prostrate state from Mr. Cotton's Departure the Succession of the Church survived in but a few : I think only four Brethren, Belknap, Johnson, Marshal, Dexter, appeared before Mr. Burt «&c. to declare themselves continuing on the Original Foundation of the Church in 1763. By the Blessing of God on Mr. Rowland's Labors the Congregation has flourished again, and in 1770 were become equal to 60 or seventj^ families, the church consisting of between 30 and fourty Communicants or more (for Mr. Rowland then gave me a L,ist) of which perhaps 15 or 20 Brethren. So that it is now in as flourishing an Estate as before New lyight. Mr. ^ He was graduated at Harvard in 1722. ^John Bass (Harvard 1737), ordained in Ashford, Conn., 1743, dismissed June, 1 75 1. ^John Carnes (Harvard 1742), pastor in that part of Rehoboth afterwards set off as Seekonk. 278 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Snow carried off the bigger half of the Congregation : and asso- ciating the Separate Baptists formed a Congregation of now 100 Families and 80 or 90 Communicants, chiefly Baptists. The Majorit\- of the Church being Baptists, will chuse a Baptist for their next Minister after Mr. Snows Death, and so that church will terminate Baptists, some few perhaps in that Case returning to the original Church. Mr. Manning, Baptist President, preaches for Mr. Snow at Times ; he did so lately on the day of the Lord's Supper, and previous to that administration he went out of the Meeting, declining to communicate with them, alledging he is for close not open Comvmnion ; as all the Baptist Churches with Baptist Elders are, unless perhaps Elder Babcock's at Westerly. The Town of Providence is now 1772 about 400 houses, 500 families — I estimate 100 families real Baptists — 140 political Baptists and Nothingarians — 140 Mr. Snow's Congregation 73 Baptists and yi Presbyterian — 60 pasdobaptist Congregational — 40 Episcopalian — 20 families Quakers — a few Sandemanians — and perhaps 20 or 40 persons Deists. 27. Visited by Mr. Checkl}- in the Evening & did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture. 29. In conversation with a Gentleman from Tobago, he told me there were 5500 souls Negroes there, and but 300 White Men, of which four only had \\'ives himself being one. Probabl}- 200 Soldiers, 100 Planters & Overseers. A most unnatural & absurd Colonization ! Sundry Baptist Ministers are in Town conven^ for Provid. Commencement. The Rev. Mr. Rogers of Philadelphia preached at the Sabbatarian Meeting this Forenoon : and in the Afternoon Rev. Mr. Gano of New York preached there. The Exercise began a little after II'', and ended at IVj4". After the Congregation was dismissed; Rev. Mr. Maxsen administered the Lord's Supper to his Church, which did not end till half after Five o'clock. 30. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Eph. iv, 24. P.M. on i Cor. iii, 1 1. 31. At V P.]\L I catechised 13 Boys, 39 Girls, 4 Neg. 56 Children. September 2. Ivxamining Poli Synopsis on Christ's Sermon on Mount. Spent the Afternoon in Conversation with Dr. Bartlett AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 3, 1772 279 We had a long Discourse concerning the Authenticity of the vScrip- tures There are in Town persons that are Unbelievers. Dr. Bartlett is a sensible and firm Believer in Revelation ; under- standing the Doctrines of Jesus in the sense of the Calvinists. 3. Reading 2 lyCtters of Mr. Israel Dewey to Rev. Samuel Hopkins dated Sheffield Dec. 14, 1757 — and January 9, 1759. Upper Sheffield was since called Great-Barrington, where Mr. Dewey lived under the Ministry of Mr. Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins had preached on "the I^ord reigneth &c." and asserted the Decrees, the eternal Plan, and that nothing could possibly happen, but what was right and ought to be rejoyced in, because all was exactly as God ivould have it, even Events the most vile and enor- mous. The next Sermon was on using the World &c. in which he discussed this Inquiry, when we abused the World ? Answer, then only "when we used them contrary to the Intention, End and Design for which they were given." Mr. Dewey in a visit observed — " if God — ordained and appointed all the Wickedness that comes to pass among men and Devils, then certainly it must be allowed, that that wickedness of men in abusing the World, could not be contrary to the Intention, End and Design of God the Giver, but exactly agreeable to the appointment and Determina- tion of God." — " You did not attempt to reconcile these 2 sermons — But, Sir, the drift of your Discourse was to this purpose, in declaring that we were to believe these Things to be so, and that God the allwise Governor of the Universe, saiv it best that Sin should enter into the World, alledging this Reason, that if Men and Devils had not sinned God zvould have had no Opportunity of discovering his Hatred against Sin, nor his Wisdom and Goodness in the Redemption of Man : so that upon the whole Sin teas best and that it served the greatest and noblest purposes ; and particularly the fall and Apostasy of Man was actually best for this Reason, it brought the greatest Glory to God; alledging that if God had not seen Sin best upon the whole, viewing the whole plan he had before him, he 7iever would have permitted Man to have sinned; therefore Gods permitting man to sin was proof eno' that it was really best." Mr. Dewey replies by deducing a consequence, — God had then actually put Man under a I,aw, which it was "best upon the whole should not be observed, but broken." In his 2'' Eetter to Mr. Hopkins he acknowledges the receipt of Mr. Hopkins' Letter in Answer dated 4 Feb. 1758: observing that Mr. H. says in his 28o DIARY OF EZRA STILES Letter — '' \\\d.\. all the exercises of Men'' s Hearts, and all the Actions and Events depending thereon, are real and necessary Parts of the government and wise Plan &c. —that therefore nothing comes to pass but zchat is exactly as God zao?(ld have it." He endeavors to fix this absurdity on Mr. H. viz. that Sin is infinitely contrary and hateful to God, and yet that it is not so — . ' ' I would entreat you to con- sider what you do, by your attempting to prove that God's Hatred against sin is not infinite ; for sin is an infinite Evil and for that Reason deserves infinite punishment. Now if God's hatred against sin is not infinite his hatred is not agreeable to the Thing. — You endeavor to prove and say, that, if God's hatred against sins taki7ig place is inf?n'te, then he is infinitely the most miserable of any Being in the Universe, p. 6." Dewey alledges Texts of Scripture to show that, Sin is not the 7cill of God : — and deduces certain Consequences from Mr. H.'s principles — as that God willing Sin and Evil, God and the Devil are of one Mind, and united in carrying on th&t work, which God has eternally willed and planned out for him ; ''the will of God a) id the luill of the Devil are perfectly united in the matter of Sin, and that they are aiming both at one and the same Thing." Texts Ezek. 33, 11, Matt. 23, 37. 2 Pet. 3, 9. — i Timo. 2, 4. Mr. Dewey then conjectures (but he is mistaken) that Mr. H. took his Notions from Mr. Bellamy's Writings, in which he computes like a Merchant Profit and Loss hy Permission of Sin ; shewing that in the collective Universe not above i soul in 17 Thousand will perish — and that the Fall of Men and Angels will be attended with much greater Quantity of Happiness, than could have taken place without vSin, that Si)i luill prove 9600 Millions clear Gain & profit to the Universe. " And now Rev'' and Dear Sir — I would just observe that the plain and manifest Design of the Scriptures is to declare against Sin. — Nor can it be true that Sin should be contrary to God's Lazv, Nature and Will, and at the same Time be perfectly agreeable to his good Will and Pleasure, and exactly as he zuould have it, as you are pleased to express it. And now, Sir, as you stand in the Rela- tion of a Pastor to me and mine and also a Teacher, I think it my Duty and Interest to oppose you as long as you oppose the Truth. — If 1 live and you don't dismiss your Principles, you may rationally expect I shall oppo.se you & endeavor 3'our Dis- mission." Some person printed Mr. Hopkins' Letter in An.swer to the first SEPTEMBER 4, 1772 281 of Mr. Dewey's. This prompted Mr. Dewe}^ to print both his ; I have not seen Mr. Hopkins' Letter. He tells me he has them all : and saj^s Mr. Dewej^ on a sick bed seemed to be sorr)^ for his Let- ters, but recovering to health returned to his former sentiments again. Ten 3'ears after this Dispute Mr. Hopkins asked and was dismissed. I consider the Foundation of it partly laid in this Dis- pute with Dewey. A mutual Ecclesiastical Council at Concord July 3 past gave their Result. A part of said Council entered a Protest and formed a separate Transaction or Result 4 Jul)^ : published in Boston Gazette 31 Aug^ past. The 5*"^ & last Article — ' ' 5. With regard to the Aggrieved ive farther declare, that we think they had Cause of Complaint against the Pastor and Church, are justifiable in with- drawing from the Communion of the Church, and have in the whole management of their Controversy behaved with as much Prudence and good Temper, as could possibl}- have been expected under their Trials — and rather merit Praise than deserve Blame. And zve accordingly bid them Welcome to our Communion, and recom- mend them to the Communion of all the neighboring Churches. — The rather as even our Brethren of the Council have not explicitly blamed them, however in this not consistent with themselves." Elders Delegates Nathan Merril James Stone Jedidiah Adams Nath. Holmes Concord Samuel Cook Amos Lawrence Jul}^ 4, 1772. Eben. Morse Silas Pear.son John Tucker William Cutler Samuel Dana Ebenezer Cummins Cop5^ Attest Devi More Ebenezer Morse Scribe. I was once on an Ecclesiastical Council where we meditated opening the Doors of our Churches to certain aggrieved Brethren in Case they were not restored. But not having any direct Pre- cedent or Example, we let that alone. In 1647 the Church of Roxbury approved such an Expedient, in the Case at Hingham. 4 Lieut. Gov. Young of Tobago being in Town sent and desired me to come and see him. I waited upon him and his Lady, and spent three hours with him. He wanted to be informed 282 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES on the History of the New England Colonies. In the Afternoon fell in Company with Mr. Channing lately from Philadelphia and New York. He was told that the City of Philadelphia contained fourtv thousand Souls, in 4400 or at most 4600 Dwelling Houses. The Houses had been lately counted — the Inhabitants not ; were only estimated at 9 or 10 persons to a house. This is too large; more probably 5 or 6 to a house : so the Total of Inhabitants in Philadelphia 25,000 Souls. He said about three months ago the Houses and Inhabitants in the City of New York had been num- bered. The Number of Inhabitants were about Thirty Thousand, and 15 years ago were but 15,000, so had doubled in 15 years. I think he said the Houses were but three Thousand or 3100. I suspect the Number of Inhabitants too large and only estimated and not a direct Numeration. This Afternoon visited by Mr. Seargeant of Stockbridge &c. At V' I preached my sacramental Lecture on Col. i, 21, 22, 23, without Notes. Commencement at Providence College Wednesday last. Mr. Kelly sent me the Theses and Catalogue, the first Catalogue ever printed there : it contained 61 Graduates, of which only 23 educated there, & of the 61 there were 26 Ministers 5. Mr. Sergeant with me &c. 6. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Cant, iii, 16, 17, and adminis- tered the Communion to 64 Communicants. P.M. Jer. viii, 20. Mr. Smith preached for Mr. Hopkins who is gone on a Journey. 7. I .set out with my Wife and Miss Nabby Hammond on a Journey into Connecticutt. [The more detailed account of this Journey, preserved in Dr. Stiles's Itinerary, is as follows : — Sept. 7. Mr. EUery &c gave me first Ferriage. 2d Ferry 3/ for self & 8'^ for Miss Hamniond. Lodged at Dr. Torrey's, 2/8. My Ferriages not to be reckoned. 8. At Charlestown oats for both 7>^d. Lodged at Mr. Parks. 9. At Russels 3/4. N. L. Ferry & oats &c 3/1. Lodge Durfys, Rope Ferry. 10. At Durfys, whole account 8/. Connect. Ferry, mine 1/2. Dinner Say- brook, whole 2/9. Lodged at Dr. Gale's. 11. At Guilford Hay, Oats ^^. Oats at Branford 2. Ferry, N. H. 1/ 13. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached for Rev' Mr. Whittelsey i Jno. iv, 19. P.M. Mr. White of Windham preached for hun. Mr. Hopkins of Newpt. preached for Mr. Edwards A.M. & Mr. Lothrop of Gilead P.M. & Mr. Hopkins preached an Even'g. Lecture there. :\Ir. Smith & Mather preached at New &c. SEPTEMBER 5-13, 1772 283 Mr. Whittelsey's Meet- inghouse is about 70 X 50 feet. He told me he counted 500 Persons in the Congre- gation. I counted the north half below — in Wall pews not So, in the square Body 40, perhaps 43 ; Tot. near- est 120 persons. In the Front Gallery 80, side Gal- lerys 90, perhaps 20 or 30 Negroes. The S". half be- low I judged about as full as the north ( both of equal Bigness). So about 250 below 200 in the Galleries Revd Mr WHITTE1.SEYS Meetinghouse 40 Girls coQ o P 50 Men & Boj-s Total 450 persons in the Congregation. Mr. Whittelsey judges Mr. Edwards Congregation near as large as his own. Mr. Cook, one of the new or 3'^ Chh. tells me he judges their Congreg". about 60 or 70 families, that they have about 60 or 70 Names on their List that pay Rates — & that their Congreg* usually consists of 200 persons. The most of the Farmers belong to this Congregation. There are about 328 Dwellinghouses in Town, the compact part, & perhaps 50 or 60 at the Farms, contain*-' perhaps 1600 Souls (besides the College),— of which Two Thirds or 1200 may attend Meeting. There are about a Dozen Sandemanian Families settled here last Spring. The Chh. of Engld. may be 50 families, of which 30 or 35 live in Town, rest at the parishes out of Town. The Summer past a Family of Jews settled here, the first real Jews (except two Jew Brothers Pintos who renounced Judaism & all Religion) that settled in N. Haven. They came from Venice, sat down some little Time at Eustatia in W. Indies, & lately removed here. They are three Brothers (Adults) with an aged Mother, and a Widow & her Children, being in all about 10 or 8 Souls Jews, with six or 8 Negroes. Last Saturday they kept holy ; Dr. Hubbard was sent for then to see one of them sick : — he told me the Family were worships by themselves in a Room in which were Lights & a suspended Lamp. This is the first Jewish Worship in New Haven These Jews indeed worship in the Jewish Manner ; but they are not eno' to constitute & become a Synagogue, for which there must be 12 Men at least. So that if there slid, hereafter be a Synagogue in N. H. it must not be dated from this. Besides these there is a 284 DIARY OF EZRA STILES few in Town that belong to none of these Meetings Init are Separates & asso- ciate with others scattered in the neighboring parishes. I estimate of those 1200 which are able to attend pub. Worship, 500 Rev. I\Ir. Whittelseys Presid'. Daggets Estimate 4S0 Rev. Mr. Edwards Families 160 Mr. Whittelsey 200 . . New Church 200 / ^^- Edwds & 150 Episc. Rev. Mr. Hubbard >- new Meetg 30 Sand"' Rev. Mr. Chamberlain & Smith 40 Chh. of Engld 1360 besides little children & aged. 400 Families Scholars 120 Yale Coll. Rev. Mr. Daggett INIr. Daggett judges the new Meet? about 40 families or more ; says their Secession was scarcely felt at Mr. Edwd's Meet? — yet he after^'^' said Mr. Edw'"* Meetinghouse was thin in many places, & would contain 40 or 50 Fam. more. Since the Secession, he thinks it not quite so large a Congreg" as Mr. Whittelseys. He .saj's a few W. Haven Chlimen. attend here, the N. H. ^ Chhmen. hold Chh. by themselves. 14. Visiting in New Haven. 15. Mr. Chamberlain, Elder of the Sandemanian Chh. in New Haven (Mr. Smith is the other Elder) told me they had but Twelve Brethren (Elders included) and One Sister. The 2 Elders were educated at Yale Coll. and ordained Missionaries to the Indians by Rev. Sol«.Wms., Dr. Wheelock & the other Indian Commissioners at Lebanon. After they changed their religious sentiments, Mr. Chamberl" says he was again ordained at Boston by Mr. and Mr. Barrell, the two Elders of the Chh. of Boston, the former of which came an Elder from Scotland. I\Ir. Smith was afterwds, again ordained at B". . . In Mr. Noyes' Librarj^ I found an old Folio Book of Accounts'- with sundry Chh. Entries, &c. &c. in a miscellaneous manner. It is principally for Entries of Chh. Contributions, & Disposal of Chh. Monies & the secular Affairs of the Congreg". of N. Haven. I extract a few things, &c. It begins A. D. 1655. "The AcC of w'. have bin disbursed out of the C. tresery to Mr. Blindman sense his coming to New Haven Febry. i : 57. for 4 Weekes Diote with me 1.8 for I Barill befe 3. for his famiely passadge by Broth. Alsop 4.10 &c. &c. To Amot. ^46. 4. 2." This shews that Mr. Blinman, Minister first at Marshfield, then at C. Ann, then preacher at N. London, afterwds. came & lived some little Time at N. Haven. But it don't shew that he ever preached or assisted there as a Minister No. 16, 1653. 'i^he Names of all the seferall parsons in there seferal Quarters as they give in ther . . to the Church Tres. . ' North Haven. - This book is not now to be found. SEPTEMBER 14-15, 1772 285 Mr. Etuus qr. Mr. . Eatoun, jun. Mr. Newman Mr. Tutell Sister Boner Will Bradly Ab. Bratly John Aline Brot. Bishop Sist Bradly Bro. Kiniberly Watson Bro. Gilberds qr. Mr. Sanfurd Bro. . . . Mr. Augur Bro. Nash Bro. Talmig Tim Nash Mr. Molbone Sist. Wiglsworth Hester Tod Bro. Liadells qr. Bro. Pecke Good Lindall Bro. Elsey Bro. Hull Sist. Preston Sar. Jefer}' Bro. Heriman Broth. Seley D . . Preston Johnson John Chidsy Ephr : Peninton John Basset Ab. Dowlitell Rog. Aline Bro. Bracket Josef Nash Mr. Goodyirs qr. Mr. Grigson Mr. Daniel Bro. Jo. Nash Rich. Miles Bro. Michell Bro. Dauis Bro. Whitwell Ed. Perkins [erased] Widow Banister Sister pe Mr. Hookes qr. J W 66 [erased] Sro Fowler B..-~- Osburn Bro. Gibes Bro. Glofer Bro. Gilburt Mr. Wackeraan Bro. Bennom Bro. Atwater Tho. Whelur, jun. Bro. lyarimore Mr. C - . . sins Widow Grene Daniel Grene Rob. Jonson Punderson Mr. Yale Tho. Johnson Tho. Powell Oliver Balle Bro. Boykins qr. Mr. Casidg Will Ludettson Samuel Hogkins Bro. Thai-pe Bro. Beman Bro. Hill John Jonson Bro. Lowe Mr ings qr. Bro. Monson Bro. Cooper How Bro. Mansfield Thomas Meks Mr. Goodinhous Irvin How Ed. Parker J Bishop Henry Line [doubtful] Bro. Whitids qr. Bro. Winstone Tho. Bech Atkin.son Sist. Charls John Aliu Sist. Pecke Good Barker Bro. Bristow Bro. Winston John Andsun Capt. Howe Mr. Underford Henery Gibins [erased] Job Meacker Edward Preston Peter Malery [erased] Will Thompson John Thomson Bro. Laurison John Thomas Peter Malery John Wackfeld Tim Foord The Sea Side qr. Rob. Pig Math. Row Mr. Alurton, sen. Mr. Allurton, jun, James Rosell Henery Gibins Will Gibens Bro. Moris Will Holt Bro. Martin Josef Alsop Will Andrew, sen. Bro. Russell John Hall Georg Pardy Bro. Brone Will Paine Morgine, sen. Henry Morell Will Blidon 286 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES (After entries, but sub- joiued to above in contin- uation.) Nath. Meriman Tho. Barns Nico. Baty Ab. Kimberly Josh Benham Sanill Mash Ed Pattison Josef Waters Humphry Sping Tho Hog. Tho Bech Antony Thomson John Thomson Rich. Huball John Bower Remark i. This shews the Inhab. in 1654 with the Additions of Rateables till 1656. 2. The Erasures I suppose shew the Deaths.^ 3. I take the List to have been made for Entries of Sabbath Contributions ; & the Pages or Lines being filled, a new List was made in 1656, more full than this. This contains 180 Names, that about 260, of which 70 an addition. 4. The List took by Quarters, as Eatons Quarter, &c. 5. The second List is dated Nov. 16, 1656, doubtless intended for the Taxes or Contrib. of the year 1657 & served for sev- eral 3'ears : the last Addition of Names being M. i, 63. 6. In this List is the Names of the following Ministers : Mr. Davenport, Mr. Hooke, Mr. Street, Mr. Blindman. The 2 first Pastor & Teacher of the Chh. Only Davenp't. & Hook in the List of 1656 at its formation ; Blindman & Street after additions. Now Mr. Hook went to England in 1656, and Mr. Street succeeded as Teacher. 7. In both Lists by Brother & Sister I suppose the Chh. Members are dis- tinguished. 8. I find the name of Edward Church in the last List in the body Entries in the second List drawn more fairly & better spelled Farmers Bro. Atwater Bro. Potter Bro. Baset Bro. Moltrop Bro. Andrew John arkman Samuell F Henery Line John Thomson Rich. Bech Henery Bowtell John Downs Timothy Nash Jeams Etun James Clarke John Mos Will P Elsebet Godman Tho. Wheler, sen. John Thomson Will Strabridg John Totell And"- Hollwell Will Willmot Tho Trobredg Ed Hichkoke Caturn John Potur Joseph Benham Rich. Miles Henery Karter Osburn Wackman Tho Tutull Serena Jonson " of it. The contain 156 Names original or first Entries 35 after inserted in the Ou'rs. & among Erasures 191 41 Additions before 1663 26 do. in & after 166^ 258 9. The Insertions and Additions consist of a few new Names, both mostly of the old names, implying them to be natural Increase. 10. By this Time I find the more distant Farms began to be settled, viz., Goodyear Farms, East Farms, and No. Haven, & E. Haven ; &, I think, Wallingford. 11. By this time Mr. ' An incorrect inference. i SEPTEMBER 15, 1772 287 Davenp't. grew uneasy & wanted to remove : the Charter come & a new Mode of Taxing, &c. & Confusion arose; and the List ends. 12. I can't determine who was the Writer or Keeper of these Accounts. Only I find in another part of the Book, "No. 16, 1653. The Account of the weekly Contributions for the Church Treasury received by me, R. M." These receipts were "in Money, Wampum & Bills." It begun weekly — then every other month weekly, in 165S once a month, & ceased in 1659. ^^ seems to be an Attempt to raise monies which did not succeed, & so was dropt. This with other Difficulties discouraged Mr. Davenport. Perhaps this R. M. was Richard Miles. 13. These were the Times of Mr. Hook & Mr. Street, when the Congreg" seems to have consisted of about 230 or 240 Families, of which 120 or 130 in the Town Plot or Square, &c., the rest Farmers. That is, about 1650 the Town Plot was as fully inhabited as 1750 or nearly, for then it did not contain above 150 or 170 Dwellinghouses, if so many. Indeed upon Recollection I can't suppose 100 fam. Farmers in 1650 or 1660, & so the Square must have then contained 150 families or more. Mr. Prout (graduated at Y. Coll. about 1706) tells me he remembered when the T" Sqr. had more Dwellinghouses than it had 1750 & circa, & this he often told me about 20 years ago. So I conclude the T° Sqr. as full of Inhabitants in Mr. Davenp'ts Day as in Mr. Noyes's Days, or 1660 as 1750. In 1758 I took an Ace" & found in & about the T" Sqr. just Tzao Hun- dred Dwellinghouses & perhaps 2 or 3 more or less. Now, 1772, it is said to be 300. Rev. Bela Hubb'd. tells me he has 80 Episc" Families in New Haven, Bethany, & West Haven. I find in Itinerary 1762 New Haven old Meetinghouse 40 X 60. Deac. Mans- field, aet. above So, says 60 & 25 addition, means that the original length was 60, & as to Breadth whatever it was, there was 25 feet addition. Constable Hotchkiss says, 60 X 55, I think. The Ruins or Trench of the Underpinning was plain 1762, scarcely distinguishable now 1772. I measured it in 1762, tho' hastily. On the whole it was not sixty foot square. 60 40 N \ A- S 25 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Pew - 1 I ; ! ' __ — 1 i MM 28S DIARY OF EZRA STILES In the Winter 1769 Dr. Carrington counted 271 Dwellinghouses in Town in- clusive the jiubHc Buildings. The pub. Buildings 1772 are 2 Colleges & a Chapel 3 Mr. Whittelsey's Meetinghouse i Mr. Edwards do. i INIr. Hubbards Episc" Chh. i New Meetinghouse i erected 1770. Two Schoolhouses 2 Court House i Goal I Printing House i 12 Judge Ingersoll counted them this Summer past & found the Number 440. This included ever}- Store & Shop with a Fireplace. In 1757 w-ere 197 Dwell- inghouses (besides Colleges) in the same Limits. 16. IMiss Hammond went with INIr. Whittelsey to Wallingford. 17. Rode to Stone house & lodgd at Sister Hubbard's, Widow of Billy. 18. Dined at Laws %, Stratford Ferr\' 10'', &c 2''. Arrived at Br. Sillimans at Fairfield. 19. Visited Judge Silliman, &c. Barber. 20. Ldsdy. I preached all day for Rev'' Mr. Hobart. His Meetinghouse I judge 60 X 40. P.M. 140 or 150 in the Galleries ; 84 in N" half below, so total below about 170, or 160, for the S" half not so full. Total below i6o-(- 140=300 persons in the Congregation, 3'et judged a very full Meeting. Not so many in Forenoon. Assembly serious & attentive. 21. Eng. Transla. of N. T. from Lat. Vulgate on one side : in old Eng. print. 4'". Originally belonging to Major Selleck of Fairfield — now Mr. Silliman's by his Wife, Abigail Selleck. Ouere. Wickliffs? Fairfield Meetinghouse 23 Miles fr. N. H. Set out homewards 4/. Dined Stratfd. 1/6. Ferry 10''. Arrived at New Haven. 22. Postage 2 Letters 1/9. Dined at Mr. Babcocks. Spent Aft. in Company with Rev. Mr. Whittelsey & Rev. Sam' Hopkins of Hadley at Rev. Mr. Edwds'. & at Mr. Hillhouse's. 23. To Postage Lett, to Newpt. 1/2. To Children 2 Pisterenes. Mend'g Chaise 4/. To Br. Billys Store. Stock Buckle 6/. Lodged at Br. Isaac's at North Haven. 24. Sister Stiles's Pattern of light brown Grosgrain giving 8X yds. being 29 >^ Inches wde & I weighed it two pounds Averd. exactl}-, cost ^5. 11. o, L. M., being 13/ per yard. To children 2 pist. Dined at Br. Munson's, Br. Isaac & Wife riding with us there & to visit Mother Stiles at Br. Bradlj-s at Mount Carmel. 25. To Mother a Dollar. Dined at Dr. Dana's in Wallingford, & rode to Meridcn. Meriden Meetinghouse 64 X 44. 27. I/lsdy : jireached all day for Br. Hubbard. The Cong. 200 : rainy day. 28. Training Day at Meriden. Company 93 Rank & file — 119 in the List. Not above 3 or 4 above jet. 40. Usually when above tet. 40 become excused. SEPTEMBER 16-OCTOBER 10, 1772 289 Haddam new Meetinghouse 65 X 45, cost ^800. L,. M. East Haven 60 X 40, now building. 29. Yesterday P.M. about So Men & 100 Boys at Training besides the Sol- diers. It was said as many boys in the field between te. 10 & 16 as in the Body. There seemed & was judged to be the most of the Males in the parish except Infants. 30. Went to a Wedding in Meriden. Oct. I. Deacon Whiting,' set. 78, tells me he was born at So'hampton on L. Isld., son of Rev'' Mr. Whiting, Minister there : that Mr. Tayler preceded his father. The Deacon, son of Min' at So' Hampton, son of Rev. Mr. Sam. Whit- ing of Linn, I think. Deacon Br. to Revd. Mr. Whiting at Concord. Oats, Becklys 2''. Dinner, &c. 3/ Hooker's Serm. 1/6 Ferry 6''. 2. At Woodb., E. Hartf'd. 3/4. Mending 1/3. 1500 Military Adventurers under Gen. Lyman. Dined at Uncle Stiles at No. Coventry. A new parish at E. Hartfd. made last year, of 166 Fam. 116. Lodged Mansfield. 3. At Conants 5/4, whole. At Ashf'' Flips'', whole. Dined at Ashf'd. 2/10. Arrived at Uncle Stiles at Woodstock. He has an Electr. pointed Rod on his house. 4. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached. P.M. Uncle. His Congreg" 125 below, 50 in front Gallery, 30 W. side Gallery, 12 E. do. & 15 in pews over stairs. Tot. 230. Parish, 70 Families. Woodstock No. Meetinghouse about 50 X 45. 5. Training Day at Woodstock. 6. Dined at Felchers i/io ; reached Sales's in Gloucester. 7. Detained at Sales by N. E. Storm. 8. N. E. Storm continues. Sales Tot. 8/10, mine 5/4. Rode i>^ Mile to Sq. Wilmots in Gloucester, 16 M. from Providence. At Wilmots 1/9 ; rode 4 M. & lodged at Bussys 12 M. from Providence. Mrs. Buss}- aet. 37 looks much like my sister Kezia Munson deceased. '^ 9. Bussys, Tot. 6/ Dined at Olnys at Provid. 4/3 Tot. Ferry 9'^, oats — 10. Bristol Ferry 2/. Oats Turners 2)4. To mend? Chaise 6/. Arrived home before I P.M. with 2 Doll, left.] Oct. 10. Arrived at Newport, where I found one Mr. John Murray,' aet. 32 who was formerly a Westleian Methodist Preacher. Differ- ing with them, he ceased preaching : then was rebaptized by Plunging — originally born and brought up a Churchman. Then he jo3'ned Mr. Whitfield and partook of the L,ord's Supper in the Tabernacle. Two 3'ears ago, and just before Mr. Whitfield's ^ Ebenezer Whiting, of Meriden, youngest son of Rev. Joseph (Harvard 1661). - Kezia Stiles married Basil Munson on May 2, 1751, and died on Oct. 17, 1768, aged 37 >^ years. ^ Afterwards best known as the promoter of Universalist doctrine in America. This experience of Dr. Stiles unsettled his congregation to some extent. Cf. Holmes's Life of Stiles, 174-76. 19 290 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Death, he came to America— resided chiefly at Philadelphia — resumed preaching in private Houses, but was admitted into no Meetinghouse, till he came to New York, where he preached in Mr. Gano's Baptist Meetinghouse, though not at Mr. Gano's Desire. He was at New Haven at the Commencement last Month. Preached at Norwich in Mr. Lord's Pulpit tho' not at his Desire, and .so at Chelsea,' and at Preston in Mr. Hart's pulpit, Mr. Hart present to hear but did not a.sk him. He came to Newport with Mr. Hopkins, who did not ask him to preach. But some Gentle- men of my Congregation desired him and he preached all Lord's day Sept. 27. — and on Monday at III'' P.M. and at Evening VI to IX. Then he went to Providence and preached there at Mr. Snow's and at East Greenwich. Returning he preached in my Meeting last Thursday and Friday Evenings. This Evening he visited me. I told him I could not a.sk him to preach at present, he having no Credentials. 11. Lord's day. A.M. I preached on i John v, 3, and published Gideon Cornell and Mary Milward. P.M. Acts xvii, 27, 28. 12. Mr. Murray preached at Mr. Kelly's Baptist Meeting 5-ester- day : and at the Close notified a Lecture on Monday Evening, and had the Assurance to notify it to be in my Meetinghouse — which he did without my Privity or Consent. In the Afternoon I went with Mr. Hopkins to Seconet. 13. Attended Association at Rev. Mr. Campbell's at Tiverton : present nine Mini.sters. 14. After Lecture, returned with Mr. H. to Newport. I found that Mr. Murray preached in 1113^ Meetinghouse on Monda)' Even- ing : — at Major Otis's held a Conversation on Tuesday E\'ening : — & went out of Town Wednesday, or this Morning accompanied to the Ferries by Capt. Newton. On Sabbath Evening or After- noon arrived Rev. Mr. Thompson Baptist Minister at Warren, and brought from New York a Report that Mr. Murraj^ had changed his Name from Jeff or Jeffers or &c. , and had a Wife in London (though he asserts he is a Widower) playd Cards and gamed aboard Ship in the pas.sage, had been an Actor on the Stage, &c., in general that his Character was doubtful and exceptionable ; and that Mr. Gano of New York informed Mr. Murray of these Stories and offered to .send for the Captain or Mate of the Ship then in the ' Chelsea Society, at the Landing, in Norwich, of which the Rev. Ephraini JudsfJD was pastor. OCTOBER II-I4, 1772 291 City — but Mr. Murra}' refused to wait to see him, and took his hat and went away. This Story I was told by Gov. Lyndon who came to inform me of it on Lord's day Evening, three Gentlemen of my Congregation being then at ni}' house. Mr. Thompson went out of Town in the ^Morning. Afterwards the Story bruited about Town and made great Noise. Capt. Belcher determined to have Mr. Murray and ■Nlr. Thompson face to face — accordingly with Capt. Xewton went to Mr. Rogers where he lodged and found Mr. Thompson was gone. Mr. Rogers told the Story. Mr. Murray denied it all, said it was an old Story and false. Mr. Rogers asked him, wh}' he did not sta\' when Mr. Gano sent for the Man &c., he replied, because he did not want to be confronted with a drunken Sailor who would lie and say and sware to any Thing. Mr. New- ton and Mr. Belcher were satisfied — and it soon began to be bruited abroad that Mr. Thompson a Baptist Minister had brought a false and malicious Story and run off and dare not face Mr. Murray — and the opinion of the populace and Gentry took a Turn in Mr. Murraj-'s Favor and the Report was disbelieved and disregarded : — & Capt. Newton «S: Capt. Belcher & their Wives & two other Gentlemen, rode out on the Island with him out of Respect. In the Evening he preached on Isaiah 53, i, 7cho hath believed oicr Report? and went largely into a Vindication of himself. In order to which he first stated the Accusations against himself, heighten- ing them bej'ond what they were — as representing him to have been a transported Convict &c, He did this with such Success as to approve himself innocent to the whole Assembh'. He denied the Facts — he adduced and expatiated on the Examples of the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles as Sufferers of Reproaches — and said finall}', be his Character as it might good or bad, this ought not to hurt the Truth he delivered — ^and illustrated thus, if a Mes- senger brings 3"ou a Letter which 3^ou know comes from your Friend, you dont refuse to open and receive and act on the Con- tents of the Letter, till you inquire the Character of the Messenger. The Message he brought, not the good or ill Character of the Mes- senger, was the Thing to be attended to. And thus he artfully took off the public Attention from the Report. At a former Lecture he preached on the parable of the Merchant selling all and buying the Pearl &c.: & explained it thus — the Merchant was Jesus Christ ; the Pearl of great price and Value was the Church ; Christ sold all to bu}- it. At another Lecture — on 292 DIARY OF EZRA STILES the parable of the Net and fishes — caught Fish of all kinds, all Fish were caught, to save all, and all that that was cast away was their Sins — only Sins cast away, not Sinners. Yet this was mixt up with such doubtful expressions, that while some understood him to hold forth Universal Salvation, others perceived no such Thing. [Mr. Murray left America and sailed for Europe Dec' 1787.] 15. Gov. Hutchinson in Town. This day the Printer dispersed a Ballad of Mr. Murray's entituled "A Caution to those who hold Calvinism &c." I did not attend Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture. 16. Mr. Agent Marchant arrived here from London Via Boston 24"' of last Month. Aug. 4 died Rev. Gideon Mills' of Symsbury jet. 57. In Ministry 28 years. In May last Rev. Mr. Tennent* ordained at Greenfield ; and about same Time Rev. Mr. Drummond' ordained at Canaan in Norwalk. In August Rev. Mr. Brockway^ ordained at Lebanon Crank ; and same month on Dartmouth Col- lege Commencement Week Rev. Mr. Burroughs' (late pastor of Killingly) installed at Hanover over the Town Church, 60 Fami- lies. There are 60 families settled in Norwich adjoyning. And September 23, 1772 Rev. Jon^' French ordained Pastor in S° Parish Andover in room of venerable Mr. Phillips. 18. Lord's day. At IX" I married Wni. Coggeshall and Patience Ryder at Widow Ryder's, and preached A.M. i John iv, 14-17. P.M. Philip, iii, 8. — full Congregation. In the Evening visited by Mr. Marchant &c. 19 Saturday Evening Mr. Marchant sent in a Piece of Silk, green Ducape, striped and spriged, ten yards and a quarter, 22 '' ,, Inches or nearest twenty three Inches wide i. e. above half j'ard and half quarter ; Selvedge one Tenth of an Inch ; weighing Eighteen Ounces and 2/3 oz. Avoirdupois. Mr. Marchant procured it to be manufactured in London, out of about twenty one ounces of raw Silk raised by my Wife and sent over to him last Winter ; he procured of Dr. Franklin some Philadelphia Silk (i. e. of American Culture) to make out enough. The manufacturing cost £2. 14. 6. and the Philadelphia Silk iis. 3d. So the whole cost ;^3. 5. 9. sterling which Mr. Marchant paid and generously presented to us. ' Yale Coll. 1737. "• William M. Tenneut (Priuceton College 1763). ■ William Dnimmond, a Scotchman ; in what is now New Canaan. * Thomas Hrockway (Yale 1768), in what is now Columbia. * Eden Burroughs (Yale 1757). OCTOBER 15-20, 1772 293 And this Day it is making up into a Gown ; which my Wife gives (after she has done with it) to Betsy, or the oldest Daughter sur- viving her ; to be preserved as a Memorial of her once having a Silk Gown made of Silk of her own Raising. Mr. Marchant also brought me three Letters from lyondon : one from Dr. Franklin, one from Mr. Sayre,' and one from the cele- brated female Historian Mrs. Catharine Macaulay which she sent me, with a fine Edition of her Works in 4^" neatly bound gilt and lettered, being 5 Volumes of her History of England, and one on political Subjects Hobbs, Paoli &c. which she sent to be deposited in the Redwood Library. In Conversation with Mr. Marchant she expressed the highest Opinion of the two Republican Colonies of Connecticutt & Rh. Island. COPY OF MRS. MACAULAY'S LETTER. "Sir By the Favor of Mr. Marchant iu whose company I have been " very happy during some time of his Stay in England I am acquainted with "the eminent abilities of the Author of the Discourse on the Christian Union. " I take the opportunity of Mr. Marchant's return to America to send you " Sir thanks for the pleasure which the perusal of that performance gave me ' ' and to request it as a favor that you will give a place in the Redwood Eibrary "to my Publicatious as a small Testimony of my Regard to the people of the " free Colony of Rhode Island. I am Sir Your Very Obedient and obliged London Humble vServant July 10: 1772 Catharine Macaulay." "To the ReV^ Dr. Styles." 20. A Letter from Dr. Alison 5th Inst, gives an account of uncomfortable Agitations among the Presbyterians in Philadelphia occasioned b}^ forcing open Doors to give Mr. DufQeld^ the Posses- sion of the New Presb. Church in that City the last Lds day in September. At the Commencement at Nassau Hall 30th ult. the Degree of Doctor in Divinity was conferred on the Rev'' Henry Hunter of London, and Rev'' John Adam of Greenock in Scotland. Mr. Marchant used to accompany Mr. Grant and Wife to this Mr. ^ See below. Diary for Jan. 18, 1776. '^See above, July 16, 1772. 294 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Hunter's Meeting in London, and Mrs. Grant (formerly of my Church, and Daughter of David Chesebro' Esqr. of my Church) is now a Communicant in his Church. Mr. Marchant speaks of him a sincere sensible good Man, in earnest to do all the good he can. His Meetinghouse (not so large as mine) but very full. In general Mr. March' says the Dissenting Meetings are fuller than he expected. His Excellency Gov. Hutchinson was in Newport last week. I was invited to dine with him. He said that Mr. Murray of Booth- bay near Kennebec, who was once a Presbyterian Minister in Philadelphia and has been convicted of Forgery and yet is a most popular Preacher to the Eastward, is now about to take the Gown and is negotiating with Mr. Brown Episcopal Missionary at Ports- mouth to be his Assistant and Successor. He was for forging Credentials censured and rejected by the General Synod in Ireland — and afterwards by the second Presbytery in Philadelphia — and by the united Synods of New York and Philadelphia.' At a Convention of the Episcopal Clergy at Boston last Month young Dr. B3des preached and gave great Offence both to Church- men &c. Among other Things he inveighed against the Hypoc- risy of occasional Conformit}', or persons partaking of the Communion with the Church of England for secular Offices, and not coming over intirely to the Church. This was supposed to be aimed at the Governor, Lieut. Governor &c. Mr. Chesebro' mentioning it to Gov. Hutchinson the Governor told him that no man zuas obliged to qualify for Office, in the Colonies, by receiving the Communion with the Church of England : that indeed the Governors and other Crown Offlcers in America had done it, but it was only out of Politeness and respect to the Church of England, not of necessity ; and added that the Act of Parliament exacting this quali- fication for Office, did not extend to America, but was limited to England. I believe this is a new Determination at home, and that it has never yet been made known in New England or any part of America : For it is the constant usage of the Crown Officers in America to partake frequently at Church. This is done by the Mini.stry, i. e. this Relaxation is permitted, to take in the Presby- terians and American Dissenters, which they well know at home are collectively more than three Quarters of the Whites in x\merica ; and of the Million Souls Whites in the northern Parts from Pen- ' See above, Dec. 17, 1771. OCTOBER 21-22, 1772 295 sylvania inclusive to Nova Scotia, the Episcopalians of the Chli of Engld are not the thirtieth Part. 21. The new South Church in Boston late Mr. Bowen's, last v^^eek gave a call to Mr. Joseph Howe senior Tutor of Yale College to the pastoral Office over them. Mr. How is a most ingenious and excellent Man, a good Scholar and the Ornament of the Col- lege, of polite and amiable Manners, a Calvinist cautiously avoiding the New Divinit}' Disputes. He has in effect three Calls now under Consideration — at Norwich to be Collegue with aged Mr. lyord ; but this he will not accept being 73 for him and one Third against him : — at Weathersfield one of the largest Congregations in Connecticut : their late pastor Mr. I,ockwood left in writing (not known till after his Death) that he recommended Mr. How to his Church for his Successor and testifying his Orthodoxy ; now Mr. lyockwood was so very orthodox as to be a little inclined to the New Divinity : — at Boston ; here Mr. How preached 3 Sermons, besides twice for Dr. Appleton at Cambridge. If Mr. How con- sults his natural Inclination he would settle at Norwich — Money and Interest, at Weathersfield — Honor and Figure in public L,ife, Boston — Ease and Comfort, either indifferently — Doing good and Usefulness, all are so nearly equal that he can't determine — the Will of Christ and the Voice of Providence, it does not yet appear. On the whole he has a singular Opportunity of quitting all self seeking and giving himself up to the Disposal of the great Head of the Church, and leaving it with him in his holy Providence to open and give a Determination of the place of his Settlement. 22. This day A.D. 1755 I was ordained to the Work of the Evangelical Ministry in Newport, and have by the Grace of God been carried thus far through mj' Ministry— but with so much Imperfection that I cannot think of it, but with more Distress than Pleasure. The good Eord pardon me hitherto, and strengthen me to greater Fidelity. In the 17 years of my Ministry I have had under my pastoral care about one thousand Souls, a third of which are now in Eternity — without doubt many of them are in Misery — I have reason to fear some have perished through my Neglect. And yet I would humbly hope that I have warned all, taught them the Evil and danger of sin, and represented the Way of Sal- vation by a bleeding Savior : though I might have inculcated these Things with greater Frequency, Zeal and Assiduity. O how great the Work, how solemn and awful the Account for the Blood of 296 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Souls I Onus Humeris angelicis formidanduni. I attended Mr. Hopkins' Eveug Lecture, he preached lyuke ii, 10. 23 Reading Dr. Price on Annuities. Mr. Munay (or Murphy) went from .hence to South Kingston and preached there — that there ivas no fiitiire Damnation. Thence to Exeter or Rich- mond and preached. Then at Norwich Mr. Lord shut up and refused his Meetinghouse— upon which he preached in the New Light Separate Meetinghouse. And Tuesday Evening he preached in Mr. Judsou's Pulpit at the Landing, without Mr. Judson's Con- sent, though Mr. Judson was in the Pulpit to hear hira. He then notified that next day he should preach at Paul Parks Separate Meeting in Preston. His Text at the Landing was Isai. Iv, 13, Instead of the Thorn, &c. 24. Wednesda}^ 14'" Inst, the Rev. Nathan Perkins' was ordained Pastor of the Church in the West Society in Hartford. Rev. Wm. Russel of Windsor read the Papers of Call &c. Rev" Mr. Pitkin of Farmington made the first Prayer ; Rev'' Mr. Lee of Norwich preached on i Cor. i, 17. Rev'' Mr. Bliss of Windsor made the Prayer before the Charge, which was given by the Rev'' Mr. Whit- man of Hartford : Rev'' Mr. Staples of Canterbury prayed after the Charge : and Rev'' Mr. Perry of E. Windsor gave the Rt Hand of Fellowship. Oct. 20, died Rev'' Edward Dorr Pastor of the first Church in Hartford, aet. 50 circa. Wrote a Letter to Mr. Whittelsey of New Haven giving an Account of Mr. Murray. This Afternoon visited by Mr. Wm. Penn of Florida an Officer in the Ordnance. He was originally of Daventr}^ in England, one of Dr. Doddridge's last Pupils, is 36 years old, and now returning to Europe Gen. Lyman' is arrived from England with a Pension of ^200 per annum from the Crown and ^500 Gratuity— also with a Grant of 4 or 5 Miles square on the Mississippi from 32 to 34° Latitude for [himself instead of] the Company of Military Adventurers about 1500 which he has been .soUiciting eight years. Mr. Penn tells me he is well acquainted with Dr. TurnlniU set. 50 of Florida. He resided some years at Smyrna in Asia. He ' A native of Lisbon, Conn., and graduate of Princeton in 1770; he subse- quently married a daughter of Timothy Pitkin, who took part in these services. - Phineas Lyman (Yale 1738), a hero of the French and Indian War, went to England in 1763. He led a colony to Mississippi in 1773, and died there. OCTOBER 23-28, 1772 297 brought over and settled at East Florida 1769 a Colony of 1500 Greeks and Minorcans, brought in Ten Vessels, chiefly Greeks from Smyrna. They are now reduced by Death to 500 Souls.' The Minorcans are Romanists with a Romish Priest : the Greeks are of the Greek Religion with a Greek Priest. The Doctors Lady is a Greek from Smyrna, but is a Romanist as to Religion. Mr. Penn saj-s there are or were onl}^ two Church or Episcopal Clergymen in Florida, one at St. Augustine, and another, Mr. Eraser, with Dr. Turnbull. Mr. Eraser lately coming for Georgia died of a drunken Debauch drinking Rum at a planter's house. There is no Prcsbj-terian Minister in the Province, though a con- siderable Number of Presbyterians at St. Augustine. He was Agent for Denn3^s Rolls Esq'' Member of Parliament who bought 4 Tracts 25,000 acres each on St. John's River, sent over 200 Planters of which 50 Girls, and expended ^7000 sterling to little Purpose. All but fifteen have absconded and chiefly settled in Georgia, the Terms of settlement not suiting them in Elorida. The Earl of Egmont has a Plantation on an Island in Elorida with 100 Negroes. The Climate does not suit for Canes & Sugar plantations. 25. Lord's da5^ I preached all day on Ephes. ii, 10 The Men o' War fired a Salute at I'' it being the King's Accession. 26. Reading Newton on Prophec3^ 27. This day at IX^ A.M. Ezra went to be inoculated for the small pox, with Dr. Bartlett ; who sailed for Stonington with four- teen persons, whom he carried with him to inoculate them on Dodge's Island, about 35 miles from Newport. Yesterday the Town of Newport voted not to admit Inoculation here : to day they met again and voted for it. About thirty persons have had the small pox here and on the Island, that is 7 on the Island, 18 had it the natural way and carried to Coaster's harbor, of which 18 five died — and five inoculated there all got well. The few remain^ at the harbor are in a fair way. 28. Writing a Letter to Dr. Alison. At Mason in New Hamp- shire Oct" 14. Rev. Jonathan Searle^ was ordained over the new gathered Church there. Performers Rev. Mr. Emerson of Hollis . . . first prayer ' For a further account of Dr. TurnbuU's enterprise, see Proceedings of the Mass. Historical Society, iii, 225-27. "* Harvard College 1764. 298 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Mr. Parsons of Newburyfalls . preached Acts xxvi, 17, 18. Mr. Chandler of Rowley prayed and gave the Charge Mr. Farrar of New Ipswitch prayed after the Charge. Mr. P^merson of Pepperell gave the Rt. Hand Fellowship. This day the Town voted down Inoculation. 29. This day I received from London the Zohar a Hebrew Folio Volume of 800 or 770 pages, Sultzbac Edit. 1684. and published at Nuremberg. It is a mystic or cabbalistic CouiDioitary iipon the Penh tench by Rabbi Simeon Ben Jochai This day another Town meeting, and voted against Inoculation. And now the Deputies are instructed to vote against it in the General Assem- bly now sitting at Providence. It is remarkable that the Town is so nearly divided that in five different Votes there has been a dif- ference of but six or seven Votes. There have been four Town Meetings. At the first the main question was kept out of sight — as the Assembly had directed the Deputies to take the Opinion of the Towns, and it was given out that many of the Towns had already voted against it, so it was said it would not pass — and so it had best to be left with the Deputies Discretion ; under this expectation that nothing would come of it, a vote thus put was carried by a small Majority. It alarmed however ; and though this was a month ago, it was immediately said we will have another Meeting before the Assembly sits, & revoke it. Accord-' there have been 3 Meetings (I think this week) within a few days. Great secret Interest was made for it chiefly by some powerful quaker Connexions of 3'oung Dr. Easton, while others rested in too much Confidence that the Town when alarmed would vote against it. The Meeting not very full — and the first Vote hap- pened to be a Tie or equal, and the Moderator would not turn it. The Vote put a 2^ Time, it was carried for Inoculation by but 5 or 6. This near Equality roused again and encouraged another Attempt, and the Strife was earnest and vigorous. Another Meet- ing was called the same day to meet the next daj^ — and again this day — at both which the Votes passed against Inoculation though with a small majority. So that of five Votes — one was for Inocu- lation — one an Equivote — two against it ; these were on the ques- tion itself — besides one for referring to the Deputies Discretion. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins' Lecture. Waited on Hon. Abra- ham Redwood Esq'', the Founder and informed him of the Dona- tion of Mrs. Macaulay to the Redwood Library : with which he OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER II, 1772 299 was pleased. In the Even- I married Geo. Cornell and Mary Milward. 30. Yesterday I received 40 Copies of Mr. Rowlands Convention Sermon. At IV' P.M. I preached my sacrament Lecture Eph. iii, 8. — Present Messrs. Hopkins & Kelly. Nov. 1. Lord's da3^ A.M. I preached on Heb. ii, 9, and adminis- tered the Lord's Supper to above 60 Communicants. P.M. 2 Cor. v, 15. Read Doddridge's Sermons — and Dionysius Areopag. I baptized Martin Son of Capt. Belcher. 2. Reading Pere Lobo's History of Abissynia. Heard that Ezra and 13 others were arrived at Stonington and inoculated. Those who went from Newport together were Miss Sally and Bathsheba Searing, Miss Betsy Hopkins, Miss Nabby Stevens, Miss Lucy Ellery, Miss Nancy and Betsy Channing, Miss Polly Clarke and Httle Betsy Eliot— John Bartlett, Bartlett, Ezra Stiles, Billy Stevens and Sam. Dayton. 3. Reading Magazines. 4. Reading Magazines. 7. Reading Newton on Prophecy. 8. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Rom. viii, 32. P.M. Exod. xix, 5. Reading Bp. Newton &c. 9. This Forenoon I visited a learned Jew in Town and on his Travels. He is really a Rabbi. His title is "The Doc- tor our Doctor the great Rabbi, Moses the Son of David an Ash- canazin of little Poland, of the holy Synagogue at Apta." He is now ^^t. 52 born at Apta in Poland In the Afternoon Rabbi Moses came to my house, in Company with Huzan Touro of this Town. We had much Conversation both of his Travels and on the Talmud and Rabbinical Literature. I shewed him the Zohar, with which he was much delighted, speaking with Raptures of the Sublimity and Mysteries of its Con- tents ; he told me if I could comprehend that Book I should be a Master of the Jewish Learning & of the greatest philosophy in the World 10. This Morning heard Ezra and the Company with him were all broke out with the small pox last Sabbath at Stonington. . . . 1 1 . Letters from the inoculating House 9'" Inst. None broke out on Lordsday last. 300 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 12. Letter again dated lo"' the}- were not broke out on Mon- day' — and 5-et had been twice inoculated. Yesterday fortnight Dr. Wigueron' of Newport was inoculated at New York : by a vessel which left New York Tuesda}'- P.M. hear the Physicians gave him over. Ma}^ a holy God preserve our Children ; to him may we look for vain is the help of Man. Rabbi Moses came and .spent the Afternoon with me. I preached Mr. Hopkins' Evening Lecture on Mat. xi, 28-30. 13. Stormy day. Writing Letters to London. 14. Had Letter from Stonington, inform*-' none were broke out Wednesday last, that had been inoculated a second time. 15. Ldsda5^ A.M. I preached on Ps. xxxiv, 14, and P.M. on Ps. xxxvi, 7. Yesterdaj' Ruth broke out; we were greatly alarmed least it should prove the Small Pox, tho' we know not that she had been exposed. It is a Pestilence walk'g in Darkness. God mercifulh' ordered that our Fears abated this Morning — the Eruption going in & turn^ in the face, & she much better. 18 This Evening heard again that the Children with Dr. Bartlett were broke out with the small pox. — Spent the After- noon with Rev. Mr. Le Baron'' a j^oung Minister lately settled at Rochester. 19. Attended Mr. Hopkins' Lecture. Mr. Le Baron preached it. 20. Visited by Mr. Jacob Pipels^ set. 73 of Shippensburg, Cum- berland Co., Pensylvania. Born in parish of Lac in County Donnegal in Ireland 12 miles from Derry. He was at my Meeting last Sabbath, and staid in the Meetinghouse the Intermission sea- son though invited &c. Monday Morning he came to see me. Being at Breakfast I asked him to eat, he said he had not broke his fast or eat any Thing since Saturday, that he drank no Tea, but would eat some Bread and milk. I asked if he fasted on Lord's daj'- on principle : he said he had fasted seven days and nights without eating or drinking and was well all the while. I said this was .strange if true : he said he would tell me more wonderful ' Charles Anthony Wigueron (properly Vigneron) died in New York on Nov. 10. Dr. Stiles says elsewhere, in 1766, that he then had the largest practice of any physician in Newport, — probably above one-third of the whole practice. His father (also a physician, educated in Flanders) emigrated from France to America in 1690. See Newporl Hist. Magazine, iii, 94-5. * Lemuel Le Baron (Yale 1768) was ordained over the 2d Church in Roches- ter, now Mattapoisett, Jklass., in January, 1772. *The name is properly Peebles. NOVEMBER I2-20, 1 7/2 3OI Things before we parted : He shewed me a recommendatory Letter signed b}' a Minister &c. certifying that he had always been accounted a religious and sober Man — had failed in Trade (by having his Store broken by Thieves) ^150, for which his house must go unless the charity of good persons raise the sum. To day he came and gave me this Account of himself. Removed to America 1736 or the year or year after Dr. Alison came: Dr. Alison and he were born in the same Parish. Mr. Pipels settled first at Paxton in Pensylvania. He was a Communicant before he came to America. He was a Merchant at Chesnut Level of ^1000. stock and estate, when his store was robbed 1762. Once had five Grist Mills and a Garner in every Mill. Has had two Wives, last of which died about 7 years ago. Had twelve Children, all b}' first Wife : three now surviving viz Robert, Alexander and Martha. Robert is now an Elder of the Presbyterian Church at Shippens- burg. Mr. Pipels is a visionary Man. 1758. He had a Dream or vision that there should be no Altera- tion in eight years. Sign of its Truth, that one of his 4 Children should die. One did die in 6 years. He thought that he himself was to die at end of 8 years. But 1766. He had a second vision or Dream. To be no Alteration till three 5'ears and half. In this vision, which was on James River in Virginia, he supposes he died or his soul was separated from his Body. But waking in the Morning he found himself reunited to the Bod3^ I asked, but he said he had no Ideas of the separate state nor could remember being conversant with spirits. From the Time of this vision and to this Time he says he has a constant ministration of Angels. Often sees them in vast Multi- tudes, good and bad, the Air full of them. The good seem ascend- ing up to heaven ; but the bad are hovering about nearer the Earth. His Guardian Angel is of a green color. Is constantly attended with three of them, one black which he takes to be evil. The Angels are not in human shapes, but like small sparks, Stars &c. some larger and in this form © white and shining. They intimate to him right and wrong course, not by Words, nor b}^ inward Impression, but by passing to the left or right or straight forward, and by causing radiances on the Lines of his hand. And while I was talking, he said he saw them passing and held up his hand, and pointed to its course across the palm of his hand : When he saw a child of God, he knew him by a beam of Light descending 302 DIARY OF EZRA STILES on the persons head. — He supposed that the Alteration at the End of 3I2 years was that he should then die. But about 1770, He had another Vision, and got another Altera- tion as he- expres.ses it, viz. that there should be no change in 150 3-ears, or not until he was set. 218. He was born Jan>' 6, 1700. From whence he collects with certainty that he shall live to be 218 years old at least. He says he inclines to suppose that he shall never die again, but it is to continue on Earth through all ages to the second coming of Christ, or to the End of the World. But of this he dont pretend any assurance ; but rather thinks this is to be his Case. He dont pretend to know the Designs of providence in all this ; but thinks whether God dont intend him for .some great purposes, particularly to see the return of the Jews, the Fulness of the Gentiles and Downfal of Antichrist. He is otherwise a sensible and rational Man, and talks piously, and is a firm Believer of the Westminster Confession of Faith, a presbyterian according to the Church of Scotland. All this I received from his own Mouth this day. This day we received a Letter informing that our Children had the small pox ver}- lightly. . . . 21. Writing Letters to Dr. Price, Mr. Agent Sherwood, & Mrs. Macaulay in London. Capt. Eliot & wife returned from Stoning- ton, & bring news that our children were in a good way yester- day. 22. Lordsday. A.M. I preached i Thess. iv, 14. P.M. Ps. xxxvii, 4. Reading Bp. Zinzendorfs Maxims. 23 This Afternoon visited by Rabbi Moses and Mr. Tauro. The Whimsical Visionary though I hope honest Mr. Pipels being present, I told Rabbi Moses that this Man had seen Visions of Angels, R. Moses smiled, and Mr. Pipels began to relate his Extraordinaries with Warmth. R. Moses asked him the Color of the /Vngel, said he was mistaken as to his vision, for that he was the Angel that appeared to him, but was sure he told him no such Thing, This humor & sarcasm toutched and a little confounded Mr. Pipels who after some Talk took Leave and departed to cross the ferries and return to Pensylvania. R. Mo.ses spent the rest of the Afternoon in my study, explaining the Zohar to me This day I paid for my Zohar 22 '6 sterling. This Forenoon I spent read« Dionysius Areopag. whom I find to have the same sublime Mysteries as the Zohar. NOVEMBER 2I-DECEMBER 3, 1 772 303 24. Spent the Even- with Rev. Mr. Robbins of Plymouth. 25. Reading Zohar all day. In Evening reading Bp. Newton on Prophecy. 26. Read^ Basnage's Hist, of the Jews. We are in great Danger of the small pox spreading in Town, unless Providence eminently interposes. Three weeks ago a Class returned from Inoculation at Long Island too soon, and have given it to six persons, who are removed : and God only knows how man}' more are endangered. The good Lord prepare us for all Events 27. No Lecture at Mr. Hopkins last Evening. 28. Examin- the Rabbins concern*-' the Messiah. 29. Lord's day. A.M. I preached on Rom. viii, 28, and pub- lished the Banns of marriage between Ha^-nes Heath and Mercy Milward. P.M. Ps. xxxvii, 18, and notified anniversary Thanks- giving next Thursda}^ X^^ A.M. Last night died the Widow Beebee of my Congregation of the small pox. And last Lord's day Morning died aged Mrs. Simson of my Flock also 30. Rabbi Moses visited me again & spent the Afternoon with me. Dec. 2 This Evening arrived my son Ezra and the others inoculated with him ; having been shipwrecked against South Kingston. 3. This is a day of public Thanksgiving in the Congregational Churches in the Provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The 2 Congregational Churches in Newport observed it — that at Providence do not. I preached from Ps. cxvi, 17-19. A Contri- bution for the poor. Went to see Ezra at his Lodgings, but spoke with him through a Window. He had fourteen pustles in all, and went abroad every daj^ the small pox was on him. They were in most eminent danger, going ashore at One o'clock at night on the West side of Point Judith, the Vessel striking Ground 150 Rods off shore among the Breakers and a rolling Sea. The}' continued aboard till day, and then the Tide going down .so left them that they got safe ashore. It pleased God that the Vessel did not go to pieces, in which Case their Lives had been desperate. May they never forget this eminent Salvation, but be affected with an indeli- ble sense of Gratitude to God their Preserver. There were Dr. 304 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Bartlett and Dr. Barker, Misses Sail}' and Bashy Searing, I^ucy Ellery, Betsy Hopkins, Nabby Stevens, Nancy and Betsy Chan- ning, Polly Clarke, Betsy Eliot, John Bartlett, Billy Stevens, Samuel Dayton, Fred. Bartlett and Ezra Stiles, Passengers aboard beside the Captain &c. They walked to Mr. Niles's about Sun- rise, who kindly received them and gave them comfortable Refresh- ment and Breakfast. Then the Boys set off afoot for the Ferries and arrived here at V' P.M. yesterday. They came to my house first, then to &c. but all were obliged to refuse them Admission, having provided a place at Mr. Alls for their Reception for a few days. The Boys brought the news. But we did not expect the rest that night. However after Breakfast they got horses and came to the Ferry, and arrived here about nine o' Clock at Night. Deo. Opt. Max. Grates. 4. Finished reading Mr. Marc/ianf s Travels and Memoirs in six Books MSS. Dr. Benjamin Franklin was with Mr. Marchant at Edinburgh and politely offered to recommend him to the Univer- sity of Edinburgh for the Degree of Doctorate in Laws ; but he declined it. He was personally acquainted with the Men of the first Eminence for lyiterature in Scotland and England. Mr. Marchant left Newport Juh^ S 1771 — -sailed from Boston 13th — landed at Dover i8th August — in London 19th. He renewed an intimate acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Grant formerly of Rhode Island, and usually attended with her at her Meeting Dr. Hunter's. He heard Dr. Fordyce who preaches in his Gown though a Pres- byterian. He had the most intimate and sincere Friendship with Mr. David Jennings and his Wife, he and Mr. Joseph Jennings my Correspondent are sons of the late Rev. Dr. Jennings of a dissenting Academj' London. He became personally acquainted with the principal dissenting Ministers in London, as Dr. Price, Dr. Fur- neaux, Mr. Palmer &c. &c. There is now an Oliver CromwelV in London an Attorney, a Dissenter, a Great Great Crrandson of Oliver Cromwell the Protector, and a Lover of Liberty. He .saw the King Ouaen &c. Heard Dr. Salter, Mr. Romaine, Mr. Combs &c. of Chh of England. Set out in Post Chaise with Mr. Edward Church of Boston, New lingland, on a Tour through England to Scotland, Sept. 26, and that day reached Oxford. He visited several Colleges in the University, having taken a Guide, as, Queens College, its Library, ' Died 1 82 1, author of Memoirs of the Protector. DECEMBER 4, 1772 305 Hall, and Chapel ; All Sojils College, Library, Hall and Chapel ; — Christs Church College its L,ibrary large and beautiful ; Magdalen College ; Radcliff Library containing a fine Collection of Books, Dr. O. Radcliff gave ^40,000 sterling; Marbles with Inscriptions from the Ruins of Palmyra, — the Bodleiati Libraiy which contains the greatest Number of Books of any Library in the World — it is built over the Divinity School in form of H. Here is L,auds Collection of Oriental Manuscripts. — Mr. Marchant viewed also the JMusccuin, Theatre, Clarendon printing house &c. At the Theatre he sat in the Chancellor's Chair, and also the Chair in which the present King of Denmark sat and received a Degree of Doctor of Law. He walked around the other Colleges. Proceeding, at Woodstock viewed Blenheim House. Sept. 29 viewed and walked in Lord Temple's Gardens at Stow, and next day Coventry a City of 30,000 Souls, 3 large Churches, i Presby- terian Meeting, i Congregational, i Baptist, i Quakers. The Dissenters are about one Third. But yet the Government of the City is intirely in their hands : for the Common Council Men chuse the Mayor and Aldermen, and thej^ also chuse themselves Members into their own Body. And the Dissenters having got a Majority long ago, have ever since kept the whole to themselves. The present Mayor is a Baptist though they are the smallest of the Dissenters — but there is a perfect harmony among the Dissenters here, the Friends heartilj^ joining them. Silk Manufact. here, not less than 8000 hands constantly employed in Looms, besides those in Winding &c. A Canal 16 Miles long here cost ^40,000. Visited Birmingham a Manufacturing Town of 40,000 Souls. St. Philip's Church, a Presbyterian Meetinghouse of Messrs. Hawkes & Bligh ; Mr. Hawkes has an Estate of ;/^7oo per annum and ^80 salary, and of a very worthy Character. There are 3 Presbyt. i Bapt. i Qu. and 3 Church of England — the Dissen- ters about one Third, but they have the Government of the Town in their Hands. Mr. Tindal and Mr. Howell are pastors of the other Presbyterian Churches. Visited Mr. Bolton's Manufactory of metal Buttons — he is beloved by all — employs 800 hands Men Women and Children, and lights every Evening upwards of a Thousand Candles. At Litchfield viewed the Cathedral. Rode through Warrington to Liverpool, 200 Miles from London. Arrived here Oct. 5. It contains Fifty Thousand Souls — mostly built this Century. Lord's 3o6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES day Oct. 6, went to Presbyterian Meeting and heard Rev. Mr. Lewen an Englishman — called a Presbyterian but is ' ' what in New England we call an Independent or Congregationalist. His Text was Rom. ii, 20. His Composition was elegant and his Delivery agreeable and striking. The Service consisted of three Prayers, two Psalms and a Chapter read, a sermon, and singing three Times. The Psalms they sing was a Collection from diflferent hands. Pope's Universal Pra>er was sung. I dined and spent the After- noon with Mr. in Company wdth a Clergyman who preaches in a dis.senting Chapel called the Octagon." Went to Manchester : ■^ Churches, 2 Presbyterian Meetinghouses, i Baptist, i Friend. One of the Meetinghouses he w^ent into, the pastor is Rev. Mr. Motershead' set. 80. of a very respectable Character : the Dissenters one quarter here. The Towm contains 30,000 Inhabitants. He visited the Canal of the Duke of Bridgewater, and passed on it five miles an hour. Oct. 14, 1771 Mr. Marchant visited the College in Manchester founded 1655. It maintains 60 blue Coat boys — a Library of 10,000 Volumes. The lytli at Halifax — here dined in Company with Dr. Eee who is Vicar with ^400. per annum, and a good fortune of his own, with the Disposal of five Livings in this Neighborhood. He is a Friend of Liberty and America, toasted the American Sons of Libert}' and knighted Otis, Adams and Cushing. Halifax is built upon one long street, 5000 Inhabitants. Went to Chh large & well filled & heard a young Clergyman of set. 23. There is i Presbyterian or Independent Meetinghouse, i Baptist, i Friends, i Methodist. Mr. Marchant w^as treated with singular Kindness and right old English Hospitalit}- at one Mr. Woolmer's at Halifax to whom he was commended. — "I felt really dull at leaving this hospitable house, especially Mrs. Woolmer a Lady of vast good nature, openness and Sincerity. She has a truly senti- mental Heart. After dinner I took the Glass in my hand and said — Well, I'll take the parting Glass and that in Madeira ; So it is. Madam, through Life, as with us now : — we pass from one Stage to another — conU'ad new acquaintance and friendship — which no soonej" done, but we part to meet no more. At these Words Mrs. Woolmer let fall a flood of Tears. I was sorry for the pain I gave her and turned the Discourse — took leave without further Ceremony." Proceeded that day Oct. 21 to Leeds another Manufacturing Town ; present on a Market Day, w'liere the Business is transacted by ^Joseph Mottershead, died Nov. 1771. DECEMBER 4, 1772 307 Whispering. Four Chhs, 2 Presbyt. 2 Methodist i Friends — Dis- senters not one Third. This T" exchisive of its out Parishes, con- tains 25,000 Inhab. Reached York Oct. 24, viewed the Cathedral, which is the grand- est in all England. Windows painted. /"5000. sterling offered for EavSt painted Window. Visited the Castle and Prison, the best in England — even the Felons have a large yard to icalk and work hi every day. There are 23 Chhs & Meet^'^ collectively. Have no Manufactures. York is " the only City in England except London that has a Eord Mayor. " ' Oct. 26. Came to Durham : having passed through Darlington where is i large Church and i Friends Meetinghouse. At Durham viewed the Castle and Bishop's House in it. Bishop's Income ^12,000. sterling. Viewed the Cathedral — on its pulpit are the Pourtraits of St. Peter, St. Luke, &c., inlaid in Oak. Bishop's Throne grandest in England. Suburbs consist of five Towns. Mr. Stafford a principal Manufacturer employs dayly 6 or 7 Thousand hands, making 400 pieces of Camblet every week. A Machine for reeling a whole warp at once. Thence to Newcastle : Streets dark & dismal, 9 or ten feet wide, buildings 3 or 4 stories. House of State for the Mayor. Four or 5 Churches, Meetinghouses Presb, Quakers, &c., & one popish Ch. Passed into Scotland. ' ' From the Tweed to Edinburg 47 Miles. We never passed nor saw scarce four Cottages or Houses together ; nothing however that might be called even a Village ' ' till within about two Miles of Edinburgh. Arrived at Edinburgh Oct. 28th having passed 72 Miles from V in Morning to V' in Evening. Viewed the City — Houses generally 4 to 6 stories, some 8, 9, 10, 11, and one I counted 12 Flights of Windows, but low betwixt Joynts. Introduced to Dr. Hamilton an eminent Physician who shewed them the Infirmary, where are given clinical Lectures to the Medi- cal Students. Viewed the Parliament House and public Buildings now the Parliament House improved for High Courts, &c. Here found Dr. Ben. Franklin arrived from Tour thro' Ireland, who received him most kindly. Compute 100,000 Souls in Edinburgh. Saw Lord Provost, &c. Oct. 31. Breakfasted with Dr. Robertson the Historian and Principal of the University. "Dr. Robertson from his Conversation I take to be a Friend to civil and religious Liberty, and full}' imagines America must in some future period be the Seat of a mighty Empire. ' ' After Breakfast he waited upon 3o8 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS me to Dr. Franklin, who lodged with the celebrated Mr. David Hume in an elegant House." — " Mr. Hume is a Gentleman I should think of about sixty, very large and heavy built — a very pleasant Gent, in Conversation." • • Dr. Robertson informed me he had procured a degree of Doctor of Law for Mr. Winthrop Professor of Natural Philosophy in Cam- bridge, New England. — Dr. Robert.son told that Application had been made first at Oxford College ; but upon discovering that Mr. Winthrop was a Dissenter, they for that Circum.stance alone refused to give him a Degree. Nov. I. ''I waited upon Dr. Robertson Principal of the College and he waited upon me to the College Library, a long and large Room with a Gallery — a choice and valuable Collection of Books and Manuscripts " — shewn 4 Manuscripts lately brought from East Indies, cost ^^250. sterling and presented 1768. They contain the Persian Koran and the History of Tamerlane beautifully wrote. "A Persian of Rank came over ver}- lately, and is now at Dr. Robertson's exchanging his Language for English. He has alread}- read the 5 Books of Moses and a part of the New Testament, and attends Dr. Robertson's public preaching and seems fond of Chris- tianity, and talks freely of the Abuses of the true Religion in his own Country." "The College Buildings being a most miserable pile scarce fit for Stables. But no students ever reside in them. They all lodge as best suits them in the city. The Professors have Houses or Lodgments within the Courts of the College. The colleges seem only for public conferring of Degrees, — and hearing of exercises of the students." From the Library we went to Dr. Munroes' Preparation Room, for Exhibitions in Anatomy. Satur- day rode \ a Machine managed by one W'onian taking off from 20 or thirty spools at once, was also curious. A Girl with a common Wheel tends each of the compound spinning Wheels. The single Wheel just draws out the Cotton about as large as a cotton wick, for the use of the other Wheels. In two Rooms there icere at zcork at least ijo (one hundred and thirty^ Women and Girls all briskly singing at their Work. ' ' Dec. 3. at Leicester. Mr. Cooper shewed them in his Cellar a Curiosity, a Composition hard as stone inlaid with red stone pebbles &c. form of a Young Man, Bow & Arrow, and figure of a Woman. Supposed to be Acteon and Diana, and a Roman Work. The piece is about three feet square. Supposed the Basis of a Roman Bath before Christs Time. The Town abounds with Antiquities — old Buildings 700 A^ears old &c. Mr. Cooper a curious Man. Hitherto Mr. Edward Church of Boston had travelled with Mr. Marchant from London to Liverpool, thence to Scotland, and so hither and to Harborough. Here the}^ parted, Dec. 4, Mr. Marchant going to visit Mr. Dana in Northamptonshire. Arrived at Brigstock in Northamptonshire 16 Miles from Harborough. Received with cor- dial Hospitalit}^ by Rev. Edmund Dana formerh- of Boston in New England, educated at Har\'ard College, Son of Richard Dana, Esqr. of Boston. He went to England and married in Scotland. Took orders in Church of England and holds three Livings. Dec. 8. Lord's day heard Mr. Dana preach. Mr. Marchant had been inti- mately acquainted with Mr. Dana at Harvard College. Visited the Forest, Park, Mansion house and Gardens of the Duke of Montague — came to Stands or affording six or 8 Vistas or Openings leading the Eye Miles forward, some terminating with a Church vSteeple appearing like a firm Obelisque. Dec. 12 rode in compan}^ with Mrs. Dana &c. through the Estate of Mr. Pultnc}' own Uncle to Mrs. Dana, and who inherits all the Estate of the late Earl of Bath the great Pultney, being ^'40,000. per annum. Dec. 16. Mr. Dana accompanied him toward Cambridge. Passed Lord Sandwich's Seat, and came to Huntington and there viewed the house wherein O. Cromwell Lord Protector was born. Dec. 17, got into Cambridge. " Lord Kinnaird' instantl}^ waited upon us & conveyed us to his Chamber & introduced us to his Cousin ' George, jth Baron Kinnaird. His sister Helen married the Rev. Edmund Dana. 312 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Ogilvie, an undergraduate but Fellow-Commoner in the University. We all dined with his Lordship at his own Chambers. At V o'clock we attended Service at King's College Chapel, where there is a good Organ. The Chaunting, with the Organ, together with an elegant Anthem sung bj- two Boj^s with the Organ was a charm- ing Entertainment. The Chapel 291 foot in Length and 71 feet in height to the Ceiling is a most noble and elegant Gothic Structure. — Lord Kinnaird is Mrs. Dana's Brother, set. 18. at his studies still at Cambridge though he commenced Master of Arts last year. Supped with his Lordship in Company with Rev. Mr. Turner a Fellow of one of the Colleges and his Lordship's private Tutor. The Evening was spent with Cards. From the Top of Kings College took a view of the Colleges and the whole Town which w^e had in one View, the whole being on a Flat and not so large I think as Oxford. Clare Hall is the most beautiful Building of any of the Colleges. The Senate House in which all the public Business of the University is done, is a neat and elegant Edifice — in it is erected a Marble Statue of Sir Isaac Newton. Trinit}- College Square is the noblest of any : it has a very elegant Chapel and Library. We spent some Time in the Royal public Library containing a very grand Collection of Books, Manuscripts and Curiosities — Chinese pagoda 18 Inches high, Egyptian Mummies 3000 years old &c. Visited Sidney Coll. where O. Cromwell was Fellow^ Commoner & saw an original Picture of Oliver. Went to hear the Organ in St. Mary Coll. Chapel, the 3d or 4th Organ in the Kingdom. At yilyi Dec. 20 set out for London in Compan}- with Mr. Smith and Mr. Stead .sons of two London Merchants both Under- graduates at the University' of Cambridge, " and by their account of the Drinking and Riots of the Collegians, one would be led to think very little Learnhig Religion or Morals were to be obtained at the University." " We rode through a very pleasant level Country the whole Journey of 52 Miles, passing by many elegant Seats and pleasant Villages, the most famous of which was Epping where we dined, 11 Miles from London. Epping Forest through which we past is one of the finest and largest forests the King has. And in short from the distance of nine Miles from London, it seemed one continued Tozvn or Street of elegant Seats, chiefly belonging to the Mer- chants of Lotidon for Summer houses. We got to London at VI o'clock in the Even'-'." At Christmas Mr. Marchant went with Mr. and Mrs. Grant to DECEMBER 4, 1772 "313 the Kings Chapel and for 5 shillings sterling got a good seat. The King and Queen entered just after Twelve o' Clock with Lord Hartford Lord Chamberlain. The Chaunting was excellent ; .so was the Anthem and Christmas Hymn sung. The Archbishop of York preached a Sermon, in which "he insi.sted much on the Necessit)' of Revelation and Obedience thereto." The Bi.shop of London read the Communion Service, and Bishop of Winchester attended. Lord's day following he went in the " Evening to hear Rev. Mr. Harris a young Scotch Clergyman set. 24, a presbyterian. He preaches every Lords day Evening at the Old Jewry near Cheapside, and has a most crowded Audience, being extremely popular. He was this Evening upon the Wisdom and Good/zess of God in the Creation of the Universe and his Redemption of Man by his Son. — But greatly opposed the Doctrine of irresistable Grace." — Lords day Januarj' 12, 1772, dined at Mr. Grants. In the Evening went to Magdalen Chapel and heard the Rev. Dr. Dodd' preach from Rom. ii, 28, 29. He is an elegant prett}^ preacher. He married a kept Mistress of a noble Lord who promised him great Things, and according to Custom disappointed him. " I was extremeh^ charmed with the Hymn and Psalms sung by those once unhappy Women — I can hardly call them so now. — An Idea struck me very sensibly while there ; and I contemplated much upon it — That the Emancipation from Vice into Virtue — and the Praises of Mortals thereon in such a public Manner, w^as a most glorious Dis- play of Divine Power — and was in some degree making Sin sub- servient to the divine Glory, as it most certainly raises our Idea of his divine Love, we see it more conspiaioiisly . ' ' A noble Thought ! Went to the Heraldry Oflfice at Doctors" Commons and politely treated by one of the Masters Mr. Isaac Heard who had been in America. And January 17, Dined at Dr. Franklin's being his Birthday in Company with Rev. Mr. Combe'' of Philadelphia &c. &c. Next day at Court on the Queens Birth Daj^ went to St. James's — five spacious Rooms were excessively crouded with a most brilliant Company of Nobility, foreign Ministers & persons of dis- tinction. At 11^ their Majestys entered the Presence Room and staid till IV ^. Saw^ all the Princes and royal Family. Retired ^ William Dodd, now at the height of his popularity, who was executed for forgery in 1777. ^ Thomas Coombe (Coll. Philadelphia 1766); see vSprague's Annals of the Ainer. Pulpit, v, 280-81. 314 DIARY OF EZRA STILES and dined at \', and in Evenin,$r went again to St. James to a Ball. Lords day 19. went to hear Rev. Mr. Combe of Philadelphia preach his farewel sermon at St. Butolph's Aldersgate — "a fine excellent vSermon, charmingly delivered." The Text John v, 16, 17. To whom shall we go, &c. In the Afternoon went to hear Rev. Dr. Hnnter (Mrs. Grants pastor) "a very sensible good preacher." Tuesday 21 January Parliament opened at Noon. "I slipt in and along I went into the Room where the King robes. — He was vastly merry and laughable while the Robes and Crown w^ere put- ting on. It did not strike me agreeably. As soon as the Crown was fixt upon his head he walked close by me and passing out of this Room went directly into the house of Lords, seated himself upon the Throne &c. — I was so lucky as to get into the House of Lords and to stand near the Throne on the Left Hand so as pretty well to see and very well to hear his Majesty read the Speech." The house of Commons were called and the speech was read, "correct and very distinctly but not felt." Then Mr. Marchant went into the house of Commons &c. Next or 23" went to see the opening of the Courts, saw the Lord Chancellor, Master of Rolls, 4 Judges of Kings Bench, 3 Judges of Common Pleas, and 4 Barons of Exchequer &c. enter the Hall in procession, shook hands with the Sergeants &c. and retired to their several Courts, and took their seats. We went into each room and then took our seats in Kings Bench — "I had an opportiniit>- to hear something said ]:)y almost every Council of Eminence." Went to see the Pantheon, 120 and 90 feet — excedes that at Rome ; the Grand Room for Company is superior to any Thing in England to be sure, they say in Europe also. Cost above ^,'40,000 ster. — more than 1000 Wax Candles every Night. Open'd first Janry 27, 1772. Lords day Jan>' 26. A.M. went to St. Martin's the pari.sh Church &c. Dined at Mr. Grants and went with them P.M. to our own Church to hear Mr. liunter, & he gave us a most solemn Discourse. January 2.S. This day went to the Cock])it where 6 Lords only attended, the Master of the Rolls, Sir John Eardly Wilmot late Chief Justice of the common ])leas, Lord How, Lord Marchmont &c. Four or 5 appeals came while I was present. DECEMBER 4, 1772 315 January 29. Walked to see Gen. lyyman upon Business and there saw Col. I^ydius' in a very shabby Condition. What a pity it is our Americans stay in England too long ? January 30. Went to Lord North's Levee at the Cockpit. — Was introduced to Mr. Jackson Councillor at Law, a Member of Pari', late Agent for Connecticutt, now Solicitor to the Board of Trade. Feb. 3. Went to Westminster Hall and heard Lord Mansfield deliver an Opinion of the whole Court upon &c. I went into the Court of Chancery and heard Thurlow Attorney General, Wedder- burn, Solicitor General and several other Councillors. From thence I went into the Court of Common Pleas, where I saw the Lord Chief Justice DeGrey, heard him deliver an Opinion &c. I heard Sergeant Lee, and Sergeant Glynn argue &c. Such a gouty Sett of men I never saw together as the C. Just, Glynn &c. I afterwds went to the House of Commons &c. Feb. 4. I went to the Earl of Hillsboroughs own House in Hanover Square. I was in waiting from XI^^ till II o'clock, when I had the Honor of seeing his Lordship for just about an hour, during which Time we had much conversation, respecting the Colony of Rhode Island &c. Feb. 5. Dined with Mr. Jennings in Company with the Rev. Dr. Furneaux, presented him Dr. Stiles's Letter & several Dis- courses sent me by Dr. Stiles, and had much agreeable &c. Feb. 6. Went to the House of Commons, got a Seat and heard the Debates on the Clerical Petition. The best Speakers against the petition were Hans Stanly, Lord North and Mr. Burk. The best speakers for it were Sir Geo. Saville, Mr. Dunning, Mr. Wedder- burne, Sir Wm. Meredith, and Lord George Germaine. Manj^ of the Clergy of the Church of England and of the Dissenters were present. Feb. 7. Went with Mr. Arthur Lee Author oi Junius Afnericanus to attend a trial at Kings Bench Westminster Hall, on Somej'set the Negro' s Case, and some other Cases. Lords day Feb. 9, went to Meeting at Mr. Hunter's. Feb. 11. Went with Mrs. Grant & Mr. Grant to see a Silk Manufacturer about Dr. Stiles's Silk. Dined at Mr. Jennings in Company with Dr. Furneaux and several other Clergymen Dissenters. Feb. 14. Went into the Cit)', saw Mr. Samuel Lawrence Silk Manufacturer about Mrs. Stiles's ^ John Henry Lydius, formerly of Albany, an Indian trader ; among Dr. Stiles's papers are several relating to grants of land in New York and Vermont by Lydius under a spurious title. See Hall's Early Hist, of Vt., 169, 495-97. 3l6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Silk Gown. Feb. 15. Went with Rev. Mr. White' of Philadel- phia to the Princess' Chamber to see the Princess Dowager of Wales lay in state. — At Night .saw the procession. Lords day Feb. 16, went with Rev. Mr. White to the late Rev. Mr. Whitfield's Tabernacle at Tottenham Court Oxford Street where I heard the Re^^ Mr. Jo}xe preach a very serious good Dis- course, not elegant but .striking, delivered with a good voice and grace. He was formerly Captain of a Collier. Feb. 18. Got some Silk of Dr. FVanklin of Philadelphia, and went with Mrs. Grant to the silk Weavers and fixt upon the making Mrs. Stiles' s silk Gown, & found that her own silk would be defici- ent but a few ounces. Lords day Feb. 23, went to Mr. Hunter's Meeting and heard Rev. Mr. Ro.swell, a good Sermon, on Nathan said to David thou art the man. — Feb. 26. Waited upon Mr. Jeremiah Dy.son one of the Lords of the Treasur^^ and again 29 and was ver>' politely received by him and had an hour's full and free Conversation upon the Colony affairs. He appeared on his own part di.sposed to serve me. — Lords day Mar. i. Dined at Mr. Jennings, went with him and his Wife to their place of Wor- ship in Wapping under the pastoral Care of the Rev. Mr. Hill Successor to the Rev. Mr. Gordon lately gone to settle in New England. Mr. Hill was formerly Tutor in Philosoph}- at an Acad- emy 100 miles from London formerl}- under the care of Dr. Dod- deridge. Mr. Hill gave us a very neat plain but elegant Discounse ; and appears and bears the Character of an ingenious Man and sound Divine. March 2. The Rev. Dr. Furneaux paid me a visit & breakfasted with me ; & .shew me some Things he had collected with intent to print &c. Mar. 5. Dined with Dr. Franklin and in the Evening w^ent with and was introduced by Dr. FVanklin to the jRoval Society in Fleet street. Among other Things heard read a Letter from Dr. Priestley. Mar. 7. Visited the Seat of the Archbishop of Canter- bury at Lambeth — and 8"' Lord's day heard Rev. Mr. Romaine on Rev. 19, 6. Alleluia. His Discourse was not methodical, but full of striking Meta])hors, Allusions and Observations. His Manner rather agreeable and easy than othcrwi.se. 9. Went with Mr. Jen- nings &\iewed Westminster Abbey, Henry 7 Chapel, Monum'^ Sec. ' William White, afterwards Bishop. He was then in Englaud to obtain ordination as priest. DECEMBER 4, 1772 317 Mar. 13. Was introduced by Mr. Jennings to Mr. " Thomas Lucas, Treasurer of Guys Hospital and Chairman of the Depu- ties of the Dissenting Congregations in London and 10 miles without. He is a worth}- Gentleman of a very handsome inde- pendent Fortune, a warm friend to civil and religious Liberty. I was with him about two hours. He informed that the Presi- dents of Virginia and New York (Colleges) had lately presented Petitions to the King, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London and to Lord Hillsboro' for an American Bishop. That he had suspected something of that sort in Agitation some time before and had waited upon Lord Hillsboro' upon the sub- ject, but was then told no such petitions had been presented ; and that if any should be, he should be informed of it. And that when the petitions were presented he had word sent him accord- ingly. And Lord Hillsboro' told him of all those petitions, and assured him that, though he could not see but that the Episcopal Clerg}- had an undoubted Right to such a Benefit, and although the Bishops were fully of that Opinion, yet that He, and indeed the Bishops and Administration, from political principles could not adopt such a Measure, and that the Dissenters might be assured, there was no Design in Administration to adopt that Measure without their Approbation or Consent to it. Mr. Lucas however observed that though he was perfectly assured of the Sincerity of this, yet he thought it highh' proper that the Dis- senters in the diiferent Colonies, both Clergy and Laity should sign Petitions against those Petitions to be transmitted here to their Friends to be used if possibly any Occasion should offer. " ' Went to the Jewish W^orship at the Dutch Synagogue. The Service was all Chaunting and singing. The Tenor well performed by the Reader, the Treble by one Leone, a most celebrated Singer in Imitation of the Flute— and the Bass blown by one Abraham, a true genuine Bassoon Base. Mar. 14. Saturday went to the Sj^na- gogue where I had been last Evening, and heard much fine Chaunt- ing and singing from the same persons. Mar. 18. In the Evening went with one Mr. Smith to the Society of Arts and was introduced — Lord Romnej- President. Mar. 20. '' Doniun Regium £i']oo per annum issued out of the "Exchequer to .several Dissenting Ministers, as the Ministry see "fit, was fir.st given by the Ministry in the Reign of George I. " when the Test Act was refused to be taken off. The neat Sum, 3l8 DIARY OF EZRA STILES "when the fees are deducted amounts to /," 1400. It is managed " with tlie utmost Secrecy, and stands in the Exchequer Books in a ' ■ feigned Name. It goes through three hands before it comes to •• the dissenting Ministers, who give no Receipt for it, nor are asked " what they do with it. The present dissenting Ministers receiving "are Dr. Stennet, Dr. Langford, Dr. Gibbons, Dr. Harris, Mr. " Toller, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Webb, as is said. The above account " I had of Mr. Jos. Jennings of Fenchurch Street." Mar. 28. Waited upon Sir Gilbert Eliot and received all the Countenance I could expect. Apr. i. Went to the house of lyords and saw the King grant his Assent to the Royal Marriage Act &c. there saw the Archbishop of Canterbury and sundr>^ Bishops. The Bishop of Chichester read or said prayers in the House of Lords. Apr. 6. Went to Covent Garden Theatre to see Macbeth played. "Apr. 7. W^aited upon I^ord North at the Treasury, was called in before the whole Board & was heard upon the claim of the Colony at large." Went to see Mr. West's Paintings. He is a Pensylvanian and the King's Painter Went to see Mr. Cox's Musaeum. Apr. 18. Mr. Marchants Birthday, set. 31. Born Apr. 18, New Style 1741. Lordsday 19. Went to the Temple Chapel and heard the best Organ said to be in the Kingdom plaj^ed by the best hand Mr. Stanly. Receiving a Ticket went with Mr. David Jennings Apr. 20. to the Lord Mayor's Ball at the Mansion house, Mr. Nash Lord Mayor. I carried down one Dance with Mrs. Jennings mereh' to say I had danced in the Mansion house at the Lord Mayor's Ball. Apr. 24, rode out to Newington Green and dined with Dr. Price and w^as agree- abl}- entertained. 29. Waited on Councillor Maddox conversed with him and went to the Court of Chancery. Dined with Mr. Saj-er and Mr. Lee. "After Tea Mr. Lee waited upon me to see " the celebrated J/r.?. Catharine Macaul ay oi Titchfield street Oxford " Market. Mi. Lee and Mr. Sayer had both before made mention "of and offered to introduce me to her, she had expressed her " Inclination for the Meeting. I saluted this amiable Daughter of " Liberty with inexpres.sible pleasure, heightened wdth the pleasing ' ' manner in which she received me. We had a feast of aliout two " hours. — She enquired nuich of American Affairs and is charmed "to think there exist in the World two such perfect Common- " wealths as Rh. Isld and Connecticutt." DECEMBER 4, 1772 319 May 3. Lords day went to meeting with Mr. Grant. 4. Called upon Mr. Lee of Middle Temple and went to the Old Baily and was introduced to Mr. vSheriff Wilkes and Bull. Dined with the Sheriffs, Recorder and Aldermen &c. by Invitation of the Sheriffs. May 10 Lords day went to Meeting at Mr. Hunter's. May 12. Waited on Lord Hillsboro' had half an hour's conversation with him. He was in extreme good humour and promised to assist me &c. May 21. Went to Westminster Hall and heard Mr. Dunning on Negro Somerset, or Liberty Cause. Went in Company with Dr. Evans to Drury Lane Theatre to see Mr. Garrick act. May 22. ' ' Called upon Mr. Lawrence Silk Manufacturer and paid him for ' ' Weaving Mrs. Stiles' Silk Gown from Silk made by her and sent ' ' to me. ' ' 24. Lords day went to Worship at Mr. Hunters. May 26. Viewed the Curiosities in the British Miisa-imi. May 31. " Di7ied ivith the celebrated Mrs. Catherine Macaulay in " company with Mr. Lee, Mr. Bond &c. The good sense and good- " ness of mind of this Lady are truely worthy of Admiration. I ' ' never met with a Mind so warmed and engaged in Sentiments of " genuine Liberty. She is no Lover of Kings — but a pure Repub- " lican. She is no Friend to Oliver Cromwell — though she ac- " knowledges his Greatness. She thinks Charles suffered justly, " but pities the Man, that it should have been his Lot to fall, when " others before and since his Time much more deserved it. And ' ' though no Time ever disgraced the British Annals more than the "present. Harry 8th and Elizabeth she detests, and thinks Mary " was a better character than that of Elizabeth. — ^Slie thinks Pitt ' ' by his Inconsistencies and Fondness of a Title &c. has sullied his ' ' Glories and has barred the public from giving him those Crowns ' ' and Laurels his successful Administration would otherwise have "justly claimed, and that he acts rather from sudden Motions and " Impressions than from any fixt Plan or Principles." June 2. Drank tea and spent the evening at Mr. Jennings of Cheapside most of the Time in Company with the Rev'' Mr. Hill Successor to the Rev. Mr. Gordon. June 3. Had the honor and great pleasure of breakfasting at his house with the ingenious and celebrated David Garrick Esq. and his Lady. Was shewn into his Study or Library 22 feet by 16, two sides and an End filled with Books. Mr. Garrick entertained us until XII with Criticisms on Plays & Actors as Quin &c. 320 DIARY OF EZRA STILES luno 5. Rode out in Stage Coach with Mr. Joseph Jennings to Clapham to visit Dr. Furneaux. "The Doctor has a very pretty neat brick Meetinghouse about fifty by twenty one feet, situated close to the hou.se the D'' lodges at" (the D"" is a Bacheller). — After Tea the D'' walked with us &c. Clapham four Miles from London. June 6. Visited Windsor &c. Castle, Park, Forest. 13. Visited Dr. Hawkworth now writing and publishing the account of Mr. Banks and Dr. Solanders voyage to East Indies. Intended from Bromley to Hays to wait on Lord Chatham, but he is absent at his seat at Pynsent. Went & saw Wild7)ian' s Exhi- bitions with Bees. June 17. Received a Letter from Mrs. Macaulay. 19. Called upon her and .spent an hour with her. 21. I,ord's day went to Meeting at Mr. Hunters A.M.: and P.M. went to meeting in Poor Jury and heard a mo.st excellent sermon by Rev. Dr. Calder. 24. Attended at Guildhall Election of Sheriffs. 25. At six o'Clock (P.M.) I went with Mrs. Grant to hear Mr. Hunters Eecture pre- paratory to the vSacrament." 28. Lords day. " Went to Meeting with Mrs. Grant and heard Mr. Hunter and sa7i' the Administration of the Lord' s Supper much in the Presbyterian manner, and the whole Congregation attended the whole Service. Mrs. Grant partook at the Table for the first Time since .she was in England." 30. Dined with Mrs. Macaulay in Comjiany with Mr. Lee, Mr. Say re &c. After Tea we all walked an hour or two into Maj'rybone Gardens. In our walk we met with the celebrated Mrs. Lcjiox , Authoress of the Female Quixote, and .se\-eral other Xovelle performances. Mrs. Macaulay stopped and spoke with her. She appeared to be a Ead}^ of 45.' Jul>- I . Mr. Sherwood called upon me and we went to the Cockpit and saw Grey Cooper, Esq' and finished our Business at the Treas- ury as far as can be done this year ; having I hope removed all Obstacles to the Colony's obtaining their money next year. 5. Lords day. Went with Mr. David Jennings to Meeting at Wap- ping and heard the Rev. Mr. Hill — ^and saiv him ad^ninister the Lord' s Supper. 7. Heard Chief Justice De Grey of the common pleas deli\'er a very elaborate and learned Opinion upon a point of Law Vernon, 11 *Eben'' Vose, 6 Rd. Ward *Jno. Wood, 6 Sam' Weedon, W' Whitwell, 3 *W'" Wilson, 3 W» Willis, 5 *W» Wilson, 10 Capt. Briggs, new comer, 2 926 in 1771 " JANUARY 1-3, 1773 329 Jan. I, 1773 It is my manner every day, to read a chapter or more in Course in the English Bible in my Study : to examine some Texts in the Hebrew Bible ; and besides this to read a portion in some Rabbin- ical Author, I now am reading the Zohar. Yesterday arrived here Judge Horsmanden of New York and Judge Smyth of New Jersey : and this day they sent a post to Boston to Admiral Montague for their Commissions which were lodged with him. Visited by two Gentlemen educated in the University of Aberdeen, and now on their Travels. This forenoon Rev. M'' Rusmeyer preached a new years Sermon at the Moravian Meeting. At III'' P.M. I preached my sacramental Lecture from Deut. xi. 12, a new year Sermon. Reading Mr. West on moral Agency. A fine mild day. Fahr. Therm" abroad 48. 2. Examining the chronology in Josephus. Visited by travelling Gentlemen again — one of them is travelling America to make plans and drawings of various places, as Falls of Niagara, public Build- ings &c, plans and perspective views, for a natural History of America now compiling in London : he also tells me that he is employed by the Earl of Dartmouth Secretary of State for America to transmit him any curious Remarks and Observations. I suppose under this pretext he travels America as one of the political Mis- sionaries of the Ministry. This Afternoon arrived in town Chief Justice Oliver of Massachusetts, and Judge Auchmuty, who with our Gov'". Wanton and the two western Judges, make five Judges,' the whole number appointed by the Crown to make Inquiry con- cerning the burning of the Gaspee Schooner 10 June last a little below Providence & wounding Lieut. Duddingston. 3. Therm°. 50^^ at IX i^. Very warm. A.M. I preached on Eph. ii, 13, and administered the Lords Supper to 57 Communi- cants, among whom was the Hon. Judge Oliver of Middleborough. P.M. Ps. xvi, 8, and baptized Prince a negro Infant of Br. Zingo & Sister Phillis — Communicants in my Chh. Reading this day in the public Congregation xxiv"' of Matthew the Chapter in course. ' The commissioners, in the order of their names in the commission, were : Joseph Wanton, Governor of Rhode Island, born 1705 ; Daniel Horsmanden, Chief Justice of New York, born 1691 ; Frederick Smythe, Chief Justice of New Jersey, born 1732 ; Peter Oliver, Chief Justice of Massachusetts, born 1713 (Harvard Coll. 1730); and Robert Auchmuty, Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court at Boston, born 1725. 330 DIARY OF EZRA STiI.EvS I found at v. 20"', Pray that 3^our flight, &c. — not on the Sabbath day : it occurred to my Mind, Why not on the Sabb. or seventh dav, if the Hebrew Christians were not to keep the seventh day hol\- ? 4. Examining- some historical Events in Sir Walter Raleigh. Dined with the Town Council. Last night Capt. arrived with the Judges Commissions from the Admiral, and carried them aboard Capt. Keeler ; not to deliver them till the Admiral comes, or &c. Therm" 34. 5 At XI14'' A.M. the five Judges Wanton, Horsman- den, Oliver, Smyth, & Auchmuty, preceeded b}- about a dozen Officers of the Men o' war, marched in procession up the Parade to the Courthouse ; where in the Council Chamber, their Commission was opened and ordered to be read. M' James Clarke the Gover- nors Na\-al Oilicer read it. It was observed that there was an Error in the Commission, it empowering the Judges to inquire into the Burning the Gaspee &c at the Toivn of Neivport, whereas it was at Warwick. After reading the Chamber was cleared of spectators, and the Judges sat till about II o' Clock P.M. when they adjourned, and dined at M"" Peas' s. Deacon Barker a Baptist visited me and shewed me a Paper he lately received from Rev. Morgan Edwards, who last year itinerated thro' the Baptist Chhs. in the Southern provinces to Georgia, & collected the following Account of the State of those Churches as it was in 1772. 5 -rt C ^ fl Maryland .- 8 7 1437 - 857 Virginia 36 ._. 32 3633 8002 N" Carolina 32 30 3591 7950 S" Carolina. 24 26 1186 1533 Georgia 4 i 116 105 104. 96. 9963. 20447 Souls allowing 5 to a family 102235. Associations in Virginia 2 \ ^P^^on held Sat. before 2'' Sunday in June. ' Rapidanne 2^ Sat. Sept. Associations in N" Carol. 2 \ ■''''""^^' ^''"^'^ ^'' ^''^- ^^t- ' yuchuhy Mond. after i"" vSunday Aug. Associations in S" Carol. 2 \ ^^h^^^lestown Mond. after i"' Sunday Feb. ' Sandy run last vSat. Oct. X B. The Separate Baptist Associations are dashed." JANUARY 4-6, 1773 331 6. Dined with Judge Oliver at M' Chesebro's and spent the Afternoon together. Had much Conversation on Pliilosophy and Law. He has Iron Works at Middleboro' — once had a Parcel of Rock Ore abounding with Magnets, being almost all of it Magnet — one stone of 5 or 600'^' weight he preser\^ed, it attracted most powerfully. At length a man taking a sledge knocked off one corner of it a small piece — and from that Time the whole stone lost its magnetism and never recovered it. We discoursed on the extending of the English Law to America, whether Statute or Co?Jimon. He said all the English Statutes before the Colonies had Existence were to be extended here — (this was a singular opinion) — all made since with extending clauses reached us — those made without &c. did not extend here. This I see is Court I^aw He considered the Descent of Inheritance in Massachusetts as being neither according to England in general or C of Kent, but Mosaic. He said by common Law the Estates of Felons went to the King, in Kent to the Children, in New England to the Children ; so that the common Law he said would not apply to New England in this Case. In England and Massachusetts no Quaker evidence by Affirmation can convict capi- tally^ — Judge Smyth an Englishman told Judge Oliver, that when he came to Jersies he objected this, but they all cried out their usage to admit Quaker Testimony in capital Cases, and that he was obliged to give way to it, tho' different from the Laws of Eng- land. We also discoursed on Slavery of Negroes in Virginia &c. ; that of necessity the American Public Lazv, must differ and varj- irom. th.& Public Law of Engla7id In the Evening I was visited by Hon. Deputy Gov. Sessions' who discoursed largely and fully on the public Affairs and especially the present extraordinary Court of Commissioners now sitting here. He and Gov. Hopkins now Chief Judge of our Superior Court, came to Town yesterday from Providence, and had an interview with the Commissioners or some of them at Gov. Wantons. They came to have the Appearance of a Readiness to (not obstruct but) contribute their Assistance in the Gaspee affair, and to vindicate the Colony. It is their plan to treat the Commissioners with Respect, and to be ready at hand to be applied to for issuing Warrants in Case the Commissioners call — that so the Commissioners may not seem necessitated to usurp an executive Jurisdiction within the Colony. It is said that one man from Smithfield this day went ^ Darius vSessions (Yale 1737). 3 32 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS aboard a j\Iaii o' War here, as an Evidence &c to accuse, convict & get the £1000 sterl^' Reward. 7. Mr. Marc}' went away. I dined at Mr. Vernons, and after- wards visited Hon. Ab'" Redwood Esq. &c. Yesterday my kind people made me a present of 5 cwt. Pork. I received from them last year /,"i30. sterling of which /^65. Salary, rest Wood and Presents. Mr. Hopkins has no Lecture this stormy Evening. Yesterday at Dinner we eat Lettuce gathered in the garden growing abroad and not in hot-beds, so moderate the Season. I saw and measured a Branch of Rose-Bush of this Winters fresh Growth gathered New Years Day above six inches long, of which the new grown Stalk was above four Inches, and some leaves nearly full grown. S. Examining sundry Passages in Ainsworth on the Pentateuch. Finished reading Mr. West's Piece on moral Agency, and particu- larly on the Divine Agency in effecting Sin. A very unsatisfactory Tract, nearly making God the intentional and blameable Author of moral Evil in the system of the Universe. This indeed he denies — but his Reasonings conclude for it g. Examining Ainsworth and vSulpitius. The Commissioners sit daily in the Courthouse — but nothing transpires. The Admiral is not yet come. This Afternoon an Express arrived from the Admiral via Taunton, with Letters to the Commissioners advising that he shall set out hither on Monday next. I was in Company' with Gov. Sessions to day — he told me he was with the Commis- sioners all the forenoon, & delivered in to them a written Declara- tion on the public Affairs, to vindicate the Colony and the public Civil Officers, and exhibiting Circumstances and Matters relative the Gaspee &c. He said Mr. Horsmanden asked him what motives he supposed influenced toward the burning the Gaspee, the Gov- ernor alledged the Violence and Depredations of the Officers &c. of the Men o' War, mentioning Instances. Mr. Oliver said he should hear both sides. Mr. Horsmanden said they sat to hear Complaints against the Men o' War, and told the Gov. if there were any they might be freely offered & they should be heard & redressed. 10. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on 2 Tliess. i, 9, 10. P.M. Ps. 1, 23. Judge Oliver present all day : — a pleasant day & full Assembly. 11. Snow this Morn- before day, but clear at Sunrise Therm" 18. At Noon Therm'^' 24 . . . This Afternoon the hon. Judge Oliver came to drink Tea with me and spent the Evening at my house in JANUARY 7-12, 1773 333 Compan}' with Mr. Stevens, Major Otis and Dr. Jabez Bowen of Providence. The Judge told us that his Wife had been last year cured of a Cancer in her Neck of 30 years stand^ by a j'oung man M'' Pope of Boston His remedy is a secret, but he explained the operation of it to Mr. Oliver in a philosophical Manner, though Mr. Pope is not a man of L,etters nor does he make pretension to any other part of Medicine or Surgery The Judge said that the late M"" I^ittle of Plymouth found an absolute Remedy for the Quincy, called white Drops, and offered me the Receipt. I suppose it the same as Dr. Bartlets which is onh' volatile Sp^* as Hartshorn or Salarmoniac mixed with Oyl Olive. . . . The Judge knew an illiterate physician to cure his (the Judge's) Negro of a bilious Colic or perhaps the Illiac passion in a few Minutes — but would not disclose his Remedy. But the Judge sup- poses he is possessed of the secret, though that physician died without communicating it even to his own son. For being on the Circuit of the Superior Court in the Co. of York he found a Coun- tryman to the Eastward who had a Cure for the bilious Colic, which Dr. L^'man had proved infallible in 100 instances. The Judge bought it of the Man for 30'. and it was onh' the Root of Meadow Flags, or Flower de Luce. Not every flag^Dut such only whose Root was flat with prongs — that flag root which was sur- rounded with bushy Fibres will not answer. We had much Conversation on Law &c. — and on the Affair of Baptist Persecutions at Haverhill and Ashfield. He was on the Bench at the Trial of Mr. White of Haverhill.' He said by the old Law the Baptists were to certifie themselves as to three things — that the}" were conscientiously Baptists — usual Attendants — and Members i. e. baptized b}- Immersion and Communicants. Mr. W^hites Certificate showed the two first, not the last ; and for this Defect Judgment was given against him. — But that since that the Law was altered, requiring only a Certificate of their usual Attend- ance at a Baptist Meeting. As to the Ashfield affair, he was unac- quainted, and chose to be so, because it might some time come before him at Court : but he tho't there had been some Oppression. 12. This forenoon visited by Mr. Nelson an Irish Gentleman, Brother to the late Rev. Mr. Nelson a Dissenting Minister in the North of Ireland, discharged from his Congregation for Heresy, ' For the Baptist statement of this case, see Backus's Hist, of the Baptists, ed. 1871, ii, 141-42. 334 DIARY OF EZRA STILES though othenvise of an excellent Character. Mr. Nelson is viewing and buving American new L,ands between lyake Champlain and Connecticut River in the 44'" degree of lyatitude with the view of bringing over settlers from Ireland. He is a Presbyterian. Mr. Dawson a first Day Baptist Teacher in Newport has lately doubted and at length renounced the first Day Sabbath. At a lec- ture last week in his new Meetinghouse he declared his opinion for the 7'" Day Sabbath. And Saturday went to the Sabbatarian Meet- ing & sat in the pulpit with Mr. Maxson Elder of the Sabb. Meet^ in Newport. Ivast Lords Day he preached in his own meeting as usual — and Lords Day Evening preached there again, on — let him that is without sin cast the first stone. He said no man was free from Sin and Imperfection — that he had sinned his whole Life in not keeping the right day — that he was sure he was forgiven, because he had repented of himself, no man accusing him. He chal- lenged the public and said he was ready to prove the 7"' day from Scripture, and to defend it both in preaching and in print against any man that would take up against him. He had a Church of 15 or 20 Members, thrown into much Consternation. But it is proba- ble he ma}' proselyte the most of them. Mr. Tanner a Deacon of the Sabb. Chh. has heretofore been a great Enemy to Mr. Dawson (who is rejected by all the Baptists in America, though perhaps without sufficient Reason) but went to hear him last Lords day Evening and sa3^s he preached a most excellent Sermon. Mr. Maxson is aged and infirm ; perhaps Mr. Dawson may become Elder of that Church. Mr. Dawson was ordained by Laymen, which I greath- disapprove. But he can make a considerable Fig- ure in the pulpit — & seems to be sincere. Mr. Nelson tells me he is acquainted with the Rev. Dr. Clark who, with a Congregation of Seceders which he brought out of Ireland a few years since, is settled about a dozen miles Eastward from Saratoga. He says Dr. Clark is a Seceeder, & a Physician, not Doctor in Divinity, a Scotchman, a pious sensible man. 13. Chh. meet^ this Even*'' at Sister Topham's Admiral Montague' arrived in the Harbor last night. He came from Boston to some place up the Ba}- and was there taken on board a Skooner — and his Chaise came to Town the rest of the way witliout him. This Morning he came on shore at the Point and 'John Montagu, Rear- .\dmiral in the British Navy, born 1719, Commander in chief on the North American Station from 1771 to 1774. JANUARY 13-14, 1773 335 went to Collector Dudlys : at his Ivanding the six Ships and Vessels of War fired : but the Fort Flag was not displayed, nor Fort Guns fired, which displeased him much. 14. This Forenoon the Negro-Indian Witness' went up to the Courthouse to wait on the Commissioners. Yesterday a Man of Smithfield, who went aboard the Man o' War last week pretending himself an Evidence, was brought ashore and examined by the Commissioners, and his Testimony judged insufficient, and so he was dismissed ; but immediately he enlisted on board Ship. It seems this Man (an only Son) proved stubborn, rebellious, and treated his parents in such a manner, especially in his Cups, that his Father swore the peace upon him &c. — and his Father entailed his Estate, and died perhaps 2 or 3 years since. Before this he proved such a spendthrift and Madman, that the Court put him under Guardians. Afterwards he upon promises procured the Guardianship to be taken off. Which done, he this last year brought forward a process at I^aw for docquing his Estate ; which came on at perhaps the last Court, when the Town Council of Smithfield appeared to prevent it, lest he should end his vagabond Eife in becoming a Town Charge. They prevented the Recovery or Docquing. This exasperated him against .some in his own Town and some in the Town of Providence, against whom he swore Revenge. Accordingly the week before the Judges came, he went down to Boston and informed Mr. Auchmuty, who finding him to be a drunken Fellow dismissed him. He came then to Newport, raging all along the Towns from Boston hither that he would ruin Providence. It is said, that neither he nor the Indian were among the Perpetrators ; and the Providence people shew no Concern about these two, saying that as they were not there, it is not doubted the Judges will so interrogate that the Answers will interfere and confute themselves. The White man was dismissed. I don't hear what is done with the Negro-Indian.'^ The Judges and the Admiral were invited to dine together to-day at Mr. Brentons one of the Clerks of the Court. This day P.M. a Snow and hail .storm, or freezing sleet. I dined at Major Otis in company with Mr. Nelson, who says there are 36 ' Aaron Briggs, a mulatto, who claimed to have been present at the destruc- tion of the Gaspee, and gave the names of several ringleaders. ' The mulatto's testimonj^ was believed by the Court, but refuted by Gov. Wanton. No notice was taken of the white man referred to. -36 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS Townships, Hampshire Grants, which Gov. Tryon of New York has not regranted, and Killington' is one — No Lecture at Mr. Hopkins. 1=,. To-day the Trees full of Chrystals or Frozen sleet or icy horror. My North Window frozen down all day so that I can not come at my Thermometer which is usually left abroad all night. The Judges dined at Aug. John.ston' Esq's, to-day, and Col. Jos. Wanton" Son of the Governor with them. I saw him the Col. at night, when he told me the Negro-Indian was not dismissed but sent on board ship, that he was catched in some Lies, but that as to the substance of his Testimony he stood and adhered to it with Firm- ness ; that the Indian [thought he] talked as if he appeared to give Evidence like one tutored and instructed &c. &c. Col. Wanton said his Father had not yet seen the Admiral — that the Admiral sent a Lieut, with a message to this Effect, ' ' that he the Admiral was in Town, but as proper Honor had not been paid at the Fort to the British Flag, he for this reason did not wait on the Governor ; " to which the Governor instead of answering with the Spirit and Dig- nity that became him, returned for Answer, that the Government or Assembl}' allowed the Expenses of but 4 days Firing at the Fort in a year, viz. Kings and Queens Birthday, Restoration, and Elec- tion, and this w'as^ Rea.son of the Guns not being discharged at the Fort, but for the rest the Admiral might do as he pleased as to waiting on him. He ought to have answered the Admiral ; you. Sir, have by your Letters to me as Governor repeatedly insulted and cast Indignit}' on me, you have ill-treated and insulted the Colony and the Civil Authority thereof in your Accusations to London, and merit of this Colon}- only Neglect and Indignity — besides, be it known to you, Sir, that the Navy is subordinate to the Civil Authority, and it is the Duty of the first Admiral of the Navy upon coming into this Port to wait upon the Civil Governor of this Colony. 1 6.- The Judges sat as they do daily, and examined one of the Sailors of the Gaspee as to his knowledge of the Indian. Mr. ' A charter for this town was granted in 1761 to Dr. Stiles and Benjamin EUery, of Newport : it is the present town of Sherburne, Rutland County, Vermont. ' Formerly Attorney General of the Colony. He was appointed Stamp Dis- tributor in 1765, but was forced by a popular movement to resign. He sent home charges against Dr. Stiles of being concerned in this movement, which were easily refuted. * See this Diary, March 19, 1770. JANUARY 15-20, 1773 337 Helme one of the Judges of our Superior Court came to Town this Week, and offered his Assistance to the Commissioners. The Commissioners dined to da}^ at Mr. Henry Bowers' s. It is said the Admiral was to dine with them, and that he waited on the Gover- nor to day, as also on the Commiss'''' at the Courthouse. Reading Clemens Alexandrinus 17. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Prov. xii, 15. P.M. Jno. xi, 25. A verjr cold Sabbath. Reading Zanchy. 18. Very cold. Therm" at two degrees above Cypher or thirty degrees below freezing at Sunrise. Queen's Birthday (or reputed da}') at one o'Clock the Fort and Men o'War being four ships and a Schooner fired a royal Salute — at I^ the Fort fired 3 Guns. Reading Zanchy 's Exposition of Ephcsians — and Clemens Alex. Stromata. A very cold Day, Mr. Ellery's Therm" at Cypher in the Morning. ig. Wednesday 13"^ Inst. Jany. Rev. Tho^ Barnard jun. was ordained Pastor of the new gathered Church in Salem. " The Rev. M' Tucker of Newbury made the first prayer, the Rev'^ Mr. Wil- liams of Bradford preached the Sermon from Acts 17, 24. the Rev. M'' Barnard of Haverhill praj^ed and gave the Charge ; the Rev. M'' Swain of Wenham prayed after the Charge ; the Rev. M'' Dim an of Salem, in the Name of the Ecclesiastical Council gave the Fellowship of the Churches to the new gathered Church, and the Right Hand of Fellowship to Mr. Barnard. A Hymn was then sung ; and the religious Exercises were concluded with a Blessing. ' ' This Mr. Barnard is Son of Rev. Thomas Barnard Senior now living and Pastor of the first Church in Salem ; but he has been disabled by a paralytic shock. 20. The Commissioners still sit : — they dine to-day at Henry Marchant Esqr's. Attorney Gen. of this Colony. The General Assembly sat last Week at East Greenwich : thought best to do nothing respecting the Commissioners Court here. M'' Hopkins Chief Judge of our Superior Court, asked the Assembly to instruct him ; they declined this also. Then he declared in the Assembly that if the Commissioners should apply to him to apprehend an}^ persons for delivering to the Admiral, that he would not do it, and would use his Authority in hindering every Officer in the Colony from doing any thing to this End. This perhaps consists with his Assurances in person to the Commissioners that he should be ready to assist them. Judge Helme also in person made the same Offers 33S ■ DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS to the Cominissiouers last Week. Judge Bowler in a Letter to the Commissioners offered also. Thus 3 Judges of our Superior Court offered their Assistance. Deputy Governor vSessions with the Committee of the last Assembh', offered or presented the Letters and Representations draughted by them respecting the Gaspee and the Care of the Magistracy, but the Assembly would not vote them; rather they were not read in the Assembly. The Assembly chuse to hold an observant but still and unactive Conduct in the present Storm. I am told that the Admiral talks of departing this Week : — that Four Thousand Guineas Hush Money l^y Providence &c Gentlemen are supposed to have lodged in hands where the Admiral has had a feeling, and .so as to keep off Information from the Com- missioners who are supposed to be uncorrupted. Only Conjecture. Tho' three persons only of the Gentlemen accused are doubtless w^orth 30 or ^40,000. sterling, and could upon occasion bleed freely. An innocent Man of Wealth had rather give ^1000. sterl- ing out of /^i 5,000, than be arrested and transported to England for a Trial for Treason. This Morning Adm. Montagu sat out in a Coach for Boston. 22. Dined at M"" Marchants. No Lecture last Night at M' Hop- kins. This Morning two of the Commissioners Judge Oliver and Judge Auchmuty left the Town in return one to Middleboro' the other to Boston. The Go\'. and Judges Hosmanden and Smyth sat again to day. The Beginning of this Week the Commissioners sent off a man (not Officer) with Letters [Summons] to Pro\idence to par- ticular Gentlemen vi/.. Mr. George Browne, Mr. Jn" Cole, Mr. Hitchcock, Mr. Andruss, Mr. Fenner and Mr. Sabin, but none of them thought to have been concerned in burning the Gaspee — noti- fying them that they the Commissioners had been informed that they could give Information ; but no Authoritative Summons. The four first being Lawyers returned Answer they knew nothing and excused themselves as being obliged to attend the Court at Green- wich : it is said one of the others [Mr. Sabin] returned a boisterous Answer and refu.sed. None came. This Afternoon the Commis- sioners broke up having adjourned to 26'^'' of May. 23. Examining Chronologies. 24. Ldsdy. A.M. 1 preached on Jno. xxi, 21, 22. P.M. i Pet. i, 22, 23. Mr. Hopkins being sick, many of his Congreg" attended. 27 This day we are again alarmed with the breaking out of the small pox at Mr. Dyre's at the upper End of the Town. JANUARY 22-30, 1773 339 The last that had it Ijroke out and was carried away about six weeks ago ; and we hoped through the Blessing of Divine Providence that a stop was put to the further progress of the Disorder. I Was- this da}' going to revive a monthly evening Meeting of the married people of my Congregation which I had discontinued on account of the danger of the small pox from Aug' last to this Time. But I find that a Negro Girl of Mr. Dyres Family has had the small pox in a very light manner and got well of it without suspicion in the Family, who took the Eruption to be the chicken pox, till now that Mr. Dyre and five or six of his Family have Symptoms. This Girl was at Church Ldsdy before last, and at a Funeral after Sen- ice — that there is great Danger of her having communicated the Infec- tion extensively. May the good Lord pre.ser\^e us from his Judg- ments. 28. All the forenoon in examining the patriarchal History. No Lecture at Mr. Hopkins' this Evening. 30. This forenoon I was waited upon by the Hon. Judge Smyth of the Jersies one of the Commissioners. He is a Man of about aet. 40, a Gentleman of Ingenuity and Learning, has the Aspect of a Student, and I believe is considerably addicted to Books. We were in Compan}' together with Mr. Brenton, an Attorne}^ at the Red- wood Library. By Mr. Smith's Observations and Remarks on Sundry Books I take him to be a Man of good general Learning, besides the knowledge in his peculiar Profession in the Law. He has something amiable in his manner. He told me he last year heard the Bishop of London say in Parliament that he was author- ized to declare that the Dissenters Bill for Relief as to Subscription to XXXIX Articles was disagreeable to the Bod}^ of Dissenters. I told him Mr Mauduit had since published a Refutation of that Assertion, and that Dr. Furneaux had addressed the Bishop also with a Refutation on that head. He said, he did not know this. He supposes the Dissenters will never carry that point. The Commissioners have not sat since Friday of last week. The Judges Horsmanden and Smyth have been several days embarked for N. York on board a Vessel yet detained by Contrary- Winds. Judge Sm^^h told me he should be here again in May, and would then bring a Book to present to the Redwood Library. He has been Chief Justice in New Jersej' I think several years ; tho' he went home to London the year before last. Mr. Marchant saw him then. This Day was the Anniversary^ of K. Charles I. But there 340 DIARY OF EZRA STILES was no vSernion at Church — they only read Prayers at XI'' this Forenoon. 31. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on James iii, 13. P.M. Heb. xi, 16. Feb. 1. Yesterday Judges Horsmanden and Smyth sailed for N. York. Reading Isocrates 2. Reading Raleigh especially on the Persian & Grecian Wars. ICxamining the Olympiads. 3. This Evening we had a Monthly Meeting of the Brethren and Sisters of my Church at Brother Hammonds, when I discoursed on I Pet. i, 13. 4. This day I read thro' Velleius Paterculus 5. This Day at II'' 5' P.M. died Capt. Pollipus Hammond' set. 70 and 2°'. I closed his Eyes. Just in the last Efforts and Agonies of Death he dretv up his Feet in the Bed, which reminded me of the Patriarch Jacob. I had lately heard it said that dying persons stretched out &c. I think Capt. Hammond died without stretching out after he had gathered up his Feet. He was many years a Guinea Captain ; he had then no doubt of the Slave Trade. But I have reason to think that if he had his Life to live over again, he would not chuse to spend it in buying and .selling the human .species. He has been a Communicant and Member of ni}- Church for almost 34 years : and a Pillar in the Congregation. At his house was made and he gave the Dinner for the Ecclesiastical Coun- cil at my Ordination 1755. He left one Son and four daughters three of which are now Communicants in my Church. He was a verj^ peaceable still man. He was ver}^ ingenious in Mathematics, and excelled in the Mechanic Arts — made and neatly finished Boats — wro't Tables, Stands, Waiters &c in Mohogany — did any Jojniers or Cabinet Work neatly — wrot any Thing in Iron and Bras.s — drill- ing and mending China &c — he was .so ingenious that he kept all sorts of Tools and could turn his hand to anj- Thing. God had blessed him with a good Estate ; and he and his Family have been eminent for hospitality to all. and cliarity to the poor and afflicted. At death, he .said, he recommended Religion to his Children, and told them all the World was nothino The only external 'Son of Benjamin and Klizabetli ( Hunnewell) Hammond, of that part of Rochester, Plymoutli County, Mass., which is now Marion. 1 JANUARY 3I-FEBRUARY 6, 1773 341 Blemish in his Character was, that he was a little addicted to the marvellous in vStories of what he had seen and heard in his Voyages and Travels. But in his Dealings he was punctual, upright and honest, and (except as to that Flie in the Oyntment, the Disposi- tion to exaggerate and tell marvellous vStories of Dangers, Travels, &c.) in all other Things was of a sober and good moral Character and respected and beloved by all — so as to be almost without any Enemies. He was forward in all the Concerns of the Church and Congregation, consulting its Benefit, and peaceably falling in with the general Sense without exciting quarrels, parties &c. and even wherein he differed from his Brethren, he so differed with them that they loved him amidst the differences. He was an exceeding peaceable Man and promoted Peace. He never dealt much in Poli- tics, but was always a good Member of vSociety. He was a Man of good Natural Understanding, and when a boy learned Lilys Latin Grammar , at Sippican or Rochester where he was born Nov. 29, 1702 ; but never pursued Latin. He had a Taste for and was con- siderably read in two sorts of Books viz. historical as Voyages and Travels, and Mathematical . He owned a pretty Library, and had among his Books Chambers Dictionary and Spectators, Pope &c. As to his figure in living and Apparell he was most pleased with an easy plainess and never affected Shew. He was a little man, of small Stature & a thin Habit. He was sober and temperate in all Things — at a great remove from Levity and boisterous Joy, and thought those Things Madnes.s — innocently cheerful and social and all loved his Company — evenness and Calmness and Moderation were among his Characteristics 6. Examining Tacitus and Dion Cassias respecting the Period wherein our Lord's Ministry fell. This Evening my Wife and my Daughter Betsy had Conversation concerning Melchizedec. In a Sermon not long ago I had expressed my Opinion that in the Days of Abraham the Messiah resided at Salem in the person of Melchi- zedec. Betsy told her mother, or rather a.sked her whether Christ was not Melchizedec? and explained that Jn° viii, 56. — Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it &c. in this manner, that Abra- ham's seeing Christ's day, was seeing Christ in the person of Mel- chizedec, whose day of Time & Age was Christs Day. This is ingenious and a new Thought to me : tho' still the day of Christ seen by Abraham, I take to be the Day or Time of his Incarnation in the Age of Tiberius. Abraham by Faith looked forward 342 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 7. Ldsday. A.M. I preached Psal. cxxxii, 13-16. P.M. Mat. xiii, 16. Read in Ainsworth on the Pentateuch & Doddridge's Sermons. 8. Last Kven^' Therm. 31. ThisMorns at VIII" Therm" 5 above o. i. e. 27 below water freezing Point. . . This Afternoon attended Capt. Poll. Hammond's Funeral. 10 By the Prints, I find, the General Assembly of the Massachusetts have answered Gov. Hutchinson's Speech with Firm- ness and irresistible Reasoning : the Council by themselves ; and the Representati\'es by themselves. The House full, being ninety- seven Deputies present. Of 250 Townships in the Province, Eighty four have passed Resolves similar to those of the Boston Town Meeting, and the Thing is yet in its Course. An amazing Spirit for LIBERTY ! This Morning died here Mr. Na.ssau Hastie set. 60. He was born in Edinburgh April 17 13. Hopefully converted and become exper- imentally acquainted with the Divine Life set. 18 or 19. Ever since has lived pioush' and holily. He came to America about 1735 and lived first at Charleston S" Carolina where he married and was burnt out about 1740. In 1741 he came and settled in Newport. His occupation, a Barber. A very honest, upright, grave, inoffen- sive Man. He understood Religion well, and was without waver- ing. He had a good Report of all Men and of the Truth also. He was a Communicant in Edinburg ; but never asked Communion in America till a few years past. He steadily attended in my Con- gregation from his first coming to Newport. It was some time before I knew that he had been a professor. Knowing him to live exemplarily I often urged him to come to the Lords Table, when he lamented his unpreparedness : — but did not tell me &c. Till at length he informed me that he had been a Communicant, and was under no Censure ; brought no Certificate from Scotland, and thought from what he observed here that the Custom of our Churches required it indispensably. But there were other greater Difficulties he said — he was prevented living altogether in so holy and exemplary a manner as his soul desired. Not to add, that some of his Countrymen, Dissenters from Presbyterianism, were constantly prejudicing their Countrymen against the New England Congregational Churches, alledging that they were essentially dif- ferent from the Kirk of Scotland : and that we were such a con- fused corrupt church as to Discipline & Congreg' Chh. Govt, that FEBRUARY 7-18, 1 773 343 &c. I had not a little Difficulty to settle these Difficulties in his Mind. But he at length joyned with us at the L,ord's Table and in all our religious Meetings, with Cordiality and exemplary Serious- ness. About a year and half past he lost his Voice after a Cold, and never recovered it. His Disorder seized the pulmonary parts, which this Winter increased in a quick Consumption. Lordsday Nov. 29, was the last time he was at meeting. He knew not of Brother Hammond's Death, till I trust they met in Glory. May God sanctif}^ the Death of these two of our Brethren to the Church and Congregation ; and may he who has the Residue of the Spirit raise up others in their places. This Day my Wife and I have been married sixteen years. It has pleased God to make her a great Blessing and Comfort to me. She takes the whole Care of my Famil}^ that I freed of all secular Care, may attend the Ministry. 11. Reading Diodorus Seculus. Attended Mr. Hopkins's Even" Lect. at VI o'clock, he preached. 12. Attended Mr. Hastie's Funeral which was very large. He was greatly esteemed as a plain honest upright Man and sincere Disciple of Jesus. None doubt this. 13. Reading Magazine, Review, &c. Composing a Funeral Ser- mon. 14. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Isai. Iv, 3. P.M. Prov. xvi, 31, in wdiich I gave the characters of Brother Hammond & Brother Hastie. 15. Received a I,etter dated Jany. 26, from the Rev. Elihu Spencer' of Trenton in the Jersies, requesting an Account of the Transactions of the Commissioners here. 16. Writing a long Letter of a sheet and half to Mr. Spencer. Reading Magazines. 17. An Even'' Meet^ for married Non-Communicants at Mr. Philip Peckhams, when I discoursed on Ephes. i, 17, 18. 1 8. The Ministry are endeavoring to curtail and annihilate the Territory of New England. Originally all above the 40th deg. to 47th deg. of N. Lat was in the Kings Patent to the Plymouth Company called NEW ENGLAND, being a Zone of seven degrees across the Continent New York i. e. the Governor & Council and Assembly, about 30 or 40 Anti- American Crown Dependants, avaritious of Territory • A classmate of Dr. Stiles at Yale. :^^^ DIARY OF EZRA STILES and Jurisdiction and mortal linemies to New England Charters and Puritanism, being elated with the Success of 1766, are going on and extending their Claims, along downwards, meaning to swallow up near half Connecticut and Massachusetts Provinces and bound them by Connecticut River. The Judges of the Court have lately exerted tlieir authority in Sheffield in Massachusetts, a Town settled above fifty Years. The Towns of the Mass. are now declaring and resolving against the present Grievances and Opressions. In the Votes of the Town of Sheffield Jany. 12, 1773 I find it said — " The Province of X. York, by the most unjustifiable Proceedings, have b\- a late Act of their General Assembly, extended the Lhnits of the Co. of Albany East as far as Connectiadt River ; and under pretence of having by that Act, the legal Jurisdiction within that part of this Province, by s** Act included in the County of Albany, have exer- cised actual Jurisdiction, and the Officers of the C" of Albany, without the least pretence of any precept from the Authority on this side the Line, by Color of a Warrant Executed in that County, upon Suspicion that a man had been guilty of a Crime in this County, taken him and conveyed him to Albany for Examination. In Indictments Crimes have been said to have been committed at Sheffield in the County of Albany &.C." This is a most daring Encroachment and sjxraks loudly that the Ministry afe determined to go on and give the West Half of the Colony of Connecticut to New York, and having reduced New England to a Button, then arbitrarily finish the Work by abolishing the Charters, and giving a new name to the Territory, and .so annihilate the Name and change the Eaws of New England, as they abolished the Name of Canada, «& divided it into Quebec Province, & Montreal &c. The Ministry dread the Population of New England and want to break up their religious and political principles, alter Times, Cus- toms, Names, and all usages having Liberty and Charter powers connected with them — to confuse the policy and loose and embarrass the Minds of the people. But two Things will survive the general Shipwreck, i. American Liberty. 2. Congregationalism. Both are attacked witli great Vigor — many Branches of the Tree of Liberty will be lopt ofT, many Puritans will desert the Cau.se and Ijow the Knee to Baal. But when America shall have come to the Ages of Maturity, i. e. when a Territory of 6 or 800 miles .square' shall have become fully peopled, it will, (I prophecy) be found that ' That is, the country east of the Mississi])pi. FEBRUARY 19, 1773 345 Hnf;'lisli America, especially the Old Territory of New England, will become an Independent State, and above three Quarters of the Millions that inhal)it it will be found Presbyterian or Congrega- tional : and in general that in all future Ages the Puritans will make the bigger two Thirds of all P^nglisli America. If so, it wall then appear that the present Endeavors of Episcopalian and deistical Crown Officers to break up the present Policies and to plague and become a scourge to the New England Puritans, will not have answered their end, but will be defeated by the irresistable and overruling Providence of the Most High. And to Eternity both in the History of this World and in the History of the Universe they will be considered as the Pharaohs, the Zamzummins, the Nebu- chadnezzars the Plagues of a holy People, that fled three Thousand miles that they might have Eiberty to worship God in this Wil- derness. And now being followed by Pharaoh & his Hosts, there remains only for us to stand still and see the Salvation of the God of our Fathers. It will be easy 100 years hence to give the Name New England to all the original Territory from 40 deg. and North- ward, and to declare a Primacy to the Congregational or Presbyte- rian Religion 19. No Lecture last Even-. Mr. Hopkins ill Copy of my answer to Mr. Spencer's letter. Newport, Feb. 16, 1773 ReV and Dear Sir Yesterday I rec'd. yours of 26''' ult. in which you ask some account of the Transactions of the Commissioners. Of the little they did there was nothing published in form ; aud tho' it is probable the Judges designedly permitted eno' to transpire to give an Idea of their Opinions on some Matters, yet they left the Ultimatum undetermined. I am glad to find that the Sons of Liberty in other Colonies felt the Attack upon us, which is equalh? a Stroke of Univer- sal American Liberty. You say "we wait with Impatience to know the Issi;e " — and ask "a Detail of everything doing, talked of, surmised, threatened &c." You set me a Task I will endeavor a general Account of Things. Judges Hot smanden and Smyth arrived here 31*' Dec. and on New Years Day dispatched a post to Admiral Montague at Boston for the Commission . Jany. 2^ arrived here Judge Oliver and Judge Auchmuty, who with Ctov. IFauton made the Compliment of five Commissioners. The Admiral dispatched the Commission by land by Capt who arrived here on Lords Day evening 3'' and carried it on board Capt. Keeler. Some Altercation ensued next day, in which the Navy Officers shewed some Loftiness ; but the Judges with some Spirit quickly gave them to understand their Sub- ordination. Tuesday 5* the five Commissioners preceeded by about a dozen Officers of the Men o' War who carried the Commission, marched in 346 DIARY OF EZRA STILES procession to tlie Courthouse, wlien the Commission was delivered, opened and read, a considerable Concourse present— and this by the Way was the only Transaction in public. At reading the Commission two Things were remarked one. an Error as to the place of perpetrating the Offence, which the Com- mission said was Newport, instead of Warwick near Providence : — a second was (to the Astonishment and Mortification of the Tories) that they the Com- missioners were impowered to inquire into and take Information concerning any Misdemeanors and Oppressions of the Officers of the Navy and Customs : —This was a humbling stroke, very unexpected, and rendered them, not even the Admiral excepted, at the Mercy of all the Merchants &c., whom they had injured — for it is probable they had all to a man, by taking fees and bribes &c. &c. &c. &c., as well as by malicious Seizures &c. become liable to a loss of Office — at least it was a Rod over them. By this the Tory Bellowing and Inso- lence was hushed. Upon this the Commissioners by their Clerks issued Adver- tisements for Information. Bv a Letter to the Governor from the Admiral it began to be evident that the Admiral felt a Reluctance at being present ; probably for 2 Reasons, the slenderness of evidence he had to produce in so momentous a Cause and some Notice that he had brought a Commission over his own head. Be the reasons as they might, he was greatly averse to coming, and with the Commission sent a dubious Notice that he might come by Wednesda)^, if Business permitted. I think there were three Messages to get him here ; the last however whether 2* or 3'', I knew would fetch him, for it went with an Authority which the Admiral dared not to withstand — had he not come the Judges would have re- turned without &c. and cast the Obstruction at his Door ; besides they had power at least to call all the Crown Officers before them. He arrived 13 Jany. Deputy Gov. Sessions, and Mr. Hopkins formerly Governor now Chief Jus- tice, both living in Providence, came to Newport the day of Opening the Com- mission. At Gov. Wanton's first and afterwards at the Courthouse they had several Interviews with the Commissioners. The design of this was — that Mr. Sessions as Governor or one of the Chief Magistrates of the Colon}', should notify the Commissioners that there had been no Neglect or Connivance in G of the Colony: and room w-as left so to interpret the Commission, that the Commissioners were not clearly empowered solely and by thcvisclves to seize and commit any. At least this was not so clearly defined and prescribed as one would have imagined, had the Intentions of the Ministr}- been peremptory. The Commission however is very alarming under the most favorable and mild Con.structions : T believe the Commissioners were inclined to interpret in the mildest Sense. Our People will bear kwy Thing but an actual Seizure of Persons. Upon what \"iews the Adjournnient is made, is not known. Probably the Commissioners have transmitted an Account of their Transactions, and may expect further Directions by the latter end of May. We cannot foresee the Issue. Perhaps the whole may be only in Terrorem. I am ready to think the report of the Commissioners will prove an Exculpation of the civil Govern- ment of this Colony. I am well assured, notwithstanding the exaggerated Accounts about beating up for Volunteers in the Streets of Providence, the Thing was conducted with such Secrecy and Caution that neither the Deputy Crovernor nor any of the Magi.strates or Civil Officers in Providence had any Knowledge of the Design till the next Morning ; when the D. Gov. and civil .\uthority inmiediately took all the Measures that the wisest ;Ma.gistrates could have done. During the whole Visitation of the Commissioners not the least N'iolence, Obstruction or Annoyance was offered. I think I have given you so minute and ample an Accoun'. of the series of Occurrences and Transactions in this Affair, that you will be as able to make a Judgment upon it as "any persons here upon the spot." I commit this Letter to your Prudence ; only desire you to suffer no copies of it, nor to permit any part of it to appear in the public Prints. You express Confidence in the Post OfTuc : the Sciil of your Letter was broken before I received it. Perhaps this FEBRUARY 20, 1773 351 may suffer the same T-'ate. However I believe I have given both a just and candid account of Things. I am a Friend to American Liberty ; of the final prevalence of which I have not the least doubt, though by what means and in what way God only knows. But I have perfect Confidence that the future Millions of America will emancipate themselves from all foreign Oppression. I am a Spectator indeed of Events, but intermeddle not with Politics. We have another Department, being called to an Office and Work, which may be success- fully pursued (for it has been pursued) under every species of Civil Tyranny or Liberty. We cannot become the Dupes of Politicians without Alliances, Con- cessions and Connexions dangerous to evangelical Truth and spiritual Liberty. Mr. Richardson and Family are well. I must defer the rest of your Letter. Inform me your Reception of this. I am, Dear Sir, Most affectionately yours &c. Ezra Stiles.' To Rev. Elihu Spencer, at Trenton, New Jersey. In the Prints I find that the Rev. Allen Mather^ was Feb. 3, 1773 ordained Pastor of new or third Congregational Church in the compact part of the Town of New Haven. Rev. Mr. Benj"" Wood- bridge of Amity preached. 20. Rev. John Davis^ late Pastor of the second Baptist Church in Boston, left it on account of Blindness, and returned to Penn- sylvania. Recovering, he accompanied some Baptist settlers to Ohio, where he lately died, and was buried there on a spot intended for a Baptist Meetinghouse. Mr. Davis was a Bachellor, set. 37. Mr. Nelson just received Letters from New York, from a Partner who has been negotiating the purchase of a Town.ship 22,000 Acres on Onion River, about 30 m. above Crown Point and a little East of lyake Champlain. It was about 1761 granted by the Gov. of Hampshire. The Hampshire proprietors ask a Thousand Dol- lars or ^400. Y. M. and the Gov. of N. York asks ^150. more for Confirmation. So the 22 Thousand Acres cost ^550, besides Expences of Survey &c. This about ^20. per 100 Acres. The rapacious or voracious Avarice of Governors ! This L,and has been ' For the fullest account of this affair see J. R. Bartlett's History of the Destruction of the Gaspee, Providence, 1861 (reprint from the R. I. Colony Records). * Yale 1 77 1. This church, called the Fair Haven Church, was formed in June, 1 77 1, from families which had seceded from the White Haven Church in disapproval of the settlement of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards. They had built a house on the site occupied by the present United Chnrch. See above, July 8, 1771. 8 See also this Diary, June 5, 1772 ; and Backus's Hist, of the Baptists, 1871 ed., ii, 176-77. -;^2 DIARY OF EZRA STILES once granted by the King, and now must be granted by the King again : at an exorb. Price. Finished reading Mr. Hemingways Treatise of 227 pages against Mr. Hopkins. I judge hini to be on the right side of the Question, and that un regenerate Sinners may and can seek God and pray to him acceptably, and that they are able to use the Means of Grace so as to be attended with a blessing, even to the obtaining regener- ating Grace ; I do not think with Mr. Hopkins that all that the unregenerate do or can do is Sin — or that vSinners under Convic- tions increase in Sinfulness and grow worse. 21. Lordsday A.M. I preached i Tim" i, 16, 17, less than three Ouarters of an hour in the whole Exercise, on account of severit}- of the Cold. vSermon 25 Minutes. And P.M. Ps. Ixxxix, 19 . . . . Sermon 25 Minutes. Exce.s.sivel}^ cold da5^ This morning at Vni. Thermometer 6. descended to 3 at XI, rose to 4 at Noon, descended to o at Ij- and at II one deg. below o 22. I{xtreme Cold. Therm" seven degrees below o, or 39 degrees below freezing point at VII ^'' mane. By X'' it ascended to o. — At noon 3jc; above o. — -at 11^ to 7 — -at IV to 9 nearest or 8 * ,0 — Sunset 7 — IX. 8. This Evening a Meeting of Young Men at my House when I discoursed to them on Eccles. xi, 9. A Jew was present having asked Leave ; he tarried with me and we dis- cour.sed an hour afterwards concerning a suffering Messiah 23. This Morn*? still cold. Therm" 9. 25. This morning about Sunrise the Bells rang an Alarm for fire, down at the Beach. Mr. Nic' Easton's house in his N" Farm was on fire, and .soon burnt down, the Tenant and his Family ju.st escaped the Flames. He was obliged to throw his Bed out at a Chamber Window & let down his Wife & 6 or 7 Children upon it In B" F^ven- Post 22" inst At Weym" S" Parish; "460 Persons have had the Measles in one Month, and more than 500 in the Whole, which is near two Thirds of the people there. Thirty eight persons have also had it out of eight I'"amilies belonging to the Town of Abington who attend public Worshij) at Weymouth. But notwithstanding the rapid Progress and distressing nature of the Di.sorder, it proved mortal to two per- sons only, one of them an Infant." vSo the proportion of Deaths 2 out of 538, or 1 in 270. Now the small pox Mortality is i in 7 or 8 in the natural way — i in 70 or 80 in simple Inoculation — i in 7 or 800 in mercurial Inoculation. FEBRUARY 2I-MARCH 3, 1 773 353 I finished reading Rev. Giles Firmins Real Christian. He came to New England about 1635, and lived at or near Ipswitch ; he mar- ried Rev. Mr. Ward's Daughter, and I think practiced physic. At length he became a preacher, and returning to Europe became a Minister in Shalford in Essex. He opposed some Niceties in Divin- it}' published by Mr. Hooker, Mr. Shepherd of N. England, and Mr. Rogers, &c in Old England 26. I did not attend M"" Hopkins' Eecturelast Evening. Weather exceed^ moderate. Therm. 47 I spent this evening at Brother Abr™ Dennis's, and had much profitable Conversation with him on experimental Religion, and the Evidences of a Gracious Estate. We went thro' a Trial and Examination on three heads. I. Faith in Christ. 2. evangelical Repentance, and 3. on Eove of God and Holiness. Where these were found in reality, there must have been a Work of God within the Soul, evidential of our being intituled to that great Wo7-k without, the Atonement and Righteous- ness of Christ, which alone is justifying in the sight of God. 27. This day I read out the 5"" Volume of Yoricks or Laiwence Sterile' s Sermons. I find by the Prints that 18*" Inst died at his house near the head of Niantic River in Connecticut the Rev.' William Crocker set. 70, but I know not of what place he was Min- ister. 28. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Mat. xiii, 23. P.M. i Jno. v, I March I. Young women met at my house & I discoursed to them. 3. Reading the Society's Abstract for the year 1772. Dr. Moss Bp. of St. Davids in his Sermon says speaking of the Six Nations of Indians, the Mohawks have already embraced Christianity. "At a general Congress of those Nations consisting of the principal Persons of each Tribe, to the number of Twenty four hundred it was their Desire &c." Indians usually travell with Women and Chil- dren. I suppose 2400 were three Qu" of the Souls of the Six Nations. This Congress I suppose was within a year or two ago. In the Abstract 1772 is the Account of the Rev. Mr. Frink just before his Death in 1770 or 1771. According to which there were then in Savannah in Georgia ' An error of Dr. Stiles. The newspapers do not describe Mr. Crocker as a minister. 23 54 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 521 . . 1 185 59 • • 193 172 . . 499 22 . . 49 7 • • 30 40 Families Men Negroes Chh of England ... 180 ... 664 Lutherans 35 • • • ^34 Presb. & Indepcnd'ts . 92 . . . 327 Jews 6 . . . 27 Infidels II . . . 23 Negroes besides 324 1 175 782 1996 I think this is not accurate. The 324 Families cannot yield many more than 1175 souls, which he calls Men. The number of Souls in Newfoundland A.D. 1771 were 3449 English and 3348 Irish. This Afternoon I attended the Funeral of Captain Gibbs set. 91. He was a staunch Friend to the Rev. Mr. Clap,' and a Member of his Church in Newport 5. Visited by Mr. Cary of Chariest" and Mr. Williams of Bos- ton, two young Gentlemen returning home from Philadelphia. They arrived here yesterday from New York, and tell me there came with them from New York a hebrew Rabbi from Macpelah in the Holy Land I did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture last Even'g. This Aft. I preached m}^ own Sacramental Lecture. 6. . . . This Evening I married W" Whitwell and Sarah Howard at my house. 7. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Heb. iv, 14-16, and published a couple ; and administered the Communion to 40 Communicants, being a very stormy season. P.M. Exod. xix, 5, 6. 8. This Evening I went to the Synagogue it being the Eve gf Purim. The Chuzan read thro' the Book of Esther. There I saw Rabbi Carigal I judge aet. 45. lately from the City of Hebron, the Cave of Macpelah in the Holy Land. He was one of the two persons that stood by the Chuzan at the Taubauh or reading Desk while the Book of Esther was read. He was dressed in a red Gar- ment with the usual Phylacteries and habiliments, the w^hite silk Surplice ; he wore a high brown furr Cap, had a long Beard. He has tlie appearance of an ingenious & sensible Man The Rev" Mr. Page preached at Chh. yesterday ; he was too evangelical for the Taste of that Congregation. He is said to be Chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon to whom also Mr. Whitefield was formerly Chaplain. He was last year in America ; ' Nathaniel Clap (Harvard 1720), the first pastor of the Newport Congregational Church. MARCH 5-16, 1773 355 and embarked from N. York last June for London. In London he was ordained by the Bishop, and is now come over for the Orphan- house in Georgia. I am told by a Gentleman who was in his Company here, that he is very facetious & full of entertaining stories In another Comp' Mr. Page remarked that he was grieved to hear the King so much vilified & abused in New Engld & America; that he was well acquainted with the Kings's Character, & had been honored with a personal Interview with his Majesty ; and that he was truely a religious, virtuous, pious Prince. Royal Similes, as well as Royal Gold, have powerful Charms ! 9. This Day the Feast of Purim. Mr. Page sailed for New York yesterday. This day died Phyllis a Negro Sister of our Church : I hope she had chosen the better part. Her Husband Brother Zingo, upon becoming religious and joyning my Church, had an earnest Concern for his Wife and Children, and labored greatly to bring her into a saving Acquaintance with her Redeemer ; and I doubt not his Endeavors and prayers were blessed to her saving Conver- sion. She was brought hither out of Guinea 1759 aet. 13 or 14, and has lived in Gov. Lyndons Family ever since. She was always free from the common Vices — and especially since her profession has walked soberly & exemplarly. She expressed her Trust in the Merits of the Redeemer, «& died with a good hope. 10. The Parish of Long Meadow in Springfield under the Pasto- ral Care of the venerable Mr. Williams, may be 150 Families ; from Jany. 23, 1772 to Feb 8, 1773 there were but 3 funerals in that place — a Woman set. 69, another Woman aet. 51, & a stilborn twin Infant. Baptisms there eighteen in the same space This Evening my Chli. Meeting at Sister Davenports. 1 1 . This day my son Ezra is fourteen years old : he has read out Virgil, TuUy's Select Orations, &c. in Latin — & in Greek the four Evangelists & Acts — in Hebrew 48 Psalms. In the Even- I mar- ried a Couple, & so did not attend Mr. Hopkins' Lecture. 12. Reading Turkish Sp3'. 14. Lordsday I preached A.M. from Ps. 141, 8, and published Rd Gardner and Mary Hamand. — P.M. i Thess. iii, 12, 13 16. Last Evening I had a Religious Meeting of Negroes at m\- house, when I discoursed on 2 Cor. v, 20, 21. By the Boston prints I find lately died at Beverly Rev'" Joseph Champney set. 69, Senior Pastor of the first Church there. At Boston the Sons of 356 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Liberty celebrated or coininemorating the Anniversary of the Mas- sacre 5"' Inst, when Dr Church delivered an Oration in the Old South Church or Meetinghouse. Gov. Hutchinson had sent for Dr. Church and endeavored to dissuade him, but without Success. 17. Governor Hutchinson issued a Proclamation appointing Thursday 15"' April a public Fast ; — as near Easter as may be ! The Courtiers are endeavoring to bring the Anniversar\- Thanksgiv- ings and Fasts (which N. England observ^ed from the Beginning) to a Coincidence with Christmas and Easter This Even*^ a religious Meeting of the married people of the Congregation at Mr. Tophams. I discoursed on i Cor. vi, 20. 18. From the Russian Accounts I collect the following Estimate of the scattered Tribes of the Siberian Tartars from the River Ob to Kamshatka, and between the 50*'' deg. of Lat. and the hyperbo- rean Ocean — a Territory equal to 3000 Miles in Length and 12 or 1500 Miles in breadth. Tschutshi Tungusij Jakuti Samoieds say O.stiacks Cossacks The three first numbers are given by the Russians, and may be considered as sufficiently accurate. I estimate the others too large. We may confide in it, that the collected number does not exceed One Million. Hence that great Territory in the Northern Part of Asia is settled in the same sparse, thin and scattered manner, as the Continent of America by the Aboriginal Indians. I have good (jrounds to Estimate the Indians in PvUglish America, that is from the Mississippi to the Atlantic Ocean, and from Florida to the Pole, at a collective or total Amount not exceeding one hundred and fifty or at most Tico hundred thousand vSouls. [By actual Numeration in 1766 they were found fourty thousand souls only.] And I judge from the s])arse Maimer of vSettlement, making Allowance for accumulated Population in .some few places as Mexico and Peru, that the whole Continent of North and South America does not 4, 000 Men or Fam ilies 80, 000 30 000 114 000 50 000 50 000 50 000 One 264, 000 Fain nni MARCH 17-30, 1773 357 contain above One Million and half, or at most Two Million of Indians. Tho' Dr. Whitaker ignoranth' represented them Twenty Million to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. I intend to investigate the population of the Mongul, Calmuk &c. Tartars : so as to form a more just Estimate of all the Inhabitants on the Earth, than Mr. Brereivood did in King James I Time or about A. D. 1622. Especially as his Estimate has been generally received This Evening I finished reading the first Volume of the Turkish Spy. This Day being the Anniversary of the Repeal of the Stamp Act 1766 — the Bells rang — but no Ensigns or Colors displayed on Liberty- Tree or Fort, nor anj^ particular Celebration as in former 3'ears. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins' Lecture. 21. Edsdy. A.M. I preached Hosea vi, 3. P.M. Rom. xv, 13. 22. A very storm}' snowy Day. Spent all day in mj^ Study, read- ing Dr. Gale's voluminous MS. of above 100 pages on Prophecies and the Millenium. 23. Writing Criticism and Letter to Dr. Gale. 24. Reading first Vol. of Transactions of the American Philo- sophical Society at Philadelphia of which I am a Member. 25. Reading Transactions and reviewing my Observation of the Transits of Venus and Mercury 1769 with those made in different parts of the World. Storm. No Lecture at Mr. Hopkins. 28. Lordsday, A.M. I published two Couples, and preached all day upon Levit. xxvi, 12. Reading Ainsworth. In the Evening I married Richard Gardner and Mercy Hamand at my house. 29. Reading Congreg"^ Accounts from the Moravian Missionaries in Egypt. 30. This Afternoon the Rabbi came to visit me in Company w4th Mr. Lopez. The Rabbi is set. 39, a large Man, neat and well dressed in the Turkish Habit. We conversed largeh' on the Gemara, the 2 Talmuds (of wdiich he preferred the Babylonish) the Changes of the Hebrew Language in different Ages &c. &c. He was born in Hebron, where he says are only 107 Families of Jews. From get. 7, has followed his Studies. He says, one may breakfast at Hebron and dine at Jerusalem, which are but six hours apart. He has been at Samaria, Tiberias, and thro' the Holy Land, at Constantinople &c. &c. He spake of Aly Bey, and shewed me a passage in the Zohar which he said predicted that the Russia^is should conquer the Turks. I observed that in the Original it was 358 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES tliat lidom should conquer the Ismodites — he replied that Edom tliere denoted a Northern Power, and the Ismaelites those of their Religion. He said he did not understand Arabic to read it, upon \\\\ showini^ an Arabic I^xtract from Eutychius. Yet he said it Avas the conunon Tongue now in the holy Land, only the Jews were not allowed to learn the Writings. I shewed him the first Psalm in Arabic but in Hebrew Letters — he read it off freely — and I sup- pose I then for the first Time heard the true pronunciation of Arabic. He did not perfectly understand it. He said the vernacu- lar Arabic now was different from the antient. We talked upon the difference of the Dialects of the Chaldee, Syriac, and rabbinical Hebrew, on the Targums &c. Evening coming on he took Eea\'e in a polite & friendly manner. 31. Reading Dr. McSparrans Letters printed in Dublin 1752' in which he gives a vile Account of the American Colonies. He says the Coloin- of Rhode Island "contains 1,024,000 Acres and is peopled with about 30,000 Inhabitants young and old white and black" — about Truth in 1752. In 1700 he says the Church of England entered here ; and a little Church was built in Newport in 1702 — another in Narraganset 1707. The Dr. entered on his mis- sion there April 1721. He says President Clap was his Scholar w4ien he first came into New England — perhaps he might assist in fitting him for College, tho' this I never heard before This Dr. McSparran was born in Ireland, went to School at Tog- han-vcil there as he tells us. Having received a liberal Education at the I'niversity of Glasgow 1709, he became a licensed preacher among the Presbyterians in the North of Ireland, but was not there ordained. He came to New England. In 1719 he had a call to settle in the Ministry in the Congregational Church at Bristol ; and the Church appointed a Day for Ordination [Oct. 22, 17 19] & issued Letters for the Ordaining Council. But in Oct. [loth] 17 19 and before Ordination he was detected as having forged his Credentials from Ireland. Mr. Hillhouse a Presbyterian Minister lately from Ireland ];)rought over his Character — was at Bristol, where the Gentlemen compared his Credentials with Mr. McSparrans Creden- tials, and became so convinced of the forgery that the Church im- mediately [Oct. 13] dismissed him 14 out of 21 — but the Congreg^ voted he should go to Ireland to clear up his Character. He had ' With the title, America Dissected. This is rejiriiilLd in rjKlike's History of the Episcopal Church. MARCH 31, T773 359 been charged with Forjiication and Forgery.^ He went to Europe to clear his Character and to return the Minister of Bristol. But instead of this he went to the Bishop of London and was ordained by him.' In allusion to this he said in his Letter to Col. Cary of Ireland. " I have great Reason to thank God that I was afflicted and abused by a false Charge in ni}^ youth, as that opened me a Way into the Christian Priesthood in the most excellent of all Churches. As I never w^as a Father in any form, and have none but a Wife to take care of &c. ' ' I have seen him ; he died at Narraganset since my coming to Newport, I should think 1756 or 1757.^ He was a vain glorious, turbulent, haughty domineering priest. From his Letters I collect his partial Account of the Church. As to the Southern Colonies from Maryland to Georgia he contents himself with a general account. The Episcopal Churches, and Min- isters are provided amply except in North Carolina where he sa^-s, are 15 or 20 Thousand Inhabitants and only tw^o Clergymen. I shall attend only to his representation of the Episcopal Interest in the Provinces North from Maryland as it was A. D. 1752. In 1752, 9 Clergymen 27 Chhs. 1752. — 8 Do. perh. 16 Chhs. 1752.— 12 Do. — 20 Chhs. 1700 Pennsylv" The Chh. entered. 1702 Jersies Do. 1693 New York Do. Connecticut ' 1752. — 8 Do. — 16 Chhs 1700 Rh. Isld. Entered, 1702 Chh. built j 1752. — 5 Do. — 6 Chhs. Massach. N. Hamp. Newfoundland 1752. — 10 Do. — 10 D° 1752. — I Do. — I D" 1752. — 2 D° Episcopal Ministers 55. 96 Churches. I presume his number of Ministers is right. The Churches are not accurately given. I presume he would not give them above an hundred. Speaking of Connecticut he says, — " and by present appearances one may foretell, that the Members of our Church, zvill, in a Century more, amoiait to a Major part of the whole.'' Now the Dr. dated his ^ These charges are exaggerated. His own acknowledgment of May, 17 19, printed in the Letter-Book of Samuel Sewall (Mass. Historical Society's Collec- tions), ii, 98-101. A portion of his private Diary, published in 1899, shows him to have been a man of piety. ^ He was ordained Deacon by Bishop John Robinson on Aug. 21, 1720, and Priest by Archbishop Wake on Sept. 25, 1720. •^He died on Dec. i, 1757. :.6o DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Letter Au^. 20, 1752. There are not above fifteen Episcopal Cler- gymen in Connecticut 1773, and thirty 07ie Episcopal Churches, so that their number of Clerj^y and Churches have only doubled in 20 years, a little more than natural Increase. Now there is not one Chh able to maintain its Minister or that doth it, unless perhaps Stratfd may be excepted. There are 188 Congregational Chhs in that Colony in 1773. Now where is the prospect of Episcopizing Connect, in a Century ? I extract one paragraph more. The Dr. .says — " I mention Wool as one of the Productions of this Colony ; but although it is prettj'- plenty where I live, yet if you throw the English America into one point of \'iew, there is not half enough to make Stockings for the Inhabitants y This has been proverbial from Dr. McSparran. England has not double the number of Sheep to the Inhabitants ; Spain has an Equality of both. Rhode Island has for many years had Sheep nearly double the Inhabitants. I have reason to think there were 1752 near as many Sheep as Inhabitants in the English Provinces. At all Events New England made not only half but most of their Stockings and more than Nine Tenths of their wear- ing Woolen Apparrel. But Dr. McSparran mu.st depreciate America. April. 2. Yesterday employed all day in writing Letters to Dr. Chauncy &c. . . Did not attend Mr. H. Lect. last Even'g. 4. Lordsda}'. A.M. I published three couples and preached on I Cor. ix, 16, — and extended the Intermission Sea.son to II'' >2 P.M. P.M. Lam. iii, 31-33, on occasion of the Death of Billy Merriss of the Small pox in Hi.spanola, set 20. 5 At V P.M. I catechi.sed 16 Boys, 41 Girls, 4 Negroes Total 61. Mr. Russmeyer visited me, & told me he had received a Letter from Re\'. Matthen.' Hale a Bishop of the Unitas Fratrum at Bethlehem in Pensylvania, in which the Bishop sent his vSaluta- tions to me, and desired him to inform me, that he had forwarded my Letter of Aug. Last to Mr. Bush of Astracan — having first took a Copy of it (as I sent it open) and then sent it to the Direc- torium of the Unity at Hernhuth in (jermany. Mr. Ru.s.smeyer Ijrought me niore Congreg'' Accounts. Bp Hale is now aet. 68. 6. In the Afternoon I visited Rabbi Haijm Isaac Karigal aet. 39. He was Ixjrn at Hebron near the Cave of Macpelah. Has APRIL 2-7, 1773 361 travelled all over the holy Land and to Aleppo, Ezekiels Tomb, and Bagdat the Extent of his Travels Eastward : — Constantinople — Holland — Eondon — America. We conversed much and freely — he is learned and truly modest, far more so that I ever saw a Jew. . . ... I asked him how he approved the LXX Translation ? He said he had never seen it : but the Gemara spake of it as made for King Ptoloni}', and allowed it to have been done by Learned Jews or 72 persons sent by the Sanhedrim 7. In one of the Philadelphia Prints I find Accounts of about half a Million [387,778] Cocoons of Silk Worms raised in Pensyl- vania in the year 1772, which received the premiums. This might make near 100'^ ruled Silk. I think Dr. Franklin received in London near 200"" ruled vSilk the produce of Pensylvania in the year 1771. " Paris Nov. 20, 1772. " Mons. the Abbe d' Expil/y , assisted in his Researches by Com- missaries dispersed in the Generalities of France, hath just pub- lished a curious Accomit of the present State of population in this Kingdom, distinguished in different Classes, b}'^ which it appears that there are now in France TT J ^t ^ f Men & Boys . . . 4,747,516 Under aet. 20 ■ ^ >+. /t/.o t- Women & Girls . . 4,796,735 — 9,544,251 „ , o I Males 4,24^,516 Between 20 & 50 < t. to-o i Females 4,648,050 — 8,991,566 -n , n £ (Males 1,097,306 Between 50 & 65 < > -pi^j t. Females 1,318,344 — 2,415,650 T> , /:.. o Q f Males 413,240 Between 65 & 80 ■ t o, t I Females 588,585 Upwards of 80 \ ^^^^^ ...... 61,053 ( Females .... 100,012 Total Males 10,562,631 " Females .... 11,451,726 Total 22,014,257 Souls. As France contains 30 thousand square Leagues of 25 to a degree its present population is at the rate of about 737 persons to each square League." Remarks. In all other Numerations the Males have exceeded the Females ; not so in France. 2. There is a body of near 200 Thousand Ecclesiastics or Monks and a standing Army or Forces in pay of 200 Thousand more. So near half a Million of Men of dif- ferent ages who live in Celibacy, tho' Providence has prepared 362 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Wives for tliciu. 3. The Boys and Girls under 20 more nearly equal than at other Ages. 4. I conjecture the Ecclesiastics not reckoned : if they are, I know not how the Estimate is to be recon- ciled — for the Ratio of the sexes is very different from what has ever been found before in any part of the World. 5. I doubt the Accuracy of this Ace" & suspect it is formed more by Estimate than actual Xiiwcratioii. 6. France has usually reckoned herself 20 Million : but her neighbors accounted her but 12 or 15 Million. This Evening Monthly Meeting of my Church at Sister Hamond's. I discoursed on Ephes. ii. 19-22 S. This day is Passover with the Jews. I went to the Syna- gogue. The Chocam Rabbi was there ; he was one called up to the Reading of the Law — but I observed that he did not read his On'H portion of the Law — which I wondered at ; however he audibly pronounced the short prayer instead of the Huzzan before reading his ])arl, and after the Huzzan had read the portion, the Rabbi alone and without the Chuzan lift up his voice and pro- nounced the Blessing. This is repeated by the Chuzan usuall}- for every one of the 7 persons — but this part the Rabbi did for him- self ; and he performed no other part of the Service as distinct from the Congregation. The Rabbi's Dress or Aparrel : Common English Shoes, black Leather, Silver flowered Buckles, WHiite Stockings. His general Habit was Turkish. A green Silk J^est or long under Garment reaching down more than half way the Legs or within 3 Inches of the Ankles ; the ends of the Sleeves of this Vest appeared on the Wri.sts in a foliage Turn-up of 3 Inches, & the Opening little larger than that the liand might pass freely. A Girdle or Sash of different Colors red and green girt the Vest around his Body. It appeared not to be open at bottom but to come down like a petti- coat ; and no Breeches could be discovered. This Vest however had an opening above the Girdle — and here he put in his Handker- chief, and Snuff-ljox, and Watch. Under this was an inner Vest of Calico, besides other Jewish Talismans. Upon the vest first men- tioned was a scarlet outer (iarinent of Cloth, one side of it was Blue, the outside scarlet ; it reached down about an Inch lower than the \'est, or near tlie Ankles : It was o])en Ijefore, no range of Buttons &c along the Edge, but like a Scholars Gown in the Body but ]>lain and without many gatherings at the Neck, the sleeves .strait or narrow and slit open 4 or 5 Inches at the End, and turned APRIL 8, 1773 363 up with a blue silk Quarter Cuff, higher ii]) than the End of the sleeve of the Vest. When he came into the S3'nane elevated with very sublime Ideas of the divine Benevolence Mercy aud Love : which he converted into an Argument for their loving one another, which he earnestly pressed upon them — and closed with a serious Prayer. MAY 27-28, 1773 377 The Affinity of the Spanish and Latin enabled me to understand something of the Discourse — but after all I have but an imperfect Idea of it. He wore Spectacles thro' the whole Sermon, and fre- quently looked down on the Desk before him as if he had the Dis- course written, but I dont know that he had any Writing. The Jews intend to print it. He was dressed in his Fur Cap, scarlet Robe, green silk Damask Vest, and a chintz under Vest — girt with a Sash or Turkish Girdle— besides the Alb. with Tzizith. The Jews dont admire his reading (the X Commandments) and indeed he speaks off with much greater Fluency and Ea.se than he reads, tho' he reads correctly. There was Dignity and Authority about him, mixt with Modesty. After the Sermon, two Rolls of the Law were brought forward with great Solemnity, and after Elevation, the parasang including the XX"' Chapter of Genesis was read as usual : at reading the X Commandments the whole Congregation rose up and stood. After which Mr. Rivera's little son 8 or 9 aet. read the first Chapter of Ezekiel — then Prayers for all Nations, for the Jews, for the King and Royal Family, for the Magistrates of Rhode Island. — The Law was then returned in solemn procession singing the usual Psalm : then Alms Prayers and Singing concluded the Whole. The Synagogue was decorated with Flowers &c. About the Time the Rabbi began Sermon which was a few minutes before X'' three of the Commissioners came in, viz. Gov. Wanton & Judge Oliver and afterwards Judge Auchmuty and were seated in the Seat of the Parnass or President of the Synagogue. The whole service ended a quarter after twelve. — -I have often found that I can better understand the F^nglish pronounciation of Hebrew than the Spanish, German or Polish ; ever}^ nation pronounces a little differently. I mean that the Jews whose Vernacular Tongue is English pronounce so that I understand it better than when pro- nounced by a Jew whose vernacular Tongue is dutch &c. Accord- ingly I easily perceive the Words, when Riveras son (born here ) reads, tho' he is taught by a Dutch Master. But when this Jerusa- lem Rabbi read the Law I could understand it as well as if I read it mj'self, and much better than I can understand Mr. Tauro the Huzzan, tho' I have been used to his reading 13 or 14 j^ears. I must say, however, that tho' the Rabbi reads more correctly than Tauro, yet the latter exceeds him in a certain Grandeur of Utter- ance, and a more bold and lofty Sonitus Verborum. [The Sermon was translated and printed.] T^jS DTARY OF EZRA STiLEvS 29. The 14"' Inst, died Rev. Daniel Kirtland of Norwich aet. 72 emeritus; and 18 Inst, died Rev. John Fisk of Killingly jet. 90 & supra, emeritus. Dr. Dana and Mr. Whittelsey came from Boston. Dr. Winthrop Professor of Mathematics in Harvard College, was this Week chosen into the Council of the Legislature of Mas.sachusetts : [he declined accepting &c.] 30. Lordsda)-. A.M. Dr. Dana preached for me on Rom. iv, 16, and Mr. Whittelsey preached for Mr. Hopkins, P.M. Mr. WHiittelsey preached for me on the eternal Judgment. [Arrived Judges Horsmanden and vSmyth. So all the Commissioners present.] 31. Set out on a Journey to Woodstock. Dined at Towerhill, and at H'' P.M. took leave of Mr. WHiittelsey &c. bound for New Haven. I lodged at Judge Greens in Warwick. June 1. At IX A.M. I preached at the Courthouse in Greenwich on Mat. V. 20 without Notes, as desired. The Quakers general Meet- ing broke up yesterda}- and few were gone home. I had about 200 Hearers. After Lecture I rode 7 miles and dined at Mr. Nath' Greens' at the Iron Works in Coventry. — 2. I arrived at my Uncle's at Woodstock, but found him gone on a Journe}' to Boston. I returned to Newport on Saturday. 6. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on i Cor. i, 31. P.M. i Pet. iv, 8. Reading Dionysius Areopagita. 7. Last Monday just before I set out on my Journey I received a Letter in Hebrew from Rabbi Isaac Karigal, in answer to mine. To-day I sent a Note to him, and this Afternoon he made me a \'isit accompanied with Mr. Lopez. We spent the Afternoon very agreeably. We had much Conversation upon the Antiquity of the Hebrew Letters We went to the Redwood Library. He admired the Writings of Selden. 8. The Rabbi told me that he had nothing written when he preached at the Synagogue — but that he had sealed it first in his head and so delivered it — that he was able to recollect it and to gratify the Jews here he should write it in Spanish, and they would translate it into English, and then he would give me a Copy. But he w(jul(l not consent that it sliould l)e printed. He said that none 'Tin- future Ceiieral Greene of tlie Revolution. MAY 29-jUNK 10, 1773 379 but Rabbles preached, and they usuallj^ preached on all the Holi- days, but not every Sabbath, & always without notes. On May 20 ult. died aet. 87 Rev. Thomas Hiscox Minister of the Sabbatarian or Seventh day Church in Westerlj^ in which he labored near 40 years. He had not a learned Education, but was a man of strong natural Powers & a commanding- Elocution, well studied in the Scriptures and in the Writings of the Baptists. I have heard him preach. He was a man of strict piety and amiable Morals — and as a Preacher in ever}^ way superior to any Baptist Minister I ever saw who had not received an Academic Education. He was ordained at Newport about 40 years ago viz. Oct. 8, 1732 by the Laying on of Hands of aged Elder Crandal, and a Deacon as Evangelist, Elder, and travelling Minister with Power to " administer the Ordinances." Mr. Hiscox then lived in Wes- terly, the Churches of Westerly and Newport the only Sabb. Churches and held general Meeting and transacted as one Church, and were one Church in two Branches till 1708. Then divided into 2 Churches and Elder Jos. Crandal was ordained over that at Newport by his Collegue Elder Gibson' (who was a learned man & left a Hebrew Bible & Greek Testament to his Chh). Now Mr. Hiscox was ordained by this Elder Crandal ; he used to itinerate but his settled labors were at Westerly, where he had the largest Sabb. Church in America, perhaps 250 Communicants. About 1737 and 1752 he used to administer the Ordinances at New- port at Vacancies. g. The Commissioners are still sitting. Monthly Meeting of my Church at Sister Trevetts. I preached on Mat. v, 20 10. Metcalf Bowler Esq. one of the Justices of the Superior Court of this Colony shewed me a Letter which he received yester- day signed by all the Commissioners (except Judge Oliver) requir- ing his Attendance to-day at X" A.M. at the Courthouse as one of the Justices to have such Matters respecting the Burning of the Gaspee laid before him as thej^ should judge necessary in discharge of his Majesty's Commission. I asked him, what he would do if they should officially request him to apprehend any persons. He said, first he should take upon himself to be judge whether there was sufficient reason and Cause for apprehending — and then he would issue a Warrant to commit to Goal for Trial before the Sup'^ Court of Judicature in this Colony. I then asked ^William Gibson, who came from London, died in 1717, aged 79. -8o DIARY OF RZRA STiLEvS liim what he would do if they should request him to issue a War- rant to bring before them, or to deliver and commit any persons to the Admiral or on Board a Man o' War for Transport to Europe for Trial ? he replied he never would do it. He said the Commis- sioners had issued Letters to Judge Hopkins and Judge Helme, so there were three which was a Quorum of the Judges of the Sup. Court : he expected Judge Helme, but not Mr. Hopkins. I observed it was a very delicate Transaction and that if the Public could not have an intire Confidmce in him and Judge Helme that they would stand firm, there would be great &c. He replied that he had reason to think, it was the finishing off of the affair — and that the Commissioners intended nothing more than to l^y before the Justices such Matters and Evidences as they had collected, and request them particularly to charge the Jurors at the next Sup. Court of Judicature with an Inquiry &c. and so take Leave of the Affair. I hope he ma>' be right. Mr. Storer of Boston suffered in the Stamp Act 1765 and went home for Redress. The Ministr}- put him off, till he should obtain Governor Hutchinson's Recommendation, and indeed it was finallj^ referred to the Governor to provide for him some provincial office. It has not been done. Mr. Storer to have a Rod over &c. procured 18 Letters of Lt. Gov. Oliver and half a dozen of Governor Hutch.' to one of the Secretaries of some of the Ministerial Boards in Lon- don, as a specimen of their Correspondence for 15 years past urging and recommending the present arbitrary Government over the Colonies. The Governors Hutchinson and Oliver were last year given to understand that Mr. vStorer had them in his power by means of a Collection of these Letters, and that the only Condition of not exposing them was his being provided for. The matter was neglected. Judge Oliver now here once took occasion to ask the Governor whether there was any Danger &c. when the Gov. said he was under no Apprehensions. The Judge says, he himself apprehended both for Governor Hutchinson and especially for his Brother the Lieutenant Governor who was greatly exasperated in the Time of the Stamp Act. — Besides these, other Letters have been procured from London shewing the Correspondence held by others in the Colonies, and particularly Mr. Rome of Newport Rh. Isld. ' Deacon Ivbcnezer Storer, Jr. (b. 1730, d. 1S07), was a prominent merchant, but his name is not used in the ordinary accounts of these letters. Cf. Mass. Hist. Society's Proceedings, xvi, 42-49. JUNE lO, 1773 381 with the Ministry and their Tools, giving malicious Informations, and recommending violent and arbitrarj^ Regulations for the Colo- nies. Now all this was on Wednesday of last week laid before the Massachusetts House of Representatives now sitting, but not yet communicated. The House resolved that those Letters tended to destroy the Constitution. The Governor and the whole Body of the Court Anti- American Connexions are alarmed. Some here at Newport tremble. But alas, our Enemies are steeled and hardened against us. They fear nothing on this side the Water, but the Tumult of an exasperated people : if they can divert or escape this, they will do anj^ Thing to enslave us. Some of them will frankly own that the Civil Constitution of the Mother Country and the Colonies is broken up, and smile at all Notions of civil Libert}^ or public Right — and say that the Will of the Governors and what the}^ judge expedient and are able to enforce from Time to Time, is and always has been the only Laxv ; that the Prerogative coa- lesced with the Parliament, Arm}^ Navy and Crown officers, is become an aggregate Pozver which it is in vain for the Body of the Common People to resist, for it is a Pozver irresistable which can alter the Constitution, change Laws and give Authority as to the Ministerial Directors of this aggregate Power shall seem meet : — that this System is full of Corruption and so corrupt that the Cor- ruption must proceed being impossible to be amended — neither can corruption destroy the State so long as there subsists a Union among the Majorities of this aggregate collective Power. Perhaps a Variance among the majorities of these individual Powers may arise (as in the Time of Charles I) and then indeed the present pre- rogative system falls. But at present the Power is at length effec- tually taken out of the hands of the people ; and we courtiers &c. well knowing this and feeling strong in the irresistable Weight of our System, can bear the Bawling and Madness of the Populace in fetters, and the Bellowings &c of those Bulls of Bashan the Patriots and Sons of Liberty in England and America. Thus the Prerogative people seem to bid Defiance to all Principles of Right and Liberty, we have been accustomed to. Having brought tliem- .selves to believe that the Ideas of the Patriots being reallized into actual Administration would terminate in Anarchy and Confusion : they pass to the Alternative of an absolute Government, and really think this best for every Country. After the struggle of Ages the English Government has at length arrived to a particular mode of 382 DIARY OF p:ZRA STILES Absolufejiess, and that they sa}- never happen till the present happy Reign. And now they have a Work peculiar to the present Age of reconciling and taming the body of the people to it. Thus when the Prerogative in Spain & France had gained the absolute Dominion out of the hands of the Cortes of the one and Parliaments of the other, it required iManagement to compleat the subjugation on the popular spirit. The British Empii'e is sustaining a like Mutation of Polity and Laws — into a System almost as new and aliene as that brought by the Roman Senate over the conquered Kingdoms of Spain, Gaul, the East — or by the Mahometans over the Oriental Empires. Old Laws, Politics and Dominions must give way to the new. In the Afternoon Judge Oliver came and drank Tea with me. He has a Copy of the Rev. Mr. Hubbards MSS. of Ipswitch, •which he himself copied from a Copy which had Corrections in Mr. Hubbards own Handwriting.' I think it contains 3 or 400 pages Polio. This with Gov. Bradfords and Gov. Winthrops MSS. are the three most considerable historical Accounts of the first settlement of New England. Just before he took leave the Judge of his own Accord told me, that the public had been mistaken as to the Nature of their Com- mission, as if it impowered the Commissioners to apprehend, seize and send home persons to England ; which was not the Ca.se — they had no Power of this Kind: — and that after he went from home last Winter, in riding the Circuit of the Superior Court of which he was Chief Justice, the Uneasiness of the people was so great against him that he had been obliged to declare in his Charges- to the Grand Juries the real Powers of this Rhode Island Com- mission. Which he said was thu.s — Suppo.se you have a Tract of Land in Connecticutt on which you hear Trees have been cut and Damage done ; you send and impower your P'riend there to take knowledge and Inform ' of the Trespass & collect all the Evidences & state the Case in order for prosecution in due Course of Law — having done this he is to apply himself to the proper Civil Authority of the Colony for Arrest, Trial & Deci.sion of the Whole. Our power, he said, is no more. Accordingly his Majesty commissioned us to repair on the .spot or to the Colony where Mischief the Tres- pass was committed, and make Inquiry and gain Information what ' Cf. Mass. Historical Society's Procec-dinj^s, xvi, 40, for a further notice of this copy. JUNE lO, 1773 383 the Circumstances and true Cause of this Mischief, not only the P'acts and the Authors but the Cause and Motives and particularly whether it had been owing to the Misbehavior of the Officers & .people of the Navy or not and transmit him Information ; and in case they found out any of the Burners of the Gaspee and Evi- dences and Proofs which they should judge of Weight for Convic- tion, the Commissioners should apply themseves to the civil Authority of this Colony. Accordingly they had this day laid the Matter before all the Justices of the Superior Court of the Colon)' of Rhode Island, who, at the Desire of the Commissioners, were present together in the Council Chamber. Particularly they had laid before them the Deposition of the Negro, and also the Evidences and Circumstances to invalidate his Evidence. And thus whatever was to be done as to apprehending or not was in the Breasts of the Judges of our Superior Court of Judicature. He added that the King in his Commission had shown Impartiality and Tenderness by impowering them to hear on both sides, not only the Accusations of the Navy, but any Cases wherein his Majestys subjects the People here had been abused or oppressed by any of his Majestys Servants. Here I asked him if I under- stood him rightly ? — Did their Commission confine them to the Affair of the Gaspee, or did it extend at large to any other Matters, so that they could take and receive information and Accusations for Abuse, which the Trade here met with from his Majestys Servants here ? He said, yes, it was not limited to the Gaspee, but extended to all Obstructions of his Majestys Service here, and all Hardships, Complaints and Oppressions of the people by the Misconduct of his Servants here — the King, said he, wanted to know where the blame lay and where was the true Cause of Complaint — and in this Connexion the Commissioners were to receive any and all Complaints and Accusations as well from the people as from the Admiral &c. I clearly understood the Judge, that all our Insults from the Men o' War and Customhouse and Revenue Officers might have been properly laid before the Commis- sioners ; who would in that Case, not have determined any Thing, but have transmitted them home Lo the Kings Majesty. Not that there was proposed any Redress, but only that the King might know what to do with his own Officers &c, so as to keep them in good Regulation and prevent their carrying their Irritation of Amer- ica too far. Judge Oliver added, he thought (excepting as to him- 384 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILEvS self) \ve were happy in the Commissioners ; did we know them as well as he did, we should find they were real friends — I said we had all along hoped well from Judge Oliver, but feared as to some — he replied, we did not know how friendly he was, whom we most feared, viz Judge Horsmanden ; and that it was happy that there were among the Commissioners some that understood Law, and were determined not to counteract the Principles of Laiv : that he believed that the King could not have pickt out a Sett of Men less inimical to entrust with the Commission ; & added if the Commis- sion had fallen in the Hands, not of Civilians but of Officers of the Navy & Army, it might have been attended with very unhappy Consequences. This was the Substance of his Convers'' on this Affair, and just at Parting. As he had thus frankl)^ and of his own accord opened so fulh- on the subject, which I had altogether avoided hitherto ; I asked him, whether they had nearly finished, as he was departing in the Morning? He said, matters were concluded and nearl}' finished — he was called aw^a}^ to the Sup. Court — the other Commiss'* might sit a few Days longer — & he hoped all would terminate to the public Satisfaction. Notwithstanding all Palliatives and Softenings, the Commission was justly obnoxious, alarming and arbitrar}^ — it not only medi- tated but directly provided for seizing and sending home persons to London — nothing looks like bringing the Trial of Offenders before our Sup' Court ; the Trial w^as to have been in England. The Commissioners were to apply to a Justice or some of the civil Authority for a Warrant for seizing — and Lawyer Judges Com- missioners have chosen to appl}^ to the whole Bench of the Judges of the Colony Court — who ma}- if they please issue Warrants and do what they please. But had this Commission been in the hands ot Adm. Montague and a few Tars, they might have onl}^ applied to some single bought up Justice of Peace, privately got a Warrant, called Troops from N. York, and traversed Providence and War- wick, & seized such persons as a Negro or a Duddingston might accu.se, and whip him aboard ship and so to England for Trial. And I apprehend .something severe would have been done by the present Commissioners had not the Commission given an extensive Alarm to all the A.ssemblies upon the Continent, and occasioned the Resolutions and Measures proposed by the Virginia Assembly in March la.st, which are now circulating, and will undoubtedly become universal, viz, forming Assembly Committees of Correspond- JUNE II-I3, 1773 385 ence and enjoyning a particular Inquiry into the Poivers of this Court of Coniviissione7-s at Rh. Island. These Assembly Committees zcill finally terminate in a Genej-al Congress, than which Nothing more alarming to the Ministry — and nothing more contributed to this and to establish^ a Union and Confederacy of the Colonies, than this stroke which they all feel of sending for Persons 3000 Miles across the Water for Trial. I doubt not also, the late Instructions from the Ministry to the Commissioners, has contributed to letting the matter go off easily. A Congress had been sure, if one person had been seized & carried off from Rh. Island. 11. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture last Evening, being in Convers'' with Judge Oliver. Writing a Letter to D"^ Chauncy, and another to Mr. Sergeant of Stockbridge. — Speaking of the Circumcision of the Copti christians, I observed R. Is. Karigal pro- nounced it not Copt but Kijit. I suppose this is a relict of the old Name in Homer's Day Egypt which the English pronounce Ejipt, the Germans nearl}^ Ecipt or Ekipt — the English accent the E, the Germans the y and almost suppress the E. If we consider y as Y or ui ; and accenting i assume the power of vi in Guipt as wi in wit, at the same time using u as a vowel and not as V, we shall come nearly to the original sound of Eguipt or 'Guipt or 'Kuipt or 'Cuipt or 'Cypt or 'Gypt — Thus Equipt armed. Homer wrote it atyvTTT-os — The Hebrews called that country Mitzraim, but if we write Egypt in Hebrew Letters and point the Vav with hirak it will show not Egopt nor Egupt but Eguipt or Egipt not Ejipt but Ekipt or Kipt as the Rabbi called it. — Judge Oliver went out of Town to-day. Friends Gen. Meeting. 12. Reading Selden's Opera. Finished the travels of Chevalier D'Arvieux into Arabia. 13. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Ps. 119, 71, on occasion of two young Men of my Flock being drowned at Sea. P.M. Heb. v, 8, 9, and notified Catechising. Deut. xviii, 10, 11. — that useth Divination or an Observer of Times or an Enchanter — or a Witch — or a Charmer or a consulter with familiar Spirits or a Wizard — or a Necromancer. Here remark i. That all these are conjoined together parts of the same System — departing from God and seek- ing to an Evil Power. 2. The having a familiar Spirit is rendered cyyao-rpt/Av^os Ixx, which is Ventriloquism The Powaws of the American Indians are a Relict of this antient System of seeking to an evil invisible Power ; . . . Something of 25 386 DIARY OF EZRA STILES it subsists among some Almanack Makers and Fortune Tellers, as Mr. Stafford of Tiverton lately dead who was wont to tell where lost things might be found and what day, hour and minute was fortunate for vessels to sail &c. Some old Women (Midwives) affect it, as old Granny Morgan set. 70 now living in Newport accustoms herself on occasion to a hocus pocus, & making Cakes of flour and her own Urine and sticking them full of pins and divining by them. But in general the System is broken up, the A'essel of Sorcery shipwreckt and only some shattered planks and pieces disjoyned floating and scattered on the Ocean of the human Activity and Bustle. When the System was intire, it was a direct seeking to Satan ; and this the Indians avow their Powaws to be to this day (tho' no Powaw now exists in N. England) for they say, the good Power will not and never did hurt us^he does nothing but good, he does all the good and does it unasked : the Evil Power hurts us, does all the Mischief, and who should we seek to to pre- vent or remove Mischief but to him that does it ? Some 40 or 50 3'ears ago there was a great Drought and the Indians of Narragan- sett held a great Poivaiu for sundry Days. One Babcock or Stanton at length, being well known to the Indians, went among them and rebuked them as serving and worshipping the Devil : an old Powaw Indian readily owned and justified it — saying all the Corn would die without rain and Chepi the Evil Power withheld that — now said he. If I was to beat you, 7oho ivould you pray to f to me, or to yoiir Father Ten miles off? you would pray me to leave off and not beat 3'Ou any more : so we pray to the Devil to leave off affecting us with Evil. Indian Divinity ! But I suspect this preserves the true principle upon which Satan deceived all the East into the complicated system forbid in Deut. 18, 11 and 2 Chron. xxxiii. Whether it might not be well to lay this whole Iniquity open, that all the remains of it might be rooted out ? 14. This Afternoon at V'' I catechised 18 B. 50 G. 7 Neg. Tot. 75. In the Forenoon I went to visit the Rabbi — discoursed on Ventril- oquism & the Witch of Endor & the Reality of bringing up Samuel. He had not heard of Ventriloquism before & still doubted it. He shewed me a Hebrew Letter from Isaac Pinto a Jew in N. York, in which Mr. Pinto who is now reading Aben Ezra desires R. Carigals Tho'ts. upon some Arabic in Aben Ezra. But the Rabbi says he supposes Aben Ezra wrote in the Coran Arabic which he doth not understand. The Rabbi ... is extremely fond of per- JUNE 14-15, 1773 3S7 suad^' himself that there has been no change in the Pentateuch since Moses left it ; and shewed me a Passage of St. Austin de Civitate Dei in a Hebrew Book of David Nieto ; it was rendered into Hebrew to this Effect, that there was an Impossibility that the Jews slid, have corrupted their holy Books, since in all Dispersions they were found the same. He was much pleased that he was able to shew me something out of our Fathers for my Extracts out of his Rabbins. — I turned him to the strong Expression in his Letter " your Eove has made such an indelible impression upon the inmost Tlio'ts. & Affections of my Heart that Volumes of Book are not sufficient to write the thousandth part of the eternal Love wherewith I love thee" — and asked him how he could use so strong an Expression of Friendship ? He in reply said he wished well to others besides his own Nation, he loved all Mankind, & turned me to Levit. xix, iS, — thoii sl^alt love thy Neighbour as thyself. 15. This Morning died Mrs. Mundy set. 65. I spent the Evening in Company with Colonel Bennet one of the Judges of our Sup. Court. He said that he had seen and read the Commission of the Commissioners and their Instructions — both which directed them to collect what Evidence they could and laj^ it before the Magistrates of this Colony ; accordingly they had laid in before the Judges of the Superior Court (four of which present viz. Chief Justice Hop- kins, Justices Helme, Bowler & Bennet ; — one Justice absent) all the Information they had. The Judges received it, took Time to consider and deliberate, «& next Day gave their Opinion to the Commissioners that the Testimonies were so vague, uncertain and contradictory that they judged it not proper to issue forth any Warrants for Apprehension. Four of the Commissioners continue to sit daily. Gov. Hutch. &c Letters make a great Noise in Bos- ton. Also Mr. Geo. Room of this Town is alarmed. He disobliged in some Lawsuits wrote a Letter to Dr. Moffat' of N. London asserting the Corruption and Perjur}^ in the Courts of Justice and Gen. Assembly here. Dr. Moffat sent this Letter home to Engld to evidence the total Depravity of this Colony. This Letter is also got hither — & the Jury threaten Mr. Rome to bring 1 2 Actions ag* him for ^290 ster. each (so low as no Appeal) for Defamation &c. 1 Thomas Moffatt. See Sabine's American Loyalists, ii, 85. He died in London on March 14, 17S7, at the age of 87. He was educated at the Univer- sity of Edinburgh. Among Dr. Stiles's papers is an interesting letter of his from lyondon, March, 1766, giving information of the repeal of the Stamp Act. ^88 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 17. Read Dr. Jonathan Shipley Bp of vSt. Asaph his Sermon on Luke ii. 14, before the Society for propagating the Gospel 19 Feb. 1773. It is greatly in favor of America. It is reprinted at Boston, Attended Mrs. Mundy's Funeral. 18. Reading Szegedini Theologia. Also began to read Mr. Hopkins Pamphlet on Holiness ]\xst printed. 19. Hot day, Therm" 88 at XI A.M. Finished reading the Description of Arabia bj' Sultan Ismael Abidfeda. 20. Lordsda}^ A.M. I preached on Ps. 119, 125, and published Jos. Burges King and Esther Phillips. P.M. i Thess. ii, 19, 20, and propounded Elizabeth Ellery jun,' for Admission into the Church. 21. Reading Vitringa' s Chap, on Infant Baptism. . . . Visited the Rabbi. Discoursed on the Metempsycosis. 22. Visited by Mr. Delisle. Read a Pamphlet just published on Illustration of the Subject of the Psalms, as exhibiting the Sufferings and Glory of Christ, with a defence of Paedo-baptism — written by a Sandemanian at Boston. Gov. Hutch. &c. Letters make a great Noise — they are collected and printed in a pamphlet which the Post bro't from B" this day. 23. Read Mr. Turner's Election Sermon." By the Prints I find Rev. Mr. Brown Episc" Minister at Piscataqua died lately at Cam- bridge, being on a Visit there to his Daughter : he was Father of the late ^Ir. Brown Episc" Minister of this Town.' This day began to raise the Addition of 25 feet to Mr. Kelly's Meetinghouse belonging to the first Baptist Church in Town — the whole hou.se will now be 55 long and nearly 40 wide. In the Afternoon Mr. Delisle and I went and visited the Rabbi, and conversed with him from III o'clock to Sunset. Then I went to a monthly Evening ^Meeting at Col. Day tons and preached on Col. i, 12, 14 I asked him whether a Man loosing his Wife by Death, might marry her Sister afterwards? — requesting his Exposition of Levit. xviii, 18. He a.sked what .should forbid it? and added, it was never di.sputed, — it was frequently practised with the Jew.s — it was plain from the Words of Moses, " /;/ her Lifetime'^ * Eldest daugliter of the Hon. William Ellery, and sister of Lucy Ellery, mentioned on ISIay 9. She was born in August, 1751, and married the Hon. Francis Dana, of Cambridge, mentioned on May 14. 'By Rev. Charles Turner, of Duxbury, Mass., May, 1773. 'See this Diary, March 16, 1771. JUNE 17-24, 1773 389 that the prohibition extended no longer, and that after the L,ife- time and at the Death of his Wife the prohibition ceased. I asked him whether a man might Marry his Wife's Sister's Daughter? he asked, what should forbid it ? it was often done so with the Jews. I said Moses forbid an Aunt marrj'ing the Nephew, or a Woman to marry her Sisters Son, and why not a man to marry his (Wifes) Sisters Daughter. He said there was a difference — the Aunt and Nephew mentioned by Moses were of kin i. e. one blood and one £esh ; not so the Wifes Sisters Daughter. — I ought to have stated the Case a little otherwise, and put the parrallel Question, on a Woman or Aunt marrying he7' Hiisbands Brotheis Son, where there is no blood 24. Visited me Rev. Mr. Samuel I,ocke President of Harvard College, and Mr. Marsh' a Tutor. Had much Conversation together on a Variety of Things both in Politics and I^iterature. The President is a Gentleman of fine Understanding, clear distin- guishing Mind, rather adapted for active gubernatorial lyife, than for the deep Researches of Literature. He keeps a good Ivookout and will pass serenely through Life. He will be in Danger of a Duplicity of Character for he is ever adjusting himself to every- body, that it is somewhat difficult to find his real Judgment on some Points. Yet he is open and vigorous against the New Divin- ity. In politics he will never oppose the Governor nor Crown Interest, and will rather lean on that side the BalP and against the patriots ; but he can talk strong for Patriotism. I believe he likes neither at heart ; and designs to trouble himself about neither, further than as either affects the Interest of College — in which Case he will secure both parties if possible, else that which will be most beneficial. He will make no stand in politics either for •or against the Liberty of his Country, and will rather divert him- self with the Folly of those who are most ventersome and enter- prizing on both sides. If America should become an independent ^Empire, he would be for a pretty firm Government which the peo- ple could not easily overthrow. His own Dominion would make a State happy. In his hands a Tyranny would be good Govern- ment. Was Pres't Locke at the Head of Government either in a Tyranny or Republic, his Government would be administered with Firmness, Justice, Mildness. It would be so good that the most popular Republic would never call him to an account ; it would be ^ John Marsh, afterwards minister of Wethersfield, Conn. 390 DIARY OF EZRA STILES SO good that the subjects of an absolute Monarchy would forget their Chains and think themselves in the fullest possession of true Liberty. Under the Idea and Purpose of governing well, I believe his Judgment would adopt a Theory of high and Absolute Govern- ment. But was he in au}^ other part of the world he would forget Theory and adapt his practice to the Exigencies and Usages of Places. Neither would he suffer himself to be harrassed with laboring the surreptitious Introduction of a Theory different and very opposite to that which took place where he was called to act. He will aim at the Glor}'- of a really useful Man. He will have but little Leisure for Reading and Contemplation. But will profit by Conversation with the Literati of every Branch of Erudition. He has a liberal Understanding, a penetrating Discernment & is capable of looking into and judging upon everything. He has great Affection for his Pupils, and feels the Father the tender Parent towards all of them. He tells me he has about i8o Under- graduates. He is a man in almost all respects of an excellent Character. He is in the midst of Life or rather young, I believe about aet. 3S, he is a good classical scholar in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Chaldee — he made an Oration in Chaldee at the first public Commencement after his Election to the Presidency, which I heard ; he is excellent in Philosophy and academical Literature — and in all Branches of Knowledge is far superior to any President of any of the American Colleges, unless Dr. Witherspoon of Nas- sau Hall should excede him in Theology. He is one of those Minds which will enlarge to a great Size, will grow and magnify through Life. His Morals are excellent ; Piety and a holy Life set on him with a good Grace. I doubt not he is determined to live well, to act his part with Dignity, to die well, and obtain the Crown of immortal Glory. He is a firm Friend to Revelation. Mr. Tutor Marsh is an ingenious and ver)' sensible j^oung Gen- tleman. 1 could discern Genius in him, but had not Time to weigh his Talents and Improvements. I take him to be a good Scholar and to fill his Station with Dignity. He is capable with Applica- tion of becoming a very considerable Man. We went to the Redwood Library — afterwards to Mr. Ellery's, then drank Tea at Mr. Redwood's, visited Mr. Chesebro' &c. And .spent the Evening till Midnight in learned Conversation. They lodged at my house. In the Morning they JUNE 25-27, 1773 391 25. Rode away. I accompanied them to Mr. Redwood's Gardens and parted. The President told me that as Deism spread in Eng- land in general, so the most eminent dissenting Divines were adopt- ing the notion of an Universal Salvation, tho' with some differences. In the End all Sin and Misery would be done away : Dr. Price seemed to suppose that the finally incorrigible would be annihi- lated ; Dr. Bourn had another Hypothesis &c. but still a final Cessation of natural & moral Evil they agreed in. The Commissioners I am told broke up yesterday, and Mr. Auchmuty was to set out for Boston this day accompanied with Judge Horsmanden. Judge Smyth goes by Land in his Coach thro' Connecticutt. They have done so very little, and have finished with so much Stillness, that we scarcely know what they have done. Yesterday & to day Raising the Addition to Mr. Kelly's Meetinghouse. 26. Reading I^athrop on Paedobaptism. Visited Mr. Kelly and offered him and his people my Meetinghouse, but they are to meet in the Sabbatarian Meetinghouse. 27. Lordsday, A.M. I preached on Ps. cvi, 4, 5. P.M. 2 Thess. i, II, 12 and propounded Mrs. Bowers, and notified the lyord's Supper &c. Rabbi Isaac Carigal was at Meeting in the Forenoon, having asked me lyiberty before hand. I sent my son to wait upon him to my house before Meeting and he came accompanied with two Jews — I put them into my Pew. These are the notes or leading Thoughts in the Sermon I preached. Ps. cvi, 4, 5. I. The Seed of Jacob are a chosen and favorite people of the most High, and the subjects of the peculiar Care of Heaven, and of most marvellous Dispensations. II. That notwithstanding God's Chastisements of their Iniquity & Imperfection in Calami- ties, Captivities and Dispersions ; yet God hath not forgotten his Covenant with Abraham and his posterit}', but intends them great Happiness and will fulfill his promise in making them a very glorious Nation and a Blessing to the World in the latter Day Glory of the Messiahs Kingdom. III. It should be the Desire of Christians and of all Nations, to partake hereafter with Israel in their future glorious state, that we may share & rejoyce in the Gladness of God's people & the Glory of his Inheritance 392 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Improvement. I . Hence how highly priviledged was Israel in being chosen &c.? 2. Hence learn the Design of Providence in still preserving a Remnant of this people, that of this seed he may make a glori- ous Nation hereafter. Jer. xlvi, 27, 28. 3. Hence learn the Dignity and Glorious Character of the Messiah. He is worthy of all Honor and Obedience and L,ove and Praise from all the Nations on Earth, yea from all Worlds. 4. I,ive so holily here, that we may all come together united in one glorious Body before the Throne of God ; and joyn in the endless Hallelujahs of the Eternal World. These are only Minutes which I had written before me ; but I enlarged in Delivery, being an hour and quarter in Sermon. The Rabbi came home and staid with me till I'' o'clock. He said he had never heard a Christian preach a vSermon before — and 3^et he had been at Church in vSt. Peters in Rome and St. Pauls in London, and at Venice &c &c. but never heard anj^thing but prayers. He had been in the Christian Chhs at Jerusalem, but heard only Pra^-ers. Thus he said, I was the first Minister he had ever heard preach in all his Travels. He said the Eatin Church at Jerusalem had an Organ, but none other ; neither Greek or Armenian &c. Churches in the East have any Organ. I asked whether Davids Organ was like the Organs in Churches ? he smiled and said, he did not know. I asked him whether they had organs in the Syna- gogues ? he said he never saw but one, and he knew not of any other — in the Synagogue at Prague he saw and heard an Orgaji. He brought me a cop)' of his own Sermon at the Syna- gogue, translated into English. He said he understood near half my Sermon to-day. 28. This Afternoon the Rabbi visited me. We spent the After- noon very agreeably. He told me that there was one Rabbi at the Synagogue in Jamaica, another at Surinam, and a third at Eustatia or Curacoa. Thus there are now three Rabbies settled in America. There are none on the Continent of No. America. The Rabbi has a prospect of settling in the Synagogue in Antigua, and this will make a fourth in America. Isaac Carigal says he was made a Rabbi when he was about 19 or twenty years old. He said the Ceremony of Imposition of Hands was not used in these Day.s — that after an Examination and Approbation by other Rabbies they gave him a written Certificate in which he was declared a JUNE 28-30, 1773 393 Rabbi. He wants now 3 or 4 months of being fourty years old, so was born A.D. 1733, and was made a Rabbi about A.D. 1753. He began to travel aet. 20. and has visited Damascus, Alleppo, Grand Cairo, Bagdat, Ispahan, Smyrna, Constantinople, Salonica, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Paris, London &c. Of all Cities he gives the preference to Venice & London. 29. Copying the English Translation of R. Carigals Sermon at Pentecost. The two Houses of the Massachusetts Assembly have resolved that the Letters of Gov. Hutchinson and Lieut. Gov. Oliver to Mr. Whately in London, are injurious to the Colonies, and have petitioned the King to remove them both from the Gov- ernment of the Massachusetts Bay. [Present 91 Members — 80 for & II against.] 30. Counted 618 Silkworms in their last Stage. The Episcopal Society in London expended A.D. 1772 ;^688i. 9. 10 Sterl. in Episcopizing America, and evidently give their chief attention to the Northern most populous Tract from Pens3dvania to Nova Scotia, which need it least, being already Christianized though not episcopized ; but on this Tract are two Thirds the Souls in America and the greatest Increase and population is in this part ; hence their Intrigue and vigorous Exertion to get Footing. The Missionaries and Schoolmasters supported by this Society in 1772 I Schoolmaster At Newfoundland 3 Missionaries I Nova Scotia 6 7 New Hampshire . 2 I Massachusetts II Rhode Island 3 I Connecticutt • 17 I N. York • 15 8 N. Jersey 10 2 Pensylvania 10 I 77 22 No. Carolina 4 So. Carolina I Georgia 2 Muskito Shore I I Bahama Islands 2 I Africa I Barbadoes 3 This Afternoon Mr. Abraham de Isaac Tauro the Hazan or Reader in the Synagogue here was married to Miss Hayes a Jewess. Rabbi Isaac performed the Ceremony. 394 DIARY OF EZRA STILES July. I Attended Mr. Hopkins Evening Lecture — Rev. David Sanford of Medway preached 2. Made two Sermons, one upon Ruth ii, 12. I preached my sacramental Lecture on Joshua iii, 5, and published Mr. King the last Time. 3. This forenoon went over to Conanicott and preached a funeral Sermon at the Interment of Mrs. Milward Wife of Mr. W°' Milward ast. 23. She was of my Congregation, removed a Month or 6 Weeks ago to Providence, where she died first Inst, and was brought to her Native Place Conanicott and buried there I am told that all the Indian Scholars at Dr. Wheelocks College, took an Afront last Winter, & went off in great Wrath. 4. Lordsdaj'. I preached A.M. on Heb. i, 3, and administered the Lords Supper to 65 Communicants. P.M. Ruth ii, 12 This day at the Sacrament I admitted Miss Eliz^ Ellery a Member of the Chh. 5. Dined with the Tozon Council: Visited the Rabbi. At VI'' P.M. I catechised 14 Boys, 43 Girls, 7 Negroes — Total 64. 7. Mr. Pemberton brought me Benj. Mason' set. iij^, one of his Scholars, who has read out Virgil twice and is reading Horace. He has studied Greek only 20 Days or not three Weeks, I mean besides his Grammar. Not 3 Weeks ago he began the Gospel of John, the whole of which he has learned and recited through ; and entered on another Book. I examined him in perhaps a dozen places, ad Aperturam Libri, thro' that Gospel, and he translated any part readily & accurately, & parsed well. He is a Genius. This Afternoon I spent with the Rabbi. ... I asked him when he expected the Messiah ? He said daily, probably within about 40 years — but they had no Reckoning in which they were agreed. I asked if he had any knowledge of the Relicts of the Tribe of Manasseh at Patna or the Ganges in Bengal ? He said no — and was .surprized with the account I related to him given by English Merchants. I told him I had written a Letter to Astracan to inquire after the X Tribes, and the Queries I sent — as Circum- cision on 8"' Day, Aversion to Swine's flesh. Marriage Leviri cum Glore &c. This brought on the Question about the Countenance of the Usage of marrying a Brothers Wife. He said the Rabbins ' Harvard Coll. 1779, son of Benjamin Mason, became a distinguished phy- sician in Newport. JULY 1-7, 1773 395 had for a long Time been against this practice, except under a perfect state of their Inheritance and Religion : that they recom- mended the pulling off the Shoe &c — and that this was usually- done, especially at Constantinople — that sometimes the Brother would not give up his right, and then the Widow was held not to marry any else — that this particularly was the Case of his own Daughter, who had been married to her Husband but a few months, and he dying his Brother insists on her as his Right, but she refus- ing to marry him, is however so tied to him (as the Rabbi expressed it) that she cannot marry to another ; tlio' she would be glad to cast away the shoe. Memoir of R. Isaac Karigai,. A. D. 1733, Oct. 15 or Tisri 15 A.M. 5493 born at Hebron ; & studied under R. David Malamed, R. Meir Gedalia, R. Mordecai Zabi, R. Haijni Jehuda Gomez Pato, R. Haijm Rechamim Bajaiu Brother of Mordecai, and R. Isaac Zedeka : the three first dead, the others now living. 1750. yEtat. 17, created and entituled Hocham & Rabbi by the above Rabbins at Hebron. The Honor pronounced and declared by R. David Malamed. Read half the Talmud. Began to preach. Some created at reading a quarter of the Talmud. 1754. ^t. 20J3 began his Travels. Went first to Egypt, visited Damiata, Alexandria, & Cairo 2 or 3 months ; — thence by Water to Smyrna, resided there 2 or 3 months ; — thence to Constantinople, resided there two years ; — thence by Land to Adrianople and Salon- ica and by Water again to Smyrna, about 3 months ; — from Smyrna by L,and in a Caravan thro' the lesser Asia by 'Cogni, and Aleppo to Damascus ; — from Damascus to Aleppo again, thence across Euphrates to Ur of Chaldees, Bagdat and Ispahan, which terminated his oriental Travels : From Ispahan back to Aleppo. 1757. Embarking on board ship at Scandarone he arrived at Leghorn in Italy Oct" 1757. Spent two j'^ears in travelling Europe. From Eeghorn he went to Florence, Rome, Bologna, Milan, Padua, Venice (twice), Vienna, Prague, Nuremberg, Ausburg, Frankfort, Mentz, Holland and London. 1 76 1. He came to Curacoa in America, & tarried there two years, taking care of the Synagogue in room of one gone to Hol- land to finish his Studies and be made a Rabbi : upon whose Return R. Isaac went about 396 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 1764 From Curacoa for Amsterdam— & thence over Land to Frankfort, Nuremberg, Ausburge, to Leghorn. At Leghorn took ship for the holy Land, landed at Joffa or Joppa, thence rode to Jerusalem in one da}^ and in half a day more the next day to Hebron [in Aug. 1764] — arriving at Hch'on 21 Days after he sailed .from Leghorn. He has a Wife, a Son and a Daughter at Hebron. He tarried at Hebron almost four years ; and then 176S. Shipt at Joppa and landed at Marseilles ; — thence by Land through France , resided at Paris 4 months ; thence to England. He resided in London 2)^ years, and taught the scholars in the Bit Madrash there, receiving an annual Salary of ^100 sterling. There was but one Rabbi in Ofiice in London R. Moses Cohen Aza- vado now living : R. Nieto was indeed living then, but Emeritus or out of Office. 1 77 1. From London R. Isaac came a second Time to America and went to Jamaica, where he staid one year, and remitted thence \'ia London and Leghorn 1000 Dollars to his Wife in Hebron. 1772. He came from Jamaica in the Summer of 1772 to Phila- delphia where he staid one month ; and came to N. York where he staid 5^ months ; and arrived at Newport March 3, 1773. He goes from hence to Surinam. [Died in Barbadoes 1778 circa.] Ex Ore Rabbi. 8 Mr. Russmeyer tells me that about 2 years ago, or 1 77 1 Martin Mack was ordained at Bethlehem in Pennsylvania a Bishop of the Unitas Fratrum by Bishop Nathaniel Seidel and Bishop Matthew Hchl two Bishops of the Unity. This as far as I learn is the first Bishop ordained in America. Bishop Mack was ordained for the West Indies and resides at St. Thomas's or St. Croix. And June 6, 1773 Trinity Sunday, at Bethlehem aforesaid, John Michael Graff ^\.. 55, cir. was ordained a Bishop of the Unity by Bp. Seidel and Bp. Hchl. Bishop Graff is ordained for Warhovia in North Carolina, Warhovia so named from a place in Germany, is a Tract of 100,000 Acres granted to the Brethren for a settle- ment ; it is made a Parish by Act of Assembly. Thus at length we have Episcopal Bishops made in America. We have long ago made Apostolical Bishops or Pastors of the Churches, coequal Presbyters. JULY 8-12, 1773 397" 9. The 24th lilt, died Rev. George Wlieatoii' of Clermont set. 22, and second year of his Ministry. His Father was a Baptist, his Mother a pasdobaptist, and he was baptized in Infancy : and at adult years chose to settle a paedobaptist Minister. His Life was short, but he was of an amiable Character. Thermometer here 83 [at Providence 96]. 10. Went to Synagogue. Instead of reading the prophets, the Hazan chaunted the Chapter, which was the first Chapter of Jere- miah. But what was more remarkable was that, after chaunting a period in Hebrczv, he chaunted the same in Spanisli. I believe it was so done here before. This is Targum. Therm" 88^. 11. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Jer. xxvi, 13 on occasion of the present severe Drought, there having been no Rain since 17th of June except a shower the 25th. At Noon I received a Racquet from Rev. Mr. Zubly^ of Georgia, in which he recom- mended Rev. Mr. Lawton an Episcopal Clergyman Rector of Savanna, coming hither for his Health, with his Wife and Child in the same Vessel with my Letter. The Vessel arrived here this Morning ; but it has pleased God that Mr. Lawton Died on the Passage Eight days ago. His Corps was preserved and brought in here. P.M. I preached on Ps. xxxvi, 8, 9. Attend Mr. Law- ton's Funeral. At Sunset his Corps brought ashore, but too offensive to admit of a procession. He was carried to the Church Yard and buried there ; a great Concourse of People — most kept at a Distance. Therm '^ 91, at highest. 12. This Forenoon visited by Mr. Washington an English Gen- tleman of considerable Reading. Mr. Zubly writes me concerning the Orphan House — " of the Students Lady Huntingdon sent over three (Cook, Hill and Roberts) preach every Lordsday and twice in the Week. The President Mr. Pierce twice every Lordsday; the Chaplain and Tutor and one of the Students are returned to England, and Matters seem to me carried on without common prudence and not with much more Honesty. There have been no Orphans at Dethesda for years ; and now here come a parcel of Lay- preachers, and live on what was given to Orphans. The Destruc- tion of that House &c In the Fright the Pictures of the 'Born in Norton, Mass., 1751 ; graduated at Harvard 1769; ordained in Claremout, N. H., 1772, - A part of Mr. Zubly's letter is printed in the Proceedings of the Mass. His- torical Society, viii, 214-19. 398 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Reformers, were saved ; Mr. Whitfield's Bust, his Effigies in Wax Work, and Picture which cost lOo Guineas left to the Flames. Since this Conflagration the President has made a purchase of 53 new Negroes" for the Orphan House Lands. The Rabbi came and spent the Afternoon with me He said, when he was a Boy set. 10, there came to Hebron a Samaritan, who spent the Sabbath I think at the House where he lived — that the Samaritan kept the Sabbath very strictly & soberly continually reading his Prayers, but did not go to the Synagogue with the Jews at the Time of their Worship, but went there after- wds. — that he supposes they must have a considerable Collection of Prayers, & thinks the most of them may be probably like the Jews, & so ver}' antient 13. Examin- Philo de Vita Mosis. 14. Writing an Hebrew Letter. This day my Wife is aet. 42. 15. Spent the Afternoon with the Rabbi, partlj' at the Redwood Library and partly at my House. I asked him whether the Rabbins of this Age thought themselves to have anj^ particular Reasons for expecting the Messiah immediately ? He said not ; but he thought it was high Time for him to come ; He added, that if all Nations were in War and universal Tumult and Confusion, then he should expect him immediately, but this not being more the Case now than in every current Age, &c. . . . The Rabbi has the Zohar in 3 vol. 4'", printed at Constantinople 16. Comparing my Zohar with the Rabbi's. In comjiany with the Rabbi. He told me he rode over the River Jordan on Horse- back against Jericho which was near the River : he said it was a very shallow River and almost dr}- in vSummer. He had been at all the twelve or 13 Synagogues in the I10I3' Land, and gave me the following account which I wrote from his Mouth. One Thousand Families Jews in all Judea or Holy Land A. D. 1773. 5 Synagogues at Jerusalem, large 2 at Sapliat large 2 at Damascus T at Tiberias small i at vSidon I at Hebron large 107 Families, i at Alleppo large I at Gaza large Only 12 Synagogues in the I at Shechem small Holy Land. I at Acco — large 12 and I at Jaffa only a Chamber for Worship occasionally, but not every Sabbath. He said there were more Synagogues in Syria than Palestine. JULY 13-19, 1773 399 18. Lordsday A.M. I published the Banns of Marriage between W" Thurston and Priscilla Norman. I preached all day on i Chron. xxviii-9. — and baptized Mehitable Daughter of Capt. W" Augustus Peck and Mary his Wife. In the Evening Rabbi H. I. Karigal came to take his Ivcave of me and my Family, which he did very affectionately. He is to sail the first Wind for vSurinam. 19. Finishing a Hebrew lyetter to the Rabbi. In the Afternoon I visited the Rabbi, and shewed him my Letter which I had not Time to copy it being four leaves or eight pages. He desired me to cop3^ it and send it to him, and to correspond wntli, telling me he would always write to me from anj^ part of the World wherever he should be. As he had told me that he had rode over Jordan against Jericho, I observed to him that he had then seen the place where Joshua led Israel thro' Jordan on dry Ground ; and asked him if the stones Joshua put in the Bottom of Jordan were still in being — adding that if they were there they might easily be found, as the water was so shallow. He said he did not think of it when he passed Jordan, but that he believed the place of the Passage was a little higher up Mr. Rivera' shewed me a Marriage Contract of his Wife to her former Husband. Conversed upon their Customs as to Matrimony. ... I asked the Rabbi whether there would be any marrying, any Relations of Husbands and Wives in the Resurrection ? he said yes. Whether vSarah would then be Abraham's Wife? yes. If a Woman had had more Hus- bands than one, whose wife would she be? particularly whose Wife would Mrs. Rivera be then present, whether Mr. Rivera's or her former Husbands — in the Resurrection ? Mr. and Mrs. Rivera joyned me in this Question? The Rabbi was at a loss and could not determine. He said there were various opinions about it— -God Almighty only could determine — he was contented to know that the Resurrection state would be happy and glorious, though he did not pretend to be able to answer and solve all Questions and mys- teries concerning the Circumstances of the Resurrection state. He again took leave of me ver}^ affectionately praying God to bless me. I told him I parted from him with great Reluctance, and should ever retain an affection for him — that it was probable we might never see each other in the Land of the Living and wished we ^ Jacob Rodriguez Rivera, one of the most prominent of the early (Portuguese) Jews in Newport. He was a large importer, particularly of dry goods. He died on Feb. 19, 1789, aged 72 years. 400 DIARY OF EZRA STILES might after Death meet together in the Garden of Eden and there rejoyce with Abraham Isaac and Jacob, and with the soul of the Messiah till the Resurrection. He wished me reciprocally and my Family every Blessing and desired me to write him by every oppor- tunity — said he loved me from the Heart, had my Name in his Book, and should send it to Jerusalem, where 1 should be soon known as I was here. 20. There is a pamphlet in town by Mr. Murray of Philadelphia. It is .said that Mr. Murray in Conversation uses this Simile — the King has sent over a Universal pardon and assigned to all an Inheritance ; those who believe the good News enjoy the Inheri- tance alread}- in Prospect — the others will as really come to the promised possession as they, whether Believers or not. So universal Salvation. 21. This day Rabbi Haijm Isaac Karigal sailed for Surinam. Rev. Mr. Emmons of Wrentham visited me with Mr. Hopkins ; also 3 Scholars of Providence College I attended my monthly Meet^' of married People & preached to them on Philip, iii, S, 9, at Squire Richardsons. 22. Attended Mr. Hopkins Even" Eect. Mr. Emmons preached Ps. 65, 4- 23. Began to read Dr. Mosheims Eccl. Histor3\ 25. Lordsda3\ A. M. I preached on Prov. xxvii, i. P.M. Ps. 86, 4, 5, and propounded Mary Doubleday for full Communion, and Sarah Brown for owning the Covt. for Baptism 27 At XI'' A.M. I baptized John an Infant Child of Mr. Bowers a Quaker and his Wife a Presbyterian, at his House, he having consented to it. I had propounded Mrs. Bowers in the Congregation some weeks ago, and now I read the Covenant to her and baptized her Child, she holding it up. Mr. Bowers sailed a fortnight ago for London. 28. At the public Commencement at Harvard College last W^ednesday were graduated 35 Bachellors of Arts, 33 Masters of Arts besides 2 ad eundem. And the Degree of Doctor in Divmity was conferred on the Rev'' Samuel Locke President of the College ; and on the Rev. Samuel Mather of Boston Son of Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather. Also the Degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on the Hon. Professor Winthrop, pro Meritis. Besides the Syllogistic and other usual Academic Exercises, there was a Dialogue in Arabic, and an Oration in the Indian Lajignage by an Indian JULY 20-28, 1773 401 Missionary. Last Sabbath Dr. Coopers new Meetinghouse in Brattle Street Boston was so finished that the Congregation assem- bled in it for the first Time. The Hon. Tho. Hubbard, Esq. of Boston died 14th Inst. set. 71. He was educated at Harvard Col- lege of which he was Treasurer — he had been of the Council — an eminent Merchant — a hospitable ministerial Man — of a pious Character. There have been great accessions this j^ear from Europe chiefly to the Western provinces. In April last there were thirty two Ships advertised at Belfast &c in the North of Ireland for Passen- gers removing to settle in America. Letter from Cherry Valley to the Board of Commissioners at Boston for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen Nations dated July 2, 1773, giving an account of the Ordination of Mr. Crosby their Missionarj^ at Onahoquaughe — near the Sources of the East Branch of Susquahanna River. " HONORABI,E AND REVD GENTLEMEN. I am desired to transmit to you some Account of the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Crosby now Missionary at Onaghoquage. Present the Rev'' Messieurs Samuel Dunlop of Cherrj- Valley, Samuel Kirtland Missionary at Oneyda, Alex. Miller of vShenacdada, and Samuel Johnston of New Lebanon.' Mr. Aaron Crosbj^ appeared with a Testimonial of his being licensed to preach the Gospel by an Association held at Brookfield in New England ; and after the Examination had of the candidate, the Ministers proceeded to his Ordination by Prayer and Laying on of Hands &c. The Sermon was preached by Mr. Miller from Mark xvi, 15. The Rev. Mr. Dunlop presided in the Ordination taking the Candidates Obligation and making the Ordination Prayer with the Imposition of Hands ; Mr. Kirtland gave the Charge, first in English and then in Indian, that the Indians might be made acquainted with the great Import- ance and Solemnit}^ of the Charge ; and Mr. Johnston gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. Near thirty Indians, as Representatives of the Church at Onoho- quaghe were present ; and about as man}- more from Oneida attended on the Occasion, who behaved with great Decency and Regularity, performing the psalmody both at the beginning and close of the Work in three parts with great Exactness — they also sang an Anthem in Indian composed by the Rev. Mr. Kirtland for that Occasion. In the Evening the Rev'' Mr. Kirtland con- vened the Indians again, gave them a Lecture in the Indian Tongue, and prayed both in English and Indian for the benefit of the promiscuous Multi- ^Mr. Crosby was graduated at Harvard in 1770; Kirtland at Princeton in 1765 ; Miller at Princeton in 1764 ; and Samuel Johnson at Yale in 1769. Onaghoquage was included in the present township of Windsor, Broome County, N. Y. See also Documents relating to the Colonial Hist, of N. Y., viii, 551- 26 402 DIARY OF EZRA STILES tude ; at wliicli Time the Indians performed the Psahnody and sang an Anthem, \nth oreat Solemnit}-. Next morning the Chiefs of the Indians retnrned their most sincere thanks to their Fathers the honorable Board &c — and also to the Ministers who officiated in the Ordination, observing that they never before conceived or had even the most distant Thought of the Weight & Importance of a Gospel Ministry.'' Yesterda}' I spent the Afternoon in Company with Mr. Washing- ton, an Enghsh Gentleman, of whom I can form no Idea. I judge him cet. 40 [50] , ver}' genteel, something versed in Books and of general Learning. He took Neals History Puritans out of the Library and also Colliers Dictionary- — brotight over a Collection of Books for himself, and says he has another parcel come for him at Piscataqua. He does no apparent business, is at private Lodgings and has no Connexions in Town nor will have any. He is inti- mately acquainted with Administration and came from London last April. He told me he was last year in America, and from N. York went to Albany, vSir William Johnsons, Ontario, and as far as Niagara Falls, but no farther. He had carefully observed the Indians. He has been in the Southern Provinces, resided at Chariest" So. Carolina. He is very polite, but still not in the least taken up in Gaiet}' and Dissipation. Appears always full of Thought and Weightiness, not Anxiety ; his Mind is deeply taken up with some thing ; but what that something is does not appear. He conversed freely on any subject as Antiquities, natural History, the Jtis civile &c. I tried him on many subjects — he was ready at all, but I could see they were all indifferent to him, they were not that something that engrossed his Mind. I believe he is a ver}^ substantial and judicious Man whose Observations might be well relied upon even b}- a Pitt. I endeavored to consider him as travel- ling America to explore Mines — to pitch for a Colony — seek out Birth for an Office here — philosophic Search of Fossils, Vegetables, Minerals &c. &c. I brought on Things in Conversation that made Trial of him in such respects. But nothing appeared. He has no Views of settling in America. Judge him on the whole to be a Man of great Importance, not indeed of the Nobility, but a Man of real political Greatness — he carry s an Air about him of being something more than common. The Ministry have sent out many to travel and report and observe the internal State of the Colonies — I have known several of very slender Talents. This Man I believe to be one, and I am sure he will report with JULY 29, 1773 403 great Judgment. He is undoubtedly prejudiced against America, but I believe he will give a more true Idea of it than any before. He is a Man fit to travel the Empire of China as a Spy to be relied upon. — Monthly meeting of my Church at Sister Stevens. I preached on i Jno. iv, 9. 29. Went to the Synagogue, it being the Anniversary Fast for the Destruction of the Temple both by Nebuchadnezzar and Titus. They began at VII and held till Noon Capt. Simon Rhodes of Stonington tells me that Capt. Dennison of that place arrived about 10 days ago in 13 days from Guardaloiip , and says that a few days before he came away, the ecclesiastical Estates of all the Religions were seized to the Kings use — and it was said that the Edict was universal and to be executed in Old France and in the Plantations on the same day — and that the King of France designed to abolish all the Fraternities and reduce the religions to one order : — and that the common people were rather pleased with it. I can scarcely believe the measure so extensive. There are 200 Thousand Ecclesiastics in France, and of 25 Millions Sterling public Revenue they command 16 Millions. Thej^ ma}^ be reduced to 15 Thousand, eno' for Ministers to 15 or 20 Million people. This Reformation and Revolt of near one Third of the whole Pontifical Body must be a great Shock to the Man of Sin, should it prove true. The Extirpation of the Jesuits was wonder- ful. God can make the Avarice of Princes a means to effect great Purposes. Mr. Washington spent the Afternoon with me at the Library from HI" to Sonset. He told me that he had known persons per- forming with a seco7id Voice, i. e. could so alter their Voice that it should seem to come from different parts of a Room, but he thought not without motion of Lips. Judge Eightfoot' was by and said he remembered at the Playhouse Covent Garden to have seen one mimick an Infant with Voice without Motion of Lips, the Man entered seemingly with a crying Baby in his Hat closed, it wept, cried and howled, so that all thought it real, till opening the Hat they saw there was no Babe. I think the Art of making a Voice seem to come from Heaven or in any Direction ad libitum, is a suf- ficient Degree of Ventriloquism to solve all the Oracles of Apollo and the speaking oaks of Dodona, or the Voice of Memnon. Mr. ^Robert L,ightfoot, formerly Judge of Vice Admiralty in the Southern Co2o. nies, who had removed to Newport for his health. 404 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Washington conversed on all subjects sensibly. He is extensively and not superficially acquainted with Books, he has for years been a Member of the Society of Arts in London, & tells me he was on the Committee 1763 for adjudging the Gold Medal to Dr. Jared Eliot. — I did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture. 30. Read Dr. Furneaux's Letters in Defence of the Dissenters against Dr. Blackstone. Aug. 1. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on 2 Pet. iii, 8, 9, and published a Couple. P.M. Ps. cxix, 174, and notified Catechis^. Reading Dionysius the Areopagite. 2. At V' P.M. catechised 14 Boys, 42 Girls & 5 Negroes. Tot. 61 The American Prints are frequently giving an Account of Ships arriving with settlers. I have several Times attempted to collect the scattered Accounts, but have not done it so as to form an accurate View of the Accessions. In general it may be said that now is a Time of profuse Accessions to America, be5^ond an}' heretofore. The greatest Accession formerly was that at the first settlement of New England, when in a dozen years from 1629 to 1642 arrived Twenty Thousand Souls ; and I think Gov. Win- throp says the greatest amount of Arrivals in one 3'ear was about three Thousand or perhaps 3200 4 Mr. Otis tells me that Mr. Murray has been to Georgia and preached in Mr. Zublj's Meeting at Savanna. In the pamphlet entitled Apostolic Preaching ascribed to Mr. Murray, he has this ' ' The Apostle saith that God hath given us Eternal Life, and that this Life is in his Son ; and that he zvho believeth not this Record, hath made God a Liar, i Jn" v, 10, 11. From whence it is plain, that he who believeth not hath Eternal Life given him in the Son of God as full}' as him who believeth, else it doth not appear how he could make God a Liar bj- not believing ; nor how the Unbeliver can be censured for not believing what was not true." It is plain the Author holds universal Salvation, yet he denied this to me. 5 This Evening I married W" Thurston and Priscilla Norman. This Afternoon I was visited by Mr. Bo.stwick* set. 20, Son of the late Rev. David Bostwick Presbyterian Minister in N. York. He has lately turned Baptist. His Story is this. The Presbytery of N. York have a Fund to assist Students in Divinity ^ See below, Sept. 23, 1773. JULY 30- AUGUST 6, 1773 405 in their Education at College. They procured young Bostwick to be fitted for College. But being of a roving and unsettled Disposi- tion and somewhat venturous and enterprizing he went off in a Voyage to Guinea. This did not content him, but he struck off again and went another Voyage to London. The Ministers for his Fathers sake took much pains with him, and a change being hope- fully wrought in him, they put him to Jersey College under Dr. Witherspoon ; this is his 3" or Junior Year. At length last Fall or Winter he privately married at N. York and kept it a secret 4 or 5 Months. He tells me he has been inclined to the Baptists about I >2 5'ear. He left College last May. He tells me, he laid his Case before the Presbj^tery as thinking it not honest to continue longer ■on their Charity, while he could no longer be a psedobaptist. They used all the Arguments to convince him but without Effect ; they generousl}^ offered him, he said, to maintain him in College till he took his Degree notwithstanding he was a baptist, and I suppose notwathstanding his Marriage, tho' I don't know that this was then public. But he declined it, and came hither with Mr. Gano of N. York, who rebaptised him b}- Immersion at Providence a few^ weeks since .... Rev. Mr. Miles of Swanzy was the only Baptist Minister in New England that had been ordained by the Bp. in England. And notwithstanding Mr. Backus attempt to prove the N. E. Bap- tists Ordination derived from him ; I had reason to be verj^ nearl3^ assured that he never ordained a Minister. And that Rhode Island and Providence Baptist Ministers commenced their Origin in I^a}'- Ordin"- above 20 years before Mr. Miles came to Sw^anz3\ 6. Read Rev. Edward Barnards Convention Sermon 27 May lilt. — and Observations on Congregational Church Government by Boston Convention May 26 continued by Adjournment to 23'' July last — chiefly against a Church's dismissing and deposing its Pastor without and especially contrarj^ to the Advice of an ecclesiastical Council. The Occasion of it w^as this, the Church of Bolton had voted a Dismission of their Pastor Mr. Goss contrarj^ to the Advice of a Council which they had jo3-ned in calling. From Mr. Bostwick I learn more of Mr. Page, [see March 8, 1773.] He is an illiterate man, knowing Nothing of Eatin or Greek. He was sent over to America a few years ago to take Care of some New Jersey Eands belonging to a Eady in England. He became relig- ious and joyned as a Communicant in the Presbyterian Church at 4o6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES N. York under Dr. Rogers. He had a mind to set up preaching in Imitation of the Westleian Methodists. His business carrying him among the New Lands, he exhorted and preached among the Settlers in the Frontiers ; till at length he wanted Ordination, but did not at first see how he could obtain it. He indirectly applied to the Presby. without success. He then addressed himself to a Westleian Preacher of Note in N. York and asked his Testimonial and Recommendation — again without success. He then conceived a Scheme of going to Quebec and getting Ordination from the popish Bp. Briand there, then to renounce Popery and become a protestant Clergyman — in free but secret Converse he communicated this to a Friend : who was so disgusted with this Hypocrisy, that he wrote a Letter to Mr. Harding the Romish Priest at Philadelphia and informed him the whole matter. Mr. Page waited on that Priest and asked his Recommendation to Bp. Briand for Ordination as a Roman Catholic ; the Priest produced the Letter — Mr. Page was confounded and went off. Then he conceived another Scheme, and embarkt for Europe, appeared as a ]\Iethodist in London and was for going forth one of the many Successors of Mr. Whitfield. He applied to the Countess of Huntingdon who took him under her Patronage among the Number whom she was procuring to be ordained for America to carrj- on Mr. Whitfields Work. Mr. Page also worked himself into an Intimacy with the Bp. of London's Son, who commended him to his Father. Lady Huntington pro- cured and brought about that, I think 6 or 7 Gentlemen, were last fall ordained by the Bp. of London for the Orphan House at Georgia and for travelling America. Mr. Page was one of the Number, tho' he knew nothing of Greek or Latin, or of Ecclesias- tical History and Theology. He came immediately to America ; landing in N. England, the general Fame was that he was one of Lady Huntingdons Chaplains and going to reside at the Orphan House, and a mixture of other blind report that he might settle in some of the frontiers. It is to be remembered that previous to his going to London, he tra\-elled the Frontiers of Pensylvania and read prayers and preached among the Settlers on the West Branch of Susquehanna ; and had the Art to obtain a few subscriljers among them to a petition to the V>p. of London to ordain him for them. At some places in Boston he talked so much of Lady Hunt- ingdon and sliewed Letters from her — that Mr. Mason who corre- sponded with her and knew her Writing asked Mr. Page for some AUGUST 6, 1773 407 of her Letters, when he owned lie had none. He passed thro' Newport to N. York. When he came there the City was alarmed with Mr. Whitfields Successor. And tho' he was known there, 3^et it was rather as a pious man, for his Hypocris}^ was not yet fully developed. It is said to have been his Stipulation with the Bp. of London that he would first offer to preach at Church if any, and not elsewhere till refused. This, or at least Mr. Page's Epis- copal Ordination was notified to the Clergy. Accordingly Dr. Auchmut}^ asked him to preach at Church. The Church was crouded and Mr. Page delivered one of ArchBp. Sharps Sermons on the Deceitfulness of the Heart, to good Acceptance. In the Afternoon the Assembh' was more crouded, (the other places of Worship being derelict) when he preached not Dr. Sharp but him- self, and made such a contradictory and confused Discourse as dis- gusted the Auditor3\ Dr. Rogers the Presb. Minister intended to have invited him — but the public were cloyed with him ; and the Church Doors became litterally barred against him. Upon this a Number of his Admirers turned a large Store into a Church, built a Pulpit and Gallery-, and here Mr. Page preaches and uses the Liturgy to this Day — tho' his Numbers decrease, that it is that only 3 or 4 Men of Weight adhere to him. Soon upon his return- ing to America he visited Princeton. On Lordsday Morning Dr. Witherspoon sent one of his pupils, Mr. Bostwick to offer him his Pulpit. Mr. Page readih' accepted and preached for him. But the Doctor was so disgusted that he took no further Notice of him. Mr. Page had said in his Sermon, that if a Man had any sorrow for sin of any kind and for whatever motive it was true Repentance. Bostwick returned with him after Meeting to his Lodgings and objected against this and some other Expressions. Mr. Page per- sisted in it, with an Air of iVrrogance dispising that he was treated with Neglect by the President — and spake some high things of what he should be able to do now that he was in Orders. And speaking of New York expressed himself thus ' ' I have blown up a Nor- Wester in N. York which they will not be able to lay." Sundry such Expressions have escaped him indicating a light trivial Mind, having no sense of the Importance and Solemnity of the Evangeli- cal Ministry-. Mr. Bostwick told me, that he once heard Mr. Page in his new Church on an Evening when a Plaj- was acted, and many were gone to the Plaj'house. He said in his Sermon, " that not one who was gone to the Pla3-house was converted, and declared 4oS DIARY OF EZRA STILES that never was a person converted at a Playhouse — but this, says he reminds nie of a Man who told me he was converted upon the stage, and from that moment I doubt not he became a good Chris- tian." Many such Contradictions in preaching and Stories came out with the most foolish Inadvertance. So that a Gentleman hearing that some were taking pains to prove Mr. Page a Liar, laughed at it and said he proved that himself in every one of his Sermons. Mr. Bostwick further told me, that afterwards being in Company with him Mr. Page shewed him sundry Affidavits and Testimonies of Mr. Harding the Romish Priest at Philadelphia and others respecting Mr. Pages Application for Romish Ordina- tion, and also sundry Falshoods, and spurned laughed at dispised them, saying his Character was too well established to be hurt by them. 8. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Ps. cxix, 59, 60. P.M. on Heb. xi, I. After Sermon I admitted Mary, Wife of Doubleda}- a Member in full Communion ; and led Widow Mar}^ Brown to pro- fess her Faith and enter into Covenant with God and baptized her and her Daughter Elizabeth set. 6. 10. This Day Isaac was Ten years old. Yesterdaj- visited me Rev. Samuel West of Dartmouth and Rev. Mr. More' of Rochester. 11. Employed in hearing Mr. West read his MS. Piece for the Press against divine prescience being founded in Decree. 12. Rev. Mr. Burt of Bristol and Rev. Mr. Shaw of Barnstable came. So with Mr. Hopkins we were six Congregational Ministers together. All attended Mr. Hopkins Lecture, — preached by Mr. More Eph. v, 8. 13. Dined together at Major Otis's. [14. Celebrated at Boston and Roxburj^ b}' 400 Sons of Liberty."] 15. Lordsday. Mr. West preached for me all day on Matt, v, 16. 16. In company with Mr. West. 17. Mr. West went away. Gen. Assembly sitting. 18. Evening Meeting at Mr. Pitman's ; I preached on Jn" iii, 17. 19. Did not attend Mr. Hopkins' Lecture. 20. Visited by Mr. Delisle and another French Gentleman of Hispanola 21. Reading Kidder's Demonstration of Messiah. ' Jonathan Moore (Harvard 1761). *The anniversary of the first popular uprising (at Boston) against the Stamp Act, in 1765. AUGUST 8-26, 1773 409 22. Lordsday. A.M. and all day I preached on Acts xvii. being sermons I preached i< Doll. 9. o £?>■ 5- o Returned with 4% Doll . . . . 1.7 Expences . . . . . i. iS. o Nov. 3. Set out fr. Newport. Dined at Turner's. Ferry 1/6. Rode to Sis- sons, 17 miles 4. Rode to Crandons at Acushnet & dined 1/6. mends Chaise 6'^ Lodged at Mr. Wests 5. At Mr. Wests. N. E. vStorm. 6. Mr. West went to Newport to preach for me. Visited Bedford. 7. Ldsdy. I preached for Mr. West at Dartm" & baptized Sarah, aet. 15, & Samuel, set. 12, Children of Major Eben"^ Willis & Eliz" his Wife . . . 8. Left Mr. Wests— 5/. dined at M'' W Rode to Rochester & lodged with Rev-i Mr. :More 9. Rode 12 M. to Hammonds 10. At Plymo. . . . Visited Rev. Mr. Bacon & Rev. Mr. Robbins. P.M. Rode8>^ miles thro' Kingston to Plympton & put up at Lorings 2/ 11. Rode thro' Halifax to Capt. Childs in Bridgwater 6 or 8 m. 12. Set out from Capt, Childs. 2/. Dined at Taunton 2/8. Rode to-day 22 miles & lodged at Stranges at Assonet. 13. At Stranges ... 3/. Oats at Fall River. Ferry 1/6. Arrived at Turners II''. Dined there i/io. Arrived home. NOVEMBER I-I3, 1773 419 owned the Cov'^ and had their first Children baptized. At the Birth of the two last Children Difficulties arising in the Parish &c. their Baptism was neglected. In 1759 their former Minister' was dis- missed a little after the Birth of one, and the Church was destitute of a Pastor till 1761 when Mr. West previous to Settlement made the Church agree that Baptism should be administered to none but Children of Communicants, under the reservation that he would con- tinue to baptize the Children of those who used to have &c. Mr. West being an intimate Friend of Mr. Willis, Mr. Willis had doubts, and so the Thing was neglected. The Daughter lived with her Uncle at Maiden,' was now on a Visit here, and obliged to go to Bridg- water on Monda}^ to meet her Uncle who had appointed there to wait for her. It was even too long to have neglected it thus far. Accordingly Mr. West and Mr. Willis agreed that I should do it. But Mr. West at parting only desired me to notify his Sacrament and baptize two Children, without letting me into the Circum- stances. When I came to find, upon talking with Mrs. West, that the Children were Adults, and being invited to dine at Mr. Willis's on Saturda}', I took the Opportunity of discoursing with Major Willis and the Children, and told them that one was too old to be baptized solely on parental Account, that if tlie}^ pleased I would procede as I did in my own Church in similar Cases, address a short Declaration and Covenant to the Children at the Time of Baptism. Mr. Willis approved it. I discoursed the Children and particularly the eldest on the Nature and Design of the Ordinance &c. &c. And at the Time of Baptism in the public Congregation the Father and Mother standing out and presenting the Children, I addressed the Children to this Effect " Tho' you have a right to Baptism on account of 3'our Parents ; 3^et being come to these 3- ears, it is proper that I take j'our Consent also. You do then profess your Belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour of the World ; and you do covenant that by divine Grace you will endeavor to live as the Children of God, and as Disciples of the blessed Jesus." They assenting to this I baptized them viz. Sarah aet. 14 & supra & Samuel aet. 12. The next day Sarah set out for Bridgwater. We journied to Plymouth, Kingston, Halifax, Bridgwater and returned via Taunton to Newport Saturday Nov. 13, where we ' Rev. Israel Cheever (Harvard 1749). ' Rev. Eliakim \Villis (Harvard 1735) liad uo children, and adopted a daugh- ter of his brother Ebenezer. 420 DIARY OF EZRA STILES received Tidings of the Death of our hon'' Father Col" John Hub- bard' of New Haven 30"' Oct" last set. 70. 14. Lordsday A M. I preached on Jn" i, 29, and administered the ' Dr. Stiles gives the following autobiography in his Itinerary : — Father Hubbard, viz. Col. John Hubbard of N. Haven. Ex ore ejus. 170^,. Nov. 30. Born at Jamaica on Nassau Island. His Father John, Presb. ^linister there, died when son Jno. set. i}4 year. Removed to Boston. 1710, aet. 7, removed to Hartford — Mother marry? Rev** Sam' Woodbridge ; lived at Hartfd. till set. 14. Learned Grammar. 1717. Dr. Cook (the Patriot) sent for him to Boston where he went to Grammar School 20 Months to Dr. Williams. 1719. Returned to Hartfd — & in half year returned to Boston. Apprenticed to a Phvsician, Dr. Halkerston, a Scotsman, who had married his Aunt JIargaret who afterwds. married Mr. Stoddard : lived with him about 2 years. After Dr. Halkerston's Death, Removed about 1721, perhaps 1722, & went to live with Dr. Eliot at Killingworth about 2 years 1724. Apprenticeship ended. 1724, Aug. 31, Married Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens, 3 mo. before out of his Time. 1730 ReC* hony Deg. A.M. Yal. Coll. 1727. Settled at N. H. same Week as Rector W'"* came there. 1726, Dec, removed to N. H. six Weeks before Jn" born. Ex ore Johannis filii. The following is the inscription placed on Col. Hubbard's Tombstone : — Col. John Hubbard, Esq\ for many years the first in civil Authority, and in the management of the public Affairs in the Town of New Haven, Judge of Pro- bates for the District, and an assistant Judge of the Court of Common Pleas^ departed this Life October 30"' 1773 .^t' 70. His highest praise to heaven alone, A christian Heart was fully known, Genius & Taste, and moral Worth, Distinguish'd him while here on Earth, Superior Powers with manly Zeal Exerted for the public Weal, In ev'ry Station he sustain'd, Honour'd the Trust his Merits gain'd. Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbard the faithful Consort of Coll. John Hubbard died August y 25"'^ 1744 in the 42'' year of her age. His children were as follows : — Leverett, born July 21, 1725, graduated at Yale 1744 ; died Oct. i, 1794 John, b. Jan. 24, 1726/7, grad. Yale 1744; d. Nov. 18, 17S6 ; Daniel, b. Dec. 25, 1729, grad. Yale 1748, d. Aug. 28, 1765 ; Elizabeth, b. July 3, 1731, married Ezra Stiles, Febr. 10, 1757, d. May 29, 1775 ; William, b. March , 1732/3, d. Nov. , 1736; William .Vbdiel, b. Dec. 15, 1736 Nathaniel, b. Nov. i, 1738, grad. Yale 1759, d. Oct. i, 1762 ; Emilia, b. Oct. 21, 1742, married Hezekiah Silliman, Jan. i, 1765 NOVEMBER 14-19, 1773 421 Lords Supper to near 60 Communicants. P.M. 2 Tim" iv, 7, 8, and baptized two Children. Published two Couples. 15. Find that Capt. Shand has brought me the Polh'glott from London. I sent for a Syriac Bible. 16. Visited by Mr. Balfour of Edinburgh. He lived seven years in that University. [An Ecclesiastical Council at Dorchester of 14 Churches — present 14 Ministers or Elders and 55 Delegates. Rev. Mr. Bowman dismissed from Church in Dorchester.] 17. Visited by Master Maxwell and had over all the Story about Mr. Murrays denying Eternal Punishment and offering to admin- ister the Lords Supper to the Company as thej^ were drinking a Glass of Wine after Dinner at Mr. Varnums the deistical Lawyer. The Conipau}- present were Elder Gorton an illiterate Baptist Min- ister but a sober pious good Man, Mr. Natli' Green a Quaker young Gentleman of an amiable & excellent moral Character, Master Maxwell a sensible upright Presbj^terian, and Mr. Varnum who was expelled Harvard College, turned Baptist afterwards & went thro' Rhode Isld. College, and a very free Thinker in Religion, highh^ pleased with Universal Salvation, and of doubtful Morals [Piet}"] , but a sensible & smart Man. Mr. Maxwell persists in it that Murraj' offered it by saying, it was immaterial whether the Lords Supper was administered at one Time or another, in one place or another, in a Church or private house, and put these Words " and 2i'hat hinders but lue should have it now, here is JVi?ie (holding a Glass of Wine in his hand) ayid here is Bread.'' Elder Gorton &c. affect to forget & not remember much about it — only that ISIr. Murra}^ held some allegorical and spiritual Conversation upon the Lords Supper. 18. Rev. Mr. Tupper' get. 60 or 70 was ordained Oct. cir. 14 ult. Pastor of a Church at Sandwich made up of English and Indians. Last Even^' I had a religious monthly Meet^ at Mr. Peckhams. 19. Received a Letter from Pres't Manning with a Specimen of Dr. Gill's Commentarj^ on the first Chapter of John from Mr. Keith of London, as a Specimen of a new intended Edition of the Drs. W^orks, with a Request of the Editor that I would give a recom- mendator}^ Letter to be printed in this New Edition with other Letters in approbation thereof. Went to the Synagogue and was introduced to a new Rabbi from Poland. ' Elisha Tiipper, whose father and grandfather had also been missionaries among the Indians. 422, DIARY OF EZRA STILES 21. Lordsday A M. I discoursed on Job xvii, 9, and published two Couples. P.M. Gal. i, 11, 12, and notified public annual Thanksgiving next Thursday & Contribution for the poor. In the Evening I married Capt. Toman and Patty Newton. 22. ^'isited this Afternoon l)y Rabbi Tobiali Bar Jehudah late from near Cracow in Poland set. 48. We had much Con- versation on the Zohar 23. The Rabbi visited me again or came to my house but I w^as not at home. In the Evening I visited him at Mr. Tauro's — and supped with them, the only Time I e\er happened at Meal with a Jew. Just before they sat down to supper, Water was bro't by the Maid, in a white earthern Bottle which stood in a Vase or Bason : they two washed their hands, taking up the bottle and pouring the Water on the hand. I asked if this was ^'2'{D (because the Baptists say this word denotes total not partial Immersions) they said yes — & quoted a passage of the Talmud that none can eat till they had thus washed themselves in which I recollect the word '^3tD ^^s twice repeated. I did not wash, but sat down & eat with them. After sitting each in a whispering voice said Grace for himself. The Rabbi said, that in the da3-s of Messiah, it would be allowed to the Jews to eat S wines Flesh — . I said that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when they come with Messiah, would not eat Food as for- merly ; he said they would. — I said Circumcision must cease — he said not — I added Childbearing must cease when the World was full as it ^vould be in Messiahs da}-, and then there would be no more to circumcise and so it must cease I asked him the Value of a couple of Pearls I had & of the dimensions I described ; he said if good, 500 Ducats, which is about /,ioo sterling He is a great Cabbalist and Philosopher ; which two Branches of knowledge are far more to his Tast than the Talmud. He has a son of about 13 years age — when aet. 12 he had read thro' the Talmud. This Rabbi was educated and spent 26 3-ears in Amster- dam, whither he was sent aet. 8. He told me he was of the Family and ninth Descendant of R. Selohwh Ishaaci the celebrated Com- mentator who died A. D. 11 80. 25. This day public Thanksgiving in ^Massachusetts, Connecti- cut and I think New Hampshire, among the Congregational Churches. Began at XI" A.M. on Ps. cxxxv, i, 2, 3, and had Contribution for the poor ^140= 1 7 ^< Dollars. My Sermon too long, being an hour and twenty minutes. Finished Exercise at I" 35 P.M. NOVEMBER 2I-DECEMBER 6, 1 773 423 26. Last Evening President Manning visited me and stayed from a little before Nine to within about a quarter of Twelve, discoursing on sundry Things — he brought a Cop}- of a Diploma, which he was sending to London to be cut on copper plate. All day Reading Cypriani Opera, part-' the Council on Rebaptizing Heretics. 27. Rev. Mr. Upliam visited me. The Rabbi preached to day as he did last Saturday. 28. Ldsda}'. A.M. I preached on Isai. Iv, 6, 7. P.M. on Heb. xii, 28. Examining Epistle to Colossians. 30. Writing Letter to London. Spent the Evening at Mr. Tauro's in Company with Rabbi Tobiah and Mr. Levy a London Jew Convert to Xtianity. We discoursed on Daniel Ixx Weeks &c. His [the Rabbi's] Interpretation not satisfactory. Dec. 1 . Mr. Hopkins spent the Afternoon with me. Church Meeting at Sister Ellerj^s. I preached on Col. i, 12-14. 2. Mr. Murray returned here yesterday from Piscataqua Boston &c. Mr. Levi the Xtian Jew set. 60 circa told me he went to School when a B03" to Rabbi Judah Monis who 1722 renounced Judaism, because a Christian, & was made Hebrew Professor at Harvard College Cambridge. Mr. Levi says Mr. Monis was an Italian, he thinks a Venetian Jew, was truly a Rabbi and a learned ]\Ian. Did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture. 3. Finished a Hebrew Letter of 22 pages to R. Haijm Isaac Karigal. This Evening Mr. Murray preached at the Court House on Ps. xxiv, 3, 4. 4. Wrote five Letters to London to recommend the Academj- at New iVrk near New Castle on Delaware, and Rev. Mr. Ewing & Dr. Williamson who are gone to make collections for it in G. Bri- tain.' Went to the Synagogue and heard R. Tobiah Bar Judah preach in Dutch— his Sermon 56 minutes. 5. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Isai. Ivi, i, 2. P.M. on Psal. iv, 6 Mr. Murray preached this Evening from 2 Cor. V, 20. 6. Writing Letters to London. Mr. Murray at V' P.M. preached again from Ps. i, i, 2, 3. ' These letters were sent at the request of the Rev. Dr. Francis AHsou, of Philadelphia. 424 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 7. Extraordinary Doings at Boston 30 ult. in rejecting the East India Comp-' Tea. This Day Mr. March* paid 21 ys Dollars for the Dutch Polyglott 8 Vol. 8. At III'' P.M. Mr. Murray preached again. 9. Bro't home the Dutch Polyglott, or Montanus's Biblia Reg. Hisp. 8 \'ol. Folio ^4.16.0 sterlg. and a Map of New England. More melancholy news about President Eocke of Harvard College Canib. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture. 10. This day I am 46 years old This day I began to read a daily portion of the Targum of Onkelos in Chaldee 1 1 . Writing a Letter to Dr. Chauncy concerning the 2 Negroes proposed to be educated . for an African Mission. Great Commo- tions at Boston respecting the East India Comp^ Tea brought there. Mr. Murray preached last night a Liberty Sermon. 12. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on 2 Cor. viii, 9. P.M. Prov. viii, 34 and baptized Hannah Daughter of Eben. Davenport. In the Evening Mr. Murray preached a Farewel Sermon at the Court- house on the Parable of X Virgins all of whom he carried to Heaven, tho' the Door was shut ! He is going to Narragansett a W^'eek or fortnight. It is said that he has wro't a Miracle and cast out a Devil from M''* Whightman" who has been in a sort of religious Dispair and glooni)^ Distraction this half year. Nature is now taking another Turn with her and she is emerging into an Enjoyment of herself again for the present. She and her sensible Friends ascribed this Effect to Mr. Murrays Discourse with her. I expect her Lunacy will return again. Her Aunt was laboring under this Cloud and Species of Distraction for about a twelve- month & a 5'ear or two ago emerged from it and is now well : — another Aunt was seized so intensel}- that it has terminated in a fixt Distraction. This Lady was seized more slightly, and God be thanked, it is said she is recovered from it. God grant she ma}^ continue of a sound Mind. 13. Confirmation of the sad news from Cambridge. 14. Dec. 2 Inst, died at Boston the Rev. Jn" Moorhead set. 70. Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that Town. He was born in the North of Ireland, educated in the Universitj- of Edinburgh. The Report of the flourishing State of the Colonies induced him witli many others to undertake a Voyage, the Issue of which prom- Probaljly Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Vernon, and wife of Capt. Valen- tine Whi^^htman. DECEMBER 7-18, 1773 425 iscd them Peace & vSecurity : accordino:ly he arrived in this T" (Boston) in 1727 & soon after gathered the Congregation over which he presided to the day of his Death." 15. Extract of a Letter from vStrathspey in vScotland Sept. 9, 1773- — I am thor'ol}- convinced that the Emigration will soon be gen- eral in this Country. Two hundred and 50 Emigrants sailed the other day from Fort George, and 300 of the Macdonalds of Glen- gary and the neighb~ Districts, from F' William no less than 8 or 10 Vessels are hired this Season to carry off Emigrants." The McDonalds arrived Oct. 18 at N. York 16. East Even'g monthly married Meet*^' at Sqr. Richardsons, when I preached on Ps. 86, 5 The Corporation of Har- vard College met last Week, & sent a Committee to wait on Pres- ident Eocke, & on return, voted his Answer not satisfactory. I attended Mr. Hopkins Eect. He preached Mat. vii, 12. 18. Extract from Connecticutt N. Haven print. " Fairfield Dec. 6. About I o' Clock this Morning the Rev. Mr. Noah Hobart died after a short Illness, in the 68"' year of his Age, greatly lamented by all but especially by his Family and Flock. His Character for Acuteness of Genius, Eearning and all the Vir- tues that adorn the Christian Eife, was not inferior to any one of his Order in this Colony." I was intimately acquainted with him. He was a Descendant of the Rev'' Peter Hobart first Minister of Hingham. He was educated at Harvard College 1724 — preached at Philadelphia & Pensylvania, & on his Return to N. Engld he preached at Fairfield wdiere he was ordained Feb. 7, 1732/3. He was a Man of great Reading especiallj- in ecclesiastical History : of great Coolness, Prudence & Wisdom ; a good Writer, but poor Speaker and made a very indifferent Figure in the pulpit as a preacher ; an orthodox and sound Divine, tho' not so eminent for speculative or doctrinal as polemical Divinity ; thor'oly read in the Episcopal Controversy & in 1748 & 1750 printed upon it in a mas- terly Manner. In 1752 he was elected a Fellow of Yale College. He was much of the Gentleman & universally addressed b}- all the Eiterati travelling thro' Fairfield. His character truly excellent ! East Thursday the Body of the People at Boston and the adja- cent Towns rose & assembled at Town Meeting in Boston, with the Fury of exhausted Patience — about the East India Company's Tea bro't there, but not unladed. After the Governor's Denial of their 426 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Request, bro't to the meeting about sunset, a number blew the Whistle & sallied forth in open \"iew, & adown the Long Wharfe, and entered the 3 Ships, & unladed from thence all the s*^ Tea 342 Chests and cast it overboard into the Sea. In one hour & half all the Tea was destroyed. 19. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Heb. xii, 14. P.M. Eph. i, 13. 20. Mr. Ellery left Cambridge last Friday : he tells me that the ^\'eek before, President Locke resigned the Presidency of Har\\ College, alledging two Reasons, i. Ill state of Health. 2. That his Usefulness was ruined b>- the e\'il Report raised & spread abroad about him. This was that his Maid was with Child by him. He sent in this Resign-' from Sherburn, whereto he is removed. A most melancholly Event, & humbling Providence ! 21. Reading Congreg'^ Accounts from the Unitas Fratrum. 22. In the Eveng. Chh. Monthly Meetg at Sister Carrs. I preached on i Pet. ii, 5. 23. Did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture. 24. Finished ^losheims Hist. v. i. 2^. Did not go to Church nor Moravians. Received a Letter from R. Haijm Isaac Carigal dated at Surinam Sept. 19. He was 49 da^'s in his passage. 26. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on 2 Tim" ii, 11, 12, and P.M. on Jude 21 28. Violent Snow Storm. 29. Snow above a foot deep on Level 30. Visited by Rev. M"" ' a Lutheran German Minister. He came over from Europe about 25 or 30 3"ears ago and settled among the Germans in Livingstons Manor on Hudsons River. He was educated at the University of Jena, and studied in tiiree Uni- versities. He tells me the Lutherans receive all to the Lords Table at tet. 13 or 14, when the}' are led publickly in the Congregation to repeat the Creed & answer a few Questions in the Catechism, and then the Minister lays his hand on them as they are kneeling before him & coiifinns them & declares them admitted to the Lords Su])per. This confirinatioii not limited to Superintending Bishops but a part of the Office of every Presbyter. He said he held the Lords Supper about four Times a year — previous to which he ordered all the Connnunicants to come to him, when he discoursed with them, exhorting to repentance &c. and if any were scandalous ' Hart wick or Hartvvig. See Aug. 25, 1774. DECEMBER 16-31, 1773 427 or guilty of heinous Crimes he charged them not to come unless they heartily repented — otherwise the}' eat at their peril — but he did not repel any — & few absented ; — that on the Saturday before the Sacrament the}' all assembled, when after Sermon they kneeled and while the whole Church was kneeling the Minister kneeling also read a general Confession of Sins for them all, to which they all answer Amen ; then the Minister rising pronounces an Absolu- tion, after which the Congregation rise. On Lordsday A M. after the usual Service, the Ordinance is administered ; after reading the Words of Institution, the Minister prays, and then sets them to singing Hymns while he breaks the Bread & delivers both Bread & Cup to the Communicants who come one by one & and receive it at his hands. — He also told me that he heard Rev. Dr. Peters the Episc" Clergyman preach in the Lutheran Church at Philadelphia — that the Lutheran Minister there was deceived and bo't by the Church of England — that 2 or 3 of his Sons had been taken into the Societys Service with Salarys to convert & make the German Lutherans believe there was no Difference between them & the Church of England.— That the Att " Gen. at N. York shewed him a printed Act prepared to be passed by the Parliament of G. Britain regulating the Eccl. Estab. in Canada — that the Successor to Bishop Briand should be an English Protestant Bi.shop — that the present romish Clergy were to die out — that when any parish became one Quarter of them protestants the Minister should be of the Church of England & then the Inhabitants should pay but one Thirtieth of their Produce to him instead of one twelfth which they now paid to the romish Clergy — that the Churchmen at N. York &c, did not doubt but that this would be such an Easment to them as to Eccl. Taxes that the Romish Laity would be pleased with it & turn to the Church of England. This matter is all secret as yet and is only circulating among the Episcopalians & so preparing to be passsd into an Act of Parliament. Did not attend. Mr. Hop- kins Lect. Finished another Copy of my Lett, in Heb. to R. Carigal in 29 pages. 31. We have News from the Westward that Gov. Tryon has given up his scheme for landing the Tea — that the Tea ship is off N. York but would not be suffered to Land — that another was at anchor at the Capes of Delaware, but not suiTered to land her Tea — that another was arrived at Chariest", So. Carolina & not suffered to land the Tea. Amazing is the spread of the spirit of Liberty .428 DIARY OF EZRA STILES thro' the Continent. At Chariest" So. Carolina they could not have heard of the Drowning the Tea at Boston 16"' Inst. At III P.M. I preached my Sacramental Lecture on Jn" vii, 37. Thus closeth this year. On the 23'' Inst, died in the Almshouse at Salem in Massachu- setts Mr. Joshua Witherell Grandson of the Rev. William Witherell one of the first Ministers of Plymouth Colony. He was Minister in the Church of Scituate. About the middle of this M" arrived at N. York a Brig with about 200 Passengers, having lost about 100 on the passage. The}' embarked Sept. 17 at Dornock in Sutherland in Scotland about 300 Men, \\'omen and Children reckoned at 188 Passengers. The}- agreed for their Passages @ ^3, 6, o sterlg. apiece except 35 to be disposed of as Servants for 3 years. Children under 10 set. two reckoned for one. The Capt. Geo. Smith shortened their Allow^ of Provisions, & so abused them, that about 100 died on the passage. " Their miserable State at their Arrival at N. York excited the Public Charit}-. Immediateh' ^80. was collected at the Presbj'terian Church at N. York and they were relieved. [The following is Dr. Stiles' s Visiting Catalogue of his Congrega- tion for 1773, about 170 places, with the number of visits appended to each name. Tim" Allen, 2 \V° Brenton, 4 Philip Ackland, 2 Mr. Chesebro', 21 Joseph Belcher, 22 Mr. Coit, i Job Bissel, 4 Capt. Chh., 2 Jo.seph Belcher, jun. 4 Peleg Cary, &c., 10 Dr. Bartlett, 7 . Jno. Cary, 3 Wm. Bently, i ]Mrs. Channing, 39 Nathan Beebe, 4 James Clark, 3 W» Bebee, &c. died of sm. pox W Carr & Clark, 18 Miss Bissels, 2 W Chambers, 4 :Mrs. Bennet, 5 Madam Coggeshal, 3 Miss Bebees, 3 W° Carter, 3 Wife Tho. Browu, 5 Rob' Do., 3 Widow Brown, 3 James Carter, i James Brown, 3 JMiss Coles, &c., 4 K.xper. Brown Sam'l. Crandal IMrs. Bowers, 5 Lemuel Do. Mrs. Baker, i Mr. Channing, 10 Joseph Brown, i Ann Channing, 5 Capt. Briggs, 4 Peace Clark, i Mrs. Bowen, i Mrs. Cornell, 3 DECEMBER 3 1, 1 7 73 429' Mr. Clian«, 4 Mr. Cole, 2 Abraham Dennis, 10 Isaac Dayton, 22 Eben"' Davenport, sen., 3 Do. Do. jun., 4 Benj" Doubleday, 4 Benedict Dayton, 4 Hez. Dayton, 15 \V° Davenp'., i Charles Davins, i W Davis, 6 Mrs. Downer, 2 Miss Suse Dyre, 10 Sally Donaldson, 3 Mrs. Ellery, 42 Benj''. Ellery, 8 W" Ellery, 16 Christ" Ellery, 11 Capt. English, 5 Evans Mrs. Fryers, 3 W" Finch, 3 Adam Ferguson, 2 Jn° Ferguson, 6 Mrs. Fry, 3 Caleb Gardner, 10 Rob. Gibbs, 3 Capt. Godfry, 4 Mrs. Gibbs, 2 Sally (xardner, r Capt. Poll. Hammond, 6, Family 6 Nassau Hastie, 7 ob. Feb. 10, 1773, set. 60 Capt. Hyers, 2 Capt. Hatch W Hunt Eliza House, i Mr. Haggar, 2 Joseph Hamand, 5 Job Howland, 2 W" Plowland (vSayer), 5 W" Howard W" Hamilton, 2 Benj" Ingraham, 3 W° Ingraham, 2 Ann Do., 4 W° Jones, 2 Polly Jones, 2 Mr. James, 4 Benj" King, 14 Sani'l King, i W" Kenncott, 4 J. B. King, I Nathan Luther, 4 Henry Marchant, 21 Mrs. More, 30 Philip Moss, 4 Capt. Mowat, 2 W° Murphy Wm. Merriss, 4 Mr. Millward, 7 Miss Mil ward, 5 Rob. Milward, 5 Capt. McCorrie Capt. Newton, 8 Jno. Newton, 9 Kendal Nicols, 12 Major Otis, 20 Sally Oldham, 2 Jno. Pitman, Esq., 17 Benj" Pitman, 5 Capt. Peck, 12 Philip Peckham, 4 W Peckham, 4 W" Pitman, 4 Sam' Pitman, jun., 2 Rebecca Petteface, 5 Esther Phillips, i Hannah Preston, i Peter Parker, 2 Eliza Pratt, i Mrs. Potter, 3 Eben'' Richardson, 4 Eben'' Richardson, jun. Thos. Richardson, 3 Jacob Richardson, 9 Dan' Russel, 4 W° Rumrill, 3 Mrs. Roland, i W Ryder, 2 W" Robinson, 5 Deacon Saj^er, i o Benj" Sayer, 12 Joshua vSayer, 4 Rob' Stevens, 42 \V°' Stevens, 4 430 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS Mrs. Searing, 15 Edw' Simmonds, 7 Jno. Simson, 5 Jno. Simpson, jun., I Riclr' vSimpson, 2 W" Sylvester, i Jos. Smith, 4 Henry vSherburn, I W" Sherburn, i W^' Spinne}-, 2 Jacob Stockman, 3 Jonathan Stoddard W" vSymmes, 2 W" Stelle \V^' Sherman, 3 Mrs. Sanford, &c. 5 John Stevens, 5 Mrs. Shore, 2 Mr. Sowl, I Mrs. Stanly, 5 M' Trevett, 20 Eleazar Trevet, jun., 3 W° Treby, sen., 6 Sam'- Treb)-, 7 Wilkins Treby, 3 W" Treby, jun., 4 W" Topham (Jno.), 5 Jno. Topham, 4 W" Topham (Theo), 5 W Townsend, 2 Elijah Tomkins Tabor I\Ir. Tripp, i Alice Townsend, 2 Sam' Vernon, 11 W"' Vernon, 19 Eben'' Vose, 5 R-i Ward Jno. Wood, 5 Sam' Weedon, jun., 8 W° AVillis, 5 \Ym Wilson, I W'" Whitwell, I W" Wilson, I Mr , the sadler, i B- Why, 3 Do., I 958] January 1774 1. Ill the Afternoon I went to hear Mr. Kelh' preach a New Years Sermon, Pro v. vi, 9. 2. Lordsday A.M. I preached on Gal. i, 4, 5, and administered the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to 47 Communicants. P.M. Ps. xxxiv, 7, 8, and notified Young Men's Meeting Tuesday Even- ing. This day died Kendal Nichols. 4. This Even^ held a religious Meet- of the 3-oung Men of my Congregation at my house, when I di.scoursed to them on Ps. cxix, 9. 10. 5. Paid for the Pollyglott 8 vol. Fol. \'iolent Snow Storm, Hail, Rain. 6. Mr. Marcy here. 7. Finished reading Historical Essay on the English Co7istiiution. Also finished reading Dr. Gale's MSS. of no Pages quarto on the Prophecies & Millenium.^ ' By Dr. Benjamin Gale (Yale 1733), of Killingworth, Conn. Many of his letters are among Dr. Stiles's papers. JANUARY I-lS, 1774 431 9. Lordsday A.M. I preached on Ephes. v, 8, and P.M. Gal. vi, 16, and baptized two Children of Jn" Topham being Twins. At III o'clock this Morning we were waked with the Cry of Fire, which destroyed a Hatter and Shoemakers Shops, Loss 6 or 700 Dollars — but was providentially prevented spreading anj^ farther. 10. The Tea Ship got within four miles of the Citj' of Philadel- phia on 24"' Dec. — There assembled on a Square in the City 8000 People, had the Capt. of the Ship Capt. Aj-res before them, ordered him immediately to depart having first resolved the Tea should not land. He sailed for London with the Tea in 48 Hours. At Chariest" S° Car" the Customhouse seized the Tea there. 12. Read^ Reviews. Even^', married Meeting at Capt. Vose's. I preached Ps. ix, 10. 13. Did not attend Mr. H. Lecture. 14. Twelve hours in mj- Study thi"s day. 15. I have been very sick all daj-. 16. Lordsday. So ill as to be confined ; unable to attend the Labors of the Sanctuary this day. Besides this I do not remember that I have been detained from public Worship but one Ldsday (about 10 or 12 3^ears ago) since my settlement in the Ministry in 1755 18. Examining the S3''riac Translation of the New Testament. . . Tho' of a volatile make, yet I am perhaps least subject to Dreams of any Man in Life. I seldom dream at all, and very rarel}" recol- lect a Dream. Yet last night I had one a little singular. It was very abrupt & full of unfinished Incidents. The Scene began at Northaven the place of my Nativit}^ — was thence transferred to the Town of New Haven at the Water Side & ended at Yale College. The persons were a mixture of Newport & New Haven people. Squire P and I were abroad in the Night near some Oak Trees about 50 Rods from my father's house in the road from Northaven Meetinghouse to the Bridge over East River — we were doing some- thing with a Light which he held while I was making a Drawing of something I dont recollect what, when in a Tumult near us in the Road a person was hurt. We then went into a house on the S° side of the Rode belonging to Capt. N but which was imag- inary as there was none there. It seemed to be the Tumult of a Tavern. The Dream broke here unfinished. Without an}- con- nexion, we found ourselves 8 m. off at Town in a seemingh' different House, which however seemed to be also Capt. N near the 432 DIARY OF EZRA STILES beginning of the Long Wharf & on the East Side of the Way. Here also seemed to be a Tumult of a Tavern. In one of the Rooms was a brother of Capt. N. laboring of a Dropsy or some chronical Disorder, with whom I discoursed in a pious manner. It was late at Xight & far after Midnight. Here I was surprized at hearing the College Bell for morning pra^-ers, which it w^as observed and I well knew President Clap used to have at or before Day Light in \\'inter. He seemed to be still living tho' he died 1767. Upon this I hastened away for prayers at College, seemingly as I was used to when Tutor there under Mr. Clap. At leaving the house Capt. N. called his Family together for prayer. Going out, perceiv- ing a Whip in my Hand I seemed reminded of mj^ horse, and look- ing for him I espied m>- son Ezra, and to have obstructions & Delays & was anxious least I should be too late. I found I had missed my Jacket, but ni}- son officioush- 'sought and found it. I was carried forward but the Horse dropt out of mind — my son running before till I was near Mr. Atwaters over against Mr. Whittelseys. For what reason I forget but I wanted to recall my son who was at a Distance before me. I called him but tho' he heard he kept on then on repeated calling he stood and spake with petulancy & indecency — at length he came & at meeting I rebuked him not with my wonted Asperity but with Expressions so tender as instantly wro't upon him so that he flew into my Arms, when I received him with the highest sensations of Love I ever felt towards him, & he seemed to me most loveh" & charming. I beheld him with an unutterable Love & Complacency I had never before felt, because I saw him dissolved in Love & Affection to me. I was then proceed- ing and on foot, but there seemed to be difficulty in the rode. At a few steps dist'' stood some of my old New Haven Friends particu- larly Mr. Whiting, who spoke & welcomed me — I crossed over to his Door & shook hands, as passing in haste and going to the old place College to prayers, the bell still ringing, Passing a few rods farther against where Deacon Lyman used to live when I resided at College, I seemed to be overbourn with the Burden & weight upon me — besides Books or something in my Arms I seemed to have two large open Folio Volumes on my head, one of which then drop't. I was perplext cS: delayed, & one & another stopt & conversed with me but upon what I know not. — Here there was a Vacuity in the Dream as to passing the rest of the Way. But the next sensation of the Dream was that I was got to my Apartment in College, but JANUARY l8, 1774 433 too late for prayers now almost over. The Apartment was well known to me, tho' not the Chamber in which I used to lodge & dwell, 3-et it was the Room of the public L/ibrary adjoyning & wherein I used to spend the most of my studying hours formerh- for the last 5 years of ni}' Tutorship. This my coming to the Col- lege seemed to be a Returning to the Tutorship after a long Absence, and the manner of it seemed as it used to be at the End of Vacations when we found our Rooms in Dirt & Confusion. The Library Room seemed to have been extended southward during my Absence ; and the old Library Room converted into a sort of Tutors Chamber for hearing & teaching the Classes about the Fireplace, with addi- tional late built Closets & a Lodging Room. The Books were carried farther into the extended part of the Library rather to be beyond the old part now assigned to Tuition but not partitioned from it. But at the line of partition & in the Middle stood an Organ of a singular structure & highly finished, the Pipes all of Silver & Gold polished & facing the Body of the Books. It was lofty & on all sides exposed to view ; and the Backside seemed to be from top to bottom consisting of Folds of Bellows neatly covered with the richest silk. I was taking a hasty Walk alone around the whole, & viewing the Lodging room & Closets turned into the S" part among the Books, & returning from the bottom of the Library & coming thro' the East side by the organ, I saw a well dressed Gentleman entering the Door followed with Company. I made up to him to receive him as coming to view the Library & to shew him the Library with Politeness. The Ladies soon seated with some Gent, on the East side near the Organ. I excused the Library being in deshabille and disorder, from its being just our Return after the Vacancy &c. The first Gent, sat near the Fireplace with whom, after Civilities passed towards all, I entered into Convers'^ &c. The Ladies admir^ the Library & Organ ; I said I would give them some Account &c. that our principal Donor to the Library was the Bishop of Cloyn, Dr. Berkely, whose Books stood in the So. part of the Library by themselves ; who also gave the College a Farm at Rh. Island & also presented this Organ. The Gent, said it was true, and that he purchased it by the Bps Direction I then stept up to it to shew the Inside, and lifting up the Silk Covering & shoving upwards the Whalebone Folds of the Bellows, the Organ began to play spontaneously such bold & melodious Notes as instantly awoke me. 28 434 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 19. The 8'"' Inst, died the Rev. Thos. Balch Pastor of a Church in Dedham set. 63, Min> 38. — Deaths at Salem last year 208 of which 13 Blacks. Total of Baptisms there 137, thus : — Number of Infants baptized in Salem in 1773 by Rev. IMess''' Barnard & Dunbar Rev. Mr. Diman .... Rev. Mess" 3Icgilchrist & Nicols, Episc Rev. Dr. Whitaker .... Rev. Mr. Barnard, jun. . 137 Families II My Estimate 190 35 250 27 150 39 270 25 140 Remark i. The Births are doubtless equal to the Deaths, & so at least one quarter Infants unbaptized. . It is worthy Inquiry- what the Cause wh}' only three Quarters of the Children born are bap- tized. 2. Hence Baptisms in X. England no Indication of the Nativities. 3. There is a Quaker meetg. in Salem : and perhaps some Baptists. These dont baptize Infants. 4. The Chlimen baptize all universally. 5. Mr. Barnard, sen., his Congregation have got into great Negligence as to the Ordinances, tho' perhaps of as exemplar}' Morals as any Church in Town. The Congreg^ is large eno' for 40 or 50 Nativities a 3-ear. There are six Thousd Inhab. in Salem, or above 1000 souls to a Congreg^ at a medium. 21. There is now one Minister at Susquehanna Rev. Jacob John- son,' formerly a Congregational Pastor at Groton in Connecticutt. I was this day offered ^100. L. M. for one of ni}' Susquehanna Rights.' 22. Fini.shed reading Dr. Lightfoots Harmony of the N. Test. 23. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Ps. Ixii, 5. P.M. Rev. xii, 11. An excessive cold season, much Snow, Fahr. Therm. 2 below Cypher at Sunrise in a N° Shade abroad. I was but three Quarters of an hour in Service in forenoon and same afternoon. 26. M" Chh. Meef-' at Sister Channings when I preached on Rev. xii, 10, 11. 29. Finished read^' Mr. Stillmans 2 Sermons upon the Execution of Levi Ames. Read^ Dr. Danas second Piece upon Mr. Edwards, &c. Reading Dionysius Areopag. Read^ Dr. Owen on Evang. ' Yale Coll. 1740. ■ Dr. Stiles was one of the original proprietors of the lands in Pennsylvania, known as the Susquehannah Purchase, deeded by the Indians in 1754. JANUARY I9-FEBRUARY 13, 1774 435 Love. Also read Mr, Shepard on Infant Baptism. Mr. West of Dartmouth has just printed a Piece on Paedobaptism. 30. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Col. i, 27. P.M. Heb. iii, 14. 31. This day observed at Church as the 30^"^ Jany. for beheading Charles I. Only prayers, no Sermon. An Evening Meeting at my house of the young Women of my Congregation ; I preached on 2 Cor. viii, 9. A very full and serious Meeting. Last week Gov. Hutchinson opened the Assembly at Boston with a very mild Speech. February. 2. Examin- the Targum on xlv Psalm. Read Oct" Magazine Gent. 3. Read 4 Monthly Reviews of 1773. Xo Lecture at Mr. Hop- kins's this Even^'. Stormy. 5. Read 270 Pages in Kings History & Criticisms upon the Apostles Creed. 6. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Prov. ix, 12. P.M. i Cor. i, 9, and notified a Meet- of the Societ}' next Friday at the desire of the Committee. Reading King on the Creed. 7. Killington' Proprietors Meeting. 8. The last week in Jan}-, died the Rev. Edward Barnard Pastor of the first Church in Haverhill. He was one of the most learned Pastors of N. England. At III'' I preached at the Alms house to 20 poor and perhaps 30 others on 2 Cor. viii, 9. 9. Monda}^ Jany 31, the Corporation of Han-ard College made Choice of the Hon. John Winthrop Esq. LL.D. and F.R.S. to be President : but he declined accepting the Ofiice. The General Assembly of Connecticutt at their Session at Hart- ford about the middle of January last erected a large Township 40 or 50 Miles square called Westmoreland bounded East on Delaware River extending West to 15 Miles beyond W^'oming on Susque- hannah River ; and extended Connecticutt Laws & Jurisdiction thither, appointing two Justices of Peace (S:c. and annexed it for the present to the County of Litchfield in Connecticutt. 10. This da}' I & ni}- wife have been married 17 years. Did not attend Mr. H's Lecture. 13. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Rom. xiii. 12, 13. 14. P.M. 2 Cor. V, I, on Death of Mrs. Milward and Capt. Tho' Phipps ^ See above, Jan. 15, 1773. 436 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Barrel. Capt. Barrel died at Marblehead Jany. 30, set. 35. Finished reading King on the Creed. Reading in Bion. Areop*. i^. Even- Meet" of married people at Col. Baytons. I preached on I Thess. iii. 12. 13. 17. Read? the Life of Bp. Lewis Count Zinzendorf. 20. Ldsdy. I preached all day on 2 Cor. iii, 9, 10. 11. I also published three couples for Marriage. And notified a religious Meet^ of the Negroes at my house tomorrow Evening. 21. Negroes met at my house. I preached on 2 Cor. \-iii, 9. This Afternoon a meeting of the Susquehannah Proprietors. 2^. Braufting a Letter to the Meeting of Susquehannah Proprie- tors to be held at Windham in Connecticutt 9^*^ March. Church Meeting at Sister Trevetts. I discoursed on Rev. xix, 5-9 25. Finished the Letter and this Evening it was laid before the Proprietors in & about Newport & approved & signed by Gov. L^-ndon. It contained three sheets and half in Writing, which with the Maps & Calculations made six sheets. 27. Ldsday. I preached A.M. on Luke xix. 44. and published three Couples. P.M. on i Pet. v. 10. March. 2. I preached Mr. Kellys Lecture Ephes. ii. 8-10. 4. Reading Neumans Chemistn,'. Mr. Hopkins preached my sacramental Lecture — He that is not for us is against us. 6. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Heb. v, 8, 9, and administered the Lds. Supper to 58 Communicants. P.M. Ps. Ixii, 7, 8. Read- ing Br. Benson on the Epistles . . . ; also the Targum upon Canticles. 8. Monday- 7th Febr\-. last the Rev'd Br. Samuel Cooper of Boston was unanimously elected President of Han'ard College ; but declined the OflSce. 9. On 3' Inst. March died Honorable Lieut. Gov. Oliver' at Boston set. 68. This Evening I married Capt. Sherman and Miss Katherine Rider ; and preached to a religious Meeting at Sqr. Pitmans 10. Read Mr. Beans Centur\- Sermon — Wrentham. 11. This day my Son Ezra is set. 15. News of drowning 30 Chests of Tea just arrived at Boston. Also hear that the Tea at ' Andrew Oliver, an elder brother of the Hon. Peter Oliver. I FEBRUARY 15-MARCH 27, 1774 437 Charlestown S" Carolina is ruined by taking Wet in the Stores. The Sons of Liberty at Philad"" and X. York have sent Mr. Goddard to sollicit us in X. England to unite in opposing the parliamentary- Post Ofl&ce in America, and in setting up Pro\'incial Post Riders. 12. Particularly reading the Targum on Solomon's Song. At the Funeral of Lt. Gov. Oliver the Assembly then sitting at Boston adjourned to attend the Solemnity. But those who ordered the Procession putting the Xa^-^- Officers next after the mourners, the Assembly was disgusted, and the Council and Representatives turned off out of the Prcx:ession and proceeded to the Townhouse. After this the Multitude followed without Order & in promiscuous Confusion to the Grave. Johnny Malcomb' follo-^-ing the Mourners, the Boys insulted him, & after the Grave was covered, gave three Cheers. At the Grave a Gentleman was heard to speak aloud A\-ithin hearing of Gov. Hutchinsons Coach, that he hoped within a fortnight they should be called to render the same last Office to the Governor himself. Such is the public Disgust. & such the Tumult of the Times. 13. Lordsday A.M. I preached on 2 Cor. iv, 16. 17, and P.M. Ps. cxix, 176, and propounded Eli Evans for Admission to full Com- munion 17. I did not attend Mr. Hopkins" Lecture which he has again resumed. iS. This day being the Anniversar}- of the Repeal of the Stamp Act was celebrated in Town by display of Colors on Liberty Tree and Discharge of Cannon in different parts of the To\\ti and b}' Ringing of Bells. 20. Ldsdy. A.>L I preached on Ephes. ii, S-io. P.M. Prov. x\-i, 19. Snow. 21. Writing Lett, to Windham. 22. Reading Father Paul. 22^. Monthly Chh. Meet- at Br. Otis's. I preached i Thess. v. 23 Received a Packet from Mr. Zubly, 24. Didnt attend Mr. H. Lecture. 25. Read^ Dr. Smiths Defence of Pen. Proprietaries against Connecticutt \\'estern Claim on Susquehanna - or a sincere Friend to public lyiberty, is to me uncertain. This Afternoon at III'' I preached at the Almshouse from lyam. iii, 24, 25. 10. Draughted the Allotments of the Township of Danvis in Lydius" Patent 11. Attended Mr. Hopkins L,ecture. He preached from Mat. xvi, 24. 12. Received a Letter from Mrs. Sheaf of Piscataqua. This Day heard that Ten of the new Councellors of Massachusetts made by ro_\-al Mandamus were sworn in. Others considering of the Matter. Thomas Oliver Esq. is Lieut. Gov. of Massachusetts. The Flame of Liberty glows in So. Carolina, Virginia, and Jersey and the 4 N Engld. Colonies. Pensylvania and N. York tho' they have also appointed Delegates to the Congress j^et are waver- ing & want Firmness. Supplies of provisions sent from all the Colonies are pouring into Boston for the support of the suffering poor there. All the Colonies make the Boston Sufferings a com- mon Cause, and intend to stand bj' one another. 13. Reading the Danish Missionaries Acco' of planting the Gospel at Tranquebar in E. Indies. 14. Lordsday AMI preached on Heb. ix, 14. P M on i Jn" ii, 17. admitted Esther the Wife of Jos. Burges King to own her baptismal Covenant, and baptized her Child Susanna ; and also published the Banns of Marriage between Edward Gorton late of Bristol in Eng- land and Rhoda Davenport of Newport. 17 Rev. Mr. Hide' of Rehoboth visited me. M" Church Meeting at Sister Stevens, I preached on Eph. ii, 19-22. . . . . This Evening a fine Rain, It is a terrible Drought for about 30 Miles round us. Last Wednesday four of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Congress set out in a grand Manner from Boston in a new Coach and six, viz. Messrs. Cushing, Sam Adams, Jn" Adams, & Pain — Mr. Bowdoins Wife sick or disordered, and he declined. The two Hampshire Delegates were in Newport last Week in their Way to Philadelphia. Two of the So. Carolina Delegates set out also for Philadelphia. All is in motion. ' Ephraim Hyde (Yale 1759). AUGUST 10-31, 1774 455 ig. This Afternoon I visited Mr. D'Acosta. He shewed me the Works of*Maimonides in 4 Vol. fol. 21. lydsday AM. I preached on Eph. iv, 24 & published a Couple. P.M. Rom. viii, 32. 22. In Company with Gov. Hopkins one of the Commissioners to the Congress. 23. The King has signed the Quebec Act, extend'^ that Province to the Ohio & Mississippi and comprehending nearly Two Thirds of the Territory of English America, and established the Romish Church & IDOLATRY over all that Space ; in this Act all the Bishops concurred. Astonishing that King, Eds & Commons, a whole protestant Parliament should expressly establish Popery over three Quarters of their Empire. 24. Married Meeting at Mr. Stoddards. I preached on Rom. viii, i . 25. Did not attend Mr. Hopkins Eecture. Rev. Mr. Hartwig' a Lutheran Minister visited me. 26. They hunt the new^ Councillors in Mass. 28. Eordsday A M. I preached on Isai. xii, i, 2, and published a couple. P M. I Thess. v, 23, and notified the Sacrament next Eordsday & Sacramental Eecture next frida}' III'' P.M. Mr. Hart- wig sat with me in the Pulpit ; I asked him to preach, but he declined it. His English is of German Sound, & not perfectly free, tlio' he preached to the Germans in Boston both in German & English. 29. Mr. Hartwick tells me that he was Chaplain in the English American Army in 1760 & lived with Capt. Charles Eeigh, now General Eeigh : — that Gen. Eeigh tho' of Gt. Britain or Ireland was educated in the Popish University of Rheims in France in one of the free Colleges for English. After the War he went & became Colonel in the auxiliar}^ Troops sent to Portugal. Afterwards he w^ent & became a General in the Service of the King of Poland. He is now gone to the Congress, talks writes & prints for American Liberty. His having had a Popish Education is a disagreeable Cir- cumstance especially as the Parliament have now established Idol- atr}- & Popery over two Thirds of Eng. America. 30. They begin to have Town Meetings again in Massachusetts notwithstanding the prohibition of the Act of Parliament. 31. Mr. Hartwick sailed for N. York. ' John Christopher Hartwick or Hartwig, from whom Hartwick, Otsego County, N. Y., being part of his estate, is named. See above, Dec. 30, 1773. 456 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Sept. 1. Mr. Pelatiah Webster' of Philadelphia visited me. 2. My Lecture. I preached on Jno. x, 37, 38. 4. Lordsday A.M. I preached Jn" i, 29, and administered the Lords vSupper to 63 Communicants of which 3 were occasional, viz. one from Plymouth, one from New Haven, & one from Medway in Georgia. P.M. Ps. cvii, 43 5. Catechised 7 B. 16 G. 4 Neg. Total 27, being very rainy — distributed Prizes viz. Watts' div. Songs for Children. [This day sailed the Scarboro' from Boston with Dispatches for England ; & arrived at Spithead Sept 3otli.] 7. This Afternoon I sat out on a Journey to Connecticutt to enter my son Ivzra into Yale College. I kept Sabbath at Meriden & preached all day for Brother Hubbard. Monday following I visited my Mother and Friends at North Haven. On Tuesday 13"' Instant I went to New Haven where I met my son Ezra, who arrived there the da)- before, having sailed from Newport on Satur- day 10"' Instant. I immediately took him to College, when he was examined by the Tutors' and admitted Freshman get. 15 j4. The next da}- being 14"' was the public Commencement, when the Rev. Benjamin Lord of Norwich had conferred upon him the Degree of a Doctorate in Divinity.' 18. Lordsday I preached at New Haven for Mr. Whittelse}". Congregation about 400 persons. 19. I took leave of my son,^ & sat out on my Return. 24. I arrived at Newport. ' A College classmate of Dr. Stiles. * Dr. Stiles's Itinerary states that Ezra was examined by Tutors Dwight, Davenport and Lewis in Virgil, ^neid iv, 174, ten lines ; Tully, Begin. Liga- rius; Graec. Test. Mat. xiii, i. ^ The Itinerary adds : Great Tumults about Liberty. A Liberty Mast erected this Dav here. 9- 1774 ■• From Dr. Stiles's Itinerary : ,eft with Sent to Ezra, Dec. The Steward, Mr. Fitch 6. 8. 2 Towels I-vzra, 5 Doll. & a Guinea 3 — I Comb Mr. Tutor Lewis, yi Joe 2. S. Worsted Gloves To pr. Tongs & Shovels 0. 5- 6 Knit Breeches To Candlestick 0. 0. 9 I. 6 0. 10 I. 2 12. /o. 15. 6 L. M. /■12. 2. SEPTEMBER 1-26, 1774 457 25. Lordsday. A M I preached on 2 Tliess. ii, 16, 17. P M. on Philip, i, 21. There has been such a scene of remarkable Occurrences in New England and thro' America for the last three Weeks past, that I have not had time to enter them. On Thursday i^' Inst. Sep. Gen. Gage seized the powder in the Arsenal at Charlestown. This, with a false Report that six Men were Killed in the seizure was spread that afternoon — and on friday morning 2"^ Sept. the Body of the people in the Towns for 30 Miles round Boston instantly took Arms and crouded into Cambridge where above four Thousand were actually assembled and finding the Report as to 6 Men killed groundless, the Bo. Committee &c instantly set the people assembled on the project of doing something now they were gathered together ; they accordingly deforced the Resignation of several new Councellors, & among the rest lyieut. Gov. Thos. Oliver as Councellor, and then dispersed. But the Report diffused & propagated far & wide and produced an exten- sive Insurrection thro' the Province of the Massachusetts and Con- necticutt, even to the Western parts of New England and the Edge of N. York. From the best Accounts I judge 30,000, or near perhaps more than one Third of the efTective Men in all New Eng- land took Arms & were on actuall March for Boston. But Posts were dispatched every Way and stopt them. This however shews that New England are ready to fight for their Liberties. 26. The Members of the Congress now sitting at Philadelphia, from New Hampshire 2 Massachusetts 4 Rhode Island. 2 Connecticutt 3 New York 6 Major Jn" Sullivan of Col° Nathaniel Folsom Hon. Thomas Gushing Esq. Mr. Samuel Adams John Adams Esq. Robert Treat Paine Esq. Hon. Stephen Hopkins Hon. Samuel Ward Esq. Hon. Eliphalet Dyar Esq. Silas Deane Esq. Hon. Roger Sherman Esq. [Simon Boerum — Brookland James Duane John Jay Philip Livingston Isaac Low Durham Exeter Boston D" Brantree Taunton Providence Westerly Windham Weathersfield N. Haven Kings Co. L. Isld.] I Esquires City r N. York 458 DIARY OF EZRA STILES New Jersey 5 Elizabethtown Pens3'lvania 7 City Philadelphia Chester Co. [John Alsop] Col. W" Floyd Henry Wisner [John Herring James Kensey r William Livingston j John D'Hart V Stephen Crane Richard Smith of Suffolk Co. [ Orange Co. [ D» ] J Esquires"'City _ N.^York Burlington Esquires Burlington Hon. Joseph Galloway "] Bucks Co. Berks Co. Lancaster [Fair Hill 3 m. fr. Philad'^ New Castle Kent & Sussex Govt : f J Samuel Rhoads i Thomas Mifflin j Charles Humphreys ( John Morton Edward Biddle George Ross f ^Esquires J s John Dickinson] Caesar Rodney T" Dover Co. Kent So'm. fr. P. Thomas M'^Kean Gregory Read Esquires Newcastle Matthew Tilghman Talbot Co. Thos. Johnston jun. Annapolis Robert Goldsborough Dorchester Co. William Paca Annapolis Samuel Chase Esquires Annapolis Hon. Peyton Randolph Richard Henry Lee — Chantilly in Westmoreland. George Washington Mt. Vernon in Fairfax Patric Henry Hanover Richard Bland — Jordans in Pr. George Benjamin Harrison Edmund Pendleton Esquires William Hooper Cape fear N. Car. Joseph Hewes Esqrs. Edentown [Richard Caswell . . . Dobbs County] Hon Henr}^ Middleton John Rutledge Thomas Lynch Christopher Gadsden Edward Rutledge Esquire Total 51 Delegates [56 corrected from'Gov.' Ward's List.] Letters of Concurrence from Georgia and Nova Scotia, but no Delegates from them, nor from the militarj' Provinces of Quebec and the two Floridas nor from Newfoinidland nor from the West Indies. However the English in Canada have sent supplies to Bos- Maryland 5 Virginia — Williamsburgh Berkely Charles City Caroline North Carolina 2 South Carolina 5 Chariest* SEPTEMBER 26, 1774 459 ton — Antigua & Barbadoes are in opposition to the new Acts of Parliament & Jamaica is coming over. Nova Scotia, Georgia & the Floridas may contain 25 or 30 Thousand Souls, certainly not 40 Thousand, Whites English ; while the New England and West- ern Colonies to Pennsylvania inclusive comprehend one Million & a quarter souls Whites at least, & the Southern Provinces Marj'land, Virginia, and the 2 Carolinas above half a Million Souls Whites ; so the Continental Provinces actually represented in Congress are one Million and tliree Otiarters Souls Whites, wdiile the unrepre- sented Provinces are 30 Thousand, & even inclusive of Canada not exceeding 140 or 150 Thousand. We judge them all firm in. the cause of lylBERTY except the N. York and Pennsylvania Dele- gates. The Congress resolved to vote by Number of Colonies, not by Majority of Delegates. The Cardinals of this Bod}- or the men of greatest Abilities and Influence, are +* Mr. Samuel Adams Hen. Middleton John Adams Esq. Jn" Rutledge ■H* Samuel Ward Tho. Lynch Silas Deane +» Christopher Gadsden Matthew Tilghman Edwd. Rutledge -H. Peyton Randolph President Stephen Hopkins Rd. Hen. Lee +^ Col. Bland The Congress opened at Philadelphia Sept. 5, Instant at Carpen- ters Hall, and chose the Hon. Pej'ton Randolph Esq. President, Mr. Charles Thomson vSecretar}-. They keep all their Transactions secret. But upon hearing of the Rising of the People in New^ England the 2"'* Inst. & the Resolves of the Committees of the Towns in Suffolk County in Massach. convened at Dedham & by adjourn' at Milton Tuesday 6*'' Sep. Inst, they /z^/V/^/^iffl!' the two following Resolutions. " In Congress Saturday Sep. 17, 1774. A Letter from Dr. Joseph Warren & sundr}- Resolutions entered into b}- the C" of Suf- folk on Tuesday the 6*'' Inst, and an Address from the Delegates of s"^ County to his Excellency Gov. Gage dated the 9'" Instant were read. Whereupon Resolved unanimously, That this Assembly deeply feels the Suf- ferings of their Countrymen in the Massachusetts Ba^-, under the Operation of the late unjust, cruel & oppressive Acts of the British Pari'. — That they most thoroughly appfvve the Wisdom & Fortitude 460 DIARY OF EZRA STILES with which Opposition to these wicked ^Ministerial Measures has hitherto been conducted, and the}' earnestly recommend to their Brethren a Perseverance in the same firm and temperate Conduct as expressed in the Resolutions determined upon at a Meeting of the Delegates for the C" of Suffolk on Tuesday the 6"' Inst.: trusting that the Effect of the united Efforts af No. America in their Behalf will carry such Conviction to the British Nation of the unwise, unjust & ruinous Polic}- of the Administration, as quickly to intro- duce better men & wiser Measures. Resolved unanimously. That Contributions from all the Colonies for supplying the Necessities and alleviating the Distresses of our Brethren at Boston ought to be continued in such manner & so long as their occasions may require. A true extract from the -Minutes Charles Thompson Sec^." This with the Suffolk Resolves which the Congress have adopted, give some Idea of the Complexion of the Congress. 27. Visiting. 28. There have been two more Trials whether the people of the neighboring Towns about Boston will take arms. On Lordsda}' before last, a Body of the Troops were in Motion equipt on the Common for embark'' on several Boats to go up to Watertown to retake some Brass & Iron Canon which the People had removed thither from Boston — l^ut Dispatches were sent out & the Alarm convened a Body at \\^atertown — the Governor desisted & the Troops did not march — & the Tories say the}^ had no such Inten- tion. The General is afraid that we shall come down to Dorches- ter neck & thence bombard the Fort or Castle on Castle Isld. half a mile off shore — he sent a body of Troops to seize & fortify the neck — Major Robin.son of Dorchester & a convened body desired them to desist on the peril of a Conflict & public Alarm — the Capt. of the party of Regulars asked Leave or Time to send into Boston & inform the Governor, which he did and the Troops were remanded into Boston. Tliis is not flying Report only ; it is Truth. 29. Yesterday being anniversary for Election of Officers of the Redwood Liljrary Company I was again elected Librarian. In the Evening held a Church Meeting at Sister Peckhams and preached on Mat. V, 8. SEPTEMBER 27-OCTOBER 7, 1774 461 October. 1. By a Philadelphia Print of 29''' ult. bj' a quick Passage, we learn that the Congress have adopted a Non-Import* &c. They have advertised all the Merchants not to send, & if they have, to recall their Orders for Goods &c. . . . 2. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Ps. Ixxix, 9. P.M. on Ps. xxvii, 13, 14. Reading Calvins Commentary upon Daniel. 3. Conversing with Dr. Young' on philosophy. Dined at Mr. Channings with a Number of Gentlemen, Sons of Liberty from Boston and N. York. Mr. Quincy last week sailed from B" for London ; he was one of those who were markt out for Destruction by the Ministry. But he voluntarily & boldly repaired to London. 4. Went to Rehoboth to attend our Association of Congrega- tional Pastors. 5. I preached the Assoc. Lecture 2 Tim" iii, 17. After Lecture went with Br. Ellis and Br. Rowland over to Providence. Mr. Rowland resigned his pastoral Charge at Providence 29"' Aug. past — & now took his Leave of the Association, which gave him a Letter Testimonial & recommendator}- to the Churches. 6. At Providence examining the original most antient Records of that Town. Viewed the Frame of a large Baptist Meetinghouse in Providence^ 80 feet square raised last Month ; this to be the Baptist CathedraLfor America. 7. Returned to Newport. It was a Question in Conversation whether private Communions [Sacrament of the Lords Supper] were scriptural ? and whether there had been any Instances thereof in any of the Congregational Churches in New England ? Mr. Ellis did not doubt its expedienc}' — and said he knew of two Instances indeed — one just before he went to College he saw administered at Sandwich by Rev. Mr. Fessenden' the Pastor of the Congregational Church there ; Mr. Ellis went to College 1734 — the other was administered to a sick person in Little Compton, ju.st before Mr. Ellis's Settlement there, bj' Rev*^ Othniel Campbell Pastor of the Congregational Church at Tiverton — Mr. Ellis thinks that Rev^ Mr. Leonard* of Plymouth also administered it in a third Instance, & thinks he has heard of sundry others. 'See below, Oct. 10, 1774. * The stately house of the First Baptist Church, still standing. ^Benjamin Fessenden (Harvard 1718), minister of Sandwich from 1722 to 1746. ■* Nathaniel Leonard (Harvard 1719), minister of Plymouth from 1724 to 1755. 462 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 8. Reading Rev*^ Isaac Chauncys Essay on Daniel's prophetic numbers g. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on 2 Thess. iii, 5. P.M. Ps. xxvii, 4. and baptized a child . . Reading an Exposition on Zech- ar>- by \V'° Pemble printed 1629, a very learned & truly puritan performance. 10. At IV P.M. I catechised the Children of the Congregation 26 Boys, 46 Girls, 7 Negroes. Tot. 79. A Ship Capt. Rogers arrived here from London to da\-, in her came Samuel Dyre' of Boston a Sailor — whose story is this — that on 10^'' July last he was seized by a party of Soldiers in Boston & carried into the Camp & kept under Guard a day or two & then carried on board Adm. Montagues Ship bound for London & put in Irons to be carried home for a Traitor. He was supposed to be concerned in destroy- ing the Tea or could accuse the principals. The Admiral sailed & in a short passage of onh- 3 Weeks arrived at Portsmouth. Dur- ing the Passage he often threatened Dyre & endeavoured to make him confess guilty and offered him Rewards at Times to accuse Mr. Hankock and other eminent Patriots, otheru'ise he should be hanged for a Rebel. Dyre said he knew nothing of the matter — neither would he be intimidated by the Admiral as he knew he should not try him. At sea they took off his Irons but put them on again as they drew near Land — the}- were 70'^ weight. Arriving at Ports- mouth he was sent speedil}' under a strong Guard to London, & carried before Lord North & examined, who said he was a Rebel & should be hanged — also before the Earl of Dartmouth who said he should be dismissed. Accordingly he was sent back to Portsmouth immediately & there he was discharged as if he had been only one of the people who were all discharged the ship being paid off & laid up. Upon this Dyre went to London & told his Story & made Affidavit of it before the Ld. Mayor — and found friends as Sheriffs Lee and Sajre ; Dr. Lee wrote Letters by him to Mr. Hancock and Mr. Adams &c. Boston, inclosing a Copy of the AflSdavit, adding that they had entered the name of the Capt. that seized him into the Crown Office & in Case proper Evidence could be procured of his Seizure in B ' in the rapacious manner &c Money eno' should be furnished & Friends to pursue a prosecution of the Villians. — It .seems that it is intended to make the affair only pressing on board ' For a later account of his story, see Proceedings of the Mass. Historical Society, \nii, 377-78. OCTOBER 8-13, 1774 463 the Man 'o War as a hand &c. And Dyre says they tried to per- suade him to sign as a hand but he did not. If it should appear to be a real Seizure of an American & carr\-ing him home in Irons for a Trial, it will rouse the Continent — if he was in fact carried to London in Irons and examined by any of th^ Ministr\- as he says, then it is of the most alarming Nature. Dr. Young' one of the Committee at B being here, ventured to open Mr. Adams Letter and copied the Affidavit and sent it to Mr. Adams at the Congress Philad\ 1 1 . This daj- Dyre was examined by the Committee of Corre- spondence of Xewport & 10 or 12 Doll, were given him to bear his Expences — & this Aft. he sat out for Boston, but first directh* to the Provincial Congress at Concord, to communicate the Thing to them take Evidences & return to London, where he intends to eat his Xmas Dinner. About the time he was taken there was an Account in the Boston prints of a Man of his Name missing & supposed to have been drowned. Also about the same time an Officer of the Troops came from Boston to Xewport for X. York, while here he seemingly accidentally mixt in with some of the Mechanics & robust Tradesmen warm for Libert}-. & said in their Hearing that one of the Rebels was lateh- taken at Boston & sent home in Irons — but they did not believe him. tho' now they recol- lect and well remember it. These Circumstances confirm D^-res Account. 12. Copying Gov. Coddington's MS. Letters of 1640.^ 13. At YII*' 21' this Evening We felt a Shock of an Earthquake. The sound like the Discharge of a Canon at first but more contin- uous and the tremulous motion different & longer. I was in m}* Study writing a Letter to Dr. Flagg of Esequibo, and the Duration was while I was writing about one Line. I immediateh^ looked on my Clock, which I had compared with the Merid. the noon of this da^-, & found it not 22' after YII^. I find I write a Line in about ^Thomas Young, a native of New Windsor, X. Y., and in earl}- life a resi- dent of Amenia. He was afterwards of Boston, and connected with the patri- ots who organized the Revolution. He took refuge in Newport after the battle of Lexington. He and Dr. Stiles were interested about 1764 in Colonel Lydius's land schemes, and Dr. Young was the author of an anonymous pamphlet " Some Reflections on the Disputes between New- York, New-Hamp- shire, and Colonel Lydius," printed at New Haven in 1764. - These copies, taken from the imperfect originals in the Newport Town Records, are preserved among Dr. Stiles's papers. 464 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 20 seconds. Perhaps the Duration of the Earthquake was half a minute. It was calm still serene, Moon on the Meridian at ten minutes after the Earthquake as I observed it carefully. Wonder- ful the Displays of the divine Omnipotence ! 14. Gov. Gage had called an Assembly & before the day of ses- sion at Salem he discharged them. They met however at Time and place, about Ninety Members, publi-shed a Declar-\ resolved themselves into a Provincial Congress, & adjourned to Concord. The Towns had generally chosen their Deputies for 2 purposes, expecting their Dissolution as an Assembly, they ordered them to meet at Concord as a Congress, and added some Congress Delegates to the Assembly Delegates — tho' the Congress mainly consists of the Assembly. 15. Went to Synagogue. 16. Eordsda3' A M. I preached on Ps. xxvi, 4-6 P.M. on Mat. xiii, 23. Reading Chauncy's 2300 Even' Moni'. Am not satisfied with his Exposition. 18. Visited by Dr. Whitteridge.' Reading Halleri primae Einese Physiologiaj. 19. In the Boston prints of 17^'' Inst, it is said — "East Week the Rev. Dr. Eangdon of Portsmouth was installed President of Harvard College in Cambridge." The Massachusetts Provincial Congress sat last week at Concord, Hon. Col. Hancock President, Benj ' Lincoln Esq. Secretar}^ : a very spirited Address with cer- tain Resolves were presented by their Committee to the Gov. on 14 Inst. There were above 260 Members present when the Address and Resolu'"* were voted and no Dissentient. The Congress adjourned to Cambridge where they were to meet Monday 17"' Instant. This Evening M" Church Meeting at Sister Carrs — I preached on 2 Cor. iv, 16, 17, 18. 20. The Continental Congress at Philadelphia have written to the Committee of Correspondence at Boston and sent them sundry Resolves — that they approve the Measures taken in Massachusetts — advise them 10 persevere in the same Eine of Conduct & assure that they shall be supported b}^ the whole Continent — that they carefully avoid Insult towards Gov. Gage or the Troops & stand only on tlie defensive with patience till the result of a Petition or Appli- ' In Dr. Stilcs's Itinerary, 17S8, is the following notice : — Dr. W" Whittredge, b. Rochester, Mass., 1748, Feb. 13 — Studied Physic with Dr. Sani'l. Perry. Dartmouth, settled in Tiverton, 1770. OCTOBER 14-24, 1774 465 cation home in their favor be known — that Boston sustain with Firmness & persevering patience ; but advise \i\e Inhabitants not to move out of Town, if possible to endure the siege ; but however if the provincial Congress should judge such Removal expedient, then to have made an Appraisal of all their property in Town, & so remove, »& that whatever Damage shall arise, ought to be & undoubtedly will be paid b}- the whole Continent, & that this should be recommended to all the provinces — that they had written to Gen. Gage, &c. &c. It is said the Letter from the Congress to Gage remonstrated against his erecting fortifications on Boston Neck &c., requesting him to desist & dismantle, or that he must be accountable for the Consequences. Six Regiments more are ordered from home for Boston. 21. At the Commencement in Nassau Hall Sep. 28. the Degree of Doctor in Divinity was conferred upon Rev. President Dagget of Yale College, A^oa/i Wells of Stanford in Connecticutt, Jn° Joachhn Zubly of Savanna in Georgia, [and Rev'' Samuel Wilton of Tooting in Engld.] 22. This Daj' I have been ordained Pastor of the second Congre- gational Church in Newport Nineteen j-ears — how unprofitable a I^aborer in the Vinj^ard. I have been a preacher of the Gospel 25 3^ears having preached mj' first Sermon in the Rev'' Mr. Bird- seys' pulpit at West Haven the memorable excessive hot Lordsday June 1749. Afterwards I studied the L,aw three years, yet preached all the while as I did before. I had declined three calls to settle in the Ministry partly on account of infirm Health. At length I accepted an unanimous Call of my Church & Congregation and Oct" 22, 1755, was solemnly ordained to the pastoral Ofiice over them by praj^er & the Daying on of the Hands of my Father Rev. Isaac Stiles, Rev. Joseph Torrey of S" Kingstown & Rev'' John Burt of Bristol — the Ordin^ Council consisting of four Churches. Mr. Burt gave me the Charge — weighty and awful — may I often recollect the Vows of God ! 23. lyordsday A.M. I preached on Ps. Iviii, 11. P.M. Isai. Iv, r. 24. Six Tories attacked D'' Nathaniel Freeman" of Sandwich & threatened his Life lately, but was rescued. And immediately 'Nathan Birdseye (Yale 1736), pastor in West Haven, Conn., from 1742 to 175S. He died in iSiS, in his 104th year, having reached a greater age than any other Yale graduate. -Born 1741, died 1827. See Freeman's Hist, of Cape Cod, i, 454-65. 30 466 DIARY OF EZRA STILES there assembled a great Body of People at Sandwich & convented the said six Tories before them — fined them ^102. L,. M. Damages & caused it with Costs about ^20. more to be paid — the ^102. to Dr. Freeman for the Abuse received. 25. This day the Kings Surveyors began to take the plan of the Town of Newport. A Ship arrived here 3-esterday from L,ondou — we learn that the Lord Mayor & the Merchants have begun a Sub- scription for the People suffering in Boston — that no more Troops are embarked, & that 'tis probable the six Regiments will not come. American News has been shut out of the English Prints for 2 5'ears, and nothing but Invective & Abuse against the Colonies been allowed ; but now the}' abound with American Resolves &c. — a spirit of Liberty is catching back from America to the Mother Country — they are entering into Covenants with & prescribing Conditions to Parliamt. Men, & the Candidates publicly stipu- late the Conditions — all which run high for Liberty, triennial and even annual Elections of Members. Tho' there is always much of this Spirit going in the Nation — yet is evidently rekindling with new Ardor — Liberty in England has been in a State of Dispair for ID 5'ears past, now it resumes Hope & Courage. Lord INIansfield is gone to Paris — the Ministry are shocked & astonied, but reso- lutely determined to push their measures & glut themselves with the Blood of New England. 26. On 19"' Inst, Rev'' Daniel Grosvenor' was ordained Pastor of the Church of Grafton. Rev. Mr. Putnam .... made first prayer Rev. Mr. Grosvenor of Scituate preached Gen. 45, 24 Rev. Mr, Fish . . . prayed before the Charge Rev. Mr. Hall . . . . . gave the Charge Rev. Mr. Whitney . . prayed after the Charge Rev. Mr. Frost .... gave the Rt. Hand. M" Meeting Mr. Topham's. Text Mat. xi, 28. 27. The Rev'' Mr. Petens' of Hebron in Connecticutt an Episc" high Church Tory, for abusing the Sons of Liberty & the public grand Cause of Liberty by calling it Rebellion &c. &c. was con- vented at Liberty pole in Hebron beginning Sept. last, & obliged to make a humble Confession — a violent Affraj- happened at his ' Yale Coll. 1769. ' Samuel Peters (Yale 1757), in later }'ears noted for his untruthful History of Conntdicut ; the letter which follows cannot be strictly true. OCTOBER 25-28, 1774 467 House at his being took. The infamous Paricide (for he was born ill Hebron) fled to Boston, to embark for England & tell the King his Story, get a Pension and perhaps a Bishoprick for his suffering in the Cause of Government as it is called. He is full of Malice & Venom against his Countr}^ & especially the Presbyterians. He speaks the Hearts of Nine Tenths of the Episcopalians throughout the Territory North of Maryland to Nova Scotia, who are Enemies to Iviberty while the Presbyterians to the North and the Episco- palians to the Southward are cordially united in the glorious Cause. Copy of a Letter from the Rev. Samuel Peters to the Rev'' Dr. Auchmuty of New York. Boston Oct« i, 1774. Rev'i Sir The Riots and Mobs that have attended me & m}^ house set on by the Gover- nor of Connecticutt have compeUed me to take np my Abode here ; and the Clergy of Connecticutt, must fall a sacrifice with the several Churches, very soon, to the rage of the puritan Mobility, if the old Serpent that dragon, is not bound. — Yesterday I waited on his Excellency the Admiral &c.. Dr. Caner, Mr. Trothbeck, Dr. Boyles &c. I am soon to sail for England. I shall stand in need of your Letters, and the Letters of the Clergy of New York. Direct to Mr. Rice Williams, Woolen Draper, in London, where I shall put up at ; Judge Auchmuty, will do all that is reasonable for their neighbouring Charter, neces- sity calls for such Friendship, as the Head is sick and heart faint, and spiritual Iniquity rides in high places, halberts, pistols and swords, see the proclamation sent you by my Nephew ; on their pious Sabbath day, the 4"' of last monlh, when the preachers & Magistrates left the pulpits &c. for the gun and drum, and set off for Boston, cursing the King and Lord North, General Gage, the bishops and their cursed curates, and the church of England ; and for mj^ tell- ing the Church people not to take up arms, &c., it being high treason, &c. the Sons of liberty have almost killed one of my church, tarred and feathered two, abused others, and on the 6"^ day destroyed my Windows, and rent my cloaths, even my Gown, &c. crying out down with the Church, the rag of Popery, &c. Their rebellion is obvious, and treason is common, and robberj^ is their daily devotion. The Bounds of New York may directly extend to Connecticutt river, Boston meet them, and New Hampshire take the Province of Main, Rhode Island be swallowed up as Dathan. Pray loose no time, nor fear worse times than attend. Rev. Sir, Your very humble Servant To Dr. Auchmuty, New York. SamuEI. PETERS. N. B. I wrote the Clerg}' of Connecticutt, the letters may be intercepted, pray aquaint Mr. Dibble &c. 28. Mr. James Winthrop' Librarian at Harvard College & son of ' For a sketch of his life, see Collections of the Mass. Historical Society, 2d Series, x, 77-80. 468 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Professor Wintlirop visited me. Upon Election of Dr. I^angdon, the Overseers adjourned & at a adjourned Meeting voted to leave the Instalment to the Fellows, who installed Dr. Langdon without the presence of Gov. Lt. Gov. and Council — and thus avoided determining the Question whether the new Councellors were Over- seers. The College Funds — Fifteen Tlwiisand pounds L. M. on Bonds at Intei'est which is i^goo. per ann. — this is inclusive of Hollisian Funds which are so depreciated as not to be ^500. L- M. — Chariest" Ferrj' ^100 per ann. — Annual Grant of Assembly ^450. L. M. — Lands in many Townships but of little Revenue, perhaps all other Revenues ^100 per ann. from abroad — Tuition money 40 'L. M. per scholar to the Professors, besides &c. lut. Fimds .... /900 Grant .... 450 Ferr}' . . . . 100 Other &c 100 ^1550 Lawful Money or ^1200 sterlg. nearly. Presidents Salary Out of Grant ^200 L. M. ;^I50 ster. ) ,^^ ^^^^ Fr. College & Perquisites ;^i8o ster. J Three Professors perhaps about ^150 each ; one /^200 4 Tutors ^"ico L. M. each Librarian ^50 May be saved for Increase of Funds ^500 per annum. President — about ........ ^440 3 Professors do 500 Librarian . . . 50 ^990 29. Reading Butlers Analogy. 30. Lordsday. A AI. I preached on Ps. xc, 12. P. M. Ps. 78, 57, published two Couples, and baptized a Child of Mr. Bebee. He is one of my Congregation but disbelieves Psedobaptism — His Wife is a Communicant in my Church, & he consented that she might have it baptized — the Nurse bro't it out and Brother Dennis held it up for Baptism. This is the second Child of ]\Ir. Bebees which I have baptized in the same manner. November. 1. Crossed the ferries & Rode to Dr. Torreys and lodged. 2. Rode to East Greenwich, where I preached an Evening Lec- ture in the Courthouse on Rom. v, 2 ; after Sermon I addressed a Profession of the Faith and Covenant to Mr. Ichabod Smith to which he publickly assented, and then I prayed and baptized four OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 2, 1774 469 of his Children piiblickly ; and after dismissing the Congregation (which might be 150 persons or more) I notified them that I should repair to Mr. Smiths House and there baptize his other two Chil- dren which could not be bro't out. Thereupon as many as could enter the House went, and I there prayed & baptized the two 3^oungest, after which I prayed again, gave Counsel to the Chil- dren which were bro't and set before me, then sang 78'" Psalm part Dr. Watts' s Version & dismissed with a Blessing. The whole Pvxer- cise continued from VI'' to VIII >^'' or nearly three Hours and dur- ing the whole greatest apparent Decency, Seriousness & Solemnity — for they had never seen an Household baptized in East Green- wich before. The Names of the Children of Ichabod and Hannah Smith which I baptized were Benedict Smith Hannah Smith Samuel Smith John Smith Mary Smith | publickly but Sarah Smith J at the House. All may be considered as baptized publickly, tho' the two last were baptized at their fathers House. Mr. Smith was born at Boston, & baptized at Stoughton by Mr. Dunbar.' May this Family be blessed in him in whom all the Families of the Earth are blessed. A man born 17 14, now aet. 60, tells me he remembers when there were but two houses in the compact part of East Green- wich, and that he lately counted 67 Dwelling houses in the same Limits and that he had last year counted one hundred and ninet}^ odd Children under aet. 16, in those Limits, & he judged there were near 120 families in the sixty seven Dwellinghouses ; & that there are but two or three houses in the Warwick part or continua- tion of the compact of E. Greenwich. So that this Collection of Buildings now consists of about seventy Dwellinghouses & I judge less than 100 families, because they would be 400 or 500 souls — now the Children are one half, the Adults another — and as Mr. Pierce told me the Children of both sexes aet. 16 & under were 195 or under 200, so the Total of Souls must be about 400 or say 500 equal to 100 Families. Of which there are about a dozen or more ^ Rev. Samuel Dunbar, pastor in what is now Canton, Mass., from 1727 to 1783. 470 DIARY OF EZRA STILES whole Families Presb. or Congregatiouals & six or eight half Families. In a Petition for preaching to our Association 1772 there were 25 Names but they were not all Presbyterians. I should estimate this part of E. Greenwich nearly thus Baptists 40 Families Quakers 35 Congregationals 15 Nothings . • . . . . 10 or 20 100 or no Of the 67 houses I judge twenty of them have been built within these two years. I lodged at Judge Greenes. 3-4. I visited aged Mr. Cone and his Wife both bedrid in the same bed set. 70 and supra — he was a speaker at the Head of Friends Meeting in E, Greenwich, and at the Desire of himself & Wife I prayed with them. I myself proposed it first, but they acquiesced ; & upon my saying if it was disagreeable I would omit it, they both expressed their Freedom & Desire for it and thanked me — & he said maj^ there be Peace on Earth & good Will &c. We rode to N" Kingston, & at i>^'^ P.M. found Elder Pendleton hold- ing a Meeting at a private house, about 20 Horses round, and per- haps 50 People in the house. We stopt & heard him an hour, & . after prayer — proceeded to the ferry & dined at IV' then crossed the Ferry & lodge upon Conanicott at Mr. Nicolls. 4. Arrived at home. Preached my sacramental I^ecture at IV* P.M. 5 This afternoon three popes &c. paraded thro' the streets, & in the Evening they were consumed in a Bonfire as usual — among other were Ed. North, Gov. Hutchinson & Gen. Gage. 6. Lordsday A M. I preached on i Pet. xi, 24, 25, and adminis- tered the Lords Supper to 61 Communicants — and published two Couples. P.AL I preached on Gal. ii, 20. Mr. Peter Read, a com- municant in Rev. Jn'' Trotters Dissenting Church in London, Swallow street, Mr. Hubbart of Dr. Coopers Church in Boston & Mr. Parks of the Church in Chariest" communicated with us. Read Mr. Scougals Sermon before the Synod of Aberdeen. [Mr. Read sailed for London June 12 1775. A pious man.] 7. La.st livening visited me Robert Treat Pain Esq. one of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, who on Sat- urday Evening arrived here by Water from Philad' & was at Meet- NOVEMBER 3-7, 1774 471 ing with us 3'esterday all day. And this day arrived in Newport Gov. Ward from the Congress ; he spent the Evening at Hon. Ab"" Redwood's. Mr. Pain presented me with the printed Transactions of the Congress — viz, a Bill of Rights — Grievances — Association for a commercial War — Address to our Brethren in England — address to the English Colonies — and Address to Canada ; the Petition to the King is not printed. The latter part of the Time perhaps rather the beginning of Oct" one of the Delegates was elected Mayor of the City of Philadelphia which called him off, & the assembly then sitting put in Dr. Dickinson into the Congress. President Randolph an excellent & firm Patriot, was taken with the Gout and returned, the Session of Mrgiuia Assembly also call- ing him. In his absence the Congress elected Mr. Middleton of S° Carol, as President. Hence in some of the Proceedings the one & in somfe the other appears and signs as President. — The Address to England is masterly. The Congress broke up Oct 27 ; but recommended that another Congress should be held at Phil ad' 10"' May next to be chosen anew by the Colonies. They have justified the Opposition of Massachusetts Bay, denied totally the Jurisdiction of Parliam^ as to Taxation of America &c. &c, strongly remon- strated against the Establishment of the romish Religion &c &c &c. The Address to the people of England draughted by three men, W" Eivingston Esq. Mr. Jay &c, chiefly by the first. One soul animated the Congress — almost universal Unanimit}-. The last of their Transactions bears date 26 Oct. and they broke up Thursday Oct. 27, 1774. There were about 52 Members. It first sat 5^*^ Sept. but without a Chaplain. On Sep. 7, they called in Rev*^ Mr. Duchee Episc" Clergyman, to officiate. — He read the Prayers of the Da}^ & closed with an Extemporary prayer : — but thej- had no praj^ers afterward. It was remarkable that on that 7"' day of Sep. they first met after they received the News of the Taking Arms in N. England, & the whole City of Philadelphia was thrown into great Distress Consternation & Anxiety — and that the Service of the Eiturgy for the day as read by Mr. Duchee happened to be the thirt)^ fifth Psalm most expressive of our Calamities & Destresses as conceived at Philad-^ & at that Time just 45 Members present. The Congress recommend to prepare for the most unhappy Consequences — but do not believe that Gt. Britain can stand a commercial War ; the total of whose exterior Trade to all the World besides dont exceed Tivo Millions sterlg. whereas to English 472 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES America oiih- it amounts anutially to much above Three Millions sterlg. This day I was visited by a German Baron, a Lutheran Minis- ter, the Rev'' Charles de WarnsdorfF Baron of Warnsdorff, born not far from Budissen or Dresden in Saxon}-. He was educated at Halle University wdiich he left 1739, & was ordained by the Con- sistorium. The last War he came to America & was Chaplain to a German Regiment here 1 75S. Afterwards he spent his Time in ministering to 3 or 4 dispersed Congregations of Settlers (Germans) in the Wilderness about Pittsburg, till now driven off b}^ Indians, he travels asking the Liberality & Munificence of the public. He brings good Credentials, & particularly from the Episcopal Clerg^^ in Virginia &c. A Man of indifferent Talents. He thinks there are above an hundred German Lutheran Congregations in English America — there is he says one Lutheran Ccetus about Philad'' of a dozen or more ]\Iini.sters — they ordain Ministers in this Ccetus, without going over to Europe. The Episcopalians take pains to flatter the Lutherans to a Junction with them in forming an Increase of their Interest. Mr. Pain told me that Mr. Manning Pres't of Prov. College, Elder Backus of Middleboro' &c &c Baptists, asked a Conference at Philad'' with the Mass^ Delegates of the Congress. At the Instance of Gov. Ward (a Baptist) and some others Messrs. Gush- ing, Adams & Pain gratified them & met at the Congress Hall' — supposing it would be only spending an Evening with 2 or 3 Bap- tist Gentlemen conversing &c. But upon coming to the Hall they w^ere surprized to find a Collection of Baptists and Quakers about fourty persons, and soon found they were to be catechised & ques- tioned on the IMassachusetts persecution of the Baptists. Mr. Manning opened the Affair b}^ narrating the Ashfield Affair," the ' Cf. John Adams's account of this interview in his Life and JVorks, ii, 398-400. '' Dr. Stiles's account of the Ashfield case, as given in a letter of Nov. 20, 1772, to Dr. Philip Furueaux, a draught of which remains among his papers, is as follows : There is another Instance of comphiint at Ashfield, a parish in Deerfield near Connecticut River . . . It is a usage that the Proprietors, not the Settlers, have the conduct of bringing forward the first settlements, till the end of set- tlement is answered, & then the conduct of pi;blic affairs rests in the Inhab- itants. Building Meetinghouses, settling Ministers, clearing highways, build- ing mills &c. are of such cunnnon concern & so immediately give a conunon NOVEMBER 7, 1774 473 Rigor of the Laws, and the Attempts for Redress in vain — & it plainly appeared they meant to apply to the Congress for Redress. Mr. Pemberton the Quaker bellowed loud on N. England persecu- tion and Hanging the Quakers &c. The Boston Gentlemen were value to new Lands, that the Proprietors usually as such tax the Lands in com- mon for these uses. Every one has so great an Interest in these things that it is an universal Usage established by Law. The original Proprietors of Ash- field were generally if not universally Congregationalists, & as such were bringing forward settlement in the usual way & with the usual Taxes to this end, perhaps each owning 3 or 400 acres apiece. A number of Baptist families undertaking a settlement so near together as to have a Minister of their own persuasion, applied to the original Proprietors & bo't some 50, some perhaps 100, acres each & settled under them, & built there a Meetinghouse. The Congregationalists at the same time going forward in the common wav pro- ceeded to building a Meetinghouse, & for this end laid a tax on the Lands in general. The Baptists being a considerable number, ^^erliaps 20 out of 70 or So families, refused to pay. The Tax was levied and their Lands sold. Had they exempted the Baptists, the legality of the rest of the Taxes had been dis- putable. The Tax was not large, & the building of a Presb)-terian Meeting would add to the baptists Lands tenfold the value of the baptist Taxes. And besides this was but a temporary Thing. For in future the building of Meet- inghouses & ministerial Taxes was by law to rest on the Congregational Inhab- itants only. And tho' the Legislature & public with us have since been dis- posed to render the Law more favorable if possible, yet in the given case they have not been able to devise a more equitable & prudent Law. Many Chhmen., Baptists & Quakers in similar cases have freely paid this kind of primary Taxes, not from a regard to the Presb. Interest, but solely with a view of aug- ments the Value of their Lands & raising Landed Estates. The manner of the Officers' conduct at the sale of the baptist Lands, or perhaps rather the buyers' Conduct, was I believe insulting, unchristian & justly offensive — & as such with abhorrence & detestation disapproved by Congregationalists in general who have had proper Information of the matter. At least such Insult as the Baptists alledge & assert, if real, every one condemns. But this is not to be charged to the Law or to an intolerant spirit in general. It may be said such Laws are not in some of the other Provinces ; it is granted. But there is a great difference between New Englanders & the rest of the Colonists. While the one have little regard to religion in their settlements, the other cannot be persuaded or induced to remove to new settlements without they have a sure prospect of the Gospel Ministry. And it is a known fact in N. Engl'd. that this Motive carried into effectual Execution gives such value to Lands as to induce multitudes to be concerned with them in any expences to this end, whether called ecclesiastical or civil taxes. Under this actual profit, it is ungenerous to complain of oppression from a Law which all the Wisdom and Self Interests of the Baptists themselves could not mend, or alter, without undermining the source of their own profit. For it is to be remarked after all, that not one Baptist in Ashfield can be obliged to pay a future Tax to a future Meetshouse, or to the support of a Presb. Minister. 474 DIARY OF EZRA STILES not disposed to irritate, & submitted to explain the Reasons of the Mass. Laws — & shewed two things, i. That in the old Towns Baptists were in their own Confession excused for all Rates minis- terial upon a Certificate of their being in Judgt. of that Denomina- tion. 2. In the few new Towns (as Ashfield) the Law had respect only to forwarding the settlement of the Town in which all Bap- tists as well as others were equally & really profited, & afterwards all Baptists were freed upon the general Law of Toleration : and that when the matter was last year debated, the Assembly were unanimously disposed to give the Baptists all the friendly help pos- sible without dissolving their own Congregational Establishment — & could find no other method, but that which was by Law estab- lished, that every Baptist whether baptized or not upon producing a Certificate from an Elder or two or 3 Brethren that they verily believed he was in Judgment a 'Baptist should be freed from all Taxes for the Congregational Ministry & Meetinghouses. The Baptists had only this Objection viz. that in Case of legal Trial the)' must give four pence to the Town Clerk for a copy of this Certificate after it was recorded — and this 4** was Persecution — tho' probably not one Instance of it in half a Century. The very Quakers & some of the Baptists however seemed to give up this, & say such a Trifle was not Persecution. But they dwelt on the Ashfield and new Towns Affair — & the Gentlemen desired them to shew how the matter could be remedied &c — They broke up. Next day the Baptists sent in a Writing that they were not satis- fied, but must seek further. When the Fast was held in this Colony, Mr. Rowland asked Mr. Manning about it — Mr. Manning shewed some Indifference «& said he did not hiow zuhy zae should fast Jor Boston. I have per- ceived a Coolness in others. In truth the Baptists intend to avail themselves of this opportunity to complain to England of Persecu- tion — because they hate Congregationalists who they know are hated by the King Ministry & Parliament. They will leave the general Defence of American Libert}' to the Congregationalists to the North- ward and Episcopalians to the Southward ; — & make Merit them- selves with the Ministr}^, who are glad to play them off against us, & for this End promise them Relief. Their Partiality & Malice are great. Both manifested in advancing these Matters to the Congress (or so that it may be popularly represented so) at this criti- cal Time ; and this against Massachusetts only, without complain- NOVEMBER 8, 1774 475 ing against Virginia, Maryland &c where they the Baptists not only pay ministerial Taxes for Building Churches but are impris- oned for preaching in unlicensed Houses. That is they forbear to complain where they suffer real Persecution, & complain where they suffer so trifling a share of anything that looks like it that it is a shame for fellow Protestants to &c. However we shall not forget this Work of our Brother Ksau. 8. This forenoon Gov. Ward just returned from the Congress visited me, & gave me also a large and full account of the Trans- actions of the Congress. He shewed me the lyCtter to the King, which is not to be published till presented to his Majesty. He shewed me also a Plan for an American Council of State bro't into the Congress by Mr. Galloway which however was almost universally rejected. Mr. Ward told me that the plan was doubt- less conceived at home in England, as he was shewn a Letter from home purporting the same or a similar plan for settling all Dis- putes & establishing a polity for America. Mr. Randolph the president was taken with the Gout, & besides being Speaker was called home to attend the Assembly at Vir- ginia, at the latter part of the Session of the Congress. But he left a power of Attorney irapowering Col. Washington to sign in his Name. In his Absence it became necessary to chuse Mr. Middleton President, who signing first to the Petition to the King, the propriety of Col. Washington's signing Mr. Randolph's name second was doubted, as in several Instruments he had signed as president — & so it was omitted. One or two of the York Delegates also went home, tho' none was refused, except one who came with- out Certificates, which he went home & got & then returned & sat. And yet the N. York Delegates were not properly appointed. The general Plan respecting the suspension of Commerce adopted by the Congress, is to import nothing from Great Britain & Ireland after the first of Dec. next — but to export thither & to all Coun- tries till 10"' of Sept. 1775 — &c. &c. Some of the Western Delegates were for allowing Parliament the general Regulation of Trade — but all agreed not to submit to Parly. Taxation at all, and to no Acts of Pari* except those adopted by & made Acts of the Assemblies. In general there was great Unanimity Major General Lyman died at Mississippi lately. He was born at Durham in Connecticutt. When a man grown set out for Learning, & in 1734 lived at my Fathers to fit for College. .476 DIARY OF EZRA STILES He was educated in Yale College where he graduated 1738, was elected Tutor & resigned his Tutorship 1742 the year I entered it. He settled at Suffield & pursued the Law [& became one of the Council in Connecticutt] till 1755 when he went into the Army. Was a provincial Major General thro' the War ; was at the Taking of Havanna. Soon after the Peace he went home [1764] to Lon- don to get a new Colony on Ohio — there he danced Attendance to the Ministrj^ about nine j^ears — returned disappointed & in debt — this 3'ear went to settle a small grant of Lauds he had on Missis- sippi, where he has finished a Life — in the middle of it honor- able — but for the last ten years very inglorious. 9. Further Discourse with Gov. Ward on the Congress. 10. There is something ver}' wonderful in the Humiliation to which the Russians have bro't the Turkish Empire. Who would have tho't 7 years ago, of that northern Power's adventuring to send a Russian Fleet from the Baltic round into the Mediterranean as high as the Dardanelles, and to meditate an Attack on Constan- tinople b}' sea and Land 1 1 . We have news that the Canadians refuse to take up arms against the English Colonies. 12. Mr. Vinal is come to Town again. 13. Lordsday A M. I preached on i Pet. i, 13, and published the Banns for three Couple. P.M. Zech. iii, 7. Spent the wdiole of last Evening in reading that lofty and soaring Eagle Dionj^sius Areopagita, his de divinis Nominibus. Sublime and excellent ! 14 This Evening Rev. Mr. Rowland came here with his Family having sailed from Providence yesterday Morning, when he took his Farewell after having been in the Ministry there about Eleven years. He is removing his Family to E. Hartford. 16. Reading all day — Mathers Mystery of Israels Salvation. . . , Justini Hist. &c. Read thro' the prophecy of Zechariah & com- pared it with the Targum. This day Mr. Rowland sailed with his Family. In the Evening the Chh. Monthl)^ Meeting, I preached on Cant. ii. 3. 17. Did not attend Mr. Hopkins Lecture. Saw the new Military comp-' exercising &c. The Rising of the People from the 2'"' to the S''' or 9"' of Sept. last was so important that I have intended to collect and write an Account of it ; but incessant Avocations allow me only to notice some principal Things. I have diligently attended to the whole, NOVEMBER 9-17, 1774 477" digested the contradictory accounts, & verified all by conversation with Jtye Witnesses. On Thursday Morning- at IVJ-'' the first day of Sept. last a party of the Kings Tories, by Order of Gen. Gage passed silently by Water in 13 Boats around by Mystic River to Quarry Hill at the upper end of Charlestown, where there was a public Arsenal at the N. W. Corner of Charlestown & nearly in the Concurrence of sev- eral Towns Corners as Cambridge, Medford &c : this Arsenal stands about a Mile from the Water. Hither the vSoldiery arrived early, between one o'clock and Day, and waited for Break of day as it was dangerous to enter a powder House with a Lanthern. Sheriff Phipps delivered them the Province Powder & Mr. Mason the Canon, Mr. Phipps having received the Keys of Gen. Brattle the Evening preceding : — it is said some other Powder of Towns and private persons was also taken. The Party received the 2 Guns & 250 Barrels of Powder on board their Boats, being the whole stock of Powder there, & departed early between Break o' day and Sunrise. This was on thursday Morning. The Thing was done most secretly, the Soldiers were opposed by none, because nobody knew it till they were gone off. Whether at going off they were perceived, or by inquiry afterwards, it became however that day known both at Cambridge & at Boston that Gen. Gage had' seized & carried off the Powder from the Arsenal. This was very alarming as a few days before Medfield and it was .said some- other Towns upon ordering their Town stock of Powder to be examined in their respective Town Powderhouses, had found their Town stock of Powder taken away by the Governors Order — which indicated, as all judged, an Intention to disarm the people. The same day, viz. Thursday afternoon, a Report began to be spread in the neighboring Towns, that the Gov. had .sent a party of Soldiers to Cambridge, who had seized & carried off the Pow- der ; that the people opposed them, a Skirmish ensued, & that the Soldiery had fired upon them & killed six Men. Who origi- nated this false Story is a secret ; but this much is certain that it had propagated itself above fourty Miles to as far as Shrewsbury by Midnight on thursday night as I was informed by Mr. McNeil of Litchfield who came from Springfield & lodged at Shrewsbury that night. This Story passed with some mutilations, but under all carrying an account that in Taking the Powder the Soldiery fired, upon the people & killed six of them. 478 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES The Spirit of obliging Councillors to resign had gone forth — sundry had resigned — & it was strongl}^ meditated by the people in the Towns adjacent to Cambridge to try the same Deforcement upon the Lt. Gov. & other Councillors at Cambridge. . . . " On fryda}' INIorning some Thousands of them had advanced to Cambridge, armed only with sticks." . . . On perceiving the concourse the Committee of Cambridge sent express to Chariest", who communicated the Intelligence to Boston, and their respective Committees proceeded to Cambridge without Delay. When the first of the Boston Committee came up, they found some thousds of people assembled before the Courthouse, and Judge Danforth stand^ on the steps "declaring his Resigna- tion as a new Councillor. Judge L,ee was also on the steps & declared his Resign^ also as a new Councillor. Col. Phipps also resigned as Sheriff. "About Eight o'clock his Honor the Lieut. Gov. Oliver set oflf from Cambridge for Boston, and informed Governor Gage of the true State of matters . . On Mr. Olivers Return, he . . assured them that in Case the mind of the whole Province, collected in Congress or otherwise, appeared for his resignation, he would by no means act in opposition to it. This seemed satisfactory to the Committee, when Commissioner Hallowell came thro' the Town on his way to Boston. The sight of that obnoxious person so inflamed the people, that in a few minutes above one hundred & sixty Horsemen were drawn up & proceeded in pursuit of him in full Gallop. Capt. Gardner of Cambridge . . delivered his mind very fuU)^ in dissuasion of the pursuit, «& was seconded by Mr. Davins of Chariest" & Dr. Young of Boston . . : and in a little time the Gentlemen di.smounted their horses & returned to the body. But Mr. Hallowell did not intirely escape, as one Gentleman of a small stature pushed on . . into Roxbury & stopt him in his Chaise. Mr. Hallowell snapd his pistol at him, "but could not disengage himself, till he quitted the Chaise, «& mounted his Servants Horse, on which he drove into Boston with all the speed he could make, till the horse failing within the Gate, he ran on foot to the Camp, thro which he spread Consternation, telling them he was p2irsued by some tho7i^\ which would soon be in Tozvn & destroy all the friends of Goif before them. A Gentleman in Boston observ^' the Motion in the Camp, & conclude' they were on the point of march^' to Cam- bridge from both Ends of the Town the Alarm was communicated NOVEMBER 17, 1774 479 to Dr. Roberts, then at Chariest" ferry, who having a fleet horse, brd t the news in a few viinntes to the Committee then at Dinjier : the Intelligence was instantly diffused, and the people, whose arms were nearest, sent persons to bring them, while horsemen were dispatched both ways to gain more certain Advice of the true State of the Soldiery. . . The Dispatch soon return^ & assuring the body that the soldiers still remained, and were likely to remain, in their Camp, they resumed their Business with Spirit " This is the account of the Transaction as it was at Boston & Cambridge. The Report that went thro' the Country was differ- ent. Col. Putnam in a publication Oct. 3, ascribes the Alarm to Mr. Hallo wells Affair which he judged first occasioned it — but he is mistaken — for it was propagated 50 Miles or more with Effect before this Affair happened. The Week following I rode a Journey into Connecticutt, and on the 8*^'' Sep. rode from L,ittlerest to Nor- wich in Company with Mr. McNeil of Litchfield who gave me very particular & extensive Information of what he was an Eye Witness. He had a singular Opportunity. — He was at Springfield on 30*'' Aug^ when he saw three thousand people assembled about the Courthouse and obliged the Judges & all Officers of the Court to promise not to sit & renounce holding any Office under the new Establishment & saw them humble sundry Tories there. The next day he sat out for Boston, from thence to Plymouth & I think to Falmouth on the Cape, thence returned thro' Newport in his Way to Hartford & so home to Eitchfield. He has been a Mer- chant or Trader, is a young Man aet. 30 or under, an European, married a rich Farmers Daughter in Litchfield, somewhat observ- ant, of a still Turn, rather a son of Liberty, & yet has a regard for European Regulations. Mr. McNeil told me he proceeding from Springfield journeyed towards Boston and on Thursday the first Day of Sept. reached Shrewsbury in the Evening and lodged there. I asked him where he met the public Tumult ? he said at Shrewsbury a few miles nearer Boston than Worcester. He went to bed without hearing any Thing. But about midnight or perhaps one o'Clock he was sud- denly waked up, somebody violently rapping up the Landlord, telling the doleful Story that the Powder was taken, six men killed, & all the people between there & Boston arming & march- ing down to the Relief of their Brethren at Boston ; and within a qr. or half an hour he judges fifty men were collected at the 480 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Tavern tho' now deep in Night, equipping themselves & sending oflf Posts every Way to the neighboring Towns. They called up McNeil to tell the Story of the Springfield Aifair which was News — he said he had to repeat and tell the story over «& over again to New Comers till day : so he had no more Rest that night. The Men set off as fast as they were equipt. In the Morning, being fryday Sept. 2, Mr. McNeil rode forward & passed thro' the whole at the very Time of the Convulsion. He said he never saw such a Scene before — all along were armed Men rushing forward some on foot some on horseback, at every house Women & Children making Cartridges, running Bullets, making Wallets, baking Biscuit, cry- ing & bemoaning & at the same time animating their Husbands & Sons to fight for their lyiberties, tho' not knowing whether they should ever see them again. I asked whether the Men were Cow- ards or disheartened or appeared to want Courage ? No. Whether the tender Destresses of weeping Wives & Children softened effeminated & overcome the Men and set them Weeping to ? No — nothing of this — but a firm intrepid Ardor, hardy eager &couragious Spirit of Hnterprize, a Spirit for revenging the Blood of their Brethren & rescue our Liberties, all this & an Activitj^ corresponding with such Emotions appeared all along the whole Tract of above fourty Miles from Shrewsburj^ to Boston. The Women kept on making Cartridges, & after equipping their Husbands, bro't them out to the Soldiers which in Crowds passed along & gave them out in handfuls to one and another as they were deficient, mixing Exhortation & Tears & Prayers & spiriting the Men in such an uneffeminate Manner as even would make Cowards fight. He tho't if anything the Women surpassed the Men for Eagerness & Spirit in the Defence of Libertj'^ by Arms. For they had no Tho'ts of the Men returning but from Battle, for they all believed the Action commenced between the Kings Troops & the Provincials. The Women under this Assurance gave up their Husbands Sons &c to Battle & bid them fight courageously & manfully & behave them- selves bravely for Liberty — commanding them to behave like Men & not like Cowards — to be of good Courage & plaj^ the men for our people & for the Cities of our God — & the Lord do as seemeth him good. They expected a bloody Scene, but they doubted not Success & Victory. Mr. McNeil never saw any Thing like it in his Life: — he said, they .scarcely left half a dozen Men in a Town, unless old and NOVEMBER 17, 1774 481 decrepid, and in one town the Landlord told liini that himself was the only Man left. Thus he rode through the midst of the people all day. I was surprized they did not find their Mistake sooner. He said that all the way those that came forward to hasten them kept up the story of six killed — and it was positively affirmed to him within two Miles of Cambridge by one he met, that six Men were killed — so that he did not meet with the contradictory Report till within two miles of Cambridge. Upon coming to Cambridge he made a Stop & mixt in with the Multitude, who were formed & standing before Lt. Gov. Oliver's Hou.se. He judged those drawn up regularly in Lines were about Two Thousand & not three — & that the Bystanders were I think a thousand more — in general he tho't them less than had been represented. He said there was no Tumult, but an awful Stillness, vSilence thro' the Lines, and among the surrounding Body of People. All was negotiated by the Com- mittee but in the presence of the Body, the Committee communi- cating by the Officers Information thro' the Lines, so that all knew what was transacting. It was the after part of the Day. Gov. Oliver had a number of Gentlemen with him in his House & seemed very reluctant at the Transaction. After some length of Waiting, he endeavored to have the people satisfied with what he had said in the Forenoon. But a weighty Spirit began to shew itself by some Gentlemen & Officers nearest, pressing thro' the Gate into the Governors Yard with (tho' not as yet Violence yet with) Marks of Earnestness & Importunity which the Gov. and his Friends saw was at length become irresistable. Thereupon the Gov. Oliver came forth abroad accompanied with a few Friends, and made and signed his Submission ; which was immediately handed along the Lines & read publickly at proper Distances till the whole Bodj^ of the people were made to hear it. Upon which Satisfaction was diffused thro' the whole Body, which thereupon dissolved ; the solemn Silence broken & succeeded by a chearful Murmur or general universal Voice of Joy. This was finished about sun an hour high or less. Mr. McNeil went to Boston that Evening & put up with an Acquaintance who was a Baker to the regular Troops, & heard their Talk everyday. McNeil himself went into the Camp& observed all Hurry, Activity, lively prepara- tion, & he said Anxiety. He was interrogated in Camp concern- ing the Affairs he had seen. He saw the Guns all saddled & ready to be seized at a moment. The Baker told him that the General 31 4S2 DIARY OK EZRA vSTlLES had sent out all day several trust}- Soldiers in Sailors Habits to loiter on the rode from Roxburj^' to Cambridge & return & bring accounts unnoticed — that thej^ were greatl}^ apprehensive that the Provincials would rush into Boston at night — and at sunset or a little after the Welch fusiliers 260 or 300 Men marched without Music, slowly, stilly, to set the Watch on the Neck ; and then returned into Camp — that these were the best of the Troops, & the only ones that had seen service, & could be depended on. The Baker told him that just before this, the General held a Council of War & proposed to send a Detachment to break up the County Congress at Roxbur^^ ; and that the service was so disagreeable that several Officers declared they did not think this for his Majesty's Service & in Case it was pressed they should give up their Commissions ; the Baker was confident the Troops did not want to fight us in this Cause. This was servant. Intelligence, but it was genuine. Gen. Gage dare not venture his Troops, the most of which are uewh' raised & never in Action, besides that 210 had already deserted, & there was reason to believe that in a real Action 3 qu'' would turn upon our side — altho' a number of Sol- diers & most of the new Officers are highly incensed & full of Wrath against us. Mr. McNeil told me that the most of the peo- ple left their Arms at Watertowu, only another Bod}- of 250 had already bro't Arms into Town, & they were stationed in a yard at a miles distance or here left their Arms under Guard. These I supposed seized their Arms at the Alarm at Dinner Time ; but laid them aside at the Treaty with Gov. Oliver. McNeil abused the Lrordsday and journied from Boston to Plymouth &c. He lodged in Newport 7'" Sep. and we rode together next Day. Let us follow the spreading of the Wave of the Report which began on thursday perhaps before Sunset, probably by some of the people convened about the Attorney Generals house at Cambridge. It seems to have gone off in three grand Directions due West for Springfield, N. W. for the parts that way, and S. W. for Connec- ticutt. For about fifty miles each way round there was an almost universal Ferment, Rising, seizing Arms & actual March into Cam- bridge. In other parts, wherever they took arms, the proportion was from one third to two thirds of the fencible Men. In the N. W. Direction it rai.sed even into New Hampshire and across over to Otter Creek — where the Head of the Bennington Body of 2000 armed Men received the News (& gave out they should be ready NOVEMBER 17, 1774 483 to march) before the Contradiction overtook them. In the West- ern Direction it reached Connecticutt River in Massachusetts & thro' the County of Berkshire the West End of that province, & actually bro't into Springfield and N" Hampton two River Towns 2000 Men from Berkshire and York Govt. &c. in two Divisions of 1200 & 800, who there met the Contradiction & so returned. Even at Albany the Dutch set off a number of Wagons of Provisions for their vSupply. And Mr. Johnson with the Mohawk Indians (40 or 50) actually sat off from the Indian Country be5'ond Hudsons River in full march for Relief of Boston. This was the' Effect of the Report in the Western Direction. From Oxford a little below Worcester, the Report took its Direc- tion into Connecticutt. Squire Woolcott " of Oxford hearing the news by an Express said to have set out from Boston the preceding Evening posted his son off towards Boston to learn the Certaintj^ of the report ; & when he came to Grafton about 35 Miles from Boston, he heard a further Confirmation of it & returned immedi- ately back to Oxford, when his Father sent him to Dudley to Carters Tavern, where one Mr. Clark of that Town a Trader happened to be, & he (passing out of Massachusetts into Connec- ticut) came to his fathers Capt. Clark of Woodstock, who came to sd. Keyes." Capt. Keys bro't the News to Col. Putnam of Pomfret in Connecticutt on the 3'' of Sept. Eleven o'Clock before noon being Saturday. Col. Putnam says "I wrote the following Letter to Capt. Aaron Cleaveland of Canterbury" "Mr. Kej's this moment bro't us the News that the Men of War and Troops, began to fire upon the people last Night at sunset at Boston, when a Post was immediately sent off to inform the Country. He informs that the Artillery played all night — that the people were universall}- rall3dng from Boston as far as here, and desire all the assistance possible. This first Coinnicnccnicnt of Hostilities was occasioned by the Country being robbed of their Pow-der, from Boston as far as Framingham ; and when found out, the Persons who went to take the perpatrator of the horrid Deed, (who had /fed to the Camp) were immediately fired upon — six of our number were killed the first shot, & a number wounded ; and beg you will rally all the forces you can, and be upon the March immediately for the Relief of Boston and the people that Way. Israfl Putna.m " Col. Putnam believed the story & mounted his Hor.se & set out for Boston accompanied by four Gentlemen. " Having proceeded 4S4 DIARY OF EZRA STILES as far as Douglass, which is about 30 miles from my house, I met Capt. Hill of that Town with his Company who had been down within about 30 Miles of Boston & just returned ; he informed me that the Alarm was false, & that the forces of Worcester & Sutton were upon their Return. I then turned my Course homeward without Loss of time & reached ni}^ house Sunday Morning about sun rising ' ' & sent the Contradiction along to stop the Forces marching or rallying. To return — Col. Putnam's Letter of Saturday XI" A.M. as soon as it came to Norwich was printed off & circulated to the Towns every Way thro' Connecticutt in Handbills ; while the Original itself went forward by special Posts from Town to Town & signed by one Committee after another till it came to the Congress at Philadelphia; where it was examined & sundry Gent, knew Col. Putuams Handwriting & the signatures of Mr. Law & others. Being issued on Saturday it had the Effect of putting the wdiole Colony of Connecticutt into an Alarm & Motion on Lordsday. In perhaps two Thirds of the Congregations it was brought in time of service — & Col. Putnams Letter was read publickly in most of the Congregations in Connecticutt. It was bro't into the worshipping assemblies at New Haven just at the beginning of Afternoon ser- mon or before three o' Clock P.M. & there read publickly. The Western Counties of New^ Haven & Fairfield did not arm, except the Rev'' Jonathan Todd of E. Guilford and his Congregation • as far as I can learn the most of the Towns in the rest of the Colony armed & marched or prepared to march. On that Lordsdaj^ Forces marched from Preston, Lyme, Sa3'brook, Haddam, Chatham &c. A large body (1200) from Farmington & the Co. of Litchfield marched as far as Hartford. When I was there the next Week I enquired some particulars. East Guilford 83 armed, with Mr. Todd their pastor. Pachauge 38 out of 60 — marched to Rope Ferry. Chester — as forward — doublj^ equipt — 2''' powder apiece. Haddam — 100 armed — animated by Rev. Mr. May. Say brook ) ^oo. marched almost to N. London. Lyme &c. ) Lebanon — 100. marched. Chatham — 100. marched with Rev. Mr. Boardman Pastor. It was estimated to me at Colchester &c. that on this Occasion there were Twenty Thousand Men in Arms in Connecticutt & NOVEMBER 18-22, 1774 485 marching or equipt for march towards Boston. It has also been estimated that fourty thousand in Massachusetts Province and New Hampshire also took Arms. vSundrj- Meetinghouses in Connecti- cutt were almost shut up : all being employed Men & Women in Equipments. There are in Connecticutt 192 Thousand souls Whites implying near fifty Thousand fencible men. The Counties of N. London, Windham, Hartford, Litchfield raised probaljly Two thirds their number The news flew like Lightning, reached N. York on Monday Evening — and in 70 hours from the Date of Col. Putnam's Letter, it reached the Congress sitting at Philadelphia — where the City convened & were meditating something very weighty, which the Congress prevented. In 100 hours it reached the 3 Delaware Counties, where they instantly armed to the N" of 1000 Men. The News proceeded to Maryland «& Virginia before it was overtaken by the Contradiction. Thus in about 5 or 6 days the Alarm spread thro' above a Million ot People. It is said that Col. Washington a Member of the Congress, received a Letter from Virginia purporting that, had the News not been contradicted, Ten Thousand Men would have been instantly raised in Virginia to march off under Col. Washington for Boston. 18. This day I began reading the New Testament in Course, examining particular passages in the Syriac Version. I see no reason to doubt that the Syriac of Matthews Gospel is the very Copy in which Matthew originally wrote, as it was quite unneces- sary to translate that Gospel as the Syriac was the vernacular Tongue of the Apostles, in which S^ Matthew wrote his Gospel 8 years after the Ascension according to Theophilact & other antients. 19. Writing the preceding Account of the Peoples Taking Arms. 20. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Isai. Iv, 7. P.M. Jno. Reading Origen's Homilies on the Mosaic Law of Leprosy. 21. By a ship arrived at Salem said to bring News from London to 10*'' Oct. — that the Parliamt. is dissolved — doubtful 22 There are many contradict^' and wonderful Things in Origen, who abounds with Allegory beyond any Christian Writer — & is in this respect very much resembling the Rabbinical Writers. My Copy of his Works is in Latin & came down to me from Rev. Edward Taylor my learned and pious Grandfather This day was brought to my House a young Eagle I never saw one before. It is of the Hawk Genus. 486 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES Yesterda}^ Morning sailed from hence for N. York in their Way to Princeton, Bristol Yamma, & Jn" Ouamine two freed Negroes of this Town designed for an African Mission. We have sent them to reside sometime at Jersey College under the Tuition of President Witherspoon. Last night there was a very severe Storm & high Wind — a very dangerous Gale ! [They arrived safe at N. York.] This Afternoon I preached to the poor & decrepid at the Alms- house in Town on i Cor. i, 30. By the Post this day we have the Kings Proclamation, dated Sept. 13, for the Dissolution of the present ParP. & choice of a new one. The Nation seem to be in a great Ferment 23. On Tuesday Sep. 27, the Ministry in London received Advices from America, which threw them into Contention & differ- ent Judgments ; some being for lenient some for coercive Measures. However in three days it Produced a Proclamation for Dissolution of ParP. dated 30 Sep. & for calling a new one 29 November. In the Engli.sh or London News of i Oct. is a letter from Philad^ of Aug. 4. as follows "In the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, about eight Weeks ago, the Militia was mustered, which consisted of One hun- dred and nineteen Thousand six hundred effective Men, belonging to that Colony onl}^ all trained & disciplined." — There was not a general provincial Muster — but only the Boston Regiment. How- ever probably this Writer might have good Information of the Total of Militia, as some of the patriots have examined & col- lected the Rolls of the several Towns in the Massachusetts Bay. The account of 119 Thousand Men tet. 16 and supra agreeth to the Estimate of 400 Thousand souls. " An Estimate of the N" of souls in the following Provinces made in the Continental Congress Sep. 1774. 11 [Massachusetts . 400,000 New Hampshire 150,000 Rhode Isld. 59-678 Connecticutt 192,000 N. York 250,000 150 N. Jersey 130,000 Pensylvania & 3 Lo. C" 350,000 300 Maryland 320,000 200 Virginia 650, 000 400 N" Carolina 300,000 200 S" Carol. 225,000 150 Total 3,026,678 ' NOVEMBER 23, 1774 487 This Estimate is too large and indefinite. To understand how the Sums arose so high, it must be known, what I had both from Gov. Ward & Mr. Payne, that the first 3 or 4 days of the Congress were taken up in debating the manner of proceeding — which manner chiefly respected the proportionate Weight of the several Colonies in Congress. It was much pressed by the Southern Delegates that an Estimate should be made (if not at present yet in future) of the Numbers of Inhabitants in each Colony & the Quantity of property, and that the Number of Delegates be apportioned by a Ratio founded on Numbers and Property. Another Method was to ascer- tain the present Weight by the Numbers of Inhabitants only as that was more readily ascertainable for the present Transaction, & the Delegates to vote proportionably ; and to this End & in this Con- nexion the above List of Inhabitants was brought in. All these & other schemes had inexplicable Difficulties, to be sure could not be settled at present. So they finally agreed to vote bj^ Provinces i. e. all the Delegates for one Province fewer or more should count but one. After the breaking up of the Congress Rivingtons Eying Gazette published the above numbers, as if authenticated by the Congress — but in Truth no more approved by the Congress than Dr. Gallo- way's Plan of an American Council. How then came forth these numbers ? as to 2 or 3 Provinces they were delivered in upon good Information, as to the rest, upon Estimate — under a general Dis- position prevailing in the Congress to exhibit their Numbers as large as possible. The Accessions settling in the Frontiers of the Southern Provinces, furnished a pretext for an unbounded Estimate on that account, in addition to the known numbers of the elder settlements ; whereas they have allowed for some one Province an addition equal to more than the whole Accession from Europe since the War, even if estimated at 100 Thousand, tho' it has not equalled Two Thirds of that number. I well know that the Total of Tax- ables in Virginia was not more than 107 Thousand about 15 5^ears ago & about half of these were Blacks of which both sexes are Taxables, so but about 50 Thousd Males Adults Whites implying 200 Thousd Souls & 100 Thousd Negroes, Total 300 Thou.sd in 1758. The Whites may with acces.sions be augmented to 70 or 80 Thousd implying 300 Th. Souls. — & the Blacks scarcely more numerous than before, especially as a Conviction has for some years prevailed among the Virginia Planters against the slave Trade. I judge Virginia now fewer than 400 Thousd. souls Whites & Blacks ^SS DIARY OF EZRA STILES Neo-roes & Indians. Matyland were loS Thousand souls Whites, or fewer than Connecticutt, in 1755. Suppose with accessions they are 200 Th. souls Whites, & Blacks perhaps 50 Thousand. The o-reatest Increase by Accession has been in N" Carol. In 1769 by a List before me the Taxables were fifty two Thousand. Col. Haniett of that Province told nic a few Weeks since that Gov. Tryon ( who was there about 1770) collected Accounts of above /^z^r/r Thousand Men Whites able to bear Arms. Xow were above 70 Thousd. Tax- ables of which he judged 25 Thousd. Negroes. So there may be 200 Thousand souls Whites. All lilacks of both sexes above set. 13 are Taxables, so 50 Thousand souls Negroes, not more. These Data give N" Carolina 250 Thousand Souls. S" Car" certainly- has under sixty Thous''. souls Whites, exclusive of the scattered Fron- tier accessions settled within a very few 3'ears ; & inclusive of these I cannot judge above 70 Thousd. souls Whites. Now they have but 100 or perhaps 1 10 Thousand souls Negroes : so Total of Inhal^- itauts in S" Carolina iSo Thousand souls. This for the Southern Colonies ; as to which it may be observed that they have a great Body of Three hundred Thousand souls Negroes, which are Property not Freemen. Pensylv^ is 50 Th. too large ; N. York 100 Thousd. & N. Hampshire 60 Thousd. too large. The rest are right. I correct the account, thus. New England . . 725,000 Whiles 15,000 Negroes New York . . . 150, 6,000 Jersey . . . . 130, Pennsylvania &c. . . 300 1,305,000 Souls in Non-Episcopal Colonies. Maryld. . . . 200,000 50,000 Yirginia . . . 300,000 100,000 N" Carolina . . . 200,000 50,000 S" Carolina . . . 70,000 110,000 770,000 > 1,300,000 2,070,000 vSouls Whites and 350 Th. Negroes. Nov. 23, 1746. This day 2S years ago I was first admitted aet. 19 a Member in full Communion in the Church of North Haven, my Fatlier being Pastor. * 24. Tuesday 15"' Inst, tlie Ivncam])ments at Boston broke & struck their Tents, (Iv: the Troojjs went into Winter Quarters in NOVEMBER 24, 1774 489 Houses, Stores &c in different parts of the Town. Tliere are " now Eleven Regiments in this Town (Boston) besides the Artil- lery." Perhaps about Five Thousand effective men. " A Guard of five hundred men are every day on duty." In Conversation with Mrs. Dennis a principal IVIidwife of this Town, she told me, that the number of Births in this Town last year was four hundred & thirty — that there would be 440 this year — that the number of actually bearing Women was near nine hundred — and that their usual Term of bearing was from fourteen Months to two years, that is each had a Child once in 14 m" or two years — that of the 900 Women Dr. Hunter' had about fifty and might deliver 30 a year ; Dr. Haliburton'' about a dozen Women ; all the other Doctors together not so man^^ as a dozen. There are three women Midwives more all which deliver but a few^ — suppose 20 or 30 — I should suppose Mrs. D. delivers 350 or more per annum. I suppose these comprehend Whites & Blacks ; of all which there are in Towm Nine Thousand Two Hundred souls. There are of Women above aet. 16, 2624 Whites and 403 Blacks. Total Females — W^hites 4259. D" Males 3658 of wdiich 2100 aet. 16. Blacks Females 588, Males 658, besides 46 Indians of wh. only 12 Males. Total souls in Newport last May 7917 Whites, 1292 Blacks and Indians — 9209. This Even' g I attended Mr. Hopkins Lecture, he preached from Isai. lix, I, 2. Toda}'- Mr. Hopkins and I signed a set of Bills for ^30. ster. being three Bills dated this day, w^hich we dreW' on Mr. Jn" Mcintosh of Eothbury London, by Order of the Society in Edinburgh for promoting christian Knowledge in a Letter to us from Mr. James Forrest dated Febry. last. It being for the Use of Educating Bristol and Quaum two Negroes for the African Mission. The Rev. Jn° Smally, Pastor of a Congregational Church in New Britain in Farmington in Connecticut, has given great offence to the public and to his Congregation, by his Expressions unfriendly to public Liberty, particularly condemning the Rising of the People 1 William Hunter settled in Newport about 1752, and married about 1762 the youngest daughter of Col. Godfrey Malbone. He remained in Newport after its occupation by the British, and died tliere in 1778. ^ John Halyburton, a Scotchman, educated at Edinburgh, who came to New- port in 1765 as Surgeon on board the Maidstone man-of-war. The next year he returned to Newport and settled, marrying on January 4, 1767, Susanna, daughter of Jahleel Brenton. He fled from Newport early in 1782. See Sabine's A tnerican Loyalists, i, 505. 490 DIARY OF EZRA STILES on the memorable Lordsday of fourth of vSept. last. A Body of his Neighbors the Sons of Liberty in that Vicinity were about to wait upon him. But he took horse and fled to visit his Wife's Relations at Bethlehem. He sent Dr. Bellamy, who went & preached for him and attempted to assuage the Wrath of his people. But could not give entire Satisfaction. And Mr. Smalh^ published something lately in one of the Connecticutt Prints ; which how- ever don't seem to give Satisfaction. He is not at all connected with the Tories ; however has adopted prett}- absolute principles of civil Government & Submission to the higher Powers : and on the gen- eral Question respecting the present Contest between America & the Parent state, is for passive Obedience & Non Resistance. I believe it is partly from a conscientious Persuasion that passive Obedience in civil Things is the Apostolic Doctrine. The Western Indians on the Ohio having committed Hos- tilities, Virginia sent out a Body of 1400 Men under Col. Lewis. On 10"' of Oct. they were attacked by about 600 Indians at the great Kanhawa. In the Battle twenty Indians were left dead on the field ; about fourty English were killed & 100 wounded. Indian scalps 20, Blankets 80, Giins 40 taken. A vShip lately arriving at Chariest" So. Carol, bro't Eight Chests of Tea — which were immediately destroyed. 27. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on 2 Thess. ii, 7, 12, on the Nature and Danger of Popery in this Land, from the Oper-^ of the Quebec Bill for the Establishm' of the Romish Religion over Two Thirds of the British Empire. P.M. 2 Thess. i, 12. Published two new couples. 30. This day Mr. Mnal returned from Bridgwater visited me This Even» I held the Monthlj- Meeting of the married people of my flock not Communicants at Mr. Moss's : I preached on the Parable of the vSower Tliis Evening I received a Letter from Ezra at College dated Nov. 21. He began to live in College Oct. 27. — has 40 in his Class — is under Mr. Tutor Buck- minster — but lives with Mr. Tutor Lewis. Yesterday at Eriends Meeting dispersed printed Copy of the cir- cular Letter from the Quaker Meeting at Philadelphia dated in Oct. last, dissuading from joyning or taking jiart in the present American Opposition to Parliament &c. I was shewn & read the Letter last Evening. I suppose it to have been procured by ministerial Influ- ence. Great Efforts are made by the Ministry & their Connexions NOVEMBER 27-30, 1774 491 ill America to detatcli the Baptists & Quakers thro' out America from the Continental Union : and also the Body of Episcopalians interspersed thro' the provinces North of Maryland — and with too much Success. A Languor prevails thro' these Bodies. Tho some few Baptists & Quakers are heart}- with us, yet too many are so much otherwise, that was all America of their Temper or Coolness in the Cause the Parlt. would easil}^ carry their Points & triumph over American Liberty. Perhaps the Junction of the Baptists, Quakers, northern Episcopalians, Canadians, and the Croivn Officers may form here among us a Body of near Two Hundred Thousand or less than a Quarter of a Million in an anti-American Interest ; or w'ho would acquiesce in the Loss of general Liberty under the Promises & Smiles of the Ministry & Parliament that they should share largely in the Spoils of their Countr3^ I do not find but that the new' Accessions are of our side — for they come over to enjoy the sweets of Liberty wdth us. Of the Whites I judge we have near Two Million Souls heart}- and uncorrupted Friends of Liberty. These I trust in God wnll finalh' prevail— when the Baptists & Quakers maj^ hereafter have Occasion to make their Court to us. The Defence & Conservation of the public Libert}- stands on the Union of the Southern Episcopalians (w^ho differ on this point from their Northern Brethren) and the grand universal Body of Co7igregationals & Presbyterians throughout the Continent. I believe the West Indians will finally come in wnth us. Perhaps the Baptists may open their Eyes — but there is no hope of the Quakers so long as they are dictated by the London General Meet- ing, & until the Seat of Empire is transferred or erected in Amer- ica. The Unitas Fratrum are a small Body, & tho a pious good people, yet meddle not in this Cause. Ludicrous description of the B" Minrs. as to Liberty about 1772. I " There's puny John from Northampton Rev. Jn" Hunt A lukewarm moderate man ; And Collegue stout is withoiit doubt Rev. Jn" Bacon Wrapt with a Tory Clan ! 2 There's puffing* Pem who does condemn *Psal. xii, 5. Rev. Dr. Pemberton All freedom's noble Sons ! And Andrew sly, who oft draws nigh Rev. Dr. Eliot To Tommy's skin & bones. Gov. Hutchinson 492 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS Old Mathkr's Race will not disgrace Their noble Pedigree And Charles Old Brick, both well and sick, Will cry for Liberty. Rev. Dr. Mather Rev. Dr. Mather Byles Sen Rev. Dr. Chauncy Little Hopper, if yon think proper, In Liberty's cause so bold : And John old North, tho' little worth Won't sacrifice for Gold. Rev. IVIr. Stilhnan (Bap.) Rev. ]n° Lathrop In Brattle Street we seldom meet With silver-tongued S.VM, Who smoothly glides between both sides, And so escapes a Jam ! 6. There's PenueIv PufT is hearty enough And so is Simeon How.\rd And long-Lane Teague will joyu the League That Freedom may be ours." Rev. Dr. Cooper Rev. Mr. Bowen Rev. Mr. Howard Rev. Mr. Morehcad Dec. I. This Afternoon I rode out to Portsmotith and married Charles Jenckes of Providence and Deborah Cadman of Ports- mouth. Reading Braunius de Vestitu Sacerdotum, his Disserta- tion on Urim & Tummini. 2. It is said that the Scarborough .sent home by Gen. Gage from Boston Sept. 7, arrived in a short passage — was immediately gtiarded by Marines at Portsmouth, & no news suffered to transpire — that in three da3\s she sailed for America — : that a ship wdiich sailed with her from London arrived at Salem with this News last Week. Doubtful. 3. This day I fell into a Conversation with Mr. John Pember- ton of Philadelphia an eminent Speaker among Friends & Brother to Israel Pemberton of Philad'. He and an English Quakeress, Speakers, are travelling here among Friends at this late Season & I suppose upon very particular Business. When the Congress at Philadelphia in Sept. last among other Transactions, issued forth a Letter to all the Colonies recommending Union & Perseverance in the present American Opposition to the late Acts of Parliament — at the same Time and inimediatel}' in the same Sept. the Quaker yearly Meeting in Philad' [Only 26 Quakers present — see Mar. 20, 1775] issued a General Epistle & dispersed it abroad thro' the Body DECEMBER 1-3, 1774 493 of Friends in all the Colonies, conceived in a certain subtil & art- ful phraseology, seemingly very innocent & harmless — but the true Design of it, as they freely own, is to recommend to the whole Quaker Interest not to joyn the Colonies in their present Opposition to the Ministry & Parliament — & so in eifect to con- travene & nullify the Letter of the Congress with respect to the Friends — and so to conform to the Wishes of the Ministry to divide us. To enforce this Epistle, I suppose, is the true Reason that the Philad'' Meetg. sent ojBf.so considerable & principal a Quaker as Mr. Pemberton at this late Season of the year. This I suppose to be his Errand hither. With these Apprehensions I entered into Con- vers'' with him upon that Epistle, ask- him whether the Friends meant by it to detatch the whole Quaker Interest from the rest of America in the present Conflict ? He answered with sly Cunning & Evasion — saying he was little, & no polititian, & that Friends were a humble inoffensive peaceable people, & that there was much of a worldly spirit in the Times, and they had only advised their Friends to keep in their own Line, be in a humble & low standing. I told him the Epistle by holding up that the Quakers enjoyed religious Libert}^ from the King &c. seemed to suggest a reason for their not opposing him peculiar- to them, as if all Protestant Amer- ica did not enjoy that Liberty as far as Friends. Again calling them to consider this at this Time implied that the Friends consid- ered the Colonies in an illegal Opposition to the King, which was not the Case. Their inveighing against clandestine Trade & not paying the Kings Dues, at this Time, implied that the Quakers justified the parliamentary Duties & Revenue Laws, tho' they had cautiously avoided mentioning the last Revenue Acts. Their care- fully avoiding to say any Thing on the Cause of public American Liberty at this critical Time when it became them to be explicit, & to define what they approved & what they condemned — & yet con- demning & guarding against going into Excesses — all implied an oblique Reflection upon the Congress & the present public Measures which had been concerted by the united Wisdom of the Colonies. In a Word I told him that the Epistle was exactly such an one as L'' North himself & the Ministry could have wished to have issued forth from the Quakers — «& that it had thus an appearance as if dictated and procured thro' ministerial Influence — & that if all America could be bro't to follow & conform to that Epistle the Parliament & Ministry w^ould carry their point. He spake of Per- 494 DIARY OF EZRA STILEvS sedition. I asked whether he tho't if the Quebec Act continued, it would not endanger even the Quakers suffering far greater Per- secution from Romanists than ever they received from Protestants? I observed., that we did not expect Quakers to joj-n in taking Arms : but we might justly expect they would pray for us, & wish us well, especially in our commercial War — & at all Events not to undermine & oppose us. That their Conduct had the Aspect of their making Friends with the Mammon of Unrighte- ousness. That the Quakers figured most in Pensylvania & this by means of their Charter, which if taken awaj^ the Quakers lost their Glory & Power — that the power that should subdue Bostou & Mas- sachusetts Charter would finall}^ destro}" that of Pensylvania — & therefore that we were fighting their own cause, & so it was greatly unnatural that the Quakers should oppose us or hold an indif- ference, for X' said he that was not for us was against us. That they acted with Duplicity or held a conduct looking both Ways— if the Colonies succede, they could say they only did what they usuall^^ did, caution against Excesses, but were not against America — if the Parlt. carried their point, the Quakers would hereby have made Merit with the Ministry. That this was not acting sincerely & honorably in this Crisis. He resented the Tho't of Duplicit5^ I observed the Time might come when Empire, or the sovereign Power should be transferred or erected on this side the Atlantic, & wished him & the Friends to consider that a Time might come when they must .seek Protection & political Favors from American higher Powers : — & asked him to consider how it would be remem- bered in History two hundred j-ears hence, that in the important grand & hopefully decisive Conflict of the present Day, when the American Colonies united in a bold & firm stand against parlia- mentar)^ Taxation & oppression — in that critical Time, the Body of the Quakers in America took in ivith the Ministry & Parliament against their Countr3'men & deserted the Cause of American Liberty — and that they were persuaded thus to joyn the Enemies of the Colonies by a general Epistle issued from the Meeting at Philadel- phia & addressed to the whole Body of Quakers in America at a Time when the Congress were from the same City issuing a Letter addressed to all the Colonies to confirm their Union in the glorious Cau.se of Liberty ? I told him that the Quakers deserted the Cause — and joyned with the Canadians, Crown Officers and their Con- nexions in forming one Anti- American Interest ; and that the DECEMBER 3, 1774 495 Defense of American Liberty stood on the Presbyterians to the Northward and the Episcopalians to the southward. That there was no depend-' on the Sects interspersed in the Northern Colonies ; that it was however ungenerous in them to take part against us in this important & interesting Crisis. Mr. Pemberton shewed me one of the printed Epistles, and endeavored to vindicate it and to justify it as to the Time , he would not allow that it ought to be construed as the Quakers taking part against American Liberty ; & tho't that I read it with prejudice & an evil Eye ; W\2X perhaps the Friends were not insensible to the Destresses of this day, and perhaps, he said, they had been & would be assistant in getting them removed in a proper way ; — that they were peaceable &c. I observed if they were friends to Liberty they ought in this Letter to have mentioned how far they approved our Opposition & dis- tinguished wherein they did not joyn us — & particularly let their people know whether they discountenanced any Thing besides Mobs & Arms — but they left the matter under such general Expres- sions as that their Body must judge that they discountenanced the whole, at least so far, that they would advise all Quakers to take 110 part at all in any form. He would not distinguish but kept to generals — he would not sa)^ that the}- would have Friends joyn with us in this that or another — yet denied that the}' joyned with the Ministry, & seemed evidently nettled at such a suggestion which however I believe is the Truth. He said many Things, but all in the cautious manner of talking about it & about it & about it, & leaving the matter as it was. I suggested to him that the proper way was for the Friends to manifest & make all the sons of Liberty to know, that they were cordially and at heart one with them, in the general Cause, & this without justifying any inci- dental Extravagances as Mobs, Riots &c — but designate wherein & how far they would assist in this in their own Way — that they would jojm in witholding Commerce viz. non-Liiportation & non- Consumption Agreement & recommend this thro' their Body — that they would joyn in supplicating the Throne of Grace — that, tho' they could not in Conscience take Arms & must bear Testimony against this mode of defending our Liberties, yet they united in Remonstrances & Petitions to the King, Parliament & people of England, & write home to the General Meeting in London & all their powerful Friends & Connexions in Great Britain to sollicit them in petitioning the Kings Majestj'. If you will do so, says I, 49^ DIARY OF EZRA STILES you will be in heart one with us : but 3'OU have cautiously avoided in vour Epistle to suggest this, or informing your Body certainly what to do, leaving every Thing doubtful & ambiguous at best, leaving them to collect (if any Thing besides Duplicity) only that thev should sit still & have nothing at all to do in the matter. When I mentioned writing home he said — ''perhaps that had been done ' ' and at length that it 7vas do7te, and that Friends were well respected at Court & had great Influence there ( and yet at the beginning of our Discourse " I am no politician, w^e are poor & ignorant & humble & know nothing of politics") and that the Quakers in London had used their Influence in favor of America with success at Court — particularly that they had wrote them that had it not been for their Interposition, greater Severity had been used in the B". Port-Bill, that they had much moderated the late Acts. I observed, so far was well that they in lyondon assisted us — that I thought however neither the Quakers nor any Else had much INIerit in moderating the Rigour of those Acts — that they could not be more severe and rigorous, not onh' stabbing the Vitals of a Charter of civil & religious Liberty & erecting a Tyranny, but abolishing Juries, legitimating the Murdering of Americans, besieg- ing Boston with Navy & Troops, and ordering the seizure of all obnoxious persons & sending them home in Irons to Europe for Trial and Execution. I knew not what could be more sanguinary, severe & rigorous. It was however well if the Friends had used their Influence against these Acts, tho' unsuccessful. I myself was too ardent in the Conversation & perhaps pressed Things too closel5% for my Indignation was raised to see this artful Manoeuvre of Quaker policj' ; I excused m3^self for my Warmth — but said to him, Sir, it is necessary that you should be told these Truths, that 3'ou may not carry home the report that that Letter gave universal Satisfaction — & that Friends may knoiv in %vhat Liglit that Letter & their Conduct are viezced by other Sects. Friend Pemberton was full of Wrath, tho' he suppressed it much ; my Plainness & Simplicity & Faithfulness gave him great Pain & Uneasiness & Resentment — and I believe he will never forgive me. 4. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Luke xviii, 13, 14, and publi-shed two couples. P.M. Eph. ii, 21, 22. Examin^' several Texts in the Syriac N. Testament. 5. The Scarborough arrived at Spithead on 30"' Sept. after 24 days Passage from Boston. The Proclamation for dissolving the DECEMBER 4-5, 1774 497 Pai-r dated 30"' Sept. — tho' in some Newspapers it is by Mistake printed the thirteenth of September. Mr. Murray' one of the new Councellors, told Gov. Gage that he was tired out of being shut up in Boston, that his Estate suflfered in the Country — & therefore that he must resign. Very well, says the Gov. to him, & swore an Oath, you may resign, but I will instantly put you on board a Man o' War & send you home to Eng- land. You &c. are the Men that have been writing home for this Change of Government— it has been made upon your Represent-' & you yourselves put into the Council — and now you desert me. Be assured, Sir, you shall go home and answer it to the King. [Doubtful tho' probable.] "Inventions of Mr. Sion Seabury of Tiverton for the Relief of Boston in its present Siege. 1. A solid Timber Roller 7 or 8 feet Diameter & 8 or 10 feet more or less, to defend against the Canon on B" Neck. Sundry of these connected together by a Central Chain thro' them all & Chains around them, will form an extended movable Breastwork for covering a Body of Men sufficient for seizing & possessing themselves of the Artillerj^ & Fortific^ upon the Neck or eksewhere. At the Ends of the lyine of Rolling Breastwork, may be a Range of Rollers following after, so as to guard the sides. A Mast or span at the open End, may keep the whole steadj^ and at the same Time employ the Men in pulling aft as well as pushing forwards. The side Defence might be made with a Frame on small Wheels charged with Wool packs. The great Front Rollers may be made of Cedar or light Wood. (& perhaps in part filled with Wool or Wool-Rollers intirely.) Mr. Seabury thinks Wood onh' the best. 2. A Plank Breastwork to be carried to defend against Small- Arms ; and upon coming up to the Canon so that thej^ are silenced or useless, to be raised up on the Top of the Front lyine of Rollers, to cover the Men firing thro' small port-holes to oblige the Engi- neers & Soldiery to abandon the Canon. 3. To blind and deceive the Enemy, (especially if the attack be in the Night) let several Bbs. of Tarr or Pitch be set on fire between the Enemy's Ships & place of Attack ; this will render the Progress of the movable Breastwork invisible to the Shipping, & be advantageous for the attack. These Tarbarrels might be fired on ^ Col. John Murray, of Rutland. See Sabine's Amer. Loyalists, ii, 1 15-17. 32 49S DIARY OF EZRA STILES Water by Floats as well as on I^aiid. The same Thing ma}' be practised to render an Army iiivisible, should it in the Night march over Ice, or procede in Boats across the Water to Town. Exod. xiv, 19, 20. SiON Seabury. Tiverton, Nov. ii, 1774. ' ' Sir While anxiously concerned for the Destresses of Boston & devising Methods for its Relief, the preceeding Inventions occurred to my Mind, about six Weeks ago : which yielded me an asstirance that the Canon and Works on Boston Neck might be safely approached & taken without the Loss of a single Life on our part. I could not resist an Inclination I instantly conceived to communi- cate it for the Benefit of our suffering Brethren. The Invention was to me new & original as well as satisfactory. And altho' I now understand that an Attack by a Line of Moveable Fascines has been thought of, & and is now under Con- templation : Yet I am desirous of testifying my Ardor in the common Cause, by communicating my Method also. I afn. Sir, Your unknown Hnmb. Serv' Sign Seaburv." Hox. Coi.. John Hancock Boston. 6. The Gen. Assembly of Connecticutt at last Oct. Session ordered all the thirt}^ Regiments of Horse & Foot in that Colony to exercise twelve half days between that Time & the first of May next— and also ordered a general Muster of all the mil- itary Companies the 24*'' of Nov. which was duely attended. New^ England is full of military Exercise 7. Rev. Mr. Mellen of Lancaster' visited me. He is now preaching at Providence in Mr. Rowland's Meeting. Some of Mr. Goss's Church applied for Communion at Mr. Mellens Church a while ago, being at the Time of the Lord's Supper. Mr. Mellen declined it ; & at length put it to Vote whether the^'- should have Leave to partake — the Church voted in the Affirmative and Mr. Mellen negatived the Vote, (S: put hy the Sacrament. A Contro- versy ensued — several Councils were called — particular!}' one in June last, w^hich adjourned to Sept. last when they met again ; but were so divided that they tho't proper not to make a Result, & ' John Mellen (Harvard 1741), minister of the parish in Lancaster which became in 17S1 the town of Sterling, Mass. His dismission was finally dated in December, 1778, and he and his adherents continued to worship by themselves as a distinct church until his removal to another parish in 1784. See Worcester Magazine, ii, 220-24. DECEMBER 6-9, 1774 499 dissolved. Upon which some Brethren applied to the Pastor to call a Church Meeting, at which they proposed to chuse a new Moderator — the Pastor insisted he was Mod"" and put to vote whether they would act upon the 4 Articles alledged against him. It was no Vote — upon which he said there was nothing to do & dismissed the Meeting. Afterwards the Church chose a new Moderator & voted to dismiss Mr. Mellen from his pastoral Care over them — & called a Society Meeting, which met & confirmed the Dismission. Mr. Mellen and about 20 Brethren his Adherents immediately called an Ecclesiastical Council, which convened & disapproved the Church's Conduct as disorderly & declared that in their Opinion no Church ought to hold Communion with this Church. There are about 80 Members Males of the Church, & of these 43 against Mr. Mellen, & a number Neuters. This was last fall, perhaps in October. After this Mr. Mellen preached to his Adherents on I^dsdys in a private House, & this new Meeting is still upheld. The Church at Providence late Mr. Rowlands sent to get Mr. Mellen to supply them a few Sabbaths. It is a question whether he is legally or ecclesiasticall}^ dismissed? Legally indeed he is not, for b}' Law he can hold his Salary till he is dismissed by Advice of an Ecclesiastical Council mutually chosen, which has not been the Case. But however he must finally leave them — it will be to but little & invidious pur- pose to litigate his Salary, when he can serve them no more in Comfort. He seems to have conducted with prudence & steadiness, on his principles which indeed is the general Opinion of the Minis- ters, that a Pastor has a Negative on Church Votes, at least so far as to suspend their Operation till the Advice of a Council. He may perhaps get his Salary a A^ear or two, but must finall}- seek a Dismission. He dies a Martyr to the Negative on the Votes of the Brethren. 8. Mr. Vinal with me again. 9. Mr. Mellen went away. The Assembly is now sitting in Providence. The Governor has received a packet from home, wherein are Orders supposed to be circular to all the Governors on the Continent to seize all powder & Arms which may be bro't into port, unless bj' the Kings permission. It is said that Gen. Gage has sent a ship which has sailed for this port, to seize & carry off all the Canon from our fort. The Gen. Assembly have ordered & sent several Vessels to dismantle the Fort at Newport, & take all 500 DIARY OF EZRA STILES the Cannon & Stores & carry them to Providence. Two or three Packets came down from Providence & arrived here at Ten o'clock last Night, & worked all night at the Fort in removing the Canon. Early this Morning several Canon were discharged, Drums beat up for Volunteers to assist, «& thereupon Multitudes went over to the Fort to assist. At Noon three Vessels were loaded & sailed off. Thej' have been laboring all daj^ & have sent off & got on board all the Canon but Eight. There are a Number of Eighteen & Twent}' four pounders, which last weigh nearlj^ three Tons. The Tories are exceeding wroth, as they had for two days past laughed in their sleeves, blindly & sneeringly thrown out, that we should have a little Sport before Saturday Night : they expected the Man o'War to seize & carry off the Guus & Ball from the Fort — in which, if that was intended, they are now disappointed. 10. This da}' the last of the Canon were got on Board to be car- ried off to Providence, excepting four left at the Fort for constant Use (6-24 pounders, 18-18 Do. 14-6 pounders, 6-4 Do. Total 44.) This day I am 47 years old. Having obtained help of God I con- tinue to this day. I have been reviewing the Series of the divine Goodness to me ever since raj^ Birth. How graciously has my heavenl}' Father dealt with me? Bless the Eord O my Soul & for- get not all his Benefits. God has so ordered that I have spent ni};- Eife from my Earliest youth among Books — but the most valuable Knowledge I have been acquainted with is, not the mathematical & philosophical Sciences, not the acquaintance with the antient learned Languages of Latin Greek Hebrew Samaritan Chaldee Syriac &. Arabic in all which I have attained such a Competency as to be able to read & examine any Authors freely in them, not in ecclesiastical Hi-storj^ & the History of almost all Nations & Empires on Earth, not in the knowledge of Law & the political Constitutions of most vStates in Europe — but that in which I have found the greatest Delight Entertainment & Satisfaction is the Knowledge of Je.sus Christ & the Redemption of the Cross. . . . 11. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Gal. iv, 28. P.M. on Prov. viii, 17 In the Evening I married 2 Couples, viz. Cap* Tanner and Anna Stevens, and W" Briggs and Patience Crandall. The Rose Man o'War arrived here this day A.M. just after the Ves.sel w'ith the last Guns sailed for Providence. 12. Reading Theophilact's Commentary on the Evangelists. 13. The King has sent to seize all Powder & Arms that shall DECEMBER IO-16, 1774 501 land here. The General Assembly last Week revived the Militia Law, appointed the Gov. Captain General, Mr. Dep. Gov. Sessions Lt. General, & Col. Potter of Bristol Major General ; & ordered 40,000 Flints, 300 Bb. Powder, 3 Tons of Lead & 4 Brass Field pieces to be procured for the Use of this Colony. The Assembly accepted & approved the Doings of the Congress & recommended to all the Towns thro' the Colony to chuse Committees to carry them into execution — gave thanks to Messrs Hopkins & Ward — & elected them again as Delegates to the Congress in May next. . . . Last Evening I read a Letter dated at Boston yesterday and sent by Dr. Young to Mr. vSec'ry. Ward with this Information, viz. last Evening Dr. Warren desired me to inform 3'ou & the rest of our Friends in Newport that, 300 Soldiers more or less are embarked for Newport. 15. This day public Thanksgiving thro' the Province of Massa- chusetts Bay. It was not appointed as usual by the Governor & Council, who issued no proclamation ; but by the Provincial Con- gress which recommended to the Churches to set apart & observe this day as a day of public Thanksgiving, & printed the same signed b}^ Jn" Hancock President. It was later than usual, I sup- pose, that we might have the more intelligence from England. Our two Congregational Churches in Newport kept the daj^, At X^^'' A.M. we begun divine Service with singing loo^'' Ps. Watts ; & after the first praj-er sang 145"^ Ps. 2'^ pt : then I preached upon Ps. cxlv, 9-12, then last pra3'er — Contribution for the poor — sang 150"' Ps. with the Xtian Doxology — Blessing. I dined at Mr. Chesebroughs This evening Mr. Marchant shewed me a letter which he had received from Mrs. Macaulay the Historian dated Oct", last at Bath. She laments the state of America ; & complains of my Neglect in writing to her. 16. Reading Magazines. This da}^ I received a Box of Books from New Haven Via N York, containing six Folio Volumes intirely Hebrew, not having a single Letter of another Tongue & Character. It is a complete Edition of the Bible with the most eminent Rabbinical Commentaries. — The Columns exhibit the Hebretv Text, the Chaldee Targuni, the Commentary of R. Selemoh I scaak i QoiwrnonXy called Jarchj, that of R. David Kimchi, and that of the great Hocham R. Aben Ezra, with marginal Notes & Criti- cisms interspersed I have now a feast of Hebrew as I can 502 DIARY OF EZRA STILES at pleasure turn to an^^ Text & examine the Criticisms of these Commentators i8. Lordsdaj' A.M. 1 preached on Eph. iv, 17, 18, and pub- lished Mr. Ferguson .Sic. P.M. Mat. xiv, 12, 13, and baptized 2 Children Infants viz. William Son of Henr}' Marchant Esq. and Mary Daughter of Mrs. Doubleday. 20. The Sandimanians opened Shops in Boston on Thanksgiving day last & the Episcop-' at Cambridge refused to observe it : the 3-oung Dr. Biles Episc" Clergyman refused to open his Church in Boston to the great Offence of his little Flock, \Yhich are more for Liberty than any Episco. Congregation north of Maryland. On the 14"' Inst. 350 Persons at Portsm" Piscataqua went in Boats down to their Fort at N. Castle N. Hampshire, & demanded the Province Powder &c. The Captain refused & fired three Guns — upon which the people scaled the Walls, took the Fort, & carried off 97 Bb. of Powder, bro't it to Town & removed it into the Country. The next daj' came into Portsmouth a large Body of people under an Alarm that Gen. Gage had sent to seize the P'ort &c. & sent a Committee to the Gov. (Wentworth) Who informed them that he knew nothing of any such design. There were 1500 Men raised in New Hampshire and in full march for Portsmouth on 16"' Dec ' ' Application has been made to the French Inhabitants of Canada to arm themselves against the Colonies : but they rejected the pro- posal with Indignation, & declared that if any £>;/<" Canadian should be deluded so far as to go against their sister Colonies, they would send ten to their Relief." What an Idea are we led to form of a Brit. Admin". By an Order of Privy Council we are prohibited from procuring the Means of Defence, & at the same Time the zvhole Influence of Govt. is exerted to stir up the Canadians & Savages to cut our Throats. 21. The scale of Dr. Bartlets H^'grometer is 100 deg. between perfect Dryness & perfect Humidity. The lowest or driest he has known was y?z^^, the \\\^^s\. fifty four : he estimates the salutary Medium 25 to 35, 40 too moist for Health, 20 too Ary. For about 3 W. past it has been 50 and above. The Storm of Rain last Monday altered & restored the too great Moisture — now 27. It is very cold tho' no Snow here at Sunri.se this Morning Fahr. Therm. stood at Eight above o, at Noon rose to Twelve. Letters in the last packet inform that the King has founded a DECP:i\rBER 18-29, 1774 503 Professorship of Divinity' in the College in N York with a Salary from home: & appointed the Rev. John Vardill, A.M. now in England to be his jSrst Roj'al Professor. 21. Reading Dr. Mosheim's Ecc. Hist'y. 23. Reading Mosheim all day. There is a flying Report that the Ministry have determined to repeal the obnoxious Acts of Par- liament : Doubtful. It is certain that Application has been made to the PVench Cana- dians & to the Six Nations of Indians, to joyn the Kings Troops against the Colonies — but as to both without Success, as I see in the New York, N Haven & Boston prints. Dr. Young just from Boston brings the same Ace" who conversed with a Gentleman just from Canada. The Tories begin to say that no such Application has been made. Mr. \"inal went away. 24. Reading Mosheim, & also Theophilact on sundry Passages in the Gospels. Also read 50 or 60 pages in a Volume of Sermons on the Scripture Doctrine of Christs sonship by Benj-' Wellin M.A. a London Baptist Minister — published 1771. He is sound & ortho- dox as to the Divinity of Christ : but has some peculiar Notions as to the Believers eternal Union with the vSon in the Prescience and Decrees of God. No ringing of Bells except that the Chh. Bell might ring a quarter of an hour in the Evening & a short time Dordsday Morning. 25. Lordsday. I preached all day on Luke ii, 13, 14 28. Violent N. E. Snow storm all day. 29. Sundry Cargoes of Goods imported since first of this M" are advertised at Portsm", Salem, Plym" N. York & Philad'^ to be sold b}^ the Committees according to the Congress. Extract from a Philad'' paper : — " The Histor}' of Kings is nothing but the Histor}' of the folly & Depravity of human Nature. To live (says Bp. Hoadly) by one Man' s Will became the Cause of all Mens Misery. If the Bible was silent Analogy would teach us that the Depravity & Misery of one Man could contaminate & render miserable a ivhole Race of Men. Look up then. Mortals, to Kings with humility. They are livi7ig histories of your first Calamity. One Man still continues to be the source of Misery & Depravity in all K™^ of the World. God deals with Mankind as he did with the Jews. He gives them Kings ' This professorship was one of Natural Law, not Divinity, and was founded in 1773. 504 DIARY OF EZRA STILES only in his Anger. We read now & then it is true of a good King ; so we read likewise of a prophet escaping unhurt from a Lions Den & of 3 men walking in a fiery furnace without having even their Garments singed. The order of Nature is as much inverted in the first, as it was in the last 2 Cases. A good King is a Miracle." Dr. Dickinson, I suppose. I remark — that under some Views, even a Deist can adopt the Doctrine of Original Sin ; tho' he might reject it in Religion, he may admit it a fact & Doctrine & Politics. It is true in both. 30. At III'' P.M. I preached m}^ Sacramental Lecture 2 Jno. v, 8. 31 Total of Deaths 231 of which 47 Blacks, in Town Newport the year past. Total Inhab. 9209 souls of which 1292 Blacks. On 2i.st Inst. Rev*^ Joseph Avery was ordained Pastor of the Church in Holden. And Inst. Mr. Henry Dawson was ordained in Jersey or Pens3'lvania by two Sabb. Bapt. Klders : He received Lay Ordination before this in Gorhamt" N. England ; and after- wards was installed at Newport by a Sep'' Bap. Elder [Dr. Stiles' s Visiting Catalogue for his Congregation during the year 1774 is as follows, — the numbers appended to the names showing the visits paid : — Tim" Allen, 2 Capt. Church, 2 Phil. Ackland, 3 Mr. Coit, 2 Jos. Belcher, 8 Peleg Cary, 6 Nathan Beebee, 3 Jno. Car}', 2 Sisters Do., 2 Mrs. Clianning, 35 Dr. Bartlet, 13 W" Chauning, Esqr., 20 Wm. Bently, 2 W" Carr & Clark, 21 Job Bissel, 4 Ma'ni Coggeshall, 6 Sisters Do., 3 Mr. Cole, 5 Wife Tho. Brown, 2 W'" Do., jun., 4 W" Brown, Ja., 1 Lemuel Crandal, r Do. Do. (Pitman) i Sam' Do., 2 Exp. Brown, i W Chambers, 2 Jos. Brown W° Carter Tho. Burnham, 3 Rob' Do. Capt. Briggs, 5 James Do., 4 Mrs. Bowers, i An Clianning, 3 Mrs. Baker Mrs. Cornel, i Mrs. Ben net, 5 W" Corey David Chesebro', 20 James Clark, i DECEMBER 30-31, 1774 505 Peace Clark, i Mrs. Cornel (Mihv') David Caldwel An Crandal (Topli.) W" Cook Jos. Crandal, 2 Ab'" Dennis, 7 Ebeu' Davenp't., sen., 4 Do. Do. jwu-, 2 Isaac Dayton, 27 Ben. Do., 5 Hez, Do., 12 W° Davenp*., 3 W Davis, 4 Isaac Da3ton, jvm., i Mrs. Doubleda}-, 6 Chas. Davens, 3 Mrs. Downer, i Miss Dyre, 6 Mrs. Ellery, 37 Ben. Ellery, 3 W" Ellery, Esqr., 10 Christ" Ellery, 6 Capt. English, 3 Eli Evans, 5 Mrs. Fryers W" Finch, 2 Mrs. Fry, 3 Adam Ferguson, 2 Jn" Ferguson, 2 Caleb Gardner, 9 Capt. Godfry, 3 Mrs. Gibbs Mrs. (Tardner, S. Ann, 2 Rob't Gibbs, i Sally Graves, i Capt. Hatch Mr. Hill, I Eliza House Mr. Haggar, 2 Mrs. Howl'd (Sayer), 4 Mrs. Howland (Job), 3 W" Hamilton, i, removed to Piscataqua Jos. Haniand, 2 Miss Hammonds, 7 W'" Howard Capt. Hyers James Holmes Mrs. Heath (Milvv'd.) B. Ingraham, i Mr. James, 2 W" Ingraham W» Jones & D., 3 Ann Ingraham, 2 Benj" King, 9 Sam' King, 2 W" Kennicott & D., 6 J. B. King, 4 Nathan Luther, 3 Rich'd Low Hen. Marchant, Esqr., 21 Mrs. More, 31 Phil. Moss, 5 Capt. Mowat, i W Murphy W"^ Merriss, 9 \V'" Mihvard, i Rob. Milward, 2 Miss Milward, i Capt. M'Cdrry, 2 Mr. Maxwel, 3 Capt. Newton, 5 Jno. Newton, 4 W> Nichols (Kend.), 3 Major Otis, 14 Sally Oldham, i W° Nicols (Cath.), i Jno. Pitman, Esqr., 20 Benj" Pitman, 7 Phil. Peckham, i W Peckham, i Capt. Peck, 2 W" Pitman, 5 Rebecca Petteface, 4 Capt. Parker, i Mrs. Potter, 3 Hannah Preston, i Eliz" Pratt Sam' Pitman, jun., i Eben'' Rdson., Esqr., 5 Thos. Rdson., 3 Eben' Rdson., jun., 3 Dan'l Russel, 11 \V Rum rill, 10 W Ryder, i W" Robinson, 3 5o6 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS Mrs. Roland, 2 Jacob Rdson., 2 Deacon Saver, 6 Capt. Ben Saj-er, 6 Joshua Sayer, jun., 2 Mrs. Searing, 15 IMrs. San ford, i :Mr. Stevens (Rob), 35 W" Sylvester Edw* Simmons, 6 Jno. Simpson, 2 Jno. Simpson, jun., i Rd. Simpson, 2 Jos. Smith, 3 \V" Spinny, i W" Sherburn & Son, &c. 3 W" Sherman, i Jon" Stoddard, 2 W" Syms, I W» Stella Jno. Stevens, 5 Mrs. Stanly, 4 \V" Shore, 2 Scranton, i \\"'" Stevens, i M' Trevet, sen., 12 W° Treby, sen., 2 Sam' Treb)', 3 W° Treby, jun., 3 W" Topham (Jno.), 4 WoToph. (Theo.) Jno. Topham, 4 W" Townsend, 3 Nurse Do., 2 Jno. S. Treby, 2 Mr. Tripp, 5 Wilkins Treby, 2 Wife W" Thurston (Norman), i Capt. Toman, 2 Stephen Tripp (Toph.) vSam' Vernon, i William Vernon, 21 Eben'' Vose, 6 W"" Whitwel Jno. Wood, 3 Sam' Weedon, 9 W« Wills, 2 W» Wilson W"" Wilson Nurse Wa}-, i] 1775 Janry. 1. Lordsday, A.M. I preached on Jn" x, 15. and administered the Lords Supper to above fifty Comminiicants P.M. I preached a New years Sermon In the Even^ I married John Ferguson & .' This the first Day of the Year, Month, Moon, & Week. 2. Reading & fini.shed the first Vohnne of Dr. Mosheim's Eccle- siastical History — & began the second : In the Evcn^' I preached to the young men, 2 Tim. iii, 15-17. 3. Read*-' in Binius' Collection of Coinicils. 4. It is said that there is as much Variance & Conflict among the Ofiicers of the Army & Navy at Boston, as among the Ameri- cans — some warmh' espousing the Cause of Liberty, others against it. This Even''' I preached a monthly Even*^' Lecture to the married people of my Congreg'' not Connnunicants, at Mr. Tripp.s. . . . ' The name here omitted is given in Dr. Stiles's official register of marriages as Ann Greene. JANUARY I-16, 1775 507 The squadron in N" America under Adni. (xraves at Boston on the first Inst, consisted of Tzverity four ships — 502 Guns — 3475 Men. 7. I am told that three Vessels are arrived into Connecticutt with Powder. 8. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Ps. Ixviii, 5. P.M. Jude v. 20, 21. and propounded M'' Balfour for owning the Covenant. In the Even*'' I married Samuel Clark & Sarah Brown. II. Read 60 pages in Mosheim. This Even- the monthly Chh. Meeting at Sister Channings. I preached from i Jno. iv, g-i i . 14. Reading Mosheim 130 pages. 15. Edsday. A.M. I preached on Ezek. xiv, 14, & published two Couples. P.M. Micah vi, 6. 16. Writing Eetters to Yale College. In the Even^ I preached on the Parable of the X Virgins in xxv Mat. to the Young Women of my Congregation. For ten days past we have had a Report circulating that the X"' Reg' at Boston had mutinied & was dis- armed. The Tories affect to disguise the Truth, which has been difficult to find. The Post' (a ministerial Hireling ) affects to talk it into nothing, & the B" prints say nothing about it. However the Post owns & squeezes out thus much to a few persons, viz, that a Deserter being apprehended was suddenly condemned in a Court Martial & instanth' shot — that his Regiment murmured greatly at the suddenness, saying they used to be allowed one Sunda}' at least to prepare for Death — upon which they were disarmed ; but their Arms were returned to them next day, so that they were disarmed but one Night ; and that this was a matter of Discontent to the Soldiery, tho' easil}' kept under. Mumford also says, another Deserter was condemned to (say) 900 Lashes — he received 600 or two thirds & fainted seemingly dead ; upon which the Drummer refused to proceed ; he was commanded to lay on the rest — he refused, & was put under Guard. The Soldier coming to Eife again, he & the Drummer were dismissed & turned out of the Regiment & Army next da3\ These are undoubted Facts. It is said that military Law & the most rigorous & unmerciful Pun- ishments are incessantly exercised in the Army. Those who have been used to the Army, say, that the Discipline of the Camp at Boston is now more severe & rigorous than ever is used in an Enemys Country, in an English Camp in Flanders or Germany. A Gentle- man yesterday from B" says they ha\'e assurance that great uneasi- ' That is, the Post-rider, Benjamin Mumford. 5o8 DIARY OF EZRA STILEvS t ness & Difference prevails in the Camp, as well among the Officers as Soldiers, many of whom dislike the Krrand they are come upon — & that there is openly an ajfectcd or real Difference between Gen C'lagc & Ld Picrcy, Ld Piercy cultivating an Intimacy with Col. Hancock. 17. Extract of a Letter from an Officer of the Mrginia Troops on the Expedition against the Indians, dated Augusta Dec. 3, 1774. " I could inform you of man}- remarkable Things I observed in our March of 330 Miles over almost impassible Mountains — but I caimot omit mentioning a burning Spring we came across. It resembles in form a Wooden Dish, containing upwards of 150 Gal- lons, in which the Water (which is of black mudd}' Colour) boils with as nuich force as ever I saw our Eimestone springs, so that you ma}- hear it above 30 }-ards ; yet it does not run over, or visibty sink in any part. And if you put a B/a'^e of Fire within two feet over it, it will catch in an Instant and burn violently, which it has been known to do some weeks. — I have roasted meat at the Blaze, and eat it afterwards." Extracted from Holts N York print 12"' Janry. Ins'. I have been told of such a spring in the Jerseys, but doubted it. What is Rum or spirit but aqua ardens, burning Water ? If an Alcohol or Phlogystic ^ther transude thro' a Fountain, it may become an Aqtia ardejis iS. \'i.sited this da}- by Elder Backus of Middleborough. Had nuich Convers'' with him upon the Affairs of the Baptists whose History' he is writing. I lent him some MSS. He was delegated with M"" Manning by the Baptist Association last fall to the Bap- tist Congress at Philad'^ to complain to the Continental Congress of the Persecution of the Baptists in Massachusetts Ba}-. He told me he had known one Instance of two Quakers while unbaptized actually partaking of the Lords Supper at Elder Spragues baptist Chh in Exeter about 1752. This brought on the Controversy among the New Light Separates both Baptist & Psedobaptist con- cerning Close or Open Communion : they began 1741 in open, and ended in 1753 in close Communion. He never knew of another Instance. 19. Read Magazines of Oct'' last. This day M'' Chesebrough and M' Marchant dined with me. Elder Backus at my Study tran- scribing & extracting from my Copy of Gov. Winthrops MS Hi.st. ' Tlie first vohitne of Isaac IJackus's History of the Baptists in New England was published in 1777. JANUARY 17-25, 1775 509 20 The Committees of Correspond. & Inspection of Hartfd & 3 other Towns met 9"' Ins* & warned a Meetinc^ of the Commit- tees of all the Towns in the County of Hartford to be held at Hartfd 25"' Ins' Janry. for execiitinj^ the Measures of the Continental Con- gress, & to resolve on the threatning Aspect of pub. Affairs. The principal Towns of New Ha\-en C" have warned a Meef-' of Com- mittees in that County also. And I suppose it will go thro' Con- necticutt. Upon receiv- L,etters from the Secretary of vState Gov. Trumlnill convened the Council or Assistants of Hartford the 2" Ins' and the Gov. with Advice of the Council (for the Deputies were not as.sem- bled) issued a Proclam'' dated at Hartfd 5"' Ins* for a Day of public F'asting & Prayer on account of the Times appointing Wednesda}?- the first of Febry. the day of Fasting, and Prayer throughout the Colon}' of Connecticutt. 22. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Isai. xlviii, 18, & published a Couple. P.M. Ps. xxvii, 8, and baptized Margaret Robertson Daughter of M'' Andrew Balfour' late of Edinburgh & PHizabeth his Wife : said M"" Balfour being the vSon of Andrew Balfour Esq late of Braidwood in the Parish of Temple & Shire of Midlothian & now living in Edinburgh : having first addressed the Covenant to him to educate his Child in the christian Faith. 23. Went over to Tiverton to visit the Rev. M'' Campbell who is sick.^ He tells me that after the 19'" NS of next month he should be in the 80"' year of his Age — so he was born Feb. 8"^ 1695/6. O. S. 24. Returned having visited M'' Campbell & Deacon Josias Sawyer of his Chh both dangerously sick. M'' Campbell sent over & desired public pra3'ers last Edsdy in my Congregation. 25. Examining X**" chap. Jno. in SN^riac. In a Eondon print the Morning Chronicle of the 12"' Nov. last I find Col. Putnam's Letter of 2^ Sept. with the Indors- m'^ as it passed along thro' the Country from Pomfret in Connecti- cutt to Philadelphia. It was taken from a N York Thursdy paper of Sept. 8, where it arrived on the Eveng. of the fifth of September — the paper says ' ' on Monday Eveng. the Inhab. of this City were greatly alarmed with the follow'' accounts brot by Express, which had been forwarded with great Dispatch to our Committee of Cor- respondence." ' See also this Diary, May 20, 1782. - For his death see this Diary, Dec. 19, 1778. 5IO DIARY OF EZRA STILES Cor.. Putnam's famous Letter. " POMFRET Sept. 3''. Cap' Clevki.axd ^NP Kevs this Moment brought us tlie news that the men of war and troops began to fire \ipon the people last night at sun-set at Boston, when a Post was immediately sent ofl to inform the Country. He informs, that the Artil lery played all night — that the people were universally rallying from Boston as far as here, and desire all the Assistance possible. The first was occasioned by the Countr\-'s being robbed of their powder from Boston as far as Farningham, and when found out, the persons who went to take them were immediately fired upon; six of our Number were killed the first Shot, and a number wounded, and beg you will rally all the Forces you can, and be ujDon the march immediately for the Relief of Boston, and the people that way. Israel Putnam. P. S. Send an Express along to Norwich and elsewhere. Aaron Cleveland ' ' Forwarded from Norwich per John Durkee New London, September 3. " Pray send forward an express to Saybrook and elsewhere on the Sea shore, and to Fast Haddam immediately. I desire those Towns to forward expresses to their neighboring Towns. Richard Law Nath. Shaw Sam. H. Parsons " To ^lessrs. John Lay Esq and the rest of the Committee of Correspondence at Lyme." New London September 3. " You will see by a Letter to your Committee of Correspondence the necessity of rallying all your forces immediately ; pray let every man who values his own or his Coxintrys Liberty appear immediately. We shall march before Noon to-morrow ; I came home to-day ; shall set out with our Forces on the morrow. Let your Captains call their men as soon as possible, and make no delaj- in joyning , "S. Parsons." Tlie above is a Copy of a Letter received from P. vS. H. Parsons. To the Committee of CorresjKJndence in Saybrook, or to the select Men in Saybrook, it is desired that this may be forwarded to Killingworlli, to be for- warded Westward. Ele. Mather, John Lay, second, John MacCurdy, William Noyes, Sanmel Mather jun. Committee of Correspondence. To D' Nath. Ruggles and Samuel Brown, Esq : Gentlemen You will doubtless think it prudent on Receipt of this Intelligence to forward it at least as far as New Haven, where doubtless Intelligence will be received by the upper Road. Aaron Elliot Benjamin Gale JANUARY 26, 1775 511 Guii,FORD Sept. 4. Forwarded by the subscriber to Brauford Samukl Brown. Branford, Sept. 4. li'orwarded to John W'hitiiit^, Usq and the rest of the Coniniittee on Corre- spondence at New Haven, per Sam. Baker Sam. Jones New Haven, Sept 4. Gentlemen We have to communicate the fatal News of an attack by the Kings fleet and troops upon the town of Boston. Inclosed you have the foundation and con- veyance of the melancholy intelligence ; we thought it necessary and expedient to communicate by express, expecting your speedy aid to forward the same to the Congress at Philadelphia. We are. Gentlemen, Your friends and brethren in the Common Cause Signed for the Committee of Correspondence Timothy Jones, Clerk of the said Committee. To the Committee of Correspondence New York." Copied & extracted Jaiiry. 25 1775 by Ezra Stiles. The Commit- tee at N York forwarded it to Philadelphia, where it arrived It came to New Haven in the forepart of the afternoon Service. President Dagget told me he that I^dsdy preached for M'' Edwards & the news came into the Meetinghouse just as he was entering on his Sermon. In my last 3^ears Diary I have Putnams Eetter ; which he complained was mutilated b}^ the Torj' printer Rivington at New York : but I find by comparing there was no great Alteration. Col. Putnam never tho't of his I^etter going to the Congress or to Engld. The sheet he wrote could not contain all these Indorsm*^ but an Addition pasted on to it might — besides the N Haven Letter was a Cover. However this Collection of Letter, Minutes, Indorsm'^ &c exhibits the true Idea of the Spread & Propagation of the News. . . . 26. On the 10"' Inst' Janry. died the Rev'' John Gardner Pastor of the Chh of Stow in Massachusetts, set. 79. Min-' 57. He had been disabled from the Ministry but 18 Months the Rev" M"" Newell having been lately ordained Collegue Pastor.' Gov. Hutchinson now in Engld has written a Letter of 4''' Nov. last to Rev. D'' Pemberton of Boston. He says, it was about being ^ John Gardner was a graduate of Harvard in 1715, and Jonathan Newell a graduate there in 1770. 512 DIARY OF EZRA STILES resolved bv the Xing in Council to moderate Matters with the Americans, by adopting a plan in which Taxation & Legislation should be left the American Assemblies, the Parliam' reserving a o-eneral power to regulate Commerce. But upon receiving the news that the Continental Congress had adopted the Resolves of the C of Suffolk, they had suspended any further Consider^ of matters, referring them to the Discussion of the Nation : — or to this Effect, as we have it in the prints. This shews the Impression which American News received before the Beginning of Nov. had been such, as to produce a Conviction of the Expediency of j-ielding the capital Demands of America. The Gov' suggests that later News had altered that Conviction. But I judge, that if the vScarborough News made them think of giving way — the Necessity would appear stronger afterwards. 2S. Wrote a Letter to my Uncle Eldad Taylor Esq of Westfield. Heard of the Death of Madam Raynolds of Enfield ni}- Kinswoman.' There is a flying Report in Town, that upon the Petition of a Num- ber of men at Marshfield, the Connexion of M"" Thomas of that place one of the Mandamus Councellors, Gen. Gage has sent thither by Water a Body of Troops. But it is dubious. Reading much in Vitringa. 29. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on i Jno. ii, 5, & published a couple. P.M. Ps. 119, 132. 30. Reading Alstedij Chronologia. The South-Carolineans have nobly declined using the Liberty granted them b}- the Congress of exporting Rice. And have resolved to instruct their Delegates to the next Congress accordingh". This is a Piece of true Patriotism & heroic Selfdenial for the public good. Our news from London hitherto is only to the 15"" or middle of November. The Caro- lineans have received Letters from London similar to Gov Hutchin- sons to D"" Pemberton. . . . 31. About twenty regular Officers attacked the Watch in Boston about a fortnight ago ; there w^as a Concourse tho' after Ten o'clock at Night ; Some of the Officers were in drink & ver}- insult- ing & warm words & tumultuous actions took place so that there was the utmost Danger of an high & very extensive Tumult. — The ' ElizaVjeth, widow of the Rev. Peter Raynolds (Harvard 1720), and consin of Dr. Stiles, died in Enfield on Nov. 28, 1774. Her father, a half-brother of Dr. Stiles's mother, having died early, she was brought np in her grandfather Taylor's family at Westfield as an adopted daughter. JANUARY 28-31, 1775 513 Justices examined the matter, when it appeared to have begun in the disorderh^ Insolence of the Soldiery — they bound over half a dozen Officers for Trial at some future Court of Common Law. But it will not be presented as the Courts now stand least it should begin a precedent of Juries on the new Model. The Marshfield affair is true — about 120 Troops having been sent thither. But the Committee at Boston have written thither and to all the surround'' Towns beseeching them not to take fire & withold all Violence. It being resolved to keep all still & bear all Insults till news from the Parliament. A Vessel to day from N York brings Letters that on 26"" Ins^ a Motion was made in their Assembly now sitting for considering the Doings of the Continental Congress ; and it passed in the Negative. The Assembl}^ consists of 31 Deputies, of which only 21 were present, the others not arrived in the City. Of the 21 there were 10 for & 11 ag' the motion or rather the pre- vious Question, whether that motion shd be considered noiv ? It is the usage of that Assembly, upon every Motion, to put what they call the previous Question viz whether it shall be considered 7toiL' directly or hereafter ? & oftentimes when once deferred it is never after resumed, tho' it ma}-. However the Tories are highly elated, & laugh & sa}^ the Snake is broken, the Union of the Colonies dis- solved, for N York has given Way.' The Truth is that a Majority of a small septennial Assembly is easih' bought up b}- a Kings Governor. This Assembly is effect- ually opposed to America. But their Constituents are generally right. The pretext ag' consid- the Congress is because the N Y Delegates were not appointed by Assembly, & therefore the Assem- bly had best let it alone, say nothing pro nor con. But the real Reason is Court Influence & Corruption. For in so important a Cause as the present, Assemblies give Weight by approv^ the Con- gress, e^'en those who could not appoint Delegates. Hence while N York Assem. refused to approve, yet last Week N Jerse}- Assem- bly have approved the Congress unanimously. This Evening I held a religious Meeting of the Negroes. I preached on i Tim. i, 15. [The last sermon my dear Wife ever heard.] ' The reference is to the symbol displayed about this date at the head of various American newspapers (as The Massachusetts Spy and Holt's N. Y. Journal), consisting of successive segments of the body of a snake stamped with the initials of the separate Colonies and surmounted by the legend "Join or Die." 33 514 DIARY OF KZRA STILEvS February I. This Even^ monthly meeting of the married pple. at Mr. Smiths. I preached on Titus ii, 14. 3. My Wife is very sick. May the great God prepare us for all the Events of his holy Providence. This Afternoon the Kings speech came to town. A vessel arrived at Marblehcad 29*" Janry. from Falmouth in P^ngland, with the English prints to the 12"' of Dec. ult. The Pari' opened 30"' Nov. The Kings speech is short but sanguinary & resolute. Speaking of American Affairs he says — " ^■ou may depend upon my firm & steadfast Resolution, to with- stand every Attempt to weaken or impair the supreme Authority of this Legislature, over all the Dominions of ni}' Crown ; the main- tenance of which I consider as essential to the Dignity, the Safety, and the Welfare of the British Empire — ."' Upon this the .spirit of the pple, instead of being dampt, rises into determinate Resolution for Resistance LII ' LIX"^ and LXV" Regiments of Foot : two Reg'^ of Marines, and two Companies of his Majestys Royal Artillery, with Canon, shells &c. &c. &c. and another Reg' of foot, viz, the LXIV"' at his Majestys Castle William ; in the Whole fourteen Regiments, exclusive of the Artillery. — The Town is surrounded with Ships of War." Tot. about 6000. In the several Boston prints is exhibited a curious Dramatic piece, in which the Dramatic Personge are as follows, to which I here subjoyn the Names they denote. Ld Chief Just. Hazlerod Judge Meagre Brigadier Hateall Hum Humbug Esq Sir Sparrow Spendall . Hector Mushroom — Col Beau Trumps Dick, the pubHcau Simple Sapling Esq Monsieur de Francois Crusty Crowbar Esq Dupe. Secry. of State Scriblerus Fribble Comodore Batteau Collateralis — a new made Judge Peter Oliver Esq Foster Hutchinson Esq Brig. Ruggles Sir Wm. Pepperel als Sparhawk Col. Murray Nic" Lechmere Ray Thomas Col. Edson Sam' Sewal Com. Loring Wm. Brown Esq. The most of these are new Councillors. 7. My Wife very sick. This Morujng I recei\-ed Letters from Ezra at College together wnth one from Rev'' M' Whittelsey of N. 5l6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Haven — proposing- that Conntcticut & Jersey should withdraw Trade from the Citj- of N York, because that Assembly refuse to accede to the Congress Resolutions. The Import'' from G. Brit, to X York is ^530,000 ster. yearly ; which supplies or is consumed by the Province of N York, half Jersey & half Connecticutt. Connecticutt onh' take off ^100.000 ster. annually European Goods from the York Importers. 8. My W^ife \-ery sick : the fever sensibly checked : very dan- gerous as to her pulmonary Complaints. Towards Eveng. her Respiration a little relieved — blessed be God ! 9. My Wife dangerous & given uj) by the phN-sician, Dr. Bart- lett, a very skilful Man. 10. My Wife still continues a Monument of Gods sparing Mercy hitherto : — very dangerous. May a hoh- Gd prepare us for all events. iVr Hopkins returned yesterda}' from Preston. He tells me that M' Periam' has differ' d & parted with his Chh at Alford— the little flock which he lately persuaded to form into a Chh state there. He was a member but not a Pastor of that Chh of perhaps a dozen Members. He refused to be ordained unless they would have a plurality of Elders. He lived with M"" Jos. Gilbert one of the Brethren, but they differed & he removed. M' G. afterwards went to visit him, but M"" Periam shut the Door upon him, calling him the Pope as ruling the Church. I saw M'' Periam at N. Haven in Sept. last in Comp'^ with M"" West &c. Tho' a young mercurial Man, there was a deep & solemn Gravity in his Face. Now he has done preaching, is removed to the Nine Partners near Sharon, is gay & merry as a Greek, & mightih^ carried awa^^ with learning to sing, & talks about going into Trade. D'' Bellamy writes that he has turned out either a high Sandimanian or is crazy & dis- tracted. Alas I the poor inihappy Gentleman is smitten in the Intellect ! He is full of Ingenuity, Learning, Virtue & Instability and carries the seeds of a flight}- & variable Frenzy in his animal Constitution, which will be e\'er & anon breaking out, & defeat the Usefulness of perhaps one of the finest Geniuses in America. The Rev'' Job vSwift' of was last Month dismissed by an 'Joseph Periam (Princeton Coll. 1762) was licensed to preach in 1774 by the New York Presbytery. After leaving Alford (Berkshire Connty, Mass.) he returned to New Jersey and died in 1780. •A graduate of Yale in 1765 ; settled in Richmond, Berkshire County, Mass., in 1769, and dismissed on Dec. 27, 1774. FEBRUARY S-l6, 1775 517 Eccl. Council. He is one of the New I)i\init>- Connexion. His pple accused him of Heresy of that kind, and of their own accord voted him a Dismission both in Chh «& Congregation by a very great Majority. It is said that if a Minister be di.smissed in Massa- chusetts without Advice of Council, & against liis Consent, he can legall>- claim his Salary according to Mass. Laws. This Interpreta- tion of the Statute is dis]nited & litigated, & has not been judicially determined in the Courts of L,aw. M' Swift said his Dismission was irregular — that it was a Reflexion on his Character — & that he would not con.sider himself dismissed without calling in an Ecclesiastical Council. This was lately called & examined the Accus' of Heresy. They found & declared him orthodox in the Faith — that however some of his Expressions had l^een impudent & having a seeminglj^ different Aspect — & advised a Dismission — & accordingly M'' Swift w-as dismissed. The day before yesterday a vessel from N. York bro't a print with an account, that the first of this Month a Merchant Ship arrived there with Goods from England ; upon which the Com- mittee of Correspond, agreeable to the Continental Congress resolved vshe should not land, but be sent back with her Cargo to London unshipt ; which was done. This da}- 1757 I and my Wife were married. She has been a great Blessing to me ; may the blessed God continue her a Blessing. 11. My wife very ill. 12. Ldsdy. A M. I preached on i Thess. iii, 13, and P M. on Ps. cxix, 4, 5. 13. My Wife has had a more comfortable Day. And we begin to be encouraged. The good Lord fill us with Gratitude & grant us his Salvation. 14. M}- Wife apparently better. At IX o' Clock this forenoon Ezra came home from College to see his Mother. He left New Haven Saturday P.M. 15. Yesterday four Military Companies mu.stered in this Town for Exercise. We are still encouraged respecting my Wife. Read- Whitefields Dissertation on the Hebrew Points. 16. Writing a Letter to M"" Tutor Lewis of Yale College on the Antiquity of the Points.' The more I consider the subject, 1 Dr. Stiles has preserved a copy of this letter. A part of the first paragraph, apparently in reply to some remarks concerning the College course of study, is interesting : — 5l8 DIARY OF EZRA STILES the more I am inclined to judge the Points coeval with the Hebrew Language. 17. Certain Ace' that the Ship is sent back from N. York. 18. Reading Buxtorf s Clavis Masoreticus, & Aben Ezra, Jarchi, &c. 19. Ldsdy. A M. I preached on Mat. vii, 21. P.M. Luke xvii, 10. Took Consent of my Church that M"""" Green of Warwick, wliom I baptized there last Summer,' that she might partake of the Lds Supper with us occasionalh*, tho' not a Member of this or any particular Chh, yet a Member of the Chh catholic. My Chh con- .sented freelw 20. "The first Inst, was performed in the i""" parish of Rowle}', the Ordin-' of the Rev. Mr. Seth Noble' to the pa.storal Care of the Chh. (S: Congreg''' in Mmigreville, on the River St. John in Nova Scotia, by a Council of Chhs. convened for the Purpose . . The Rev. Mr. Oliver Noble of Newbury made the first pra3-er & then preached on i Tim" iii, i. The Rev. Mr. Cleaveland of Ipswitch (laying on hands with the Rev'' Mr. Leslie of Linebrook & the Reyd ]\Xj- Xoble of Newbury) solemnized the Ordination by Prayer & giving the Charge ; then Mr. Leslie prayed & gave the Rt Hand of Fellowship ; cS: the whole was concluded by singing Gods praise & a ble.ssing pronounced by the new Pastor." ^ The lower branches of polite Literature I have an indifferent Opinion of ; such as Poetry, the dramatic Writings, and the profusion of modern Novels, which too much engage the Attention even of men of Letters. But you will not from hence conceive that I disapprove of the higher & more valuable Branches of the belles Lettres, such as Geography, History, Speaking, & accu- rate Composition in the English Language. In these, Scholars have been too deficient. I intirely agree with j'ou particularly in the importance of cultivat- ing the English Language with a granmiatical Accuracy. I have no great opin- ion of Logic. But the Classics, Mathematics, Philosophy, Astronomy, Theol- ogy, & a general knowledge of the Nature of Government, & the different Policies in all the Kingdoms & Empires on Earth, together with a summary View of Ecclesiastical History for the two periods, of the three first ages and the Reformation, as also a summar}- Idea of the pontificial System — compose the grand Object of Academical Erudition. To this I think it of importance to add, a thorough knowledge of the Geography, & Policies both civil & religi- ous, of the several English Colonies in .\nierica. ' See Diary, July 27, 1774. * Rev. Seth Noble, from Westfield, Mass., was afterwards settled in Bangor, Me., and elsewhere, and died in Ohio in 1807. Oliver Noble was a graduate of Yale in 1757, John Cleaveland of Yale in 1745, and Oeorge Lesslie (pastor of Linebrook Society in Ipswich) of Harvard in 1748. FEBRUARY 17-23, 1775 519 21. The vShip James, Cap' Watson from (jlas^^ow arrived at N York the secoml Ins', being the day after the Time limited by the Congress. Great pains were taken by the Tories (S: Crown officers to land her Goods. The People rose twice — the Tories from 2 to four Hundred, the Whigs from four to five thousand — the Ship was sent off by the Committee — the Man o'W\ar stopt her ; — the pple assembled a second Time & visited the Cap' of the Man o' War, the King Fisher, & demanded his Reason & Auth^' for stopping the Vessel — he dismissed the Vessel ; and on the 12"' Ins' (after ten da3'S Contest) that ship sailed from N York " for Jamaica, without ever entering at the Customhouse or discharging one single pack- age. She was attended to Sandy Hook by a N" of Gent, from our Committee, who waited at the Hook till they lost Sight of her." — ' ' Every Artifice has been used & a \^ariety of Manoevres put in practice, by a set of ministerial Hirelings in order to get the Cargo of the above Ship landed." This is a great Defeat : & shews that the Disposition of the Body of the pple with respect to the public Cause of Liberty is not to be learned from the Votes of N York venal Assembly. iVnother Ship is expected there from Europe ; the owners of which have given orders at the Hook that she shall not come up, but go off from this Continent. Unexpectedly the Politics of Jamaica are altered & they are coming over to the side of American Liberty, tho' they have above Two Hundred Thousand Negro Slaves on that Island. ' ' The Assembh' of this Island, by a Majority of sixtcoi to Au/ie, have passed a Memorial to his Majesty, & have petitioned for a Repeal of all the later Acts of Parliam* respecting America." It was passed about Xtmas — & was to be sent 7"' Janry. I have read it in MS. — ■" Your petitioners make this Claim & Demand from their Sovereign, as Guarantee of their just Rights, on the Faith & Con- fidence of w'^ they have settled, & continue to reside, in these distant parts of the Empire : That no Laws shall be made, & attempted to be forced upon them, injurious to their Rights as Colonists, Englishmen or Britons." This is noble & patriotic. It conies in a Letter from Jamaica dated i Janry. ult. 22. This has been a mild, clear, pleasant Day. No snow on the Ground here. The most Summer like Day known here in the memory of Man. Fahr. Therm. 57 and 63 highest. 23. News that Quebec have drawn a Petition & Remonstrance to the King against the Quebec Bill & for the Repeal of that ^: the 520 DIARY OF EZRA STILES several obnoxious Acts of Parliament : Also that another Ship is arrived from Engld to N York ; & that the owners have peaceably, agreed that she shall go back to Hngld without unloading here. The Mass. ^ro^•. Congress at Cambridge has adjourned on i6*'' Ins' to 22'' March, then to meet at Concord : having first recom- mended a general Fast 25. The Ministry have circulated Notices & secret Inform' to their Creatures the Governors &c that Petitions from the several Assemblies for Repeal &c would be heard with Acceptance. They dont chuse to consider the Congress as legal, & would affect to have it that none of the Parliamentary Transactions in the present Grand Conflict should be influenced by the measures & Applic'' of the Continental Congress, which stands upon an Origination from the pple, which Courtiers & Tories would, if they dare, declare illegal & rebellious. The Gov'' of N Jersey gave assur-' to his Assembly in Janry. last that their separate Petition, disconnected from the Congress, would be heard : the Assembly approved the Congress, but replied — " tho' we cannot conceive how the sepaiate Petition of one Colony is more likely to succeed than the united petitions of all ; yet to shew our Desire to promote so good a purpose by every proper means, we shall make use of the mode pointed out by your Excellency, in hopes it will meet with that Attention, which j'ou are pleased to assure us will be paid to the Representatives of the People." — Cortlandt Skinner Speaker. House of Assembly Feb. i, 1775. The venal Assembly of N. York, dictated by IJ- Gov. Coldeu «& the Ministry, have sent a Petition to the King, a Memorial to the Lords, & a Representatioji & Renioustrancc to the Commons of G' Britain. This thej^ resolved Janr}'. 31 ult. I expect to hear that this has been the ministerial Dictatiire by the last Packet to & for all the Assemblies. Hence tlie Jamaica Petition, first having per- mission from the Higher Powers — Hence the Quebec Petition— & N York Petition. As for Jersey, the Gov''^ Reply perhaps will impede that — He saj's — " It is besides in vain now to argue on the subj', as you have with a most uncommon «& unnecessary precipi- tation, given your entire Approb'' to that destructive Mode of pro- ceed ■-', w*-' I so earnestly warned you against. Whether after such a Resolution, the Petition yon mention can be reasonably expected to pro- duce any good Effect &c." Virginia Assembly is now sitting, & perhaps most of the American Assemblies have been called upon FEBRUARY 25-28, 1775 521 for separate Petitions to the Crown ; it is certain some two have been called on with Assiir' of Success. Now for what Reason, should the Min>' dictate tS: encourage this new Mode of Petition from the Assemblies? — was it because they foresaw that they should be necessitated to give up the Conflict ? or to get us to quarrelling about the Mode of Applic-' for Redress of Grievances — and in this Quarrel to loose the prosecution of the grand Object of our united Endeavours the Res/oiafion and Preservation of American Liberty ? Is it not an Insult, impl3-ing that America had not used this regular Mode for Redress ? — when in Fact the Assemblies have been petitioning, & petition:' «& petitioii' again & again for nine 3' ears past ; & their Petitions been treated even by the Sovereign, not merely with Ahglect, but with Marks of Royal Aversion, Despication & Contempt. And yet now the Ministry & their Hirelings & Banditti ask us, forsooth, why the Assemblies dont petition ; that it cannot be expected that the King will hear the Petitions of Mobs & Co7igresses illegal & irregular Assemblies ; but ask in a legal manner by the Assemblies, & vou shall assuredly' be heard. But the King must know, the British Pari' nuist know, for the World will know it, that the American Continental Con- gress of Sept. last was a regular legal patriotic Body, wherein Two millions were as justly and truly Represented as ever any Body of Mankind were before — -»& that the Mode of their Eleetio)i by a patriotic spontaneous selforigination from the People is defenci- ble on the first Principles of Society & the English Constitution, & justifiable & glorious on the principles of the Law of Nature & Nations & the finest Reasonings of the Jus civile. It is more over exemplary. It holds up Light to Engld, to Europe, to the World, to shew to all the enslaved Empires around the Globe, How they may put their Lives in their Hands, cS: from orderly & regular Congresses for Petitions to Tyrants the Higher Powers, rise into a System of irresistable Vindication & Liberty. 26. Lordsday. A INI. I preached on Heb. vii, 9, and P M on 2 Cor. i, 12, and propounded my Negro Servant Newport' to be admitted into full Communion in the Church. Read sundry of Dr. Pemberton's Sermons on Salvation hy Grace. 27. The Canadians have petitioned the King. 28. A Magazine is forming at Worcester. ^Bought for Dr. vStiles at Cape Mount on the coast of Guinea in 1757 (when supposed to be about 11 years old), in exchange for a hogshead of whisky. 522 DIARY OF EZRA STILES March. I. Today our son Ezra sat out on his Return to Yale College ; my Wife being better 3. At IV' P.M. I preached ni}^ Sacramental Lecture from 2 Pet. i. 10, II. [27 canon removed at vSalem.] 4. For two daj-s past have had a Report concerning an Affair at Salem. 5. Ldsdy. A M. I preached on Gal. ii, 20, and administered the Lords Supper to 58 Communicants. P M. 2 Pet. iii, ult. My Wife grows worse again. Reading Minutius Fa-Iix, his Odavius. 7. Last Ldsdy a vessel arrived here from the \^inyard, the Captain of which told that a vessel had just arrived at the Vinj^d from Eustatia in 18 days, with news that the Parliament was dis- solved ; the ace" of which was brot by a Vessel in 28 days from Engld to Eustatia. The Cap*^ of the Coaster received it from the Mouth of the Eustatia Captain. The same day the same ace" was brot here by a Man from Dartmouth. It was doubted as being incredible or impossible. Yesterday a Gentleman came here, Via Providence from Boston, who asserted that he dined at Boston last friday with the Captain of &c who came passenger in a Vessel from Bristol in Engld to the Vinyard in about 30 da)^s, who told him, that the Report in Bristol was that the ParP House had been surrounded by 40 or 50 Thousd, demanding a Redress of Griev- ances, which the ParP promised should be done in a few da^^s. But the Boston prints of Monday last or yesterday, coming b}^ the post to day, mention nothing of the matter. [We had the same Story of a Dissolu. of ParP by a Vessel from Barbados March 12. But it is onh' an Adjourn' of Pf.rP.] On Ldsdy Morng. 25. ult. the Reg*^ at Castle William of 240 Men embarked on board a Tran.sport on a secret Expedition ; and at III P M. (while the Congregations were at pub. Worship) landed at Marblehead, & march 5 miles around to Salem to seize some Ord- nance &c. Instance Notice being sent, the pple at Salem removed the Canon over a Bridge. The Troops under Col. Leslie arrived at the Bridge, which a Draw Bridge not far from the N" or young yV Barnards Meetinghouse. The provincial Col. Pickering mus- tered between 30 & 40 under Arms on the other side of the Bridge & drew up the Bridge. A vast Multitude was convened, and Alarm Guns fired continually. Col. Leslie find*-' the Bridge drawn, ordered his Men to face, seeming to intend to fire on those on the MARCH I- /? 75 523 other side. The Men did not face. At length he ordered his men to put off two Gundalo.s — but the Salemites in.stantly skuttled them. The Soldiers prickt them with Bayonets &c. At this Inst the Rev. M'' Barnard jun. stept up to Col. Leslie ; complained that his soldiers abused our pple, told him they wer the Aggressors, & beged him not to fire, for that if they did they would all be cut off. Leslie kept his Troops at the Bridge an hour & half : — at length [Copy of Sketch by Dr. Stiles.] Col. Leslie pledged his honor that if they would let down the Bridge he would march but thirty rods over it & return without doing any Thing further. The Line was markt, and Col. Picker- ing with his 40 brave heroes (like Leonidas at Thermopylae) faced the Kings Troops, risked Col. Leslies Honor ; the Bridge was let down, Leslie marched over, & while some were on the bridge «S: other on this side, he halted, ordered them to face about, & so the}^ marched back, returned to Marblehed, & embarked that night for 24 DIARY OP^ EZRA vSTlLHvS Castle William, without the Canon which thej' went after. The Coiintr}- was alarmed, the News flew like I^ightning, they marched from Haveril «S:c "and one comp'' arrived in Arms from Danvers just as the Troops left the Town." Thus inglorious was the Excursion and Retreat of the Kings Troops. It was not known at Boston that the Stupidity of Gen. Gage had left the Castle defence- less, for no more than 15 were left to keep Garison and they kept the Milk Man who supplied the Castle with Milk, & would not suffer hini to go off Castle Isld till the Troops returned : Thus was Gen. Gage most shamefully out-generalled — he sent out a Regiment to surprize & seize the Salem Ordinance ; but they not only returned without it, but with Circumstances of Repulse derogatory to the Honor of Soldiers, besides hazarding a Trial in which they might have been swallowed up by the Thousds which would have soon appeared in Arms. 8. In the Even- attended the M" Meeting at Sqr. Pitmans & I preached on Col. i, 10. 9. In comp-' with Cap' Romans who is publishing a-Volume of American Natural Hist- with Charts.' 10. Cap' Romans visited me. Conversed largel)^ on the Indians, their Origin, and Customs. Examined Plato's Critias, Diodorus Siculus, &c for the History of the Isld of Atlas. He has travelled among all the Indians from Eabradore to Panama. The Indian Tribes in New Spain are most numerous ; but he saw none that he estimated to have above Ten to Twenty Thousd Men. He esti- mated the Total of Souls Indians between Mississippi & the Atlantic, & from Florida to the Poles to be fewer than One hun- dred Thousd vSouls. Cherokees .... 1000 fencible Men. Chauktaws .... 5000 Creeks lower . . . 11 60) Do upper . . . 1 200 ) Chickesaws .... 250 Catawbas .... 50 1 1 . The second Ship is sailed back from N York for England — the fir.st sailed for Jamaica the second sailed for Engld laden with English Goods, without unload- any of her Cargo at N York. . . . ' A Concise Natural History of East and West Florida, by Captain Bernard Romans, was published at New York in 1775. MARCH 8-15, 1775 525 12. Ldsday. A M. I preached on Rev. iii, 10, and P.M on Ps. cxix, 4, 5, and baptized an Infant of M' Newtons, by the name of Elizabeth Eaton ; also baptized my Negro Man AW'/)or/ ( zet. 27, nearly) and admitted him into full Communion with the Church. Notified the Fast next Thursday. Reading that eminent Divine (who formed so many of the first New Engld Ministers) M' Wil- liam Perkins of the Univ- of Cambridge in Engld, his Treatise on the Creed. A most excellent Divine. 13. M' Romans visited me. He tells me the Esquimaux or Lab- radore Indians differ from others in i. Their Complexion being whiter than others. 2. Their Hair not strait - depend upon my taking the most speed\' and effectual ISIeasures for Ivnforcing due Obedience to the Laws & Autliorit>' of the supreme Legislature. Whenever any of my Colonies .shall make a proper & dutiful Applic'\ I .shall be ready to concur with yon in ajfording them every just & reasonable Indulgence ; & it is ni}- ardent Wish, that this Di.sposition may have a happy Effect on the Temper & Conduct of my Subjects in America." The ParP resolve — "the Contumacy & Defiance of Legislative power in the Americans to be rebellions. ' ' This News elevates the Tories or PViends of Government : and is di.sgustful to the FViends of America ; .some timid persons are depressed — but in general the Friends of Liberty are hereby exasperated & declare themsehes ready for the Combat, & nothing is now talked of but inunediateh forming an American Army at Worcester & taking the F'^ield with undaunted Resolution. 5. A Gentleman came out of Boston yesterday at X'' A.M. & arrived at Providence last Night. And by a Packet from Providence to day, we are informed that a few hours before the above Gent, left B" an Express from vSalem bro't news to B" that on Monday last a vessel arrived at Salem, & brot News from London ten days later than the last news — &: that Things had taken a new Turn in ParP more in favor of America. This Eveng. I held a monthly Meeting of the married pj)le of \\\\ Congregation. I preached I APRIL 3-7, 1775 531 On the 23'' of March died the Rev'' John Chipinan' let. .S5, vSenior pastor of the second Chh in lieverly. Also the Ins^ April died Rev. Jon^^ Bowman' set. 71, at Dorchester. He had resigned the Ministry- there I think last year. 6. Yesterdays News not credited. This Kven.^;. I preached M'' Hopkins lyccture Levit. 26, 12. 7. Rivingtons N York Gazetteer 30 March contains a burlesque or Satyrical Account of the Transactions & Resolutions of the Committee of Inspection at Newport on 5th March. It holds up this Idea that the Design of the present Struggles of Patriotism are to elevate the Presbyterians to Supremacy in Gov', & their Intentions to oppress & subdue the Quakers, Episcopalians & Bap- tists. It is to alienate these 3 sects from the common Cause, by holding up Hanging to the first, & Loss of their College to the Baptists. Their Resolutions are fictitioush^ descriptive of some particular Characters in Newport both of the Committee & others. Among others, it is said they have respect to me, particularly in the following. " Resolved, 6^'''- That the Baptists, notwithstand- all their fair pretenses, are at best but Troublers of an Israel to the Common- wealth, of which they have shewn themselves inimical b}' their loud Clamours & injurious Remonstrances &c — : and as some of their Leaders have had the consummate Impude?ice to lay be/ore the Grand Continental Congress, Complaints of the Tyranny of the good & quiet pple of the Massach. bay, which was at that very Time greviou.sly suffering on Ace" of its zeal for Ivibert3\ Resolved, That We will henceforth entertain for that Sect, no greater affec- tion than the Israelites had for the Children of Edom ; that ive will never forget nor forgive such an atrocious Injury ; that we will take hold of every Occasion to repay it seven fold into their own Bosoms ; that tve will extirpate them whenever our Republic is properl}- con- firmed ; & that in the mean Time we will vigorousl}' exert ourselves to get such a Majority in the House of Assembly next Gen. Elec- tion, as will transfer the Direction of their College at Providence, into the Hands of much fitter Instructors of Youth, the Independants, that herein the Saying may be true. One soweth & another reapeth. Resolved 7 "''•'■ That the present Transh' of the Bible being the Work of some Highflying priests, the Tools of Despotism in the 1 Graduated at Harvard 171 1. - Harvard Coll. 1724. Ordained in Dorchester, Nov. 5, 1729. 532 DIARY OF EZRA STILEvS arbitrar\- Reign of James I. is thence deeply tinged with the most damnable princi])les of Jacobitism, - & on every public Occasion. 8. A Man from Norwich \"'ia N London tells me that the News of Pari' enforcing their Acts, struck a great Damp on the people at New London. 9. Ldsd}'. A M. I preached on Micah v, 4. P M. 2 Cor. iii, 18, & notified Catechising to morrow V' P M. Reading Perkins Works. 10. Writing Letters to England. At V' catechised 21 Boys, 47 Girls & 9 Negroes. 11. Col. Gilbert' of Freetown has fled to the Man o'War in this port. Yesterday above a Thousd Men assembled in Arms at Free- town to lay Col. Gilbert as the}- had heard he had risen up against his Countr}-. The}' came from all parts round as far as Middleboro' Rochester &c. They took about 30 of his Men & disarmed them, tho' they had lately taken the Kings Arms. — The Rev. M' West of Dartm" & Rev'' Mr. Helyer of Barnstable here on a Visit. 12. M'' West all day examining Texts in the Pentateuch & Prophets in the Targum of Jonathan & Onkelos. Chh Meet^' at Sister Carrs, I preached 13. M'' West tells me that Elder Cushman of his Chh died about a fortnight ago. With him I suppose will end the Ruling Elder- .ship in that Church, viz the Cong. Chh in Dartmouth. 14. Some of Col. Gilbert's Men it is said seized a Soldier of the Regulars a Deserter who was teaching military Exercise at Free- town, & were about carrying him to Gen. Gage at Boston. The Night before last 50 Men marched from Dartmouth to joyn a large Body wath a View to rescue the vSoldier. By a Letter from Boston I am informed that pple are removing out of B" very fast : and that M'' Hancock & M' Adams in particular, who are at the Provincial Congress now sitting at Concord, do not design to return into Bos- ton. The Expect-' of more Troops will cause a considerable Evac- uation from Boston. The Provincial Congress have wrote a Letter to Gov. Wanton, that the}- have appointed 2 Delegates from the Congress to the Rhode Isld. Assembly next Month, then to lay before them the Designs & Transactions of the Congress. ' Thomas Gilbert. See vSabine'.s Aiiicr. Loyalists, i, 46S-72. 534 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 1 6. Ivclsdy Rev. Jii" Martin preached for me all day. A.M. from Numb, xxiii, lo. P.M. Ps. Ixxxv, 9. I baptized Oliver Croniwel vSon of D"" John Bartlett & Lucretia his Wife, who was born the .second Instant. I also propounded Judith a Negro vServant for full comnnniion. M' Martin is perhaps fet. 24. He was born in Ireld & educated at a Romish Academy or Seminary at W. Meath. Tho' an Episcopal Protestant he became a Dissenter, & was ordained by M'' Ray & other Pastors of the Independ' Association in the N" of Ireld formed since 1765 — contain*^ seven Chhs partly of Westleian (S: ^^'hitf^eldian Methodists, i, e. chiefly Presbyterians as to Mode of sitting around a Table at Communion yet adopting the Independent I'sage as to admissions by Votes of the Brethren & by written Relation of Experiences. He was ordained 1771, and came to Nova Scotia 1772. He tells me that he is personally- acquainted & lodged with the Pretender in Ireld 1771 & he offered him to be one of his Chaplains (as he has 4 Hugenot Chaplains at Paris) at ^120. ster vSalary : — that the Pretender is jet. 55 circa ; & travels Incog, thro' the 3 K"'^ every two years — & draws from them 7 or ^8000. Sterl" per ann. — and that the Pretender told him he had never received the Mass, was not a Papist, but a Protestant. 17. Cap' Hathaway of Freetown Militia being in Newport, was this day seized & carried aboard the Rose Man o" War, as was said, to be sent to Gen. Gage for taking away the Kings Arras from Col. Gilberts Men. They detained him about Hours & dismissed him. He is about commencing an Action against the Officers of the Rose for false Impri.sonment. 18. Vessels arrived at Boston advise that three Reg'* of P'oot & one Reg' of Dragoons are com^' over. Bring the particulars of Ld Norths insidious Proposal, which he said himself in ParP he did not expect the Americans would comply with. It is appar- ent the Pari' are determined to enforce their Acts, withoiit Reced- ing at all 19. This Aft. attended jSP Kellys Lecture & heard M'' Martin preach Gal. v, i. — M' Martin is now let. 25. born 1750. his father died when he was 3'oung about half a year old — he was brot up till ?et. 7. in the West of Ireld where they talk nothing but old Irish, &. he knew no English till afterwards. He was designed for a Physician, and by his Guardians sent to the Romish Seminary of West Meath & studied Physic there 3 ' ^ years under a Roman Catholic professor. Tho' educated in the Chh of Engld, he became APRIL 16-20, 1775 535 a ^Member of a Deistical Clul) at the vSeminarj- — till about half a year before he left the Sem- when he became a Methodist. He left the vSem- and bej^an to preach xt. 18, and in 1771 xt. 21 he was ordained & in 1772 came to America, havin^^ preached above six hundred Sermons the first year — perhaps smitten with a religious Ambition to see how soon he can preach 15 Thousd or as many as M' Whitfield did in his whole Life. There were si.x or 7 Students expelled for Methodism from that Seminary as well as a Number expelled at Oxford. Several of those & M' Martin with them applied to the seceed- Presb- in X" of Ireld for Ordin', but were refused because they came out of a Romish vSeminary, & unless they went & studied in Scotland 4 years. Upon this they applied to M' Ray &c. He sa}S he had an Interview with the Pretender 1767 — & I think three Times in all. He ridicules Ministers praying against the Pretender Charles as a Papist, which he says he shall never do, for he knows he is no Papist, because he told him so. I asked him whether the Pretender had not imposed upon him & taken him in? He smiled a smile of Resentment & said, you may think so if you please. I asked him whether the Pretender & his Adherents did not di.spair of his reach' the Crown. He said their only Hopes were in .some interior Divisions & Convulsions, which they were watching for. I observed in that Case the Pretenders Religion would be an insuperable & common Objection against him. He .said, Charles was no Papist. But says he if I shd talk so in Engld or Ireld I might perhaps be taken up — but America was a Land of Lib- where Men said any Thing. After talking so that one would have took him to be a close Friend to the Pretender ; he said he had six scars of Wounds which he had received from the Papist.s — one he .shewed at the Edge of his Eye, made by a stone thrown at him while preaching : & then he talked as one that had been a Martyr for Protestantism. I doubt his true Character. He was educated under Jesuits. Their vSubtlety is great. Would not Charles give /'loo. saP' to a Man imder the Mask of a Methodist Preacher to itinerate & carry thro' America, at this critical Time, an Assurance, that he was a Protestant, supported 4 Hugenot Chap- lains, and never partook the popish Mass or vSacrament ? ' 20. At VIII o'clock this Morn'-' an Express arrived in Town from Providence, with the following Letters. ' See also this Diary, May 12, 13, 1777. 536 DIARY OF EZRA STILES " PROviDiiNCE April 19''' 1775 10 o'clock at Night " vSlK Having rec' Intelligence that our Breth: iu Mass: Bay are attacked by a Body of regular Troops & that many of our Friends are slain. — These are to request your Honor that you will be pleased to call the Gen' Assembly of this Colon}- to meet together as soon as possible (by Monday next at furthest) that they may make such necessary preparations for the common Defense as shall be tho't necessary. We are your Honors Obed serv'^ P.vS. There are Two Gent: here from the Prov: Cong: now waiting to confer with the Assembly. We beg your Honors Answer." N B. The foregoing is directed to Gov. Wanton and is signed b}- 26 of the principal Inhabitants of Providence. "Sir This Evening Intelligence hath been rec' that about Twelve himdred of the Regulars have proceeded from Boston towards Concord, and having fired upon & killed a Number of the Inhabitants of Lexington, are now actually engaged in butchering & destroying our Brethren there in the most inhuman manner, that the Inhabitants oppose them with Zeal & Courage & Numbers have already fallen on both sides. Reinforcements were at Ten o'Clock under Motion from Boston, & the Provincials were alarmed and mustering as fast as possible. It appears necessary therefore that we immediately make some provision for their Assistance, & his Honor the Lieutenant General desires your immediate Attendance to advise & order in that Behalf. His being very ill occasions my Writing in his Behalf. We shall impatiently wait your Arrival as Numbers are read}' & wait only Orders to proceed. The Countrj's PViend & yours S. HOPKIN.S." " Providence Wednesday Night Ten o'clock. "To Major General Potter." Upon Receipt of tlii.s News the Town was thrown into Alarm, and all went into preparation. The Gov' issued Warrants for call- ing the Assembl}' to meet at Providence next Saturday. Gen. Potter Cwho lives at Bristol) set off this Morning, with Numbers from Bri.stol & Warren. None have marched from Newport to day, tho' Col. Dayton tells me this Afternoon that there are five Hundred armed & ready to march, waiting only the Governors Orders, The Tories have, in order to intimidate, circtilated thro' the Town, that Cap^ Wallace of the Rose Man o' War, insolently says he will fire upon the Town & lay it in A.shes, if any march from hence. This intimidates some pple. They are training, exercising & preparing all day. It is said that the Regulars coming up with abotit 30 Minute Men exercising at Lexington, ordered them to lay down APRIL 21, 1775 537 their Arms — that upon Refusal, the Re.^ulars dastardly fired upon them & killed six — that the others returned the fire «& killed some of the regulars. But of this there is no Certainty. Gov. Hopkins does not inform the Basis of his Intelligence — dont even date his Letter. And it is not known whether the Troops marched to Lex- ington yesterday Morning, or before. It is probable the whole Countr>- is thrown into the same Alarm as last September. The good Lord direct & overrule all for his Glorj- & the good of his Chosen. It is happy that the Troops have given the first blow — the way is open & clear now for the Americans. If they will Init tarry out of Boston a few days, I doubt not the Americans will give a good Account of them. But I fear their Cowardice has made them instantly return to Boston. All that I rel}- upon in this News is that they have marched to Lexington, & killed a few Men. I am not a little apprehensive that it may prove only another false Alarm, designedly excited by our pple to prevent the Troops from marching out of Boston, into the Country. 21. This has been a day of universal Anxiet}' & Sollicitude in Town. All Business is laid aside. Various have been the Reports from different parts. From all which I collect, that on Wednesday 19"' Ins' about 1500 Troops went, earh' in the Morn- before day, in Boats from Boston by Water & landed about Cambridge, and pro- ceeded by a quick march to Concord & there destroyed about 50 Bbs of Flour & spiked up some Canon : & then returned thro' Lexington to Charlestown, & so passed over to Boston the Eveng. of the same da}-. That the Country was alarmed ; and about 300 Minute Men attacked them at Lexington, when a number were killed on both sides. That these 300 harrassed them in the Return & again attacked them between Cambridge & Charlestown ; when more were slain on both sides. The number slain said to be about 80 Regulars & 40 Provincials. An Express left Cambridge yesterday & came to Providence about XI'' this forenoon, & the news reached Newport at V' this Afternoon. Inform- that yes- terday there were assembled 16 or seventeen Thousd Provincials of which 7000 were at Cambridge, 4000 at Chariest" & 4000 at Roxbury. Col. [General] Ward wrote to Providence to stay the further Accession of Troops as they had more than a vSul^cienc\- assembled. Col. Putnam was marching from Connecticut with a Body of Forces from that Colony. This is the state of the news to day. None marched from Newport, nor from Providence. 538 DIARY OF F.ZRA STILEvS 22. This (lay brinies turtlier Confirm' of the News yesterday, but no new Intelli.y,ence. It is remarkable that 19"' Ins' the day of the march from Boston to Concord & Commenc' of actual Hostilities, was the day of the anniversary Fast thro' Connecticutt. We do indeed hear that Gen. Ga<^e having sent a Vessel to take off his 100 Men sent to Marshfield, the Minute Men of the neighboring Towns assembled to prevent & secure the vSoldiers from being carried off. And that a great Light was seen from Providence in the direction of Marshfield, which is 60 Miles off, supposed to be the firing of that Town. But this I do not credit. That Light was seen from Newport by the Watch last night. [This was a fire in vSandwich Woods.] But Marshfield is a dispersed vSettlement. The supposi- tion is in no wise credible. Tho probably the Party is secured — for Things are becoming more & more serious every day. The Gov'' of N" Car" in a Speech to his A.s.sembly now sitting inveighed against the last Congress, & ag' send*-' Delegates to the present. But the Assembly gave him a warm Reph'. ha\'e appro\-ed their Delegates, & stand firm in the Cause of Liberty. 23. Ldsday A M. I preached on Hosea xii, 6, & sang Watts' Ps. 79 from 5"' to 8"' Stanzas inclu.sive. It was in Course to read a Chapter after the first prayer — at the Desire of M'' William Vernon a Gentleman of my Congregation I read Ps. Ixxix and Ixxx as adapted to the present melanchoh' Occasion, the Commencement of Civil War in New Engld by the Hostilities 19"' Ins' at Lexington &c. P.M. Ps. cxxx. 6, 7, and baptized John the Infant of Brother Bis.sel. This Afternoon we sang Ps. 74, six first Stanzas and Ps. 130, Long Metre. It has been a Day of great vSeriousness & Solemnity. The Times are \-ery aft'ecting. May we all know, that, was there no Sin there would be no sufiferings, that Sin is the procur- Cause of all Calamities — that Humiliation Repent'' & Turn- ing to the Ld is our Duty peculiarly when his Judgm''' are abroad in the P^arth. 24. By an Express which left the American Arm\- last vSaturday we learn that nothing further had been done, only that they were very busily employed in forming their plans in the best manner : and that they were full of the Idea of entering Boston. But it is to be hoped that maturer Counsels will postpone that Attempt. It is said that (ien. Gage has removed his Canon and abandoned the Fortification on the Neck : and that they had taken Col. Leslie of the Regulars. We have some more accurate Ace" of the March of APRIL 22-25, T775 539 the Troops, viz, That between XI (S: XII o" Clock on Tuesday Eveng. a Detachni' of 1000 or 1500 embarked in Boats from Hoston ^ landed at Phipps' Farm in Cambridge & immediately proceed thro Lexington for Concord : they arrived at Lexington before Sun- rise on Wedn-' Morning & found 100 Provincials under Arms. The command" officer commanded them to disperse. But they not com- plying immediately, the advanced Guard made two Fires upon them, killed three upon the spot, 6c wounded six, who died the same day of their Wounds. Upon which they dispensed. The regulars marched on to Concord, destroyed Flour Canon &c & cut down Liberty Pole erected there. A Number of Provincials by this Time collected there, upon which the Detatchm' began their Retreat. Exasperated to the highest degree by the merciless Massacre of their Brethren at Lexington, they pursued & fired upon the Regulars in their Retreat. The Provincials still collect- took the field & from thence, & the sides of the hills, galled the Regulars severely on their Retreat, & did not desist the pursuit till they reached Chariest'' where the Regulars encamped on Bunkers Hill. In the Afternoon of the same day by order of Gen. Gage, a proclani'' was read to the Inhabitants of Chariest", purport- that he would la}- that Town in Ashes if they obstructed the Kings Troops. The next day the Troops took Boat & landed in Boston. On Thursday Eveng. near 5000 Provincials were assembled at Cambridge, a large part>' at Roxb-' and another large Bod}- at Mystic. Gen. Gage sent 2 Transports on We.sd^' last to takeoff the Troops at Marshfield. And it is said that the}' embarked on friday Noon. We hear the Post was taken & carried to Concord. Our Assembh' is called & is now sitting at Providence. Two of the Members M"" Cranston & M'' Bours' left the Assembly & this da}- returned to Newport fearing to jo}-n in the Measures the Assembly may adopt. 25. Gov'^ Ward yesterday wrote a letter to Mess" Malbones received to day ; advising the Merchants to get their Vessels to sea or out of N" Engld with all speed ; & recommend*^ to the pple at Newport to remove themselves & Effects speedily, as their was certain Danger of immediate vSeizure, in Consequence of Measures adopting by the Assembly. This has thrown the Town into great Consternation & Panic ; & many are all day putting up their P^ffects & prepar- for Removal. To heighten the Terror, the Men o' War give out that ' John Bours was the vSeiiior Warden, and Thomas Cranston a Vestryman, of Trinity Church ; neither took any further part in pubHc life. 540 DIARY OF EZRA STiI.EvS if Newport lakes part with Pro\-idence & New Engld they will lay the Town in Ashes. This day came here M'"^ Gordon from Roxb-' remov- to Philadelphia for safety. M' Gordon' tarrying behind & determining to share the fate of War. There may 30 or 40 families remove, but they must leave 1500 behind. 26. Two Vessels full of Passengers sailed this Alonr for Phila- delphia. The Town in great panic. The Assembly proceed with A'igor, tho' the upper House hesitate. The Tories elated. Great Dejection on most Countenances — but some revive their spirits. This Afternoon the two Providence Packets loaded with 4 or 500 Bbs flour here to day, sailed for Providence, but were immed^' stopt by the Man o' War Cap' Wallace, who seized them, & intend to send them to Boston. They have dismissed all the pple, except M"" Jn" Brown of Providence, whom they retain as a prisoner, in Revenge as is supposed for his being concerned in Burning the Gas- pee Schooner a year or two ago. There were great Quantities of goods in the Packets remov^ to Providence. Ju.st at Night a Vessel from N York advises that the pple at N York have risen and seized the P'ort and turned out the Kings Troops & took possession of it, last Week on Thursday. What a wonderful Coincidence of the Bursting forth of the public Spirit. The Affair of Lexington on Wednesday — of New York on Thursday — & by Friday an American Army of 20,000 Men actually raised & assembled ! About sun.set Ezra arrived from Yale College, wdiich broke up last Saturda}-.' The news of Lexington reached New Haven on Friday Night — & on Ldsday Morn- the Comp^ of Cadets marched from New Haven \'ia Hartfd for Boston. They are unhapply divided on [Mjlitics at N Haven. 27. [Harriot packet sailed from N York for London or Falm" with 2 of Council of N. Y.] A Vessel from N London confirms the New's from N York, & that New Jersey are raising 1000 Men : and that Pensylv'' have enrolled 30,000 Men for the Protection of the Congress. This day at Noon .sailed the two Provid. packets siezed yesterday, & in one of them M' Jn" Brown is carried off for Boston," whither also they have sent the Flour. A letter is received from Ld Dartm" with an insidious proposal for accommodation. ' Rev. William (jonloii, the historian of Ur- war. • The regular vacation would have begun two weeks later (on May 6). ■' For a further account of this incident, see Elkanah Watson's J/en and Times of the Revolution, 20-23. APRIL 26-28, 1775 541 Last Night or this Morn- the B" Post came in. He informs that Gen. Gage has consented that if the Inhabitants of the Town of B° deHver in their Arms to the select Men of the T" they may remove with their effects. — & that they were remo\-- out of Town — that it was generally said our Army was Twenty Thousd Men, but he judged them 15,000. The Post says that our pple say the Num- ber of the Regulars killed & taken were about 200 or more, of which 68 killed, & that we lo.st about 35 <>i' between 30 & 40. — M' Wheeler tells me he had a Letter from Boston, in w"= the Officers Ace" is that they had about one hundred men killed & as many more wounded ; but that it was judged in B" that the number killed was larger. The Post says the Regulars in B" say the}- were attacked by about 400 of our Men at a Time. M"' Wheeler says the first Detachment of the Regulars \vas 1200 and Ld Piercys Reinforcement was 900 So the Total on the March 2100. Of the first may be supposed 400 or near one Qu' were disabled. The Gen. Assembly of Connecticutt is sitting ; & our Assembl}- have sent 2 Delegates there. Our Assembly have appointed the 11"' of May for a day of Fasting & Prayer. A Vessel is arrived at PhiP & brings News from Engld to 5^'' March that 11 Reg'"" about 6000 in 90 Transports with 13 ]\Ien of War were coming over to Boston. The Yorkers have seized an Arsenal at some distance from the City with Powder & other Military stores, 2000 [3500] stand of Arms. 28. At Noon rec'' a Letter from New York dated Monday 24"' Inst, informg. that that iVfternoon the Packet from Engld arrived there with Dispatches for Gen. Gage. It was forwarded by Land to Canterbur}" where M"" Cleaveland the Preacher took it, rode all night &c : it was directed to — and designed for a particular pur- pose. This Eveng I rec'^ a Letter of 24th Inst from Uncle Taylor of Westfield beyond Springfield. He says — "The Country is in the utmost Confusion, all travelL' toward Boston. Our pple are so warmly engaged in Defence of our Rights that we are scarcely able to prevent almost all the pple from going forward to battle if need be ; but I hope the Great Governour of the Universe will prevent any more Effusion of human Blood. — My son Jedidiah is gon on forward & my Grandson Eldad Taylor is in the Army." The York Letter above said — "The late melancholy Accounts from Boston have had a most Excellent Iiffect in uniting the Inhab- itants of this Citv, insomuch that we have been able to s/op all Sup- 542 " DIARY OF EZRA STILES plies from the Ar))iv and got possession of the City .Inus and are now guanP t/ie poic'der & t/iemf Business this daj- is almost intirely stagnated in Newport, as much as if the expected Act of Pari' had arrived and took place. Mechanics & Laborers are standing in Companies in the streets, melancholly & having nothing to do. 29. The Western Post came in this day about noon. I saw a N York paper (Gains) of 24"' Ins^ IMonday last. It mentions not a word of the Affair in that City. It says they had the B" News on Ldsdy Morning the 23, I suppose by Water from hence. But the News b\- Land did not reach them till Ldsdy Noon ; when the Cit}- took arms, tho this is not noticed in the paper. The sei/Aire of the Fort it is said was on Monday 24^''. M'' Trevett left the camp at Roxbury yesterday- Morn"-' IX o' Clock. By him I have a Letter of 28"' from M'" Hall at Medford inclosing his Salem Gazette of last Mondy, in w' is a particular Ace" of the action of 19*''. This Eveng. I read a Letter from D' Church dated yesterday at the camp at Roxbur}', which he mentions as consisting of 30,000. He says in the action of 19^'' we lost but 41 & had not above Ten wounded, & that the Regulars lost near 300 killed wounded & missing. 30. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Isai. xi, 10. P.M. on 2 Cor. ix, 15, and acbnitted into full Communion Judith a Negro servant of M' All, and baptized her and her two Children : also notified the sacrament of the Lords vSupper next Ldsdy & a prepar^' Lect. on frida}' IV' P M. Last Friday I baptized an Orphan Richard an adopted Son of W* Trevett by the Name of Rich'' Trevett — the Adoption & Baptism being in a private House, tho' in the presence of Two Members of my Church. I first addressed myself thus to M''' Trivett — " you Sarah Trevett do adopt this Child by the name of Richard Trevett for your vSon ; and you do promise & covenant to educate him in the Christian Religion, as God shall give you Opportunity." — M' Trevett consented to the Transaction. Then I prayed, then baptized the Child, pra\ed again cS: closed with the Blessing. May. I. In Gaines N. York Gazetteer of 24th April —" Yesterday Morn- we had Reports in this City from Rhode Isld. & N. Lon- don that an Action had happened Ijetween the Kings Troops & the APRIL 29-MAV 3, 1775 543 luhab. of Boston, which was not credited ; bnt alxnit Twelve o'clock an Express arrived with the following Acconnt vSo the News passed from Watertown to N. York in 4 days. Last Eveninj;- I was told that the Officers of the two Men o'War here had b>- them a List of 27 Persons in Newport wliom the>- intended to take n]) ; & that I myself was in the List. This Eveng. M' Updike came here from Providence, who says that an Express from the Camp to Prov. yesterday bro't ace" that a ship arrived at Salem from Engld & brot account that Disturbances in Ireld were likely to detain the Troops. 2. This Afternoon was a Funeral here of a Lieutenant of the Marines of one of the Ships here.' They obtained Leave of the Governor to land, and about 25 Marines landed at IV' this After- noon, & buried their Officer under Arms in the Chhyard discharg- ing three Vollies, & then retired on board without Molestation. This Aft. Cap' Hatheway arrived here. He left New- York last Thursda}' — tS: tells me that the pple there were in i\rms, but had not taken possession of the Fort. They had only seized the Mag- azine of Powder & Arms. The Express from the Camp at Roxb- brings News that they had intercepted a packet from Gov. Carleton of Quebec ; in which he informed Gen. Gage that he could send him Officers indeed, but not Men, the Canadians not only refusing to take part against, but were ready to joyn the Colonies. An Officer at Boston being asked by a Lady with whom he w^as drinking Tea, the number lost in the late Yankey March of 19"' ult. — replied that it was difficult to ascer- tain the matter — but this he could assert that there were then 1500 off of Duty & disabled. The Ami}' doubtless suffered greatly. We had a flying Report to da}', that the Connect, pple had seized the Custom House Chest at New London. Incredible. 3. This Day is the annual General Election for this Colony, which was ordered to be held not in Newport as b}- Charter, but at Providence, agreeable to the Resolve of the Assembly 25 April. ' ' Inasmuch as there is a most apparent & urgent Occasion that the Gen. Assembly shd be held in some place other than the T" of Newport at the approach" annuall Election for the year 1775 : Therefore it is resolved, that the Gen. Assembly for the Election of General Officers, & for transacting such Business as may be laid ' James Conway, aged 45, Lieutenant on the Rose man-of-war. 544 DIARY OF EZRA STILES before them, on the first Wednesday of Ma}' next, be held at the Colony House in Providence." Gov'' Wantoii affects to be ill & stays at home here in Newport ; and so do all or most of the Deputies of this & the Towns on this Isld & Conanicott — intimidated l^y the Threats of the Men o'War. This is the first Election held out of Newport since the Found-' of the Colony, & especially since the Grant of the Charter in 1663. The Da}' has been melancholly. However the Light Infantry above 40 of them appeared in their Uniform, made a very fine Appear- ance, & marched all over the Town ; & in the Afternoon a con- siderable large Body of pple appeared at the Courthouse & on the Parade. 4. A Vessel from N York this Morning confirms the Rising of the pple there — tho' they have not actually seized the Fort — yet they are arming & fortifying at Kings Bridge — they have shut up the Customhouse there. It is said that the Mass. Prov. Congress have sent to Col. Washington of Virginia to be Generalissimo of the American army, & Gen. Lee to be second in Command : perhaps it may be true. A little before Sunset M' Russel of Providence came to Town & informs that M' Jn" Brown was dismissed & came home to Providence last night about XI'' at night. That he was first put on board Adm. Graves, then brot before Gen. Gage. Cap* Wallace's pretence for apprehend^ him was that he was concerned in burning the Gaspee Schooner. Applic'' was made to Judge Oliver of the Commissioners that sat on that Affair at Newport & he testified that no Accusation was exhibited against M' Brown, upon which Gen. Gage dismissed him, paid him for his flour, order the Packets to be returned to Providence & to be paid Demorage, and has sent off a Reprimand to Cap' Wallace of the Rose Man o'War here. A humbling stroke to the Tories ! The General & Admiral treated M"" Brown politely & dismissed him with Honor. An Army of 30 Thousd speaks Terror. Divine Providence can easily disappoint the Malice of Men in a bad Cause. This Afternoon in Comp^ with two Gentlemen just from Georgia, who give me the Georgia Politics. The Parish of S' Johns an inland Parish cordially come into the Union for Liberty. Inde- fatiguable Pains were taken at Savanna by the Crown Connexions to prevent the Sp*^ of Lib-' from taking place in Georgia ; to this End the Min-' sent over promises of any cS: almost every Thing which were addressed to the Planters with Assiduity & Openness, and MAY 4, 1775 545 with great Success especially among the Scots Planters. They could not however obstruct a proposal for a provincial Congress. Their next Stratagem was to get Hypocrites or false Brethren i, e Friends to Governmait as they affect to stile themselves, elected Members of the Prov. Congress. They put on the Mask & suc- ceeded. At the Provincial Congress they proved a Majority, did indeed appoint Delegates to the Continental Congress, but passed Resolves insidious & derogatory of the plan proposed by the Conti- nental Congress — they adopted the Philad' Congress Resoh'es respect^ a suspension of Trade in such an insidious Manner as made them of no Effect — part>" they agreed to import no Goods but such as were necessary for the Indian Trade Et Ccetcra — this Et csetera was leaving a back Door for universal Importation. The Delegates of gt jj-^os Parish refused to joyn in Congress except the Delegates of each parish would first, as their parish had done, recognize the PhiP Congress in full without Exemption of Ind. Trade or Etcjeteras. This they refused to do & the S' Jn" Delegates refused to joyn & so held themselves separate. The Prov. Cong, proceeded without them, chose Delegates under those restricted Resolves. The Parish of S*^ Johns then applied to Chariest" for Advice, have elected D' Hall separateh^ as a Delegate to the Continental Congress. The Gentlemen at Chariest" advised them to send D'' Hall, tho' it was doubtful whether he would be admitted to act as represent*'' only a part of the Province : but they were clearly of Opinion that the other restricted Delegates would not be admitted. Upon this the restricted Delegates have lost their Resolves Restrictions & Powers, no Papers of the Doings of the Provincial Congress being to be found, & so they stay at home & dont go to Congress — which is effectually answering the Designs of the Min-' & defeating the Cause of Liberty as to Georgia. However D"" Lyman Hall as Delegate for one Parish in Georgia is set out for the Congress. My Friend the Rev*^ D'' Zubly has been a very warm Friend for American Liberty. Respecting a Meet^ of the pple on the choice for Delegates for the Prov. Congress, he expressed himself as the Merchants nieet^ with the common pple, that " if he was a Merchant he would not meet with them : " — Also he fell in with the Minis- terial proposal of -3, separate Colony ^^Q.\^^^o\\ to the King, & draughted such a Petition & was assiduous in recommend*-' it, tho' he knew this tended to annihilate the Weight of the Grand Congress ; and when the Friends of Lib^' observed it to him, he justified it only by 35 546 DIARY OF EZRA STILES alledging that thus he should bring the Coiindl to acknowledge that the Americans had real Grievances, which they could not be bro't to any other Way. T/iis is no Reason. I fear my Friend, who is rather avaricious, has drank the Cup of Lethe and is overcome wdth some of the tempting Offers of the Court. Tho' this is not yet known.' He undertook to vindicate himself to .several Friends, whom he left imsatisfied — he al.so promi.sed at another time to give Satisfaction to S' Johns Parish with whom he is in the highest Reput'' before this late Mutation. 5. An A.ssociation has been preparing for several da^-s, & great pains taken by the Friends of Gov* to prepare the principal people in Town for .signing it — purporting their Adherence to the King & Pari', that they put them.selves under the Protection of the Men- o'War & Gen. Gage or the Kings Troops, that they will not take part with the provincial Ami}- &c &c &c. This is enforced by an Intimidation of Confiscation of Estates on being declared Rebels. But an insuperable Objection ai'i.ses which the Tories have not j-et solved, viz, that if we withdraw from the Colony Union, they wall withdraw all Comnuuiication — nor bring us Wood Flour & Provi- sion. The Tories say the Men o'War will send their Cutters & oblige others to bring us these Things ; but the pple know^ it is out of the Nav}'' s power. And so the matter rests at present. A Neutral- ity & Stilness is the most they can effect by all Arts of Intimidation. Last Tuesday Rev" Mr. John Usher of Bristol was buried ; he died Ldsdy Inst. set. He was an Episcopal Missionar5\ This Afternoon at IV' my Sacramental Lecture, I preached on i Jno. i, 3. 6 The Boston Post came in to day. He left Boston the day before j'esterday. Gen. Gage has agreed that the Inhab- itants may renio\'e with their Effects, They are com^' out of Town, but he suffers it to be but slowly. The Post tells me he judges the Army may be about 8000. He is a Tory. M'' Collins (one of our Assistants) came from the Army this w^eek : he tells me he judges they may be 15,000. So different are the Estimates. Connecticutt Assembly have voted 5000 Men to be raised, & sent 2 Delegates M' Wolcott & D"" Johnson two of the Assistants, to wait on Gen. Gage to know wherefore he suffered Hostilities. They waited on the General & came out of B" with the Post. Gage wrote a Letter to Gov. Wanton this Week giving an Ace" of the Action of 19'" ' These forebodings were justified by the event. See Sabine'.s Amer. Loyalists, ii, 466-68. t MAY 5-7, 1775 547 ult. ill which he makes the Number of the Regiihirs killed " above fifty " but don't sa}'- they were no more. He alledges that the Pro- vincials fired first, & represents most untruly that our pple begin- ning the fire, his officers could not restrain their Men from return- ing the fire tho' they ordered them not to fire. Hence we have an Idea of the Represenf" which he has made of the Affair home. However it is now become not very material who fired first — since Hostilities are actually begun. Cap"^ Lide lately arrived from Lon- don. I saw a Letter of 4"' March from M" Grant in London : she says many Mouths there breath Fire & Flame, & that nothing will satisfy but the Destruction of Boston or its surrend^' into their Hands. A Gentleman in N York writes that Rivington & his Patron President Cooper are fled & embarked for Engld with other Tories. Letters are returned which were sent by sundry persons at N York & Philad"" to London, shew"' their Engagm' in the iniquit- ous Enterprize of selling their Country. The DeLancey Family at N York, & M"" Galloway of Philad^' appear to have been bo't up by the Ministry. Administration made the largest Offers possible to secure the Province of N York in their Interest, designing 3000 of the Troops coming over to be stationed at N York, to cut off any Supplies or Assist^ to N Engld from Virginia & Maryland. Thus intend^ to have New Engld only to combat. But the Min-' must be greatly disappointed in their Expectations from N York, by the late Alteration there. This day another Man o'War Cap* Lindsey came here, so we have now three Ships here — tho it is said that the Rose Man o'War Cap' Wallace is called away. It is said M"" Gallo- w^ay is fled from Philadelphia. But the Post is so irregular, the New^s so intercepted & the Prints so few, & the Coasters so much obstructed that we have no authentic News. M'" Quinc)^ the emi- nent Patriot, wdio went to Engld last fall, returned the Week before last, but died just before the Ship arrived at Cape Ann. A great Loss ! especially as he was entrusted with the whole secret System of the Ministry, so obtained as not to be safely committed to Writ- ing. It is said that Gen. Gage proposes an Armistice or Cessation of Hostilities till further Orders from home. 7. Ldsdy. I preached all day on Heb. xiii, 20, 21, and admin- istered the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to 63 Communicants. Notified Catechising to morrow at V" P.M. and Fast next Thurs- day. The General Assembly of this Colony appointed next Thurs- day a Fast, but I had no Proclamation. 54S DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS 8. Cap' Collins at Roxbury was told that Gen. Haldiman of the Regulars lateh' declared that they had no Orders to take up anj' of the Americans. By M'' Brown, Gen. Gage recommended that Rd. Isld. Assembly slid send Delegates to him to negotiate on the pres- ent Crisis. This passed in the L^ower Hou.se but negatived in the upper — who refu.sed to have any Negotiations with him of this Nature. — News from Pliilad'' that Sooo of that City had lately associated for Liberty. — Maryld & Virginia were raising Forces — a Ship from Holld laden with powder &c arrived at N York & unladed in sight of the Man o'War unmolested — another Vessel loaded with powder arrived at Stoningtow^i. On 15"' Feb. last was proclaimed at Rome the Election of a Pope, viz, Cardinal Braschi. to the great Disgust of the Cit}', as he is con- sidered friendly to the Interests of the Jesuits. At V" P.M. I catechised the Children of my Congregation 13 Boys 33 Girls g Negroes, Tot. 55. Reading D'' Benson on the Epistles part-' the second of Peter. 9. Reading Benson : — and also London Magazine »& the English prints. It seems we have some Enemies among ourselves. Some of their Letters are returned. In the London Advertiser of Janr}-, 27, 1775 is a Copy of a Letter written b}- Oliver DeLancey Esq one of the Council of New York to a person high in Administration. "The Resolutions of the Congress will never be observed, the Delegates them- selves are ashamed of them, & many are studying Ways to elude them : the people attatchcd to Government, Sir, in this City, ]au-' I would advise the keep*-' two Reg" here. I was not in Town when the Packet arrived. Your favor I shall have the honor to answer per next Opportunit}'. The Deputies from this City in the Congress were some of the 'meanest of the People. ^^ MAY 8-IO, 1775 549 Infamous Parricide ! [Oliver DeL,ancey denies this Letter.] Extracted from the Pensylv' Mercur}-, whose first N" was pub. the 7'" of April last : printed with Types of American Manufacture. The first Work with Amer. Types : tho' Types were made at N Haven years ago.' In the Pens3'lv-' Mercury of Apr 28 are a number of intercepted Letters from the Kings Troops and others in N. Engld. giving an Ace" of the Action of igtli . . A Letter from Hartfd tells the story well and contains some other particulars : — "Hartfd., Apr. 23, 1775. "landed at Cambridt^e that night & early Wedn'y niorn'g. by day- break they marchd up to LexiugtoTi, &c. . . . the Regulars fired without the least provocation about fifteen minutes, without a single shot from our men ; who retreated — in which fire thej- killed six of our men & wounded several, from thence they proceeded to Concord : on the Road thither, they fired at & killed a Man on Horseback, went to the House where Mr. Hancock lodged, who with Samuel Adams luckily got out of their way by secret & speedy Intelligence from Paul Revere — when they searched the house for Mr. Han- cock & Adams, & not find" them there, killed the Woman of the house & all the children & set fire to the house ; from thence they proceeded on their Way to Concord, firing at & kill'g. hogs, geese, cattle & every Thing that came in their Way, & burning houses. When they came to Concord &c. . . . After which they marched back towds. B", but before they marched far they were met by three hundred Provincials, who received two Fires from the Regulars before the}' returned it. On the second fire of the Provincials the Troops began to Retreat, & kept regular firing. They retreated thence until they came to Cambridge Plains, by which Time the Provincials had increased to 5 or 600 men, when the Troops took to their Heels & ran helter skelter, they running & our men pursuing & kill- them till thev came to a place called Bunkers hill in Charlestown. Gen. Gage know'g. they were attacked sent out a Rein- forcem' of about 900 men, &c. Made eight prisoners. Ten more clubbed their firelocks & came over to us, many were killed on both sides, &c — There is supposed to be about 150 of the Troops killed, amongst whom they say are Ld. Piercy & Gen. Haldiman, the Truth of which we are not sure of— Of our men 30 or 40, they think probably more. This Colony is all alarmed, every Town is preparing for a March, many Companies have alread}' marched. — The Country being instantly alarmed, the Provincials poured in in great numbers. When Adams came away, he says, there were 30 or 40000 of our Men under Arms." N.B. This Adams is the Post. 10. This day the Continental Congress begins sitting at Phila- delphia. May they have the Presence & Guidance of the Most High '. ' By Abel Buell in 1769. vSee this Diary, April 15, 1795. 550 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS This day I waited on Gov. Wanton & he shewed me Gen. Gage's Letter, with his Ace" of the Action of 19"' ult. He says that the Troops found about 200 Men in Arms at Lexington, & came up within about 100 yds of them. That Col Smith or the command^ Officer ordered the Kings Troops not to fire — that our pple scat- tered & got over fences & began the fire — that then a promiscuous fire began from the Troops — that they then proceeded for Concord, whither he had ordered them to destroy our Magazine — that some of the Troops being placed at a Bridge in Concord, where & from a height near by our pple I think he says about 300 began again a fire on the Troops, which they returned & began their Retreat — that soon after they set out on their Return, our pple began & fol- knved them with a brisk fire to Lexington where the Troops were joyned by Ld Piercy, with a Brigade which he had dispatched about 8 o'clock, having rec'^ News of the first fire between 7 & 8 in the Morning. At one of the Fires at Lexington the Gen. .says we killed three of the Kings Troops & wounded Nine more, two of which were Officers. He represents the whole killed ' ' above fifty." He dont say how many of our pple were killed &c This day they are beginning to enlist Men in Newport. One officer told me at Noon he had 15 enlisted. Our Assembly passed an Act disabling Gov. Wanton from all acts of Government— because he refused signing the Proclam^ for a Fast, & refu.sed signing the Commissions for the Officers in the new Levy of 1500 Men &c — & appointed the Naval Officer & appropriated the profits for the public. The Charter says notli^' about naval Office — it was made or erected by the Assembly which empowered the Governor for Time being to appoint the Officer. Gov'' Wanton is seeking 2 Councillors to administer to him the Oath of Office as Governor ; but they refuse. He would then take the Naval Office. The Cus- tomhouse is shut up the Collector mak^' Difficulty about clearances unless pa.ssing the Governors (& not Colony's) Naval Office. The Customhouses at Philadelphia & N. York have also been shut up. The Post Master Gen . W Foxcroft at N York has dismissed all the Post Riders this Way — and a \A'a\\ is meditating for a new Po.st Office in & thro' America. 1 1 . This is a day of public P'^asting & Prayer for the Times, appointed by the Provincial Congress of Mas.sa. and the Gen. Assembly of this Colony. Tho' there was no Proclam'' issued by our Governor. I preached A M on Jer. vii, 3-7. P.M. 2 Chron. MAY II-I2, 1775 551 XV, 2. Very crondcd Audiences. The Ivpisc" Chh of Kngld refused to observe the day at Chh. Tlie other Societies I beheve all observed it. Shops generally shut & Town very still. 12. This morning came in a Newbury man who a few days ago came from the Army. He went over from Chariest' into B" &: got Leave to pass the Gate. He .says Gen. Gage dont fulfill his promise but makes delays, & that the pple within the T" are about demand^' their Arms again, as the Conditions of deliv^' them up are not ful- filled — that the Bostonians were not dispirited but held out wonder- fully — that the Army were in high Spirits, had cast up a P^ortress at Dorchester P' & another at Phipps Farm in Cambridge, had placed Canon some of Eighteen pounders — that they had Canon Mortars Bombs Chain vShot &c (in Abund'' [Query] as much as they wanted ;) — that they meditated a great linterprize as soon as Boston w^as evacuated — that they w^ere .screwing Salt Hay for mak- ing a moveable Fortification to pa.ss by Land or Water or Ijoth. Rev'^ M'' Wheeler of this T" was born at Concord' & has two Brothers living there. He lately rode a Journey that way tho not so far as Concord. He tells me he saw^ a Man of good Intelligence who w^as in the whole Action of the 19 from Concord to Charles- town, & gave him a particular Account of it. While the body of Troops sat down about the Courthouse &c in the middle of Con- cord, they sent off 2 Detatchm'^ to search for Stores supposed to have been removed ; one N W to a Bridge three quarters of a Mile or more — nearl}- a Mile from the Courthouse, to search the houses thereabouts ; the other N.W. three Miles to one Col. House to destroy the Guns, Carriages there mak- &c. A Body of pple some armed & some unarmed attended & watched the Detatchment at some distance but without any firing. After the Party had been to Col. & destroyed the Carriages &c they returned 2 M. to a Bridge about a mile from the body. Our pple following on but offering no Injury. But so soon as the Troops had crossed the Bridge they began to pull it up & pulled up two planks. Upon w'hich our pple ran determining to cross it ; and when the>- had come to the foot of the Bridge oppo.site the Regulars, the Regulars fired upon the Provincials & killed two Men viz Cap' Davis & M' Ho.smer both of Acton. Upon which our pple returned the fire & killed two of the Regulars & mortally wounded one ofiicer. The 1 On December 24, 1734, the son of William and Mercy (Willard) Wheeler. See IVillard Memoir, 377. 552 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILP:S regular Party then retreated precipitately & confusedly ran back a mile to the main bod}^ not even staying to carry off the 2 dead soldiers. The wounded Officer walked a little ways & gave out ; upon which they carried him into Town ; he asked his Surgeon whether his Wound was mortal ? yes : is there a Clergyman near ? no. Upon this they took 3 Chaise, put him in one — & the whole Body immed-' departed & left Concord. The Provincials followed on & dispersed themselves on the Height or Hill before the Town & along to the Extrem^' of it, where the Regulars at com''' round should be exposed. There accordingly the Provincials were ready & poured a heavy Fire on them as they came round : and thus con- tinued to fire upon the Troops from behind Walls & Trees & hills, & to harrass them all the Way back to Charlestown. Hav^' retreated six miles back to Lexington, they were joyned by the 2d Detatchm' Ld Percy ; who encompassed the Troops thus fatigued, & guarded them while refreshing. In the mean Time he applied his Field Pieces but found them of no use the fire being lost on a dispersed tho' adhering Enemy. M"" Wheeler says that there were killed 63 Regulars & 49 Marines, Total 112 killed : that Gen. Gage owns that the Army is damaged foiir/acndred Men : and that the Man who was in the Action told him, that the whole Number of Men that attacked the Troops during the whole Retreat, did not exceed 0?ie hundred & fifty of which 46 were killed. Major Pitcarn headed the advanced Guard that fired at Lexington in the Morn-, drew up the Ace" which Gen. Gage sent here — & the greatest Number of Provincials he mentions \^fiive hundred, which they only heard were asseml)ling but never saw. Pitcairn indeed says those at Lexington were two hundred, but M' Wheeler .says they were but seventy. I cannot doubt but the Provincials (rather Colonists) were above 150 assembled & accompanying the Retreat of the Troops. In the Towns on the Line of this days March & nearly adjacent, I should presume are 15 or 20 military Companies, whose Minute Men at least to the Number of 5 or 600 might be assembled in half a day. And tlio" tliere was a Reluctance in man}- & a Timidit}' as to committing actual Hostilities ; yet I slid think the Men of Courage exceded 150. However this little body of Colonist Hus- sars did Wonders : if even magnified to what the Regulars estimated them, 500 Colonists drove before them 2000 Regulars & did more Execution upon them, than the P^^nglish Army suffered at Quebec in the memorable Action in w" Gen. Wolfe fell. MAY 13-16, 1775 553 This Eveng. a Packet from N. York. A Vessel arrived there in 30 days from Europe — brings the I^ords Protest against tlie restrain^ Bill, which has passed both Houses & remains for the Kings Assent — & that the Troops were saild & on their Passage. The celebrated D"" B. Franklin is returned to Philadelphia from London : & so will be able to open to the Congress the Designs of the Ministry. 13. Cap' Webster of Newport being at N York, a Packet, gener- ously without Reward conveyed the Delegates of the Grand Congress on board his Packet from N York to Elizabeth Town, accompanied with two Companies under Arms on board. They sailed with Fifes playing Yaiikey Ttine (the same the Regulars playd in the March to Concord) directly under the Man o' War, with great vSpirit & Tri- umph. On shore the Yorkers had loaded and pointed a number of the heaviest Canon against the Man o' War, that in Case she molested the Delegates or the Packet, they might fire upon her. They passed unmolested. A new Governor arrived at Charlestown lately for vSo" Carolina — but the Carolineans repelled him & would not suffer him to land. Things grow higher & higher ! The N Yorkers have called a Colony Congress to meet 22'' Ins' & have resolved on raising 4000 Men & levying Taxes for the same pur- pose. The pple have generalh- signed the Association. 14. Lordsday. A.M. I preached on Prov. xvi, 25. P.M. on 2 Thess. i, 12. This day ni}' honored father has been dead fifteen years. This day 20 years agone, that is the 2" Ld.sdy. in May, 1755, I first began to preach to my Flock, and by the Grace of God, have continued ministering in holy Things to them ever since. 15. It is said that 2 Tenders were plundering or intended stealing Sheep at Nomans Land &c — & that the Dartm" pple man'd out & took both & bro't them in to Dartm" — some of the Man o' Wars men w^ere wounded but none killed on either side. The 5"' Ins' the celebrated D' Ben. Franklin arrived at Phil-' from London, & was immediately elected a Member of the Continental Congress, now sitting there. He was in the first Amer. Congress in 1754. Yesterday a sloop arrived here with about 80 Refugees from Boston removing to Connecticutt. The Committee & others treated them in a hospitable & fraternal Manner. They sailed for New Haven this Evening. 16. A London paper Feb. 2 the Morning Chronicle — a sagacious malevolent Ministerial Writer Liicidus Ordo, employs his pen in abusing the Americans : sometimes represent- them as rebels — then 554 • DIARY OF EZRA STILES of little Consequence, & that the Non Consump. Agreement could damage Brittain little, the American Commerce being of small account. But he suffers it to escape him that "the Moment the Americans become an Indep*^ pple. they open their Trade unth all the World, a7id Engla^id is lindane. " 17. News from the Army on Monday last —They are 12,000 — have Ministers plenty, among the rest Rev. M"" Gordon^ — have preaching not only in the Meef^houses but Fields — a general Seri- ousness & sense of religion, & much singing of Psalms & Anthems thro' the Army — especially Morn^ and Eveng. Prayers — have above fourty Stockbridge Indians painted &c. — Had an Alarm last Wednes- day — intend taking the Castle & Shipping. Yesterday a A^essel from Monseratt in 15 days, says a ship from Engld in 25 days inform*^ Tumults in Engld so that the Troops disembarked. This agrees with Salem News which brings Letters from Engld down to 9 April inform^ the same Thing. The old Postrider Mumford' came in last Eveng. from Boston — no Prints — he says that two Transports are arrived & are part of seven, the others close behind — bringing about 700 Marines to recruit Gen. Gage. — Gentleman left the Camp on Mondaj^, says they have searched Gov'" Hutchinsons Country Seat at Milton & carried off two Trunks of his Letters & papers throw^' much Light or Dark- ness on public Affairs : — he saw the Trunks. — D' Franklin has bro't a more authentic Copy of Ld Chatham's speech, wherein his Ldship in Pari' addressing himself to Ld North told him — " yoji say the Acts shall not be repealed, I say that they will & shall be repealed, & that you shall ansiver for them with your head." It is the Susurrus of the day that the Virginians have boldly told Gov. Ld Dunmore " We will have, Sir, the Pozuder, or yoiir Head, Sir.'' — and that he had fled to the Man o' War. Ld Dunmore had secretly delivered up & sent on board the Man o' War the Powder in the Magazine at Williamsburg — this bro't the pple to him in Arms — I saw^ their Address & his Answer, both high — it is said matters at length come to a flight. M'' Hooper of Marblehd an oppulent Man & Mandamus Councillor has held a Neutrality leaning towds Toryism ; but has now lately renounced, & declared for American Liberty & prays a Restoration to the Esteem of his Countr}'. ' Benjamin IMumford, thus referred to in a letter to Dr. Stiles from the Rev. \Vm. Hart (Yale 1732), of Saybrook, March, 1769 : — Mr. Mumford has engaged to nie to carry this free, as an expression of his calliolick love. MAY 17-18, 1775 555 Cap' Collins came from the Camp at Roxbury yesterday Mornill^^ He was last year one of our Assistants & in April last voted for raising Troops, tho' a Quaker. He has been down to Boston to bring off an aged uncle whom he brot with liim. He says our Army is 10,000, and in good Spirits & at an alarm at Camb. at T' 3-est- morng. 5,000 in Arms in fifteen Minutes. But it is not known w^hat Operations are intended ; this being kept ver\- mucli a secret with the Committee of Safety at head Quarters. He says but few perhaps 30 or 40 a da}^ are permitted to come out of B" so that at this Rate the Evacuation of the Town may take up 4 or 5 Months. It is plainly the Intention of Gen. Gage not to be left alone, nor to suffer the Body of the Inhabitants to depart, till he has further News from home. The Inhab. are his great Security. He suffers none of the principal Inhab. to come out. And part-' he retains M"" Bodwoin, & the Select Men, & Committee of Donations. The pple live on salt provisions. The small pox is broke out again. Great is the Destress of the confined Inhabitants. There are 5000 out of 16,000 so poor as to need assistance even to remove if permitted. Contests prevail in the Army & Navy. Gen. Gage lays the blame of the New York Affair to Admiral Gra\-es for not send^' some ships thither. Gov. Colden of N York, it is said, has said that if there had been a few ships, they would have supported the Friends of Gov*^ but now all was irretrievably lost ! A Letter has been interrupted written by Rev'' D' Auchmuty of N York to M"' Montresor his son-in-law an Engineer at Boston, full of Malice & Abuse. I read it this Afternoon. This Eveng. was to have been the M'^' Meeting — but I omitted it. Enlistments go on apace in Town, & the pple begin a little to recover from their Fright. They are quiet & peaceable. 18. Yesterda}- I finished & this day I begin again to read the Bible in Course in my Study. My daily manner is, first in the Morning to offer up secret Prayer to God — then calling my family together, read a Chapter in the Bible in Course and perform Family Prayer — then read by myself one to 3 or 4 Chapters in Course, wdth frequent References to the Original Hebrew & Greek, and the Commentators antient & modern ; lately I have made much use of the Zohar in which wath the Syriac I now daily read a portion. This usually brings me to X or XI o' Clock before noon. Then I w^alk abroad & visit. After dinner I read an hour or two some- times one Thing & sometimes another & then visit. In the Eveng. 556 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLEvS read an hour or two. Between IX & X attend family Prayer. About XI retire to bed «& commit myself & all to Gd in secret Prayer. I have long been displeased with the Manner of writ*^' Commen- taries or Expositions upon the Scriptures. Most Expositors seem to take it for granted that the Bible needs a conthnicd Exposition, that ever}- Verse needs a Comment, as much as a Translation. Hence the numerous continued Commentaries both Rabbinical & Christian, as Aben Ezra, Jarchi, the Kimchi's among the one, and Patrick, Eoutli, ^\'hitby, Henry, Pool, Zanch}^ among the latter. The christian Expositors since the X"' Century especially in the Western Chhs (much more than in the Oriental Chlis) have taken occasion to insert into their Scripture Comment^'* whole Systems & Treatises deduced from & palmed upon Scripture by Imagination & by pontificial Authorit}'. The Spirit or enthusiastic Custom of making the Scripture speak what man pleased, has prevailed so that instead of Illustration of Scripture, Commentary is become little more than a Vehicle to put off human Systems upon Mankind for the Scripture Verity. Thus the great D'' Sam' Clark translated & wrote Notes on Rohault's Philosophy (then a philosophic Bible in the Universities) not so much to illustrate Rohalt as to make him the \>hicle of conveying the peculiarities of the sublimer New- tonian Philosophy. What Clark did for Rohalt Commentators seem to do for the Bible but not with Success. The Great M"" Locke saw that it was onh- here & there a place or Text that needed Illustration or Notes ; but that the Idioms, or pecu- liar manner of Expressions, in different Languages, could not be understood in a literal Translation & therefore required a paraphrase. Accordingly he invented a new Mode of Scripture Commentary, by Paraphrase & Notes. This Mode received great Applause ever since even from those who differed from M' Lock as to Doctrines & relig- ious principles : but as his Arian & Arminian principles have had a general spread & Reception among the Chh of luigld & Dissenters the half Century past, so INI'' Lockes Reputation as a Scripture Com- mentator has been exceeding high with the public. But a continued Paraphrase\^ as absurd as a eontinued A^otation or Comments because it implies that, the whole Hebrew & Greek Language is Idiom ; whereas it is certain that by far the greater Part of all the Oriental Languages & the English Tongue is not Idiom, but common familiar & intelligible in a litteral Translation. It «is a Truth that three MAY l8, 1775 557 Quarters or more of the Scripture is so intelligible in a literal Trans- lation, that Paraphrase spoils it of its Perspicuity tS: Beauty. Let us try the Experim' on Plato, Cicero, Longinus — make a Paraphrase & Notes — make a literal Transl-' with a few Notes — & let an>' man see which he would chuse. INIau}- are disposed to consider our present English Translation of the Bible, as that of W'ickliffs, obsolete & so unintelligible. I am intirely of a different Opinion. I have compared it with the original Hebrew & Greek, examin"-' & corn- par*-' every Chapter wdth the Original, & find it a good an excellent good & intelligible Translation. So just an one, that I could not expect so good an one if attempted in this age. Indeed I believe a peculiar providential Guidance in bringing this Transl'' to a singular perfection, from the first Rudiments of it b)- Wickliff, & especially Tindal, Matthew^s & the Bps, & thro' a Series of Correction for 60 3'ears, till it received the last Touch in K. James' Time 1606. Heaven foresaw it w^as likely to become the Bible of America & perhaps of the greatest Body of pple speaking one language & familiarized to read^ the Scriptures, to be found on Earth. Luther's Translation was made at once. None of the Translations of Gds Word into any Language whatever in East or West, have had the Care & Correction expended about them, as the English Bible has. Perhaps 500 j-ears hence it may need a Glossary for some words growing into Disuse. But at present it is too intelligible to need the Paraphrase of even a Locke. As the Chaldee Targums or Paraphrases cast Light on the O. T. so I suppose Locke took thence his Idea of the Utility of Paraphrases. But the Targums are as much transP from the Hebrew, as the English Bible — & for the most part literal : sometimes the Targummists take Liberty to add or insert their owai Interpretations, & some of them valuable. So that Locks Method & that of the Targum are quite different. Lock should have considered what a Commentary Malachi would have written in hebrew upon the hebrew Bible ; to discern what the mode of Comment proper to be written in the English Language upon the English Bible. He would have then perceived. Para- phrase to be absurd : & that would have left him his Notes or Expo- sitions of different Passages & Idioms, which is the most Excellent & useful part of his Writ- on the Scripture, & indeed the only true Way of Commentary. The Dissenting Divines were captivated with Locks Manner. Hence the Paraphrases & Notes by, Benson, Pierce, Hallet, Low- 558 DIARY OF EZRA STILES man, Taylor, Guyse & Doddridge — saving that the latter has added Reflexions adapted for a practical Applic^ & Impro\-enient, & so united ParapJirase, N'otes & religious System or Deduction. Now I wish to see these kept separate, & to have the pure word of Gd by itself. This is done in the English Bible. The whole of this does not want Illustration — however some part of it does ; & particularly may receive I^ight from Scripture Geography &c. And may be done by any Men of Learning & Leisure of any Denomination. Therefore I could wish to see, not a continued Comment-', but critical Notes & Illustrations on all the difficult Texts, begining with the Penteteuch & end*^ with the Apocah'pse. The Notes should be so plain, as that few or none should differ on them — because not to be in the manner of Deduction & Inference & System Building ; but as we write Notes on Tacitus or Longinus to develope the Meaning. I have no Tho'ts of doing this myself, as I have other Matters in hand. However I think to note the Texts & Passages, which require such a Commentary, as I read the Bible in Course. 19. The Pensylv^ print came in to day The beginning of this Month Gov. Penn convened the Assembly of Pens^dv-' and pressed upon them the Ministerial proposal of voting a Sum to be raised in their own Way, & so disuniting themselves from the rest of the Colonies. They nobly refused. So Ld North is up here again, as well as at N York. Mess"'* Halls Printers have removed their Press from Salem to vStoughton College in Cambridge, at advice of sundry- members of Congress & at general Desire, that he might issue the News from Head Quarters during this important Period. I read his first print issued thence : he saj^s that a small Number of Recruits are arrived to Gen. Gage from Hallifax — but nothing of the Arrival of Transports from Europe, as our Torj'- Postrider reported. The New Engl"* & York Delegates were received with great Honor & Magnificence at Philadelphia. Several Thousand Men in Arms marched out of the Cit}' to meet & guard them into the City. Men in Arms convened from every part of the Province, fame saj's, to the amount of 30,000 — perhaps 3000. The Fort at Crownpoint was slighted some j^ears ago, but the Canon left there. Two Parties lately, without Concert or Knowl- edge of one anothers Designs, set out the one from Connecticutt the other from Massachusetts, & met on the Road thither, & pro- MAY 19-23, 1775 559 ceeded & seized the Artillery there, & it is said anionj; the rest some Brass Field Pieces. Some of the Tories in Newport, amon<^ other hi<;h Hxpressions respecting the higher Powers «& the absolute submission due to them, suffer this blasphemous Assertion to escape them, viz, " that the King I^ords & Commons are the same upon I^arth as God Almighty is in Heaven." — I heard another add, " the Parhament made a Trinity on Earth." Blasphemy ! 20. A Packet came here this Morning from Boston, sent by Gen. Gage to the Men o' War here. She sailed from Nantasket IV oClock Thursday morning. She bro't one or more Officers of Gages Army to sail for London by a ship here ready to sail. The Tories have Letters from Boston, giving Account that the Rebels set fire to the Kings Stores to destroy the Provision & Magazine — that 30 Stores were burnt — but luckily most of the Provisions had been removed on board the Man o' War a little before — that they had had no fresh Provisions for 3 Weeks. Rev'' M'' Hopkins just returned from a Vi.sit to Preston, tells me that Capt. Motte of Preston raised & led forward a body of Volun- teers from Connecticutt, who went Via Albany, and lately took Ticonderoga with a Garrison of Regulars about 90 Men and 300 Canon. Upon slighting the fort at Crownp* the Canon were removed & lodged at Ticonderoga : and Gen. Gage lately sent off a Detatchm' to keep poss'ion of them. It is said a part}' from Massachusetts joyned the Connect, pple & formed a body of 500 Men. Cap* Mott immediateh' .set off to inform Connecticutt Gen. Assembly at Hartford. The Assembly' sent him to the Congress at Philadelphia & he is now gone thither. This Expedition & seizure was done without Direction or Order from any Assembly or Con- gress. 21. Edsday A M. I preached on Ps. 119, 132, & published two Couples. P M. Jn" v, 28, 29. Reading in Perkins and Dionysius Areopagita. 22. This Morn» News that the Kings Troops had last made another Excursion and burned sundry- houses & done damage at Weymouth. The 3 Conip'' raised on this Isld are sent for & fitting an immediate March — and the Man o War & Marines are about to stop their passing off this Island 23. East Eveng. the Story of the Burning of Weymouth was con- tradicted. Gen. Gage it seems sent some armed Schooners to steal 560 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Hav in Stacks at Weym" — the pple opposed their Landing & fired upon & beat them off, and set fire to the Stacks of Ha}'. The week before last Cap' Lindzee of the Falcon sloop of War, took two sloops near the Vinyd without an}' Reason. The pple of the Eastwd man'd out 2 Vessels, retook the sloops & carried them into Fairhaven in Dartm" 13"' Ins' with 14 of Cap' Lindzees hands, 3 of whom wounded w"" w'" a Doctors mate they kept there & sent off the rest to Taunton. Intercepted Letter from Rev. D'' Auchmuty an Episc" Rector at N York to his Son-in-Law Cap' Montresor Engineer among the Troops in Boston. "New York April 19, 1775. Mv Dear Sir Yesterday Cap" Coupar arrived fr. London ; Rivington I conclude will have all the news in his paper, but for fear you slid not get his paper in Time, I send you some Extracts fr. a Letter I reC* fr. undoubted Auth>', w'= may be depended upon. It is dated London March 4, 1775. "I congratulate you heartily on the spirited & prudent Conduct of your Assembly. Their proceed"^ are universally applauded by the pple of this Country. Envy dares not lisp against them & faction hides its face with shameful Disappointment. Pursue the same path, & your Province will be honored with every Mark of Distinction from this Country. His Majesty is already disposed to grant you every honorable Favor that can be proposed. I am happy that the Clergy under your Direction have conducted themselves so prudently & successfully, & hope that the Church, for the Labor of her sons, will not be forgotten. The Resolu. suggested by Ld North, will I flatter myself have a happy Effect on N. York. It proposes to the Colonies all thej^ can reasonably ask. They desired to be taxed by their own Representatives, it will be granted them. Leave it to our Assemblies (they said) & we will suf- ficiently tax ourselves & contribute to the common Expences. The Pari' accepts the Promises & invites them by this Resolu. to propose what they will give & grant for the necessary' Contingencies of the state, «S: their own civil Establish- ment, while the}^ fulfil their Engag'% the Pari' will not interfere to tax them ; when they refuse to bear a part in supporting the common Burden, the suprevie Legislature will compel the delinquent Colony to its Duty. Thus every reason- able Indulgence is offered to you, & every necessar}^ Power reserved to Parlia- ment. If you reject this Proposition of Peace & Reconciliation, the nation will be convinced that you are determined to agree on no Terms of accommodation. The Armam' w"^ will speedily embark for B" will convince the refractor}' among you, that this nation will not be trifled with. It is uncertain who will be your Governor, the King being resolved to appoint one himself. Gov'' Martin of N" Car" is talked of." — Thus I have given you all the News that I at present know, w*" may be depended on. Cap' Coupar says that thirty odd Sail of Transports sailed from Ireld the same day with him, & that many more transports were taken up daily. This is terrible News for my poor, distressed, oppressed, injured. Countrymen. MAY 23, 1775 561 / vmst own I was born among the Saifiis & Rebels, but it was my Misfortune. Where are your Congresses now ? What say Hancock, Adams, & alt their rebellious Followers ? Are they still bold ? I trow not. We have been plagued with a rascally Whig Mob here, but they effected Nothing, only vSears the King, was rescued at the Goal Door. He was ordered there by the Magistrates upon his Refusing to give Bail for being guilty of Mis- demeanors &c. Our Magistrates have not the spirit of a Louse ; however I prognosticate it will not be long before he is handled by Authority. I am &c Samvkl Avchmvtv." An infamous Parricide ! An unholy Cluirchinan I This Afternoon a Train of above 90 Soldiers headed by Cap* Topham & Cap' Tew marched from the Courthou.se down the Parade & then thro' the mainstreet &c beating up for \'olun- teers for the American Army. This is their first public Appear- ance — Cap' Wallace & other Officers of the Man o'W'ar dined on shore where the Train passed. The Tories were greatly mortified to see the daring Boldness of the Rebels as they called them. The Tories had said that the Men o'War would fire the T" if au)^ Sol- diers were raised in it. But there was no Molestation. Another intercepted Letter from Boston. " Dear Parents April 30, 1775. Before this reaches you, you may hear that our Reg' has been engaged with the Provincials. The Grenadiers & Light Infantry marched about 9 at Night. At 6 next Morning 423 Soldiers & 47 Marines, in all 1500, marched to reinforce the Granadiers & Light Infantry ; joyned about i o'Clock, & found them not engaged, which they had been 8 hours before ; for we had two pieces of Canon w"^ made us march very slow. — As soon as we came up we fired the Canon, w'' bro't them from behind the Trees, for we did not fight as you did in Germany for we could not sec above Ten in a Body, for they were behind Trees & Walls & fired at us, & then loaded on their Bellies. We had but- 36 Rounds, w<= obliged us to go home that Night, & as we came along they got before us and fired at us out of the Houses, & killed & wounded a great many of us, but we levelled their houses as we came along. It was thought there were about six Thousd at first, & at night double that Number. The Kings Troops lost in killed & wounded 150, and the Americans 500 Men, Women & Children, for there was a Number of Women & Children burnt in their Houses. Our Reg' has five killed & thirty one wounded, part>' Col° Bernard, in the Thigh, w"^ all the Reg' is sorry for. The shot flew thick. I got a wounded man's Gun, & killed two of them, as I am sure of. — We have been busy in fortifying the T" ever since we engaged, & in a few days we expect a good many more Troops from England, & then we shall stirely burn the luhole Country before us, if they dont submit, which I dont imagine they will do, for they are an obstinate set ofpple. Tell Bill if he comes to B" he may have a Wife in every house he 36 562 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES comes to, for the Women are left at home while the Men goes to fight the Soldiers ; they have formed an Army & keeps Guards close to our Works, so that our Gentries can talk together at Ease. We engaged from 6 to 6. The whole Country is in Arms ag» us, & they are headed by 2 of the Generals that headed our Army last War, their Names are Black & Putnam. Have a great deal of Shipping but they are of little Service only to cover the Town Canon & Troops except the small Schooners that goes up in Creeks & destroys them, wdiich thev have done many of them. There is no Market in B" the Inhab. all starving, the soldiers live on salt provisions, & the officers are supplied by the 3fen of War Cutters who goes up the Creeks & takes live Cattle & Sheep wherever they find them. We vex the Americans very much, by cutting down their Liberty Poles & Alarm Posts. We have had a great many died in our Reg' last Winter, so that what with wounded Men & what has deserted, we have not three hundred Men, & Duty is so hard that we come off Guard in the Morn'"' & mount Pickets at Night." 25. At a quarter after Eleven this forenoon Cap' Jn" Topham marched with Comp-' of 60 Men completeh' equipt from this Town for the Army at Roxbury. A number of the Light Infantry & others armed marched out with them : so that the whole Train con- sisted of about 100 armed Men. They marched together wdth a great Retinue some on foot, .some on horses, some in Chaises which accom])anied them to Bristol Ferr}-. It was given out by the Tories that the Men o" War had sent off a Packet with Marines to obstruct their pa.s.sing off the Isld at the Ferr^^ — in which Case it was deter- mined to repel force with force. But Major Sherburn & Cap' Top- ham with the Compan}' passed the Ferry safely without Molesta- tion & encamped at Bristol — to proceed to morrow to Providence & thence to the Army. A Comp-' of 30 or 40 went off the Isld the day before 5'esterday on their Way to the Arm3\ The other Comp-' not yet full. This Eveng. at IX o' Clock the Eight Infantry returned. 26. My pious and good Wife has been this day setting her house in order, & giving her Children her dying Coinisel & Advice. God grant it may make a deep & lasting Impression on their tender Minds — may they never forget her tender & affectionate Concern, especially for their .spiritual & eternal Welfare. Her Disorders & Weaknesses prevail upon her so as to leave no pro.spect of her Con- tinuance in this Vale of Tears. The good Lord grant her his divine Presence, give her a humble vSubmission to his holy Will, increase & strengthen her Faith & Trust in the divine Righteousness of the glorious Emmanuel. vShe loves & adores her Redeemer, MAY 25-29, 1775 563 she has loved & practiced & delighted herself in his lioly Relig- ion. Has lived a Life of rational, steady & substantial Virtue, made conscience of obeying the Commands & walking exemplarily in all the Ordinances & Commands of the Most High. May God prepare us all for the Dispensations of his holy Providence, & quicken us to Duty & to live to his Glory & prepare for a blessed & glorious Immortality. • The City & County of N York applied to the Continental Con- gress, asking Counsel of them, whether they should admit the Kings Troops expected there ? The Congress advised them to suffer the Troops to rest in the Barracks ; but in Case they attempted to fortify or disturb the pple, then to resist & repel force with force. It appears that the Congress were at some Difficulty among themselves. Some are dissatisfied with this Advice, as arguing Timidity & Want of Firmness, if not Corruption. Let us hope for the best. 27. Read M'' Perry's Sermon at the Election at Hartfd ii"* Instant. A judicious Liberty Sermon upon Neh. ii, 17, 18, 19. . . . 28. Ldsdy. A M. I preached on Rom. v, 4, 5, & published two Couple. P.M. Ps. ciii, 20, 21. Reading D'' Ow-en on the Divinit}^ & Satisfaction of Christ. My Wife past all Hopes of Recover3% The good Lord prepare her for an Admission into Paradise. 29. Early this morning at IV' 50' my Dear Wife Elizabeth Stiles departed this Life setat. 44. It is a day of great Grief & Distress, such I never before knew. Merciful God support me by thy Grace. My Wife Elizabeth Stiles was the oldest Daughter of Col. John Hubbard of New^ Haven & Elizabeth his first Wife, where she w^as born July 3, 1731, O. S. Her Mother was a Woman of Ten Thou- sand for Sense, Discretion, Resolution & true Greatness : and died 1744 Aug'' 25, set. 42. Her Father was an ingenious sensible Man, of a fine Taste for Poetry & polite Writings, and an eminent Phy- sician. She inherited the Quintessence of both Parents — the Dis- cernment Sagacity & Sensibility (but not the scientific Taste) of her Father, with the Nobleness & true Greatness of Spirit the Resolution, Discretion, Prudence, Economy & Judg' of her Mother. She was thro' some Hardships in youth bro't up to Industry, spin- ning & all parts of female Industry. From her Infancy to her Mothers death she was educated delicately, kept to School for Sew- ing & Needle Work : afterwards from set. 14 to her Marriage she was accustomed to all the Variety of Business in female Life, which 564 DIARY OF EZRA STILES qualified lier for tlie Scene of usefulness she exhibited at Newport. Directed by the supreme Lord of the Universe I was bro't to make Choice of her for a Wife. We were married Febry. 10, 1757. It pleased Gd to gi\-e us Eight Children, of whom seven are now living. In 1753 aet. 2i}4 she gave up herself to Jesus in the Pro- fession of the Faith & came to the Lords Table. And ever since has continued a steady Christian, walking before Gd with fear, Conscientiousness, Integrity & Reverence. She had an Aversion to Fraud & Dishonesty & never could bear Hypocrisy in any. She was perhaps unexampled for her Love of Integrity. She had the highest the sublimest Conceptions of the personal Excellency of the divine Emanuel, whom she accounted the chief among 10 Thousds & altogether lovely. She had a sacred Reverence for the Laws of Gd, & thot all religion vain, unless attended with a Life of moral Virtue. Her Hopes for Pardon & Justific'' were intirely founded on the Sacrifice & Atonem' & Merits of Jesus Christ. She loved her Savior with the greatest Affection — if ever she was warm & rapturous it was in his Praises. However she had not a clear Evidence of her good Estate, but was in considerable Darkness as to her prospects into Eternity. She had a high & loft}' Taste in the Things of a worldly nature : but had an irreconcileable Aversion to Pomp & Shew in the Matters of Religion & Death. She thought all men ought to be nothing but Humility & the most profound Submission before the Omnipotent & holy Sovereign of the Uni- verse, however they might maintain Distinctions & Subordinations in civil Life. She desired to be buried in a plain Cofiin, to be laid out plain, & that her friends shd put on no Mourning — -that noth- ing slid be said of her in any Newspaper or Sermon — but that her Character should be left till the Decisions of Jesus shd be known. She was exemplary for steady Religion without Talk, Noise or Shew. vShe was constant & conscientious in secret prayer, as I have Reason to know, & daih- reading the scriptures which for many years past she read thro every i % or 2 years sometimes once in 9 or 10 months. The last 4 years she read the Bible thro' 5 Times. She was careful in educating her Children in Industry & Religion, particularly in daily hearing them read, & catechiz^' them on Sat-' & Ldsday Evengs., & seeing that they attended at Family Devotion. She delighted in the Ldsdy Services & was a diligent Attend' on public Worship ; the Lds vSupper was indeed a Feast of fat Things to her, for she delighted in Communion with Christ & his Chh in MAY 30-31, 1775 565 that holy Ordinance. vShe was li))eral to the poor to the ICxtent of her Abihty— and indeed she had a native Generosity & Nobleness of Mind equal to the judicious Distribut. of Thousds per ann. for the Relief of the poor & Distressed. She had considerable medical & chiricrgical Skill by which she was enabled to do much good. Indeed when she went among the sick she relied more on her Skill than on many of the Physicians — for the latter might be interested, she not. She ordered her Affairs with Wisdom. vShe took the whole Care of the Family off of me upon herself : and did every Thing well. The last 7 years she has been in Declining Health, which has bro't her to live under the near Views of Eternity. A disorder or peripneumony seized her last Janr}-., & tho' she seemed to mend after the Crisis, yet it terminated at length in an obstinate Tabes pulmonalis which ended her mortal Life this day. She has left an amiable an honorable a noble Example for the Imit'"' of her Children. She has honored her Family and it will be an honor to her Posterity to have descended from such an excellent Person. She was greatly concerned for her Children, especially that the}' might be truly religious, live virtuously & obtain Heaven at last. 30. A day of solitary Contemplation & Mourning. 31. This day the Remains of my dear Wife were committed to the silent Grave, there to rest till the Morning of the Resurrection of the just. Agreeable to her Desire neither I nor my family wore any Mourning — -tho' my kind pple cloathed m>' whole family, & were at the whole Expence of the funeral. There was a great con- course of the people. I desired M'' Hopkins to make a prayer at my house before the Corps were carried out. M"" Burt & M*" Hopkins walked as mourners, as did the Chh & Congregation in general. At my Wifes Desire I chose the 6 Bearers, 3 of the Chh viz M'' Stevens, Major Otis & D'" Bartlet, 3 of the Congregation viz M' W" Vernon, Jn" Pitman Esqr & M' Benj. Ellery. The funeral procession went from the house a little after V P.M. A very long procession of, it was said, about 160 Couples — a very silent, decent, solemn, mournful Procession — all testifying their friendship & Respect to the Memory of my dear Wife. It is a mournful day — such a day of Sorrow I never knew. May the Ld support me & grant me his Grace & divine Consolations, & enable me to behave under this sore Bereavement as becomes a Christian. I desire hum- bly to commit myself & my Children to the protection of Gods holy Providence. In God is all my Trust & Hope. ^66 DIARY OF EZRA STILES June. 1. Still in Grief & Sorrow! a great Emptiness thro' out my house. Every Thing reminds me of my dear departed absent Wife. 2. This Morn- at VIIIi^'' my Son Ezra sailed for Connecticutt, returning to his studies at Yale College. This Afternoon M'' More & M'' Chesebro' put up a Trunk & Chest full of my Wife's Appa- rel & other Things which she requested might be reserved to be divided among my Daughters as they shall arrive at Eighteen 3-ears of Age. A Renewal of Grief ! 3 This Afternoon a great Commotion happened in this Town the occasion of which was thus. Several Cargoes of Flour had been seized by the Men o' War. Also one M' Room had been emplo^-ed by the Men o' ^\^ar to bu>' up several other Cargoes. A day or two ago Cap* Wightman of this T " arrived from Philad'* with Flour, of which he had imprudently sold about 8o Bbs to M"" Rome. The Patience of the pple was exhausted. A Body arose & demanded the Flour. Rome at first promised to deliver it up ; but Cap' Wallace soon landed about loo Marines and Sailors armed & stationed them around Roraes House & Stores to protect him. Upon w^hich the pple beat to arms, & about 90 Resolute Men appeared under Arms. There was the utmost Danger of Hostilities & a blood}- Scene. However all was at length settled — the Flour deliv- ered up & instantly removed «& lodged in the Grainery — the Marines retired on board — ■& so the Tumult subsided. 4. Ldsda}'. AflQiction & mournful Sorrow have unfitted me for the holy Ministrations of the Sanctuary this da}-. And M' William Bliss' preached & carried on the whole Service both parts of the day — A M. 2 Tim" i, 10. P M. Jn" vi, 45. I communicated to him my dear Wifes Desire & earnest Request that nothing should be said concerning her Character. M' Bliss always worked on a farm ; had no liberal Education ; has a natural good Sagacit}- ; was from his youth addicted to Books ; was connected with deistical Acquaint- ance, read the deistical Authors, & was deeply plunged in their System for many years. He may be set. 45. It pleased Gd about ten years ago to give him other Views, not only to bring him to a full Belief of Revelation in general but to an Experience of the sav- ing power of evangelical Truth. And thereupon he has become an earnest Advocate for Religion ; he made profession of it & was bap- ' Son of Josiah Bliss, of Middletown, R. I., bora 1728, died 1S08 ; pastor of the Third (Sabbatarian) Baptist Church, Newport, 1780-1808. JUNE 1-5, 1775 567 tized & became a Member of the Sabbatarian Baptist Chh in this Town 1765 : and continues to walk exemplarily & piously. His pious instructive & savoury Convers'' with Gifts manifested in Prayer and Exhort^ at private religious Meetings, excited some of his Acquaint^ to urge him to go to preaching, which he did about 2 years ago. His public Attempts proved happy & acceptable. Going a Journey last year I asked him to supply my pulpit, which he did to Acceptance, as he has also on this day. I presume he surpasses three Qu^"* of the Protestant Clergy educated in Universi- ties — not for Accuracy of Language, but for Knowledge of the • Scriptures, Gift of Praj-er, & Talent at public Instruction. He is really edifying & entertaining. He is also considerably read in polite Authors, & can cite from them to good Advantage. 5. Saturda}- 27"' May began & continued on Ldsdy following a considerable Action on the Islds near Chelsea between the Regular Troops & a Detachm* from the American Army with Success. We heard of it on Monday Eveng. last. But the particulars are not ascertained. About of May^ at Crownpoint " Major Arnold dispatched M' Oswell & 35 men in a Schooner & some Battoes to take Possession of a Sloop that lay at S' Johns ; at the same Time Cap' Ethan Allen set out with 80 men to facilitate the undertakg, & stopped on the Way for a Reenforcement of 20 more : but M' Oswell pursued his Scheme, & took possession of the Vessel that lay at S' Johns with all the Battoes & made fotirteen soldiers & six Seamen prisoners of War, before Cap' Allen came up ; but the latter contrar)- to Advice, proceeded to S' Johns where he unluckily fell in with 250 Regulars that were dispatched to the Succor of Crownpoint & Ticonderoga & after exchang" a few shot, made a good Retreat with the Loss of three Men onh-." Major General Wooster was to march from X Haven to Green- wich adjoining the Colony of N York, with Two Thousd 500 Con- necticutt Forces ; to encamp there the summer season in order to be nigh at hand to support the City of N York. The Synod of N York & Philad^' met at N York last month & ' ' appointed the last Thursdy in June to be observed by all the Congreg'' under their Care, as a day of Fasting & Prayer, on ace" of the alarm- State of our public Affairs. Should the Continental Congress appoint a Fast, the Synod have decreed that to be observed in preference to the day appointed by themselves, provided it is not 568 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS more than four weeks distant from the last Thursday of June ; if at a greater distance they have ordered both days to be kept. " " They also recommend to all the Congregations in their Charge, to spend the Afternoon of the last Thursday in every month in public prayer, during the Continuance of our present Troubles." 6. Connecticutt Assembly voted six thousd under Gen. Wooster, Gen. Putnam, Gen. Spencer, — Wooster with 2,500 to be stationed at Greenwich in the Confines of N York — Putnam with 2500 at Roxbury, Spencer with 1000 at Crownp' & Ticonderoga. Some companies Enlistm'* exceeded by 20 «&c — they applied to the Assem- blv for leave to retain all as none chose to be released, such was the Ardor for going. The Assembly granted some at first ; others applied — at length they found that instead of 6000 there had 8000 actually enlisted : so they reduced all to 6000. By a Letter from Gen. Green at Roxb- 4^'' Ins' informed that our pple had taken a Schooner con;- in from Engld with Dispatches from the Ministry to Gen. Gage. A Vessel arrived to day from Chariest" S" Car" says they have news from London that there are great Tumults there. 8. I preached Mr. Hopkins's Lecture, he being absent. 10. Read*^' March Magazines & other English papers The Continental Congress at Philad-' have withdrawn Commerce from Quebec, Nova vScotia, Georgia except the Parish of St Johns, and the Floridas. The 2 Murrays of N York applied to the Cont. Congress to be reinstated in their Countrys favor — but the Congress in a reprehensory Manner dismissed them to N York to settle the matter there by Contrition & Humiliation. These 2 articles are in the Western prints. It is said that the Continental Congress are determined on 2 great Resolves— one that the American Arnij' be seventy Thousand Men— the other that Bills of Credit be emitted to the Amount of Three Million for carrying on the War. If so, the Matter is settled. 11. Ldsday A M. I preached on Ps. 119, 75-77. P.M. on i Pet. i. 8. Reading D' Watts's Lyric Poems. In the Eveng. I married Tho' Borden l\: Hannah Topham. 12. Wednesday 31 May was according to Charter in the Anni- versary Election of Councillors in Massachusetts. But the Act of Pari' having taken the Appointment of Councillors out of the Hands of the People, the observ' of that Day is in effect abolished. However to keep Uj) some appearance & to prevent the pple from running into or originating a new Police, Gov. Gage called an JUNE 6-14, 1775 569 Assembly to meet at on day. lUil his Writs for chusing Representatives were totally disregarded. The Provincial Congress which has been sitting at Watert" ever since the Battle of Concord, issued their Notification to all the Towns to elect Repre- sentatives to convene & open a new Congress at Watert" 31 May. This was done. The Kings Governors have long been tired out with Election Sermons & intended to have put an end to them. The new Provincial Congress met at the Meef^hou.se in Watertown on Election day "before whom & a numerous Audience the Rev. D' Eangdon President of the College preached a Sermon well adapted to the Occasion from these words in Isai. i, 26. A?id I will restore thy Judges as at the firsts & thy Councillors as at the Begin'' . Afterwards thou shall be called the City of Righteousness the faithful Cityy Joseph Warren Esq. was chosen President & M' Samuel Freeman jun. Secretary of the Provincial Congress. They did not Chuse Councillors — they are useless 13. In the last N London paper is the Copy of an intercepted Letter of the Rev" M'' Peters the infamous Chhman of Hebron, who last fall absconded from thence to B° thence to Piscataqua from whence he saild for Engld. This letter is dated in London about 12 or 13 Febry. last to Rev. D'' Auchmuty of New York. It betrays his Folly more & more : besides shewing the distressed & mortifying Condition his Toryisnl has involved him in. 14. On May 10'" last died that venerable Man of Gd the Rev" Nathaniel Rogers' Pastor of the first Chh of Ipswitch set. 74. He was the fourth M'' Rogers that preached the Gospel steadily to that Chh. His Great Grandfather M'' Nathan' Rogers was one of their first pastors (Colleague with M' Norton) his Grandfather M' John Rogers was for sometime preacher of a weekly Lecture there : he was afterwd President of Harvard College. His Father M''Jn" Rogers was pastor of that Chh many years. This Nathan' was for some Time his Collegue & since his Death the only Pastor of the Church His Preach^ was Calvinistic practical & very solemn, & in Prayer he was specially devout. " Hopkinton (R. Isl'd.) May 31, 1775. This day Ebenezer David, A. B.,' received Ministerial Ordination here. The Solemnity ' Harvard Coll. 1721. See N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, V, 321-23. ' Brown University 1772 ; died in 177S, a Chaplain in the army. 570 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlI.ES was performed bj' Elder Jiio. Maxson of Newport Elder Joshua Clarke of this T" gave the Charge, & Elder Jno. Burdick the right Hand of Fellowship. On the 30th May abot 30 or 40 Men from the Scarboro' landed at F^ W" at Portsm" & damaged it : hav*-' also the day before took 2 provision Vessels. On 31'"' between 500 & 600 Men assembled there in Arms, seized & carried off Eight Canon 24 & 32 pounders being the whole that were there, weighing 4800'^ each & bro't them up to Town. The next day the T" was full of Men from the Country in Arms. They petitioned the Gov. Wentworth, & he went on board the vScarborough, but could not get the Vessels released ; For while the pple were remov- the Canon the Can.seau & a Tender sailed with the 2 provision Vessels for Boston. " Adm. Graves & the General had forwarded orders to take every provision Vessel that shd be met with on every Station & send them forthwith to Boston for the Supply of the Army and Navy." Cap^ Barclay of the Scarboro' added "that his Orders were such that he must even take all vessels with salt or molasses, they being a species of provision & send them to Boston." Rem. I. Hence the Men o'War have no orders nor power to fire on Land, Towns or Forts — else they would have prevented the removal of the Guns. 2. Even seizing provision &c raised a large & cour- ageius Body. 3. The next Adventure maj^ be to turn these heavy Canon on the Shipping. On 6th Ins*^ was Exch'' of Prisoners at the Army nine for nine. D"" Warren President of the Congress & now at the Head of Civil Government and Brigadier General Putnam in a Phaeton — with the Prisoners Major Dimbar & D Hamilton of 64"' on Horsback, E^ Potter of the Marines in a Chaise, & six privates wounded in 2 Carts-^escorted by the Wethersfield Comp^ under Cap' Chester, marched slowly to Chariest" Ferry. Major Moncrief landed from the Lively to receive the Prisoners & see his old friend Gen. Put- nam — Their Meets was cordial & affectionate. Major Moncrief returned Mess" Jn° Peck, James Hewes, James Brewer, & Dan' Pres- ton of B", Mess-"^ Sam' Frost & Seth Rnssel of Cambridge : M"" Jos Bell oi Danvers, M' Elijah Sever o'i ^oyih^' & Ccesar Aug. a Negro. — The whole was conducted with the utmost Decency & good Humor. 15. An armed Packet of the Men o'War with 15 Men this after- noon went toward the N" End of Conanicott Isld to look for a JUNE 15, 1775 571 Providence Vessel return- from N York with Provision. An armed Sloop of our pple with 50 Men 8 Carriage Guns & a dozen Swivels met her. An Engag' ensued about an hour before sunset the Fireing tho' for near an Hour was at a Distance & without Execution. There soon came up another small armed Vessel of our people with 50 Men. Upon this the Packet run ashore at Conanicutt & the Men o'War's Men fled. The last small vessel soon got her off" & carried her off" in Triumph, the 3 Vessels all sailing off" northward together. The Firing was heard at Newport & a great Concourse of people met & gathered on the Wharves. The 2 Men of War, (which lye near to shore) discovered great Perturbation. About Sunset they sent off" another armed Vessel loaded with Marines, which proceeded so far as to find their Mate carried off" & then returned without attempting any Thing further. The Western Post came in this Evening,, & brings a piece of important News if true, for it is only by Word of Mouth. He .saw Cap^ Chester at Groton, who came from Philad^ last Saturday, & told the Post, that — A Ship was arrived there from London with Major Skeene who came over Governor of a new erected Province of w^hich Ticonderoga was the Capital, & had bro't with him 70 Chests of Arms. That the Ship was bound for Quebec, but on the Banks of Newfoundld they received Intelligence that Ticonderoga & Crownp' were taken ccTtainly, & without dovibt all Canada also. Upon this. Gov. Skeenes Wisdom deserted him — instead of putting in at Newfoundld, S' Johns, & even Nova Scotia which Prudence would have suggested, he took the Tho't that he shd be most secure among the Quakers of Philadelphia. Accord^' he went thither. The Committee of Inspection soon found out the matter & went on board & seized the Arms — and took Gov. Skeene before them & afterwards he was carried before the Continental Congress now sitting there, «& was there under Exaniin'' on Saturday last when Cap' Chester in haste (just arrived from Eustatia) came off in a Wagon for N York, & thence by Water to N London. Cap* Chester said he saw Gov. Skeene, & was in the midst of these Transactions ; & that he saw Col Hankock of Boston President of the Congress on board the ship elevated into a mere Extasy of Joy on the Occasion. If this or the substance of it shall prove true, it is a most singular & wonderful Providence ! [N.B. Gov. Skeene came designedly to Philad' with ^25,000 ster. to corrupt the Congress.] 572 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 1 6. Most of the Men o' War's Men have got back on board ship again. P'ive of them left the rest & last night stole a boat & crossed to Xarraganset — came down to the ferry — said they were fishermen coming over to Newp' — set out to cross the ferry, but after sail^ some Dist-* seized the ferryman took helme & came round the S" End of Conanicot to the Men o' War. The rest wandered in the fields near shoar — today the Men o' War sent an armed Tender which went & pickt them up & bro't 'em home. [This night all the Canon were removed back from the W^harves into T" by the Inhabitants.] 17. Last Tuesday M'' Wanton the Governor Elect went up to Greenwich & offered himself to the Assembly there to be sworn into Office — which the}- by Vote refused — & so he returned next da}-, in Infamy. By order of Assembly D. Gov. Cook sent a Letter yesterday to Cap' Wallace of the Rose Man o' War demand^ by what Auth-' he interrupted the Trade, demand*^ the Surrender}- of all the Vessels & Provisions he had seized, & declaring in Case of Refusal that the whole Force of the Colony should be employed against him. We have no Men o' War, but half a Dozen Privateers full of Desparadoes might prove troublesome to a 20 GunShip. Wallace treated the Letter with Insolence & Contempt. He had six provision Vessels about him seized besides 2 more which affected to be under his protection as belonging to Tories. Wallace & Ayscough in their 2 Men o' War & all their Tenders this day come to sail & went to the S" End of Conanicott then to the N" End & so look't round. In their Absence five of the seized Provision Vessels were brouglit safe to the Wharves by a Number of pple who went off to them. Indeed it was evident Wallace intended they shd escape, for he took his own men out of the Captures leaving only two Marines on board one of them. The sixth was a Nan- tucket Man. Our pple offered to bring off her also. But the Cap*^ refused — as the Quakers of Nantucket are favored b}- Parliament. ' 18. Ldsday A M. I preached on Hosea xiv, 1,2. P M. Ps. xvii, 15, and baptized a negro Infant of Sister Jennys. Also propounded Cap' Jn" Toman for owning the covenant. At noon I received a Letter of 16'" Ins' from Major Sherburn at the Camp, informing that in the 20 Transports lately arrived there came 1500 Troops & 200 Horse at most — that a Detatchm' of about 600 of our Troops ' In anotlier place Dr. Stiles has written, referring to this day: At Newport Beach, I heard the Cannonade of Bunker Hill Battle at XII cSc I'' P.M. JUNE 16-20, 1775 573 were then going to take possession of Dorchester 1 1 ill. The Express left the Camp yesterday Morn^' & says that the s'' Detatchm' took possession of the Hill at IX o'clock Fridy Eveng. (S: by Sun an hour high yesterdy Morng. had dug an Intrench' 150 feet long 20 feet wide & 6 feet deep, & came ofT leav^' 300 Men in the. Trenches. At IX o'clock this Eveng. a Gentleman came to Town from the Camp which he left this Morn''' & informs that the Troops came over to Chariest" yesterday morn*-', set fire to Town by Canonade which began at XI A M & continued till IX at Night — that Chariest" is in Ashes — that Col. Putnam is encamped at Chariest" on Bunkers Hill & has lost one of his ])est Captains, but is deter- mined to stand his Ground having Men enough — that our pple had begun a Canonade from Dorchester Hill — that the Fire was renewed this Morn*" before he came away. So that it is doubtless a bloody Scene : tho' I believe the Regulars will not venture further out than Charlestown. 19. Ever}- one filled with the greatest Sollicitude & Anxiety for the Event of Things at the Army as a Battle is certainly begun. The Town of Chariest" is in Ashes — it might consist of about 250 Dwellinghouses — the Inhabitants had removed with their Effects some Weeks ago. We have various Acco'* — -some that Gen. Putnam is surrounded & taken by the Kings Troops — some that he repulsed them & had by assistance of others coming up, placed the Regulars between 2 fires. At X ©'Clock at Night the news was that Gen. Putnam was forced from his Trenches on Bunkers Hill cS: obliged to retreat with the loss oi foiniy ^Icii killed & an hundred ivonnded, & that D' llarren President of the Congress was among the slain. 20. M'' W"' Eller}- came in last Eveng. from Providence & shewed me a Copy of his Excellency Gen. Wards Eetter of vSaturday Morng. last to the Congress inform^' the Landing of the Kings Troops — also of a Letter from the Chamber of Supplies & another from Gen. Green to Lieut Gov. Cook dated on Ldsdy giving an Account of the Battle. Gen. Green says Gen. Putnam with three hundred Men took possession & entrenched on Bunkers Hill on friday Night 16"' Inst. The Chamber of Supplies says that Saturday Morng. early the Kings Troops land on the back of that Hill under Dis- charge of Canon from 3 Ships of the Line drawn up before Chariest" & from the Battery on Copps Hill in Boston. That after- wards they attacked Gen. Putnam who defended himself with Bravery till overpowered & obliged to retreat — that the Loss was 574 DIARY OF EZRA STILES not ascertained but that more of the Kiiemy was killed than of us. Gen. Green says that Gen. Ward had published from Head Quar- ters that our Loss was about (40) fourty killed and 100 wounded & that the Enemys Loss was judo^ed three Times as much. Green seemed to doubt this at first, but from after Inquiry & consid" that Putnam fired from the Trenches & that it was said the dead of the Enemy covered an Acre of Ground, Gen. Green seemed rather to credit the Estimate of the superior Loss of the Regulars. Upon the News of the Action or Land" the Congress instantly broke up & those who had arms repaired to the Field of Action — hence D'' Warren's being in the Action where he fell dying glori- ously : — others went off each way into the Towns to rail}- & con- vene the Militia which poured in in vast Multitudes to sustain the Army if necessary. A Canonade was also begun from the Neck firing red hot Balls &c upon Roxbur}-. And this Fireing was con- tinued all Saturdaj- Ldsdy & ^-esterda}- & was heard at Dighton, Warren &c. M*" Cook of Tiverton came from the Camp, where he yesterday Morn" was on Winter Hill & there saw Gen. Putnam entrenching & in good Spirits being fulh' reinforced. All are expecting another Action. Yesterday Deacon Mason' of B" (who came from Norwich last W^eek) told me he had very lately seen an anonymous letter from London for M"^ Quincy dec'' informing that Major Skeene was sent out with Arms for the Canadians & to be Gov"" at Ticonderoga — and also with ^25,000 sterl- Cash to go to Philadelphia to corrupt & bu}' up the Congress — that Gen. Gage had positive Orders to leave Boston & take the Field at all Events — and that the most rigorous Execution of the ministerial plan was determined upon : it was added, after Orders to take the Field — for — the Pari' are assured that you daj'e not fight. [This Lett, is sent to the Congress.] A Vessel in from Virginia. The Assembly there are sitting. But Gov^ Ld Dunmore has fled on board the Fowey Man o'War — but tells the assembly to go on & do business as usual & that he will act with them, only that the Communic^ between him & them be Vjy no more than two of their Number at a Time. Every Mem- l>er of the House of Burgesses has cloathed himself in Homespun &: has each on the breast of his Coat these words wrote with Needle- work or painting LIBERTY OR DEATH ; & with this on his ' Jonathan Mason, elected Deacon of the Old South Church in 1770. JUNE 21-22, 1775 575 Breast each Member sits in the House of Asseniiilx-. They are building a 20 Gun Shi]). There is a grand ^: noblr Spirit in Virginia ! 21. On Tuesday last Week Gen. Gage published a Proclani' of Rebellion dated at Boston 12^'' Ins'. He excepts out of the offer of pardon only " Samuel Adams & John Hancock, whose offences are of too flagitious a Nature to admit of any other Consider^' than that of condign Punishment." Pie promises his Majestys pardon ' ' to all persons who shall forthwith lay down their Arms. ' ' And after except^' Mess''* Hancock & Adams — "I by these presents proclaim not only the persons above named & excepted, but also all their Adherents, Associates & Abettors, mean^ to comprehend in those Terms all & every person & persons of what Class Denomin^ or Description soever who have appeared in Arms against the Kings Government & shall not lay dowai the same as aforemen- tioned ; and likewise all such as shall so take Arms after the Date hereof, or who shall in any wise protect or conceal such Offenders, or assist them with Money, Provision, Cattle, Arms, Ammunition, Carriages or any other Necessary for subsistence or Offence ; or shall hold secret Correspondence wntli them by L,etter, Message, Signal or otherwise, to be Rebels and Tray tors and as such to be treated." Also proclaimed the Laza-Jlfartial thro' the Province of the Massachusetts. The 2000 N Hamp. Men voted by their Con- gress are all enlisted & joyning the Army. They are commanded by General Nathaniel Folsom. 22 In a Carol. Print of 12^'' May is an Extract of a Letter from an Officer in the 59"' Reg' at Boston as follows, viz — "The Vessel that brings you this will no doubt carrj^ the alarm- Acc" of a Skirmish, or in fact rather an Engagem', which happened between his Majestys Troops & the Provincials on the 19'" Instant. Our first Detatchment consisted of six hundred Men including Officers ; they were first met, & their march opposed by about T^iv Thousd Provincials, who dispersed at the first Fire. Soon after the Troops received a Reinforcement commanded by Ld Piercy, consisting of near Oyie Thousd Men, but were vigorously opposed by several Thousd of the Provincials. On the whole the Provincials behaved with icnexpected Bravery. The killed wounded & missing of our Troops are Two Hundred & sixty six. What the Provincials lost I can give you no true Ace" of, as they keep it a profound secret to us, nor an exact Ace" of the number they had in the field." 576 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Rem. I. We have here ascertained the Number of Regulars in all about 1600. And 2. That there was unexpected Bravery. 3. The Number disabled to the Regulars at least 266 ; which implies near 100 killed. 4. The number of Provincials magnified by Fright to 2000, whereas they were not one Quarter so many, 23. Mess""* Ellery, Chan^' (S:c returned here from a Visit to the Camp which they left Wednesday last. They spent an hour with Gen. Putnam in his Tent on Prospect Hill about halfway between Cambridge & Charlestown. The General gave them an ace" of the Battle last Saturday, said the Number lost on our Side was not ascertained, but the nearest Account was that we had about fifty (not sixty) killed & about 20 wounded ; We lost few till the Retreat : We repulsed the Regulars three Times, fought four hours, the small Arms & six Field pieces made great Havock among the Regulars till our Powder failed. Gen. Putnam said by Acco''* from within Bo" the regulars confes.sed their Loss of killed wounded & missing was about one Thousd. Our Bodj^ on Bunkers Hill where was the Action was fifteen hundred at first & 700 after- wards. Putnam says he judged the Regulars were Three Thou- sand. There was a Reinforce' within perhaps half a Mile «& ought to have come up to their Assist'' but the}- must pass an open Caus*^^' where the Regulars kept up a heavy Fire from floating Batteries. Putnam was not at Bunkers hill at the begins but soon repaired thither & was in the heat of the Action, till towards Night when he went away to fetch across this Reinforcement which ought to have come before. Soon after & before he could return, our JSIen began to retreat. For .some imprudentlj^ call"" out the Powder is gone — the Regulars heard it, & rallied again & came on with Fury & forced the Trenches & then our pple retreated, leav^' the Heroic General Warren mortally wounded in the Trenches. D"" Warren was made a General but the thursdy before by the Prov. Congress — he was buried in Boston. It is s'' the Regulars had Eighty Officers killed. The Army are in high Spirits. They consider this scarcely a Repulse consider"^ the Damage they did to the Enemy : — & indeed if with the Loss of 50 or 60 killed our pple killed & damaged the Regulars near one thousd it is wonderful Providence. The Troops landed under fire of the shipp-, then .set fire to Chariest" in which were three hundred Hou.ses, all which but perhaps two or three were reduced to Ashes & Ruins — then about one or Two o'clock PM. they marched for the Attack & continued it four hours till near night. JUNE 23-29, 1775 577 25. I^dsdy. A.M. I preached on Col. iii, 14. P.M. Gen. xxviii, 20, 21. 26 The Printers are publish- Gov. HiUchin.son.s Letters in the several News papers. They di.scover a most cruel iniquitous & bloody System meditated for his Country — urged & recommended by himself. Molly sat for her Picture. 27. Newport in Terrors least they .should suffer a Conflagration as Charlestown. Several Families removing. 28. I received from the Continental Congress in a printed Rec- ommendation or Resolve their Appointment of a P'ast thro' the Colonies on 20"' July to supplicate & implore the Interposition of the Most High in removing the public Calamities & establishing our Liberties. Rev. M' Rogers of Philadelphia a Baptist young Minister, is just arrived here. He tells me that the Continental Congress have appointed four GeneraLs — M'' Wasliiiigton Generalis- simo, and the Generals Ward, Lee & Putnam : — that General Washington & Gen. Lee were at N York last Sabbath on their Rode to the Arm}- : — that Gov. Tryon arrived from London to N York last Sabbath & was to be received in a respectful Manner, but was to be dealt plainly with. There are Lieu' Governors come over for Detroit, and Mishilimakenac A very seasonable Rain this Day. Mr. More & Fam^' sail'd &c. 29. Major Otis & his Family of my Congreg^ are removing to settle at Middletown in Connecticutt. They sailed this day, & my Daughter Kezia saild with them, going to spend the Summer at Meriden with her Uncle Hubbard.' M' Rogers passed last Week by Land from Philad'^ to N York — he tells me it is a remarkably fruitful & forward Season in those parts. The same Remark has been made of New Engld and that notwithstand- so many Laborers are taken off by the War, all farming Business seems to be as com- ' The accompanying letter to Mr. Hnbbard has been preserved, and is in part as follows : When I received your sympathizing kind Letter, I little tlio't of giving j-ou the Trouble of one of my children ; while at the same Time I felt a sensible Gratitude to yourself & sister for your generous Offer. However the gloomy & dangerous Prospect of Things & the events foreseen by many as coming upon Newport (tho' I dont so clearly foresee them) have determined me to send Kezia & commit her to your Care. ... I should like she might be kept to business. Spinning, INIilking, Dairy &c, so as to lay a found" of a notable Woman. Pray counsel her on the great Things of Religion & Virtue and Sobriety, & call upon her daily to read her Bible. 37 578 DIARY OF EZRA STILES pletely done as ever — nothing suffers for want of Hands. But in Rh. Isld Colony a Dearth has begun. It pleased God to send us yesterday a Rain moderate & gentle at first but plentiful at last. Praised be his holy Name. The united Synods appointed this Day for Fasting & Prayer in Case the Congress did not appoint one within 4 Weeks of it, other- wise this to be omitted. So I suppose it was omitted. The Con- greg^ Chh at Little Compton sat apart this day for Fasting on Ace" of the pub. Calamities & for imploring Rain : the}- with their Pastor sent to M"' Hopkins & myself to assist in keeping it. Gd sent them Rain in Abundance yesterday. Our Gen. Assembly are sitting at Providence. This day I visited Rabbi Samuel Cohen, who came from Jerusalem 3^4 j^ears ago. 30. Rev** M' Martin visited me, & gave me an Ace" of the Battle at Chariest" 17"' Inst which he was in. M"" Martin was in the whole affair from the first taking possession of Bunkers Hill to the End of the Battle, as Chaplain. From his Draughts & Convers"^ I collect the following Account. He says that about 1500 went on frida}^ Night & took Possession of Bunkers Hill under the Command of Col. Prescot. — The Engineer M"" Gridlc}', plan'd a square about 100 yds more or less [ten Rods long & Eight Rods wide], in each Corner were Canon. The Entrenchm* around this square was on one side extended into a long Line. The Men dug in the Trenches one hour & then mounted Guard & were relieved by others. That about one thousd wrot in the Trenches all night. A little after dailight the Ships began to fire upon them — distant about three [two] quarters of a Mile. Then a Cessation, & preparation for a Debark-' in Boats. Col. Gridly taken ill & left the Works in the Morning, committing the over- sight of the finish'-' the Trenches to M'' Martin. Thus about 1000 Men were commanded by him while at Labor, & commanded by Col Prescott when on Guard & military Dut}'. A fire from Corps Hill on Boston side }i Mile distant. M'' Martin ventured down to Chariest" Ferry & with a spy Glass viewed the Shipping and observed their preparations of floating Batteries & Boats filling with Soldiers. There were now in Chariest" a consider'^ number of pple M' Martin judges 100 or 200 or more. Men & Women, not yet removed, tho' the Body of the pple & Effects were gone. While he called in at a hou.se for a Drink of Water, a Canon Ball from the vSliipping past thro' the Hou.se — he persuaded the Inhab. to JUNE 30, 1775 579 depart but they seemed reluctai:t. He assured them it would be warm Work that day. Return- to the Hill, he persuaded Col. Prescott to send for Reinforcem' of Men & Artillery assuring him their would be warm Work, & that the Hill was not tenable with- out more Force. Col. Prescott & he differed even to Quarrel. About Noon or before M"" Martin went down into T " a 2'' Time. M' Cary & sou still at their own house urged him to take some Refresh' & Rest as he had been fatigued all night. He lay down at M"" Cary's about Ten Minutes when a Ball came thro' the house. [Copy of a Sketch bj^ Dr. Stiles.] He rose & returned, & then the T° evacuated with all hast. He still urged Col. Prescot to send for Gen. Putnam & a Reinforc*^ but without Effect. He then ordered one of the men off himself & dispatched him to General Ward at head Quarters at Cambridge. This bro't Col. Putnam & a large Reinforcem*^ about Noon a little before or after. The Troops landed between I & II nearly II P M. of 17*'' Ins' & drew up at D in a Battalion 12 deep & M' Martin then estimated them four thousd, tho' he since learns they were 5000. Thej- began the attack about II'' and the whole affair lasted till between V & VI. between 3 & 4 hours, tho' the hottest of the Action was from 580 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS about III'' o Clock for one hour & an half [fourty Minutes]. Their first fire was at a Distance, & upon receiv^' our Fire they affected a Retreat — but this was discerned ^S: the word Policy went thro' our Army, & they were not drawn forth of their Trenches. Gen. Putnam was now at A and soone after Gen. Warren was at C where he fell. The Connecticutt forces were towds & at the End of the Line B. The Regulars then cast themselves into an extended Line from D towds B with a view of coming round B. At length a heavy fire - dear Wife's Birthday liad slie Hved. M'' Rogers left the Army night before last. Gen. Lee assiduous in reform- & modeling the Army. A trumpet came out from Gen. Burgoyn to Gen. I^ee propos- an Interview. Gen. Lee rather consented, but referred it to the Congress at Watertown, which judged it not expedient. A Detatchm' of our Troops sur- pri.sed & took 19 Mowers Tories on Long Isld in Ma.ss. Bay tS: took also a number of Sheep & Cattle. In the York prints is a sensible & spirited Letter of 7'" June from Gen. Lee to Gen. Burgo\-n & Gen. How, declaratory of his Views of American Affairs, & his Resolutions. He says there are now 150 Thousd Americans in Arms in Vindic'' of their Rights & Liberties. 15. Went to Synagogue. We have daily news from the Camp — but nothing very remarkable — only that a few days past a party of Colonists of the Army went over to L. Isld near Milton & took off Men and Cattle. 16. Ldsday. A.M. I preached on Ezek. ix, 4. P.M. i Jn" iii, 16. I read in the public Congregation the Continental Congress's Rec- ommend-' of a public Continental Fast on the 20"' Instant : It was printed by itself in the Form of a Proclamation & sent me from the Continental Congress. I also read Dep. Gov. Cook's Proclani'' by order of Rh. Isld Gen. Assembly for a public Fast thro' this Colony on the same Da}^ 17. The Continental Congress have published a Pamphlet en- titled an "Address of the Tzvelve United Colonics"' to their Brethren in G. Britain, in which they say they have again addressed his Majesty. Last Winter was published by a Ministerial Hireling " the Eng- lishmans Answer to the Address of the Congress to the people of G. Britain." I read it last Week. He is greatly incensed that Americans shd say that the Quebec Act establishes the Romish Religion in Canada. " I am astonished that you shd conceive that any other than the Chh of Engld, estab. in the first y. of Q. Eliz-', was the established of any part of the Empire — (then reciting the Act) — Does this estab. the Chh of Rome ? Nay does it not declare that the estab. Chh of the whole Empire is that of which the King is Supreme Head, which was estab. in the first y. of the reign of Q. Elizabeth ? but let us read on, ' ' and that the Clergy of the s" Chh ma}^ hold receive & enjoy, their accustomed Dues and Rights, with respect to such persons only as shall profess y"-' s'' Re- 586 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS ligion." Is it this part of the Clause that establishes the Chh of Rome ? This surely not onlj^ leaves every Individual zvho noiv pro- fesses that Religion, at Iiis Lib- to turn Protestant, but declares that that moment the Chh of Rome shall lose that part of her Revenue. . . . Rem'' I. He revives the old exploded notion, that the Chh of Engld is the only & universal Establishm' thro' out the Empire : tho Bp Ellis asserted that it was not Established in the American Colonies by Act of Parliament. 2. We see a latent insidious Design against the Romish Chh itself in the very clause that ostensibly promises them Security. That as fast as any renounced Romanism they stood discharged they and their Estates from Tiths & accustomed Dues to the Chh of Rome. Yet. 3. Yet the Converts are insidiously held to render those Tithes & Chh Dues somewhere : & where is this ? — to such Protestant Ministers or Chhs as they freely chuse ? no — but the Kings Chh exclusively. 4. So here is a provision for the Chh of Engld to rise on the Ruins of the Chh of Rome ; after the Chh of Rome shall have first done the drudgery of subduing the New Engld Presbyterians. 6. Hence the solution of the seem^ Paradox in the Act — giving all Chh Estate & Revenues to the Chh of Rome ; & at the same Time enabling his Majesty to support a Protestant Chh out of ivhat was left. 7. In Truth the Min^' & Pari' being mostly deists, regard no sect or Establishm' otherwise than as sub- servient to Policy & Dominion. Was there a general Uniform-' of religious sentiment among the Lait}' howsoever effected, Politicians would only secure the Clergy & esp-' the principal dignitaries of the Chh. But since the British Empire embosoms so many Sects & those very large as well as different, the Aim of Politicians is for the present to make Ballances of Sects, & taking the principal by the hand to nourish it with flatter*^ Views of ultimate Supremacy & Universality. To silence & gain over the English Bps in the House of Dds, they insidiously made the Act to seem to look to the Triumph of the Chh of Engld all over America ; & they have been taken in. But whether it answers this End or not the Poli- ticians regard not. P'or if Protestants slid be discouraged settling in Canada till the French shall be multiplied so as to become the general Body of Inhabitants on that Territory in future Ages — & the romish Clergy can so attach their Laity as to prevent any great Forsaking of their Chh — then— the British Politicians would as readily exalt the Romish & depress the English Chh. But the present tS: direct view of the Quebec Bill was to support & employ JULY 17, 1775 587 Romanists to svibdue the N. Engld Congregationalists a religious pple abhorrd by Parliament. It is also designed to absorb & insid- iously catch the spread- of Congreg'' & Presb. in a Net, as they colonize westward. That as fast as they colonize beyond the Par- tition Line they shall loose all Countenance of Law, & being addressed with flatter^ Court Motives shall slide into Neglect & Loss of the ancestorial Religion. The N Engld Emigrants would not become Romanists, but the Chh of Engld intend a great Har- vest in reaping & gather'^ them into her Bosom. May Gd defeat these insidious Machiavellian hellish Designs against his Chh in New England ! Unto him we look & in him is all our Hope & Dependance. Another Return of the Battle at Chariest 17 June. Col. Gen Col. Gen Cap' Regiments Sparke's Reads Ward's vScamnion's Bridge's Gerrish's +> Prescott's Whitcomb's +* Fry's Brewer's t* Nixon's Little's Woodbridges Gardners Doolittles Gridleys Putnams Coits Chesters [- N Hamp. Mass. illed & missing Wounded 15 45 I 6 2 15 29 Regts 3 2 Prescott's 42 28 Fry's 5 8 Nixon's 15 31 went on 7 II over night 3 10 7 23 I 5 6 7 - 9 4 Connect. About 30 of the missing since returned Tot. Killed Wounded & missing 15 135 30 105 250 355 30 250 As there were certainly between 20 & 30 of our pple taken Cap- tives, say 26, so our killed were nearest 80. In a return of the Regulars now before me are the very names of the Commissioned officers that suffered & the Reg^' particularly. 588 DIARY OF EZRA STiLEvS Another Acc< Commissioned Officers killed 31 24 Commissd Off. wounded 59 ^ 68 90 92 Serjeants ^ Corporals I Killed I02 lOO Rank & file ) 753 955 31 officers Total killed o86 Wounded 504 «+ 1490 Extracted fr. Provid. Gazette 15 July. Here I remark, i. That I take the Ace" for the Officers to be nearly just, the other perhaps nearly jnst also, tho' it is very remark'' that there shcl be 231 Officers of all sorts to 753 privates. 2. At bottom is added wounded, but dont saj^ Total wounded — & the number is but 504 in an open field fight — incredible. But then the 59 are omitted. So that here is designed Concealment. 3. However the true Number of Wounded among the Comniission Ofl&cers is given 59 which ma>' help us in estimating the proportion of the Wounded in the privates. The proportion may be stated both from that among the Colonists & also the Regulars in the same Battle. In round numbers the killed were nearest 1000 Reg- ulars & 100 Provincials. Wounded As 100 killed : 250 Wounded :: 1000 : 2500. As 31 : 59 :: 986 : 1876. I judge from these Data, which have escaped Concealments, that the Kings Troops had 1000 Killed & 2000 Wounded. Kings Troops 3000 Total killed wounded & missing Colonists 355 D" Reg' Killed Wounded 4.h 0. 4 5- 4. 3 10. 5- I di 14. I. 2 18. I. 3 35. 3- 2 38. I. 4 3- 7 I died of Wounds JULY 18-19, 1775 589 Killed W ounded 47 2. 6 52 5- 5 59 0. I 62 2. 6 67 I. ines 6. 13. I di 29 61 2 2 31 •59 N.B. In this Detail the 38"^ Reg' is divided. Truth & Error designedly mixt. Correct the Errors & find the Truth. 18. In London News of Ma^- last is " Ace" of American Exports for 1774." From Bush. Wheat Bush. Ind. Corn. Bb. Flour Bread Virginia 600,000 450, 000 Maryld 249,000 15,000 54,000 6ro Tierces Philad- 200,000 140,000 280,000 50,000 Bbs. N. York 357,000 50,000 131,500 35,400 Tierces 1,406,000 655,000 465,500 From Quebec 350,000 Bush. Wheat " Making together above a Million Sterling." I estimate the Wheat ^400,000 Flour 500,000 Bread 100,000 Ind. Corn 70,000 ^1,070,000 sterls. This the English Merch' pays for in Goods at Cent per Cent advance. The 3 Men o'War very insolent & haughty, drew up close before the T° & swore they would fire it. At IX ©'Clock at Night they fired a Canon — & frightened many especially Women Children & even some Tories who seemed to believe their Threats. I was next day told by Rev'' M"" Rogers who was next morn^' occasionally on board the Rose Man o' War, that they said they had ranged a Canon for my Meetinghouse which they determined to destroy. 19. Writing a Hebrew Letter to Rabbi Carigal of Barbadoes. Received letters from Middlet" in Connecticutt from Rev'' M'" Hunt- ington, M' Otis & my Daughter Kezia. A Story is come to Town which seems incredible — it is this. Cap* Jn" Hansen for- 590 DIARY OF EZRA STILES nierly of N York now of S' Crux a Danish Settlem'^ where he has a Plantation, came to N York last Week. He says in settling some Accounts at Hispanola on a Contract for supplying the Kings Timber stores he was obliged to go to Paris — where he became intimately acquainted with the Pretender's Secretary. Once while he was in his Ofiice the Secr^ received an unsealed packet which stepping out he left on the Table. Cap' Hanson read & found it from Ld North & the Earl of Bute — informing that the Plan was almost finished ; that the Draugh't of Troops for America would soon leave Engld so defenceless that the Pretender with 20 Thousd Troops might land & march all over Engld &c &c &c. Cap* Hansen instantly escaped & ab.sconded carr3'ing off the Packet — came to Engld & informed Ld North that he was possessed of this secret Correspondence. Ed North offered him a Pension of ^1000. for Secrecy. At length he persuaded him to take up with ^^500 per ann. with a promise of further Provision of ;^500 more. Hav^' obtained this Hansen came home to S' Cruz. But this Spring hearing the Battle of Lexington & find^ America deluged in War he says his Conscience affected him, knowing he was possessed of a secret which would settle the whole & bring the Authors of all the Mischief to Punishment. He accordingly came to N York & opened the matter to the Congress there, which is said to credit the Inform^ & and have sent Cap' Hanson to lay it before the Con- tinental Congress. M'' Eedyard &c received this Ace" from the mouth of Cap' Hanson himself at N York last Friday, & told it to Cap' Warner of Newp' yesterday. Who told it me. The Thing is incredible. Or even if true, it will come to Noth^ — because Ld North doubtless retook the Packet — & the Ministry will wink awa)' oral Testimony, as in the Burn"^' the Dockyard, & in the Proofs of the Princess Dowager receiv" a Million, Earl of Bute half a Million, & 2 other Cronies a quarter Million each from France for the Peace of 1763. If Hanson was wise en" to retain the Letters — he has it in his Power to convince & open the Eyes of the King & the Nation, & restore Tranquillit}' . By a Ship the Kings Speech at Prorog"^ of Pari' is arrived. The Pari' prorogued before the News of Lexington Hostilities. But this arrived a few Days after, & it is sd. the King instantly sent out Messengers to call his Pari' together again. 20. This Day is a Continental Fast throughout the XII United Colonies, upon Recommend'' of the Gen. Congress at Philadelphia, JULY 20-22, 1775 591 & appointed by Proclam'* by the Gen. Assembly of this Colony. At X o'clock A M we went to Meeting, a veiy crouded Congrega- tion ; after a Prayer of three Qnarters of an hour I read 79"' & 80"' Psalms; then preached on Amos iii, i, 2. P M. after the first prayer I read 2 Chron. xx, and then preached from 11-13 Verses of the same Chapter — Behold hozv they (G. Britain) rcwai'd tcs, to come to cast 21s out of thy Possessio7i ivhich thoit has given us to inherit &c. We closed with singing Watts' Psalm Ixxx, 5 to 8''' Stanza. The most crouded Assembly that I ever preached to in my Meet- inghouse. It has been a serious & solemn & I hope sincere Fast! I suppose all Congregations in T" kept it. With Reluctance indeed the Chh of Engld just read prayers at XI o' Clock, but without preach" or afternoon service. It was rather policy to prevent the Chh from going to the Meetings — for thej^ abominate this Fast. May it please a holy Gd to hear the Voice of our united vSupplica- tions & avert the public Calamities & Destresses of his people. The Moravian Chh kept it all day. Rabbi Samuel Cohen of the holy L,and preached on the Occasion in the Synagogue here on Numb. XXV, II, 12, Phinehas the son of Eleazar &c. A motion has been made to print my Sermon, but I have declined it 21. This Hven^ we have News that M'' Darby is returned. He went Express from the Mass. Congress to carry the News of I,ex- ington Hostilities to Engld in a Vessel which sailed from Salem 22 April ; He reached Engld about 28"^ May two days before Gen. Gages Express arrived there. He was about 10 [6] Days in Engld & arrived back to Salem & the Congress at Watertown this Week : & is proceed^ to Phil'' to the Continental Congress.' It is said there has been another Skirmish at Long Isld in Mass. Ba3^^ 22. Sent a packet by M'' Miller to Rabbi Carigal at Barbadoes. The Men o' War have been very insolent & abusive the Week past, stopping the Ferry Boats & repeatedly & almost daily threatning to fire the Town. May God Protect us from their Madness. A specimen of the sweets of the new designed Government ! Gen. XXV, 27. Jacob was a plain Man dwelling in Tents; (ac- cording to the Hebrews) a perfect Man, same as Job. The Targ. Onk. renders it Vir perfectus. Minister Domus Doctrina:;, a perfect Man and Master of a House of Instruction. Some of the Rabbles 1 See a fuller account of Capt. Richard Derby's mission in Proceedings of the Mass. Historical Society, iv, 22-25. ^ See in Proceedings of the Mass. Historical Society, vii, 196. 592 DIARY OF EZRA STILES hence suppose he kept a School or Academj^ for promiscuous Educ'' of Youth. The pilgrim State of Jacob even in the Holy Land makes me think otherwise. Who were there to teach among the Canaanites? I judge that whereas probably not another Family in all Palestine was taught Letters and instructed by Books as a Family, on the contrary holy Jacob taught all his Family Letters, Reading & the sacred Learning — & sat in his family as Master of Wisdom & Knowledge. God said of his grandfather, I know A])m. that he will command his House, &c. This domestic Instruction was continued & became a great Thing, especially the latter End of Jacob's Life — by which Time he must have 50 scholars or more — for his offspring were 70 souls at his going down into Egypt. How well spent & useful his old age ? 23. Ldsdy. I preached all day on Deut. v, 29. And baptized Ruth the Daughter of Cap' Jn" Toman & Martha his Wife, she first owning the Covenant. The Beginning of this M" July the Inhab. of Boston were num- bered by Order of Gen. Gage & found 6573. — The soldiers num- bered Women and Children 13,600 — 300 Tories patrole the streets 29 of a night 24. Received 2 Letters from Rev'' M' Gordon of Roxb-' dated 20. & 22 Ins'. He preached the Election Sermon at Watertown 19'^ Ins' when the Congress was formed into an Assembly or House of Representatives, & assumed upon themselves the Legislature of the Colony (not Province) of Mass. Bay. 25. It is very difficult to ascertain the Loss of the Kings Troops at Bunkers Hill 17"' last month. The later the Lists the more are dead & everyway the Loss greater than at first supposed. In the Cambridge paper of 13"' Ins' tho 3 W. after the Battle we have a Return probably as it stood imed- after the Battle, [as it stood July II.] ' ' Wounded 4th Reg'. Captains Balfour & West. Lieut' Batron & Brown. 5"' Reg. Major IMitchel. Cap" Jackson & Marsden. Lieu" Croker, and M'Clintock. En.signs Charolton & Balaquire. 10"' Reg. Cap" Fitzgerald & Parsons. Lieu" Pettigrew, Ham- ilton, &: Vernon. (Vernon dead of Wounds) 14"' Reg'. Ensign Hasket JULY 23-25, 1775 593 igth Reg*. 22th Reg. 35'' Reg. 38*'' Reg. 43' Reg. 47'' Reg. 52' Reg. 59*'' Reg. 63' Reg. 65'*^ Reg. Marines. Wounded 68 ly* Richardson Capt Blakeney, L'" Cochran, Reckwith, & Leiithall. Cap' Drew, V Campbell & Massey fDrew died of wounds) Major Bruce. Cap'' Boyd & Coker. L'" Christie, House, Myers, & Swiney. Qu' Master Mitchel. Ensign Mitchel. Major Short died of Wounds Major Spendlove (died). L'' Robertson & Dalryinple. Major Smith, Cap' England, Craig & Alcock. Lieu* England. Cap" Nelson, Thomp.son, & Crawford [Higgins] Ensigns Chetwynd & Crame (Crame died) Lieu* Haynes Cap'^ Horsford & Foiller. Capt. Sinclair. Lieu'"" Paxton, Smith, «t Hales. Capts. Lemoine, Huddleston, Logan, Chudleigh, & Johnson. Lieut'' Pitcairn, Shotworth, Campbell, Brisbain, Averne, Rag, Dyer. Engineer Page. Lt. Jardin, Seer-' to Gen. Howe (died). Killed 24 92 5**^ Reg. 14*" Reg. 22'' Reg. 39*'' Reg. 38"' Reg. 43' Reg. 47"' Reg. 52^^ Reg. 63' Reg. 65*h Reg. Marines. Killed. Cap* Downes. L* Bruere. L' Col. Abercrombie. Cap* Lyon ; Lieu* Bard. L* Dutton. Cap* M'Kenzie. L*^ Gould, Willard & Hilyer. Major Williams, Capt' Addison, Davison, Smith and Higgins. L* Dalrymple Cap' Hudson Cap' Sharwin [Shamoin], Aid de Camp to Gen. Howe Major Pitcairn, Cap* Campbell, & Ellis. L*' Finney, Gardner, & Shea. Major Spendlove, L* Vernon, & L* Jardin Secret'' to Gen. Howe, with many others, have already died of their Wounds. And a great part of those who are alive are mortally wounded." 38 594 DIARY OF EZRA STILES In the B" Gazette of 24"' Ins* or yest-' we have an account of the return of Cap^ Jn" Darby last Tuesda5^ He sailed from Salem Express from the Congress four days after Gen. Gages Express ; arrived in London 28'" Ma}^ two days after the prorog'^ of Pari' w*^ was 26"'. He brot Loud, prints to i June. On 31 May Eveng. Express from Gage arrived in London. The Extracts from the Eng. prints shew that the actual Commenc' of the American Civil War makes a great Impression in London. However the Voice of the Court Connexion was 31 Ma)^ " it is a determined Measure in Council that neither BLOOD nor TREASURE shall be spared to bring our American Brethren to what is called a sense of their Duty." — Again " Government is in such Contempt they can neither get a vSeaman nor Recruit." 26. R. Samuel visited me this Afternoon. We conversed on the Cherubim & Glory over the Merc}^ seat — & how to reconcile the erecting of cherubinic Statues in the Holy of Holies & dec- orating the Walls with the Resemblances of Angels, with the Pro- hibition of the 2" Commandment ? We examined the Inscriptions about M'' Sinai which he never saw nor heard of before. They struck him, he looked on them with close Attention & Wonder — could not tell who inscribed them — only s'' repeatedly they are not Jewish. He said there were no Rivers, Brooks, or running streams within one Mile of Jerusalem deep eno to swim in, nor even knee deep. Nor was there any of this depth within three Hoicrs Walk of Jerusalem. Where could the 3000 at Pentecost be baptized b^^ Immersion ? I asked him whether the Ruins of the Aqueduct on the W. of the City was still remainin'^' ? Yes. I asked him where & how far distant was that Fountain or Body of Water which was con- veyed formerly in that Aqueduct? I think he said, it was the River 3 Hours distant from Jerusalem — or else the Fountains of the River Gihon which Hezekiah sealed, & turned towds the City 2 Chron. xxxii, 30. He said this Gihon & that of Moses which watered Eden was one & the same. 27. Reading this Forenoon in the Talmud. Also read the Addre.ss of the people of G. Brit, to the Inhabitants of America written by-a ministerial Pen in answer to the Address of the Con- gress last year to the People of G. Britain. It is the best thing tliat has been written on the Ministerial side of the American Ques- tion. It gives up a great part of the American Claim. It gives JULY 26-27, 1775 595 7ip the Pozver of Pari' to tax America without the Consent of our Assemblies. — "We can find no IJne between the use & abuse of Taxing you without the Consent of )'our Assemblies." Again " Tho' &c warrant us to retain the Exercise of the power of Tax'"" over 3' on, w-e desi^^e to throw it from us, as umvorthy of you to be sub- ject to, & of zcs to possess,'' p. 17. As to all other points he pro- poses Explanations & Compromise. Read a I^etter dated Cambridge June 28, 1775, from Peter Brown of Westford to his Mother in Newport. He w^as in the Battle of Concord : imediately enlisted into Col Prescotts Reg' is Clerk of a Comp^' and was in the Lines on Bunkers hill in the Battle of Chariest". He says : " Frydy the i6th of June we were ordered to Parade at 6 o'clock with one Day's provisions and Blankets ready for a March somewhere, but we did not know where. So we readyly and cheerfully obeyd, the whole that was called for, which was these three. Col. Prescotts, Frys & Nicksons Reg'* About 9 o'clock at night we marched down on to Chariest" Hill against Cox Hill in B° where we entrenched, & made a Fort of about Ten Rod long and eight wide, with a Breast Work of about 8 more. We worked there undiscovered till about 5 in the Morn and then we saw our Danger being against 8 Ships of the Dine & all Boston fortified against us. (The Danger we were in made us think there was Treacher}^, & that we were brot there to be all slain, and I must & will venture to say that there was Treachery, Oversight or Presumption in the Conduct of our Officers.) And about half after 5 in the Morn, we not having above half the Fort done, they began to fire, I suppose as soon as they had Orders, pretty briskly a few Min- utes, and then stopt, and then again to the Number of about 20 or more. They killed one of us, and then they ceased till about 11 o'Clock and then they began pretty brisk again ; and that caused some of our young Country ppl to desert, apprehending the Danger in a clearer manner than the rest, who were more diligent in digging & fortify-' ourselves against them. We began to be almost beat out, being tired by our Labour and having no sleep the night before, but little victuals, no Drink but Rum . . . They fired very warm from Boston & from on board till about 2 o'Clock, when they began to fire from the Ships in ferry Way, & from the Ship that lay in the River against the Neck to stop our Reinforcem'^ w<^ they did in some Measure. One Cannon cut off 3 Men in two on the Neck of Land. (Our Officers sent time after Time after the Cannons from Cambridge in the Morns & could get but four, the Cap' of which fired but a few times, and then swang his Hat round three Times to the Enemy, then ceased to Fire.) It being about 3 o'clock there was a little Cessation of the Cannons Roaring. Come to look there was a matter of 40 Barges full of Reg- ulars coms over to us : it is supposed there were about 3000 of them and about 700 of us left not deserted, besides 500 Reinforcem' that could not get so nigh to us as to do any good hardly till they saw that we must all be cut off, or some of them, and then they advanced. When our Officers saw that the Regulars 596 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES would land they ordered the ArtilU' to go out of the fort & prevent their Lands if possible, from which the Artill>' Cap' took his Pieces & went right off home to Cambridge fast as he could, for which he is now confined & we expect Avill be shot for it. But the Enemy landed & fronted before us & formed them- selves in an Oblong Square, so as to surround us w' they did in part, & After the}' were well formed they advanced towds us in Order to swallow us up, but the)' found a choaky Mouthful of us, tho' we could do noth- with our small Arms as yet for Distance, & had but two Cattnon & nary Gunner. And they from B" & from the ships a fir*-' & throws Bombs keep*-' us down till the}' got almost round us. But God in Mercy to us fought our Battle for us, & altho' we were but few & so were suffered to be defeated by them, we were preserved in a most wonderful Manner far beyond Expectation, to Admiration, for out of our Reg' there was about ^j killed, /f. or § taken captive, and about 47 wounded. ... If we should be called into Action again I hope to have Courage & strength to act ni}- part valiantly in Defence of our Liberties & our Country, trusting in him who hath yet kept me & hath covered my head in the day of Battle, & tho' we have lost 4 out of our Comp''' & our Lieutenant's thigh broke & he taken Captive by the cruel Enemies of America, I was not suffered to be toutched altho' I was in the fort till the Regulars came in & I jumped over the Walls, & ran for about half a Mile where Balls flew like Hailstones, & Cannons roared like Thunder. But tho' I escaped then it may be my Turn next. So I must couclude with my prayers for your Welfare & wish? j-ou the best of Bless"^ I still remain Your dutiful Son Peter Brown." [I .sent a Letter Via Nantticket to Rev. D"" Wilton of London.'] 28. L' Governor Habersham of Georgia is jtist arrived at Phila- delphia ; informing that Georgia has acceded to the grand Confed- eracy of the United Colonies & appointed five Delegates who are coming to the Congress : —and that thirteen TJiousd weight of Powder lately arrived at Savanna from the King to be distribtited among the bidians & Negroes, as a part of the hellish plan for destroying American Liberty. The Inhabitants of Georgia arose & seized this powder 12,000"' into their Possession. Wonderful Pro\-idence I From the Examin^ of Witnesses before ParP Feb. last the New Eng. Commerce appears. AD 1764. Cod Fishery. ^205,920 300 Vessels employed Wliale D° 90,000 150 Mackerel &c 26. 90 ^'322,200 ster ' Rev. Samuel Wilton, of Tooting ; the letter was in acknowledgment of a pamphlet by him. JULY 28, 1775 597 The most of this goes to Europe except ^96,455, Jamaica Fish. The whole N Eng Fish^' employs 45,800 Tons of Shipping & 6002 Men A D 1764. 1 100 Ton of Brit. Brandy shipt fr Lond. for Quebec per ann. M' Eane a N Eng. Merch' says, Money due to London only from the 4 Prov. in N Eng. near one Million sterlg. The Remitt'' of Codfish^' ^220,000, this half yearly Returns. Codfishery Oyl . Pot Ash . Furs Whalefins Lumber Total Am" of ann. Returns about ^420,000. Besides a constant stand'-' Debt of One Million due from N Engld which is on Interest. "We think ourselves well paid if we receive our Money in two 3'ears, & then expect Int. on our principal." " The Trade is con- fined in a few Hands. " " Both Fisheries together are almost our whole Depend'^" " Our Int. is p'' on a running Ace" & if we are ever paid we are p'' Int. as well as principal. ' ' Q. Can a constant loos- Trade be carried on ? "A. We have other Resources in this Trade; namely in ships " built purposely for sale, with their Freights from the W. Indies : " besides Bills of Exch^ in Return for Lumber." Never give more than one 3'ears Credit. Cod Fish-' Returns one Third or near Half. The Annual Value of the Exp^'' from G. B. to N Eng. ^450,000. " Q. In w*" manner then is the Million of Debt to be paid off in two years. " A. I said it might be done in two or 3 years taking in all our Resources." Hence I collect the Return fr. N Eng. near i Mill per ami. Step. Jenkins of Nantucket. Inhab. 5 or 6000, Men & Boys employed in Whale Fish-'. 140 Vessels belong there. Nine Tenths pple Quakers. Whole Number of Whale Fish-' Ships from N" America 309. From Boston . 48 Rh. Isld. 45 Falin" . 8 X York 12 Marthas Vinyard 6 Connect. 3 Dartm". 55 Nantucket . • 132 598 DIARY OF EZRA STILES I observe the Amer. Merchants in G. B. dont disclose the whole state of the American Commerce. They dont give the whole stand^ Debt from America — nor the whole ann. Remittance. The Debt of N Engld is i IMilL— that of Maryld & Virginia is i Mill. It cant be doubted but that of N Y. Jersey & Pensylv'' is i Mill esp-' inclu- sive of N" Car. Eng. is in Debt to S" Car. The Continental Debt therefore is 3 Mill sterlg. Besides the Constant ann. Returns from the Colonies is 50 per Cent, more than the Exports from G. Britain. The}' send us j M. they receive ^ M. & keep us in debt j Million. While they send i^ M to the W. Indies, & receive inclusive their Rents about ^% Million sterl". 30. Ldsdy. I preached all day on Rom. xiii, 11,12 31. At \"" P.M. I catechised about 45 children. Augu.st. 1 . Last Ldsday Morn" before day our pple took 2 prisoners at the Enemys outer Centry at Chariest" & brot them into. Head Quarters. A party of 24 came out to relieve them — a mutual firing ensued with no great Effect. But Mond-^' Morn^ at one o Clock the Enemj^ be- gan a heav}' Canonade on Roxbury & burnt one house. Gen. Gage sent about 30 Men to rebuild the Eight House which our pple burnt down, and a Detatchm' of our forces went & took them a few days past. 2. ]\Iaking a Map of Boston, &c. 4! Received a Letter from D' Gale & from Rev. M' Ross of Fairf^ informing of an Insurrection of 300 Chh Tories at Waterbury to protect one Nicols' a Deserter from the Camp of the Colonists. But the Deserter was rendered up & all settled. 6. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on Rom. xiv, 19. P. INI. Ps. xxxvii, 23 7. Why .should it be a Doubt whether Jephtah put his Daughter to death? Jud. xi, 31, he says " and it shall be the Lords, and I will sacrifice it a Burnt Offering. ' ' This is the \'ow : — and verse 39. it is said, '" and he did unto her his Vow." Notwithstand''' nat- ural Affection there was a principle in antient Times which would so far overcome Tenderness as that Parents could put tlieir Children to Death. It was not singular for Ab'" to be ready to offer up Isaac, tho' an only Child as Jephtahs Daughter was. It was the ' Josiah, son of Captain George Nichols, and brother of John Nicliols (Yale 1773 J- For niore details, see Anderson's History of Watrrbury, i, 422-3. JULY 30-AUGusT 12, 1775 599 Custom of surround^' Nations, to offer their Children in l)urnt Offering to Moloch. I doubt not Jephtah killed his Daughter. On July 27, the Ship Monimia arrived at N York from (jlasgow with 230 Passengers ; & the same day arrived there the Brig Nep- tune from Glasgow with 87 Passengers. Many of them were de- prived of their Arms after they embarked, by Order of Govern- ment. 9. Received a L,etter from my Uncle now at Watertown Hon. Eldad Taylor Esq one of the Council «& Gen. Assembly now sitting there. He gives a particular Account of the Inform" received re- specting the Indians and Canadians their Disinclin-' to joyn in War against us. This inform" extends 1000 Miles back. The Conti- nental Congress has adjourned from Philad" to Hartford to .sit there middle September. This Eveng. I resumed our M" Chh Meet- at Brother Stevens, I preached on Philip, iii, 8, 9. 10. Yesterday, the Men o 'War being absent from this Harbor, on a plundering Cruise, one of the Providence Privateers armed by Government (of this Colony) came and took off the residue of the Canon from our Fort, part-' 2 large 18 Pounders & carried them up to Providence, a little below which the}' are fortifying. Last Dec. the most of the Canon were removed.— Several Transports coming round from B" for Provisions the Men o' War on this station went out with them to Eong Isld & Fi.shers Island to get Stock — the}- took about 1000 [1130] Sheep, & thirty Head of Cattle from Fish- ers Isld. The Rose returned here last Eveng 12. This day 1 7 Transports passed by this Isld eastward, loaded with Stock taken off of Fishers Isld for the Troops in Boston. We have a Report that Cap*- Eindzy in a sloop of War, came ashore with Marines & set fire to 8 houses in C. Ann : the pple rose & seized the Captain & 19 Marines & carried them off to the Army. A Vessel arrived here to day in about 35 days from Lisbon. The Men o' War (of which we now have three here) took her & silenced the Captain & dont suffer him to communicate any News. He must have brot News, for a Vessel arrived at Lisbon in five days from London a few days before he sailed. It is said that he at first reported there were great Tumults in London & that Ld North had fled to France. This confirms a similar Report we have had two Ways Via W. Indies. But I think no Credit is to be given to it. The Army are mak" Bombs, & prepar^' for bom- bard '^' Boston. 6oO DIARY OF EZRA STILES 13. Ldsdy A M. I preached on Ps. v, 11, 12. A Company of Soldiers which are to joyn the Continental Army this Week, attended Meeting. P.M. Ps xlv, 11 15 I am told so that I rely on it, that our Army now have Fifty Tons of Powder. In the Gazette is a lyCtter dated 5'" Aug. from Col. or Brig. Brattle in Boston to his Son in Cambridge. A Flag was sent out that da}- to the L,ines at Roxb^' to Gen. Gage to bring it. It is a foolish trifling Letter about apricots, pares, Peeches, Sickness, Deaths, Nantucket Captains &c all intermixt. But in the confused Medley is this — " I hear the Port of Boston is quite open, and the Custom House to be kept here as usual ; a Ship brought in Yesterda}' 2200 Bbs of Flour." Is it credible that the Parh met in June, & immed-' ordered the Forces to be with- drawn ? It has transpired by those lately out of B" that an Embark-' of Furniture &c is making by the Kings Troops, Tories &c and it was whispered that 15"' Ins' was set for their going off. It is certain that last Week Gen. Gage sent out a Flag asking a Cessation of Hostilities for six day.s — but Gen. Wash- ington refused it. Last Eveng. I rec'' a Letter from M'' Tutor Lewis' of Yale Col- lege. Speaking of M'" Bushnel' a Student there he says — "Hie Homo est Machinae Inventor, quae ad Naves Bostonise portu Pul- veris pyrii Explosione destruendas, nunc est fabricata & fere per- fecta. Machina ita est formata, ut 20 aut ampliiis pedes sub undas celeriter transeat, & Pulveris pyrii 2000'" portare et Navis Carinse infigere possit. Statim vel post Minuta decem vel Semi-horam, secundum Operatoris Voluntatem, Horologium totam Massam inflammabit." &c — Last .Saturday I conversed with a Woman latel}^ come out of B*^ who had lived 40 3-ears in D"" Sewall's Family. Who gave me a very particular Ace" of the state of the pple suffer- in Boston. D''* Byles, Mather & Eliot are the only three Congregational Ministers now in Boston. M'' Burt was in T" yesterda3\ He tells me that M' Williams a Math. Inst. Maker li\-ing on the Long Wharf in B" counted thirty-three hundred Troops which em])arked at the Long Wharf & went over to Chariest" on the 17"' June to the memorable ' John Lewis (Yale 1770). * David Bushnell (Yale 1775). This part of Mr. Lewis's letter is written in Latin, to hinder giving information of this important invention to any un- trustworth\' nicdiiun. AUGUST 13-17, 1775 601 Bunkers Hill Fight. That besides these a Xuiul)er of Troojjs just arrived disembarked from the Transports at Chariest" that day. These may well be supposed 1000 Men. Besides the.se a Number prob> the main ]:)ody of Marines went from the ships to Chariest" also directly. These may have been 700 as it is s'' that was the N" of Marines on board the ships. So that the whole might compose a Body of Five Thousd. This is the best Estimate I can yet form for the Number of the Kings Troops in that Action. These were fought by only 6 or 700 Provincials or Coloni.sts. 16. Visited R. Samuel Cohen. The Continental Congress at Philad'' adjourned on 2'' Aug"^ to 5"' of September next. The Massachusetts & other N Engld Delegates are returned home. It is said that in conseq. of Letters from Gen. Gage to the Gov. of Halifax Nova Scotia the Rev'' Simeon Howard Pastor of the W. Chh in B" has been apprehended, tried & acquitted. Crime un- known. 17. Between 7''' & 14"^ Ins* Eight Companies of Rifle Men, con- sist-' of about 100 Men each, from Viroinia, Ma)-yld & Pennsyh^ ar- rived at Cambridge. The Rifle Men commanded by Cap* Daniel Morgan of Fredericks County Virginia, 600 Miles from Cambridge, arrived there in three Weeks. In the B" Gazette 15"' Ins* — "Avery intelligent vSoldier belon*-' to the 23'' Reg* who deserted from the Enemy last Week, & who is known by several Gent, in our Army, made Oath before His Excellency Gen. Washington, that accord "^ to the most exact Ace" ihere were killed of the Enemy at the Battle at Bunkers Hill «& since died of their Wounds then received, 6 Field offi- cers, 32 Captains, 52 Subalterns, 55 vSerjeants, 13 Drummers, 899 Privates. In the whole when he left the regular Army 1057 ;' and that it was tho't three hundred more Officers & Privates would die of their Wounds. ' ' Rem. I. By Accounts given the latter End of June & within ten days after the Battle, the Loss was given out between goo & 1000 dead, & soon became 1040 or thereabouts. And of this 1040 there have been sundry Modifications — sometimes it is killed 8c wounded all together ; at other Times the dead only, but then joined with 450 or 500 wounded only. And here the Tories rest the Ac- 1 This number remains as the officially authorized and final statement of the British loss. 6o2 DIARY OF EZRA STILES count about 14 or ijoo killed & woiinded — & then in a waj^ of Infer- ence speak of the killed as about 400 only — & some of the Whigs rest in this last Kstiniate. Rem. 2. I think the Harvest of Death among those who died of their Wounds must have been over within the first fourt' night. And from that time to this there has been a Bruit of 1000 Dead. Now whence slid this arise within Boston? If the Regulars intended this slid contain killed & w^oimded w^hy have they, as they and their friends certainly have, talked of 14 & 1500? There may be some yet ill of their Wounds that may die. But not 300. However prob-' there are 300 still ill of their Wounds. Rem. 3. However take this Soldiers Ace" & suppose the Total Doss in that Action & its Consequences to be 1300 finally dead — would not this justify a much higher Estimate of the Wounded of that day than has ever been imagined by the most sanguine Estimators ? Rem. 4. I am apprehensive after all that the 90 Officers contained killed & 7<.'oundcd : designedh' to render the whole dubious. This Account is doubtless that handed about in the Army in Boston, because we ha\-e had it come from them so many Times. I suppose it was constructed for the Army Account as to the substance of it. If it be said 1000 were killed by your own Ace" — Officers may deny it — & upon being referred to their owai Ace" circulated & given b}" themselves in the Army ; they may shew or affect to shew a falla- cious Misapprehension, by alledging that the Wounded as well as killed were given with the Officers : and so overthrow the Credit of the whole. We see such incessant insidious Stratagems & Delu- sions practised by the Ami}- & Navy & Tories to make up the Mind & Judg' of the public ready to their Hands, as justifies such an Apprehension. It requires a great deal of Discerm' to separate the Truth from Error — to take a Tory or Ministerial Account and de- duce the Truth from the designed Concealment. Rem. 5. Tho' I dont believe that last Week there were 300 Wounded left who shall die of Wounds ; yet the Soldier may know, for this may come well within his Observ-' that there then remained 300 not cured of their Wounds six Weeks after the Action. Now, are not three quarters of the Wounded usually cured in 6 or 7 \Wx'ks ? Dont this imply above 500 (the Tory ace") Wounded? Rather does not the 1000 Dead & 300 wounded noiv remain- im])ly at least 3000 Affected in the Action ? iove half or ^i my usual Conj^regation. Wallace'.s canonading vSton- ington has thrown this Town into great Consternation, & Numbers are removing. A Day of Destress ! The good Lord direct all our Ways & protect us. I am not apprehensive of Wallace's canonad- Newport, but of Famine ; for he stops Ferry boats & Wood boats — & the Country talk of withold*-' Provisions— & the Tories expect a body of sick soldiers from B" & some effective to garri.son the Town ; in which Case, the Country will stop Provisions, & we shall be in danger of being held in Durance as Boston ; for i. The Regulars with all their Courage dread to be without some of our Americans & their Property to protect them, for they know we will not readily fire on them. 2. They intend to make us fetch them in vSupplies of Provisions. Strangers are risen up against us & oppressors seek after our souls. Ps. liv, 3. 4. Going on a Journey to the Camp. ID. lydsdy AM. I preached on i Chron. xvi, 18-22. P M. Isai. Ixii, i. And notified Catechising to morrow at V'' P.M. II. At V P.M. Catechised 48 Children. Last Monday I set out for the Camp & arrived there on Wednesday 6"' Ins'. I dined that day at Watertown with President Langdon who told me the Cor- poration had that day met there & voted that the Students should be called together & academic Exercises be set up at Concord. Here I saw my Uncle Eldad Taylor Esq one of the new Elected Councillors. After Dinner I rode to Head Quarters at Cambridge — visited General Putnam, took a cursory View of the Encamp- ments & lodged at Rev" M'' Turells get. 72 of Medford so as to be without the Camp. Next Morn*'' Rev M' McLintock Chaplain of N Hamp. Forces introduced me to Gen. Sullivan and carried me thro' the Encamp''* on Winter Hill, Prospect Hill, & on the H. of Cambridge ; that is the Encampm' of the Left Wing, & Center of the Army. The Works are astonishing ! The lines are done with a sufficient Degree of Elegance, but their Strength & the Quantity of Line & Fortific'' are amazing, considered as the Work of one Summer only. The whole Army is in 3 Divisions of two Brigades each. A Brigade is 6 Reg'** of 10 Companies each ; & each Corap" 60 Men. So a Brigade 3600 if full — &l a Division about 7000 : The 3 Divisions are 22,000. There are some Boys & others worth- less Fellows — but these with the sick & unfit for duty, & Ab.sentees on Furloughs were estimated to me far short of one Quarter of the 6l2 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Army. The Men-Bo3's are equal to Men in general for Duty especially in an Engagement. The rest of the Army were robust hardy brave Men, the flower of N Engld. So that they told me it might be relied upon that they had sixteen Thousd healthy, rugged, courageous invincible Troops fit for Action & Enterprize. ^^ ■^-T-^. ■• >^/»/»> . ■-! L_ — • , ' A K AAA A/V* ^ A A. A/i^ AA/AA A/NA AAA [Copy of Sketch of tlie Camp by Dr. Stiles.] These are enough. The Arrangement is — the right Wing at Rox- bury and Dorchester 2 Brigades 7000 — the Eeft Wing at Prospect Winter & Plow'd Hills 7000 — the Center at Cambridge 7000. The Generals command thus : Rt. Wing Roxby, Major Gen. Ward B. Gen. Thomas B. Gen. Spencer Center His Excell>' Gen. Washington Major Gen. Putnam B. Gen. Heath. Left Wing 3 Hills Major Gen. Lee. B. Gen, Sullivan. B. Gen. Green SEPTEMBER II, 1775 613 The Tents begin on Winter hill about i}{ Mile from Mystic Bridge & so extend all along round to the mouth of Cambridge River. I began the Inspection upon Winter Hill. Here is the largest Fortress in the Army— one Side of it is above one hundred Rods. In a Vally between Winter tS:: Prospect Hills is Gen. Lees House : we went to it, but he was gon upon Plow'd Hill, so I missed seeing him. Then we proceeded to Prospect Hill, went into Major Sherburn's Marquiss Tent. The Major was appointed to Duty & Col. Hitchcock was so obliging as to carry me thro' the Lines. The Works are of astonishing Strength. Thence we pro- ceeded & viewed the Encampm'^ of the Central Division at Cam- bridge and dined at Gen. Putnams. In the Afternoon M' Leonard carried me to Col. Trumbulls who provides for the Army, there I saw Rev M"" Blair (formerly Pastor of the Old S. in B") now Chap- lain to the Rifle Men, 800. Then w^e waited upon his Excellency General Washington, who received us very politely & invited me to, dinner. I was also introduced to Gen. Heath & Adjutant Gen. Gates a martial Man. After visiting College now converted into Barracks, we went to the Meetinghouse at VI o'clock. Here I prayed with the Central Brigade. And lodged at Gen. Putnam's with M*" Leonard ; spent the Eveng. in Company with the General, and Gen. Washingtons Aid de Camp M"" Randolph & sundry other Gentlemen very agreeably. In the Morning of 8*"^ Ins'. I rode over to Roxbury & passed Major Gen. Wards House before I knew it. I breakfasted at Gen. Spencers. Then Rev M'^ Johnson & Rev'' M'' Boardman two of the Connecticut Chaplains, walked with me & shewed me all the Lines in the 3'' Division or Right Wing under the Command of Gen. Ward. Thej^ introduced me to Gen. Thomas also, where we sat & conversed some Time very agreeabl}^ Then about XI o' Clock I took leave & set out for home. I left Jamaica about Noon — and lodged at Maxys in Attleboro' or Wrentham. Saturday 9"' Ins' I dined at Mr. Burts and arrived at Newport. The Generals of the two Armies Sept. 8, 1775. american army 30,000. His Excellency General Washington ^150 L. M. per Month f Ward Hon. Major Gen. j j^^^'„^^ [ /75. each [^ Schuyler J , . . Crownpoint 6 14 DIARY OF EZRA STILES r Brigadier Gen. Thomas -i Montgomery I Wooster Crownp'. Heath [ X. York ;^37.io.o Each Spencer I Sullivan I Green MINISTERIAL ARMY IX BOSTON 9000. Gen. Gage [Returned to Engld Oct 1775] Gen. Robinson Gen. Clinton Gen. Howe Gen. Burgoyne Gen. Grant Gen. Ld. Piercy Gen. Pigot^ ' Further details of this journey are given in Dr. Stiles's Itineran,-, as follows : — Sep. 4. Set out for the Army. Ferry 6)4'^. 4'^. Lodged at Rev. Mr. Town- sends, Barrington. 5. Dined INIaxels, i/. Man's — Oats, &c. 4'^. Lodged at Mr. Prentiss's, Medfield. Visited Dr. Chaunc}-. 6. Rode %nth Re^^. Mr. Adams to Watert", Dined 1/6. Visited Uncle Eldad Taylor. Rode to Cambridge. Visited Professor Sewall & Gen' Putnam. Rode thro' the Encampt^ at Prospect & Winter Hill. Lodged Rev. IVIr. Turell's at INIedford. Horse, S^. Barber's, 5 coppers. 7. Spent the Forenoon in View? the Lines on Winter Sc Prospect Hills, where are encamped the X. Hamp. & Rh. Isl'd. Troops with some others in 2 Brigades. ... At Xoon was on Prospect Hill, where the Works are vast & strong ; tho' really the most extensive Fort & Lines is at Winter Hill. Then went to the central Encamp' at Goffs farm. This is low. . . P.M. Visited his Excelly Gen. Washington . . Gen. W. is the Delight of the Army. At VI o'clock the whole central Brigade's effective men off of Duty met in Dr. Appleton's Meetinghouse & at the earnest Request of ReV^. Mr. Leonard their Chaplain, I prayed with them. . . This day Mr. Randolph told me he was sent a Flag to the Lines at Roxbury, where the Regulars came to him — told him a ship arrived fr. Loud, bringing Lond. news to nth July, but noth- ing only that the King & Ministry' were willing to listen to proposals. Gen. Wash, is send? off 1500 men to Kenebec & so across to Quebec to take it : they are to go next Ldsdy. It makes too much noise. . . . There is sickness, but abating — not a quarter absent & sick, so above 15 Thous"' effective men, besides a Reg' at We\-mouth &c. — The Regulars are 6000 in all, inclusive sick &c. Mr a Tory penitent came out yesterday tells me thus, & not above 5000 effective Men. Our people wish them to come out. I lodged in Cambridge at Gen. Putnam's. S. Rode to Roxb> and breakfasted at Gen. Spencer's with Rev"^ Mr. Johnson & Rev. !Mr. Boardman. . . . There are 2 Brigades or 7000 men there strongly SEPTEMBER 12-15, 1775 615 12. M'' Grant arrived here fr. IvOndon. 13. Dined with M" Grant who left London abont 5"' June. By her I find the IvCxington News made ten Times the Impression in London that we had imagined. Even the ministerialists who were still for enforcing Measures, freely said "We have gone too far." She dined with Gov. Hutchinson the day he received the News. He affected to throw it off, but was dejected. — Chh M" Meef-' at Sister Channing's. I preached upon Rom. v, 21. 14. I baptized Mrs. Robinson on a sick bed. 15. About 29 Aug. Gen. Montgomery set off from Crownp' & Ticonderoga with 1200 Men for Canada to attack Gov. Carleton •encampt with 500 at St. Johns. He is soon to be followed by Gen. Schyler with 800 more. And on 13"' Ins*^ or Wedn>' last marched from Cambridge 12 or 1300 to proceed across Land to surprize & take Quebec. This Enterprize into Canada is in Conse- quence of an Application & Request of the Canadians themselves. The 2'' Ins' Rev. Mathew Bridge Pastor of Framingham died aet. 55. cir, Min. 30 cir. A Worthy Minister. Aug. 20, 1775, died at Hartford the Rev'' Joseph Howe late Pas- tor of the New S'" Chh in Boston. " The righteous Disposer of Events was pleased to remove him from the Labours of the present Life, soon after he had engaged the public Eye, & given the World Reason to expect much from his eminent Abilities, his great Attain- ments in Literature, & the uncommon Goodness of his Heart. — His Chh now scattered abroad b}' an Exertion of Lawless Power, are overwhelmed with Sorrow. — He was blessed with a most amiable Disposition ; He loved his God, and by a devout Attend^' on the Duties of his Oflfice, adorned the Doctrines of our holy Religion. He loved his Country and was deeply affected with the common Destresses which have been bro't upon these Amer. Colonies by an unrighteous entrenched. At the Center in Cambridge is a Corps de Reserve to be led forth by Putnam. At Roxb'y, 1/2. At XI A.M. set off for Newp't. Dined at Dedham, 1/6. The Mass. Troops are supplied with Chaplains by Rotation, the Ministers at Convention voluntarily offering themselves. But it don't answer. Connecticut Troops have 4 Chaplains in Colony pay, viz. Johnson, EUis, Boardman & Leonard. Hampshire have Messrs. M-^Clintoc & Pabody. Rh. Isl'd., Martin — Murray abs't. Mass. I found only Mr. Foster. Gated at Man's, Wrentham, 6"^.. Lodged at Maxes, ic'. 9. Breakfasted at Dagget's i/. Kelly's ferry, 2''. Bristol ferry & oats lo-i. Arrived at Newport. 6l6 DIARY OF EZRA STILES & cruel Administration. As a Preacher M'' Howe was one of the most useful and entertaining ; his Discourses were admirably suited to enlighten the Mind & warm the Heart. While he was ready to contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, & show abecom= Zeal for the peculiar Doctrines of the Gospel, he embraced all good Men, without enquir^ with scrupulous Exactness into the Minutiae of their Creed." — He was born at Killingly in Connecticutt 1747. He was educated at Yale College ; & after his first Degree, he taught a Grammar School in Hartford. He delivered a beautiful Valedic- tory Oration at Taking his second Degree, which I heard with great Pleasure 17 . He was then elected a Tutor of Yale College, & discharged that Office with Honor ; till he was called & settled in the Min'" in Boston about 1773. 17. lydsday. A.M. I preached on Psal. xxxvi, 7. P.M. Ps. Ixxi, 17, 18. Propounded David Colvill & his wife for entering into Covenant. Read'g. Cotton on Ecclesiastes Read'g. also Justin's Trj'pho. 18. I saw this day a Man who left N. York last Tuesdy, & says a Ship arrived there from I^ondon. It is said that M'' Penn had got to Engld with the Petition to the King from the Congress. This Afternoon I set out on a Journey to Rochester to fetch home m}' daughter Ruth who has been there these three Months. 22. Returned home with Ruth. 23. News that the Army across E. Champlain had reached the Isle of Nuts. 15 Miles from S^ Jn" & landed there 9"' Sept — that an advanced party of perhaps 800 proceeded to within i}4. Mile of Gen. Carleton's lincamp' at S' Johns, when they were fired upon & retired. 24. Edsdy. A M I preached on Ps. xxxix, 5. P.M. James iii. 13. Examining the first Chapter of i Peter in Syriac. 25. On 28^'' Aug^ Gen. Montgomery embarked at Crown P' [Ticon- deroga] with 1200 Men «& 4 twelve pounders for S' Johns. Eanded on the 9'" of Sept. at Isle of Nuts 15 M. this side of S' Johns. Thence a Brigade of 800 Men were sent to parade themselves within sight of the Fortifications at S' Joluis. " But were attacked by a number of Regulars & Indians who had formed an Ambuscade at the distance of aliout one Mile & an half from the Fort. Five of our Men were killed on the Spot the first shot & 8 more wounded 3 of which are since dead. Major Hobbj' & one Captain are among the slain or wounded. The Enemy were soon routed & forced to quit the Ground leaving behind them six of their dead Indians." We SEPTEMBER 17-26, 1775 617 are also informed that Col. Allen with 400 Men had cut off all Coni- munic'' between S' Jno^ & Montreal. A Letter from Ticonderoga Aug. 25. " The Number of Troops here at present is 1700 Men and 700 at Crownpoint about 14 M. off. We expect this da}- four Companies &c. " " There hath been a French Gentleman here lately from Canada who has put our Men in great spirits by assuring us that the greatest part of the Canadians would joynus upon our Arrival, but that they dare not make them- selves knowni to be our Friends till we are landed among them. The same Gentleman, who is a person of great Property, &c." Gen. Schuyler sick of the fever & ague. 26. Isaac sick with the Dysentery. Letters from Ezra at College of 4"' Ins'. He had been sick of the Dysentery. In CONGRESS. Monday June 12, 1775. As the Great GOVERNOR of the WORIvD, by his supreme and universal Providence, not only conducts the Course of Nature with unerring wisdom & rectitude, but frequently influences the Minds of Men to serve the wise & gra- cious Purposes of His providential Government ; and it being, at all times, our indispensible duty, devoutly to acknowledge his superintending Providence, especially in Times of impending danger, & public Calamity, to reverence & adore his immutable Justice, as well as to implore his merciful Interposition for otir deliverance. This CONGRESS, therefore, considering the present critical, alarm- & calam- itous state of these Colonies, do earnestly recommend, that Thursday, \h.Q twen- tieth day oi July nexth^ observed by the Inhabitants of all the English Colonies on this Continent, as a day of public HUMILIATION, FASTING, and PRAYER, that we may, with united hearts & voices, unfeignedly confess and deplore our many sins, and offer up our jo3-nt vSupplications to the All-wise, Omnipotent and Merciful Disposer of all Events, humbly beseeching Him, to forgive our Iniquities, to remove our present Calamities, to avert those desola- ting Judgments with which we are threatened, & to bless our rightful vSovereign King GEORGE the III'^. and inspire him with wisdom to discern and pursue the true interest of all his subjects, that a speedy end may be put to the civil discord between Great Britain and the American Colonies, without further effusion of blood and that the British nation may be influenced to regard the things that belong to her peace, before they are hid from her eyes that these colonies may be ever under the care and protection of a kind Providence, and be prospered in all her interests,— that the divine blessing may descend and rest upon all our civil Rulers, and upon the Representatives of the people in their several Assemblies and Conventions, that they may be directed to wise and effectual measures for preserving the Union and securing the just Rights and Privileges of the Colonies,— that virtue and true religion may re\-ive and flour- 6l8 DIARY OF EZRA STILES ish throughout our land, — and that America may soon behold a gracious inter- position of Heaven for the redress of her many grievances, the restoration of her invaded Rights, a reconciliation with the parent State, on terms constitu- tional and honorable to both, — and that her civil and religious Privileges may be secured to the latest posterity. And it is recommended to Christians of all Denominations to assemble for public Worship, and to abstain from servile Labour and Recreations on said day. By order of the Congress. JOHN HANCOCK, President." (A true Copy) "CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary." This Proclamation was sent to me from the Congress. I read it publickly in my Congregation, & the day was observed with an un- exampled Solemnity. Avocations have prevented my transcribing it till this Time. I am sorry to see nothing of Christ in it. Under the Notion of an unexceptionable Thing adapted to all religious Sects, the Congress carried their politeness so far, as to repress their Belief of the Xtian Religion, & come too near being ashamed of Christ. This Proclam'' might have been issued by a Congress of Deists. Christians indeed may come under the shadow of its Wings — & had there only been one Paragraph of the Gospel & protestant Zion, it had been complete & most excellent. 27 The last Week in Aug* arrived at Philad'' three Ves- sels from Ireld with five hundred & fifty Passengers. 28. A mucilagenous Worm took the Pare Trees in my Garden last summer & eat the upper surface of the Leaves — so that the most of them have been dropt off for this month. Now they are shooting out again as in Spring, & some of the Leaves of the second Growth this year are at full Bigness. Blossum Buds are on both & one of the Trees is in Bloom. 29. Mr. Hopkins returned fr. G. Barrington. October. 1. Ldsdy. A M. I preached on Ps. xi, 7. P M. Zephan. iii, 16, 17. Led David Colvill & his Wife to own the Covenant, and bap- tized their Infant Daughter Isabell 2. At IV'" P.M. I catechised 17 Boys & 37 Girls & 4 Negroes- all 59 Children. M'' Rob' Stevens left the Camp yesterday — he tells me that D' Church is under Arrest, ])eing detected in a suspicious Correspondence with the Enemy. Some Weeks since he sent a Letter privately to Newport by a Woman who brought it in her SEPTEMBER 27-OCTOBER 2, 1775 619 Stocking on her IvCg, with Orders to deliver it either to M' Dudly the Collector or &c so as to go on board Cap' Wallace & so thro' his hands into Boston. She was a Girl of Pleasure, & one Wainwood' a Baker in Newp' had known her in Boston, & they now fell into Comp'' together in Newport. And she inquiring how she might get a I^etter on board Wallace, he offered to do it. She confided in him & told him who it came from. He afterwards suspect^' &c opened it. The Cover was directed to one Major & the inside Letter was in unknown Character & directed to M"" Fleming in Boston a scotch Tory who a few years ago married D"" Chh's Sister. Wain- wood applied to School Master Maxwell to decypher it. He could not — but I remember some Weeks ago M'' Maxwell ask me whether I could decypher Characters — & said he believed there would be some occasion for a decypherer to detect an illicit Correspond- ence in the Army. The Saturday before last I dined with M'' Max- well & he spake more of the matter as a fact, & advised with me as to going to the Army with the Man that had the Letter. I desired him first to let me have a Line of it — he s" he would persuade him to suffer it. Master & Wainwd went to the Army last Week & opend the Matter to Gen. Green with whom Master was intimate. Thus the matter came before Gen. Washington. The Girl was first arrested, she denied but at last own'd & disclosed the whole. Then D"' Chh was arrested & bro't under Guard. He owned the Letter but justified his Correspond, with his Brother & alledged that he communicated no secrets ; but did not decypher his Letter. The Gen. told him, that had he wanted to get a Letter into B" he could have sent it in any day, & that sending it written in Character, & round Via Newport thro' the Hands of the Enemy was very sus- picious. D' Church is ruined.' There were three patriotic Doctors, Physicians— D'^ Warren, D"' Church &c. D'' Warren died a General & an uncorrupted Patriot ; D"" Church is corrupted ; & the other is affrighted away. Gen. Wash, had constituted Chh Chief Surgeon, & given him the Superintend^' of all the Medical Affairs of the whole Army ; & made him one of his most intimate Councillors, so that he was privy to all the Designs of the Congress & Army. On 1 Godfrey Wainwood, a cliurcliman ; he died in Newport in October, 1816, aged 77 years. ' A copy of Dr. Chnrch's letter is given below, under October 23. His sister Elizabeth married John Fleming, printer and publisher, of Boston. See, also, this Diary, Jan. 28, 1777. 620 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlT.ES Thursdy 28"' ult he was detected i.e it was disclosed at Head Quar- ters ; on 29'" he was arrested & put under Guard. In Drapers Tory Paper printed in Boston Sept. 21. there is the following Para- graph repub. in the Camb. Thursdy paper of 28"" Sept. — " We hear a certain Person of Weight among the Rebels, hath offered to return to his Allegiance on Condition of being pardoned & provided for. What Encourag' he has received remains a secret." Three great American Patriots corrupted ! The Hon. Daniel Dulany Esq of Maryld wrote a masterly Piece for the Colonists in 1765 which made up AP' Pitt's Judgment : — He came forth like the brightness of the Morning — but his lyight soon went into Eclipse and his Pen & Tongue have been silent these seven j^ears. The author of the famous Farmers Letters Jn" Dickinson Esq of Philad=* now in the Continental Congress is suspected, as he is continually throwing difficulties in the Wa}^ & embarrassing Proceedings : be- sides that the Tories have given out for several Months past that he is bo't over. Whether the above Passage in Drapers Paper refers to him or Church or neither is a secret. D' Chh a third. M"" Gal- loway has also fallen from a great Height into Contempt & Infamy. But he never was intirely confided in as a thoro' Son of Liberty. [1776. M'' Dickinson recovered and is now a General in our Army at N. York. Aug. 26.] 3. Mr. Isaac Mark a learned Jew gave me the Picture of R. Menasseh Ben Israel who was set. 38, A.D 1642 : a xoxy learned Hodiam & Philosopher, & in great Reputation among the Christian Learned in Itah\ R. Judah Monis the Hebrew Professor at Harv. Coll. made much Use of his Writings & taught them as a classical Book. This Afternoon I went to Association at Saconet. And on Wednesday I preached the Lecture on Ephes. i, 7. The next Association to be at my house the 4'" Tuesdy. in May. Returned to Newport on Friday. On Monda}^ E\^eng. last, the Men o' War being drawn down to Brentons Point to steal Stock to carry to Boston, two or 300 Men (about 50 Armed) went down into the Neck, & b}' Ten o' Clock drove off the Stock, near a hundred Head of Cattle, with Sheep «&c & brought them up the Island. Wallace threatened but did not fire on them. The Brentons' Stock was refused — they are Tories. Wednesday 4''' Ins*^ Brig. Gen. Esek Hopkins with about 300 [400] Troops marched on to Rhode Lsland & came to Newport. Of I OCTOBKR 3, 1775 621 these 150 were raised in Little Compton & Tiverton in nine Hours. They were ordered by Dep. Gov. Cook to protect the vStock on this Island. They encamped at M'' Dudlys M'' Banisters & M'' Irishs on the Hill about a Mile out of Town. Then marched & drew u]) in order on the Parade. Two Tories Ned Cole & Ned Thurston were apprehended & bro't before the General in the Court House, tho' not by his Order. He bro't them out to the Head of the IkU- talion, & declared he should not take up any of the Inhabitants of the Town, & so dismissed them. But he would apprehend all the Men o' Wars Men & Foreigners factors bu3dng Things for Gage: accord^ the Doctor of the Swati, &. a man detected in bringing round Goods from Boston & selling them here, &c were appre- hended, brot before the General & sent to Providence. The Bren- ton Stock was left on the Point, & the Men o' War & Transports drawn up close or near — but it being very rainy & stormy on Thurs- day the Men o' War had not took off the Stock tho' they had set Marines to guard it. These resolute brave Men 280 of them marclied down into the neck on Thursdy & to the very extremity of it in the sight of the Men o'War & very near, & boldly bro't off 60 or 70 Head of Cattle, 100 Sheep, besides Hogs, Turkies &c. It was expected that there would be Firing from the Ships & Landing Marines — but the Marines ran off — & they fired only two swivels. Our Forces returned to Town, & the Men o'War drew up close before the Town, & swore in great Wrath that he would fire upon the Town at V" P. M. But he did not. However his Threatngs threw the Town into a general Panic and the Inhabitants immedy went to remov^ their Effects with Women & Children out of Town. The Removing continued all Night, all Friday & Saturday both day & night. All Friday Wallace continued his Menaces, but fired not. On Saturday all the Ships and Transports sailed off to the northward towards Prudence or Bristol Ferry : but with what view is unknown. Additional Reinforcem''' came in. And it was reported that a Detatchm' from the Army at Cambridge was expected here to day : & some suppose Wallace is gone round to the N° End of the Isld to prevent their passing the Ferry — others that he is gone to take Stock on' of Prudence. The Army here may be near 500 strong. They instantly marched for the north End of the Isld. or Prudence to watch the Men o'War. An express from Gov. Cook to Gen. Hopkins arrived this Morng bringing a Copy of a Letter from Gen. Washington, informing that 622 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 1. Dr. Stiles's Church (2d Congregational): still standing, much altered, as the Central Baptist Church. 2. Parsonage of Dr. Stiles's Church at time of his ordination. 3. Parsonage occupied by Dr. Stiles, 1756-76 : still standing, much altered, and south front turned to the west. 4. Jewish Synagogue, Dr. Hopkins's Church (ist Congregational). Dr. Hopkins's house. Moravian Meeting house. Redwood I,ibrarj-. Trinity (Episcopal) Church. lb. ist Baptist Church (Mr. Kelly's). 11. Sabhatarian Baptist Church (Mr. Maxson's), now removed to Touro St., east of the Synagogue, and occupied by the Newport Historical Society. 1 2. Court House, now .State House. 13. P'riends Meeting house. 14. Alms house. 15. Old Stone Mill. Map of the Town of Newport. a Detatclim^ of the Kings Troops with some ships of force latelj' sailed from Boston ; doubtless to attack some Seaport, & therefore he notified Gov. Cook. The Expect* of Regular Troops, & also of Colony Troops, & the Anticipation of a Conflagration of the To\vn in their Rencounters, renewed the spirit of Removal in OCTOBER 7-9, 1775 623 which Multitudes have been employed with the greatest Assiduity. The Evacuation is incredible ! The perhaps Three hundred Houses on the Isld (exclusive of iioo in Newport; are all filled. The poor Tories cant remove. Lately a ship from Engld with about Three Tliousd Jibs of Flour & Cloath^' for Gages Army, was taken by Stratagem & carried into Piscataqua. Gen. Gage is recalled, after hav- been constituted General Governor of All N' America, a new Title : and Gen. Howe is proclaimed in Boston Governor in his stead. The News of Bunker Hill arrived in Lond. 25 July. Orders issued for more Troops — the ParP prorogued — the Min-' determined to pursue \'en- geance. 7. Wallace sailed northward. 8. Ldsdy A M. I preached on Lam. i, 4, 5. And P.M. i Pet. V. 10. This is a most sorrowful Sabbath. The Ways of Zion mourn. In the Afternoon there were about 66 Persons below & 35 in the Galleries ; i.e. about One hundred Whites, besides about 30 Negroes : so the Congreg^ 130 persons. M3- usual Congregation Three or four hundred. We had a mournful Meeting ! This Morn-' we heard that Cap" Wallace with his Fleet fired on the T** of Bristol last Night. An inhuman Wretch ! This Eveng. hear that the Rev'^ Mr. Burt' of Bristol was this forenoon found dead in a Cornfield about 25 Rods from his House. After sending away his VCiie & family- he was escaping himself, & it is supposed he was seized by a fit & expired instantly. He had been sick of the D^-senterj' & was still confined vrith it. The Surprize & hasty flight from the savage Canonade of ^^'allace undoubtedly occasion his Death. 9. This da}' I removed one Load of my Books & Furniture. The Carting of Goods & removing of the pple continued all day j-esterday & yet continues. The infernal Wallace with 3 Men o' War, 2 or 3 more armed A'essels of which one Bomb with several Transports — a fleet of perhaps 8 sail is fireing away to the Northwd & spreading or aim= to spread Terror thro' the Bay. He anchored at Bristol on Sat'' Eveng. & ordered the Magistrates to come ijohn Bvirt, son of John & Abigail Burt, bom in Boston, December, 17 16, graduated at Har\-ard 1736, ordained in Bristol, Maj-, 1741. His second wife was Ann, daughter of Deputy Governor William EUery, of Newport, and an attached friend of Dr. Stiles ; she was bom in May, 1732, and died in Bristol in Mav, 1S06. 624 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES aboard & bring 300 sheep in one hour, else he would fire uppii the f Q^yn — where near 100 persons lye sick of the D^^sent^' & some lye dead. Instead of comply'^' the pple set about remov^' the sick. At IX o'clock at Night he began & continued a Canjnade of the Town for an hour. At length upon a promise of 40 sheep he desisted & promised he would fire no more. But on I^dsdy he turned to Popasquash a part of Bristol & canonaded that. And now this day at XI A M. he is canonad- Portsmouth on this Isld, i.e. the Houses at Bristol ferry. And in the After- noon some of his ships came down the Bay firing as if they would fill the Heavens with Thunder ; & some went round the N" End of the Isld towds Ti\'erton. At length one went over to Canonicut & fired away upon Jamestown, where the Gov' had sent Men to guard the stock. The Evacuation of this Town still continues. It is judged that Two Thirds of the Inhabitants are removed up the Island. No passing Bristol Ferry to day. 10. How does this Town sit solitary that was once full of People! I am not yet removed, altho' three quarters of my beloved Chh & Congregation are broken up and dispersed. Oh Jesus I commit them & myself to thy holy Keeping. It is a distressing Providence — full of holy Instruction! Sanctify it to us, o heavenly Father. Enable us to cast ourselves our Burdens our Families our all upon thee o' God. Be thou a present Help in Time of Trouble. It is a rightous & holy thing with Gd to bring the Severest Calamities of this civil War upon the maritime Towns, because most abound- ing with Vice & Wickedness. May this Chastism' bring us to unfeigned Repent" & Reformation. May we turn to the Ld with all our Hearts. And may a holy Gd be entreated of for his broken Chhs in this Town, Boston, Roxb^' &c. And may he soon deliver us from these Destresses. 11. This Day Wallace & the ships returned to Newport, Yesterday & to day the Spirit of Removal nearly ceasing, tho some continue still removing. It is reported that the Enterprizes in Canada are likely to prove successful. But the News from Europe is that the Court of G. Britain are hireing 4000 Hanoverians & a Body of Russians to come to America ; & that the Min^ continue obstinately fixt for prosecuting their plan of subjugating America. Wallace has now tho'roly tried the project of tak*^ stock from the Isld here— to little Effect. 12. Confusion. OCTOBER 10-19, 1775 625 13 Confusion. Negotiating with Wallace, who refuses to trans- act with the Committee but will act with the T" Council. He offers to be still & let the Wood & ferry Boats pass on these Condi- tions viz, that his ships be provided with fresh Provision, He & his pple be allowed freely to come & be ashore, and the Provincial Troops be removed off this Isld. The Town Council made applic* to Col. Hopkins & Col. Richmond : & have sent a Letter to the Committee of Safety at Providence. The Negotiation is got into the Hands of Tories. The Hon. James Abraham Hillhouse' of New Haven died there . We were cotemporary at Yale College & both Fellow Tutors there for many years. A very intimate Friendship subsisted between us. • 14. Making a Sermon on M'" Burts Death. 15. Ldsdy. At Bristol A M. i Pet. i, 6, 7. P.M. i Pet. v, 4. 16. Rode to Rev'' M'' Townsends in Barrington. 17. Several Gentlemen at Bristol conversing with me about re- moving & preaching there this Winter. I returned to Newport & found Removals continuing. 18. The Committee & a number other Gentlemen of my Congreg'' met at mj^ house, consulting about my Removal. We find about 30 Families of my Congreg* yet remain*^' in Town. My usual Congreg^ about 130 Families. So about 100 removed out of Town. Yesterday the Colony Troops on this Isld opened Trenches at Howlands Ferry at the N E Corner of the Isld. The T" Council have sent off 3 Gentlemen to Gen. Washington & D. Gov' Cooke at Cambridge to advise on the Removal of the Troops. This is a Tory Maneuvre to get the Troops away. 19. Almost ceased removing. Three Quarters of the property «& Inhabitants removed — most of the Shops shut up — many houses ' shut — many more with only one or two persons to keep them. For the fourt' night past as much as 40 or 50 Teams being daily em- ployed, besides Horse Carts, & Boats. Col. Hopkins wrote to Gen. Washington that there were five thotisd Head of Cattle upon Rhode Isld besides Sheep & other stock which would fall into the Hands of the Enemy if the Troops were withdrawn. There are 36 Canon at Banisters or Head Quarters ; they are busily employed in mounting them on Carriages. For several da5'-s-it has been re- ' Born in Montville, Conn., May, 1730, graduated at Yale 1749, died Oct. 3, 1775, in his house now known as " Grove Hall." 40 6^6 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES ported that Letters from within Boston say that Gen. Burgoyn is gon or going to the Congress at Philadelphia. I doubt it. There is some Talk of W^allace's being superseded or removed to another Station, and as vile an Officer com^ in his Room. 20. Col. Hopkins taking up Ben Tiers & others detected in sup- plying Provisions to the Men o' War. D' Bartlet went to Con- necticutt. No news from Canada. 21. Things quiet in Town. The Men o' Wars pple not suffered to come ashore or have Provision. 22. Ldsdy A M. I preached on Philip, iv, 6, 7. P.M. 2 Tim° iv, 5, on occasion of finishing the 20"' year of my Ministry 23. This Afternoon the Remnant of my Society met and judged it expedient to discontinue the public Worship in ni}- meeting house for the Winter, considering the present evacuated & destressed & tumultuous State of the Town. They all recommended and con- sented to mj^ Removal to Bristol for present Safety. The 3 Gentlemen sent by the Town Council to D. Gov'' Cook to advise on the present State of this T" returned this Afternoon, with a Letter from Gov. Cook dated at Cambridge the 21'* Inst, in which he advises that upon the Advice of the Committee of the Contin- ental Congress now sitting at Cambridge, Wallace slid be supplied with Provisions on Condition of suffer^ the Ferry & Wood Boats to pass freely : — that the Troops stationed here should continue on the Isld, but out of Town : that bj'- Express received the day before from Piscataqua, they were informed that several Ships & Trans- ports with Kings Troops appeared in Casco Bay & demanded of the T" of Falm" a surrend" of their Arms with Hostages for Fidelity, & shewed Orders for destroying that T" & Portsmouth upon Refusal ; that 8 Muskets were surrendered and no more — w^hereupon on Tues- day last the Ships began a heavy Canonade on the T" of Falmouth. Copy 01-' D" Church's Letter. " I hope this will reach you, three Attempts have I made without success: in effect^ the last the Man was discovered in attempt? his Escape ; but fortunately my Letter was sewed in the Waistband of his Breeches — he was confined a few days, during which Time you may guess my feelings : but a little art & cash settled the matter. It is a month since mj' Return from Philad". I went by the Way of Provi- dence to visit Mother. The Committee for Warlike stores made me a formal Tender of 12 Pieces of Canon, 18 & 24 pounders, they having taken a previous Resolution to make the Offer to Gen. Ward. To make a Merit of my Service I sent them down, & when they received them, they sent them to Stoughton OCTOBER 20-23, 1775 627 to be out of danger ; altho' they had formed a Resolution, as I before hinted, of fortifying Btmker's Hill : which, together with the Cowardice of the cluwsy Col. Gerrish and Col. Scammon, was the lucky Occasion oj their Defeat. This Affair happened before my Return from Philadelphia. We lost 165, killed then, & since dead of their Wounds, 120 more now lye wounded, the chief will recover. They boast you have 1400 killed & wounded in that Action — you say the Rebels lost 1500, I suppose with equal Truth. The pple of Con- necticutt are raving in the Cause of Liberty— a number of that Colony from the Town of Stamford, robbed the Kings store at N York, with some small Assist- ance the N Yorkers lent them — these were growing turbulent. I counted 280 pieces of Cannon from 24 to 3 pounders at Kingsbridge, which the Committee had secured for the use of the Colonics. The Jerseys are not a whit behind Connecticutt in Zeal. The Philadelphians exceed them both. I saw 2200 Men in Review there, b}- Gen. Lee, consisting of Quakers & the other Inhab. in uni- form, with 1000 Riflemen & 40 Horse, who together made a most warlike appearance. I mingled freely & frequently with the Members of the Con- tinental Congress — they were united and determined in Opposition & appeared assured of Success. Now to come home, the Opposition is become formidable. 18000 Men, brave & determined, with Washington & Lee at their Head, are no contemptible Arm^^ Adjutant Gen. Gates is indefatiguable in arranging the army — provisions very plenty — Cloths are manufacte in almost every Town for the Soldiers, Twenty Tons of powder lately arrived at Philad" Connect. & Providence — upwards of Twenty Tons are now in the Camp. Saltpetre is made in every Colony, Powdermills are erected & constantly employed in Philad" & N York, Volunteers of the first Fortunes are daily flocking to the Camp, 1000 Riflemen in two or 3 days — Recruits are now levying to augment the army to 22000 men, 10,000 Militia are appointed in this Gov' to appear on the first sum- mons — the Bills of all the Colonies circulate freely & are readily exchanged for Cash. Add to this that unless some plan of Accomodation takes place immedi- ately, their Harbours will swarm with Privateers, an Army will be raised in the middle Colonies to take possession of Canada — For the sake of the miserable convulsed Empire soUicit Peace, repeal the Acts or Britain is undone. This Advice is the Result of a warm Affection to my King & to the Realm. Remem- ber I never deceived you : every article here sent you is sacredly true — the papers will announce to you that I am again a Member for Boston, you will then see our motly Council, a general Arrangment of Officers wall take place, except the Chief, which will be suspended but for a little while, to see what part &c Britain takes in Consequence of the late Continental Petition. A View to Independence grow-s more & more general ; should Great Britain declare War against the Colonies, they are lost forever. Should Spain declare War against Engld the Colonies will declare a Neutrality, which will doubtless pro- duce an offensive & defensive League between tbem. For Gds sake prevent it by a speedy Accomodation. Writing this has employed a day. I have been to Salem to reconoitre but could not escape the Geese in the Capitol. To morrow I set out for Newport on purpose to send you this. I write you fully, it being scarcely possible to escape Discovery. I am out of Place here by Choice & therefore out of Pay. & determined to be so unless something is offered in my Way. I wish you could 628 DIARY OF EZRA STILES continue to write me largely in Cyphers by Way of Newport addressed to Tom Richards Merch', inclose it in a Cover to me, intimating that I am a perfect Stranger to you, but being recommended to you as a Gentleman of Honor, you took the Liberty to inclose that Letter, intreating me to deliver it as directed to the Person, as 3'ou are informed, living in Cambridge — sign some fictitious Name. This you may send to some confidential Friend at Newport, to be delivered to me at Watertown — make Use of every precaution or I perish B. Church." This Letter was brotight to Newport by D'" Churchs Concubine, & she delivered it in Confidence to M'' Wain wood, her former Enamorato who promised to deliver it to Wallace on board the Rose. It was dated on the outside July 28. She superscribed it at Wain woods House to Major Keen. Wainwood kept it about six Weeks then carried it to Cambridge, where it was decyphered by Rev*^ 'W West of Dartm" & 2 other Men, whose Copies all agreed. 24. My pple unwilling that I slid leave them have put about a subscription among themselves — sixty Dollars already subscribed. The Post in, the prints say two Thirds of Falmouth in Flames last Wednesday. [This Conflagr^ 17"' Inst. 139 Dwells Houses, & 278 Stores & other Build^^ consumed. None of our pple killed.] 25. The Gen. Assembly are to set this day at S" Kingston but will prob^ meet only to adjourn to Providence. This Kveng. a very full meeting of my Chh & others at Sister Stevens's. I preached on Col. i, 22, 23, 24. Next at B'' Cary's 15*'' next M'^ if I shd be in Town. 26. Reading Moravian Congregation Accounts for Egypt & Labrador. At Nain in Labrador 26 Sep. 1773, Brother Layritz set. 66, "published the Ordination of the Brn Jens Haven & Jos. Neisser to Deacons, & B"" Jn" Schneider to a Priest of the Brethrens Church." There have been. as 'yet I think no Baptisms — only three Esquimaux Indians are proper Catechumens — ;in June 1773 were 36 Tents of Indians on.the;Brn's Lands at Nain & 25'^ July were 21 Tents remain^ — I think about 15 persons Europeans. This Aft. a Letter from Gen. Washington inform^ that Falm" was half burnt down & still in 'flames, &c. Gen. Hopk. rec'*. it & sent for our Committee to communicate it to them. This excites a new & desponding Alarm thro' this Town least it shd be also fired. Gen. Green at Prosp' Hill informs that it is judged the Burning of the seaports is b}' fresh Orders from Engld in Ships arrived at OCTOBER 24-27, 1775 629 Boston about 12 days ago — & that Gen. Amherst is expected.— The Times are destressing. The Dutch extend the period of their prohibition of Powder &c. I see the European powers will lie still — they wish the Downfall of Britain ; but dont ])c]iold with Pleasure the Revolt of Colonies, least it should be a bad precedent for their own Colonies. So that it seems as if Gd in his holy Prov- idence designed to set the United luiglish Colonies alone in the arduous Conflict — that abandoned by the Parent State & by the World, he may take us by the hand & lead us to more conspicuous Salv=^ & Victory. 27. Extract of a Letter from an Officer on board one of the Kings ships at B" to his Friend in Eondon dated June 23. last, giv- ing Ace" of the Battle of Bunkers Hill 17 June. — " early on the 17*" — : we were imed'' ord. to land some Bat- talions, & in the mean Time o'' Great Guns were fired ag^ those who appeard to be busily employed at the Battery : whether o'' shot did not reach far eno' to create any Confusion among them, or it was owing to their Resolution I cannot say ; but certain it is, that the moment they discov'^ the Land' of 0'' Troops, they formed in Order of Battle; & so far fr. Retreat' as ive expected, they marched tozvards ns icith the utmost Coolness & Regularity . Nothing could exceed the Paiiic & apparent Dislike of most of the Kings Troops to enter into this Engagement ; even at their Eand*'' several attempted to run awa}- & five actually took to their Heels in ord. to joyn the Americans, but were presently brot back, & two of them hung up in Terrorem to the rest. — The Generals perceiv^' the Strength & Order of the Pro- vincials, ordered a Reinforcm* to joyn the Troops already landed, but before they came up, the Canonad^' on both sides began. The Provincials p02i7^ed dozen like a Torrent, & fought like men loho had no Care for their Persons ; they disputed every Inch of Ground, & their Numbers were far superior to ours. The Kings Troops gave way several Times, & it required the utmost Efforts of the Generals to rally them : at the begin« of the Engag' many of them absolutely turned their Backs, not expect" so hot a fire from the Americans : — the latter feigned a Retreat, in order as we suppose to draw o"" Troops after them, & by that means to cut them in Pieces ; & we are informed that Gen. Ward had a Reserve of upwds of 4000 Men for that purpose. The Kings Troops conclud- that the Americans quitted the field thro' fear, pursued them under that apprehension, but did not proceed far eno' to be convinced by that fatal Experi- 630 DIARY OF EZRA STILES ence, w'^ was, as we hear, designed for them, of their Mistake. The Engagem' lasted upivards of four hours & elided hifinitely to our disadvantage. The Flower of our Army are killed or wounded. During the Engag^ Chariest" was set on fire by the Kings Troops, in order to stop the progress of the Provincials, who after their sham Retreat returned to attack them, but I think it was a wanton Act of the Kings Troops, who certainly after they had joyned the main body of o'' Army had no Occasion to take that Method of retarding the Return of the Americans, who upon perceiving that Gen. Ward stood still with his Reserve, laid aside their Intentions. — I heart'' wish myself with you and the rest of my Friends, & the first opp" that offers I will sell out & return ; for at the best only Disgrace can arise in the service of such a Cause as y*^ in w*" we are engaged. — The Americans are not those poltroons I myself was once taught to believe them to be ; they are men of liberal & noble Sen- timents, their very Characteristic is the Love of lyib^, — & tho I am an Officer under the King of G. B. I tacitly admire their Resolution & Perseverance ag*^ the present oppressive Measures of the Brit. Government. ' ' 28. At Falm" 130 Dwellinghouses & 300 Stores burnt by the merciless Fury of Capt Mowatt. At the Request of the Eng. Am- bassador the Dutch extend the period of their Prohibition of ex- port" Powder & Arms to the Eng. Colonies. I perceive the Dutch & Spaniards fear the Revolt of the Eng. Colonies will prove an alarm ^' Precedent for theirs. 29. Ldsdy A M. I preached on Jer. xxv, 5, 6. P.AI. Ps. 93, 5. M}'- Congreg'' 97 [92] below 33 above in A M. Tot. 130 [125] besides Negroes. P M. 120 [119, 108] below, 50 [40] above & perhaps 30 [25] Negroes — Tot 200 [180] a few Strangers — but of my own pple full half my usual Congregation now more generally come to meeting. I notified the Sacrament of the Lords Supper next Ldsd}^ by divine permission, & a Lecture next Frida5^ 30. The Sheriffs by Order of the Gen. Assembly seize the Estates of Gov. Hutchinson, late L^ Gov. Oliver, Mess'' Sam' & James Brentons & M"' Romes lying in this Colony. They having approved themseh-es Enemies to their Country. One of Romes Houses & Stores lay near the Water. The Men o'War drew up in warlike posture & threatened to fire, if any came to carry off the Goods in this House & stores. The T' was alarmed : but the Thing passed over without Mi.schief. OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 6, 1775 631 November. 1. Went to Chh & heard M'' Bissct preach a funeral Sermon on M" Malbone (Franc) who was buried in the Chh >ard. 2. Sent off a second lyoad of Goods, being part of in>' Library & Furniture. A Tender canonad*^ Conanicott again. 3. It is said that the Gen. Assembly have ordered five hundred Troops for this Isld of Rh. Isld : — aiid that the Men o War are firing on Marthas Vinyard. This Aft. my sac^ Lecture, present about 45 persons. I preached on Rom. xv, 5. I delivered i Dollar of the Chhs Money to Brother Bissel to procure the Elements for the Lds Table. Yesterday I received a Letter from Rabl:)i Carigal. 4. This Morns about VII o'clock an imprudent Man from the End of the Long Wharf insulted the Men o'War which lay at a few Rods Distance. One of them fired two Canon near him but did not touch him. They were four pounders. One shot entered a Store full of screwed Hay : another passed thro' the upper part of a large house on Gravelly Point, & went over the Cove towds the Houses at Emery's Corner, struck Cap*- Johnsons Stillliou.se went thro' 2 Board Partitions, struck against a Chimney & dropt. No Person hurt. The shot came from the Bomb Brig, Capt Greaves. The Man was taken up & committed to Goal ; & then carried to Head Quarters. D' Morgan of Philad" is appointed First Physician & Superintendent of the Hospitals in the Continental Army. Pey- ton Randolph Esq late Presid' of the Continent. Congress died at Philad"- ult. set. 53. W^ Goddard Esq is appointed Surveyor Gen. of the American Postoffice under D'' Franklin P. Master General. 5. Ldsdy A M. I preached on Acts ii, 42, & administered the Lds .supper to Communicants. P.M. Ps. xxxi, 15. About 80 per- sons below 40 above. At IV" I preached at Head Qu" to the sol- diers on Rom. iii, 23-25. 6. Last Eveng. we received News that our Army towards Mon- treal had taken F' Chamblee, which surrendered the 18^'' ult. 83 Soldiers 80 Bbs Flour 134 Bbs Pork 124 Bb Gunpowder 6364 Cart- ridges 150 Arms &c &c. Gov Carleton commands at Quebec, Brig. Gen. Prescott at Mont- real, Major Preston at St. Johns, Major Stepford at Chamblee. This day a T" Meet- at Newp'— whether Gen. Hopkins should be desired to remove his Troops ? Affirm^' 140. No, 30. So the most that are left in T° are either Tories or under their Influence. 632 , DIARY OF EZRA STILES 7. Reading Vitringa. Exports from Philad^ in the year 1771 1772 1773. 803,583 Bbs Flour 264,887 Busli. Flaxseed 137,007 Bbs Bread 143,947'^ Bees Wax 326, 102 Bush. Wheat 17,495 Bbs Pork & Beef 598,283 Bush. Corn 6, 127 Tons of Iron 2,081,750"' Rice 2,082 Kegs Starch Number of Vessels 1157 scf rigg'' } cy not taking Post on Plough'' d Hill. During the same Time 60,000 Children have been born in America. From these Data his excellent Mathematical Head, will easily calculate the Time & expence requisite to kill us all & conquer our whole Territory. ' ' In another Letter he says — ' ' I am not terrified by the Expence of the War, shd it continue ever so long. — Suppose it was ;!^ 100,000 a month or ;i^i,2oo,ooo a year : if 500,000 families will each spend 6'' a week less & earn 6'^ a week more, they may pay the whole sum without otherwise feeling it. Forbearing to drink Tea saves Three Fourths of the money ; and 400,000 Women doing each 3*^ worth of spinning or knitting in a Week will pay the rest. How much more there may be done by the superior Industry of the Men?" 1 1 . Wallace fired 3 swivel shots at an Ofiicer of the Troops pass- ing along the Wharf about VHP this Morng. One of the shot lodged in Bakers House at the Point. No material News. 1 See documents in R. I. Colonial Records, vii, 325-26, 332-35, 355, 372, 392-93- 634 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 12. Ivdsdy A M. I preached Epli. v, 1,2. P M, Prov. xxiii, 17. Congreg-^ about 120 or 130 persons. After Meet^' at IV I went and preached at Head Quarters on Isai. xxviii, 5, 6. 13. I sat out on a journey with M"* Grant' of London for the Amer- ican Army. We arrived at Cambridge 16*'' and 17^''. I introduced her to the Generals Washington, Lee, Putnam, Heath, & Green, & sundr}' Officers of the first Distinction. We were received with the greatest Humanit}^ and Politeness. We reviewed the Lines at Prospect & Winter Hills ; then the 3 Forts of the Central Division. On 18^'' Rode to Roxbury, visited Gen. Thomas, viewed the Lines of the Right Wing of the Arm3^ 19"' Ldsdy kept Sabbath at Milton & preached for M'' Robbins Eph. ii, 8-10. Returned to Newp'^ Wedn^ Eveng. 22^^ Ins* liav" dined at Providence on our Return :" where I viewed the new Baptist Meef^house. It is the most costly & superb Edifice of the kind in New England. It is highly ornamented, tho' with mixt Architecture meant to be after the Doric Order : it has a most lofty Steeple. This Denomin^ have greatly changed their Taste. Ten years ago they would not have suffered a Steeple or Bell to their Meetinghouses. At Wren- tham 14*'' Ins* heard the certain News of the Surrendery of S* Johns on Sorel River to Gen. Montgomery 3*^ Ins* November. The Express reached Gen. Wash^ at Camb. on 14"' & same day I heard it at Rehoboth and Wrentham : so it came from Canada to us in 1 1 days. ' See this Diary, Oct. 20, 1772. * Dr. Stiles's notes of this journej? in his Itinerary are as follows : — Nov. 13. At Bristol Ferry, Dinner ^5.12 and Ferriage 2.10 = i Doll. Lodged at Warren. 14. At Warren 4/8. oats 7X''- Dined Daggets 4/ of which 2/ for Horse- shoeing. . . 15. Rain & storm. 16. At Wrinthani, 13/9. Dined Dedham, 39/, B" O. T. = 5/ L. M. Arrived at Cambridge. Mrs. Grant at Mrs. Hale's. I at Gen. Putnam's, 17. Introduced Mrs. Grant to Gen. Washington. Viewed the Lines, &c. on Prospect Hill, accompanied by Gen Greene & Gen. Lee. Viewed Winter Hill. Dined. Anrl viewed the Central Division, Forts No. i, 2, 3. Visited Gen. Putnam. In Even? Gen. Putnam & Gen. Gates came to visit us & spent the Event' with us. 18. Rode to Roxb>', called at Gen. Thomas's. Viewed the Works accompa- nied by Maj. Brewer &c. Rode to Milton. 19. Ldsdy. Preached for Mr. Robbins. Lodged at Mr. Robbins. 20. Brown's 6/. Dinner, 2/6. Oats, &c. ic'. 21. At Man's, 8/2. Dined Prov. 3/9. Lodged at Mr. Hide's at Rehoboth. 22. At Warren, 2^. Ferry, Turner's, 2/. NOVEMBER 12-24, 1775 635 23. This day is an annivy Thanksgiving in Mass. and Rh. Isld by Acts of their respective Assemblies as was last Thursday in Connecticutt by Order of that Assembly. I began by Read"-' Gov. Cooks Proclamation publickly — I preached on Ps. cvii, 43. Attended M"" Hopkins Eveng. Lecture. He named his Text Ps. 116, 12, & read it— but before he had spoken a Word upon it he was taken with Nose Bleeding, & sat down perhaps four or 5 Minutes. The Blood not stopping he requested me to preach. I took the same Text & preached extemporaneously without prep- aration. 24. At Wrentham 21'' Ins^ in Company with M'' Goddard the Printer & now Surveyor General of the Post office in America, & very much acquainted with the principal Characters of the present day. From his Mouth I took down a summary Estimate of Char- acters in the Continental Congress ; which tho' not accurate, yet worthy attention. Affixed to Names are the supposed Disposi- tion & Vote on the future Question of Independency — & also the Estates of some Members expressed by so many M or Thousds L.M. Georgia Estate Maryland D'- Zubly . . against 20 M Chase . for, leads all rest 6 M Hall . for 10 M Paca . for or doubtful 50 M . doubtful Halljn" . . agt 6M Goldsboro' . ag' 20 M S" Car". Tighlman • ag' 20 M Gadsden . . for ;^30,ooo Stone . for 5M Rutlege Jn° . for 50 M D< il. Counties D" Edw. . for 20 M Rodney . . for 30 M Middleton . dub. ^300,000 Read • agt 10 M Lynch . against 100 M McKean . . for hearty Pensylv" ' N" Carol. Dickinson . ag* timid 120 M Hooper . . full for Willing . . ag' timid D" Hewes . for 10 M D' Franklin . for loM Penn . know not. Morris • ag' 50 M Allen • ag' 20 M Virginia Humfry . . uncertain 15 M Peyton Randolph . dead 40 M Morton . D" SM Lee R Hen . for ^500. p ann. Jersey Lee Fr. Lghtfoot . for Kenzy • ag' 5M Wythe . against, timid Crane . for 5M B. Harrison . ag' 2 M Livingston W" . for clear 6M Jeffries . for strong 8 M D Hart . . for 5M 636 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES N York Massach. Floyd . for clear 30 M Jn" Hancock, President . for 100 M Wisner . for (uncert.) Sam. Adams . for Alsop P. V. B. Living . ag' 35 M ston . ag' timid 40 M Jn° Adams Gushing .... for intirely for Duaue Friend of Gov Jay . [ ag' 10 M . Tryon \ '' . ag* sensible 2 M Paj'ne .... N Hampshire for Connecticut! Sherman . . . for Langdon . . . for Bartlett . . .for Dyar Dean Gov. Hopkins Gov. Ward . for . for Rh. Isld uncert. for . for clear of 13 United Colonies 10 for Indepy 3 against viz N. Y. 13 Pensy. and Maryld. Gen. Washington ^220,000 of w"" 30 M. by his Lady a Widow of Col. Custor, who left her only son 40 M more. P. Randolph left 40 M to his Nephew Ed. Randolph Aid de Camp to Gen. Wash*-'. 26. L^dsdy. A.M. I preached on Mat. vii, 11, & Published the Banns of Marriage between Dan' Phillips & Experience Brown. P.M. Rom. X, 9, perhaps 100 persons. Read^. Clem. Alex. This day came in here the Swan Sloop of War Cap* Ascough with 2 other armed Vessels & a large Transport from Boston. There are now here the Rose & Glasgow (twenty Gun ships) a Bomb Brig 12 Guns & 3 other armed Vessels, besides those above — making Eight armed Vessels in all. 27. To day there landed at the F' Isld I am told about 100 Marines & perhaps 25 Soldiers from Ayscough &c — Also Canon & Stores are unload^' from the Transport. It appears that the Kings Ships «& Forces are taking F*^ Isld more absolutely into their possession, as the only place they can set foot on this Winter. And have bro't Marines eno' to guard. But whether this is previous to more Troops com"^ and tak^ possession of this Town & Isld is unknown. An Alarm is spread & the Troops stationed here are instantly augmenting — there may be 3 or 400 Colony Forces here. I rather consider it, that the Enemy mean only to possess the Fort. This Eveng. I married Tho' Atwood and Elizabeth Butts. 28. The Quakers at Philad'' have remonstrated to the Assembly there, again.st pay''' Taxes for the War. This has produced warm Remonstrances from the Friends of Eiberty. Pensylv'' Assemb'' NOVEMBER 26-28, 1 775 637 voted Nov. 9. Ins* Instructions to their Delegates in Cont. Congress — "Though the oppressive measures of the B. ParP & Adm. have compelled us to resist their Violence by force of Arms, yet we strictly enjoyn that you in behalf of this Colony, dissent from. & utterly reject, any propositions, shd such be made, that may cause, or lead to, a Separation from our Mother Country, or a Change of the Form of this Government." The 6 Sep' the Town of Manchester in Engld addressed the King against America [presented Sep. 13.] — "we behold the Standard of Rebellion erected in some of the Amer. Provinces ' ' — as force has become neces'" to bring them to a sense of their Allegiance, we think o'selves bound in duty to assist y' Majesty in the Ex" of the legislative Authority. We are not intimidated at the Prohib. laid by the Amer^ on the Exp. & Imp. of goods &c our extensive Trade happily floivs in so 7nany different Chan7iels, that the Obstruction of one can but little distress, much less deter us fr. o'' Duty to o"" King & Country. But w'^'ever Check o'' Manufactures ma}^ receive by a necess^' War, we shall chearfullj^ submit to a temporary inconveni- ence rather than co7iti?i2ie subject to lawless Depradatio7ts from a deluded & 7inhappy People.'" — Eight principal Merch'*' of Manches- ter in person offered the King the L,oan of Six hundred Thousd Sterl^ towds the War for subduing the American Rebels. N.B. Manchester proclaimed the Pretender King 1745 — raised ;^25ooM for the Chevalier & raised a Reg*^ & joyned him. High Tory Jacobites ! & now subscribe ^600,000 to harrass Americans. About 21 Aug' M' Penn delivered a Copy of the Petition of the Congress : A few days after the King issued a proclam^' of Rebellion & Sedition. M"" Penn was to have presented it on 18"' Aug' but instead of that, he was admitted into the Royal Presence in com- pany with Ld North &c & was graciously rec'' the King conde- scend^ to enter into Convers^' with him on Amer. Affairs. This blinded the public with a Report that the Petition had met a gracious Reception. There was Court Manag' to get out a Proclam" before the present^ the petition. But the King had Know, of the petition about a Week before the Proclamation. Aug. 18 the Inter- view— 21. the Copy delivered to the Min>— 23. the King issues the Proclam^ of Rebellion & Sedition forbidd- all his European Subjects to correspond with his American subjects — Sept. i. the original Petition at length prepared by M"" Penn to (the Ministry) I^d Dart- mouth, who said no Answer would be given. 638 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Gen. Burgoyne in a Letter from Boston June 25 to a noble Ld gives an Ace" of the Battle of Charlestown, " on 17"' at dawn of day we found the Enemy had pushed Entrenchm'-^ w**^ g' Diligence durg. the Night on the 17*^'' June — How as second in Command was detatched with «<^c»?^/ Tiuo Thoiisd Men, & landed &c — He had under him B. Gen. Pigot ; Clinton & myself took our stand (for we had not any fixt post) in a large Battery directly opposite Chariest" — Howes disposition was exceed" soldier-like in my opin. it was perfect. As his first arm advanced up the Hill, they met with 1000 Ivipediments from strong fences , & zuere much exposed. They were also exceedingly hurt b}^ Musquetry fr. Charlestown (Lie!) tho' Clinton & I did not perceive it till Howe sent us Word by a Boat, & desired us to set fire to the Town, which was immediately done; we threw a parcel of Shells, & the whole was instantly in flames. Our Batt-' afterwds kept an incessant Fire on the Heights ; it was seconded by a N° of frigates, float' Batteries & one ship of the Line. And now ensued one of the greatest Scenes of War that can be con- ceived : if we look to the Height, Howes Corps ascend^ the Hill, in the face of Entrenchments, & a very disadvantageous Ground, ivas much engaged : to the left the Enemy pouring in fresh Troops by Thousands over land, and in the Arm of the sea our ships and float^ Batt. canonad^' them : strait before us a large & noble Town in one great Blaze ; the Chh Steeples being of Timber, were great Pyramids of Fire above the rest ; behind us the Chh steeples & Heights of our own Camp covered with Spectators of the rest of our Army ; — the Hills round the Country covered with Spectators, the Enemy all in anxious suspence ; the roar of Canon, Mortars & Musquetry, the Crush of Churches (N.B. only one) Ships upon the stocks & whole streets fall' together in ruins to fill the Ear : the storm of the Redoubts, with the objects above described to fill the Eye, & the Reflexion that perhaps a Defeat was a final Loss of the B. Emp. in America, to fill the mind, made the whole a Picture & a Complication of Horror and Importaiice beyond any Thing that ever came to my Lot to be Witness of. I much lament Toms absence — it was a sight for a young Soldier that the longest Service may not fur- nish again. — A moment of the day was critical, Hoive's left were staggered, t2vo Battallions hadh&^w. sent to reinforce them, but we perceived them on the Beach seem' in Embarrasm' w"^ way to march; Clinton then next for Business took the part without wait^' for orders to throw himself into a Boat to head them. He arrived in NOVEMBER 28, 1775 639 Time to be of vService, the day ended w"' Glory, ^S: the vSuccess was most important, consid- the ascend^ it give the regular Troops ; but the I^oss was uncommon in Officers for the Numbers engaged." Remark i. If the Reinforcm^ of 2 Batt. consisted of 7 or 800 each, the whole was between 3 & 4000 as our pple judged. The least reck« is above 3000, which Burgoyne ought to have said were twice repulsed by 700 Colonists only. 2. The strong fences were the least Embarrasm'^. 3. How large did our Reinforcem'" appear to the Eye of a Regular General, when 1500 were multiplied into Thousds? 4. And really does the Conquest of a handful of Yankies, figure in his picturesque Description of military Horrors, as the greatest Action of War Gen. Burg, ever .saw, or will ever again be seen in the longest service ? It was indeed a horrible scene. But it shews that the Conquest of Amer. is not to be carried without Horror. 5. He glides over the critical description of the Action itself — only Clinton was of service and the day ended in Glory, tho' there was a moment of Anxiety ( not expected in Lon- don) thro' Danger of a Defeat. Acc° Taking vS' Johns : Letter Nov. 3, 1775. "I have the pleasure to inform y» y' I had the hoii. of march- into & tak- poss. of this fortress at the Head &c — about 9 o'Clock this morn'-', when the Garison consists of about six hundred Men marched out and grounded their Anns on the Plain &c." ' ' On Sat>' y« 28"' ult. the main Body of the Army decamped from the S' & marched to the N" side of the fort under the Command of Gen. Wooster : we were joyned in the Eveng. by Gen. Montgomery, and the same Night we began to throw up a Breast Work &c in order to erect a Batt^ of Canon & Mortars. This Batfy they kept constantly pelting at with Grape shot & shells, but with- out doing us the least Injury, until Wed^ Morn? when we opened our Battery C07isis't of three tivelve & i Nine pounder, 3 Mortars & as many Cohorns, w'*" which zve kept an almost mcessant Blaze on them great part of the day : & like- wise from o'' Batty on the E. side of the River, w'^ the Enemy returned with the greatest spirit." — On 2^ Nov. the Capitul'' was signed & frid^ 3'' we took possession. On Mondy preceed<^ Gen. Carleton with 5 or 600 chiefly Canadians & 100 Indians attacked Col. Warner & 300 of o'' Troops about two Miles fr. Montreal, & was repulsed without Loss of one on our side — '' DurO the whole siege of Si Johns our army has had but Nine Men killed & 4 or five wounded. I think their preserv" has been almost miraculous." — "after a Siege ol forty six Days." Again Gen. MontgomJ' writes—" We take possession to day, & to morrow his Majestys Troops set off for Connecticutt, near 610 Men, includ" several of their Noblesse. I shall not lose a Moment in maks prep" to proceed to Montreal, with a fine Train of field Artillery, w'= I have ventured to borrow from his Majesty for y« Occasion."— Taken in the fort 17 Brass Ordnance of w-^ two 24 pounders, 2 Eight Inch brass Howitzers, 22 Iron Ordnance &c. 640 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 29. The ships in Virginia attempted to fire the T' of Hampton , & on 2'' Ins' was a Battle there, 50 of the Enemy killed and taken. So that Conflagr'' seems destined for the seaports thro' the Conti- nent. The Cont. Congress have advised New Hamp. to assume civil Government — same advice to S" Carolina. The Cont. Congress June 22. ult. resolved to emit 3 Million of Dollars. Resolved. ' ' That the hoclve confederated Colonies be pledged for the Redemption of the Bills of Credit now directed to be emitted for the Defence of America." The proport. for the Credit of each Colony " accord^ to the N° of Inhab. of all ages, includ- Negroes & Molattoes in each Colony." For the present N. Hampshire 1 24, 069 >^ Dollars Pensylv" 372, 208 >^ Dollars Mass. Bay. 434,244 Delaware. 37,219;^ Rd. Isld. 71,959/^ Maryld. 3io,i7i>^ Connect. 248,139 Virginia. 496,278 N York. 248,139 N" Car" 248,139 N. Jersey. 161,290}^ 8° Car" 248, 139 30. Six Deserters came ashore from the ships last night. Also two officers coming ashore last Night &c were apprehended & carried to Head Quarters — one of them M*" Stanhope a second Lieu- tenant on board the Man o' War. This day we hear that we are in possession of Montreal, Gen. Carleton having aban- doned it. By a Letter dated at N Haven 21'' Ins' I find the Commit- tee of West Chester near N York disciplined some Tories. On this Occasion 300 Tories arose in arms there — & 100 Whigs took Arms. Both Parties kept Centries the Night — while the Whigs sent to the neighb^' Towns in York Gov' & Connect. & as.sembled about Two Thousd Men in Arms at West Chester. The Whigs disarmed the Tories who dispersed w^'out firing a Gun on either side. This about 8 or 10"' Nov. Instant. December 1. A Kings Transport taken & brot into C. Ann loaded with Artillery, Small Arms & military Stores. 2. On 12 ult. Gen. Carleton evacuated Montreal, & our Forces took possession on 13"^. Carleton embarked with 100 Regulars &c for Quebec — where Col. Arnold is arrived & at Point Levy. By a Tory from Boston 14"' ult. via ships, we' are informed that Gen. Burgojme is going for Engld to represent that America is lost to G. Brit, if the War proceeds. NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 9, 1775 641 3. Ivdsdy. I preached all day on Jer. xxxii, 37-42 Read'g Grotius' Truth of the Xtian Religion. 4. The 28"' lilt, we took a Transport & brot her into C. Ann, loaded with 2500 Stand of Arms & Cloth- for three Thousd Men, 6 field Pieces, .& 30 Ton of Cartridges. Providential ! Value ^30,000 sterP'. 5. On the i^' of Nov. the Kings vShips canonaded Jamest" in Virginia — & on 2"* they canonaded Hampton in Virginia, ir Church is removed to Norwich Goal in Connecticutt. On Oct' 5, tlie Town of Chariest" S" Car" evacuated. The 12^'^ Nov. were in Boston &c the follow^ Kings Ships of War : Guns Guns Boyne 70 Scimita ir 14 Phoenix 40 Cruiser 8 Preston 50 George 10 Lively 20 3 Tenders 4 apiece Scarboro' ' 20 Spitfire 8 Emp. Russia 20 Schooner 4 Viper 10 Raven 16 Scooner Hope AT Halifax ; 6 Somerset 60 Nautihis 14 Fowey 40 Canso 14 Adventure 20 Falcon 14 Tamer 18 N° Car° Kingfisher 14 Virginia In Newp* are two 20 G. . Ships In N York— Asia 2 perhaps 10 " About 30 Vessels — Navy in America. several Tenders 6. More Captures by the Privateers. This Eveng. Chh Meet^ at B'' Carys, I preached on Jn" xiv, 23. 7. Not long since a large Transport Ship, just arriving from Engld at C. Ann, was struck with Lightning, & burnt & sunk. In Sept. last about 4000 pple perished in the Vessels at & about Newfoundland in a Storm. They were enlisting them for the Ministerial Army at Boston. A wonderful providential Disappoint- ment of our Enemies ! 9. We have a report that Quebec is in our Hands. About one o'clock this Aft. a small open Boat was coming into this Harbor : the Glasgow 20 Gun ship Cap' Howe fired several shot at her ; but she refused to bring too. They manned out a Barge — the men in the Boat had small arms & fired three Guns into her, and kept on their Way. Cap' How thereupon fired several shot at her but in such a Range that they came into T" & struck. I was standing on a Wharf, when a Nine pound shot came & struck the Stores 41 642 DIARY OF EZRA STILES just North of me. As I turned about to come off the Wharf, there came two shot, one a Nine pounder within a few feet of me, & passed a few feet right over the heads of about 20 Men stand- on the next Wharf, & struck & went thro' the adjoyn- Stores into the contiguous houses, & another lesser Ball struck & fell in the Dock next the Wharfe where I stood, & within a few feet of me. But thro' a merciful & gracious Providence we all escaped untoutched — nor was any killed or wounded. Triuni Deo Laudes ! Divine Protection. 10. This jMorng. we were awaked with the Conflagration of Jamest" on Conanicott. An awful Sight ! The Bomb Brigg & several Tenders full of Marines went over last Night, & about V o'clock or a little before day landed and set fire to the Houses. The men continued ravaging & firing till about Noon & returned. I preached A M. on Lam. iii, 40. P M. Luke xxii, 28, 29, and baptized Bethia Billings Daughter of M'' Clarke. This is ni}^ Birth-day — I am thro' the Patience of Gd this day 48 3'ears old. The last year has been filled with Afiiiction »& Sorrow : Gd by his great Grace has hitherto carried me thro' my Trials, & I hope in some degree sanctified them. It is a World of Sorrow & Tribulation. But why slid a liv» Man complain for the Punish' of his Sins ? 11. " Abovit I o'clock yest^' morng a Bomb Brig, i schooner & 2 or 3 armed sloops went to Conanicott & landed upwards of Two hundred Marines Sailors & Negroes at the E Ferry ; and marched in 3 Divisions over to the W. Ferry, & set the vSeveral houses on fire there, then retreated back sett^ fire to almost every house on each side of the road, & several Houses & Barns some dist ' on the N & S side of the Rode, driving out Women & Children &c." Houses Burnt & Lost Wid° Hull I house Jos Clarke Esq 2 & I Barn Tho» Fowler I. I. I Crib Ben. Ellery 2. I. I Store Benj. Remington 2. Jn" Gardner 2 & 1 Tanyard Gov. Hutchinson I W Franklin 2 Abel D" I Bend' Robinson I 15 Dwellfc'' DECEMBER 10-15, 1775 643 A Comp' of Minute Men had left Conan' the Aft. l)efore so that there were but 40 or 50 soldiers on the Isld, of w' 22 were well equipped. At the Cross Rodes there was a Skirmi.sh our pple killed one Officer of Marines & wounded 7 or 8. Not one Colonist was killed or hurt in the Skirmish. The Kings forces fired on M' Jn" Martin set 80 stand- unarmed at his Door & wounded him badly. M' Fowler had above 30 Head Cattle : these the Regulars carried off & perhaps a dozen Head more, about 30 Sheep & as manj' Turkeys, & some Hogs, Beds Furniture & other plunder. They returned on board at X & XI o' Clock & came to this Harbor about Noon. The Alarm spread, & I am told there are this day Three hun- dred Men on Conanicutt, & Eight hundred upon this Island. The T" in great Consternation. 12. People remov- & filled with Expect-' that the present Con- flict will bring on the Burning of the Town of Newport also. 13. Removed the Ecc. Library out of my House. Town- Meet- ing to see if we shall supply Wallace. The Town generally for supplying him notwithst- his Barbarit}^ in Burning Conanicott. Wallace told one of his Prisoners, that he should soon serve Newp' as he had done Conanicott — and that he had assurance that upon his Eand- 200 he should be joined by 250 of the Inhab. of New- port, which would instantly joyn him upon his Landing. 14. Town Meeting — sent a Committee & settled with Wallace & agreed to supply him. Just at Night Orders came from the Com- mittee of Safety, refusing to permit Wallace to be supplied & for- bidd' all Communication with him. Instantly another T" Meet- assembled & sat till IX o'clock in Even'?. In the present Destress they voted a Committee of 25 to set of to Morrow Morn- for Provi- dence to petition the Committee of Safety to revoke their Order ; & nominated me for one of the Committee — but I declined it. The Committee a Mixture of Tories &c. I have Reason to believe that the Tories are inveigling the lower sort of pple with Ministerial Monies to take up Arms on pretence of defend' their property, & mak' them believe that it is the aim of Providence to destroy New- port. I think it necessary to undeceive them by a Reference to the Continental Congress. 15. On ace" of the public danger I lodged this Diary out of my house, & made daily Entries upon a loose paper— which now Jany. 23, 1776 I transcribe here. I baptized Elizabeth Kennicott in her 644 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Chamber, confined there bj' a Consumption : present Sister Bennet & Sister Doubleday. The Committee of 25 went off this Morn- accompanied with Miss Molly Callender a Quakeress, who is moved by the Spirit to intercede for the Safety of Newport. Wal- lace promises that he will wait for the Return of the Committee ; and Expresses his Desire to save the Town. 16. The infamous Cap^ Wallace at X A.M. sent one Brig & 2 Tenders & landed Marines on Brentons Point to take off hay as they have 13 head of Cattle starving. Two Comp^ marched from Head Qu'"'' down the Neck & joyned Cap' Bartons Comp"' there — in all about 120 men, to oppose the Landing. The Brig fired — the Marines & sailors had got to the Stacks — our soldiers fired on them, & they instantly quitted, left the Ha}^ & fled on board ship. 17. Ldsdy A M. I preached on Jer. xliv, 10. P M. 2 Thes. ii, 15-17, present 100 persons : propounded Bess, Negro Servant of Wm. Stevens. The Men o'War at Noon sailed northward in hostile manner. 18. Men o' War took off hay from Dyers Isld, burnt some, & killed two horses. Our pple burnt 2 stacks Oats at Hog Island. 19. Newp* in Destress — Removal again. 21. Very cold — Therm. 7^ above o, this Morning. Yesterda3^ News fr. G. Wash, that Transports with about 1000 Troops & three Comp^ of Horse sailed from Boston for somewhere. This day 2 Comp'' of Minute Men arrived here «& more are coming. In course of last Week five thous'' Minute Men (3000 Mass. — 2000 N Hamp.) joj^ned the Army at Cambridge ; called in on the Con- necticutt Men leaving the Army in Disgust. Two French Gentle- men from W. Indies landed at Dartm" a week or 2 since & went to G. Washington. This Week they returned to Providence, re- commended by G. Wash^' to Gov. Cooke to be sent forward to Gov. Trumbull, & so without Expence or Delay to be forwarded to the Cont. Congress. A Report that Orders are sent to the Eng. W. Ind. to seize all N'' Amer. Vessels there. Ld Dunmore issued a Proclam'' at Norfolk in Virginia the begin- of Nov. inviting all Whites & Negroes to the Kings Standard — had enlisted 1200 Men. 22. Therm. 9. It is said that Gen Eee is at Providence on his Way hither — and that the fleet is expected here. Reading Madam du Bocage's Travels in Engld & Holland A D 1750 & Italy 1757. She is a Member of the Academies of Padua, Bologna, Rome, DECEMBER 16-25, 1775 645 Lions. Last Eveng. I married Daniel Phillijis & Experience lirown jun. 23. Ther. 15. I saw Major Sherbiirn from the Camp. He says Gen. Eee dined at Provid. yesterda3% & was to dine at Gov. Hrad- fords at Bristol to day — coming with 75 Men. The Koyne .sailed for London 16'" Ins^ & Gen. Bnrgoyn went in her. A Packet of Dunmores interrupted by Privateers— his Letters inform that he has associated 3000 at Norfolk & sends for a Reg'. Latest News from Canada dated 20 Nov. when Col. Arnold had been repulsed at Quebec & retired to wait for Gen. Montgom^'. 24. Ldsday. Therm. 32. A M. I preached on Micali vii, 9. P M. Ps. 36, ID. Stormy, Snow, Rain. 25. Xtmas. I went to Chh & heard M"" Bisset on Dent. A prophet shall &c rise &c. At II" P.M. Gen. Lee arrived in Town boldly, accompanied with his Men armed : tho' Wallace declared he would fire if any Troops came in armed. He put up at Layton's next the Court-House. On the Parade G. Lee declared his Advice for all to remove out of T° in ten days. The Town Council sent a Committee of seven to wait on him four Tories & 3 Sons of Liberty, viz Mess" Bennot, Peas, Maudsly Tories — & Mess" Collins, Ellery, & John Wanton — offering him all the Assistance in their power. But hypocritically. On 31'^ Oct. Ld Dunmore with 350 repelled 200 Colonists near Norfolk. On i^' Nov'' Canonade of Jamest" Virginia by the Kings ships. Nov. 2. Canonade of Hampton. At this Time Ld Dun- more erected the Kings Standard at Norfolk and on Nov. 7. issued a Proclam-' command' all to repair to it & abjure Congresses & sware Allegiance to the King — also offering Freedom to all in- dented Servants, Negroes &c if they would come in & take up Arms against America. By 2 Dec. he had recruited his Army in the 2 Counties of Norfolk & Princess Anne to 2000, include a Black Regiment with the Inscription on their Breasts Liberty to Slaves. A Camp of Colonists is formed near Norfolk Nov. 25 under Col. Woodford. Col. Scott had marched within 7 Miles of the Great Bridge. The Committee of Safety of N" Carolina have offered their Troops to Col Woodford : they were at Currituck within one days March of the G. Bridge, where Ld Dunmore has a Stockade Fort garisoned with Tories & Negroes. Gen. Montgom^^ Letter from Montreal 17 Nov. covers one to G. Wash. fr. Col. Arnold dated S^ Maria 2>^ Leagues from P' 646 DIARY OF EZRA STILES Levi Nov. S. He says he got there safe with about Two Thirds of his Detatchm', arrived & within 2 days March; most of them in good Health & high Spirits after a fatiguing March. "The other Part with Col. Enos returned from Dead River contrary to viy Ex- pectation he hav^ Orders to send back only the sick & those that could not be furnished with Provision." In a P S. of 14*'' he mentions just hearing of the Taking of S*^ Johns. So the News 12 days in passing. — " A Frigate of 26 Guns & 2 Transports with 150 Recruits arrived at Quebec " 5'" Nov. from S' Johns near New- foundld ; which with the Inhabitants persuaded or compelled to take up Arms amount to about three hundred Men, says Col. Arnold. G. Mont^ says — "Col Easton has six Guns mounted on shore at Sotel River & 2 Row Gallies. M' Carleton with his Eleven Sail has not yet been able to pass him by. Indeed Col. Easton has obliged him twice to weigh Anchor & remove higher up the River." This Eveng. (25''' Dec.) Gen. Lee called & bro't before him Eight Tories, viz Col. Jos. Wanton formerly D. Gov. of this Colony, Rev. M' Bisset the Chh Minister, D'" Hunter, Mess'' Lechmere, Beal, Nicols & Son of the Customhouse, & M' Jn" Bours' — and proposed to them an Oath purporting their Renunciation of Torj'^ Principles, Fidelity to the American Cause, & that they would be ready to take Arms in its Defence wdien called upon by Authority from the Continental Congress. He exempted M'' Bisset as a Cler- gyman, & D' Hvmter as a phj^sician, from the part respect^' Taking Arms. All took the enjoyned Oath, subscribed it & were dis- missed, except Mess"^^ Wanton, Beal, & Eechmere, who were allowed while Morn^' to consider of it. 26. This Morn- Mess" Beal, Wanton & Eechmere still refusing the Oath were taken into Custody : and this Aft. were sent off under Guard to Head Quarters. Gen. Lee dined with Jn" Collins Esq, viewed the Town and examined proper places for erecting fortifications. E' Col. Putnam" an Engineer from the Army was with him. The General's Presence here strikes Awe through the Tories. They are as obsequious & submissive as possible. They ' For Col. Wanton, see this Diarj', March 19, 1770. For Dr. Hunter, see be- low, Feb. 9, 1777. For Nicholas Lechmere, see Sabine's American Loyalists, ii, S ; he and Richard Beale and John Nichol were all Customs officers. For John Bours see above, April 24, 1775. * Rufus Putnam, distinguished at a later date as the founder of ]\Iarietta, Ohio. DECEMRKR 26-31, 1775 647 wait upon him & invite him to dine. Cap^ And"' Christie was this Afternoon detected in communicat"' Intelligence to the Men o'War & was taken into Custody. 27. This Morn- Christie was sent off under Guard. And also Mess" Wanton, Beal & Lechmere— set off from Head Quarters under Guard for Providence & the Camp. The Rifle-Men give great Alarm to the Men o'War. A Tory fled on board. At XT' A M. Gen. Lee & his Retinue left the Town and set out for Cam- bridge, after signifying that he shd return & that two Regiments might come hither from the Camp to commence operations in earnest. 28. This Morn- the Men o'War drew off in a panic (not knowing that Lee was gone) & removed at a Distance from the Wharves. He dreaded the Rifle Men, & feared least the ships from Philad' were to meet Lee here. To day News of Ld Dunmores Defeat at Norfolk in Virginia. Doubtful. 29. Wrote Letters to D' Franklin & D' Zubly at the Congress in Philadelphia. This day an Express sent off to the Congress with Letters from the T" of Newport on the subject of further supplying Wallace. Christie was carried to Providence & dismissed & returned. Crossen' took up Dec. 30. 31. Ldsdy A M. I preached on Acts xiii, 22. P M. i Cor. i, 18. I admitted to full Communion Bess a Negro servant of W"' Stevens & baptized her, & also Peleg son of Geo. Clark & Bridget his Wife, & notified the Lords Supper & sacramental Lecture. Read- ing Grotius de Veritate X"* Religionis. Last night Crossen escaped the Guards. It is said that Col. Wanton &c are likely to be dismissed as ready to comply with the Oath at Providence. There have died in Newport 196, the year past ; and among the rest, my dear Wife. This year has been the most afflictive & des- tressing year of my Life. May God sanctify all the afflictive Dis- pensations & Visitations of his holy Providence to me especially the Death of my Wife, the Breaking up & Dispersion of my Chh & Congregation, and the present civil War. There have been near Twenty Thousand Men of the Colonists in Arms for the Defence of their Country since April last. Four Thousd in S° Carolina : 3000 in N" Car" & Virginia : 1000 in Jer- sies: 4000 in Ticonderoga & into Canada; 23,000 in N Engld ; besides about 5000 Minute Men called into Roxb-' in Dec. and 1 William Crossing, a notorious robber and criminal of Newport. 648 DIARY OF EZRA STILES about 1500 Minute Men & Volunteers assembled repeatedly in & about Newport. Thus there have been 40 Thousd actually em- ployed this year. 1776. [The present Civil War has rendered Paper so scarce, that I could not get a Blank Book till the latter end of Febry. And now I tran- scribe the minutes I made on loose sheets of a very coarse paper : at least some of the principal ones. And I should have made more copious Extracts at the Time, but that I was daily expecting that I should find paper.] Janry. 1. Ld Dunmore Governor of Virginia has entrenched himself at Norfolk in Virginia ; where he has erected the Kings Standard, inviting all to repair to it, promising protection, & declar'g all in Rebellion who refuse to joyn him & renounce Congresses & take the Oath of Allegiance, and promising Freedom to the Negroes. He has perhaps 150 Regulars, a Battalion of Negroes, and others chiefl}?' Scotch Tories, with which Norfolk abounds, forming a body of perhps 1 200 or more ; having b}^ his Influence prepared a Body of three Thousand in that Vicinity ready to take Arms against their Country. Col. Woodford, Commander of the Virginia Forces in that part, has encamped and entrenched & joyned with a body from N" Carolina. After several Skirmishes, there was a considerable Action on the 9th of Dec. last, when about 500 came out of the Borough of Norfolk, & attacked Col. Woodford's Lines but were repulsed with the loss of Capt. Fordyce & twelve Privates slain, & Lt. Bettit & 17 privates taken, all wounded. The rest retreated under cover of their Canon from the fort & were allowed to return & collect their dead & wounded supposed to be about fift3\ During the whole action. Thanks be to God, we did not loose a single man & onl}- one was slightly wounded in the hand. At Wilmington, N° Car", about 12*'' Nov. arrived a ship from Scotland with Highlanders supposed to be Soldiers. The Inhabi- tants immed^ took Measures to prevent their Landing, markt out a Camp, & 400 Provincials immed-' took post there. On i Dec. 500 Provincials were to encamp at Newbern, No. Carolina. So several Encampm"^" at the southward. 2. This morng before day & about V o' Clock, some of our Troops went over to F'ort Isld, lately evacuated by Wallace's men, set fire JANUARY 1-3, 1776 649 to the Baracks & Tn-house. This Afternoon a \'essel loaded with Goods & Families, about 30 persons, having a permit from Wallace, sailed for Providence. But Wallace brot them too & detained them all Night. This day some of the ships fired upon Conanicot — also sent ashore at the fort and extinguished one of the Baracks. Mr. Belcher Colonel of tlieRh. Isld Regim't of Militia issued war- rants 20 ult. for drafting one Qu'' for Minute Men. The Point Captain told me this Evng. that his Comp'^ used to be 360 Men on the List ; now^ on Inquiry he found but 30 left. So great is the Evacuation of the Town. I judge more than three Qu""^ of the In- habitants are removed. If so of 9200 .souls in Town last year are not above 2500 left. 3. The following Inscription was made out three years ago on the Canon near which the ashes of Presd'^^Bradshaw were lodged , on the top of a high Hill near Martha Bray" in'Jamaica, to avoid the Rage agt. the Regicides exhibited at the Restoration. Stranger Ere thou pass contemplate this Canon Nor regardless be told That near its Base lies deposited the Dust of JOHN BRADSHAW, Who nobly superior to all sel6sh Regards Despising alike the Pageantry of Court Splendor, The Blast of Calumny & the Terrors of royal \'engeance, Presided in the illustrious Band of Heroes and Patriots, Who fairly and openly adjudged CHARLES STEWART, Tyrant of England, To a public and exemplary Death : Thereby Presenting to the amazed World, And transmitting down thro' applauding ages The most glorious Example of unshaken Virtue, Love of Freedom and Impartial Justice, Ever exhibited on the blood-stained Theatre of human Action. O Reader Pass not till thou hast blessed his'IMemory, And never — never forget THAT REBELLION TO TYRANNY IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD. ' Martha Brae, a town on the northern coast of Jamaica. This epitaph first ap- peared in the Pennsylvania Evening Post for Dec. 14, 1775. and is supposed to have been the composition of Dr. Franklin. See H. P. Arnold's Historic Side- Lights {iS()()), pp. 238-48. 650 DIARY OF EZRA STILES To day Capt. Wallace gives out that he shall observe no more Truces vi'ith this Town, as he finds, it is not in the power of the In- hab. to keep them. This Evg Chh. Meetg. at Sister Channings. I preached on Rom. iii, 22-25. 4. On 12^'' Dec. last died the Rev. Samuel Dorrance of Vol un- to wn in Connecticutt, set. 89, haviuQ been 50 j^ears Pastor of the Chh in Voluntown. He was born in Ireld & educated at the Uni- versity of Glasgow (I think) and was Tutor to a Noblemans son. About 1720, or 1725, became over here with a number of settlers, from Ireld. and pitched down at Voluntown then a Wilderness. He gathered & constructed his chh Presbyterian accordg. to the Kirk of Scotland : — but English settlers being admitted Communicants, the}' in a course of years increas'g were more affected toward Con- gregationalism. This with New Eight wro't some Disturbance in the Ch'li. But Mr. Dorrance was a steady man, sound & ortho- dox in Principles, of exemplar}^ Holiness & left a good Character. 5. Went up with Col. Dayton to Head- Quarters and waited upon Brig^ Gen. West latel}' appointed by this Gov't, to the Command "here, & obtained Eibert}^ for Mr. Daj^ton to send on board Wallace to soUicit the Release of his Son.' The Soldiers are diligently at Work on the Eines laid out at Mr. Dudlys house b}' Col. Putnam brought up from Cambridge b}^ Gen. Eee. Wallace has sent another haught}' threatn'g Message on shore. This Aft. was my sacramen- tal lecture. I preached on Jno. xxi, 17. 6. East Saturday- Adm. Shuldham arrived at Boston to super- sede Adm. Graves. With him came seven Transports without Troops. It is said Gen. Burgoyne sailed for Engld 16 Dec. in the Tamar. The 2 following letters have made noise in America and Engld. as containing an Avowal of Independency &c by Mr. John Adams, of the Continental Congress. They were last Summer intercepted b}- the Men o'W^ar at Newport and are in the Eondon prints. " Phii.ada 24 July 1775. "My Dear It is now almost 3 m" since I left 3-011, in every part of which my Anxiety about you and the children has been extreme. The Business I have had upon my mind has been as great and important, as can be intrusted to one Man : and the difficulty and Intricacy of it is prodigious, when 50 or 60 Men have a Co)istiiutio7i to form for a great Empij'e, at the ' Benedict Dayton, of Newport, son of Col. Isaac Dayton, was taken prisoner by the British on the preceding Tuesday, Jan. 2. JANUARY 4-6, 1776 651 same Time that they have a Covmtryof 1500 miles Kxlent to fortify, Millions to arm and train ; a Naval Poiuer to begin, and extensive Commerce to regulate. numerous Tribes of Indians to negotiate with, a standing Army of 27 Thousand men to raise, pay, victual & officer ; I shall really pity those 50 or 60 men. I must see you erelong— Rice has wrote me a very good Letter, so hasThaiter, for which I thank them both. Love to the Children. I wish I had given you a complete History from the Beginning to the Ivnd of the Journey of the Behavior of my Compatriots— no mortal Tale could equal it —I will tell you in future and you shall keep it a secret— the fidgctts, the whims, the caprice, the vanity, the superstition, the Irritability of some of us is — " Addressed "to M'* Abigail Adams "To the care of Col. Warren \ Braintree" forwarded by Mr. Hitchborn. > " Phil.^da 24 July 1775. " Sir In confidence I am determined to write freely to you this time. A certain great Fortune and piddling Genius^ whose fame has been trumpet led so loudly, has given a silly Cast to our whole Doings— we^ are between hawk and buzzard — we ought to have had in our haiids a month ago the -uhole Legislative, Executive & Judicial of the whole Continent, and have completely modelled a Constitution, to have raised a Naval Pozuer, and opened all our ports ivide, to have arrested every friend to Govennuent on the Continent, and held them as Hostages for the poor Victims in Boston — and then opened the Door as wide as possible for Peace & Reconciliation, after this they might have petitioned & negotiated & addressed &c if they would — is all this extravagant ? is it wild ? is it not the soundest Policy ? One piece of news — seven Thousand weight of Powder arrived here last night. We shall send along some as soon as we can — but you must be patient & frugal. "We are lost in the Extensiveness of our Field of Business. We have a Conti- nental Treasury to establish, a Paj'-Master to choose, and a Committee of Corre- spondence or Safety or accounts, or something I know not what, that has confounded us all day. Shall I hail you speaker of the House, or Counsellor, or what? What kind of an Election had you ? What sort of Magistrates do you intend to make ? Will your new Legislative & Executive feel bold or irresolute? will your judicial hang & w^hip & fine and imprison without scruples? I want to see our destresful Country once more, yet I Dread the sight of Devastation. You observe in your Letter the Oddity of a great Man, he is a queer creature but you must love his Dogs if you love him, & forgive a thousand whims for the sake of the Soldier and the Scholar. Yours " addressed To the Hon. James Warren Esqr. Watertown. -" Favoured by Mr. Hitchburne " N. B. This letter was anonymous, but wrote in the same hand with that addressed to Abigail Adams.' 1 These letters are noticed and explained in John Adams's Diary, in his Life df Works, ii, 410-14. 652 DIARY OF EZRA vSTILES The offensive Expressions, i. Those respecting the form'g the Constitution of a great Empire. 2. The American Navy meditated so early. 3. Reflexions on his Compatriots — fidgets, whims, &c. 4. Piddhng Genius who has given a silly Complexion to all the Proceedings &c. This is John Dickinson Ksqr. of Philad', an emi- nent Lawyer, author of the celebrated Farmers Letters, of an Estate of sa}' ^80,000 sterl'g. He was timid and very fearful of going into anything be5-ond a defensive War ; was against assuming civil Government in each Colony out of the hands of the Crown into the hands of Congresses or Conventions ; he is sensible, ingenious, well read, but not of solid & profound Erudition ; is irritable, delicate, nice, whimsical ; he would not let the Congress rest till he had persuaded them to send off their Petition of July last to the King. The Congress tho't the}- had done eno' since their first Petition was rejected or taken no notice of. But thro' D'' Dickinson's Impor- tunit}' the Congress sent a second hy Mr. Penn. This is what M'' Adams alludes to, as giving a silh' cast to their Proceedings. I suppose this has produced in Dick" an irreconcilable Displeasure ag*^ M'' Adams. They meet in Congress but take no notice of each other beyond civility. Rem^ 5. This Letter gave the Ministerial- ists the first Notice that the Congress carried their Tho'ts forward to assummg Civil Gov\ buildg a A^avy, and offer^ their Trade to foreign Nations : all which were ver}' alarming. 6. Gen. Lee is alwa^'s accompanied with his favorite Dogs ; but this humourous Stricture gave him no Offence, nay it pleased the General, who smiled & said upon it, then I perceive they know me. He wrote a Letter after- ward in the Language of Doggism, & signed it with the Name of his great Dog. The Tories have talked and bellowed themselves hoarse upon these Letters ; but the public ha\-e now pretty well got over the Blast. These Letters shew the Clearness & Decisive- ness of M'" Adams's political Ideas, and exhibit Ijright Flashes of his political Genius. To day M' Layton came to T". He left Providence }'esterday & says the Kings speech was arrived there. It was bro't over Ijy Adm. vShuldham. It is said to be a bloody speech. If so, it seals the Independency of America. 7. Ldsdy. A M. I preached on i Jno. i, 3, & adm'd the Lds Supper to 27 Coininunicants still left. Present Col. Richmond, Col. Putnam' and others of the Army. P.I\L i Tlies. i, 2, 3. ' William Richmond was Colonel of the Regiment rai.secl in Rhode Island in October, 1775. For Colonel Putnam see this Diary, Dec. 26, 1775. JANUARY 7-12, 1776 653 8. Last Eveng. Capt. Barton of our Troojis here practiced the following Stratagem to decoy a Barge from the Rose, & to put an end to the communication b}^ Negroes. Havg. stationed 20 men at a Distance he himself & about a dozen went to the extremity of Brentons Pt. abot XI at night & lying down concealed them- selves. Then he ordered a real Negro to hail the Kosc—U^ the Rose a hoi ! come fetch poor Negro, want to get aboard Rose Man o' War, run away from his Master — ha the Rose— Capt. Collins Negro— got Papers Too. The Decoy took— a Barge manned with a Midshipman and two Sailors came off from the Man o' W' ar ; & as soon as they struck ashore, Capt. Barton & his men rose & took them and carried them to Head Quarters, from whence they are sent to Providence. This enraged the Men o' War. They .sent off the Szt'cifi, Capt Ayscough, & Tenders, who sailed o\-er to Conanicot this day, & about 11" P.M. begin'^' at the S" fired on shore as she passed & thus sailed along the whole Extent of the Isl'd, and proceeded up to Greenwich & Warwick spreading Thun- der & Eightning thro' Narraganset Bay. But with this foolish unmeaning Fire they did no Damage. About IV this Aft. Capt. Wallace sent a Flag o' Truce to the Town with printed Copies of the Kings speech in Oct. last. & delivered them to the President of the Town Council. It was publicly read in the Court House. 9. A Vessel with Flour from Philad' left Reedy Isl'd. last Saturda3^ The Captain, a Tor}', says Mr. Dickinson had left the Congress, shut up his house in the City, & removed with his Family into the Countr3^ If so, the Congress are proceed"^' to higher Measures than he can joyn in ; besides he must be mortified to find that his favorite Measure the last Petition to the King had been unsuccessful. [N.B. His leav^ the Congress, a Mistake.] 11. Nothing remarkable. Storm. 12. The infernal Wallace incensed with the Defeat of his country- man Ed Dunmore & his Scotch Clan, this morn- pillaged a prize Sloop, cut her Cables & let her drive ashore. Then the whole fleet, 3 Ships, 2 Brigs a Schooner and the Tenders, weighed Anchor about Noon & stood up the Bay to Prudence, on which are about 22 Dwellinghouses — landed 2 or 300, & set fire to six of the DwelE^ instantly. At IV' P.M. I saw the flames from the Top of my house due North. He is now inhumanly spreading Barbarity, Desolation & Revenge there— as M' Allen informs me, who came 654 DIARY OF EZRA vSTlLES from thence & brot off his Fam^' this Afternoon and was in T" about IX o'clock this Even-. Upon this a Detatchm' from Head Ou" came into town, & went over to the fort, & set the remaining Barracks and all the Wooden Work there on fire. So that we are as it were surrounded with devouring Flames. A melancholly destress- ing Prospect ! It is said there are 60 or 70 Soldiers on Prudence. 13. Capt. Anton}' from Philad^ informs that on the first Inst he saw a grand Review of 2500 Men — that two Brigades more were raising there — that Adm. Hopkins was at NewCastle, where he left him the 6''' Inst with 2 Ships of between 30 & 36 Guns & 300 Men each, 2 Brigs of 10 to 16 Guns &c ready. Yesterday morn- Wallace sent into Town a I,ist of near 40 Ships which were to be here next Spring, lyast Sat^ he rec'' the last Suppl}'' of Beef, till the Congress & iVssembly order further. The Assembly are now sitting at Providence ; & Wallace is entertaining them with the Conflagration of Prudence, to awe them into Supplies. We hear that at VIII o'Clock this Morn- our p'ple 100 Men on Prudence attacked 300 [150] of Wallace's Marines & Sailors & Negroes, & were repulsed or obliged to fight on Retreat. There was fireing all the forenoon. After a Reinforcem* from the North- ward our pple attacked them again, & they retired on board Ships after taking off some Cattle »& Hay. We had three men wounded, one came to T" this Eveng. 14. Ldsdy I pr. A.M. fr. Ps. 143, 2, 3. P.M. Heb. iv, 16. The men o'War still up the Bay. We had about 80 persons below & 40 in the Galleries — 120 Whites besides Negroes. In the Eveug. I saw another Fire & judge that Wallace has fired a house on Patience or Hope Islands. Gen. Lee sent out last Tuesday from Cambridge for N. York. Connecticutt Assembl}^ have taken off the Poll-Tax from their Soldiers — and have sent to the Congress that they are read}^ to raise a Quarter of their Men for the Conti- nental Service, but insist upon appointing their Officers. They have appointed two new Delegates for the Congress, viz. Mr. Wolcott, M"" W" Williams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hosmer & M' Hunt- ington, or any three of them, and left out Col. Dyar & M' Deane — for this principal Reason that they think Liberty most secure under frequent changes of the Delegates — & they determine to set an early Example & Precedent. M' Deane is a most useful Member in Congress. JANUARY 13-14, i-;6 655 656 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 15. I dont yet find an exact Ace" of the Prudence affair: onh' that Wallace landed about 280 Men & carried off a few sheep and half a Ton of Ha}-, & burnt 7 or 8 Buildings. Cap. Pierce & 50 Men were on the Isld at Wallaces Land^ & went off to Warwick that night and returned next niorng. In the night Capt. Barton & 25 Men landed from Head Qu'^ and a Bod)^ from Bristol : they had several Skirmishes. On our side one killed & 4 wounded, on the Enemy's one left dead and one left wounded, besides several killed & wounded carried off. Wallace said he had four killed, and got only a few .sheep. This da}' M' Antonj- Express to the Congress, returned, but bro't no letter fr. the Congress to this Town. They, the Congress, sent one to our G. Assembly now sitting at Prov. leav- to them the affair of supplying Wallace. Letters from Philad'' inform that ministerial intercepted Letters shew the}- mean to attack Philad" this Spring. And thereupon the Congress are collecting an army of Ten Thous'd to defend Philadelphia. This Eveng I read the Regulations for the new Navy of XIII United Colonies. A more particular ace"' of the Prudence Affair as I collected & rec** it from Officers and Men of Observ^ in the Action. Friday 12^^ Jany. Wallace with a fleet of twelve Sail, of which three w^ere Ships, canonaded Prudence, and landing about 200 Marines & Sailors .set fire to eight Houses, besides Barns, Out- houses, Stacks of Hay, &c. Capt. Pearce with 40 men stationed there after fireing upon the Eneni}', being overpowered retired to the N" End of the Isld & at night went off to Warwick, & returned next Morning. Wallace's men hav^ driven Sheep & Cattle to the S° End of the Isld went on board at VIII in the Eveng. After midnight Capt. Barton with 25 Men from Head Qu''' on Rh. I.sld came on, and drove away the Sheep & Cattle. Before da}' Capt. Troop came on with 35 from Bristol, also Capt. Waterman &c. with men from Warren &c making about ninety & not 100 Men. Next Morng Wallaces Men phaps 250 landed again & an Engag' took place represented in the foregoing plan. Our Men fought bravely, repulsed & routed the whole Bod}' tho' they had nearly surrounded them on each Flank. The Enemy retreated on board ship carrying off their dead & wounded. We had one killed and three wounded, one dangerously (died). The Enemy left one dead on the field & one wounded — & since acknowledge they left four killed & .seven wounded. They carried off a few Sheep and no JANUARY 15-19, 1776 657 cattle. The Engag' about Sunrise. Capt. Pearce did not return before the action was over. Capt. Pearce is said to be a good Soldier. 16. Reading Madam du Bocage's Travels. On 7"' Inst. Major Knowlton with 100 Men crossed the Mill-dam between Cobljle hill & Bunkerhill, & fired ten Houses in Chariest" which escajxid the flames in June : this within the Enemy's Lines — killed one, took six Soldiers & a woman & bro't them off, leav*-' 4 houses standing. The whole was performed in less than an hour without the loss of a single man either killed or wounded, notwithst- the Enemy kept up a consid. fire of Musquetry. 18. . . By a Vessel arrived at Casco, we have London News to 5tii Nov. — that 70 or 80 Members of Pari' had joyned the Minority ; also that the Abp. of Canterbur)^ was come over to the American side ; that however the Majority are determined to persevere. This Archbishop is of a slender capacity- and totally under the Direction of the Cozif'f & Hierarchy. If he is directed to this change by the Court, it indicates that the Min^' are com- about : if b}- the Church, it denotes that the Bishops fear the Loss of Episcopacy in America, unless in this critical Time the Bench appear for us. Mr. Stephen Sayer (born in America, & whom I well know) late Sheriff of London,' w^as seized & sent to the Tower for seditious Words. It caused a great Tumult — «& Ld. Mansfield, the vScotch Chief Justice, was obliged to grant an habeas corpus, & dismiss him on Recog- nizance. 19. In the Debates on the Kings Speech I find all the sense & best speakers in ParP on the side of America — but the Min-' carry all points by their Majority. The Kings Speech at the Meet''' of Pari' in Oct' convinces me that nothing but Blood is before us in America. The good Lord, the God of our Fathers prepare us for, & carr}' us through all Events. This day the Fleet returned from Prudence &c & anchored at the back of the Fort. News that about the Middle of Dec. Gen. Montgomery had fired the Houses about Quebec : & thereupon Gen. Carleton sent a Flag & ofiered to capitulate, if he might march out with the Honors of War & transport himself & Troops where he pleased. Refused [Doubtful] . ' He was one of the Sheriffs for the year 1773-4, when John Wilkes was Mayor. Concerning his arrest see Horace Walpole's Letters to Manti, Oct. 28, 1775- 42 658 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 20. Melancholy Tidings ! That our Army before Quebec had attempted to force the Trenches & enter the City on the last of Dec. & failed — with the loss of Gen. Montgomery & 70 killed, & 300 which entered the City captivated. The Ardor of the Troops made them impatient & too adventurous. Had they contented them- selves with a Blockade the City might have fallen into our Hands. 21. Ldsday. I preached A.M. on i Jn" ii, 5. P M. on Ps. cvi, 40-45. Reading Dr. Owen on the Trinit3^ In the evening I married Cudjoe Borden & Elizabeth a free Negro living with Edward Simons. News that Cap* Manly had taken another prize, , a storeship more valuable than any other. 22. We have Gen. Woosters Letter dated Montreal Janry. 6, 1776 to Col" Warner at Bennington— informing that an unsucces- ful Attack was made on Quebec— Gen. Montgomery slain &c. This Evening news that G. Montgomery is not killed. 23. Cop3' of my Lett, to M"" Tutor Lewis at Yale College. '• Dkar Sir Newport 21 Janry. 1776. Your kind Favor of 24*'' Dec. I did not receive till iS"' Instant. I am extreme]}- obliged by j'our Concern for my Safety in this Place. My Librarj-, INIss., & most of my Furniture have been out of T° eversince the 2^ of Nov. last. And I have held m)'self & familj- ready to depart at any Warning eversince. My secret Hope that the Veil would be removed from the Eyes of the Parent State, is nozu at an End, since the Kings Speech, & the Disputes thereon in Pari' are come over. Tho' I believe the Ministry intend an Accomod", yet they will keep up Hostilities & the Parade of War, & so dela^- the only effectual Remedy, till it will be too late. For after G. Brit, has put us to the Trouble of assuming our Self-defence into our own hands & repelling their Hostilities : they will find that the Pilnergies, Exertions & Powers equal to such a Conflict & Defence, will sustain a Sovereign State. Already Things have proceeded so far, that royal Negotiation (& parliamentary we will hear nothing of) may effect little more than a Transaction of Alliance & Treaty of Commerce — stipulating, that while G. Britain furnishes us with Goods at or about the same price as foreign States, the American trade should be restricted to the Parent State ; & no longer : You consider Newport as indefensible — & so do the Congress & Army. It would be Arrogance in me to hazard my Opinion (which however is really dif- ferent) against Opinions & Judgments of such decisive Weight. It did not seem to me that Gen. Dee tho't us indefencible. However the Situation is dang er Otis ; and I have determined to move my Family as soon as possible. And as I am devoted to the Work of the Ministry, I have purposed to offer my- self to some vacant Church, till it may please divine Providence to reassemble my dear scattered F^lock. I should have accepted an Invitation last Fall to remove to Bristol, but that it is too much exposed to the pyratical & merci- less Ravages of our Sea Rovers. JANUARY 20-29, '^11^ 659 A few (lays before I received yours, I had written uiy Purposes to a Minister in the Massachusetts requestinji; of him a List of Vacancies in the interior iS: middle parts of that Colony, with the view of ofTeriuK myself to one of them. You say, " permit me to ask, whether it would not be agreeal)le to come to Con- necticutt. My native place vSouthington— is vacant—. I should l)e much obliged to you to be informed whether it would be aj^reeable to come into these parts & preach if you should leave Newport. I mention this witliout the knowledge of People of Southington as a people." In answer I would say. the proposal suits me very well : if it slid, be agreeable to the people of Southing- ton & you should send me a Letter from their Conmiittee, I should endeavor by the Leave of Providence to visit them in the spring. For this Month past I have foreseen a Removal inevitable : and have been revolving in my Mind how to dispose of myself during the Dispersion of my Flock, which I pray God maj' continue but a few ]Months. I have some- times tho't of teaching the Globes, Geography, Malhciiialics, & History, in some interior populous place, as Worcester, Northampton, Hartford, Windham, or Norwich, wherever I might collect 20 or 30 youth & Gentlemens Sons. I have sometimes had the Vanity to think of offering myself to read public Lectures for a few Months in one of the Colleges, on two Branches of Litera- ture, the Oriental Langziages, and Eccl. History. Nothing is more cus- tomary in the European Universities. Martin Bucer did thus, as did Peter Martyr, so did Father Paul of Venice, & so did the Blind IMathematician Dr Saunderson. I should do so, as well as offer to preach, was I in Kuropc : but the Singularity of the Thing, more than the real Vanity of it, forbitls it in America. I have also thought of other Pursuits. But the INIinistry is most in Character for me, if it shall please God to open a Door for my Improvement therein. My Love to Ezra. I am Dear vSir To Mr. Jn» Lewis Tutor » Your obliged Friend & humble servant of Yale College New Haven, i" EzR.\ Stiles. 26. Visiting Mrs. Grant : & di.scoursing on the State of America. 27. News, Norfolk in \'irginia Nine Tenths in a.shes. 28. L,dsday. A.M. I preached on 2 Chron. vi, 24, 25. P.M. Tit. iii, 7. Congregation 100. Reading D' Owen. 29. Williamsburg paper, 5 Jany. "Mr. Purdie. I hope our Countrymen will not be at all dispirited at the Destruction of Norfolk, but rather rejoyce, that half the Mischief our Enemies can do us is done already. They have destroyed one of the first Towns in America, and the only one (except 2 or 3) in Virginia which carried on any Thing like a Trade. We are only sharing part of the Sufferings of our American Brethren, and can now glory in having received one of the keenest strokes of the Enemy 7cilhout flinching " Thus we see what Effect the national Hostilities have in alienating Americans from the Parent State, & reconciling them to Measures they little tho't of. 66o DIARY OF EZRA STILES A Bod}' of Tories have arisen in the back parts of vS" Carolina. The Provincial Congress there sent about five hundred Men, and on the 19^*" of Nov. a Battle happened near Ninetj'Six between them & about Two Thousand Insurgents. Of our part)'- fourteen were wounded, one mortally: of the Enem}' it is known several, some say 52, were killed & many wounded. A Cessation of Hostilities agreed to for twent}^ daj^s. By the last Accounts Col. Richardson was on his March & near the Habitations of the Rebels. against the public Libert}', with near 3000 Men : and that Col. Pollock of N" Carolina had set out to joyn them with 600 Men. So that when all our Troops are united there will be a Body of upwards of four Thousand ]Men ; a force without doubt sufficient to restore Peace & good Order in those parts. — They settled the matter — some princi- pals taken & imprisoned, others pardoned & dismissed & Peace restored in those Frontiers. 30. I hear that we have taken another Prize at the Westward, with fourty Tons of Powder, and that the Saltpetre Works are so forward thro' the Country, that the Colony of Connecticutt only expect to make 70 Tons this year. February. I. Gen. Clinton with a body of Troops sailed from Boston the 19''' ult. They said for Newport : supposed for Norfolk in Virginia. 4. Ldsdy. I preached all day on i Pet. i, 5-7. 5. Yesterda}^ Wallaces Fleet weighed anchor & sailed towards Block Isld., & at Evening anchored at Point Judith : it is said to bury a Eieutenant dead of his wounds received at Prudence : To- da}^ they returned and sailed up the Bay fireing on Conanicott. 6. Finished Madam du Bocage On the 21st of Dec. last a Battle happened at Susquehanna between 200 Connecticutt men & 6 or 700 (perhaps 200) Pensj'lvanians, in which several were killed. A Land Contest.' A ministerial Stratagem to excite Con- fusion — set on foot & promoted chiefly by D"" Smith the ambitious Tory Provost of Philadelphia College, who excited about half a Dozen large Landholders in Philadelphia to whom the Proprie- tary had given large Tracts on Susquehanna. 8. Last Eveng a monthly Chh. meeting at Sister Trevetts. I preached on Heb. xii, 2. Dr. Bartlett returned from Westerly. He is appointed Chief Surgeon of the Brigade stationed here. ' The title to Wyoming, or the Susquehanna countrj-, was finally decided in 17S2. JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 16, 1776 661 9. When Gen. Lee lately passed thro' Conneclicntt he, at Hart- ford, sent for a Number of Gentlemen in the Evening & told them he was going to N York & wanted 500 Men to accompany him. They said the Men could be readily raised. But next morning something was mentioned to him about Pay. He replied, Gentle- men, we have detected a Ministerial Manouvre at New York : I am going to take care of it. I want such Men to accompany as are Volunteers &'above pay, & that are able and willing to bear their own Expences. I hope the Business may be accomplished so as to return in about a month. He said no more — their Ambition was toutched — they raised instantly & accompanied & sent after him the 500, & have since augmented them to i8oo Men. But Gen. Eee is taken with the Gout at Stamford, & proceeds in a Litter. 10. It is said that a Ship arrived at N. York from London brings account that 2 or 3 Lords are coming over to make & settle peace. But nothing said of Repeals ! Only Deception. 11. Ldsdy. A.M. I preached on 2 Cor. xii, 9. P.M. Lsai. xxviii, 5, 6. Reading St. Chrysostoms Homilies . . . Yesterday Mr. Ben. Brenton' was taken up again and carried to head Quarters for going on board Wallace. Also Col. Jos. Wanton^ taken up again & carried to Head Quarters. Gen. Clinton is arrived at N. York i. e., to the Ships there. But the Transports from Boston with 500 Men, not arrived. Gen. Lee is at N. York. 12. London News to 18"' Nov. Parliament is apparently embar- rassed. This day I set out with my Daughter Ruth for Rehoboth ; to look a House to remove m}- Family. 13. Left Ruth at Judge Russels at Bristol : and I lodged at Rev" M'' Rogersons at Rehoboth. 14. Lodged at Rev. M"" Townsends at Barrington. 15. Returning to Bristol, found it in the greatest Confusion & Destress & all in Removal & Flight, as the Men o' W^yr were seem- ingly coming in there. But they anchored under Prudence. 16. At Bristol. Had the melancholly Spectacle of the Conflagra- tion first of the Windmill about XI'' A.M., then of the Dwelling- houses &c. upon Prudence, fired by the Men landing from the Fleet. The Isld. had been evacuated of all its Inhabitants & Stock the Week before, by order of Assembly. I returned to Newport. ^Died in Newport, 1830, aged 93. ''See above, Dec. 25, 26, 1775. 662 DIARY OF EZRA STILES 17. Finished reading the Bible, which I began the day that my Wife died May 29, 1775. The ships returned to Newport this Evening. 18. lydsday. A.M. I preached on Rom. vi, 22. P.M. Dent, iv,- 30, 31. Present about 150 ; some of Mr. Hopkins Flock, he being absent. I baptized a son of Capt. Jn" Topham & Ann his wife, by the name of George Washington after Gen. Washington. This child was born at Warren in Nov. last. Capt. Topham is now a Prisoner in Quebec. Read"^ Dr. Owen on the Div-' of X* — & Math- er's Types. 20. Rode to Dighton, & there hired a House for the Removal of my Family in these calamitous & dangerous & destressing Times. All marketing from Narrag. & the northward cut off at Newport by the Fleet — the Ferries stopt — no wood Boats — The Town with perhaps a Third of its Inhabitants 3'et behind suffering greath' for Wood & Provision — especialh- Wood — Fences & Houses rapa- cioush' pulled down for fewel — the poor & rich in one common Des- tress. Indeed our greatest Destress for Fewel. Rj'e & Ind. Meal 5s. a bush. ■Mutton & Beef 4'^ L. M. — But all Business stagnated. 24. Returned to Newport. Read Common Sense.' 25. Ldsda}-. A.M. I preached on Acts xxiv, 16. P.M. on 2 Jn" V. 8 and notified the Sacrament. Reading Cliry.sostom's Hom- ilies. 26. On ist Nov. last Ld. Barrington said in Parliament — "The Number of owr A nny in America, exclusive of ijji Men then on their Passage, amounted to 8^82 Men, out of ivhich 134.2 w^ere sick and ineffective.''' This Return received from Boston dated there about 20'" August last, when there were in B" probably not above 7000 Men : — in Canada 1000 — in Virginia & Nova Scotia 500. The Ministerial Armj- this year in all N" America was Ten Thousand, his Lordship said. 27. On Ld.sday 4"' Inst. Gen. Clinton arrived at N. York in the Mercury 24 Guns, soon followed with Transport & 2 or 300 Sol- diers. The same day Gen. Lee arrived there with towards 2000 Connecticutt Men & Riflemen. Soon upon this the Earl of Stirling arrived there also with 1000 Jersey Men &c. On 11"' Inst, the Mercury with G. Clinton on ]:)oard & two Transports sailed /r^7« N. York. Gov. Tryon on board the Asia took great pains to a.ssure the people at N. York that G. Clinton did not ^ Thomas Paine's famous pamphlet was published on Jauuar}- 8. FEBRUARY 17-MARCH 2, 1776 663 meditate Landing there. It was very hajipy tliat Gen. !.■ Gen. Ld. Stirling arrived at N. York with Continental Forces. Last night an Alarm w^as given. The Tenders fired on N" Kings- ton near Quonset P' abottt Midnight. Tho' it is said our Soldiers stationed there fired first on the Tenders sailing by. The Guards fiired alarm Guns, & so the Alarm spread & propagated at once all along shore from the Ferry to Providence, where the Ik^acon was fired, and the whole Country rushed to Arms & jxiured down to the Sea Coast. The Flashings of the Alarm Guns seemed to be a kind of Engagement, as it appeared to our Troops on Con- anicott, who sent off 70 Men to the Main, & notified our Head Quarters here, from whence Gen. West sent off 70 more by Two o'clock in the Morning. It was supposed the Men o' War were firing on Updikes Newtowai : — Mistake. 28. The Men o' War returning along Conanicott fired on it. Our Soldiers there discharged a Canon on the ships for the first time. The W. Post come in, brings London News to the End of No\-em- ber It is said that a Number of Commissioners are coming to America. But if this is all the Olive Leaf they shall bring, they will effect nothing. The Parliamentar}^ Army in America this sea- son is to be 26 Thoiisand : and the Continental Army 65 Thou- sand. The York Merd' of Feb. 19. say, — "His Majestys Ship the Phoenix of 40 Guns, Capt. Parker sailed for Sandy Hook last Saturda}- (Feb. 17.) morning, & about 2 o' Clock the same da}' Capt. Vandeput in the Asia 64 Guns got under sail in Company with the Ship Dutchess of Gordon" and three prizes, but got aground. — This is only a Feint, to get at a Distance from the City & Gen. Lees Canon, which he removed from the Breastwork in open daylight under the Nose of the Ships 29. Ld. North's plan universally dissatisfactory to all ])ut Tories : and even they are disappointed because they see it will not produce Reconciliation, — & in reconciliation still retain Parlamentary Supre- macy. Sundry people in Town are hereby brought to a Resolution for Removal, as they now dispair of Accommodation March 2. The Fleet sailed northwds. firing on poor Conanicott. One Gun a Nine pounder there returned the fire, & the shot entered Wallaces Ship. Towards Evening News that a Pri/.eship was taken, which 664 DIARY OF EZRA STILES bro't News from London to 6"' January, — the ParP on Quest, whetlier the Commissioners should treat with the Congress, 200 for, 207 against. — Orders to G. Howe to act on the Defensive. 3. Ldsda}-. A.M. I preached on Luke xxiv, 35, 36 and admin- istered the Lds. Supper to 28 Communicants. P.M. at III o' Clock I preached at Head Quarters at the Desire of Col. Babcock' 2 Sam. X, 12. They unexpectedly collected almost Nine Dollars & presented me. In the Evening I married George and Sabina free Negroes. On Feb. 7 Rev'' Levi Frisbie was installed Pastor of the first clih. in Ipswitch. He had been one of Dr. Wheelock's Indian Missionaries at Ohio. 4. We hear that there was a Canonading at the Camp last Saturday Night — supposed to be taking possession of Dorchester Hill. — Gen. West resigned, and this day Col. Babcock took the Command on this Island. M'' Marchant came to Town as one of the Committee to settle the Army — he has not been in Town since June last. Reported that Adm. Hopkins has had an Engagement. — that a Vessel had arrived at the Eastward with the plan of Pari' to be offered the Colonies, viz. Repeal of acts to 1763, & the Colonies pa}' 10 per Cent, on all goods, & this to be accepted in Lieu of all other Revenues. 5. I find by Proclamation Thursda}' next is a day of Fast- ing & prayer throughout the Colony of the Massachusetts. Report that B" in flames and a Mortar split &c. [Mistake.] 6. We have News that our Army of 30 Thousand Men have in earnest begun the Bombardment of Boston from Dorchester Hill : Monthly Chh Meeting at Sister Channings. I preached i Thes. v, 23, and then notified the Brethern & Sisters that I should discon- tinue these Meetings, as I was removing, untill God should be pleased to restore our Tranquillit)'. 7. General Fast in Massachusetts. I observed it as usvial & preached on Ps. Ix, 1-5. Contrib. for poor. 8. This Evening I find by the York Prints that the Parliam* have sent /our Thousand Troops to Carolina [Ld. Germaine's Lett, to Gov. Eden says .seven Reg'^] — voted 700 Thousd. Sterling for Secret Services for corrupting the Congress &c — 35 Commissioners talked of — that they are plainly determined on the most insidious & force- able Measures, ^ Henry Babcock. See below, April 19, 1776. MARCH 3-13, 1776 665 The Swan Man o' War this Aft. j^ot upon tlic Hhic Rocks within a quarter of a Mile off shore, & lay there fast f '' \'-:\-i^ ' fp'^s'i'' '.': •..'■.'■-■■ ,v^:'J^;;--;.' ■ ^;^;.^>..'^.'^-- , -^vv-Ji;'.;--'.^: '"— ;, ..'.'.-■ J-^' <^i^^^