Part 2

My Father sent for my Mother to come to him to New England. I remember being at Bishop Stoke and Badesly, April 23, 1661, the day of the Coronation of K Charles the 2d, the Thunder and Lightening of it. Quickly after my Mother went to Winchester with 5 small Children, Hannah, Samuel, John, Stephen and Jane; and John Nash and Mary Hobs her Servants; there to be in a readiness for the Pool Waggons. At this place her near Relations, especially my very worthy and pious Uncle Mr. Stephen Dummer took leave with Tears. Capt. Dummer of Swathling treated us with Raisins and Almonds. My Mother lodged in Pump-yard London, waiting for the going of the Ship, the prudent Mary, Capt. Isaac Woodgreen Commander. Went by water to Graves-End where the Ship lay. Took in Sheep at Dover. Passengers in the Ship at the same time were Major Brown, a young brisk Merchant, and a considerable Freighter, Mr. Gilbert and his wife, He was Minister at Topsfield; Madam Bradstreet [then Gardener] Mrs. Martha, Mr. Pitkins Sister, who died lately at Windsor, and many others. We were about eight weeks at Sea, where we had nothing to see but Water and the Sky; so that I began to fear I should never get to Shoar again; only I thought the Capt. and Mariners would not have ventured themselves if they had not hopes of getting to Land again. Capt. Woodgreen arrived here on Satterday. I was overjoyed to see Land again, especially being so near it as in the Narrows. 'Twas so late by that time we got to the Castle, that our men held a discourse with them whether they should fire or no, and reckoned 'twas agreed not to doe it. But presently after the Castle fired; which much displeased the Ship's Company; and then they fired. On the Lord's day my Mother kept aboard; but I went ashoar, the Boat grounded, and I was carried out in arms July 6, 1661. My Mother lodg'd at Mr. Richard Collicott's. This week there was a publick Thanksgiving. My Father hastened to Boston and carried his Family to Newbury by Water in Mr. Lewis * * * Brother Tapan has told me our arrival there was upon Lecture-day which was Wednesday. Mr. Ordway carried me ashore in his Canoe. We sojourned at Mr. Titcomb's. My Father presently sent me to school to the Reverend and Excellent Mr. Thomas Parker, with whom I continued till my entrance into the College; being admitted by the very learned and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey.

Sept. 3. 1662 Mother was brought to bed of Sister Anne, Mr. Joshua Moodey the Minister's Mother being her Midwife. Baptised by Mr. Parker.

May 8. 1665 Sister Mehetabel was born: Baptised by Mr. Parker. She became wife to the midwife's Grandson Mr. William Moodey. Dorothy Sewall (now Northend) was born Oct. 29. 1668. Baptised by Mr. Parker.

At this time the commencement was in August. In the year 1667 my father brought me to be admitted, by which means I heard Mr. Richard Mather of Dorchester preach Mr. Wilson's Funeral Sermon. "_Your Fathers where are they?_" I was admitted by the very learned and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey, who gave me my first Degree in the year 1671. There were no Masters in that year. These Bachelours were the last Mr. Chauncey gave a degree to, for he died the February following.

In July 1672, Dr. Hoar came over with his Lady and sojourned with your Grandfather Hull. He (Dr. Hoar) was my Aunt Quincey's Brother, and preached as an assistant, to the Rev. Mr Thomas Thacher at the South Church. The College quickly called him to be President. He was installed in the College Hall in December 1672. Gov. Bellingham lay dead in his House, and Dep. Gov. Leverett was the Chief Civil Magistrat present at that Solemnity. The March following Mrs. Bridget Hoar, now Cotton, was born in Cambridge. In 1674 I took my 2d Degree, and Mrs. Hannah Hull, my dear Wife, your honoured Mother, was invited by the Dr. and his Lady to be with them a while at Cambridge. She saw me when I took my Degree and set her affection on me, tho' I knew nothing of it till after our Marriage; which was February 28th. 1675-6. Gov. Bradstreet married us in that we call the Old Hall; 'twas then all in one, a very large Room. As I remember, Madam Thacher and Madam Paige, with whom Gov. Bradstreet boarded, visited us the next day.

On the 2d of April, 1677, it pleased God to favour us with the birth of your brother John Sewall, our first-born. In June 1678 you were born. Your brother lived till the September following, and then died. So that by the undeserved Goodness of God your Mother and I never were without a child after the 2d of April 1677.

In the Fall 1678, I was seized with the Small Pocks and brought very near to death; so near that I was reported to be dead. But it pleased GOD of his Mercy to Recover me. Multitudes died, two of my special Friends; viz. Mr. John Noyes, and Ensign Benjamin Thirston, who both died while I lay sick: and Mr. William Dummer, Son of Jeremiah Dummer Esq., aged about 19 years. Presently after my Recovery, in December, Col. Townsend and I were bearers to Mr. Joseph Tappin, one of the most noted Shop-keepers in Boston.

And now what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? The good Lord help me to walk humbly and Thankfully with Him all my days; and profit by Mercies and by Afflictions; that through Faith and Patience I may also in due time fully inherit the Promises. Let us incessantly pray for each other, that it may be so!

SAMUEL SEWALL.

_Augt. 26, 1720._

[Postscript to the above letter, by the son of the writer, Samuel Sewall, Esq., of Brookline, to whom the letter was addressed.

"June 30th, 1729, Recd the following acco of my Hond Father: viz. my Great Grandfather Sewall lived at Newbury at Old Town Green where the first Meeting House stood; and upon the Removal of the Meeting House where it now stands (being Mr. Tappin's Meeting House) He sold his House and Ground and moved to Rowley where he died and was Buried."]

COL. GOOKIN'S LETTER TO REV. NATHANIEL GOOKIN OF HAMPTON, N. H.

_Philadelphia, 9br 22d 1710._

DR SR

The business of ye Province sometimes requires me to visit ye extreme parts of it and I am often obliged to stay at New Castle ye chief town of ye next Government, and by that means miss many opportunities of answering my friends' letters, this and having very little to write that could entertain ye are ye reasons ye have not heard from me of late. I have had two letters from ye since I wrote yo last ye 3d of Octb. By letters from Ireland I am informed two of our relatives are lately dead, viz. _Robert Gookin_, son of my Uncle Robert, and Augustine Gookin, eldest son of my Uncle Charles. My own affairs in ye government are very likely to improve, for ye last assembly who were extremely ye Proprietor's enemies and against raising money for ye support of Gover'nt, are every one laid by this election, and such men chosen as I believe will answer his expectations and mine.

By the packet I have letters from ye Proprietor, wherein he tells mee he has more friends in this ministry than in ye last, and gives me fresh assurances of his friend in case he resigns ye government to ye crown, which he thinks he shall find it his interest to do. I shall not give ye any account of ye public affairs since ye will be better informed by ye prints. I shall not add, but only desire ye will not take my backwardness in writing in an unkind sense, but believe I have a due regard for all my relations and that I am in a more particular manner

[Superscription.] Dr Cossn yr very affecte Kinsman and Servt

CHAS. GOOKIN.

To the Reverend Mr. Nathl Gookin, att Hampton, N. Hampshire,

_Frce Ch. Gookin_. via Boston.

HISTORY OF THE PILGRIM SOCIETY,

WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF PLYMOUTH COLONY.

As introductory to a notice of the Pilgrim Society, the narration of a few facts in reference to the early settlement of New England may be neither inappropriate nor uninteresting. It will serve also to elucidate more fully the objects of the Society.

Religious persecution was the chief cause of the emigration of our forefathers to this country. The memorable Reformation, effected principally by the instrumentality of Luther and Calvin, appeared in England in 1534, under Henry VIII. During its progress, in the reigns of Mary, Elizabeth, and James I., those who were denominated Puritans[B] were subjected to the most cruel oppression. Thousands suffered martyrdom; many were banished; and others were doomed to perpetual imprisonment.

Those Puritans who lived in the north of England were, on account of their dispersed state, divided, in the year 1606, into two distinct churches. With one of these was connected the celebrated John Robinson, who afterwards became its minister. Persecuted for non-conformity to the established church, he, with a part of his congregation, that they might worship God according to the dictates of their consciences, removed in 1607-8 to Amsterdam, in Holland, where religious toleration was then sanctioned by law; and soon after, (in 1609,) they went to Leyden, where they formed themselves into a church, according to the pattern prescribed, as they supposed, by the word of God. In that place they remained till their removal to America. "Their motives for this," (their removal,) "were to preserve the morals of their youth; to prevent them, through want of employment, from leaving their parents and engaging in business unfriendly to religion; to avoid the inconveniences of incorporating with the Dutch; to lay a foundation for propagating the gospel in the remote parts of the world; and, by separating from all the existing establishments in Europe, to form the model of a pure church, free from the admixture of human additions." What Lord Brougham, of England, has said of the North American colonies in general, is most strictly and emphatically true of these individuals in particular. "All idea of wealth or pleasure was out of the question. The greater part of them viewed their emigration as taking up the cross, and bounded their hopes of wealth to the gifts of the Spirit, and their ambition to the desire of a kingdom beyond the grave. A set of men more conscientious in their doings, or simple in their manners, never founded any commonwealth."

Such were the reasons which induced the founders of New England to leave all that was dear to them in England and Holland, and to remove to these then inhospitable shores; reasons sufficient to affect the minds, hearts, and conduct of some of the best men that ever lived. Speaking of them, Governor Stoughton remarked, "God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness."

In accomplishing their object, "it was agreed by the English congregation at Leyden, that some of their number should go to America to make preparation for the rest. Mr. Robinson,[C] their minister, was prevailed on to stay with the greater part at Leyden; Mr. Brewster,[D] their elder, was to accompany the first adventurers, but these and their brethren remaining in Holland were to continue to be one church, and to receive each other to Christian communion without a formal dismission, or testimonial. Several of the congregation sold their estates and made a common bank, which, together with money received from other adventurers, enabled them to purchase the Speedwell,[E] a ship of sixty tons, and to hire in England the May Flower, a ship of one hundred and eighty tons, for the intended enterprise."[F]

The following graphic description of the attachment of the Pilgrims to each other, and of their pious views and feelings on the occasion of their separation, is found in Morton's New England Memorial.

"Being prepared to depart, they had a solemn day of humiliation, the pastor teaching a part of the day very profitably, and suitably to the present occasion; the text of Scripture was Ezra viii:21. The rest of the time was spent in pouring out of prayers unto the Lord, with great fervency, mixed with abundance of tears.--When they came to the place," (Delftshaven,) "they found the ship and all things ready; and such of their friends as could not come with them, followed after them, and sundry came from Amsterdam to see them shipped, and to take their leave of them. One night was spent with little sleep with the most, but with friendly entertainment, and Christian discourse, and other real expressions of Christian love. The next day, the wind being fair, they went on board, and their friends with them, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting, to hear what sighs, and sobs, and prayers did sound amongst them; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other's heart, that sundry of the Dutch strangers, that stood on the quay as spectators, could not refrain from tears: Yet comfortable and sweet it was, to see such lively and true expressions of dear and unfeigned love.--Their reverend pastor falling down on his knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks, commended them with most fervent prayers unto the Lord and his blessing; and then with mutual embraces and many tears, they took their leave one of another, which proved to be the last leave to many of them."

On the 6th of September, 1620, the adventurers sailed from Plymouth, in the May Flower, and, on the 9th of November, they arrived, after enduring a perilous voyage, in sight of Cape Cod. Having entered the harbor, they, on the 11th day of the month, after prayer and thanksgiving, subscribed a written instrument, by which they were made a body politic. The covenant entered into was signed by _forty-one_ individuals, who, with their families, amounted to _one hundred and one_ persons. Mr. John Carver was unanimously elected Governor of the colony for one year.[G] Though these adventurers undertook their enterprise under the authority and sanction of a royal charter, yet they commenced their political existence as a republic. December 22, 1620, they disembarked and went on shore. The place where they landed, called by the Indians Patuxet, they named Plymouth, after the town in England from which they last sailed.

Such was the origin of the settlement of the Plymouth colony.

Sentiments of high respect for the principles and character of the first settlers of New England have been cherished in every succeeding generation of their descendants. They have been eager to reward their inestimable service by commemorating their virtues and piety, and by preserving a recollection of their sufferings, resolution, and noble deeds, in so glorious a cause. In doing this they have been actuated by the dictates of nature, reason, and gratitude.

On January 13, 1769, when the storm of British oppression was gathering, and the time for open and decided resistance to the crown was at hand, an association called the "Old Colony Club" was formed at Plymouth, consisting of some of the principal men of that place and vicinity; and on December 22, of that year, the "Landing of the Forefathers" was first celebrated.[H] The Winslows, Watsons, and Howlands were among those who were the most prominent. Major-General John Winslow of Marshfield, who had been an eminent officer in the war between England and France, in 1754-1762, General Peleg Wadsworth, Colonel Gamaliel Bradford, and Hon. George Partridge of Duxbury, Hon. William Sever and General John Thomas of Kingston, Colonel Alexander Scammell, then a teacher of youth in Plymouth, and afterwards a distinguished officer in the American Revolution, were original or early members of the Society.

"In the year 1773 the Association was dissolved, in consequence of conflicting opinions existing among its members, in relation to the American Revolution," and two of the early members of the Club left the country, from attachment to the British government.

The following gentlemen have delivered sermons or addresses, by the request of the "Old Colony Club," or of the inhabitants of the town, or of the members of some one of the religious societies, at the times of the anniversary at Plymouth, on the 22nd of December. Edward Winslow, Jr., Esq., Plymouth; Rev. Chandler Robbins, D. D., Plymouth; Rev. Charles Turner, Duxbury; Rev. Gad Hitchcock, D. D., Pembroke; Rev. Samuel Baldwin, Hanover; Rev. Sylvanus Conant, Middleborough; Rev. Samuel West, D. D., Dartmouth; Rev. Timothy Hilliard, Barnstable; Rev. William Shaw, D. D., Marshfield; Rev. Jonathan Moore, Rochester; Doct. Zaccheus Bartlett, Plymouth; Hon. John Davis, LL. D., Boston; Rev. John Allyne, D. D., Duxbury; Hon. John Quincy Adams, LL. D., Quincy; Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., Cambridge; Rev. Jonathan Strong, D. D., Randolph; Rev. James Kendall, D. D., Plymouth; Alden Bradford, LL. D., Boston; Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., Cambridge; Rev. James Freeman, D. D., Boston; Rev. Adoniram Judson, Plymouth; Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris, D. D., Dorchester; Rev. Abiel Abbot, D. D., Beverly; Rev. John Elliot, D. D., Boston; Rev. James Flint, D. D., Salem; Rev. Ezra Goodwin, Sandwich; Rev. Horace Holley, LL. D., Boston; Hon. Wendell Davis, Sandwich; and Hon. Francis Calley Gray, Boston.

As the "Old Colony Club" had for many years ceased to act as a society, and had, in fact, ceased to exist, that the object of the annual celebration of the "Landing of our Forefathers" might be better accomplished, a society was formed, November 9, 1819, by the name of the "Old Colony Pilgrim Society," and immediately went into operation. The Hon. Joshua Thomas, William Jackson, and Nathaniel M. Davis, Esqs., were chosen a committee on behalf of the Society, to petition the General Court for an act of incorporation. On February 24, 1820, the Society was incorporated and made a body politic, by the name of the "Pilgrim Society." The design of the institution may in part be learned from a clause in the first section of the act of incorporation, which is, "to perpetuate the memory of the virtues, the enterprise, and unparalleled sufferings of their ancestors."

The "Landing of our Forefathers" was first celebrated by the Pilgrim Society, December 22, 1820, that being the completion of the second century since the settlement of New England, or the landing of the Pilgrims. This event, which, in a most important sense, gave existence to the nation, with all that is valuable in its civil, literary, and religious establishments, was observed that year with more than usual solemnity and interest. The Hon. Daniel Webster delivered an address[I] on the occasion, worthy of himself and the memory of those whose character and sufferings he so eloquently portrayed. A large concourse of people attended the celebration, and were escorted to the place of public service by the Standish Guards, a military company so called in honor of Capt. Miles Standish.[J]

There were present on the occasion, a delegation from the Massachusetts Historical Society, and from the American Antiquarian Society. The Hon. Judge Davis addressed the Pilgrim Society on behalf of the former institution, and the Hon. Levi Lincoln on behalf of the latter. The Rev. Dr. Kendall replied to the one, and Alden Bradford, Esq., replied to the other. The kindest sentiments and feelings universally prevailed, and the occasion was one of great satisfaction and rejoicing.

The Pilgrim Society, as such, annually commemorates the day on which our Forefathers landed at Plymouth. On some of these anniversaries, addresses have been delivered; in 1820, by Hon. Daniel Webster; in 1824, by Hon. Edward Everett; in 1829, by Hon. William Sullivan; in 1834, by Rev. George Washington Blagden; in 1835, by Hon. Peleg Sprague; in 1837, by Rev. Robert B. Hall; in 1838, by Rev. Thomas Bobbins, D. D.; and in 1845, by Joseph R. Chandler, Esq. Since 1820, at the request of some religious society or association, the following gentlemen have delivered addresses on these anniversary occasions, though not specially before the Pilgrim Society; Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., Braintree; Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., Boston; Rev. Samuel Green, Boston; Rev. Daniel Huntington, North Bridgewater; Rev. Benjamin B. Wisner, D. D., Boston; Rev. John Codman, D. D., Dorchester; Rev. Convers Francis, D. D., Watertown; Rev. Jonathan Bigelow, Rochester; Rev. Samuel Barrett, Boston; Rev. William T. Torrey, Plymouth; Rev. John Brazier, D. D., Salem; and Rev. Mark Hopkins, D. D., Williamstown. In the addresses which have been delivered, the principles, motives, intentions, and character of the Forefathers have been exhibited and approved; the causes of their emigration, the interposition of God in their behalf, and the glorious results which have followed, have been glowingly described.

The Society erected in the year 1824 a monumental edifice; the corner-stone of which was laid with appropriate solemnities, and in an excavation made in it for the purpose, was deposited, with other articles, a plate having the following inscription: "In grateful memory of our Ancestors, who _exiled_ themselves from their native country, for the sake of religion, and here successfully laid the foundation of _Freedom_ and Empire, December 22, A. D. MDCXX., their descendants, the Pilgrim Society, have raised this edifice, August XXXI. A. D. MDCCCXXIV."

The edifice is built of unwrought split granite, and is seventy feet in length by forty in width, and is two stories in height. It has a handsome Doric portico in front, eight feet wide, supported by six pillars sixteen feet high. The whole expense of the building and its appurtenances was more than $15,000. Its location is pleasant and presents a full view of the outer harbor of the town. The principal hall is adorned by a magnificent painting, representing our Forefathers. This picture, valued at $3,000, was a donation to the Pilgrim Society by the artist, Henry Sargent, Esq., Boston. It is a splendid representation of the Pilgrims at their arrival on these western shores. Pilgrim Hall is the most suitable receptacle for it; and Col. Sargent has exhibited a noble generosity in placing it within its walls. The dimensions of the picture are sixteen feet by thirteen. It contains several groups of individuals attired in the costume of their day. 1. Governor Carver and his wife and children; 2. Governor Bradford; 3. Governor Winslow; 4. Wife of Governor Winslow; 5. Mr. William Brewster, the presiding Elder; 6. Capt. Miles Standish; 7. Mr. William White and his child Peregrine; 8. Mr. Isaac Allerton and his wife; 9. Mr. John Alden; 10. Mr. John Turner; 11. Mr. Stephen Hopkins, his wife, and children; 12. Mr. Richard Warner; 13. Mr. Edward Tilley; 14. Mr. Samuel Fuller; 15. Wife of Capt. Standish; 16. Samoset, an Indian Sagamore; 17. Mr. John Howland, of Governor Carver's family, who married his daughter.

In the edifice there is a room set apart for a Library and a Cabinet of curiosities. It is already supplied with a number of volumes and many manuscripts of early date. It is desirable that a copy of all the works published by the Pilgrims and their descendants should be deposited in the Library.

"Among the antiquities in the Cabinet of the Pilgrim Society are the following: