Part 2

It was well for Mr. Endecott that he possessed an ardent and sanguine temperament, which nothing could daunt, otherwise the innumerable discouraging circumstances which met him in this, his new abode, in every form, amid sickness, death, and privations of every kind, well suited to appal the stoutest hearts, would no doubt have wrought their effects upon him, to the prejudice of the whole plantation. But such was the energy and firmness of his character, aided, no doubt, by a religious enthusiasm, which induced the belief that it was the purpose of God to give them the land of the heathen as an inheritance, that neither his faith nor confidence in the ultimate success of the undertaking ever for a moment forsook him. In every crisis, this little band looked to him, as the weather-beaten and tempest-tossed mariner looks to his commander, next to God, for encouragement and support; and they did not look in vain. Such was the great mortality among them, during the first winter after their arrival, arising from exposure to the rigors of an untried climate, and their being badly fed and badly lodged, that there were scarcely found in the settlement well persons enough to nurse and console the sick. To enhance their distress, they were destitute of any regular medical assistance. In this painful dilemma a messenger was despatched by Mr. Endecott to Gov. Bradford, of the Plymouth settlement, to procure the necessary aid; and Doctor Samuel Fuller, the physician, who was a prominent member and deacon of the Plymouth Church, was sent among them. During his visit, Mr. Endecott was called by Divine Providence to suffer one of the heaviest of earthly afflictions, in the death of his wife, the partner of all his sorrows, who had forsaken home, kindred, and the sympathy of friends, and consented to share with him the cares and privations incident to a new settlement. Surrounded by savages, and from the circumstances of the case, placed in a great degree beyond the pale of civilized society, her sympathy and counsel must necessarily have been very dear to him. She must have entwined herself about his affections, as the tender ivy winds itself round the lordly oak. Her slender and delicate frame was not proof against the rigors of a New England climate. Born and nurtured in the midst of luxury and ease, she could not withstand the privations and hardships of her new home, and she fell a victim to her self-sacrificing disposition. Painful indeed must have been the parting, and severe the trial to Mr. Endecott. Under the influence of the feelings which this affliction produced, he wrote the following letter to Gov. Bradford:--

"RIGHT WORSHIPFULLE SIR,--

"It is a thing not usual that servants of one Master, and of the same household, should be strangers. I assure you I desire it not; Nay, to speak more plainly, I _cannot_ be so to _you_. God's people are all marked with one and the same mark, and have for the main one and the same heart, guided by one and the same spirit of truth; and where this is there can be no discord, nay, here must needs be a sweet harmony; and the same request with you, I make unto the Lord, that we as Christian brethren be united by an heavenly and unfeigned love, binding all our hearts and forces in furthering a work beyond our strength with reverence and fear, fastening our eyes always on Him that is only able to direct and prosper all our ways. I acknowledge myself much bound to you, for your kind love and care in sending Mr. Fuller amongst us, and rejoice much that I am by him satisfied, touching your judgment of the outward form of God's worship: It is as far as I can gather no other than is warranted by the evidence of truth, and the same which I have professed and maintained ever since the Lord in mercy revealed himself unto mee, being far from the common report that hath been spread of you in that particular; but God's people must not look for less here below, and it is a great mercy of God that he strengtheneth them to go through it. I shall not need at this time to enlarge unto you for (God willing) I propose to see your face shortly; in the mean tyme, I humbly take my leave of you, committing you to the Lord's blessing and protection, and rest.

Your assured loving friend, JO: ENDECOTT.

Naumkeag, May 11, 1629."

The foregoing epistle is alike honorable to the head and heart of Mr. Endecott. Humble, devout, and chastened feelings pervade it throughout. It speaks a mind sensibly alive to religious impressions. The sentiments here expressed cannot fail to find a response in the hearts of all reflecting men, in this and succeeding generations. The magnitude of the undertaking in which they were engaged, the necessity of union in their efforts, and the impossibility of success without direct divine assistance, are here represented in language appropriate and devout.

Whether Mr. Endecott carried into execution his design intimated in this letter, of making Gov. Bradford a visit "shortly," is uncertain. On the 27th of May, 1629, in a communication to the authorities at home, he complained that some persons in his jurisdiction disregarded the law of 1622, for the regulation of trade with the Indians, and "desiring the Company would take the same into their serious consideration, and to use some speedy means here for reformation thereof." A petition was in consequence presented to the King, who in compliance therewith issued a new proclamation, forbidding such disorderly trading. These steps were no doubt taken in reference to the associates of one Thomas Morton, whose residence at Mount Wollaston, or Merry Mount, now Quincy, he visited shortly after his arrival in this country. This man and his associates had alarmed all the well-disposed settlers, from Piscataqua to Plymouth, by selling arms and ammunition to the Indians, indulging themselves in dissipation, and otherwise endangering the peace and welfare of New England. The object of Mr. Endecott's visit was to rectify abuses among the remaining confederates, Morton himself having been already apprehended, and sent home to England for trial. He went there, we are told, in the "purefying spirit of authority," and caused their May-pole to be cut down, to which they had been in the habit of affixing pieces of satirical composition against those who opposed their wishes and practices, and "rebuked the inhabitants for their profaneness, and admonished them to look to it that they walked better." He also changed the name of the place, and called it Mount Dagon. The precise period of this visit is not known, and it is not improbable that Mr. Endecott extended his journey at the time to Plymouth Colony. However this may be, a warm friendship soon grew up between Gov. Bradford and himself, which continued without interruption for the remainder of their lives.

As yet no steps had been taken in the Colony towards the establishment of a reformed Church for propagating the gospel, which they professed above all to be their aim in settling this Plantation. June 30th, 1629, the Rev. Francis Higginson arrived at Naumkeag, and the Rev. Mr. Skelton, the early friend and spiritual father of Mr. Endecott, arrived about the same time. They had been sent over by the home government. Mr. Higginson thus speaks of his reception by Mr. Endecott: "The next morning (30th) the Governor came aboard to our ship, and bade us kindly welcome, and invited mee and my wiffe to come on shore and take our lodgings at his house; which we did accordingly." The settlement, we are told, then consisted of "about half a score of houses, with a fair house, newly built, for the Governor. We found also abundance of corne planted by them, very good and well liking. Our Governor hath a store of green pease growing in his garden, as good as ever I eat in England. * * * * Our Governor hath already planted a vineyard, with great hopes of increase; also mulberries, plums, raspberries, currants, chesnuts, filberts, walnuts, small nuts, hurtleberries, and haws of white thorn, near as good as our cherries in England--they grow in plenty here."

Shortly after the arrival of Mr. Higginson and Mr. Skelton, the necessary measures were taken preparatory to the settlement of a religious congregation in accordance with the views of the Puritans. In this they were aided by Mr. Endecott, and the most intelligent of the colonists. Having first concluded a satisfactory form of church government and discipline, which was submitted to Mr. Endecott for approval, the 6th of August, 1629, just eleven months after his arrival, was the time selected for this "little band of devout Pilgrims to enter into solemn covenant[7] with God and one another, and also for the ordaining of their ministers." By Mr. Endecott's order, a solemn day of "humiliation" had been held on the 20th of July preceding, for the choice of pastor and teacher. An important step was about to be taken--a new priesthood was about to be established--all allegiance to, or alliance with, any other church on earth was about to be dissolved! It was a subject of momentous concern with the Colonists, and called into exercise all their moral heroism and spiritual courage. Mr. Bradford, the Governor of the Plymouth Colony, came here by sea, and arrived just in season to give the right hand of fellowship. Of all that little band, gathered together on this occasion, none felt a deeper interest, or took a more responsible part, than the subject of this Memoir.[8]

We now approach an important event in the history of the Colony--the removal of its entire government to New England. Gov. Cradock, with whom the idea appears to have originated, acquainted the Proprietors, at a meeting of the Court, July 28, 1629, that, for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Plantation, and inducing and encouraging persons of worth and quality to transport themselves and their families thither, as well as for other weighty reasons, it was proposed to transfer the entire government to this country, and continue it no longer in subjection to the Company in England. Soon after this communication, an agreement to that effect was drawn up at Cambridge, and among those who signed it was their future governor, John Winthrop. It was one of the stipulations that they should settle their affairs so as to be ready for the voyage hither by the first of March. This appears to have been the first connection Mr. Winthrop had with the settlement of this soil. On the 29th of August following, at a meeting of the Court of Proprietors, in London, this change in the government was decided upon. On the 16th of October, at another meeting of the Court, it was conceived "fitt that Capt. Endecott continue the government there, unless just cause to the contrarie." But on the 20th of the same month, Gov. Cradock informed the Proprietors that in accordance with the alteration of the government now about to take place, it was necessary to elect a new Governor, Deputy, and Assistants; when John Winthrop was put in nomination, and unanimously chosen Governor. In like manner, John Humphrey was chosen "Deputy-Governor," and Sir Richard Saltonstall, Matthew Cradock, John Endecott, with fifteen others, were chosen a board of "Assistants."

On the 12th of June, 1630, the ship Arbella, Capt. Milburne, having on board Gov. Winthrop and company, and a duplicate Charter of the Colony, of the same tenor and form as Gov. Endecott's, arrived at Naumkeag, having sailed from Cowes March 29. Mr. Endecott, who had already been apprized that he was shortly to be superseded in the Governorship of the Plantation, repaired on board to welcome the new Governor, and offer him and his friends the hospitalities of his house. Among the distinguished personages were Isaac Johnson and his wife, the Lady Arbella, daughter of the Earl of Lincoln. Speaking of Mr. Endecott's visit, Gov. Winthrop says, "Wee that were of the Assistants and some other gentlemen and some of the women, returned with him to Nahumkeck, where we supped on good venison pastry and good beer." At the time of the arrival of the new Governor, wholesome and salutary laws for the government of the Colony had been instituted by Endecott, under the authority given him by the Charter, and the settlement had already assumed the condition of a well-organized and regulated body politic. A church, with faithful ministers, which they professed to value above all temporal interests and earthly grandeur, had also been established, and the wheels of government were moving on harmoniously, upon a safe and sure foundation. Under this state of things, Endecott now surrendered the civil power into the hands of Gov. Winthrop, and took upon himself the more humble appointment of one of the Assistants. Yet "the principles of Winthrop's administration," says the Annalist of Salem, "were like those which had directed the course of his predecessor. The commencement of legislation, which was to have an important part in promoting social freedom, that has spread and is spreading in the world, _began_ at Naumkeag, under Endecott, and was _continued_ by his worthy successor."

Soon after the arrival of Gov. Winthrop, the new settlers began to be dissatisfied with Salem, as the capital of the Colony. It did not combine, in their opinion, sufficient advantages of location, soil, and natural means of defence. A party, therefore, was sent to explore the country westward, to discover, if possible, some more suitable situation. It had been the darling object with Endecott to make Salem the seat of government; he, however, bowed in submission, and continued his efforts to advance the common weal.

On the 18th of August, 1630, Gov. Endecott entered into a new matrimonial alliance with Elisabeth Gibson of Cambridge, England. This lady probably came over in the ship with Gov. Winthrop, and the marriage ceremony was performed by him and the Rev. Mr. Wilson, afterwards pastor of the first church in Boston. This connection appears to have been a happy one, although there was a much greater disparity in their ages than prudence and judgment would seem to allow--the difference being about twenty-six years.

Such was his ardent and growing attachment to the place of his adoption, that when it was decided in December, 1630, to fortify Newton, now Cambridge, for the seat of government, and to build houses, and move their military stores to that place next spring, he could not be prevailed upon to quit his accustomed residence. All the members, except himself and Mr. Sharp, who was about returning to England, agreed to do so; but Mr. Endecott excused himself upon the ground that he had so formed his connections in Salem, that it would be attended with great inconvenience.

On the 3rd of July, 1632, the Court of Assistants granted Mr. Endecott three hundred acres of land, called by the Indians in English, "Birchwood," afterwards known as his "Orchard Farm." It was situated between two and three miles in a northerly direction from the main settlement at Salem, upon a tongue of land bounded on the north, south, and east by rivers, or more properly inlets of the sea, and on the west by the main land. Even at that early period, it was one of the most desirable situations in that vicinity. Though at some distance from the place which was afterwards selected for the seat of the government, and where the Court House was erected, yet he was in the centre of the population, being by land nearer to the shores than he was to the cultivated farms around him. It was many years after he established himself at this beautiful place, so near all the streams which passed through the adjacent country, before any incorporation separated Salem from the Merrimack. For twenty years Salem bounded on Andover. The spot then was the best he could have chosen. On a commanding eminence, which overlooked the country for some distance around, and about one eighth of a mile from one of the inlets, he built his house, and commenced in earnest the cultivation of his farm. Although the ploughshare has frequently passed over it, yet part of the cellar of this house is plainly discernible at the present day. It is a romantic situation, and denotes him to have been a man of much discrimination and taste in matters of this kind. On his farm he lived in a sort of feudal style, surrounded by his servants.

In front of his mansion house, and immediately upon the southern slope of a gentle declivity, he planted his far-famed orchard, which gave the name to his farm. The tradition that the Governor always pointed out his dial, which bears the date of 1630, as denoting the age of his orchard, seems to indicate that the trees were removed hither from his town residence. Here, too, it is said, he introduced, for medicinal purposes, as well as ornament to his garden, the "white-weed," which has since become so detrimental to the hay-fields of our farmers.

His usual mode of transporting himself and family to and from this place, was at first by water, and he was as often visited by his friends in this way, as in any other. The inlet before the mansion house had nothing to interrupt it--the passage was open to the bay, and at that early period must have been delightfully romantic. The shores on either side thickly clothed with wood, whose dark images were reflected in the still waters beneath them, were picturesque in the extreme. The bold jutting headlands, on some parts of the passage, lent a sublimity to the prospect, which was continually varying by the winding and circuitous course of the stream.[9] There was nothing to break the stillness, or disturb the quiet which reigned around, save the dashings of their own little boat amid the waters, or the heavy plunge of some lordly sea-bird, in his gyratory wanderings in pursuit of prey. The smoke from the humble and solitary wigwams of the Indians, thinly scattered along the margin of the waters, with an occasional glimpse at their tawny inhabitants, as they stealthily watched the passing boat from their leafy hiding-places, or listlessly reclined under the shadow of some wide-spreading oak, heightened the effect, and diversified the scene. Within the last half-century, the ruins of some of these wigwams might have been seen,[10] and could not have failed to excite most melancholy reflections respecting the wretched fate of these natural lords of the soil, throughout our vast country.

August 2, 1634, Mr. Endecott was called to mourn the death of his early and particular friend, the Rev. Mr. Skelton, who had become endeared to him as his spiritual guide, in first opening to his view the way of truth while in England, and who had followed him to this country to counsel and direct him in paths of piety and happiness. This event must have been to him a severe affliction.

About this time a Military Board of Commissioners, with almost unlimited powers, was established by the General Court, and Mr. Endecott was appointed one of its members.

On the 18th of September, this same year, the Colony was thrown into consternation, and alarmed for its liberties, by the news from England, that a commission had been granted to two Archbishops, and ten others of the Council, conferring on them the authority to regulate the Plantations of New England; to establish and maintain the Episcopal Church in this country; to recall its Charter; remove its Governors; make its laws; hear and decide its legal cases; and appoint its punishments, even death itself.[11] Intelligence was also received at the same time, that a new Governor was being secretly conveyed to Massachusetts, with orders which, if executed, would prostrate all its civil and ecclesiastical rights. Gov. Cradock had already informed them that the King's Council had demanded their Charter. Such was the universal anxiety this news awakened, that the idea of resistance appears immediately to have possessed the minds of the inhabitants,[12] and the fortifications were hastened forward, and an assessment laid of an additional rate of five hundred pounds for defence. These tidings were received with indignant feelings by Mr. Endecott. He saw by this step that all their dear-bought privileges, purchased at such immense sacrifices, which none could better appreciate than himself, were about to be violently, as with a ruthless despotism, wrested from them. His independent spirit could not quietly brook such high-handed infringements upon their chartered rights, and he resolved in all the affairs of the Colony, in which he had any share or influence, to pursue that course which he deemed most for her interests, whether it led him over plains or mountains, through flowers or thorns. There was exhibited in his actions, on all occasions, a fortitude, which shows him formed for great emergencies. Probably under the influence of feelings produced by this intelligence, and excited by that ardent zeal which marked his character through life, he shortly after cut the red cross from the King's colors, deeming it a relic of Popish idolatry. This bold and daring act was considered an insult, as well to the established Church of England, as to the King himself; and the Colony dared not refrain from taking cognizance of it, lest it should call down upon their heads the vengeance of the whole British hierarchy. There is ample evidence in the records of the Colony, that most of the principal men, including Governor Winthrop,[13] agreed with him on this subject, in sentiment and feeling. "The only difference between him and others was, he manifested his opinions by his acts, while they, with more prudence and safety, retained theirs in secret." Had it not been for fear of the consequences, instead of being censured, his conduct would have been openly applauded. His boldness of action was made known in England, and looked upon there in the light of rebellion. It was the first blow struck in defiance of royal authority, and would no doubt have cost Mr. Endecott his life, had it not been for those troubles which were then beginning to gather thickly, like a tempest, about the devoted head of the unfortunate Charles I., and which eventually burst upon it with a fury which nothing could resist, involving in its course the ruin of his government, and the destruction of his own life. The sword, with which this rebellious act is said to have been performed by Mr. Endecott, has been preserved, and is now in possession of one of the family, to whom it has descended in direct line, by right of primogeniture. It is a plain, unornamented rapier, emblematical of the Puritan simplicity of our Forefathers.

While these events were passing in this country, the Puritans in England were experiencing the most unmitigated persecution, at the hand of Archbishop Laud and his confederates. As their numbers increased, the various modes of punishment were multiplied; exorbitant fines were imposed; the pillory witnessed bloody scenes of human agony and mutilation; the scaffold and dungeon had their victims; the lash, the shears, and the glowing iron were most cruelly applied to individuals of this proscribed sect.[14] But the faith of the Puritans rose superior to oppression, and could not be overcome. The most bloody persecution served only to add new converts to their cause.

In 1636, Mr. Endecott was appointed an Assistant, and was also sent on an expedition against the Indians on Block Island and in the Pequot country, he acting as General of all the forces in the detachment. During this year his views relative to the cross in the King's colors triumphed over all considerations, and the Military Commissioners ordered it to be left out. On the ensigns at Castle Island, in Boston harbor, they substituted the King's arms for the cross.