Chapter 6 of 14 · 3962 words · ~20 min read

Part 6

In 1617, Mr. Robinson and his church began to think of emigrating to America; and, as a preparatory step, sent Mr. Robert Cushman and Mr. John Carver from Leyden over to England, to treat with the Virginia Company, and also to see if the King would grant them the liberty of conscience there, which was refused them in the land of their birth. Although the agents were not able to obtain from the King their suit for liberty in religion under the broad seal, as was desired, nevertheless, they prevailed so far as to gain the connivance of the King that he would not molest them, provided they carried themselves peaceably. In 1618, the agents returned to Leyden, to the great discouragement of the people who sent them; who, notwithstanding, resolved, in 1619, to send again two agents to agree with the Virginia Company; and at this time they sent Mr. Cushman a second time, and with him Mr. William Bradford, who, after long attendance, obtained the patent granted by the Company to Mr. John Wincob, which was never used.

Notwithstanding all these troubles, so strong was their resolution to quit Leyden and settle in America, that they entered into an arrangement with Mr. Thomas Weston, a merchant of London, for their transportation, and sent Mr. Carver and Mr. Cushman to England, to receive the money of Mr. Weston, to assist in their transportation, and to provide for the voyage. By direction, Mr. Cushman went to London and Mr. Carver to Southampton, where they finally joined with Mr. William Martin, who had been chosen to assist them.

A vessel of sixty tons, called the Speedwell, was bought and fitted in Holland, to be used in their transportation, and was designed to be kept for use in their new country. Mr. Cushman, in June, 1620, also hired at London the renowned May Flower, a vessel of ninescore tons, and also Mr. Clarke, the pilot.

Mr. Cushman, having procured the May Flower at London, and fitted it for the voyage, proceeded in it to Southampton, where he and Captain Jones, together with the other agents, remained seven days, until the arrival of the Pilgrims who left Leyden in July, embarking from Delft Haven.

On the 5th of August, both vessels, the May Flower, Capt. Jones, and the Speedwell, Capt. Reinolds, set sail from Southampton. The small vessel proving leaky, they both put in to Dartmouth about the 13th of August, where they remained till the 21st, when they set sail again. Both vessels were obliged to return a second time on account of the leakage of the Speedwell; and this time they put back to Plymouth, where they gave up the small vessel and dismissed those who were willing to return to London, Mr. Cushman and his family returning with them.

On the 6th of September, their number then consisting of one hundred persons, they made their final start, and arrived at Cape Cod on the eleventh day of November, when they signed the famous compact, and landed at Plymouth, in America, on the eleventh day of December, Old Style, or on the _twenty-first_ of December, _New Style_, in the year 1620.

During their passage, one only died, William Butten, a young man, servant to Mr. Samuel Fuller, the physician of the new colony, who was included in Mr. Fuller's family, according to Governor Bradford, although dead at the time of the signing of the compact.

One person was born during the passage, Oceanus Hopkins, a son of Mr. Stephen Hopkins, who did not survive long after the landing.

At the commencement of the voyage, the number of passengers of the May Flower was one hundred, and at the time of the arrival at Cape Cod Harbor it was the same; one having died, and one having been born, thus preserving the integrity of the number. Both of these persons, however, are numbered among the passengers, and hence the number is generally stated as one hundred and one.

Peregrine White, son of Mr. William White, was born in Cape Cod Harbor, in November, after the signing of the compact and before the landing, and is not included with the voyagers. He enjoyed the distinction of being the first born white child in New England, of the Leyden Pilgrims.

The first child born after the landing on the twenty-second day of December, 1620, was a son of Mr. Isaac Allerton, but it did not survive its birth.

The May Flower has already been stated to have been a vessel of about ninescore tons, and was procured at London by Mr. Robert Cushman, who was debarred the privilege of coming over with the infant colonists, as it was necessary that he should remain in England, to keep together those who were left behind, and to provide for their future emigration, as he had done for that of those of the first passage. This he did by procuring the Fortune, and sailing from London in July, 1621, and arriving in New England on the 9th of November of the same year. It is also highly probable that he obtained the other early vessels, as he continued to be the agent of the Pilgrims till his death, which occurred in England, just as he was ready to come to spend the rest of his days in New England. In 1624, when the first division of land for continuance took place, Mr. Cushman, although in England, was placed at the head of the list of those who came in the May Flower; an act of justice alike creditable to our forefathers and honorable to him.

The May Flower not only brought over the first of the Leyden Pilgrims, but also, in the year 1629, with four other vessels, transported Mr. Higginson and his company to Salem; and in 1630, was one of the fleet which conveyed to New England Mr. Winthrop and the early settlers of the Massachusetts Colony.

A vessel bearing this name was owned in England about fifteen years or more before the voyage of our forefathers; but it would be impossible to prove or disprove its identity with the renowned May Flower, however great such a probability might be. It is known, nevertheless, that this identical famous vessel afterwards hailed from various English ports, such as London, Yarmouth, and Southampton, and that it was much used in transporting emigrants to this country. What eventually became of it, and what was the end of its career, are equally unknown to history.

The following list of passengers is made up from various sources. By referring to the list of those who signed the compact at Cape Cod, taken from Governor Bradford's folio manuscript, we know who signed the compact, and the number of persons in the family of each; who of the signers brought wives, and who died the first winter. By the pocket-book of Governor Bradford we know the names and dates of the deaths of sixteen who died the first season, and how many died before the arrival of the Fortune, on the 9th of November, 1621. By an examination of the Old Colony Records, we know to whom land was assigned in 1624, and what families were extinct at that time; and, as the families were arranged according to the vessel in which they came, and an acre was granted to each individual, we know how many were at that time in each family. Smith has also told us that none of the first planters died during the three years preceding the close of the year 1624. By the division of cattle, in the year 1627, a record of which was made at Plymouth, we know every individual who was living at that date, and the relative age of each person in every family. By wills, records, and gravestones, we know the ages of many of the Pilgrims and their children.

From such materials, and with such authorities, the following table has been constructed; and it is believed, that, although there is a possibility of the existence of small errors which can never be proved, the list is entirely or very nearly correct.

In order to save space and unnecessary printing, and to exhibit more readily for reference some of the most important facts, the following distinctive marks are made use of.

Those who signed the compact at Cape Cod, on the 11th of November, 1620, are in capitals.

The number in each family is indicated by the Arabic numeral.

Those who brought their wives have this mark, †.

Those who left them for a time in Holland or England are thus distinguished, ‡.

Those who died before the arrival of the Fortune on the 9th of November, 1621, have an asterisk, *.

Those who died before the division of cattle in 1627, are in italics.

The dates of those who died the first season are given as taken from Bradford's pocket-book.

_JOHN CARVER_, died in April, 1621. †* _Mrs. Carver_, (his wife,) died in May, 1621. * Elizabeth Carver, daughter of Mr. Carver and also wife of John Howland. _Jasper_, (the boy of Mr. Carver,) died Dec. 6, 1620. * John Howland. _Three others of this family died before 1627._ * 8

WILLIAM BRADFORD. † _Mrs. Dorothy Bradford_, (his wife,) drowned Dec. 7, 1620. * 2

EDWARD WINSLOW. † _Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow_, (his wife,) died March 24, 1620-1. * Edward Winslow, Jr., son of Edward. John Winslow, son of Edward. 5

GEORGE SOULE. 1

WILLIAM BREWSTER. † _Mrs. Brewster_, (his wife.) Love Brewster, son of William. Wrestling Brewster, son of William. Mrs. Lucretia Brewster, wife of Jonathan, the oldest son of Elder Brewster. William Brewster, son of Jonathan. 6

ISAAC ALLERTON. † _Mrs. Mary Allerton_, (his wife,) died Feb. 25, 1620-1. * Bartholomew Allerton, son of Isaac. Remember Allerton, daughter of Isaac. Mary Allerton, daughter of Isaac, and also wife of Elder Thomas Cushman. Sarah Allerton, daughter of Isaac, and also wife of Moses Maverick. 6

MILES STANDISH. † _Mrs. Rose Standish_, (his wife,) died Jan. 29, 1620-1. * 2

JOHN ALDEN. 1

SAMUEL FULLER. ‡ _William Butten_, (his servant,) died Nov. 6, 1620. * 2

_CHRISTOPHER MARTIN_, died Jan. 8, 1620-1. †* _Mrs. Martin_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * _Solomon Martin_, son of Christopher, died Dec. 24, 1620. * _One other of this family died the first winter._ * 4

_WILLIAM MULLINS_, died Feb. 21, 1620-1. †* _Mrs. Mullins_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * Priscilla Mullins, daughter of William, and also wife of John Alden. _Two others of this family died the first winter._ * 5

_WILLIAM WHITE_, died Feb. 21, 1620-1. †* Mrs. Susanna White, (his wife,) afterwards wife of Governor Winslow. Resolved White, son of William. _William White, Jr._, son of William. _Edward Thompson_, died Dec. 4, 1620. * 5

RICHARD WARREN. ‡ 1

STEPHEN HOPKINS. †* Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins, (his wife.) Constance Hopkins, daughter of Stephen and also wife of Nicholas Snow. Giles Hopkins, son of Stephen. Caleb Hopkins, son of Stephen. _Oceanus Hopkins_, son of Stephen, born at sea. *

EDWARD DOTEY.

_EDWARD LEISTER._ 8

_EDWARD TILLEY_, died the first winter. †* _Mrs. Tilley_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * _Two others of this family died the first winter._ * 4

_JOHN TILLEY_, died the first winter. †* _Mrs. Tilley_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * _One other of this family died the first winter._ * 3

FRANCIS COOKE. ‡ John Cooke, (called the younger,) son of Francis. 2

_THOMAS ROGERS_, died the first winter. * Joseph Rogers, son of Thomas. 2

_THOMAS TINKER_, died the first winter. †* _Mrs. Tinker_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * _One more of this family died the first winter._ * 3

_JOHN RIDGDALE_, died the first winter. †* _Mrs. Ridgdale_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * 2

_EDWARD FULLER_, died the first winter. †* _Mrs. Fuller_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * Samuel Fuller, (called the younger,) son of Edward. 3

_JOHN TURNER_, died the first winter. * _Two others of this family died the first winter._ * 3

FRANCIS EATON. † _Mrs. Eaton_, (his wife,) died before 1627. Samuel Eaton, son of Francis. 3

_JAMES CHILTON_, died Dec. 8, 1620. †* _Mrs. Chilton_, (his wife,) died the first winter. * Mary Chilton, daughter of James and also wife of John Winslow, the brother of Edward. 3

_JOHN CRACKSTON_, died the first winter. * John Crackston, Jr., son of John. 2

JOHN BILLINGTON. † Mrs. Helen Billington, (his wife.) Francis Billington, son of John. John Billington, Jr., son of John. 4

_MOSES FLETCHER_, died the first winter. * 1

_JOHN GOODMAN._ 1

_DEGORY PRIEST_, died Jan. 1, 1620-1. * 1

_THOMAS WILLIAMS_, died the first winter. * 1

GILBERT WINSLOW, brother of Edward. 1

_EDWARD MARGESON_, died the first winter. * 1

PETER BROWN. 1

_RICHARD BRITTERIGE_, died Dec. 21, 1620. * 1

_RICHARD CLARKE_, died the first winter. * 1

RICHARD GARDINER. 1

_JOHN ALLERTON_, (seaman,) died the first winter. * 1

_THOMAS ENGLISH_, (seaman,) died the first winter. * 1 --- Total, 101

The number of deaths of the first planters that occurred from the time the May Flower left England, to the year 1625, may be thus enumerated:--

In November, 1620, 1

In December, " 6

In January, 1620-1, 8

In February, " 17

In March, " 13

In April, 1621, 1

In May, " 1

From April 6 to November 9, 1621, 4

From November 9, 1621, to 1625, 0 -- Total, 51

Of these were,-- Signers to the Compact, 21 Wives of the signers, 13 Known members of the families, viz: William Butten, Edward Thompson, Jasper, the boy, Solomon Martin, and Oceanus Hopkins. 5 Unknown members of the following families, viz: Of Carver's, 3 Of Martin's, 1 Of Mullins's, 2 Of Edward Tilley's, 2 Of John Tilley's, 1 Of Tinker's, 1 Of Turner's, 2 12 -- Total, 51

In the division of land in 1624, Henry Samson and Humilitie Cooper had land assigned them among those who came in the May Flower, and for this reason they have been generally believed to have been among the passengers of that vessel. If such is the case they can be placed in the family of Mr. Carver better than that of any other. But, as Mr. Cushman is also placed on that list, it may be reasonably inferred that others were put there for some other reasons, as perhaps Samson and Cooper, who are therefore excluded in this account.

John Goodman is marked in Bradford's manuscript as among those who died the first season. But as his name occurs among those who had garden lots in 1620, and also in the division of land in 1623, it must be inferred that he was marked by mistake, or else Mr. Prince committed an error in taking his copy for the Annals.

Three of the wives of the signers were left in Europe; namely, Bridgett, the wife of Dr. Samuel Fuller, Hester, the wife of Francis Cooke, and Elizabeth, the wife of Richard Warren. These afterwards came over in the Ann, in 1623.

Five lost their wives and married again; namely, William Bradford, who married widow Alice Southworth; Edward Winslow, who married widow Susanna White; Isaac Allerton, who married Fear Brewster, and afterwards, Joanna ----; Miles Standish, who married Barbara ----; and Francis Eaton, who married Christian Penn.

Others were married for the first time; namely, John Howland and Elizabeth Carver; George Soule and Mary; Love Brewster and Sarah Collier; John Alden and Priscilla Mullins; Resolved White and Judith Vassal; Giles Hopkins and Catherine Wheldon; Edward Dotey and Faith Clarke; John Cooke and Sarah Warren; Samuel Eaton and Martha Billington.

Several of the Pilgrims had children born in New England, an account of whom may form another article at some future time.

MAJOR PENDLETON'S LETTER.

Copy of a letter from Major Brian Pendleton to the "Honored Governor and Counsell for the Matacusets at Boston," occasioned by the attack of the Indians on Casco, Me.

"Honored Governor together with the Counsell,

I am sorry my pen must be the messenger of soe greate a Tragedye. On the 11th of this instant wee heard of many killed of our naybors in falmouth or Casco-Bay: and on the 12th instant Mr. Joslin sent me a briefe letter written from under the hands of Mr. Burras[24] the minister. Hee gives an acct of 32 killed and carried away by the Indians: himselfe escaped to an Island, but I hope Black poynt men have fetched him of by this time. 10 men 6 women and 16 children. Anthony a[n]d Thomas B[r]a[c]ket and Mr. Munjoy his sonne onely are named. I had not time to coppye the letter, persons beinge to goe post to Major Walden; but I hope he hath before this sent the originall to you. How soon it will be our portion wee know not. The Lord in mercy fit us for death and direct the harts and hands to ackt and doe wt is most needfull in such a time of distress as this. Thus in haste I commit you to Pvdounce of our Lord God and desire Your prayers also for us. Yours in all humility to sarve in

"Winter Harbor at night } the Lord, the 13 of August, 1676." } BRIAN PENDLETON."

FOOTNOTES:

[24] Rev. George Burroughs.

CAPT. MILES STANDISH'S INVENTORY OF BOOKS.

The following books are mentioned in the Inventory of the goods of Capt. Miles Standish, as they were shewn to the Appraisers, John Alden and James Cudworth, Dec. 2, 1656. The account is here given as found in the Inventory.

_£_ _s._ _d._ The History of the World and the Turkish History 01 10 00 A Chronical of England and the Country Farmer 00 08 00 Yᵉ History of Queen Elizabeth. the State of Europe 01 10 00 Doctor Hall's workes. Calvin's Institutions 01 04 00 Wilcocke's Workes and Mayors 01 00 00 Rogers Seaven Treatises and the French Akademy 00 12 00 3 old Bibles 00 14 00 Cesers Comentarys. Bariffe's Artillery 00 10 00 Prestons Sermons. Burroughes Christian Contentment, } Gospell Conversation } 01 04 00 Passions of the mind. The Phisitions practice } Burroughs Earthly mindedness. Burroughs discoveries } Ball on Faith--Brinly Watch, Dod on the Lord's supper } Sparks against heresie--Davenports Apology } 00 10 00 A reply to Dr. Cotton on Baptisme--the Garman History--The } Sweden Intelligencer--Reason discused } 00 10 00 1 Testament--1 Psalme Booke--nature and grace in conflict } A law Booke--The meane in Mourning Allegations Johnson } 00 06 00 against hearing } A parcel of old Bookes upon diverse subjects in 4to 00 14 00 Another parcel in Octavo 00 05 00 Wilsons Dixonary. Homer's Illiad, a Commentarie on James } Ball's Catechesme } 00 12 00

NOTICES OF THE COURTS OF JUDICATURE AND OF THE BAR OF THE COUNTY OF MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

BY STEPHEN COLBY BADGER, ESQ., OF CONCORD.[25]

The History of the Courts in New Hampshire, including an account of the various systems of Judicature from time to time, has been published in an article contained in the American Quarterly Register, Vol. XII., prepared by Francis Cogswell, Esq., of Dover, and in Articles contained in the New Hampshire Repository, Vols. I. and II., prepared by William Butterfield, Esq., of Gilmanton, Hon. Samuel D. Bell of Manchester, and the Hon. John Kelly of Exeter, N. H. Nothing further need be said on this subject.

The County of Merrimack, by an act of the Legislature, passed in 1823, was formed from the Counties of Hillsborough and Rockingham, with the exception of a part of the town of Franklin, which was taken from Sanbornton, then in Stratford County, now in the County of Belknap. It contains twenty-four towns.

The Counties of Hillsborough and Merrimack compose the Second Judicial District for the transaction of business of the Superior Court, and Courts are held annually at Concord on the second Tuesday of July, and at Amherst on the second Tuesday of December.

The following list of Judges, County Officers and Members of the Bar, include those who resided within the limits of the County of Merrimack before its formation, and also those who have resided within the County since it was formed.

JUDGES OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE.

Column Headings:

A: _Name._ B: _Residence._ C: _Place of Birth._ D: _Com._ E: _End._ F: _General Remarks._

JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

JUSTICE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, FIRST DISTRICT.

JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF SESSIONS.