Rehoboth Town (part 1 of 6)

Rehoboth Town

Thomas Cooper. "At the same meeting the town gave permission to these men chosen to call a town-meeting so often as need shall require." " The 10th mo. [December], 1C50, the county rate was agreed on."

At the same meeting it was voted " to have a convenient way, four rods wide (to be made by Edward Smith), to be for the town's use, or any that shall have occasion to pass from town to Providence, or to Mr. Blackstone's."

"The 15th day of the 1st mo. [March], 1651, at a towne meeting, it was agreed on that Peter Hunt should accompany Mr. Browne to Plymouth to make agreement about the Indian complaints."

" The 19th day of the 3d mo. [Miyv], 1651, chosen deputies Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen, for the Court at Plymouth ; Walter Palmer and Peter Hunt to be grand jurymen. Surveyors for the highways, William Smith and John Read." " The 18th of October, 1651, these were chosen townsmen, viz. : " Mr. Browne. Thomas Cooper.

Peter Hunt. "At the same time Peter Hunt was chosen Town Clerk." "At a town-meeting lawfully warned, the 12th of December, in the year 1653, voted that the price of corn should be 5s. ; wheat, 5s. ; rye, 4s. ; and Indian corn, 3s. (provided that the corn be current and merchantable corn)." " At the same time those men were chosen to be townsmen, viz. : "Mr. Brown. Thomas Cooper. William Smith.

Richard Bowen. "The Kith of the 11th mo. [January], 1623. Voted that the Indians that kill any wolves are to be paid out of the rate by the constable."

" June the 26th, 1655. At a town-meeting it was agreed upon that Mr. Newman, our teacher, should have fifty pounds a year; and those seven men whose names are hereto appended were chosen committees for the levying of a rate according to person and estate for the raising of said maintenance:

Stephen Payne. Feb. 22, 1658. " The following persons are accepted as freemen of the town, to take up their freedom, namely: Joseph Peck, John Peck, Henry Smith, Robert Fuller, John Fitch. Stephen Paine, Jonathan Bliss, William Buckland, Rice Leonard."

June 22, 1658. " At a town-meeting lawfully warned, lots were drawn fol the meadows that lie on the north side of the town, in order as followeth, according to person and estate:

30th of March, 1668, Philip, who had succeeded his brother Alexander as sachem of the Wampanoags or Pokanokets, as they are sometimes called, confirmed to the town the purchase of the " eight miles square" made of Massasoit, or Ossamequin, his father, in 1641, and relinquished all claim and title to the same by giving the town a quit-claim warrantee deed.

The following is a list of the names of the inhabitants and proprietors of the Towne of Rehoboth having Rights and Titles to the Measuages, Tenements and Lands contained in the quit-claim deed of William Bradford to the town of Rehoboth, which hath been reade and allowed in a full Towne Meeting, ffebruary the 7th, 1689: Mr. Samuel Angier, Decon Thomas Cooper, Joseph Peck, sen'r, John ffitch, John Woodcock, sen'r, Serj. Thomas Reade, George Ken ri eke, Nichollas Ide, sen'r, George Robinson, sen'r, Robert Wheaton, Richard Martin, John Peren, Jonathan ffuller, sen'r, Enoch Hunt, John Hunt, Ephrahim Hunt, Rice Leonard, Sam'l. Butterworth, Philip Walker, ffrancis Stevens, sen'r, John Ormsby, Nathaniel Chaffee, Samuel Sabin, Serj. Preserved Able, Daniell Reade, Israll Reade, James Sabin, John Sabin, Noah Sabin, The Hieres of Thomas Kenrick, Samuel Robinson, Mosses Reade, Mr. Christopher Sanders, Jonah Palmer, sen'r, Samuell Palmer, Noah Mason, Samuell Mason, Nicholas Ide, jun'r, Sam'l Millerd, sen'r, Sam'l Millerd, jr., Johe Hall, John Redway, Sam'l Carpenter, John Tittus, Samuell Tittus, Joseph Tittus, John Carpenter, Thomas Grant, John Willmath, Samuel Blise, Jonathan Blise, Joseph Buckland, Samuell Paine, Joseph Browne, William Carpenter, jr., Isack Allen, Thomas Willmath, jr., John Woodcock, jun'r, Iserall Woodcock, Thomas Woodcock, Jonathan Woodcock, Samuel Newman, jr., John Kinsley, Timothy Ide, Jonathan ffuller, jun., Jeremiah Wheaton, John Shawe, Joseph Sabine, Richard Whiteaker, Samuel Bullock, Thomas Ormsby, Thomas Man, Robert Millerd, sen'r, Mr. Henry Sweeting, Jathniell Peck, Joshua Smith, John Smith, Richard Evens, James Thurber, Sam'l Bowen, Jonathan Willmatli, John ffrench, Joseph Borsworth, Joseph Peck, jun'r, Hezekiah Pecke, Richard Bowen, Thomas Bowen, sen'r, John Marten, Jonah Palmer, jun'r, Samuel Cooper, Nathaniell Perry, John Daggett,

Orphans. - Thomas Cooper and Nathaniell Cooper, sons of Nath. Cooper, The Heires of Benjamin Buckland, Samuell ffuller, The Heires of Eldad Kinsley, Jonathan Carpenter, David Carpenter, Sollomon Carpenter, Zacheriah Carpenter, Abraham Carpenter, The Heires of Robert Joanes, Daniell Sabin, son of Nehemiah Sabin, John ffuller, Abiall ffirller, Benjamin Paine, George Robinson, Jr., Isake Mason, Thomas Bowen.

Chapter Xxxiv.1

Rehoboth in the War - Garrison-Houses - Burning of the Town - Pierce's Fight - Philip Slain at Mount Hope - Capture of Anuawan - Annawan's Rock - Col. Benjamin Church - His Account of Anuawan's Capture.

Indian War. - In 1675 commenced the bloody and destructive Indian war known by the name of " Philip's war." Of the miseries of this war Rehoboth, from its proximity to Mount Hope, the residence of Philip, or Pometacom, the prime mover of the war, was destined to suffer its full share. The first blood was spilled within the original jurisdiction of Rehoboth, and the last of Philip's generals, the stern and intrepid old warrior and counselor Annawan, was captured within the present limits of the same town. During this war, which lasted nearly two years, the inhabitants of Rehoboth were kept in almost constant alarm ; a number of them were at different times slain, and the whole town, the garrison-houses excepted, was at one time laid in ashes. This town was also the scene of Pierce's fight, one of the most disastrous battles to the English that occurred during the whole war.

The " three houses" into which " the inhabitants of both towns" (Rehoboth and Swansea) were gathered, and where they rendezvoused during the war, were called garrison-houses. They were fortified and continually guarded in time of danger, and were some-

2 See Chapter II., where will be found the Indian history of the county. AIbo, see history of Attleborough for Indian history of this section.

times so strong as to enable a few men to sustain a long siege against a large body of savages. The three principal garrison-houses maintained in Rehoboth and Swansea during Philip's war, and which were probably meant by the writer last quoted, were one in Rehoboth North Purchase (now Attleborough), called " Woodcock's Garrison," another on the south end of Seekonk Plain (now Seekonk Common), and the third near Miles' Bridge, in the northern part of Swansea ; this last was called " Miles' Garrison," from the Rev. John Miles, the minister of Swansea, whose house was garrisoned. It stood a short distance west of Miles' Bridge,3 probably near the site of the tavern of Mason Barney, Esq.4 Woodcock's Garrison was named from John Woodcock, who built the house and occupied it before the war and after it during his life for a public tavern. The following is the record of the license granted him for this purpose by the court of Plymouth : " July 5, 1670. John Woodcock is allowed by the Court to keep an Ordinary at the ten-mile river (so called), which is in the way from Rehoboth to the Bay ; and likewise eDj'oined to keep good order, that no unruliness nor ribaldry be permitted there." (Plymouth Colony Record.)

Several other houses were occupied temporarily as garrisons, but the three described were the strongest, and were always resorted to in times of the greatest danger.

Church mentions a Maj. Brown's Garrison, where a part of the Plymouth forces on their arrival at Swansea were posted. Where this garrison stood it is impossible now to determine, though I have the impression, from the fact that Mr. Brown's father owned land very largely at Wannamoiset, which had now descended to his son, that it was in the same part of Swansea with Miles' Garrison.

Mr. Baylies, in his " Memoir of Plymouth Colony," vol. ii., pt. 3, p. 33, mentions a garrison at the house of one Bourn, at Mattapoisett, twelve miles distant from Swansea. Though in this he follows Hubbard (133), yet this distance, " twelve miles," is undoubtedly an error. Hubbard in another place calls Mattapoisett " a small neck of land in the bottom of Taunton Bay, in the midway between Mount Hope and Pocasset Neck," and mentions it as being twelve miles from Rehoboth? This would make the distance be-

4 In the year 1833, in digging or enlarging a cellar on this spot, a large number of cannon-balls were dug out of the ground, which leads me to suppose that this was the site of the garrison. It is not mentioned by any historian that cannon were used by the English at Swansea at the time of Philip's war. But I know of no other purpose for which these balls could have been deposited there. The place where they were found I conjecture to have been the spot of Mr. Miles' cellar.

Rehoboth

tween Miles' Garrison and Mattapoisett six miles, the former being six miles distant from Rehoboth, and in the direction of the latter. Mattapoisett Neck is the same as is now called Gardner's Neck, in Swansea, which runs into Mount Hope Bay, early called Taunton Bay.

March the 28th, 1676, two days after Pierce's fight,1 a party of the Indians, crossing the river, laid the town in ashes, burning forty houses and thirty barns.2 These houses were around the " Ring of the Town," now called " Seekonk Common." Only two houses were left standing, the garrison house, which stood on the spot where the house of Phanuel Bishop now stands, and another house on the south end of the common, which was preserved by black sticks having been arranged around it, so as to give it at a distance the appearance of being strongly guarded. The houses were set on fire, as tradition informs us, early in the evening, and when the sun arose the next morning it beheld only a line of smoking ruins.

The town records give the name of only one person slain by the Indians at this time : " Robert Beers, slain ye 28 March, 1676." He was an Irishman, and a brick-maker by trade. It is said that he was a religious but eccentric and superstitious man, and that on the approach of the Indians he refused to go into the garrison house, but sat down in his own house with his Bible in his hand, believing that while he continued reading it nothing could harm him. He was shot through the window, and fell with his Bible in his hand.

The following mention of the burning of the town by the Indians on the 28th of March is made in a letter written at that time by the council of war at Plymouth to Governor Leverett, of Massachusetts Colony. The copy, found among the Winslow papers, has no date, but from the contents it is inferred that it was written on the 31st of March, 1676 : " Another messenger with sad tidings, at the heels of the other, from Rehoboth ; that town in flames, 28 instant, soon after daylight, the enemy having fech't away sundry cattle the day before, and lay all night in their hearing, burnt sixty houses and barns, appeared very numerous, and continued lurking thereabout after it."

The next notice of the Indians relative .to Rehoboth found in history is that "in the road to Rehoboth (in their march from Wrentham) they assaulted one Woodcock's house, killed one man and one of his sons, wounded another, and burned his son's house."

The Indian war in this quarter was now fast drawing to a close. Philip, the prime mover of the war, was slain on Saturday morning, Aug. 12, 1676, at Mount Hope, and Annawan, the last and bravest of his generals, was taken captive on Monday evening of the 28th, in Rehoboth. The rock where he was taken is still known to all the country round by the name of " Annawan's rock." This rock lies in the southeasterly part of Rehoboth, near the confines of Dighton, a few rods south of the new turnpike from Taunton to Providence, about eight miles from the former and ten miles from the latter place. It is on the northern border of a great swamp called Squannakonk, by which it is rendered inaccessible except on the northern side. This side can be seen from the turnpike, and is easily ascended, sloping gradually away from its summit to its base, at an angle of about 35°. The whole rock extends northeast and southwest seventy or eighty feet, and its height is twentyfive or thirty feet. It is composed of sand and pebbles. A part of its southeast side projects a little over its base, while on the northeast it seems at no very distant period to have tumbled down in large clefts. Near its southeast extremity is an opening of an angular form, resembling the corner of a room, with sides nearly perpendicular. In this, it is said, Annawan and his men had encamped. In one of the perpendicular sides of this opening is an excavation or fissure, narrow at the bottom, and widening gradually upwards, and commencing so near the ground as to make a very convenient seat. This is called " Annawan's chair," for it is said that in this Annawan used to sit. Within the large angular opening or corner, some years since, stood a large tree, covered for several feet from the ground with the names of many who had visited the rock, and whose passion for immortality had prompted them "to give in trust their names" to this reverend sentinel of the place. But the " September gale" of 1815 prostrated this ancient chronicler of the rock, and an uprooted stump now marks the place where it stood. It is probable that this tree grew since the days of Annawan, as it occupied a large share of the angle. Small bushes still grow from the seams on the top and in the steep side of the rock, as in the days of Church. Till lately a thin scattering wood grew around it, and near to the east and south was a thick forest, which seemed to make it even then a fitting abode for savages. But these have within a year or two all yielded to " the woodman's axe," and the retreat of Annawan now looks lonely and desolate. It is frequently visited by the curious and the gay, and the rock where the rude Indian once trod is now often pressed by the soft foot of the American fair. The nearest inhabitant to this rock is Deacon Asahel Bliss. (Bliss in 1838.)

Annawan was of the tribe of the Wampanoags, and had been greatly distinguished as a warrior and counselor under Massasoit, and was " Philip's great captain" in this war. He is first mentioned in the annals of Philip's war by Church, in describing the skirmish in which Philip was slain : " One of the enemy, who seemed to be a great surly old fellow, hallooed with a loud voice, and often called out, "lootash, Iootash /" Capt. Church called to his Indian, Peter, and asked him who that was called so. He answered that it was old Annawan, Philip's great captain, calling to his soldiers to stand to it, and fight stoutly." The hest authority for the circumstances of the capture of Annawan is found in the account written under the direction of the old warrior,1 to whose valor the glory of the achievement belongs.

" Capt. Church," says the narrative, " had been but a little while at Plimouth (after the death of Philip) before a post from Rehoboth came to inform the Governour that old Annawan, Philip's chief captain, was with his company ranging about their woods, and was very offensive and pernicious to Rehoboth and Swanzey. Capt. Church was immediately sent for again, and treated with to engage in one expedition more. He told them their encouragement was so poor he feared his soldiers would be dull about going again. But being a hearty friend to the cause, he rallied again, goes to Mr. Jabez Howland, his old lieutenant, and some of his soldiers that used to go out with him, told them how the case was circumstanced, and that he had intelligence of old An Hawaii's walk and haunt, and wanted hands to hunt him. They did not want much entreating, but told him they would go with him as long as there was one Indian left in the woods. He moved and ranged through the woods to Pocasset.

" It being the latter end of the week, he proposed to go on to Rhode Island and rest until Monday ; but on the Lord's day morning'2 there came a post to inform the captain that early the same morning a canoe with several Indians in it passed from Prudence Island3 to Poppasquash4 Neck. Capt. Church thought if he could possibly surprise them he might probably gain some intelligence of more game, therefore he made all possible speed after them. The ferryboat being out of the way he made use of canoes. But by that time they had made two freights and had got over about fifteen or sixteen of his Indians the wind sprung up with such violence that canoes could no more pass. The captain seeing it was impossible for any more of his soldiers to come to him, he told his Indians if they were willing to go with him he would go to Poppasquash and see if they could catch some of the enemy Indians. They were willing to go but were sorry they had no English soldiers.5 So they marched through the thickets that they might

1 Col. Benjamin Church was born at Duxbury, Mass., in 1639, and died Jan. 17, 1717, in the seventy-eighth year of his age, at Little Compton, R. I. He married Miss Alice Southworth, and had five sons and a daughter. His daring and intrepidity can scarce find an equal in our annals. He was particularly distinguished in Philip's war, and was afterwards sent on an expedition against the Eastern Indians. (Church's Hist, of Philip's war.) William Church, Esq., of Providence, R. I., and Church Gray, Esq., of Seekonk, are lineal descendants of this hero, the former by the father's and the latter by the mother's side.

not be discovered, until they came unto the salt meadow to the northward of Bristol town, that now is, then they heard a gun ; the captain looked about, not knowing but it might be some of his own company in the rear. So halting till they all came up, he found it was none of his company that fired.

" Now, though he had but a few men, he was minded to send some of them out on a scout. He moved it to Capt. Lightfoot to go with three more on a scout; he said he was willing, provided the captain's man, Nathaniel (which was an Indian they had lately taken), might be one of them, because he was well acquainted with the Neck, and coming lately from among them knew how to call them.

" The captain bid him choose his three companions and go, and if they came across any of the enemy not to kill if they could possibly be taken alive, that they might gain intelligence concerning Annawan. The captain with the rest of his company moved but a little way further toward Poppasquash before they heard another gun, which seemed to be the same way with the other, but farther off; but they made no halt until they came unto the narrow of Poppasquash Neck, where Capt. Church left three men more to watch if any should come out of the Neck and to inform the scout when they returned which way he was gone.

"He posted the remainder of his company, half on one side of the Neck, and the other with himself went on the other side, until they met, and, meeting with neither Indians nor canoes, returned with big expectations of tidings by their scout. But when they came back to the three men at the narrow of the Neck, they told their captain the scout was not returned and had heard nor seen anything of them ; this filled them with thoughts of what should become of them. By that time they had sat and waited an hour longer ; it was very dark and they despaired of their returning to them.

" Some of the Indians told their captain they feared his new man, Nathaniel, had met with his old Mount Hope friends and was turned rogue. They concluded to make no fires that night (and indeed they had no great need of any), for they had no victuals to cook, not so much as a morsel of bread with them.

" They took up their lodgings scattering, that if possibly their scout should come in the night and whistle (which was their sign) some or other of them might hear them. They had a very solitary, hungry night, and as soon as the day broke6 they drew off through the brush to a hill without the Neck, and looking about them they espied one Indian man come running somewhat towards them. The captain ordered one man to step out and show himself. Upon this the Indian ran right to him. And who should it be but Capt. Lightfoot, to their great joy. Capt. Church asked him what news ? He answered, ' Good news' ;

"January 22,1787. Voted that the selectmen be instructed to remove the powder and other town stock, that is now at Col. Thomas Carpenter's, as soon as conveniently may be." Col. Carpenter was a stanch friend of the government.

"The names of the following persons are registered in the town records as having taken the oath of allegiance to the commonwealth, and delivered up their arms during March of 1787. These men belonged to the party of Shays, and had probably taken arms against the government :

November' 26, 1787. The town chose Capt. Phauuel Bishop, Maj. Frederick Drown, and William Windsor, Esq., delegates to the State Convention, to meet at Boston the second Wednesday of January, 1788, "to consult on the Federal Constitution recommended by the late Federal Convention, which set at Philadelphia the summer past."

April 2, 1792. The town raised for the support of schools, " including the Latin school," £150. Also " voted that the selectmen be empowered to procure such grammar schools as shall answer the law, in the different parts of the town, for learning the Latin and Greek languages."

" October 6, 1794. Voted that the treasurer of this town be directed to pay to each non-commissioned officer and soldier raised for this town's quota of eighty thousand men, ordered by Congress to be raised, forty shillings each, when they are ordered to march out of this town on a campaign, and forty shillings each to every man aforesaid for every month they shall continue in the camp after one month from the time they shall march, the money to be paid in one month after their return from service."

" February 24, 1794. Voted to remonstrate with the Legislature of Rhode Island against a bridge being built over Kelloy's Ferry, near Warren."

May 6, 1795. A motion for petitioning the General Court to incorporate the west precinct of Rehoboth into a separate town was carried by a vote in the negative. Voted to raise £175 for the support of schools, of which £25 was to be appropriated to a grammar school.

Chapter Xxxvi Ecclesiastical Hist0Ry.1

First Congregational Church - Oak Swamp Church - The Hornebine Church - The Irons Church - Methodist Episcopal Church - The Union Baptist Church.

The following sketches are necessarily imperfect. The writer was given only a few weeks for their preparation, and the work has been done under the constant pressure of professional duties. The difficulty has also been increased by the loss in every instance of the early records of the older churches. It is probable that some of these have been carried out of town, and it is hoped that they may yet come to light.

First Congregational Church. - In the year 1643, Rev. Samuel Newman came to the place which is now East Providence, E. I., with a colony from Weymouth, Mass, He gave to this region the name Rehoboth (enlargement), and here the church was established

In the. year 1721 the inhabitants in the neighborhood of Palmer's River built a meeting-house about half a mile north of the Orleans Factory. The spot is now marked by the remains of the " old buryingground." The lot included three acres of land given by Jethniel Peck, Capt. Samuel Peck, and Jonathan Bliss. The parent church had been granted by the General Court two hundred and fifty pounds for building a new meeting-house. Of this they relinquished fifty pounds to aid the church at Palmer's River ; they also gave the facing of the galleries and the pulpit of their old meeting-house.

The church was organized Nov. 29, 1721, consisting of ten members, - David Turner (pastor), Elisha May, Thomas Ormsby (deacons), Jethniel Peck, Samuel Peck, Benjamin Willson, Solomon Millard, Samuel Fuller, William Blanding, and Joseph Willson.

Rev. David Turner, the first pastor, was a native of Scituate. He received one hundred pounds for a settlement. His annual salary averaged about eightyfive pounds. During his pastorate of thirty-six years one hundred and seventy persons were added to the church. Mr. Turner graduated at Harvard College in 1718. He afterwards studied medicine, and practiced to some extent during his ministry. He was talented and witty, but eccentric. He had children and grandchildren, but they brought no honor to the name, and it is now extinct. He died Aug. 9, 1757, in his sixty-third year, and was buried in his churchyard, now grown over with trees and bushes. His tombstone bears the following inscription :

Until the year 1759 the whole town managed the business and bore the expenses of both churches. On January 2d of that year this church and congregation was incorporated by an act of the General Court into a separate society by the name of the Second Precinct in Rehoboth.

Feb. 26, 1759, the precinct united with the church in calling the Rev. Robert Rogerson to be their pastor, and voted to give him seventy pounds settlement, and sixty pounds for his annual salary. He agreed to take one-third part of his salary " in the produce of the country, provided they bring me such articles as I have occasion for."

March 18, 1773, the precinct " voted that the old meeting-house should be sold or pulled down, provided that a new one can be built upon the plane near Timothy Readways." The site chosen is now known as the village cemetery.

The new house, fifty feet by forty, was built the following summer, and the pews were sold at public auction Oct. 25, 1773. They were forty in number, and brought in the aggregate £462 10s.

Mr. Rogerson continued to be pastor of this church until his death, March 20, 1799. His remains lie buried in the older part of the village cemetery. On his tombstone of blue slate is this inscription :

At the age of nineteen, Mr. Rogerson came to America, as an assistant to the collector of the revenue in Virginia. In this capacity he served one year, after which he taught school several years in the eastern part of that State, prosecuting in the mean time the study of divinity. Coming to New England, he received in 1765 the degree of Master of Arts at Harvard University. He commenced his ministry in Brookline, where he preached one year. He then came to Rehoboth, and preached one year in the First Congregational Church, in what is now East Providence, R. I. The next year he began his ministry in this church, and was ordained July 2. 1759. While at East Providence he married a daughter of Col. Thomas Bowen, of that place, then Mrs. Betsey Sweet, a young widow with one child. They had three sons and three daughters. The sons were Robert, Thomas, and John. Robert was a physician, Thomas a wealthy planter in Virginia, and Capt. John Rogerson resided on his father's estate, formerly the home of Rev. David Turner, till his death in 1835.

Mr. Rogerson was succeeded by Rev. Otis Thompson, who was ordained pastor of this church Sept. 24, 1800, and continued in the pastoral office twenty-five years. He was born in Middleborough, Mass., Sept. 14, 1776, and graduated at Brown University in 1798, where he remained two years as tutor. During this period he doubtless applied himself to the study of theology. His call to this church and society was unanimous, and he entered upon his work under the most favorable conditions. He had "a hundred pounds settlement" and a salary of three hundred and fifty dollars, which in 1816 was increased to five hundred dollars. The entire community were at once awakened in religious matters, and forty persons joined the church the first year of his ministry.

For more than twenty years the church and society were eminently prospered. Mr. Thompson's century sermon, preached in 1821, states that the number of members at that time was fifty-six, of whom eighteen were males and thirty-eight females. The whole number that had been enrolled in the list of its members during the century was three hundred and three. Of those who joined the church under his pastorate only two are living, - Mrs. Abby Carpenter in 1820, and Mrs. Sally Horton in 1822.

In 1825 a serious difficulty arose which greatly disturbed the harmony of the church and society. It grew out of a breach of promise suit brought by Mr. Thompson on his daughter's behalf against a gentleman belonging to one of the. foremost families of the church. The people immediately took sides, some for and others against the pastor, and all attempts to reconcile the parties were vain. Two or three ecclesiastical councils were called by the church which advised the dissolution of the pastoral relation, but as Mr. Thompson was settled for life, he paid no attention to their advice. The meeting-house was closed against him, but he continued to hold a service every Sabbath, preaching for one year at Wheaton's Hall and afterwards either at his home or in the old red school-house near by. He sued the society for his salary, which they were obliged to pay. Finally he agreed with the society to relinquish all further claims upon it for the sum of one thousand dollars. He afterwards, however, endeavored to revive the old precinct, and to get possession of other funds belonging to the society, but without success.

After he stopped preaching at the meeting-house, Mr. Thompson taught a select school for several terms. Quite a number of theological students also studied with him during his Rehoboth pastorate. He was an excellent scholar; besides editing the Hopkinsian "Magazine" for several years, he published "A Review of Mr. Andras' Essay on Divine Agency," and had printed several funeral and ordination sermons.

Mr. Thompson's first wife was Miss Rachel Chandler, of Plympton, Mass., who died Sept. 16, 1827, aged forty-seven, and by whom he had four sons and five daughters. Of these, three sons and two daughters are now living.

She died Dec. 12, 1848. Mr. Thompson continued to reside in Rehoboth until 1840, when he received a call to preach at Litchfield, N. Y., which he accepted, and labored with the church in that place till 1850. In May of that year he was married to Miss Polly Shaw, of North Abington, Mass., where he resided until his death, which occurred June 26, 1859, at the age of eighty-two. His widow died Feb. 3, 1874.

The successor of Mr. Thompson was the Rev. Thomas Vernon, son of Samuel Vernon, of Newport, R. I. He was ordained over this church Sept. 13, 1826. His annual salary was five hundred dollars. At this time a large portion of the salary was paid from the proceeds of the "Ministerial farm," from which some three or four hundred dollars worth of wood and timber were sold annually.

In 1831 he married Miss Adelaide A. Winthrop, of Bristol, R. I. They had six children, of whom three - one son and two daughters - are living. The son, Mr. John W. Vernon, is an officer in the Merchants' National Bank, Providence, R. I. Mr. Vernon was dismissed from his pastorate April 12, 1837, having labored successfully for eleven years. He found the church torn with dissensions ; he left it enlarged and united. He was a man of excellent spirit, sound in doctrine and judicious in management. He greatly endeared himself to all the people. During his ministry the Sunday-school was inaugurated, and many of the young united with the church. Mr. Vernon resided in the village in Mrs. Otis Goff's chambers. After leaving Rehoboth he preached a while at Kingston, R. I. He was soon compelled to give up the ministry on account of a severe bronchial affection. He then engaged in the practice of medicine at Perth Amboy, N. J., and other places.

The last few years of his life were spent in retirement at Providence, R. I., where he died May 9, 1876, of acute bronchitis, in his seventy-ninth year, and lies buried in the old family ground at Newport, R. I. His widow is still living in Providence, in her seventyfifth year. The successor of Mr. Vernon and the fifth pastor of this church was the Rev. John Chester Paine, who was ordained over the church June 6, 1838. The ordination sermon was preached by his brother, Rev. William P. Paine, D.D., of Holden. On the first day of September following the society passed a vote to build a new meeting-house. A minority, however, were strongly opposed to this movement. The building committee consisted of Abiah Bliss, Jr., William K. Bullock, John R. Rogerson, and Cyrus M. Wheaton. It was decided to locate the new house in the village on the lot where Jonathan Wheaton's barn stood. Mr. Wheaton gave the small plot which belonged to him, and the Goff brothers, Darius and Nelson, gave the remainder. The church edifice was erected and dedicated the following year,

1839. It is sixty feet long by forty wide, and cost three thousand- eight hundred dollars. Its seating capacity is about three hundred and twenty.

After the dedication of the new house, the disaffected members of the church and the society joined with other families in town, who were Baptists in belief, in holding a series of religious meetings at Lewis' tavern. This resulted in the formation of the Union Baptist Church.

The " old yellow meeting-house," which had stood on the village cemetery lot for sixty-six years, was finally sold to Mr. Otis Goff, who moved the materials home, and reconstructed them into a barn, which is now standing.

Mr. Paine was an excellent preacher, and a very useful man in the community. He was born at Ashfield, Mass., Jan. 28, 1806. He was the seventh generation in direct line from Stephen Paine, one of the early settlers of Rehoboth. He was educated at Amherst and Princeton Colleges, and received the degree of A.M. from the latter in 1843. He graduated from the theological seminary at East Windsor, Conn., in 1836. He was married April, 1839, to Miss Eliza Folger, of Nantucket. He was dismissed from this church April 5, 1847, having served the church faithfully for nine years. After leaving Rehoboth he preached at Gardner, Sandwich, Dracut, and Groveland, Mass. In the places where he was settled he was chairman of the school committee many years. He died at Groveland of typhoid pneumonia, March 10, 1880, in his seventy-fifth year. His widow survives him at the age of sixty-four. There are two children, - Charles F. Payne, a lawyer in Boston, and Harriet E. Paine, who has been preceptress of Oread Female Seminary, at Worcester, Mass. She now resides with her mother in Groveland.

Mr. Paine was succeeded by Rev. Charles P. Grosvenor, who was acting pastor of this church from September, 1847, to September, 1856, just nine years. Mr. Grosvenor was born Aug. 12, 1804, at Pomfret, Conn.; graduated at Yale College in 1827; spent one year in the service of the American Sunday-School Union in Illinois and Missouri, and graduated at Yale Theological Seminary in 1831. For two years he was secretary and agent of the Connecticut Sunday-School Union and editor of the Sunday-School Record, published in New Haven. He was ordained at Blackstone, Mass., July 16, 1834. Before coming to Rehoboth he preached at Kingston and North Scituate, R. I. After leaving Rehoboth he preached at Stoneham and East Randolph, Mass., and at Canterbury, East Woodstock, and Ashfield, Conn. His eyesight failing, he closed his ministerial labors March 31, 1881. Mr. Grosvenor's first wife was Cordelia Mathewson, of Pomfret, Conn. They were married June 24, 1835. She died the following year. On the 9th of April, 1838, he married Hannah H. Wells, of Kingston, R. I., who died Nov. 6, 1840. His third wife was Elizabeth E. Foster, of Brooklyn, N. Y., to whom he was married May 19, 1842. They celebrated the fortieth anniversary of their marriage at Pomfret, Conn., May 19, 1882, Deacon E. A. Brown being present as the representative from this church.

In 1851 the following names were honored by receiving a diploma, signed by Mr. Grosvenor, for committing to memory the " Westminster Shorter Catechism :" Edward P. Brown, Arnold De F. Brown, Amanda M. Brown, Rebecca Bliss, Sarah A. Carpenter, Rachel Carpenter, Hattie A. Carpenter, Lydia J. Peck, Dexter W. Horton, William H. Luther, Nellie M. Marsh, and Elizabeth B. Pierce.

A powerful revival occurred in the church in the fall of 1855, when Rev. Norris Day, the evangelist, assisted the pastor. On the 2d of March, 1856, thirtyone persons united with the church, all by profession except one. In 1849 the present parsonage was built, Mr. Grosvenor furnishing the plan.

In a recent letter from Pomfret, Conn., Mr. Grosvenor writes, " I have very many pleasant memories and but few of a different character in connection with my fields of labor. Rehoboth stands first on the list in the number and richness of its reminiscences. I often wonder that I left a people who loved me so well, and to whom I was and am still so strongly attached."

The successor of Mr. Grosvenor was Rev. Walter P. Doe, who supplied the pulpit two years, beginning with the spring of 1857. Mr. Doe resided in Providence, R. I., but came to Rehoboth on the Sabbath, and occasionally spent several days visiting among the people and holding neighborhood prayer-meetings. In this way the church was kept awake, and several persons were hopefully converted. Mr. Doe was born at Wilton, N. Y., March 30, 1813. He graduated at Union College in 1844, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1847. He was ordained at River Point, R. I., the same year. Aug. 1, 1849, he was married to Miss Sophia S. Knight, of Providence, R. I. Mr. Doe still resides in Providence, preaching occasionally, but is unable to study on account of the inflamed state of his eyes.

The next acting pastor of this church was Rev. Alexander C. Childs, from Jan. 1, 1860, to April 1, 1862. Mr. Childs was born at Nantucket, Aug. 31, 1823. He graduated at Yale College in 1845, and Union Theological Seminary in 1849. Aug. 17, 1857, he married Miss Eunice H. Barney, of Nantucket. They have four children. Mr. Childs has had several fields of labor, and is now preaching at West Gloucester, Mass.

Mr. Lum was born at New Providence, N. J., May 6, 1821 ; studied at Oberlin College, and graduated at Union Theological Seminary in 1848. He was ordained at Middletown, N. Y., Jan. 13, 1852.

Mr. Lum went to Kansas in 1854, and organized the first church in the new Territory; remained there as home missionary and missionary superintendent until 1861, through all the "Border Ruffian war." On leaving Rehoboth he preached at Groton, N. Y., and returned to Kansas in 1869, remaining until 1875. Since then he has preached at Mannsville, N. Y., and at Rocky Hill and New Fairfield, Conn., where he now resides.

Rev. Francis H. Boynton was ordained pastor of this church Oct. 20, 1864, and continued his work here until Aug. 30, 1867. During his pastorate the church was greatly revived, and more than fifty persons were added to its membership.

Mr. Boynton was born in Troy, N. Y., March 14, 1839. He graduated at Amherst College in 1861, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1864. He married Miss Emily A. Clark, of Amherst, Mass., May 24, 1866. They have four children.

Since leaving Rehoboth, Mr. Boynton has traveled in the East, visiting Egypt, Palestine, and other countries. He has preached at Assonet, New Marlborough, Raynham, and Essex, Mass., and is now at Rye, N. H.

Mr. Boynton was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Henry Johnson, who was acting pastor from October, 1868, to October, 1869. He was born March 24, 1824, at Portland, Me. He studied and taught at the Mission Institute, Quincy, 111., under the charge of the Rev. David Nelson. He was ordained at La Harpe, 111., in April, 1853; was married the following December to Miss Martha A. Brooks, of Dalton, N. H. ; they have two children. Mr. Johnson now resides at New Brunswick, N. J.

Mr. Johnson was succeeded by Rev. Henry D. Woodworth, who was acting pastor of this church from December, 1869, to October, 1872. He was born in Lebanon, Conn., Feb. 18, 1826. He graduated at Amherst College in 1855, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1860 ; was ordained at East Bridgewater in September of the same year. He was married Aug. 14, 1855, to Miss Sarah E. Carkin, of Brookfield, Mass. They have three children. Since leaving Rehoboth, Mr. Woodworth has been engaged in the jewelry business in Boston.

Rev. Isaac R. Prior was the next acting pastor. He began his labors for this church July 13, 1873, and remained until October, 1877. Mr. Prior was born in Ohio, July 22, 1840. He graduated at Adrian College, Michigan, in 1863, at the University of Law at Albany, N. Y., in 1865, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1870. He was married, Sept. 29, 1874, to Miss Ruth E. Manton, of Providence, R. I. Since 1877, Mr. Prior has preached at Kingston, R. I., and at Alma, Fredonia, and Great Bend, Kan.

The present pastor is Rev. George H. Tilton, whose services to this church began in January, 1878. He was installed as its pastor Nov. 2, 1882.

had only three pastors. Within the sixty-two years already passed of its second century it has had eleven ministers, four of whom were installed as pastors.

Within the last twenty-six years there have been eight ministers, of whom only two were pastors. It is much to be doubted whether this tendency towards short pastorates has proved beneficial either to the church or its ministers.

The church has always been supplied with two or more deacons, the whole number of whom, since its organization, is twenty-five. We give below a list of their names and the year of their appointment :

Oak Swamp Church. - This church at first belonged to the Six-Principle Baptists, and was gathered by Rev. John Comer in 1732. He was installed its pastor July 26th of that year. The installation sermon was preached by Rev. Ephraim Wheaton, of Swansea, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

Mr. Comer was a very able preacher and gathered many into the church. In November following he baptized fifteen persons in one day, and within a year from its commencement it numbered nearly one hundred members.

Mr. Comer was born in Boston, Aug. 1, 1704. From a very early age he delighted in books, and composed a discourse when only fifteen. He attempted to learn a glover's trade, but his passion for study was so strong that he prevailed on his grandfather to send him to school.

In 1723 he was admitted to Yale College, and in 1724 studied with Rev. Mr. Barnard, a Congregational minister of Andover. After reading "Stennett on Baptism" he became an ardent Baptist. In 1725 he went to Swansea to teach school, and while there assisted Rev. Ephraim Wheaton in the services of the Sabbath. In 1726 he received a call to preach in the First Baptist Church at Newport. After preaching to this church about a year as colleague with the Rev. William Peckham, he came out and advocated the Six-Principle theory. In consequence of this act he was dismissed from the First Church, and became colleague with Elder Daniel Wightman, of the Second Baptist Church, where he remained two years, preaching with remarkable success.

He was married Jan. 20, 1726, to Miss Sarah Rogers, of Newport, by whom he had three children. On coming to Rehoboth he labored with such zeal that he undermined his health, and died of consumption

May 23, 1734, in his thirtieth year. He was buried in the old yard at South Rehoboth, where his tombstone of blue slate may still be seen, bearing this brief inscription, -

Mr. Comer had formed the design of writing the history of the American Baptists, and had collected valuable materials, which were used subsequently by both Backus and Benedict in their histories.

Mr. Comer's successor was Nathaniel Millard, who was ordained June 24, 1736 ; but he proved unworthy of his trust, and was dismissed in 1742.

Elder Samuel Maxwell was the next pastor, and was installed in October, 1745. Having preached to this church for several years, he became a Congregationalist, and took up the pen against the Baptists. The church, thus unfortunate in its pastors, became discouraged and scattered, and many of its members eventually joined other churches.

Some of them, however, held together, and secured the services of Elder Richard Round, one of Mr. Comer's converts, who had organized a church in the northeast part of the town. Mr. Round preached to the Oak Swamp Church till his death, May 18, 1768. His tombstone may be seen near Elder John Comer's in the old burying-ground, about a mile southeast of the Orleans Factory.

The original Oak Swamp meeting-house stood on the corner lot at the junction of the two roads which meet a short distance south of Mr. Edward Horton's store, now the South Rehoboth post-office. This house was framed on the old cemetery lot, where Elders Comer and Round were buried, but it was taken away in the night by the Oak Swamp people, and raised on the spot above mentioned. After the death of Elder Round the church no longer existed under the " Six Principle" creed. In 1773 another church was organized, with open communion principles. Some of its members had come out from Elder John Hix's church, a close-communion Baptist, and others had been converted and baptized by Rev. Elhanan Winchester, a traveling preacher, while others still had belonged to the original church founded by Rev. John Comer. This new church ordained Mr. Jacob Hix as their pastor, Jan. 20, 1773, and held their services in the Oak Swamp meetinghouse. Elder Jacob Hix was born Jan. 1, 1740. He was the son of Elder John Hix, and brother of Elder Daniel Hix, of Dartmouth. He owned a farm and part of a mill, which, with some help from the church, enabled him to live comfortably. He had no children. He died March 30, 1809, aged sixty-nine years.

The successor of Elder Hix was Elder Childs Luther, who was pastor of this church for many years. The present house of worship was erected during his pastorate. It was built by a joint-stock company, Mr. Nathan Hix taking the contract for one thousand dollars. It was dedicated May 28, 1834. Soon after the old house was torn down and made over into a barn. Elder Luther continued his labors among this people until about the year 1841, having preached to them more than thirty years. In the latter part of his pastorate a division occurred in the church on account of the temperance question. He was inclined to be conservative, while some of his people became vehement supporters of the principle of total abstinence. This breach was made wider by the Millerite excitement, for which Elder Luther had no sympathy. He was born Feb. 6, 1780, and was married to Miss Lucy Kilton, Dec. 10, 1797. He also married a second wife, Mrs. Mehitable GofF, Oct. 21, 1827. He died July 3, 1859, in his eightieth year. His only surviving son, Mr. Nathan C. Luther, resides in Attleborough.

In the year 1829 there was an extensive revival in connection with the labors of Elder Joseph Blackmar, of New York, an itinerant preacher. He spent about a year in this town, and baptized in all fortyeight converts. On the first day of January, 1830, he immersed sixteen persons in the pond just below the site of the present meeting-house ; for this purpose a way was cut through the ice, which was fourteen inches thick.

In the year 1842, Elder M. E. Gammons came from Westport to this place and began to preach the doctrines of Millerism, and many were carried away with excitement. Quite a number of the people, mostly members of the old church under Elder Luther, met together and formed themselves into a new body but adopting the same general creed. Many of the substantial old members, however, refused to join in this movement and were left without any church connection.

The second advent excitement proved a great injury to the church. The people soon became dissatisfied with Elder Gammons, and some of the members absented themselves from all religious services. The congregations were small, and they had no regular pastor for several years. The pulpit was supplied by Deacon Herman Wood and Elders Luther Baker, J. S. Thompson, and O. P. Tuckerman.

In November, 1848, Elder James Pierce began to preach to this church. A protracted meeting was held in which Mr. Pierce was assisted by Elder Albert G. Morton, and quite a number were converted. Thirteen converts were baptized Feb. 25, 1849. Mr. Pierce was ordained over the church June 12, 1849, and was dismissed in August, 1850. The church was

W. Osborne, of Swansea, supplied this connection with that of the Christian Swansea for eleven and a half years, until April, 1877. Another revival occurred in 1870-71, and several persons were baptized. Elder Osborne still preaches at Swansea.

Elder William Miller, of Swansea, preached at this church most of the time from Jan. 1, 1878, to April 1, 1882. Mr. Miller has had several pastorates, and now preaches at the Hornbine Church in this town.

The Oak Swamp Church has had a hard struggle to live. It has never paid a larger salary than two hundred dollars. At the present time no regular services are held, and the outlook is not hopeful.

The Hornbine Church. - This church is in the southeast part of Rehoboth, and belongs to the order of the "Six-Principle Baptists." Their creed is contained in Hebrews, the sixth chapter, first and second verses. The name " Hornbine" is a corruption of Hornbeam, and was given to the church because there were many trees of this species in its vicinity.

About thirty members of the Second Baptist Church in Swansea formed themselves into a church in Rehoboth, and ordained Mr. Daniel Martin as their pastor Feb. 8, 1753.1 Elder Martin was the eldest son of Deacon Melatiah Martin, of Swansea. He was born Sept. 23, 1702, followed the trade of a house carpenter, and died Nov. 18, 1781, aged seventy-nine. He had nine children. In 1770 he published a discourse against particular election and efficacious grace in conversion, to which the Rev. Isaac Backus published an answer the following year. Soon after the settlement of Elder Martin over this church, Elder Nathan Pierce was ordained as his colleague, and continued to preach to this people for forty years.

Mr. Pierce was born in Warwick, R. I., in 1716. In 1738 he married Lydia Martin, of Barrington, R. I., by whom he had sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters. Mr. Pierce died April 14, 1793,2 in his seventy-eighth year. His mortal remains lie buried in the family yard in the Horton neighborhood, where many of his descendants are interred.

Some years before the death of Elder Pierce, Elder Thomas Seamans was ordained as his colleague. Mr. Seamans was a farmer by occupation, and possessed great physical vigor. He preached a sermon in this church after he was one hundred years of age, and died in 1826, at the advanced age of one hundred and four years, five months, and fifteen days, probably the oldest person that ever died in Rehoboth. He spent the last few years of his life with his son, Mr. Comfort Seamans, who owned a farm about a mile north of the church. His remains lie buried in a little plot on the farm inclosed by a strong wall, but overgrown with shrubs. An elm and two cedars of considerable size stand within the plot. The rude stones that mark the grave are without inscription. Beside him are buried his son and several members of his family. Elder Seamans' grandson, Josiah Simmons, was an honored deacon in this church for many years.

During Elder Seamans' pastorate he was assisted by several colleagues. Elder Benjamin Mason, of Swansea, preached to this church for a time. In the year 1800, Elder Preserved Pierce and Elder Philip Pierce were ordained as associate pastors with Elder Seamans. Concerning Elder Philip Pierce but little can be gathered. After preaching a while to this church he went West for several years. He spent his last years in Dighton, Mass.

Elder Preserved Pierce was the son of Elder Nathan Pierce, and was born July 23, 1 758. He married Sarah Lewis, of Rehoboth, by whom he had a large family of children. During his pastorate no salary was paid by the church, the minister was expected to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. Mr. Pierce used to say that the only money he received for his services was fifty cents a year, which sum a good lady, Miss Molly Miller, slipped into his fingers while shaking hands with him. A large number of members were added to the church during his ministry, which continued till his death, June 29, 1828, in the seventieth year of his age. After the death of Elder Pierce the church was supplied by Elder William Manchester, Elder Joseph Blackman, and others, until 1834, when Elder Otis Potter, of Cranston, R. I., became their minister.

On the first Sabbath in May of that year Elder Potter organized the Sunday-school, consisting of thirty or forty youth, which he superintended himself. It soon increased to more than one hundred members. He resided at Swansea Factory, and preached a part of the time to the Swansea Church at the house of Deacon Ellery Wood. During the first year of Elder Potter's pastorate there was a revival, and sixty persons joined the church on profession of faith.

Elder Potter was a strong advocate for temperance, and an uncompromising abolitionist. At the time of the Dorr disturbance in Rhode Island, he took a rigid stand against the Dorr party, much to the displeasure of certain members of his church. On going into his pulpit one Sabbath, having the week before expressed himself strongly on this point, he found suspended there a gun, knapsack, bayonet, sword, and various other implements of war.

Finding that he had in various ways aroused considerable opposition to himself, he left Rehoboth in 1841 or 1842 and preached at Cranston, R. I., until 1848, when he returned to his former charge in Rehoboth, where he remained four years longer. After that he moved to Providence and went into the book business, still preaching as he had opportunity. He died May 27, 1857, of consumption. His widow survives him. His three children are also living, two sons and a daughter. One of his sons is Elder Thomas Potter, who preaches in Fresno, Cal.

Elder Waterman Pierce also preached to this people for several years. He was ordained at this church in 18B7 (?). Most of his ministerial life has bee"n spent in behalf of the Free-Will Baptist Church at Barneyville, Swansea, which he gathered about forty years ago.

Elder Welcome G. Comstock was acting pastor of this church for about fourteen years, beginning in 1862. He was a kind, jovial man, and an entertaining speaker, but a poor financier.

From 1876 to 1880, Rev. James L. Pierce was acting pastor of this church. During this time there was a revival, in which Mr. Pierce was assisted by Dr. M. L. Rossvalley, a converted Jew. The church received some additions and was much strengthened. Mr. Pierce now resides in South Rehoboth without charge, having preached at various places for more than thirty years.

Elders Miller and Pierce are both members of the Christian Baptist denomination, and the Hornebine Church has virtually abandoned the "Six-Principle" theory, though it still retains the old creed, to which a few of the oldest members cling.

About twenty years ago the people attending church at the Hornebine formed themselves into an organization which they designated as Tlie First Baptist Church and Society. Under the direction of this society yearly clam-bakes are held in a grove near the church. These clam-bakes have become very popular. On the day of this annual feast nearly three thousand people are wont to assemble, coming from the surrounding cities and towns. Many of them have parents or relatives living in the neighborhood, and the day is to them an occasion of a grand reunion. More than a thousand dollars has been taken in a single day.

The Irons Church. - This church is situated in the north part of the town. It belongs to the Free-Will Baptist order, and was organized Oct. 2, 1777, with thirty-one members. For three years they had no pastor. The church very early connected itself with the Groton Conference. Mr. James Sheldon, of Providence, R. I., was ordained their pastor Sept. 6, 1680. He was dismissed July 21, 1792, and removed to the State of New York. The church obtained occasional supplies till Mr. Jeremiah Irons came to be their pastor. He was ordained over this church Sept. 24, 1795. He continued his pastoral labors with great acceptance until his dismission, June 26, 1799.

He was born in Gloucester, R. I., Oct. 14, 1765. After leaving Rehoboth he preached many years at the West. For several years after the removal of Mr. Irons the church was supplied by Elders William Northrup, Daniel Hix, and others, until 1808, when Elder Samuel Northrup became acting pastor until his death, which occurred July 21, 1812.

Elder Northrup was born in North Kingston, R. I. He was a most faithful and devout man, and the church was greatly prospered during his ministry.

Again the church was left without a regular pastor for a number of years. Elder Sylvester Round preached occasionally and administered the sacrament.

The church enjoyed its greatest revival in the years 1820-22, under the labors of Elders David Sweet and Levi Hathaway, and a large number of worthy members were gathered into the church.

From this time the church became connected with the Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting, and was supplied largely with ministers from that association.

In 1830-31 the church enjoyed another interesting revival, under the preaching of Elder John Yeamshaw, when twenty-five more persons joined its membership.

In 1834-35, Elder Junia S. Mowry was acting pastor. He was succeeded by Mr. David Steere, who was ordained pastor of this church in September, 1836. His father was a Quaker, who died leaving him, a young lad, with a large fortune. This he soon wasted with riotous living, and worked for a time in a paper-mill in Cumberland, R. I. He was converted in a bar-room. As he was putting a glass of rum to his lips, he seemed to hear a voice saying to him, plainly, " David, if you drink that cup, you drink your eternal damnation." He dropped the glass, fell on his knees, and cried to God for mercy. From that hour he was an active Christian. He remained with this church till 1840, when he was dismissed, and went to Newport, R. I.

Mr. John W. Colwell was ordained pastor of this church in October, 1841, and continued for four years. For several years he was overseer in the factory at Hebronville. He preached a while in California, and on his return died at Panama. He left several children. One of his sons is Rev. John W. Colwell, a Congregational clergyman.

Mr. Colwell was succeeded by Elder Joshua Stetson, who was ordained over the church in August, 1845, and labored in all about two years, when he removed to Taunton.

Mr. Stetson's successor was Elder Gardner Clarke, who was acting pastor from July, 1846, until 1853, during which time there was a revival, and several names were added to the church. Mr. Clarke was born at Highgate, Vt., Aug. 21, 1812. He spent his early days mostly at Bradford, Vt., and received a good education from the academies of his native State. He was ordained at Cabot, Vt., in 1843. He was married in 1837 to Miss Jane R. Deming, of Wethersfield, Conn., by whom he had three daughters. Mr. Clarke resides in Attleborough. He was succeeded by Elder Lowell Parker, of Charlestown, R. I., who remained with the church from 1853 to 1858, when he removed to Portsmouth, N. H. ; 1859- 62, Elder George W. Wallace; 1863-64, Elder John Pratt, of Newport, R. I. ; 1865, Elder Handy. After 1866 the church was supplied for a number of years with students from Brown University.

In 1880-82, Elder Gardner Clarke preached to this people a second time. The church at this time is nearly extinct. The Methodists now hold one service each Sabbath in this meeting-house.

The following is the list of deacons since the organization of the church : Jacob Bliss, David Perry, Edmund Mason, Cyril C. Peck, William Cole, Milton Freeman, George H. Thrasher, William Lane.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - A Baptist Church was formed in the northeast part of the town about the year 1740. It started with forty members, and ordained Mr. Richard Round as its pastor July 13, 1743. He died May 18, 1768, and his tombstone may be seen near Rev. John Comer's in the South Rehoboth burying-ground. After his death there was no regular preaching for many years.

In the year 1789 the church was revived under the efficient labors of Mr. Sylvester Round and Deacon Aaron Wheeler. They were ordained as associate pastors on the 20th of April of that year. Elder Wheeler died in 1800, but Elder Round continued its pastor till his death, Oct. 26, 1824. He was a very able and influential man. He was born in this town April 10, 1762, and was married to Mehitable Perry in 1780. About the year 1800 he built the old tavernhouse, now used as a parsonage, for his son.

The church at this time belonged to the Six-Principle Baptists. The house of worship stood where the school-house now stands. In 1824, the old meeting-house having fallen into decay, a new one was built on the corner of the road leading to Norton.

In 1826, Rev. Lorenzo Dow Johnson, a Reformed Methodist from Vermont, visited this place and preached the gospel with great power ; this church was revived and joined the denomination to which Mr. Johnson belonged. It soon became prosperous, and under the preaching of Rev. Benjamin McCloth, Rev. Joseph Eldridge, and others, was favored with several revivals of religion, until in 1834 it had seventy -seven members.

In 1843 the present house of worship was erected, largely through the influence of Mr. Granville Stephens. Rev. Charles Hammond now became pastor, and remained for several years. After Mr. Hammond left, the Reformed Methodists were mostly merged in the Wesleyan Methodists, and the church could not find preachers for the pulpit. At length certain persons applied to the Providence Annual Conference, and the Rev. William Cone was sent to them in 1849.

Now began a new era in the history of the church. It appears that about the year 1798, Rev. John Brodhead, a Methodist preacher, had organized a Methodist class, which in 1810 had forty-five members. Rev. Thomas Perry and his wife were among the earliest members of this class, as was also Mrs. Rebecca Perry and Mrs. Noah Bliss. When Mr. Cone came here he succeeded in uniting the remnant of this old class with a few of the members of the Methodist Reformed Church, together with others who had been converted through his own labors, so that at the close of his first year he returned a membership of forty-four.

Mr. Cone was succeeded in 1850 by Rev. J. E. Gifford, a zealous laborer, who brought the membership up to sixty-five in 1852. The church debt was wholly paid under his pastorate.

In 1856-57 there was a powerful revival, owing to the efficient labors of Rev. Henry H. Smith, assisted by the Rev. Moses Chace, and many worthy members were added to the church. There have been twenty different pastors during the thirty-four years of its history.

A successful Sunday-school has been sustained from the first. The church has usually held a monthly meeting of prayer for missions, and has contributed liberally for this great work. The church at the present time has forty-five members.

One of these preachers, Rev. Abel Gardner, at the close of his second year was seized with a mortal illness, and died May 2, 1863, aged forty-seven years, the first pastor who has died in this place since the death of Elder Round in 1824.

The Union Baptist Church (Annawan). - In the year 1839 the Congregational Society left their old meeting-house on the village cemetery lot and entered their new house of worship in the village. Several of the older members, however, including some of the trustees, were unwilling to make the change, and withdrew from the society.

At this time there were a few families of the Baptist belief living in Rehoboth who were members of Elder Goff's Church, on Long Hill, in Dighton. As the latter church had greatly declined in numbers and power, making it difficult to sustain regular services, it was thought a favorable time to form a new Baptist Church within the limits of Rehoboth. This plan was strongly favored by Elder J. L. Whittemore, of the Dighton Church. Accordingly it was proposed that these brethren join with the disaffected members of the Congregational Society in holding a series of meetings with reference to forming a new church.

The first meeting was held on the first Sabbath in January, 1840, at the house of Mr. Isaac Lewis. A large number were present, and the congregation continued to increase from Sabbath to Sabbath, till the hall overflowed. After the first few meetings, which were conducted by Messrs. Whittemore and Brentley, the people secured the services of Mr. Caleb Blood, a talented young man from the freshman class of Brown University.

Early in the spring of this year The Union Baptist Society1 was organized. A committee was appointed, consisting of Richard Goff, Otis Peck, and Joseph Bowen, to erect a meeting-house upon the lot appropriated for that purpose by Darius Horton, near Lewis' tavern, on the Providence and Taunton turnpike.

On the 12th of March, Mr. C. Blood presented eight articles of faith, embodying the strict principles of the Calvinistic Baptists. These articles were signed by the following persons, who thereby constituted themselves a church : Seth Talbot, Isaiah Allen, Benjamin Monroe, Charles C. Monroe, Sally Talbot, Ann F. Allen, Ruth Munro, Sybil Peck, Peddy Peck, Joanua Horton, Polly Bowen, Nancy Bowen, Fanny L. Williams, Olive Wheeler, Joanna Wheeler, Lucy Horton, and Jane Snow.

This church was publicly recognized by an ecclesiastical council which assembled at the house of Mr. Isaac Lewis, April 1, 1840; sermon by Rev. A. Fisher, of Swansea. The following day was set apart by the church as a day of special fasting and prayer, and meetings were held almost daily for several weeks, resulting in numerous conversions.

On the 3d of June Mr. Caleb Blood was ordained by an ecclesiastical council which met at Lewis' tavern, Rev. Asa Bronson, of Fall River, preaching the sermon. Mr. Blood was engaged to supply the pulpit for the sum of three hundred dollars per annum. His pastoral labors were greatly blessed. The church at the close of the first year numbered forty-three members. Mr. Blood was born July 4, 1815, at Rodman, N. Y. He graduated at Brown University in 1844; was married April 10, 1844, to Miss Martha Baker, of Rehoboth, by whom he had five children. He died Nov. 21, 1881, at Independence, Mo. While pastor of this church, Mr. Blood organized the Sabbath-school, which has beeu maintained successfully to the present time.

In 1870 the church was presented with a house and lot for a parsonage, the gift of Mrs. Delight C. Reed, of Taunton, only child of the late Christopher Carpenter, of Rehoboth. In 1878 the church received a bequest of five hundred dollars from Mrs. Nancy Baker.

An important revival was enjoyed under the labors of Rev. Samuel A. Collins, and many were added to the church. Another revival occurred during the pastorate of Mr. Bessey, in the winter of 1879-80, the Baptist and Congregational Churches holding union services during the season.

The General Court

He has been selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor, town and church treasurer, etc. He is an active member of the Congregational Church of Rehoboth, and in political creed a Republican. He has proved himself a loving and self-sacrificing brother and son, and is esteemed as a useful citizen of the community.

Oapt. George W. Bliss

Capt. George W. Bliss is the son of Capt. Asaph Bliss, of Rehoboth, and Abigail, daughter of George and Mercy Williams ; she was born Jan. 30, 1781, and died Nov. 4, 1825. He (Capt. Asaph) was born Dec. 5, 1772, and died Sept. 14, 1857. They were married Nov. 25, 1803. Their children were Abby, born 1804, died in infancy; Abby Williams, born March 19, 1805, married, June 13, 1826, Abel Carpenter, by whom she had four children ; Asaph Leonard, born July 13, 1806, died Dec. 6, 1861 ; George Williams (subject of illustration) ; Nelson Smith, born Sept. 19, 1813, by occupation a carpenter, died at Mobile, Ala., Sept. 5, 1839; and Rosina, born Dec. 4, 1816, married Erwin J. Baker, of Utica, N. Y., resides in Seekonk, Mass., and has five children living. Capt. Asaph's father was Deacon Jacob Bliss, of Rehoboth, born Feb. 16, 1732, died March 3, 1807. His mother was Judith Smith, born April 19, 1732, and died Oct. 1, 1815. Deacon Jacob had seven children, - Chloe, Judith, Bethiah, Jacob, Rachel, Lucy, and Asaph. Deacon Jacob was a son of Daniel Bliss, of Rehoboth, and Miriam Carpenter. (For a more extended genealogy of the Bliss family, see another part of this volume ; also a most excellent work by John Homer Bliss entitled, " Genealogy of the Bliss Family in America.")

Capt. George W. Bliss was born Sept. 3, 1810, was reared a farmer's son, and taught to labor in that vocation. He had the usual advantages of the schools of his neighborhood, supplemented by a course at Pawtucket Academy. After leaving school he resumed his farm labor, working on the farm during the summer season and teaching school winters. This he continued ten years. At the age of twenty-nine he left his native State and went to Florida, where he became engaged somewhat extensively in the lumber business, building a saw-mill in copartnership with his brother-in-law, Caleb Bowen. They were quite successful in the prosecution of their business, but Mr. Bowen died, and upon his demise Mr. Bliss sold out his business and returned to his native Rehoboth, where he purchased the interests of the other heirs to his father's estate, and engaged in farming. About two years after his return from Florida he established a meat-market at Pawtucket, which he continued five years, when he relinquished this pursuit and once more devoted his entire attention to agriculture, which business he has since followed unremittingly through life. In business affairs Capt. Bliss has been a successful man, and now in his old age is surrounded by all the comforts of life, and enjoys what is better still, the esteem and friendship of all who know him. He was a militiaman of the old school, when honor was attached to the calling, and when rank and appointment were evidence of superior ability and merit. At the age of twenty-two he was chosen captain, and served in that capacity six years. He was the chosen major of the regiment, which position he held at the time of his migration to Florida.

The title of captain has clung to him through life. As an instructor of youth he was ranked among the best. He has held the positions of selectmen, assessor, and overseer of the poor eight years each, and has been justice of the peace thirty-one years. He was married, Oct. 6, 1834, to Betsey, daughter of Uriah and Sally (Carpenter) Bowen, of Attleborough Mass. She was born July 30, 1812, and died Jan. 23 1853. Their children are George William, born Oct 18, 1835 ; Wheaton Leonard, born Dec. 22, 1837 Warren Smith, born June 9, 1840; Warren Smith2 born Jau. 1, 1845 ; James Walter, born Jan. 27 1847 ; and Henry Winslow, born Oct. 29, 1849. Capt Bliss married for his second wife Julia Ann Carpenter, of Rehoboth, Oct. 26, 1853. She was born March 30, 1808, and died Dec. 15, 1865. They had one child, Betsy Ann, born March 20, 1856. Capt. Bliss married as his third wife Julia Ann (daughter of Joseph A. and Eunice C.) Tiffany, June 4, 1867. She was born April 16, 1825. Both are yet living (1882). Of Capt. Bliss' children, the eldest, George William, married, Sept. 8, 1859, to Mary K., daughter of Jefferson and Hannah Daggett, of Pawtucket, where she was born, 1837. Their children are Susie P., Eva W., George Edwin, and Mary Williams. Wheaton Leonard served two years in Company A, Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry, during the great Rebellion. He was married, April 21, 1867, to Laura

A. P., daughter of Noah and Olive (Medbery) Bliss, of Rehoboth. They have no children. He is a farmer in Attleborough, Mass. Warren Smith1 died in childhood. Warren Smith2 married, in Nantucket, Mass., July, 1872, Mary F., daughter of George W. and Mary Jenks. He died at Gainesville, Fla., Aug. 1, 1876. They had two children, one who died in infancy, and Mabel Warren. The widow resides in Nantucket. J. Walter resides with his father at the old homestead, and is unmarried. Henry Wilson married, Oct. 10, 1873, Annie Goff, of Providence, where he now resides. He is by occupation a tinsmith. Betsey Ann married, Feb. 20, 1879, William

Otis Perry

OTIS PERRY. Daniel Perry was one of the first settlers of Rehoboth. His son Ezra was by occupation a mechanic and manufacturer of nails. He was a man of much mechanical ingenuity and of an inventive turn of mind. He was the inventor of a certain process for manufacturing nails and utilizing windmill power for the same. His invention was considered of so much value that the Blackstone Factory Company (quite a large concern) offered him their privilege on the Blackstone for his little primitive windmill. He married Jemima Titus, by whom he reared quite a large family,1 all of whom except his son, Deacon Ezra, emigrated from Rehoboth to other parts of the country. His second wife was Patty Ide. By this union there was no offspring. Deacon Ezra inherited largely his father's mechanical genius, and though he was always the proprietor of a farm, yet his time was chiefly given to various mechanical pursuits, such as carpentering, turning, and blacksmithing in its various branches. He was noted throughout the country for his diversified skill and versatile capabilities. He was a captain of militia, a deacon of the orthodox Presbyterian Church, and a valued citizen. His wife was Betsey Bliss, daughter of Daniel Bliss and sister of Dr. James Bliss, of Rehoboth. Of their children, Ezra went to Brimfield, was a manufacturer and a prominent man there; Betsey married Cyril Bullock, of Rehoboth ; Hezekiah was a cotton manufacturer inMunson; Sarah married Elijah Bliss, of Rehoboth; James was a mechanic ; Otis1 died in infancy ; Daniel was a manufacturer in his native town ; Mina married Nathan Carpenter, of Rehoboth; Nancy B. married Aseph Bliss, of Rehoboth : William was a machinist at Taunton. Of all this numerous family only Otis, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is now living. The Perrys were the first manufacturers in the United States of bobbins for cotton-factories. They manufactured the bobbins for Slater's, the first factory established in America.

Otis Perry was born at the ancestral home of the Perrys in Eehoboth, Feb. 17, 1807. When a lad he worked in the turning-shop and on the farm of his father. After attaining his majority he left his father's homestead and established at the place where he now resides a factory similar to his father's. This business he continued many years. About 1850 he commenced sawing lumber, manufacturing shingles, and grinding meal, and has continued the business to the present time. In the quiet walk of life which he chose he has been a successful man. In politics he has always been a Whig and Republican, and is stanch and true to his political principles.2

Nathaniel B. Horton

Nathaniel B. Horton, son of Aaron and Bethany Baker Horton, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., July 25, 1820. Aaron, his father, son of Solomon and Hannah (Talbot) Horton, was born in Dighton, Mass., and was a farmer. He married (1st) Bethany, daugh' ter of Samuel Baker (a farmer of Rehoboth, who also manufactured shoe-buckles, a wealthy man of that period, and a soldier of the Revolution). They had seven children, - Mason, Danforth, Nancy, Hiram, Nathaniel B., Angeline, and Alvah. She died Jan. 31, 1840, in her fifty-sixth year. He married (2d) Sarah Burr, who survives him. He died Dec. 3, 1854, in his seventy-fourth year. Nathaniel was educated at the schools of his native town, and remained on his father's farm until he was eighteen, when he went to Fall River and learned the mason's trade of Earle & Horton, of that city, and worked at the trade twenty years. He then, about 1856, purchased the old homestead of his father in Rehoboth (about one hundred acres), which had been in the possession of his ancestors for several generations. To this he has since added one hundred acres by purchase. From that time this has been his home, and his avocation that of a farmer. He married, Jan. 11, 1844, Mary M., daughter of James and Mary H. (Mason) Eddy. She was born Aug. 25, 1824, in Swansea. Their only child, Arthur, born Aug. 24, 1847, died aged six years. Mrs. Horton died April 14, 1850. He married, Dec. 23, 1854, Mary J., daughter of Hale and Patience (Bosworth) Buffinton, of Rehoboth. She was born July 18, 1832. They have four children, - Adin B., born Nov. 7, 1855, married Hannah Hale, lives in Rehoboth, has two children ; Mary M., born Oct. 31, 1857, married Frank N. Martin, lives in East Providence, R. I., has one child ; Arabelle B., born Aug. 20, 1863 ; and Arthur E., born Aug. 6, 1870, who live with their parents. Mr. Horton has been an active and energetic man, and prominently identified with every affair of interest in his town since his residence there. He has held every office of importance in the gift of his townsmen, - selectman, treasurer, collector, etc. He represented Seekonk and Rehoboth two sessions in the State Legislature. During the civil war he was agent for the town in filling its quota for military service; was also recruiting officer and enrolling officer, and placed in service for Rehoboth about one hundred and ninety enlisted men, traveling in that service through various States and as far south as Virginia. Perhaps very few men in the town ever have held more responsible positions, or discharged their duties with more ability or acceptance to their constituents. He was formerly a Democrat, but afterward became a Free-Soiler, and since 1856 has affiliated with the Republican party.

Mr. Horton has been connected with various corporations and business interests. He is a stockholder in Pocasset National Bank, Wamsutta Bank, and Fall River Union Bank, in Fall River; Weetamoe Mills, Osborn Mills, and Chace Mills, in Fall River. He has often been called upon to administer an estate, and has the reputation of being not only an able business man, but an agreeable and very social gentleman with a large following of friends.

Abiah Bliss

The Bliss family in Rehoboth, Mass., are descended from Thomas Bliss, of Belstone parish, county of Devonshire, England. This Thomas Bliss was a wealthy land-owner, and belonged to the class denominated Puritans on account of the purity and simplicity of their forms of worship. He was persecuted by civil and religious authorities under direction of Archbishop Laud, and finally became broken down in health and estate through the maltreatment of the intolerant party then dominant. He and his sons suffered long imprisonment. One of them died in prison, the other two emigrated to America in 1635. From Jonathan, of Belstone, is descended Abiah Bliss, whose portrait is in this volume. The line of descent is as follows : Thomas1, Jonathan2, Thomas3, Jonathan4, Jonathan5, Ephraim6, Abiah7, Abiah*. Of these Thomas3 was born in Belstone, England, emigrated to America in 1636, and after residing at Braintree, Mass., Hartford, Conn., and Weymouth, Mass., finally removed, in 1643, with many others, to what is now Rehoboth, and commenced a settlement there. He was a man of influence in the new colony, died in 1649. His son Jonathan was born in England about 1625. It is probable that he came to Rehoboth about 1647. In 1648 he married Miriam Harmon. They had ten children. He died in 1687. His son Jonathan (who like his father was a blacksmith) was born Sept. 17, 1666, became a man of standing and influence in his native town, accumulated property, held many offices, etc. He was married June 23, 1691, to Miriam Carpenter, daughter of William Carpenter and Miriam Searles. They had eight children, of whom Ephraim was one. Mrs. Bliss died May 21, 1706. He then married, April 10, 1711, Mary French, by whom he had four children. He died Oct. 16, 1719.

The present Abiah was born on the old Bliss homestead, which has been in possession of the family since 1666; had common-school education, but very fair for that day. When about twenty-five years of age he purchased a half-interest in his father's farm. The principal duties pertaining to management of the farm devolved upon him, and at his father's death he inherited the rest of the homestead. On Nov. 11, 1834, he married Julia Ann Sturtevant, daughter of Francis Sturtevant, of Rhode Island. Their children are Rebecca, born Oct. 27, 1835; Francis A., born Nov. 18, 1837; Albert Henry, born Feb. 27, 1840; Thomas, born May 21, 1842; William, born Jan. 23, 1844; and Adaline, born Aug. 28, 1846. Of these, Albert Henry died Aug. 31, 1842. Thomas grew up to manhood, enlisted in Company G, Fourth Massachusetts Infantry, and died in Brazier City, La., May 20, 1862.

William, upon arriving at his majority, emigrated to the West, and spent five years in Illinois farming and teaching ; then returned home, where he remained about a year, when he again went westward, this time to California via Panama. He remained five years, most of which time was spent in the mining regions of Nevada. Again returning home, he spent two years on the old homestead farming. Then he removed to Pawtucket, where he resided two years, when he had an offer, which he accepted, to go to Maine to superintend a silver-mine in that State, which position he now fills. He married Mary Hall, of Brockton, Mass. They have no children. Abiah Bliss is a fair specimen of the quiet, unobtrusive, thrifty New England farmer. Never an office-seeker or political agitator, yet he has always been a stanch Republican. His ancestors for generations have been members of the Congregational Church, and he has followed in their footsteps. Mr. Bliss has made himself thoroughly familiar with the topography of most of the counties of Vermont, New Hampshire, and a part of Connecticut by having frequently traversed them buying and selling cattle in the days before our country was covered with a net- work of railroads, and when droves of cattle were bought in the interior and driven to the cities and seaboard-towns for shipment to other markets. In this business he was actively engaged a part of each year for more than twentyfive years. About 1850 he accepted a position as salesman or agent for a manufacturing company (whose proprietor was a kinsman of his), and traveled through Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa. With these exceptions he has confined himself to agricultural pursuits on the homestead of his fathers, and is now an active and well-preserved man for one of his advanced age. His son, Deacon Francis A. Bliss, married Frances M., daughter of Ira and Mary Ann | Carpenter, of Rehoboth, Dec. 25, 1867. She was born ! Nov. 16, 1840. They have five children, - Albert Abiah, born Nov. 4,1868; Martha Bird, born Aug. ! 28, 1871; Adaline Hall, born Oct. 26, 1874; Mary Carpenter, born Sept. 26, 1879 ; and Thomas Kent, born Nov. 2, 1881. Mr. Bliss had the usual district schooling, supplemented by an attendance at Thetford

Academy, Vt., and Providence Conference Seminary, East Greenwich, R. I. After leaving school he engaged in teaching two winter terms in his native town.

In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry, under Col. Robert Williams. They went directly to the seat of war in South Carolina, where they participated in numerous engagements, some of them of great severity. In the battle at Pocotaligo, S. C, Mr. Bliss was wounded in the right arm, which disabled him for duty for a period of two months. (It may be proper to state here, in explanation of what may otherwise appear as a discrepancy to those not familiar with the facts, that the First Massachusetts Cavalry was ordered about this time to the Department of Virginia. Two battalions went, the third, to which Mr. Bliss belonged, was detained by order of Gen. Mitchell for escort and special duty, and remained South during the three years of their enlistment, while the First Regiment, upon arriving in Virginia was recruited to its original number. The battalion which remained South was commanded by Maj. Stevens, and was styled "The Independent Battalion Massachusetts Cavalry.") Upon the expiration of the three years for which they had enlisted, Mr. Bliss, together with most of his comrades, re-enlisted. So many of this battalion re-enlisted that it still retained its original name and organization. They were now ordered to Florida, where, among other engagements, they took part with Gen. Seymour in the desperate but disastrous battle of Olusta. They were soon after this ordered to Virginia, where they arrived in time to participate in the famous battle of the Wilderness. About this time they were combined with the Second Battalion of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry to complete the Fourth Regiment, under which organization they continued till the close of the war. Mr. Bliss was present at the surrender of Lee, and has as a souvenir a piece of the apple-tree under which that memorable event took place. He was in active duty nearly all the time from his enlistment till his discharge, which occurred December, 1865. After the I amalgamation of his battalion with the Fourth Regiment he was transferred from Company I to Company F, and appointed quartermaster-sergeant. Upon returning home he took control and arranged for the purchase of his father's farm, and has since given his attention to its superintendence.

He is a Republican in politics, a member of the board of school committee, a member of the Congregational Church, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for about eighteen years.

Source changes here: from History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, by Hurd, Duane Hamilton, [from Old Catalog] Ed, published 1883; 15,081 words in this source stream.

Rehoboth Town

are married. Albert E. married M. Maria Reed, daughter of Lorenzo R. and Martha Reed, of Mansfield. They have three children, - Everett, Emma, and Ernest. Alice married John S. Briggs, of Attleborough. They have two children, Nellie A. and Mabel. Mr. Perry is neutral in politics, always voting in local elections for the candidate whom he esteems as the ^est man. He has not voted for President since 1848. He attends Friends' meeting, has been selectmen of his town four years, and chairman of the board last year. An honest, highly respected citizen.

Chapter Xxxiii Rehoboth

Geographical - Indian Purchase - Original Bounds - The First Purchase - The Second Purchase - The North Purchase - The First White Settlers - First Meeting of Original Plantei-s - Valuation of Original Lands - Names of Proprietors - Early Townsmen - Documentary History - Deed from King Philii* - Names of Inhabitants in IGS'J.

The town of Rehoboth lies in the western part of Bristol County, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Attleborough and Norton, on the east by Taunton, Dighton, and Swansea, and on the south by Swansea.

The original town of Rehoboth embraced, in addition to its present territory, the present towns of Seekonk, Pawtucket, Attleborough, East Providence, Cumberland, and that part of Swansea and Barrington which was called by the Indians Wannamoiset.

The first purchase of land was made of Massasoit in 1641, and embraced a tract ten miles square, comprising the present towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, Pawtucket, and East Providence.

The third and last purchase was a tract embracing the present towns of Attleborough, Mass., and Cumberland, R. I. This was known as the " North Purchase."

The town retained its original area until 1G67, when Swansea (Wannamoiset) was incorporated, including, besides the present town, that of Somerset, Mass., Cumberland, R. I., and the greater part of Warren, R. I. In 1694 it was further decreased by the incorporation of Attleborough, and in 1812 Seekonk was set ofl'.

The first white settler within the bounds of the original town of Rehoboth was William Blackstone, in what is now Cumberland, R. I. He was a Non-Conformist minister of England, who fled from his native land and sought an asylum in the wilds of America. He was the first white man who lived on the peninsula where the city of Boston now stands. The next white settler here was the famous Roger Williams.

The real founder of the original town of Rehoboth was the Rev. Samuel Newman, who came with numerous other persons from Weymouth and settled here (Seekonk) in 1644.

"John Hassell" (afterwards written Hazell in the town records) " doeth acknowledge himself to owe the king, to be leveyed of his lands, goods and chattels, &c. £XX. if he fayle in the condicon following: The condicon that the said John Hassell shall either take the oath of allegiance to the King, and fidelitie to the Government, betwixt this and March Court next, or els remove his dwelling from Seacunk." [Plym. Col. Rec, vol. ii. p. 67.]

" August 2, 1642. It is ordered that a warrant be sent to fetch John Hassell, that lives at Sickuncke, to answer his contempts at the General Court : which was made and signed by all the assistants present." [Plym. Col. Rec, vol. ii. p. 55.]

John Hazell continued to reside at "Seacunk," where he had lands granted him in 1669. And he appears to have owned largely before, for in describing the bounds of the grant mention is made of " his other allotment, being six hundred acres, bounded on the east with his fresh meadow and a little run of water and a cedar swamp ; on the west side Patucet River ; on the north side the woods ; on the south side the towne land; only the Island and little upland above mentioned is part of the six hundred acres." [Plym. Col. Rec, vol. ii. p. 193.]

"Seacunck," we have seen, was first granted to people of Hingham, but they were soon joined by Mr. Newman and a majority of his church at Weymouth, in their projected settlement ; and it is even possible that some of the people of Weymouth were among the original grantees of 1641, though none of them are among the names mentioned. It appears, however, that those whose names are given were a committee acting for " themselves and divers others."

The first meeting of the original planters of Rehoboth to be found on record is dated at " Weiraoth the 24th of the 8th month [October], 164.3." The record is as follows : " At a general meeting of the plantores of Seacunk, it was ordered :

" (1) That the [illegible] lottes shall not exceed tlie nuniher of sixty and five, and in case anny of those that have these lottes granted already fale, that Goodman [illegible] of Cambridge to be admitted if he please; and in case so mauuy fale as may limit to sixty then not to exceed sixty lottes."

" (2) It is agreed that the ground that is most fit to be planted and hopefull for corne for the present to be planted and fenced by such as possess it according to [illegible.]"

*' (3) It is ordered that those that have lottes granted and are [illegible] inhabitants shall fence the one end of their lottes and their part in the comon fence, in the same time, by the 20th day of April next or else forflt tlieir lottes to the disposal of the plantation ; and likewise to remove themselves and family to inhabit [torn offj by this time twelvesmonth, or else forfite their lottes againe to the plantation, allow! nge them their necessary improvements, as they in their discretion shall think meet."

"(4) That if anny damages shale fale out by anny man's particular fence, the owner of the fence shale pay the damage, and if [torn off] generall fence, then those persons that one the fence to pay [lorn off.]" [Kehoboth Eec. vol. i. p. 1.]