Swansea Town (part 1 of 3)

Swansea Town

Geographical - Incorporation of the Town - " Waunamoisett" - Documentary History - Early Inhabitants - Division of Lands - King Philip*s War - Original Grant - Capt. Thomas Williams' " Proposals" - Admission of Inhabitants - First Deputy Elected - John Allen - Town Officers of 1670 - Extracts from Early Records - Revolutionary War - Committee of Inspection - Various Votes concerning the Revolutionary Period - Election of 1780 - Pioneer Schools - First Schoolmaster - John Myles - 1702, Town Fined for not Having School.

Swansea lies in the southwestern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Seekonk, Rehoboth, and Dighton ; on the east by Dighton and Somerset; on the south by Somerset and Mount Hope Bay.

A portion of this town was originally comprehended within the limits of ancient Rehoboth. It forms a part of the tract called by the Indians " Wannamoisett," situated in this town and Barrington, R. I. This town was incorporated in 1677, and then included within its limits the present towns, Somerset, Barrington, and the greater part of Warren, R. I. The town derived its name from "Swan sea," in Wales, and was so spelled in the earliest records. In 1649, Obidiah Holmes and several others, having embraced the Baptist sentiments, withdrew from Mr. Newman's church, and set up a separate meeting of their own. The attempt to break them up, and the persecutions they met with, only increased their numbers. In 1663 they were much strengthened by the arrival of Rev. John Myles and his church. In the same year Mr. Myles formed a Baptist Church in Rehoboth (the fourth in America). It was organized in the house of John Butterworth, and commenced with seven members. These and subsequent proceedings were considered such an evil by the rest of the inhabitants that an appeal was made to the Plymouth Court to interfere. Each member of this new church was fined five pounds, and prohibited from worship for a month. They were also advised to remove from Rehoboth to some place where they would not prejudice any existing church. They accordingly moved to Wannamoisett.

Capt. Thomas Willett, a magistrate, and a man of great ability and enterprise, having large possessions at Narragansett, near by, came and settled here. Hugh Cole and some others followed. Capt. Willett became subsequently the first English mayor of New York. He and Mr. Myles may be justly styled the fathers of the town.

In 1670 it was ordered that the lands should be proportioned according to three ranks. Persons of the first rank were to receive three acres ; of the second, two acres ; of the third, one acre. In admitting inhabitants, the selectmen were to decide to which rank they should be apportioned. This singular division existed nowhere else in New England.

This town is memorable as the place where the first English blood was shed in " King Philip's War."2 On Sunday, June 20, 1675, King Philip permitted his men to march into Swansea and annoy the English by killing their cattle, in hopes to provoke them to commence the attack, for it is said that a superstition prevailed among them that the side who shed the first blood should finally be conquered. The Indians were so insolent that an Englishman finally fired upon one of them, and wounded him. The Indians upon this commenced open war. As soon as the intelligence of this massacre reached Boston, a company of foot under Capt. Henchman, and a troop under Capt. Prentice, immediately marched for Mount Hope, and being joined by another company of one hundred and ten volunteers under Capt. Moseley, they all arrived at Swansea June 28th, where they joined the Plymouth forces, under Capt. Cudworth. Mr. Miles' house, being garrisoned, was made their headquarters. About a dozen of the troop went immediately over the bridge, where they were fired upon out of the bushes, and one killed and one wounded. The English forces then pursued the enemy a mile or two, when the Indians took to the swamp, after having lost about a half-dozen of their number. The troop commenced their pursuit of the Indians next morning. They passed over

Miles' Bridge and proceeded down the river till they came to the narrow of the neck, at a place called Keekamuit, or Kickamuit. Here they found the heads of eight Englishmen, that the Indians had murdered, stuck on poles ; these they buried. On their arrival at Mount Hope, they found that place deserted.

"Whereas, Liberty hath been formerly granted by the Court of jurisdiction of New Plymouth, unto Captain Thomas Willett and his neighbors of Wannamoisett, to become 'i township there if they should see good, ami that lately the said (.'apt. Willett and Mr. Myles, and others, their neighbors, have requested of the Court that they may be a township there or near thereabout, and likewise to have granted unto them such parcells of land as might be accommodate thereunto not disposed of to other Townships; this Court have granted unto them all such lands that lyeth between the Salt water Bay and coming up Taunton River (viz.), all thr Land between the Salt water and river and the bounds of Taunton and Behoboth not prejudicing any man's particular Interest, and forasmuch as Kehoboth hath meadow lands within the line of Wannamoisett, and Wannamoisett bath lands within the line of Behoboth, lying near the South line of Kehoboth - if the two townships cannot agree about them amongst themselves, the Court reserves it within their power to determine any such controversy.

" 1607, March. The Court hath appointed Captaine Willett, Mr. Paiue, Senr., Mr. Brown, John Allen, and John Butterworth, to have the trust of admittance of Town Inhabitants into the said town, and to have the disposall of the Land therein, and ordering of other the affairs of said Town. The Court doe Allow and Approve that the Township Granted unto Capt. Willett and others, his neighbors, at Wannamoisett and parts adjacent, shall henceforth be called and known by the name of Swansea.

"The Enterys above are a Copy taken out of the Court Records at Plymouth. Nath'l Clark. And above Entrys hereof by William Iugraham, Town Clerk.

" Whereas, Capt. Thomas Willett, shortly after the grant of this township, made three following proposals unto those who were with him, by the Court at Plymouth, empowered for the admission of inhabitants, and of granting lots, viz.:

"The church here gathered and assembling did thereupon make the following address unto the said ('apt. Willett and his associates, the Trustees aforesaid.

"We being engaged with you (according to our capacitj') in the carrying mi of a township according to the grant given us by the honored Court, and desiring to lay such a foundation thereof as may effectually tend to God's glory, our future peace and comfort, and the real benefit of such as shall hereafter join with us herein, as also to prevent all future jealousies and causes of dissatisfaction or disturbance in so good a work, doe in relation to the three proposals made by our much honoured ('apt. Willett, humbly present to your serious consideration, before we -d further therein, that the said proposalls may be consented to and subscribed by all and every townman under the following explications: '1. That the first proposal relating to the non-admission of erroneous D8 may In- only understood under the explications following (viz.), of such as hold damnable heresies inconsistent with the faith of the Gospel, as to deny the Trinity or any person therein,1 the Deity or sinless Humanity of Christ, or the union of both natures in him, or his full satisfaction to the Divine justice by his active and passive obedience for all bis elect, or his resurrection, or ascension to heaven, intercession, or his second personable coming to judgment, or the resurrection of the dead, or to maintain any merit of works, consubstantiation, transub-

1 The Toleration Act passed by the British Parliament twenty-two years later, while relaxing the stringency of former laws against dissenters, expressly denied toleration to such as rejected the doctrine of the Trinity . - J. W.O.

stantiation, giving Divine adoration te any creature or any other anti- Christian doctrine, thereby directly opposing the priestly, prophetical or kingly office of Christ, or any part thereof; or secondly such as hold such opinions as are inconsistent with the well-being of the place, as to deny the magistrates power to punish evil-doers as well as to punish those that do well ; or to deny the first day of the week to be observed by Divine institution as the Lord's day or Christian Sabbath, or to deny the giving of honor to whom honor is due, or to offer those civil respects that are usually performed according to the laudable custom of our nation, each to other, as bowing the knee or body, etc., or else to deny the office, use, or authority of the ministry or comfortable maintenance to be due to them from such as partake of their teaching, or to speak reproachfully of any of the churches of Christ in this country, or of any such other churches as are of the same common faith with us and them.

" We desire that it be also understood & Declared that this is not understood of any holding any opinion different from others in any disputable pt. Yet in controversy among the Godly Learned, the beleefe thereof not essentially necessary to salvation, such pado-baptism, antipado-baptism, church discipline or the like. But that the minister or ministers of the Town may take their liberty to baptise Infants or grown persons as the Lord shall persuade their consciences, and so also the Inhabitants of the town to take their liberty to bring their children to baptism or forbear. That the second proposall relating to nouereception of any of evill behaviour, such as contentious persons, &c, may be only understood of those truly so called, and not of those who are different in judgment in the particulars last-mentioned and may be therefore counted contentious by some, though they are in all fundamental^ of faith orthodox in . . . and excepting common Infirmities blameless in conversation.

" That the proposall Relating to the non-admission of such as may be a charge to the Town be only understood so as that it may not hinder a godly man from comeing among us, whilst there is accommodation that satisfie him, if some Responsible Townsman will be bound to see the town harmless.

"These humble tenders of our desires we hope you will without offence receive, excusing us therein, considering that God's glory, the future peace and wellbeing, not only of us and our posterity who shall settle here, but also of those severall good and peaceable-minded men, whom you allready know are liked, though with very inconsiderable outward accommodation to come among us are very much concerned therein. Our humble prayers both for ourselves & you is that God would be pleased to cause us to aim more & more at his glory and less to our earthly concernment that so we may improve the favors that hath been handed down to us by our honoured nursing fathers to the advancement of the glory of God, the interest of our Lord Jesus Christ, & to the common benefitt both of the Town & Colony, wherein he bath providentially disposed of us to serve our generation. Your Brethren to serve you in Christ.

" The foregoing proposalls being according to the desire of the church aforesaid, fully & absolutely condescended to, concluded & agreed upon by it between said Captain Willett, al his associates aforesaid, & -the church under the reservation & explications above written, & every of them, it was sometime after propounded at a meeting of s1' town, lawfully warned on the two & twentieth day of the twelfth month, L669, that the said agreement might be by the whole town ratified A; confirmed & settled as the foundation order, to which all that then wei 6 or afterward should be admitted inhabitants to receive lands from the town, should manifest their assent by subscription thereunto, whereupon the following order (the said Capt. Willett, al his associates aforesaid being present) was freely passed by the whole town nemine contradicenie.

"At a town meeting lawfully warned, on the two & twentieth day of the twelfth month, commonly called February, in the year of our Lord 1669, it is ordered that all persons that are or shall be admitted inhabitants within this town, shall subscribe to the three proposalls above written, to the severall conditions & explanations therein expressed, before any lot of land be confirmed to them or any of them.

" We, whose nanus an- hereunder written, do freely, upon our admission to be inhabitants of this town of Swansea, assent to the above written agreement, made between the church now meeting here at

Swansea & Capt. Thomas Willett & his associates, as the s* agreement is specified & declared in the three proposalls afore written, with the several conditions & explanations thereof concerning the present & future settlement of this town. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed."

" At a Town-meeting Lawfully warned ye 19th of May, 1670, John Myles, junr., is chosen Clerk for this present year. John Allen, senr., is chosen Deputy, Nath1. Chafy constable, Samuel Luther grandjuryman, Benj. Alby waywarden, for the ensuing year.

" At a Town-meeting Lawfully warned on ye 11th of May, 1671, Mr. James Brown was chosen Deputy, and Hugh Colegrandjuryman, and John Martin Constable. Nathaniel Peck, Joseph Carpenter, and Zechariah Eddy were chosen waywardens. Mr. James Brown, Hugh Cole, and Samuel Luther were chosen selectmen."

" At a Town-meeting lawfully warned November ye 8th, 1671, John Allen, Snr., Hugh Cole, Nicholas Tanner, & Nathan1 Peck are chosen Raters for a Town Rate."

"At a Town-meeting Lawfully warned on ye 21 May, 1672, Mr. Brown was chosen Daputy & Thomas Barnes constable. Thos. Lewis grandjuryman, Nath1. Chafy & Jonathan Bozworth, & Hezekiah Luther, surveyors of highways ; Mr. Brown, Thos. Luis were chosen selectmen."

1670. " It was ordered yt whatsoever inhabitant shall absent himself from any Town-meeting to which he shall at any time hereafter be Legally warned, he shall forfeit for every such absent four shillings."

" It is ordered that all lotts & divisions of land that are or shall be granted to any particular person shall be proportioned to the threefold rank underwritten, so that where those of the first rank have three acres, those of the second rank shall have two, and those of the third rank shall have one."

1671. "Those of ye first rank shall pay three pounds twelve shillings apiece, and those of the second rank shall pay two pWnds eight shillings apiece, and those of the third rank one pound four shillings apiece."

Aug. 28, 1693. " The warrant from ye quarter session was read, requiring the Town to chuse a minister according to law; after sum Debate the meeting was adjourned for half an hour. The church by Lieutnt. Cole returned and replied thus : that they had a minister they apprehended was according to Law, viz., Elder Samuel Luther, and desired the vote of ye Town to see their assent and approbation, and after som debate ye meeting was adjourned for half an hour, and then againe after a considerable debate the Town-meeting was adjourned to ye 3d Tuesday in October, at 9 o'clock in the morning at the usual place of meeting."

" John Pain and John Cole, son of Hugh Cole, to look after & to prosecute any breache of ye acte made about Horses, the late act published both civil and military."

1711. Referring to a petition for the division of the town (that a Puritan minister could be supported by taxation) by inhabitants of the western part, "it passed in ye negative unanimously." " If any persons would supply ye selectmen with money for ye present management of sd affairs they should be reimbursed." (£29 2s. were borrowed.)

1712. " Granted a fund or bank of £500, or as much more as there may be occasion of, to maintain and defend ye Town grant and foundation settlement."

1717. On a petition for a tax of "sixscore pounds" to support a Puritan minister, " after considerable fayer and loveing conference with sd petitioners, it was agreed and voted and concluded that the inhabitants should enjoy conscience liberty according to the foundation settlement."

1718. "Every householder shall kill 6 blackbirds or six squirrells, or one crow shall count for two squirrells or blackbirds ;" " or he shall forfeit 2 pence for as many as he comes short of six."

In 1741 the vote of 1708 was reaffirmed, with a proviso that for every one above the required number a premium of fourpence should be paid ; for killing a grown fox, five shillings; a young fox, two shillings, in 1736.

(Capt. Joseph Mason, the Swansea representative, was the only member of the General Court who in 1732 voted in favor of fixing a salary for Governor Belcher, as required by the British government.)

1749, Oct. 23. " It being a very rainy day, and but few men met, and considerable business to be done, it was tho't proper to adjourn sd meeting."

" It was voted that town take all the tickets in the lottery granted by the Great and General Court for building the great bridge not sold by Feb. 26."

1764. Appointed Jeruthamul Bowers, Esq., to solicit relief from the General Court for the "great sufferance in the smallpox." Appropriated ninetypounds for care of patients.

Three hundred pounds lent to the town hy the Province ; the money was loaned to individuals, and subsequently many of the poor borrowers received by vote of town the gift of their notes.

Revolutionary War. - April 21, 1775, "Voted that 40 guns, 250 fibs, powder, 750 lbs lead, and 600 flints be provided. The committee of inspection shall provide provisions and all other necessaries for the poor upon any special emergency. That 50 men be enlisted to be ready at a minute's warning, and pd. 3s. a week for exercising two half days a week, and 6 dolls, bounty if called out of town. The officers to have the same as Rehoboth pays their officers."

May 22. Chose a committee of regulation and inspection. "The Town will secure and defend the said committee and empower them to follow and observe such directions as they shall receive from time to time from the Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety."

April, 1777. "Voted, in addition to what the General Court pays, £20 to every soldier enlisted in the Continental service for three years or the war;" subsequently restricted to " those credited to the quota of the town." Later the town treasurer was allowed to pay what he chose to secure men for the quota, " and the town will make him complete satisfaction for his trouble therein."

May, 1779. " Voted that there be a guard on each of the necks for the safety of the good people of the town ; that each man have four dollars for each night's service on guard. Capt. Philip Slead to go to the General Court at Boston to see whether the court would make any allowance to the town for those men which the town hired to goon the line. Chose the townclerk to draw up something for Capt. Philip Slead to carry to the council."

1779. " Voted twenty-two men to guard the shores, who shall have four dollars per night, or, if they choose, two dollars with rations and Continental wages.

"The Committee of Safety to go to Concord to meet with the Committee of Correspondence in Congress on July 14, 1779. The selectmen shall send to Boston for fire-arms."

June, 1780. " Voted three hundred pounds Continental money to all who enlist for six months." This was at the next meeting increased to four hundred pounds, then to seven hundred pounds, then to one thousand pounds. Then " one hundred and twenty silver dollars" were offered, " and the selectmen have power to increase the sum if necessary."

1804. Presidential election ; the electoral ticket headed by James Sullivan had one hundred and sixty-one, and that headed by David Cobb, four votes.

Sept. 4, 1804. Election for State officers: John Hancock, Esq., for Governor, seventeen votes ; James Boardman, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor, seventeen votes; Thomas Durefey, Esq., councilor, seventeen votes ; Walter Spooner, Esq., councilor, eleven votes ; Ephraim Starkweather, Esq., councilor, seventeen votes; Nathaniel Leonard, Esq., councilor, six votes.

Pioneer Schools. - Dec. 19, 1673. " It was voted and ordered, nemine eontradicente, that a school be forthwith set up in this town for the teaching of grammar, rhetoric, and arithmetic, and the tongues of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; also to read English and to write, and that a salary of forty pounds per annum in current country pay, which passeth from man to man, be duly paid from time to time, and at all times hereafter, and that John Myles, the present pastor of the church here assembling be the schoolmaster."

1702. Tbe town was fined £5 for not having a school, and employed John Devotion at £12 and diet, and £20 for keeping a horse. (Terms of school were kept in different parts of the town.) The next year his pay was £16 ; in 1709 he was employed for six years ; in 1715 for twenty years more.

Miles' Bridge - Lottery. - One of the earliest bridges erected in this section of Bristol County was the one at this point. It is impossible at this late day to ascertain the exact date of the building of the first bridge at this point, but it was doubtless in the early part of the last century, for the Provincial statutes of 1736-37 refer to abridge called Miles' Bridge in a country road had theretofore been constructed and had fallen into decay, and the towns of Swansea and Barrington were ordered " to build a good and substantial cart bridge across the said river in the country road aforesaid where the said bridge did stand."

" Whereas, By a law of this province made iu the sixth year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the First, entitled, ' An act to suppress lotteries;' and another law made in the sixth year of his present Majesty's reign, in addition to the aforesaid act, the setting up or carrying on lotteries are suppressed, unless allowed by act of Parliament or law of this province ; and

" Whereas, The said town of Swansea have represented their inability of rebuilding and keeping in repair the great bridge and causeway in said town, called Miles' Bridge, by reason great part of said town is taken off to Rhode Island by the late settlement of the boundary line betwixt the two governments, and pray the allowance of setting up and carrying on a lottery in said town for that purpose, -

"Sec. 1. That the said town of Swansea be and hereby is allowed and authorized to set up and carry on a lottery within said town for the use and purpose aforesaid, of the amount of twenty-five thousand pounds, old tenor, drawing out of such prize ten per cent., and said town be em- powered to make rules for the regular and practicable proceeding in said affair, and to appoint times and places, and meet persons for managers therein, who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of their trust.

" Sec. 2. That said Swansea shall be answerable to the purchasers or drawers of the tickets for any deficiency or misconduct of the managers, according to the true intent of lotteries."

1670, John Allen; 1671-72, James Brown; 1674-75, Hugh Cole; 1677- 79, Samuel Luther; 1680, Hugh Cole; 1681-82, Obadiah Brown; 1683-86, Hugh Cole; 168S, Lieut. Timothy Brooks and William Howard; 1691, Capt. John Brown; 1692, "Representatives to a great and general court or assembly to be held at ye town-house in Boston," Capt. John Brown and Mr. Samuel Newman ; 1693, Ebenezer Brenton; 1697, Ensign Joseph Kent; 169S-1705, Ephraim Peirce; 1706, Hezekiah Luther; 1707-8, Joseph Mason; 1709-10, Ephraim Pierce; 1711-12, John Thomas; 1716-18, John Rogers, Esq.; 1720, Joseph Mason, Jr., and William Salisbury; 1724, Capt. John Brown; 1726-27, Eph. Pierce; 1728, Hugh Cole; 1730-33, Joseph Mason, Jr.; 1736, Justice BrandfOrd, Esq.: 173S, Justis Mason; 1739, William Anthony; 1741, Mr. Ezek. Brown; 1743, Perez Brandford, Esq. ; 1744, " Voted not to have a Representative;" 1745, Ezek. Brown ; 1746, Mr. Caleb Luther ; 1747-50, Mr. Ezek. Brown ; 1751-52, William Slade; 1754, John Anthony ; 1756, William Slade; 1757-58, John Anthony; 1759-74, Jeruthamel Bowers; 1775, " Jeruthamel Bowers and Philip Slead to represent the Town in the Provincial Congress, and that these two persons have no more than the wages of one ;" 1777, Col. Andrew Cole and Mr. Philip Slead ; 1778, Col. Edward Anthony; 1779, Philip Slead and Israel Barney; "Israel Barney, delegate to the Convention at Concord in October;" " Capt. Philip Slead and Mr. John Mason, delegates to represent the town at Cambridge in forming a new constitution ;" 1780, 1783, Jurathamel Bowers, " John Richmond to go to Boston the first Wednesday of June;" 1781-82, voted not to send a Representative ; 1784, Simeon Potter ; 1785-86, Christopher Mason; 1787, Christopher Mason and James Luther; 1789-18 3, Christopher Mason; 1806-7, Daniel Hale; 1809-10, Daniel Hale and Edward Mason; 1811-12, Daniel Hale and Benanuel Marvel; 1813-19, Daniel Hale; 1820, Dr. John Winslow; 1821-22, John Mason; 1823-25, Benanuel Marvel; 1S26, Benjamin Taylor; 1827, Daniel Halo and John Buffington. "Voted that D. Hale be instructed to attend the Legislature, and if in his opinion it is necessary for John Buffi ngton to attend, he must write or send to him, and he is instructed to attend if called for;" 1828, John Mason and John Buffington. May, 1829, " Voted to exonerate John Mason from paying into the Treasury tbe sum generally expended in treating the inhabitants of the town at a choice of representatives, which he agreed to at his election in 1828." 1829, Luther Baker and Benajah Mason. " Voted, That the Reps be instructed to oppose all RR. constructed at the expense of the State." 1830, L. Baker and B. Mason : 1831, John Earl and B. Mason ; 1832, Benanuel Marvel; 1833, B. Marvel and John Earl; 1834, James Cornell; 1835, .1. Cornell and Geur^e Austin; 1S36-37, George Mason; 1838-39, Artemas Stebbins; 1840, Jonathan It. Brown; 1841-42, Stephen Buffington; 1843, James Cornell; 1844-45, Philip M. Marvel; 1846-47, Jonathan Barney; 1848-49, Ezra P. Short; 1850, William T. Chase; 1851, Daniel Edson ; 1852, no choice; 1853, Horatio Peck; 1854, Allen Mason; 1855, Benjamin S. Earl; 1856, voted not to send a representative.

or distance, or any other cause, could not readily be sold into an ignominious slavery among the Canadian French. . . . There could not have been less than twenty or thirty of the citizens of Lexington who had learned the art of war in some department or another of the military colonial service. They had tasted its horrors in the midnight surprise of the savage foe, and they had followed the banners of victory under the old provincial leaders, Gridley and Thomas, and Buggies and Frye, up to the ramparts of Quebec. No wonder they started again at the sound of the trumpet ; no wonder that men who had followed the mere summons of allegiance and loyalty to the shores of Lake Champlain and the banks of the St. Lawrence should obey the cry of instinct which called them to defend their homes. The blood which was not too precious to be shed on the Plains of Abraham in order to wrest a distant colony from the dominion of France might well be expected to flow like water in defense of all that is so dear to man. And so the sons of the old warriors of this town served their country well in the great war of independence.

" But, my friends, while we turn with pride to the high and honorable record of this town in its early heroic days, and remember with pride the battle-fields of the Revolution, we are filled with the tenderest emotions as we rehearse the gallant deeds performed by our sons and brothers in defense of the flag during the trials and hardships of the great civil war. The events of this imposing chapter in our national history have passed before our very eyes. We heard the gun Avhich was fired on Sumter; we knew the boys who fell at Baltimore ; we sat down with Grant before Yicksburg, and followed him in his weary and bloody march through the Wilderness; from our firesides went forth the men who swept through the valley with Sheridan, and traversed the victorious highway from Atlanta to the sea with Sherman, and ascended Lookout Mountain with Hooker, and sailed with Farragut and Winslow. The tears shed over the sufferings at Andersonville and Salisbury and the Libby are not yet dry. The widows are not gone ; the orphans yet remain ; the wounded soldier still walks our streets. Around the memory of many who are gone, and around the lives of many who are still with us cluster all the glories of that conflict, all its victories and defeats, all its joys and sorrows, all its gloomy morning hours, all the brilliant achievements for freedom which mark its close, and all the gentle associations which soften the savagery of war, and which especially belong to this great conflict for human right. History has immortalized the generous and self-sacrificing deed of Sir Philip Sidney, as he Btayed the hand which would moisten his own parched and dying lip until the agony of his expiring comrade had been relieved. Shall not history also tell of him whose last words were, ' Write to mother, and tell her I behaved well ;' of him whose glazed eye was turned upon the picture of his child so far away, held there in his stiffening grasp; of him who, defiant of wounds, rushed on to battle still, and who fell at last with this message on his lips, ' Tell my father I was dressing my line when I was hit ;' of him who clasped to his heart in its last throb the written words of her whom he loved ; of him who rejoiced in death, and only asked that he might be buried in his native town ; of him who preferred death on the picket-line to a surrender ; of the thousands who, we are told, rose superior to the agony of the hospital and declared, as the holy light irradiated their pale faces, that they could die without regret in the great and good cause !

" Shall not all this be told of the heavenly voice uttered by Christian heroes bearing to the battle-field all the moral obligations, the kind affections, the pious sentiment, the intelligent devotion of free and educated Christian heroes from their Christian homes?

" I congratulate this town upon the part it performed in the great drama of this continent, perhaps of this age. It is the same story, I know, repeated so often in the thousands of towns throughout the North, but none the less admirable and instructive.

" You who sit here have not forgotten the prompt and ready response from those men who enrolled themselves for active service almost before the sun which rose on the first day of the conflict had reached midheaven ; those who started forth without counting the cost, obedient to a proud sense of patriotic duty, unmindful of doubt and hesitation, and forgetful of danger and death ; those men who first taught foreign and domestic foes that the Union had its defenders, and who saved the capital of our country until the great armies of the war could be brought into the field.

" Year after year the call was made on you, and year after year the same response was given. A hundred and thirty-four of your men were enrolled in the army and navy. Large sums were expended in bounties to the soldiers, partly contributed by private liberality and partly drawn from the treasury of the town. Your charities were large. Individuals and associated effort was unremitting in smoothing the rugged pathway of the soldier, in providing for those whom he had left behind, and in alleviating his toil on the field and his sufferings in hospital and camp. From your firesides to every battle-field was stretched the silver cord of affection and solicitude, bringing home close to your hearts the great events of the war, and binding your familiar and household names to every far-off spot in our land which the war clothed with immortal renown, for your sons were on every field, your blood was spilled in almost every conflict.

"The sacrifices which you made were great. Of those who went forth twenty laid down their lives in their country's service, defending her flag on many a hard-fought field, and filled by your public declarations with the loftiest principles.

beginning, what a radiant close ! Far back through the generations I see thern now, those earnest and manly sons of Puritan warriors and teachers, who had filled the pulpits and town-houses and armies of our land during a century of protest and trial and selfsacrifice and defiance, rising higher and higher in their indignant sense of duty as the fierce periods of our popular Declaration were launched forth upon an approving American mind. And can you not feel with them the hot blood of the early pioneers coursing through their veins as the ardent appeals went on? The memory of long and weary trials in the cause of civilization there in the wilderness, of the precepts of those old teachers who were gone, of the bloody seas through which they had been brought to their great assertions of the wrongs of the past, this, and their glowing understanding of the promise of the present hour and of the future, all inspired their minds with wisdom and their hearts with courage for the occasion. From their humble homes they had stepped forth, not to follow but to lead, not to listen alone but to speak, not only to be taught but to teach mankind to be true to the highest demands of a free and independent spirit. It was to the voice of the popular assemblies like these that our fathers of the Revolution listened. It was the wisdom of such assemblies that guided their councils and gave the American people their greatness. It was this spirit that made Swansea heroic when the first shot was fired at Lexington, and true and patriotic when the first gun was aimed at Sumter.

"And now, my fellow-citizens, this brief and imperfect story of the piety and heroism of your town for two centuries is told. I have not explored the deepest recesses of your annals for marks of your eccentricity, or for those personal details which, while they amuse for the hour, make no appeal to those sentiments of pride and satisfaction which should fill the breast of every man who muses by the graves and studies the high qualities of his ancestors.

"I have not forgotten the errors here, the local controversies, the short-comings, the temporary irritations ; but I have passed them by, and have endeavored so to deal with your history as to fill your minds with respect for your ancestors, and with a determination to transmit in more radiant form the blessed institutions which you have inherited to those whose duty it shall be to preserve them, and to celebrate them at the next centennial anniversary of the tragic period in the history of this town."

Chapter Lv Ecclesiastical History

The First Baptist Church - The Non-Sectarian Christian Church - Christ Church, Swansea Village - The Six-Principle Baptist Church - The Universalist Church.

The First Baptist Church in Massachusetts was constituted at Rehoboth, Bristol County, in the year 1663, in the house of John Butterworth. The names of its constituent members were John Myles, pastor; James Brown, Nicholas Tanner, Joseph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsley, and Benjamin Alby.

As this is the first Baptist Church formed in this State, and as its origin was peculiar, had the events of its early history been preserved, it would have been a matter of unusual interest to the Baptists of the present time. Hitherto churches of this order had been kept out of every New England colony except Rhode Island. An attempt was made to form one in 1639 in the town of Weymouth, but it was defeated by the magistrates, and those concerned in it were scattered. After this no further effort seems to have been made for more than twenty years.

The history of this church possesses more than a local and temporary interest, as it relates to the religious and secular interests of all this region of country for a period of more than two centuries. Indeed, its history, with that of some of its pastors, connects it with some of the most important movements in the early annals of these colonies. Several of the contiguous towns, including Warren and Barrington, now in Rhode Island, and Somerset in this State, formed a part of Swansea, and the people were generally interested in the church, many of them as members, and most of them as adherents and coadjutors. Liberal measures were provided for the education of the young, and for the accommodation of all the people with the means of religious instruction and worship. Among the most active of the men thus employed was "Sir. Myles and Capt. Thomas Willett, the latter, who at a later period of life became the first English mayor of New York on its cession from the Dutch. Happy would it have been for the social, educational, and moral prosperity of the town of Swansea if the same principles could have been carried to their maturity which were so nobly acted on in the first period of its history.

It will be seen that the church was, in a manner, the reorganization of an exiled church driven from Swansea, in Wales ; it will therefore be necessary to go to the history of that church. It is known that from the earliest times there were many friends of Christ in that country, who were greatly multiplied after the Reformation. A little more than two hundred years ago a number of men of great power were raised who preached with much success, and many people were turned to the Lord. Among these men was Rev. John Myles, the founder of this church. He began his ministry in South Wales about the year 1645, and was instrumental in raising a church in Swansea in 1649. This was the first year of the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, under whose government the Dissenters were indulged with greater liberty than before, the result of which greatly tended to the prevalence of religion. This church was greatly prospered, so that in ten or twelve years between two and three hundred were added to it. Mr. Myles seems to have accepted a support from the government, and his place was registered as thus supported.

After the death of Cromwell, Charles II. came into power, and the " Act of Uniformity" was passed in 1662, by which two thousand of the best ministers were ejected from their places because they refused to conform to the Church of England. Among these non-conformist ministers was Mr. Myles. This act, and afterwards the Conventicle Act and the Oxford Act, in effect, silenced these men. This was a time of terror, and it is said that eight thousand persons were imprisoned and reduced to want, and many to the grave. In this state of things Mr. Myles emigrated to this country ; whether he was accompanied by any members of the church besides Nicholas Tanner is uncertain. By whom and for what reason the records of that church were brought here, as also the circumstances of his departure from Wales, and his arrival in this country, are matters to us unknown. The first knowledge we gain of him in this country is that he was in Rehoboth in 1663, when this church, now known as the " First Baptist Church in Swansea," was organized.

As soon as the fact of its organization and that it was maintaining the institutions of Christianity became known, the orthodox churches of the colony solicited the court to interpose its influence against it. This movement was probably led on by the same persons who instigated proceedings against Holmes, Clark, and Crandal, by which they were imprisoned, scourged, and fined in 1651 for holding public worship in the town of Lynn. The same sleepless vigilance which had followed them pursued this little church, and each of its members were fined five pounds for setting up a public meeting without the knowledge and approbation of the court, to the disturbance of the peace of the place. They were ordered to desist from their meetings for the space of a month, and advised to remove their meeting to some other place where they might not prejudice any other church. Upon this order and advice Mr. Myles and his church removed from Rehoboth to New Meadow Neck, a place south of Rehoboth, which is now Barrington, R. I. Then it was not embraced in any town. They appear to have erected a house for worship soon after their removal beyond the bounds of Rehoboth. This house seems to have been about two and a half miles from the present house, west.

In 1667 the Plymouth Court granted to this church, with others, a grant of a town to be called Swansea. The grant of this town, that the Baptists might have a resting-place, shows that the Plymouth Colony was much more tolerant than the Massachusetts Colony. We now find our fathers of this church, with their pastor, free from oppression. On the incorporation of the town the church entered into covenant with each other, as appears by the covenant itself on record. Whether they had a covenant before is not known ; neither have we any means of knowing whether the church increased, diminished, or remained stationary. In 1675 the Indian war commenced, under King Philip, of Mount Hope. This town and this church first felt the calamities of that war, which spread such devastation over much of New Epgland. Here it first began. While this church was engaged in public worship, the Indians were preparing to attack the people of this new and unprotected town on their return home. They killed one and wounded others. '< Here its effects fell with great severity, as it is said ; one-half of Swansea was burned. The house of Mr. Myles was made into a garrison. As to the state and progress of the church, we have nothing to enlighten us. From the nature of the case all must have been gloomy.

Mr. Myles preached much of three years in Boston, previous to 1679, and whether this church was supplied during his absence is doubtful. About this time the town voted to remove the meeting-house to the lower end of New Meadow Neck. It seems this idea was abandoned, and it was voted and ordered, Sept. 30, 1679, " that a meeting-house of forty feet in length and twenty-two in breadth and sixteen feet between joints be forthwith built." From the above and other records it appears the place of meeting was changed, and that the minister went there also.

Feb. 3, 1683, Mr. Myles closed his labors on earth, having been in the ministry about thirty-eight years. His age and the place of his burial are unknown, but he left a character behind that will be honored as long as Palmer's River shall run. He was succeeded by Capt. Samuel Luther, who was ordained July 22, 1685, by Elders Emblen and Hull, of Boston. He was a ' man of character and talents, and discharged with J exemplary fidelity the duties of his office for nearly thirty-two years. He died Dec. 20, 1716, and was buried at Kickamuit. During his ministry, probably about 1700, the meeting-house was removed to near Myles' Bridge. Perhaps this might have had some connection with the separation of Barrington from Swansea, and its formation into a separate town. The church seems to have prospered to a considerable extent during the whole of Elder Luther's ministry. We cannot say how large it was with certainty, probably about two hundred, scattered in Rehoboth, Middleborough, Bellingham, Haverhill, Taunton, and what is now Warren and Somerset.

with Elder Luther, and at his death sole pastor. In 1718 the church records seem to begin. Mr. Wheaton appears to have been a man who exerted a great and good influence on the church, and on others also. His ministry was eminently successful, and the church was highly prosperous. According to the records we have, about one hundred were added to the church. He died April 26, 1734, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and was buried in Rehoboth.

In 1733, April 18th, Mr. Samuel Maxwell was ordained associate with Mr. Wheaton, and at his death became sole pastor. He continued till April 15, 1739, when he was dismissed. About fifty were added to the church during his ministry.

For two or three years the church was without a pastor, after the dismissal of their former one, when the labors of Elder Benjamin Harrington was obtained, and he was installed pastor Aug. 15, 1742. He was dismissed May 3, 1750.

In 1748, Mr. Jabez Wood, of Middleborough, a member of this church, was requested to supply the pulpit. Accordingly he supplied three years and a half, and was ordained pastor Sept. 5, 1751.

At the time Mr. Wood was ordained the church was without deacons. Benjamin Cole died in 1748, and Jonathan Kingsley in 1750. These men served in this office from 1725 till they died in old age, having executed important trusts for the church in their day. The first notice we find of deacons in the records is that John Thomas, Nathaniel Luther, and Richard Harding were ordained deacons in 1718, that the two first named died in the discharge of their holy trust, but when they died we cannot say. To supply the deficiency of these necessary officers, Robert Wheaton and Thomas Peck were chosen Aug. 6, 1752. Deacon Peck served about seven years till the time of his death, in 1770. He was a useful man. His place was supplied by Nicholas Thomas till 1771, when he was removed from his sphere of usefulness on earth to rest with God. At the death of Deacon Thomas, David Kingsley was elected clerk, and served forty-five years. In 1776 he was also chosen to the office of deacon, and served more than fifty years. He died Oct. 25, 1830, aged ninety-two. Thomas Kingsley was chosen deacon in 1771, and served till his death in 1809, aged eighty-three. The two Deacons Kingsley, David and Thomas, were men unusually free from fault, and good men, but not very efficient. Deacon Wheaton lived to a great age, and was highly esteemed. He was the son of Elder Wheaton, and died Nov. 22, 1780, aged ninety-two years.

The interests of the body seemed to droop and decline for a length of time, when Elder Wood vacated his office in 1778 or 1779, the precise date not being on record. The state of the church was now depressed and low. The number of members when he left is not known, as no list of members had ever been kept, and the alterations, except by baptism, were not kept with accuracy. The whole country was now in perilous circumstances, being involved in the Revolutionary war. Those nearest the sea-shore suffered the most, and this people was not exempt. On the 25th of May, 1778, the Baptist meeting-house and parsonage in Warren were burned by British troops, and Mr. Thompson, the pastor, taken prisoner. In this afflicted, depressed, and scattered state, the church was unable to sustain public worship. It was proposed to return to the maternal bosom, till they might be able to return to Warren as before. This proposal was accepted, and the brethren in that manner joined this church. Mr. Thompson became the pastor, and settled with the people, Oct. 7, 1779.

The settlement of a minister so deservedly eminent, and the accession of help from Warren, seemed to put new life into this body. The Lord evidently came with the new pastor, as he baptized one only three days after his election, and two more before the 1st of January, 1780. During that winter following there was a great revival of religion, not only in this church but throughout the country. This has been called the year of the great revival. The number baptized here was sixty-seven, in 1781 five more, making seventy-five since Mr. Thompson became pastor. About this time the remains of the Oak Swamp Church joined here in the same manner the Warren brethren had done. These accessions rendered this church large, and in some respects strong, though there is no means of knowing the exact number. There is probability that it was nearly or quite two hundred.

In 1786 the Warren brethren went back, were reorganized, built a house of worship, and again had the institutions of the gospel at home. The number who returned was twenty-eight.

In 1789 the Lord was pleased to appear again to build up Zion, and fifty-four were baptized, which greatly encouraged the hearts of both pastor and people. This was a very interesting revival, and greatly added to the strength of the church.

In 1801 the Lord again visited his people, and twenty-six were baptized. The last baptism in this place by Mr. Thompson occurred Sept. 5, 1802 ; with the year he closed his pastoral relation, after having served with ability, fidelity, and success, a little more than twenty-three years. During his ministry one hundred and seventy-six were baptized by him and added to the church. The first seven pastors occupied a term of one hundred and forty years, averaging twenty years to each. Perhaps this period of the existence of the church is by far the most important, not only for its general historical interest, but for the influence of the church upon all the surrounding community.

Mr. Thompson was succeeded by Rev. William Northrup, probably in the spring of 1804. He continued four years, and baptized twenty-nine and received eight others, in all thirty-seven.

He was followed by Rev. William Barton, who preached two years but without success. He was dismissed at his own request in the spring of 1810.

In 1811, Rev. Abner Lewis became a member and the pastor of this church, and preached here till April, 1819, when he was dismissed. He departed this life July 7, 1826, aged eighty-one, and is interred in the burial-ground connected with this house.

After his dismissal the church was supplied by Elder Benjamin Taylor, a preacher of the Christian Connection, who continued for a part of two years, when he closed in the spring of 1821.

The next minister was Rev. B. Pease, until 1823; Rev. Luther Baker, from 1824 to 1832; Jesse Briggs, two and a half years; O. J. Fisk, from Oct. 1, 1835, to April 1, 1836; Abiel Fisher, from 1836 to 1846; J. J. Thacher, 1846 to 1854; Silas Hall, 1854 to 1857; J. W. Horton, 1857 to 1864; Rev. A. W. Ashley settled as pastor July, 1864, closed his labors October, 1867 ; Rev. J. A. Baskwell, settled May, 1868 ; closed his pastorate September, 1870; January, 1871, called Rev. C. Bray to the pastorate, he closed his labors May, 1874; the church was supplied by R. E. Barrows and others until April, 1876, when Rev. J. W. Horton was settled for the second time; he closed his labors about the 1st of January, 1882.

Up to 1846 this church occupied, probably, the oldest church in this county, and the oldest Baptist house in America. Tradition says it was built the year after Elder Luther's death, - that is, in 1717, and in 1723 an order was passed by the church for raising money to complete the payment for building the meeting-house. It was forty-one and a half feet long and thirty-three feet wide, about twenty-two feet between joints, un plastered, and open to the roof till 1802. It will thus be seen that this church, the first Baptist Church in Massachusetts and the fourth in America, has maintained its visibility over two hundred years. Four churches have been formed from this.

The church is now in a low state, having been reduced by deaths, removals, and exclusions, numbering now about fifty. Most of these are elderly persons, invalids, or on the retired list, unable to do much for the church or cause of Christ. The senior deacon, who for nuuiy years had been the leading spirit in the church, died Nov. 29, 1882, at the age of ninety-two.

The Non-Sectarian Christian Church.1 - Swansea was settled by men who believed in liberty of conscience. Probably it was the only town within the territorial jurisdiction of the Pilgrims, which recognized the right of free thought. While all desired freedom for themselves, nearly all in that age would "use the sword of the civil magistrate to open the

John Myles, the first minister of the town, while exposed to persecution in his native land, had learned the lesson of tolerance. Not only did the town in its organic capacity concede freedom of religious opinion, but the church of which he was pastor, although composed of Baptists, admitted to communion all persons who (the original covenant declared), "by a judgment of charity, we conceive to be fellow-members with us in our head, Christ Jesus, although differing from us in such controversial points as are not absolutely and essentially necessary to salvation." The successors of Mr. Myles were Calvinistic Baptists, and the church covenant was changed to harmonize with their views. That church (now under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Bixby) is the oldest congregation of the Baptist denomination in the State of Massachusetts.

Perhaps the erection by the town of the " new meeting-house on the lower end of New Meadow Neck" (in what is now Barrington, R. I.), in 1680, may have been one reason why the inhabitants of the "easternmost part of the town upheld a religious meeting" at a more accessible place. Although services were maintained from " about the year 1680," there was no formal church organization until 1693. In the original record book (very plainly written and still in excellent condition) the church is styled simply a " Church of Christ in Swansea." No doctrinal tests were made conditions of admission, but all Christians were recognized as possessing equal rights in the "household of faith." Perhaps there was then no other church in all the earth which received as members all Christians irrespective of divergent opinions concerning the various points of speculative theology. In 1725, nearly half a century after the " meeting" was established and a third of a century after the church was organized, it was decided to receive members only by the " laying on of hands." The church was then ecclesiastically independent. From the year 1803 to 1819 it was represented by "messengers" in the "Yearly Meeting of the Six- Principle Baptists." After a connection of sixteen years with that body the church withdrew, declaring " the Lord Jesus Christ the great head of the Church to be their leader, and the Scriptures a rule to govern their faith" and practice by, and receive their principles and doctrine from." This action was taken Feb. 10, 1820. The church thereby regained the freedom, says the record, " which it enjoyed under the pastoral care of Job and Russell Mason before it was considered a branch of the yearly meeting." From that time to the present all persons giving satisfactory evidence of Christian character have been welcomed to the communion, and also to membership in the church. A few years ago the church united with the " Rhode Island and Massachusetts Christian Confer- ence," but this relation does not restrict fellowship, as the Conference discards doctrinal tests in regard to subjects concerning which Christians differ in opinion. As there was for thirteen years a congregation without a church, so there was a religious service without a clergyman. The record book says, " We upheld a religious meeting partly by some improving their gifts among us and partly by helps from other places." In 1693, Thomas Barnes was ordained pastor. It has been represented that he was a man of some note in Plymouth Colony. He was one of the original proprietors of the town, although a very young man when the first settlement occurred. According to the system of " ranking" adopted soon after the charter of Swansea was obtained, Mr. Barnes belonged to the "second class" of the landed aristocracy, as did also Samuel Luther, who succeeded John Myles as pastor of the Baptist Church. The Colonial Records afford incidental but positive proof that the " court" acknowledged the validity of his claim to be recognized as a clergyman, notwithstanding he was a "Separatist." The church record says, [ " Our beloved elder, Thomas Barnes, continued with us till June 8, 1706, and then it pleased God to remove him by death." When he assumed the duties of pastor the church consisted of only seventeen members. There is no statement on record of the number received in the thirteen years of his ministry, but nine years after his decease the church had one hundred and twenty-nine members. Making due allowance for losses by death and from other causes, it will be perceived that the increase was remarkable. This growth affords evidence of the efficiency of both Mr. Barnes and his immediate successor.

Among the former soldiers of Cromwell who came to this country at the time of the restoration of the Stuart family to the English throne was one Samson Mason. From him are descended most of the rather numerous families of that name now residing in this vicinity. Six of his sons were living in or near Swansea when the youngest was seventy years old. One of j the sons, Isaac, was the first deacon of this church ; another son, Joseph, succeeded Mr. Barnes as pastor; a third son of Samson Mason, Pelatiah, was the father of three ministers, - Job, Russell, and John, - two of them serving as pastors of this church, as also did their cousin Benjamin, son of Samson Mason, Jr., these prophets not being without honor in their own country and among their own kin.

There is evidence that a considerable part of the increase in the numerical strength of the church, already mentioned, occurred in the early part of the ministry of Joseph Mason. It is assigned as a reason for the ordination of his colleague, John Pierce, in 1715, that it " had pleased God to increase our numbers."

The first meeting of the voters of the parish of which there is a record took place in 1719, the congregation concurring with the church in the election of Joseph Mason as pastor. He had long served in that capacity, and this action was taken to avoid legal difficulties. The town of Barrington had not long before been set off from Swansea that a Puritan minister might be supported therein by taxation, repeated efforts, beginning about the time of the ordination of Mr. Barnes, having failed to induce or compel the undivided township to conform to the custom which prevailed elsewhere throughout the colony. The inhabitants of the remaining portion of the town disliked both the exclusive spirit of Puritanism and the system of taxation for the support of religious institutions. When Mr. Mason was in due form pronounced the law ful pastor, he publicly declared himself satisfied with the voluntary contributions of the congregation for his subsistence, and expressly waived all claim to support by taxation, while recognizing the duty of all "to uphold and maintain ye ministry and worship of God in ye severall churches or congregations where they respectively belong or assemble," " and not in any other church or congregation." It was while Joseph Mason was pastor and John Pierce his assistant that the meeting-house was built (to be described in a subsequent paragraph), which for more than a century was occupied for public worship.

Joseph Mason died in 1748, John Pierce in 1750, each attaining " the great age of about ninety years." They had " in January, 1737-38" (in January, 1738, "new style"), requested the church to provide them a colleague, and Job Mason, a nephew of the senior pastor, was selected. Four months after the choice was made, in May, 1738, he was ordained. A few months after the death of Joseph Mason the legal voters of the parish ratified the action of the church, and Job Mason declared that he was satisfied with such support as his hearers should " freely and willingly" afford him, "also denying any support by way of a tax," regarding the voluntary system "to be most agreeable to the mind of God, contained in the Scriptures."

Favored with the ministry of this judicious pastor and able preacher, the church attained a great degree of prosperity. In later times many of the older members recalled the "days of Job Mason" as the "golden age" in the history of the church. "She sent forth her boughs unto J;he sea and branches unto the river." In 1753 thirty-three members residing in or near Rehoboth Avere dismissed at their own request to constitute a church to meet in that town. Daniel Martin, a member of this church, was ordained pastor. It is worthy of mention that the gentleman who now - one hundred and thirty years after - supplies so acceptably the pulpit of that parish is likewise a native of Swansea and a son of this church. In 1763 several members, with others from Rehoboth and some from Providence, R. I., emigrated to "Sackville, a township in the government of Nova Scotia" (now New Brunswick). Before removing to their new home the adventurers met at Swansea to be organized as a church, and Nathan Mason, of this place, a son of the second Samson Mason, was ordained pastor.

After a useful ministry of many years, Job Mason died at the age of fourscore, one month after the battle of Bunker Hill, July 17, 1775. Several of his descendants are members of the church at this time.

Russell Mason was chosen colleague with his brother Job in 1752, and was pastor (and also much of the time clerk of the church) until his death in 1799, at the age of eighty-five years. The period of his ministry comprehended the stirring scenes of the Revolutionary war and all those important events connected with the transformation of the American colonies into a nation. Undoubtedly the church was somewhat depleted, perhaps depressed, in "the time that tried men's souls," and between July 17, 1775, and Dec. 28, 1780, there is not a single entry in the book of records ; but the record last referred to implies that public worship had been regularly maintained. In 1788 members living in Dartmouth were organized " for religious worship," and John Mason (a brother of Job and Russell) was ordained pastor. He died in 1801, aged eighty-five years. The church speedily recovered much of its former strength, for within the year 1789 there were, it is recorded, " eighty-six persons baptized and added to the church." The widow of Russell Mason long survived him, and (in accordance with a vote of the church after her husband's decease) continued to occupy the parsonage until her death.

The oldest son of the first Samson Mason bore his name. He remaiued unmarried until about seventythree years of age ; when he was eighty the youngest of his four children was born. Like Israel, he called the son of his old age Benjamin. Like his brother Nathan, already mentioned, Benjamin Mason became a minister. In 1784 he was ordained to assist his cousin Russell, and at his senior's death succeeded him. He died in 1813, at the age of eighty-three years. It will be noticed that the posterity of the sturdy soldier evinced by their longevity the possession of some of the characteristics which gave to the adherents of the Protectorthe appellation of "Oliver's Ironsides." For more than a century the successive pastors bore his name, and the one who died youngest attained the age of eighty years.

Increasing infirmities prevented Mr. Mason from preaching statedly for several years, although he frequently participated in the services when his colleague preached. An aged member of the church, recently deceased, could recall but one, and that the last occasion on which he addressed the people of his charge. The venerable man, after alluding to that feeling of loneliness which sometimes oppresses the aged pastor when he realizes the changes wrought by death, as he misses so many of the attendants on his early ministry, and to his consciousness of the decay of his own

In 1801, Philip Slade (ordained as an evangelist fourteen years before) became assistant minister ; after : Mr. Mason's death he sustained the relation of pastor ; until the close of 1819. He had been unable, how- , ever, to perform all the duties of that position for i several years, even the Sunday service being frequently omitted. For some time the church obtained transient " supplies" for the pulpit. Afterward, with Mr. Slade's approbation, Benjamin Taylor, then pastor of the North Christian Church in New Bedford, was engaged to preach at a special service on Sunday afternoons, the pastor continuing the stated meeting in the morning. But the great congregations which j assembled to hear Mr. Taylor so contrasted with the I meagre attendance at the forenoon service that Mr. | Slade, who was not aware of the failure of his own J mental faculties, became much dissatisfied. Eventually the church, by vote, decided to dissolve the pastoral relation, as the " beloved elder is out of health both in body and mind."

Although this action was taken with much unanimity, at least two members, both deacons, sympathized so much with Mr. Slade that they withdrew from the church. Some others followed their example, but the strength of the parish was not sensibly impaired, for in less than a year afterwards there were two hundred and ninety-eight members connected with the church.

Soon after the dismissal of Mr. Slade the church (with the concurrence of the congregation) made choice of Mr. Taylor as pastor. The position was a difficult one, and it was with some reluctance that he accepted the call. But his ministry was highly successful. He won the esteem of the entire community, and often officiated in the pulpits of the various denominations in the vicinity. He remained with the parish ten years, in which time one hundred and thirty-three persons were added to the church.

In his youth Mr. Taylor made several voyages at sea. He always retained an interest in the welfare of seamen, and some time after leaving Swansea he established the Mariners' Bethel at Providence, R. I. Mr. Taylor was born at Beverly, Mass., in 1786, and died in Michigan in 1848. He had three brothers who were ministers, and a sister who was a minister's wife.

Richard Davis became pastor in November, 1830, and discharged the duties of that office two years and six months. He died at Milwaukee, Wis., in 1868. A few years before his death, and a third of a century after the dissolution of his connection with the parish, the church sent a liberal sum of money to assist him in his old age. The church edifice now in use was built while Mr. Davis was pastor, although : it was not ready for occupancy until the beginning of the ministry of his successor.

Mr. Davis was succeeded by James J. Thatcher. His ordination as pastor was the first that had occurred since 1784. He remained with the church nearly eight years. His ministry here was very successful, as were his subsequent labors elsewhere. Mr. Thatcher was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1811, and died in the town of Rehoboth, Mass., in 1874. The later years of his ministry were spent with churches of the Baptist denomination, and at one time he was pastor of the Baptist Church in Swansea.

In October, 1842, Isaiah Haley was ordained pastor. Although a worthy man, his ministry with this church continued only a few months. His death took place in 1869 in the State of Maine.

The next pastor was Jonathan Thompson. He was born in Vermont in 1794, and entered the ministry at an early age. In New York State, in the course of nine years, he organized several churches. After leaving New York he was pastor at Fall River two years, and at Boston two. From Boston he removed to Swansea, in the year 1843, to take the pastoral care of this church. At the end of five years he accepted a call to Providence, where he remained until 1850, when he returned to this place, and supplied the pulpit to the close of the year 1851. He died in New York in 1866, at the age of seventy-two years.

The Sunday-school was organized in the early part of Mr. Thompson's ministry, probably in the spring of 1844. In that year, and for the gratification of the members of the infant organization, who marched in procession from the church to the grove, each wearing a red ribbon as a badge, was instituted the " clambake," still recurring annually on the last Wednesday of August.

Mr. Thompson's successors are all living, and it will suffice to mention their names, - H. P. Guilford, from 1848 to 1850; between 1851 and 1864, S. Fellows, B. F. Summerbell, S. K. Sweetman, and G. H. Allen ; from 1864 to the present time, J. W. Osborn.

In former times this church was known as a mother of churches ; in later years a large proportion of its young members have made their homes in neighboring cities, and in this way it has helped to increase the strength of many congregations. More than twenty of its members have been ministers, but of the number only one, the Rev. William Miller, is now living.

The first deacon of the church, as has been stated, was Isaac Mason. Without recording the names of all who have served in that position, it may be mentioned that within the present century five have borne the name of Buffinton, - three brothers, Gardner, John, and Stephen, Martin, a son of John, and Benjamin T., a son of Stephen. The last-mentioned father and son still survive, although Gardner, the older of the two brothers of Deacon Stephen Buffinton, began to officiate three-fourths of a century ago.

The religious services on Sundays in the olden times consisted of a meeting for preaching at eleven o'clock, and a meeting for prayer and exhortation at four o'clock. The fashion of preaching but one sermon on Sunday, so common now but generally regarded as an innovation, has with occasional exceptions long prevailed in this church, perhaps from the time of the ordination of the first pastor. There is a tradition, on which the church records throw no light, that at first singing was excluded from the services. It is certain that there was opposition to the use of )iiusical notes at the time they were introduced by singers. When the " service of song in the house of the Lord" came to be regarded as an important part of public worship, it was scarcely possible to provide books for the congregation. From what was perhaps the only hymn-book in the parish the minister read a hymn ; he then passed the book to one of the deacons (those officials then occupying elevated seats near the pulpit), and he read a line or couplet; after that was sung he read as much more, and thus the alternate reading and singing continued to the end of the hymn.

At one time there was dissatisfaction on the part of several members because the majority " would not approbate women's public speaking in the church by way of exhortation." The church censured those disaffected members, but subsequently the censure was by unanimous vote expressly revoked.

The congregation early built or otherwise obtained a house of worship, for in 1719 a parish-meeting was held " in the meeting-house near William Wood's," and before the end of that year it was proposed to "make some addition to the meeting-house." This project was not carried into effect, but " soon after" a new house was built. In the Puritan Churches of New England there was (even within a time quite recent) a strong prejudice against kindling fires in a house of worship. But the builders of the meetinghouse of 1720 did not share that superstition. Two platforms of brick were constructed, each surrounded by a row of bricks turned up edgewise (with no outlet for smoke or gas), and in cold weather charcoal fires were kept burning upon them. The house was built of oak and chestnut, and stood until the church edifice now used was occupied. In the "September gale" (1815) the roof was blown off. The building was square in form, and when the roof was replaced it was so turned that what had been the ends of the house became the sides. At one extremity of the audience-room there was a pulpit large and high, flanked by the " deacons' seats." These were not merely for ornament but use, for it is recorded that at a regular church-meeting for the transaction of business two brethren were chosen deacons, but as some members were absent, that action was submitted to an adjourned meeting on the following Sunday, when unanimous approval was expressed ; the deacons-elect (although to be " ordained" on a subsequent occasion) " then took their seats." What better example can be found of a recognition of both the rights of voters and the dignity of office? At the rear end of the room and on both sides were galleries capacious enough to accommodate a large part of the congregation.

The spacious and pleasant edifice now occupied was dedicated April 10, 1833. The noted Luther Baker preached. All the clergymen who participated in the services have passed away from this life. The house was entirely remodeled and somewhat enlarged in 1873.

The land comprised in the churchyard of the former house was given " for the accommodation of a meeting-house," by Dr. William Wood and Capt. John Brown. The portion given by the latter is described in the deed as a triangular lot of one-half acre. An adjoining lot was given for a parsonage in 1772 by Deacon James Brown. The parsonage was bought for thirty pounds, and moved to the place where it stood until torn down in 1865. Previous to that purchase the church had received bequests from Edward Luther, Jonathan Slade, and Anna Monroe, and soon after one from Sybil Slade. Borrowers paid interest in some cases by "sweeping the meetinghouse" and in "coals for the meeting-house." The depreciation of the currency was such that only " nine dollars and one-eleventh in silver" were realized from a debt of "fifty pounds, old tenor." One of the "communion cups of solid silver" was given by Katherine Tilley, and the other by Elizabeth Slade.

In times more recent the church has been blessed with benefactors. Tamar Luther, Candace Brightman, William Mason, Joseph G. Luther, Elizabeth Bosworth, the sisters Joanna, Lydia, and Hannah Mason, Mary Gardner, Phebe Kingsley, Samuel and Patience Gardner, and Betsy Bushee Pierce, by will or otherwise, have given money or pews, the income of which assists in defraying the current expenses of the parish. These generous persons are held in grateful recollection by those who enjoy the benefit of their considerate kindness.

Possibly this is the oldest church in Massachusetts which never had legal connection with a town. A brief outline of events connected with its history has been given, but the real history of a church (and especially of one including among its members so many generations, with modes of thought and life so divergent) can never be written. The effects of moral forces no man can chronicle, for no man can comprehend.

The Six-Principle Baptist Church - In 1820, after the termination of Elder Philip Slade's connection with the parish of which he had been pastor, he conducted services at the residence of Deacon Ellery Wood. His adherents were recognized by the Six-Principle Baptist Yearly Meeting as a church of that denomination. Deacon Wood bequeathed his homestead for the maintenance of worship, and for several years after his decease meetings were statedly held on Sundays in a room of the dwelling which became the residence of the pastor, Elder Comstock. Occasional services were held after the removal of Mr. Comstock for some time, but not in the few years past. The farm is held by a trustee for the benefit of the Six-Principle Baptist denomination.

Christ Church, Swansea Village.1 - Bishop Eastburn, in his official report of 1846, says, "For the establishment of the church in this place we are indebted, under God, to the zealous labors of the Rev. Amos D. McCoy, rector of the Church of the Ascension, Fall River."

The church record states that " Mr. McCoy officiated in this village on Sunday evenings and other occasions from the second Sunday in May, 1845, until November, 1847."

At that time no regular religious services were held in the community, the " Union Meeting," which dedicated its house of worship about 1830, having disintegrated. There were then but four communicants of the Protestant Episcopal Church resident in the town, and they were members of St. Mark's, Warren, R. I., and probably it was at the suggestion of the rector of that church (the Rev. George W. Hathaway) that services were first held in Swansea.

The Sunday-school was organized and superintended by Dr. George W. Chevers (then a practicing physician in Fall River, and afterwards a successful clergyman of the church), "who with exemplary selfdenial and untiring assiduity devoted himself to this labor of love. This gentleman, for the nine months previous to January, 1848, conducted lay-reading on Sunday mornings and afternoons. He also engaged in soliciting funds toward the erection of the church," and doubtless his labors went very far toward making the enterprise successful.

Prominent among the first organizers of this parish were the Hon. John Mason, Capt. Preserved S. Gardner, John A. Wood, John E. Gray, Hon. George Austin, William Pearse, and Benjamin H. Chase. Of these only two (the last mentioned) were ever communicants. Capt. Gardner was formerly a Baptist. But they were all men of integrity, faithful supporters of the church, and regular attendants at its services.

William Pearse, John A. Wood, and Capt. Gardner at their decease left to the parish five hundred dollars each as a permanent fund for the support of the church.

nected with St. Mark's, Warren, always made it a point of honor to support and attend with his family this less flourishing church; and this high principle of devotion, characteristic of that old church family, has continued to be exemplified in Mr. William H. Pearse and family, who came in time to take the place of his uncle.

Mr. John A. Wood, though never a communicant, was devotedly attached to the services of the church, and for many years voluntarily assumed the care of the Lord's house without compensation, and was always particular that it should be comfortable and in order. And after his decease his son, Henry O. Wood, immediately succeeded him as a vestryman, and has long since served the parish as warden, treasurer, and clerk with a faithfulness worthy of his father's example.

Benjamin H. Chase, the only survivor, when about forty years of age, prepared for the ministry and work of the church, to which he was ordained by Bishop Eastburn in 1854, and at this present time (1883), after a term of nearly thirty years of active and successful labors, is the highly-esteemed rector of St. Paul's Church, Portsmouth, R. I., which he is serving for the fifteenth successive year. Mr. and Mrs. Chase did much toward establishing Christ Church, and are still, as they ever have been, deeply interested for its present and future usefulness.

Christ Church, Swansea, was duly organized as a parish under the statute of this commonwealth on the 7th of January, 1846. The first vestry was composed as follows : William Pearse and John Mason, Esq., wardens ; John A. Wood, Joseph D. Nichols, Preserved S. Gardner, Benjamin H. Chase, and John E. Gray, vestrymen.

The church edifice was built largely by subscriptions outside of the community, and was consecrated the 2d day of December, 1847, at ten o'clock a.m., by the Rt. Rev. Manton Eastburn, of Massachusetts.

The building is a neat wooden structure, of simple Romanesque architecture, finished to the roof inside, has about two hundred sittings, and cost about two thousand dollars.

The bell cost one hundred and sixty-three dollars, and the handsome pipe-organ, which «was built to order in 1867, cost one thousand dollars. These were both obtained by contributions solicited at home and abroad.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Benjamin Austin, who, at his request, was released from his engagement after the 1st of November of the same year.

About the beginning of the year 1853 the Rev. William Withington, of Boston, took charge of the parish, and remained until the 1st of January, 1856.

The church was then served by the Rev. A. F. Wylie, rector of the Church of the Ascension, Fall River, and by his assistant, the Rev. A. E. Tortat, until April, 1868, when the Rev. George Heaton, M.A., of Cambridge, England, became the resident minister, and remained until August, 1869, when he resigned.

The Rev. William T. Fitch, rector of the Ascension, Fall River, soon assumed the charge and officiated most of the time until about the 1st of July, 1881, when the present rector, the Rev. Otis O. Wright, of Providence, R. I., began his labors.

The population of the community, which would naturally be considered as the parish, is only about two hundred, nearly one-fourth of whom are connected with other Christian bodies, though most of them take more or less interest in the services of this church.

As in most of the agricultural towns, many of the young people leave the- parish for vocations in other places, where they often become active and influential churchmen because of their early home training, so that, though the permanent growth of Christ Church has been both slow and small, the work of the parish has been vitally important both to the community and to the church at large.

This parish has always received financial aid from the Diocesan Board of Missions, and for many years its various interests have been largely sustained by the liberality of Mr. Frank S. Stevens, well known as the principal business man of the place.

The church wardens at present are William H. Pearse and Henry O. Wood, and the vestrymen are F. S. Stevens, Dr. J. L. Wellington, T. C. Chace, Jonas Altham, and Jeremiah Gray.

The Universalist Society of Swansea and Rehoboth. - More than twenty years ago Mr. A. M. Rhodes began to preach on alternate Sundays in the former school-house known as Liberty Hall, at Swansea Factory. Subsequently Union Chapel was erected, in which Mr. Rhodes still officiates once in two weeks. The late James Eddy, Esq., a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of this town, was accustomed to contribute liberally for the support of this society, of which he was a steadfast member from its origin.

Biographical Sketches Abner Slade

Abner Slade, son of Benjamin and grandson of Joseph Slade, was born in Swansea Oct. 2, 1792, on the homestead of his father, within a short distance of which his long life of usefulness was passed. He was in the fifth generation from the first of the family who settled in Swansea, and the line of descent is (1) William, (2) Edward, (3) Joseph, (4) Benjamin, (5) Abner. (For ancestral history of the Slade family, see biography of William Slade, Somerset.) Mr. Slade was reared a farmer and tanner, and succeeded his father in business, and made tanning and currying his principal avocation during life. When he first began it, the custom was for the tanner to travel through the country on horseback and purchase hides, which, when tanned into leather, were sold, largely on credit, to the farmers and traveling shoemakers of the period. From this primitive condition of the trade Mr. Slade built up a business of large proportions, which became very remunerative. He was one of the most industrious, systematic, and persevering of men, and looked sharply after the minute details of every transaction. He was very successful, and this success may be attributed to his sterling integrity, his good judgment, and his earnest and steady persistency. He retired, with a handsome competency as the reward of his application and energy, from active business about 1856, and the subsequent years of his life were devoted, in a business way, only to looking after his various investments. He never accepted nor wished for office in town, nor had political aspirations. He was a director of Fall River National Bank many years, and was interested in the Old Colony Railroad, and to some extent in the Providence and Worcester Railroad. He was also stockholder in various corporations and manufactures in Fall River. He married, Sept. 30, 1829, Sarah, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Sherman, who was born Feb. 20, 1810. (Asa, son of Samson and Ruth Sherman, of Portsmouth, R. I., was born Dec. 22, 1779, and died in Fall River, Mass., Dec. 29, 1863, aged eighty-four years. He was a lineal descendant of Philip Sherman, who in 1636, with seventeen others, purchased from the Indians the islands of Rhode Island, - Patience, Hope, and Conanicut. Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Richard and Joanna Mitchell, of Middletown, R. I., was born Oct. 17, 1782, and died in Fall River April 22, 1858, in his seventy-sixth year. They had ten children, of whom Mrs. Slade was third.)

Mr. and Mrs. Slade began housekeeping in a house standing on the site of the present residence of Mrs. Slade, and for over half a century enjoyed as perfect felicity as can come from marriage of congenial spirits. Nothing ever cast a cloud over their home, and it was at the home circle where Mr. Slade sought rest and comfort after the toils of the day were over. They had no children, but they adopted a little girl of about two years, Sarah Bowers by name, to whom they gave the care of parents until her death in her twentieth year. They afterwards adopted Adeline F. Cole, when a girl of seven, and reared and educated her. She has lovingly repaid the care and attention given her. She was born March 29. 1849, married Charles A. Chace, son of Obadiah and Esther (Freeman) Chace, of Warren, R. I. They have three children, Benjamin S., Arthur F., and Warren O. They reside with Mrs. Slade. Mr. Slade passed through the years of life to a hale old age, in which the powers of thought and consolations of religion held sway until the last, and died Dec. 2, 1879.

At a special meeting of the board of directors of Fall River National Bank, held Dec. 4, 1879, the following preamble and resolution was passed :

"Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove by death our highly-respected associate, Abner Slade, at the ripe age of eightyseven years, who has been identified with this bank as director for more than thirty-three years, giving to it his counsel and judgment. A man honored for his sterling integrity and Christian character; therefore,

" Resolved, It is not as a mere formality that this board recognize the loss they have sustained, and in token of respect to his memory, and to manifest our sympathy with his family, this board will attend his funeral in a body."

Mr. Slade was an earnest and unassuming member of the Society of Friends, and was held in the highest esteem by his brethren. The Friends' Review gave this just and well-deserved notice of him : " Abner Slade, an elder of Swansea Monthly Meeting of Friends, deceased, twelfth month, second, 1879, aged eighty-seven. He was truly a father in Israel. While we deeply feel our loss, and miss his sweet words of counsel, we can but rejoice when we think of his triumphal death, and remember how his countenance beamed with joy when he told us he was going to his home in heaven."

Frank Shaw Stevens

Frank Shaw Stevens was born in Rutland, Vt., Aug. 6, 1827. His father, Chauncey, married Lucinda Weeks and had four children, of whom Frank S. is the second.

Chauncey Stevens was a stage-man, and the proprietor of a hotel, stages, and livery in Westfield, N. Y. He finally settled in Willoughby, Ohio, where

Frank S. received a common school education. After the death of his mother, when he was in his fifth year, he lived with his uncle and aunt, Nathan Cushman and wife, with whom he resided for two or three years, and then went with his father to Ogdensburgh and Oswego, N. Y., remaining three or four years, then spending the balance of the time till he was thirteen with his uncle and aunt at Cleveland and Willoughby, Ohio. At the age of fifteen he entered the store of George T. Camp & Co., at Westfield, N. Y., as clerk, and was engaged in that capacity about four years.

This ended his youthful experience in these pursuits, for about this time the fame of the gold discoveries in California had reached him, and he resolved to try his fortune in a new field. To one of his temperament the adventures of an overland journey to California presented unusual attractions. It was in the spring of 1849, when the waste of mountain, plain, and wilderness lying between the Mississippi and the Pacific Coast had been almost wholly unexplored, except by such bold hunters as Carson and Fremont. A few of the "Argonauts of '49," had sailed for the newly-discovered El Dorado via Cape Horn ; a shorter cut had been explored across the Isthmus of Panama, and a few had gone that way ; a few caravans, perhaps, had been fitted out to cross the " Great American Desert" and the Rocky Mountains, but scarcely had a path been opened in the latter direction when Mr. Stevens and his company set out in the spring of 1849.

Their destination was Sacramento, Cal., via the plains, going by water to Chicago, and by canal and river to St. Louis. They purchased their outfit in the latter city, and packing their goods in boats ascended the Missouri River to Omaha ; thence by teams they passed over the plains and the Rocky Mountains, arriving at Sacramento the last of August, 1849, having left Omaha early in May.

Mr. Stevens worked a short time at mining, but did not like the business. He returned to Sacramento, and there he met one Durfee, who was induced to join him in purchasing four yoke of oxen and an outfit for the purpose of hauling goods and provisions to the mountains to supply travelers and miners. Their team and equipments cost them one thousand and fifty dollars. Yet it was a profitable investment; the enterprise was a success from the first, but after making three or four trips high water came on, and they were compelled to give it up. Then he embarked in the restaurant business, and was successful. He owned and ran stages from Sacramento to Placerville and Jackson until 1854, at which time the California Stage Company was organized with a capital of one million dollars, composed of all the stage lines in the State. He was its first vice-president, and had charge of certain divisions of the road until 1866. In the fall of 1858 he came to Washington, D. C, to look after his interests of the company, and from that time till 1866 he made several trips back and forward. He continued in the livery business till 1858, and both in that and in "staging" he was quite successful. In 1858 he came to Swansea, and since 1866 has made it his principal home.

Tn 1862 he became engaged with Sherman Paris and Marshall J. Allan, under the firm-name of Paris & Allan (now Paris, Allan & Co.), wholesale liquor dealers, 51 Broadway, New York. Since 1869 he has been connected with the firm of W. A. Gaines & Co., in the distilling business in Kentucky.

Mr. Stevens is a director of the Mechanics', Granite, Stafford, Davol, Osborn, Slade, Laurel Lake, Bourne, and Globe Yarn-Mills, is president and director of the Merino Mills, and has been since the organization, also president of the Davol Mills, and was treasurer for three years. He is a director of the Metacomet Bank of Fall Eiver.

In politics, his affiliations were with the Democratic party till the commencement of the war of the Rebellion, since which he has been a Republican, but he has never been an aspirant for political honors.

He has been twice married. First he married, in July, 1858, Julia A. B., widow of James E. Birch, and daughter of David Chace, of Swansea. She died in February, 1871 ; and he married for his second wife, in April, 1872, Elizabeth R., daughter of Joseph and Eliza Case, of Swansea.