PREFACE.

MORE than two years have now elapsed, since the writing of this work was commenced by the Author. That the matter which he then began to collect would ever, or at least in so short a time, be submitted to the press, was a thing unthought of. As no opportunity was passed by for adding to the stock, which soon became gradually to increase, he had accumulated at the end of this time such a store of historic and genealogical information, that it was deemed advisable by many to whom the manuscripts were shown, that they should be put into a more durable form in print. With their request he was induced to comply, and although conscious of its many imperfections, he now submits it to them in their desired form, and also to those for whom it was more especially designed, the inhabitants of the town, and to professed antiquaries elsewhere, it is now given emanating from himself alone, and entitled to what consideration each may be persuaded to confer upon it.

The work has been one of much care and research. To the Author it has been one of amusement, though oftentimes subjecting him to considerable labor and toil; yet it has been more than recompensed, when with feelings of pleasure he has traced the nearly obliterated and illegible records of the past, and discovered in the language of their writings the spiritual character and heroic nature of the actors, in their struggles for religious freedom and civil independence.

Where is the land that can look back to a race of founders worthy of a higher and truer distinction, than can the people of New England? and where should there be their existing influence, mightier and more effectual, than among the descendants of that Pilgrim band, in whose midst were the abodes of a Brewster, a Standish, and an Alden? May they cherish that natural character of their inheritance, may they preserve it in its original purity, guard it with the watchfulness of their christian fathers, make their lives, as theirs, an example, and their end a monument of worldly excellence, worthy to be cherished.

In regard to the arrangement of the work it seems scarcely necessary to say a word. The matter embraced on the first eighty-eight pages seemed to be better placed by itself, distinct from the General History, than embodied in the latter. The Ecclesiastical History has been arranged in a

chronological order, and biographical sketches of the pastors introduced. Of the Genealogical Registers, which have been prepared with considerable care, more will be said hereafter.

My acknowledgments are due to many, who have cheered me by their countenance, and afforded me aid in the compilation of the work, as well as to those whose advice and counsel in matters relative to its publication have been of much and valuable service. To Messrs. SAMUEL G. DRAKE and

JAMES S. LORING I have to express my indebtedness.

To the REV. BENJAMIN KENT, the present Librarian of the Roxbury Athenæum, I feel under great obligations for the loan of his MS. Notes on Duxbury, made during his ministry in the town, as also for the use of his volume of original MS. Collections.

To Messrs. CHARLES EWER, WILLIAM H. MONTAGUE and others, who have aided me in different portions of the work, and encouraged me in the undertaking, I return my thanks; and especially to the REV. JOSEPH B. FELT, the courteous Librarian of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and to DR. NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, the accurate genealogist of the Old Colony. To many of the aged inhabitants of the town, to whose tales I have listened with interest, and whose words I have taken from their lips, I must express my indebtedness. In regard to others whose assistance I have received, my acknowledgments will be recorded in their proper places. Where such a multitude of dates, and variety of matter is recorded, it would seem almost impossible that some mistakes should not occur, though it has been a special care, that everything erroneous in its nature, arising from carelessness or a mistake in facts should be excluded from the work. Traditional authority has been received for what it is worth, and in no case is credence allowed it, except it is corroborated and substantiated by unquestionable proof.

Boston, October, 1849.

J. W.

HISTORY

OF THE

TOWN OF DUXBURY.

SETTLEMENT.

THE town was first settled about the year 1632, by the people of Plymouth. Twelve years had elapsed since the first settlement of New Plymouth, and their numbers had greatly increased by emigration from the mother land, and larger allotments were called for by the inhabitants, so that by degrees the circle of the bay was occupied. We find this early record of the settlement, under the date 1632;

"This year the people of [Plymouth] begin to grow in their outward estates, by the flowing of many People into the country, especially into the M. C: [Mass. Colony.] By which means Cattle and Corn rise to a great price, Goods grow plentiful, and many are enriched. And now their Stock increasing, the Increase vendible; there is no longer holding them together. They must go to their great Lots: they can no otherwise keep their cattle; and having Oxen grown, they must have more land for Plowing and Tillage. By this means they scatter round the Bay [of Plymouth] quickly, and the Town wherein they lived till now compactly, is soon left very thin, and in a short time almost desolate. The Church also comes to be divided, and those who have lived so long together in Christian and Comfortable Fellowship must now part."

That before this period in 1630 or 1631, there were some settlers in Duxbury is most probable; but they returned to Plymouth in the winter to insure their better attendance at Public Worship, as well as on account of their exposed situa