I was ever very sensible of my own littleness, and unfitness to be employed in such great services. But calling to mind that God is strong, I endeavoured to put all my confidence in him, and by his Almighty power, was carried through every difficult action; and my desire is, that his name may have the praise.

It was ever my intent, having laid myself under a solemn promise, that the many and repeated favours of God to myself and those with me in the service might be published for generations to come. And now my great age requiring my dismission from service in the militia, and to put off my armour, I am willing that the great and glorious works of Almighty God, to us, children of men, should appear to the world: And having my minutes by me, my son has taken the care and pains to collect from them the ensuing narrative of many passages relating to the former and latter wars; which I have had the perusal of, and find nothing amiss, as to the truth of it, and with as little reflection upon any particular person, as might be, either alive or dead.

And seeing every particle of historical truth is precious, I hope the reader will pass a favourable censure upon an old soldier, telling of the many rencounters he has had, and yet is come off alive.

It is a pleasure to remember what a great number of families, in this and the neighbouring provinces, in Newengland, did, during the war, enjoy a great measure of liberty and peace by the hazardous stations and marches of those engaged in military exercises; who were a wall unto them on this side and on that side.

I desire prayers, that I may be enabled well to accomplish my spiritual warfare, and that I may be more than conqueror through Jesus Christ's loving

me.

BENJAMIN CHURCH.

THE LIFE OF COL. CHURCH.*

COLONEL BENJAMIN CHURCH was born in 1639, at

Duxbury, near Plymouth, of reputable, parents, who lived and died there. His father's name was Joseph, who, with two of his brethren, came early into Newengland, as refugees from the religious oppression of the parent state. Mr. Joseph Church, among other children, had three sons, Joseph, Caleb, and Benjamin. Caleb settled at Watertown, the other two at Seconet, or Little Compton. Benjamin, the hero of this history, was of a good stature, his body well proportioned, and built for hardiness and activity. Although he was very corpulent and heavy in the latter part of his life, yet, when he was a young man he was not so; being then active, sprightly and vigorous. He carried dignity in his countenance -thought and acted with a rational and manly judgment-which, joined with a naturally generous, obliging and hospitable disposition, procured him both authority and esteem. He married Mrs. Alice Southworth, by whom he had a daughter, Mrs. Rothbotham, and five sons, viz., Thomas Church, the author or publisher of this history, and father of the honourable Thomas Church, Esq., now living in Little Compton; Constant Church a Captain under his father in the eastern expedition, and in the militia; and of a mili

*The life of Church was not added to the first edition.But to the second it was, and was the last article in the book; excepting a Latin ode of one page, which is now omitted. This life containing some prefatory remarks, it was thought proper to place it at the beginning of the work. It was judged best to omit the above mentioned Latin ode to give place to more interesting articles. What follows was placed at the head of the page. Ode Heroica (a nepote Herois composita) Biographic pracedenti diffigenda sit.

tary and enterprising spirit; Benjamin Church, who died a bachelor; Edward Church, whose only son now living, is Deacon Benjamin Church of Boston, who furnishes these memoirs of the family; and Charles Church, who had a numerous issue.

Colonel Church was a man of integrity, justice, and uprightness, of piety and serious religion. He was a member of the church of Bristol at its foundation, in the Rev. Mr. Lee's day. He was constant and devout in family worship, wherein he read and often expounded the scriptures to his household. He was exemplary in observing the Sabbath, and in attending the worship and ordinances of God in the sanctuary. He lived regularly, and left an example worthy of

* He was also a Captain under his father in the last eastern expedition.

† Probably the same whose name is found associated with the venerable JAMES OTIS, SAMUEL ADAMS, JOSEPH WARREN, and others, as a "Committee of correspondence" in the memorable revolution, and to which he probably belonged when he wrote this account of the family. See American Annals, II, 300. Also the standing which he appears to have maintained among the fraternity of Masons, speaks his emi

nence.

;

What is here said of the Colonel, is placed after his son Edward, by a writer in Farmer and Moore's Collections where this account appears to be copied. It must be an errour in the copyist, and one, too, which it required some pains to commit; not but that the son (for aught I know) deserved as high encomiums, but we have no right to bestow such upon the son, at the father's expense. But thus much were it intentional.

§ Rev. Samuel Lee, the first minister of Bristol, R. I. He was born in London, 1625, came to this country in 1686; but in two or three years came to the conclusion to return to his native country. Before he sailed, he told his wife that he had discovered a star, which, according to the laws of Astrology, presaged captivity, which unfortunately came to pass. He sailed in 1691, and in his passage was taken by the French, and carried into France, where he died the same year. See Allen's Biog. 381. Dr. C. Mather represents him as possessing very extraordinary learning. Magnalia Christi Americana, I, 548,

See