which were wanted in the plantation. The next year he went again upon a similar errand, and Nov. 6, finished "the bargain with the company at London, delivered his bonds and received their deeds." In 1628 he returned to New England, and was sent in the fall as the agent of those planters, that he might get their Kennebeck patent enlarged, and give some assistance to their friends at Leyden. He returned the next year without accomplishing their object, the enlargement and confirmation of the Plymouth patent. Morton was his clerk in this business, who came over with him, and proved a scourge to the plantation, and also Mr. Rodgers an independent minister, who proved insane, and whom he carried back the year after according to the wishes of his brethren. They also commissioned him to finish the business of the patent. He returned to New England in the spring of 1630, and brought over Ashley and others who had taken a patent for Penobscot to trade with the natives in those eastern parts.

We find no further account of his being employed upon publick business. It is most likely he spent the remainder of his days with the people at Plymouth, but the year of his death is not recorded.

AMES DR. NATHANIEL, of Dedham, Massachusetts, was eminent as a physician and mathematician. He published an almanack forty years successively, which was so highly reputed, that no other almanacks were saleable in this and the neighbouring states. When he died, in the year 1765, he had made the calculations for the ensuing year. The almanack was published as his, and so attached were all classes of people to the name, that the demand was great for all that were printed. This worthy man descended in a direct line from the Rev. William Ames, son of the famous Franequer professor, who wrote the Medulla Theologiæ.*

* Mr. William Ames was likewise ejected from Wrentham, and the next parish, Frostendon: Having been in the year 1648

AMES FISHER, Esq. the son of the astronomer, one of the most brilliant men this country ever produced, was born at Dedham, and graduated at Harvard College, 1774, when he was only 16 years of age. His compositions at this early period were excellent and original. They discovered not only a rich and glowing fancy, but correct taste and judgment beyond what could be expected from a youth. During the revolutionary war he was engaged in no particular business, but dwelt in the family mansion at Dedham, where he must have adorned and enriched his mind with those stores of knowledge which enabled him to give such delight to his friends, and render such eminent services to the community.

In

He was afterwards a student at law, and from exercising his profession a few years, he was introduced into a more extensive field of usefulness. 1788 the convention met in Boston for the purpose. of deliberating on the constitution recommended by the grand federal convention. He was sent as a member to this body, from his native town, and made a distinguished figure among the most cloquent speakers.

A passage from one speech he.

settled as co-pastor with his uncle Phillips, to the church of Christ in Wrentham; and likewise preaching one part of the Lord's day at Frostendon for many years. And at that time, I suppose Mr. Thomas King, after Mr. Phillips' great decay, supplied at Wrentham. Mr. Ames died in the year 1689, in the 66th year of his age. He was the son of the famous Dr. William Ames, (who after having been twelve years pastor at Franequer, was dismissed from thence, in order to his being professor at Rotter dam, and died not in 1639, as has been represented by some, but in 1633:) and when a child went over with his mother to New England, where he had his education at Harvard College, and became a graduate in 1645, and returned to Old England and came to Wrentham in 1646. He was a very holy man, of the Congregational persuasion, and in all respects an excellent per son. He hath a sermon in print entitled the "saints security against seducing spirits; or, the anointing from the Holy One the best teaching;" on 1. John, ii. 20; preached at Paul's, before the lord mayor, aldermen, &c. Nov. 5, 1651. Calamy's Continuation, &c. vol. II. pp. 797, 798,

made early in the session, was quoted with high approbation by a southern orator in their convention, as being the most forcible and animating description of the spirit of democracy. The eyes of the people were turned to him when they elected members of Congress; and he represented the Suffolk District eight years. Amidst that constellation of worthies he shone a star of the first magnitude. The latter part of the time, his health was peculiarly delicate, and his feeble frame would often sink under the bold efforts made by a mind of superior native vigour and wonderfully active. But although he was able to pay less attention to publick concerns than he was prompted by the ardent desire of his soul, he delivered some of the best speeches ever heard in an American assembly. From this publick sphere he went to the shades of retirement, where he could enjoy his book, and his friends; attend to rural affairs or, as his health permitted, to the business of his profession.

The

He was chosen into the council in the adminis tration of gov. Sumner, and when the legislature met after the death of Washington, he was elected by them to pronounce the publick eulogy. degree of Doctor of Laws he received from New Jersey, and he was unanimously chosen president of Harvard College, which honour he declined in a polite letter to the corporation. His last days on earth were painful from his bodily complaints, but the vigour of his mind never failed; many admirable productions of a political nature came from his pen, equally instructive and entertaining, full of virtuous sentiments and true patriotick zeal. During every period of his life, his splendid abilities were guarded by his integrity and religion, and "adorned with the choicest flowers of eloquence :" and even when the last breath lingered on his trembling lips the recollection of his past life armed him with resignation; and the pure principles of his religious belief turned the shadows of death into the light of the morning.

His funeral was attended in Boston by all classes of people, and an eulogy was pronounced by the hon. Mr. Dexter. His body was then conveyed to Dedham to be deposited in the family tomb. The publick earnestly desired that a subscription might be brought forward for his works, which are to be collected in a volume; and with them will be given a more complete biography than has yet appeared.

APPLETON NATHANIEL, D. D. minister of the church in Cambridge was the son of the hon. John Appleton, esq. of Ipswich. He was graduated at Harvard College, 1712; ordained, 1717; and died Feb. 9, 1784. His manner of preaching was plain, practical and impressive. It is said, that in the younger part of life he excelled as a publick speaker. Many of the present generation remember him as a man venerable for his piety, his prudence and his age. "New England can furnish few instances of more useful talents, and of more exemplary piety, united with a ministry equally long and successful."

There was a cheerfulness mingled with the gravity of his deportment; such a disposition to make every one happy around him, as rendered his society acceptable to the rising generation; and he received peculiar tokens of respect from the ingenuous youth of the university. He often preached when ministers were ordained; and his discourses were calculated to promote harmony, love and peace. There were times when he was obliged to exert all his fortitude, prudence and candour to conduct so, as not to give offence.

While Mr. Whitefield was in the zenith of his popularity, the president, and other instructors of the college bore their testimony against him on account of the uncharitable and slanderous reports he made of the state of that seminary. He addressed a letter in reply, which was answered by the professor of divinity. Many pastors of the churches in Massachusetts and Connecticut, also testified against the

errors and disorders which then prevailed. Dr. Ap. pleton was censured for his moderation, which was then a very unfashionable virtue, and he was requested by many zealous members of his own church, and by some of his brethren in the ministry, to admit that wonderful preacher into his pulpit.. He continued steadfast, however, in supporting the interest and honour of the college. Mr. Whitefield was sensible of his error, when riper years had tempered the fervour of his youthful spirit, and with christian candour he publickly acknowledged his fault. When Harvard Hall was burnt in 1764, he solicited benefactions in England and Scotland, and his kindness met with a grateful return. Every attention was paid him by the president and fellows of the university, on his last visit to America, and Dr. Appleton invited him to preach in his church. The scene was interesting: Mr. Whitefield was uncommonly affectionate in speaking of the aged divine in his prayer, and in his address to the people of his charge. His text was 1. Cor. iii. 11. Several ministers who had always attended Mr. Whitefield's preaching observed, that he never displayed more eloquence, or delivered a more correct discourse.

Dr. Appleton's prudence was exercised in a trial of a different nature some years preceding the revolutionary war. He was as true a Whig in his political, as he was a Calvinist in his religious principles. But several of his hearers were on the other side of the question, and had rendered themselves very unpopular in their publick stations. They had been among his particular friends, and while they blamed him for his opposition to the government, others who were with him in his politicks made severe remarks upon his complaisance to Tories. None, however, could ever accuse him of "speaking unadvisedly with his lips."

Dr. Appleton was fellow of the corporation of Harvard College from the year 1719 to 1779. He