You have often desired, that I would give you some account of the
family of which you are. And altho' I am much less ab'e to doe any
thing of this nature now when I have been left of my dear Parents
very near Twenty years, yet considering the longer I stay, the more
unfit I shall be, take what I have to say as follows;
Mr. Henry Sewall, my great Grandfather, was a Linen Draper in the
City of Coventry in Great Britain. He acquired a great Estate, was
a prudent Man, and was more than once chosen Mayor of the City.
Mr. Henry Sewall, my Grandfather, was his eldest Son, who out of
dislike to the English Hierarchy sent over his only Son, my Father,
Mr. Henry Sewall, to New England in the year 1634, with Net Cattel
and Provisions sutable for a new Plantation. Mr. Cotton would have
had my Father settle at Boston; but in regard of his Cattel he
chose to goe to Newbury, whither my Grandfather soon followed him.
Where also my Grandfather Mr. Stephen Dummer and Alice his wife
likewise dwelled under the Ministry of the Reverend Mr. Thomas
Parker and Mr. James Noyes.
On the 25th March, 1646, Richard Saltonstall, Esq. Grandfather
of Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq. now Governour of Connecticut, joined
together in Marriage my father Mr. Henry Sewall, and my Mother Mrs.
Jane Dummer, eldest Child of Mr. Stephen Dummer aforesaid, and
Alice his wife: my Father being then about 32, and my Mother about
19 years of age.
But the Climat being not agreeable to my Grandfather and
Grandmother Dummer, (whose Maiden name was Archer) they returned
to England the Winter following, and my Father with them, and
dwelt awhile at Warwick, and afterwards removed to Hampshire. My
Sister Hannah Tappin, their eldest Child, was born at Tunworth May
10th, 1649. Baptised by Mr. Haskins. I was born at Bishop Stoke,
March 28, 1652; so that the light of the Lord's Day was the first
light that my Eyes saw, being born a little before day-break. I
was baptised by Mr. Rashly, (sometime Member of the Old Church in
Boston) in Stoke Church May 4th. 1652. Mr. Rashly first preached
a Sermon, and then baptised me. After which an entertainment was
made for him and many more. Some months after, my Father removed
to Badesly, where my Brother John Sewall was born Oct. 10, 1654,
and was baptised in my Father's House Nov. 22 by Mr. Henry Cox,
Minister of Bishop Stoke. My brother Stephen Sewall was born at
Badesly Aug. 19th, 1657, baptised in my father's house by the said
Mr. Cox. * * * * * My Father had made one Voyage to New England to
visit my Grandfather Mr. Henry Sewall. And in the year 1659, he
went thither again; his rents at Newbury coming to very little when
remitted to England. In my father's absence, October 25, 1659, my
Sister Jane Gerrish was born at Badesly and was baptised by Mr. Cox
at Bishop Stoke in the house of Mr. Boys.
At this Badesly, by the merciful goodness of God, I was taught to
read English. And afterwards was educated in the Grammar School at
Rumsey of which Mr. Figes was Master.
My Father sent for my Mother to come to him to New England. I
remember being at Bishop Stoke and Badesly, April 23, 1661, the day
of the Coronation of K Charles the 2d, the Thunder and Lightening
of it. Quickly after my Mother went to Winchester with 5 small
Children, Hannah, Samuel, John, Stephen and Jane; and John Nash
and Mary Hobs her Servants; there to be in a readiness for the
Pool Waggons. At this place her near Relations, especially my very
worthy and pious Uncle Mr. Stephen Dummer took leave with Tears.
Capt. Dummer of Swathling treated us with Raisins and Almonds. My
Mother lodged in Pump-yard London, waiting for the going of the
Ship, the prudent Mary, Capt. Isaac Woodgreen Commander. Went by
water to Graves-End where the Ship lay. Took in Sheep at Dover.
Passengers in the Ship at the same time were Major Brown, a young
brisk Merchant, and a considerable Freighter, Mr. Gilbert and
his wife, He was Minister at Topsfield; Madam Bradstreet [then
Gardener] Mrs. Martha, Mr. Pitkins Sister, who died lately at
Windsor, and many others. We were about eight weeks at Sea, where
we had nothing to see but Water and the Sky; so that I began to
fear I should never get to Shoar again; only I thought the Capt.
and Mariners would not have ventured themselves if they had not
hopes of getting to Land again. Capt. Woodgreen arrived here on
Satterday. I was overjoyed to see Land again, especially being so
near it as in the Narrows. 'Twas so late by that time we got to the
Castle, that our men held a discourse with them whether they should
fire or no, and reckoned 'twas agreed not to doe it. But presently
after the Castle fired; which much displeased the Ship's Company;
and then they fired. On the Lord's day my Mother kept aboard; but I
went ashoar, the Boat grounded, and I was carried out in arms July
6, 1661. My Mother lodg'd at Mr. Richard Collicott's. This week
there was a publick Thanksgiving. My Father hastened to Boston and
carried his Family to Newbury by Water in Mr. Lewis * * * Brother
Tapan has told me our arrival there was upon Lecture-day which was
Wednesday. Mr. Ordway carried me ashore in his Canoe. We sojourned
at Mr. Titcomb's. My Father presently sent me to school to the
Reverend and Excellent Mr. Thomas Parker, with whom I continued
till my entrance into the College; being admitted by the very
learned and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey.
Sept. 3. 1662 Mother was brought to bed of Sister Anne, Mr. Joshua
Moodey the Minister's Mother being her Midwife. Baptised by Mr.
Parker.
May 8. 1665 Sister Mehetabel was born: Baptised by Mr. Parker. She
became wife to the midwife's Grandson Mr. William Moodey. Dorothy
Sewall (now Northend) was born Oct. 29. 1668. Baptised by Mr.
Parker.
At this time the commencement was in August. In the year 1667
my father brought me to be admitted, by which means I heard Mr.
Richard Mather of Dorchester preach Mr. Wilson's Funeral Sermon.
"_Your Fathers where are they?_" I was admitted by the very learned
and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey, who gave me my first Degree in the
year 1671. There were no Masters in that year. These Bachelours
were the last Mr. Chauncey gave a degree to, for he died the
February following.
In July 1672, Dr. Hoar came over with his Lady and sojourned
with your Grandfather Hull. He (Dr. Hoar) was my Aunt Quincey's
Brother, and preached as an assistant, to the Rev. Mr Thomas
Thacher at the South Church. The College quickly called him to be
President. He was installed in the College Hall in December 1672.
Gov. Bellingham lay dead in his House, and Dep. Gov. Leverett was
the Chief Civil Magistrat present at that Solemnity. The March
following Mrs. Bridget Hoar, now Cotton, was born in Cambridge. In
1674 I took my 2d Degree, and Mrs. Hannah Hull, my dear Wife, your
honoured Mother, was invited by the Dr. and his Lady to be with
them a while at Cambridge. She saw me when I took my Degree and
set her affection on me, tho' I knew nothing of it till after our
Marriage; which was February 28th. 1675-6. Gov. Bradstreet married
us in that we call the Old Hall; 'twas then all in one, a very
large Room. As I remember, Madam Thacher and Madam Paige, with whom
Gov. Bradstreet boarded, visited us the next day.
On the 2d of April, 1677, it pleased God to favour us with the
birth of your brother John Sewall, our first-born. In June 1678 you
were born. Your brother lived till the September following, and
then died. So that by the undeserved Goodness of God your Mother
and I never were without a child after the 2d of April 1677.
In the Fall 1678, I was seized with the Small Pocks and brought
very near to death; so near that I was reported to be dead. But
it pleased GOD of his Mercy to Recover me. Multitudes died, two
of my special Friends; viz. Mr. John Noyes, and Ensign Benjamin
Thirston, who both died while I lay sick: and Mr. William Dummer,
Son of Jeremiah Dummer Esq., aged about 19 years. Presently after
my Recovery, in December, Col. Townsend and I were bearers to Mr.
Joseph Tappin, one of the most noted Shop-keepers in Boston.
And now what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? The
good Lord help me to walk humbly and Thankfully with Him all my
days; and profit by Mercies and by Afflictions; that through Faith
and Patience I may also in due time fully inherit the Promises. Let
us incessantly pray for each other, that it may be so!