the mother of all his children, was Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel
Gookin of Northampton. Her twin sister, Elizabeth, married Dr. Edmund
Chadwick of Deerfield, father of Peter Chadwick, Esq., of Exeter. The
children of Rev. Mr. Upham are Hon. Nathaniel Upham of Rochester; Gen.
Timothy Upham of Portsmouth; and Miss Hannah Upham, the celebrated
Principal of the Female Institute in Canandaigua, N. Y. Among the
grandchildren of Rev. Mr. Upham, are Rev. Thomas Cogswell Upham, D.
D., Professor in Bowdoin College, who was previously pastor of the
Congregational church in Rochester; Hon. Nathaniel Gookin Upham, a
Judge of the Superior Court of N. H.; Mary, widow of Hon. David Barker,
Jr., and now wife of Ebenezer Coe, Esq.; Alfred, M. D., of New York;
Timothy, M. D., deceased; Joseph Badger Upham, Merchant in Portsmouth;
Judith Almira, married to James Bell, Esq.; Hannah Elizabeth, deceased;
Ruth Cogswell, married to John Berry, M. D.; Francis William, a member
of the Boston Bar; and Albert Gookin, M. D., of Boston.
The New England genealogy of the Rev. Timothy Upham is traced to
John Upham, born in England, in 1597, who emigrated to Weymouth, New
England, in 1635, and went thence to Malden. He was highly esteemed for
his piety, intelligence, and energy of character; filled various civil
offices, and was deacon of the church many years. He performed the
duties of moderator of a town meeting a few months before his death,
which took place Feb. 25, 1681, at the age of 84.
Lieut. Phinehas Upham, son of John Upham, married Ruth Wood. He died in
consequence of wounds received in the capture of Narraganset Fort, in
1675. Phinehas, son of Lieut. Phinehas, married Mary Mellins. His son
Phinehas married Tamzen Hill, whose son Timothy married Mary Cheever.
These last were the parents of Rev. Timothy Upham, whose New England
ancestors, from the first, were men of influence in the church, and in
the community, and were distinguished for intelligence, firmness of
character, and a spirit of enterprise. The first wife of Rev. Timothy
Upham died Aug. 4, 1797, aged 44. Mr. Upham died in the 63rd year of
his age, and 39th of his ministry. The sermon at his funeral, from Heb.
xiii: 8, by Rev. Peter Holt, ascribes to Mr. Upham "many gifts and
excellent qualifications for a gospel minister." Mr. Upham's second
wife, who was Miss Hephzibah Neal of Stratham, died May 11, 1811. See
_Family History, by Albert G. Upham, A. M., M. D._, 1845.
_Rev. Nathaniel Wells_ was engaged sixteen years in mercantile business
before entering the ministry. He studied theology with Rev. Moses
Hemmenway, D. D., of Wells, Me., whose daughter he married in 1797.
After a diligent and useful ministry of about 30 years, he resigned
his pastoral charge. Two of his sons are settled in the ministry.
Theodore, ordained in Barrington, June 12, 1845; Moses Hemmenway,
ordained in Pittsfield, Nov. 19, 1845. Rev. Nathaniel Wells was son of
Dea. Nathaniel Wells, whose father was also Dea. Nathaniel Wells, who
removed to Wells, Me., from Ipswich, Ms., and who was a son of Dea.
Thomas Wells of Ipswich, who died in that place, Oct. 26, 1666.
_Rev. Ephraim Nelson Hidden_ was Preceptor of Gilmanton Academy, three
years; graduated at Gilmanton Theological Seminary, 1840; was married,
Aug. 28, 1840, to Mary Elizabeth Parsons, daughter of Josiah Parsons,
Esq., of Gilmanton, whose wife was Judith Badger, great-granddaughter
of Gen. Joseph Badger, Senior. He was son of Ephraim Hidden, and nephew
of Rev. Samuel Hidden of Tamworth, N. H., and grandson of Price Hidden
of Rowley, Ms. His first New England ancestor emigrated from England
and settled in Rowley.
EPPING. _Rev. Robert Cutler_ was the first minister. In 1755, Mr.
Cutler, being charged with immoral conduct, was dismissed by a Council.
He was installed in Greenwich, Ms., Feb. 13, 1760, where he died, Feb.
24, 1786, aged probably 68.
_Rev. Josiah Stearns_ closed his ministry and life, July 25, 1788.
He descended from Isaac Stearns, who came from England, with Gov.
Winthrop, in 1630, and settled in Watertown. The line of descent
is 1. Isaac and Sarah Stearns. 2. John Stearns, who married Sarah
Mixer of Watertown. He settled in Billerica. 3. John Stearns, who
married Elizabeth ----. He was the first child born in Billerica,
on record. 4. John Stearns, who married Esther Johnson. She was a
_great-granddaughter_ of the celebrated Capt. Edward Johnson, author
of the History of New England, entitled "Wonder-working Providence
of Sion's Saviour in New England." In several publications, she is
incorrectly mentioned as the _daughter_ of the historian. Her father
was a second Capt. Edward Johnson, her grandfather was William Johnson,
Esq. John and Esther Stearns were the parents of Rev. Josiah Stearns of
Epping. The following short obituary notice appeared in a public print,
Aug. 27, 1788. It is attributed to the pen of the Rev. Dr. Tappan, then
of Newbury, afterwards Professor of Divinity in Harvard University.
"For the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet.
"Mr. Hoyt,--The Rev. Mr. Stearns, whose death was announced in your
last, sustained a character too great and too good to be passed over
in silence. The God of Nature endued him with singular abilities,
which, by the aid of erudition, fitted him for extensive usefulness.
His assiduous application to the work of the ministry was truly worthy
of imitation. In him shone an assemblage of virtues and graces which
rarely meet in the same person. He had a lively fancy, a penetrating
judgment, a correct taste, and a mind expanded as the heavens. His
conversation was ever seasonable, grave, pathetic, and instructive.
His public discourses were replete with good sense, with important
truths in a clear and instructive light, and received the approbation
of the best judges. He despised pageantry, without the appearance of
affectation. He trusted to nothing mortal; pitied, but envied not,
such as had their portion in this life. His advice in Council was
often sought, and ever approved. He had a constitutional firmness, and
was capable of the most dispassionate reasoning. He repudiated errors
ancient and modern, and rejoiced to the last in his faithful adherence
to the doctrines of grace. Elevated by the purer sentiments, he ever
possessed a mind calm and serene. God, who is all-wise in council, was
pleased to try his faith and patience in the furnace of affliction.
After a lingering and painful sickness, he died of a cancer, in the
57th year of his age. In him died a friend to justice, liberty,
and energetic government; a vigorous watchman, a patient guide, an
affectionate pastor, a prudent, kind husband, and an indulgent but
truly faithful parent."
Mr. Stearns was a close and thorough student. He studied the Scriptures
in their original languages, with unremitting diligence. His limited
means would not allow him to possess much of a library, but he was
favored with the use of books by friends, who were able to own them.
He was accustomed to borrow one volume at a time, and when he had read
it through, its contents were his own. The late Rev. Dr. Thayer of
Kingston, mentioning this fact, added, "The Bible especially was his
Library." So intimate was his knowledge of the Scriptures, that "he
could readily cite chapter and verse, where almost any text was to
be found." Mr. Stearns was an ardent friend of liberty. "Some of his
sons were in the field, during a greater part of the Revolutionary
contest; and he sacrificed most of his worldly interest in support of
the American cause." [_Alden's Epitaphs._] He was a member of a State
Convention, in Exeter, in which he regarded himself as fully committed
to the risk of his personal safety. Returning from the Convention, he
called his children around him, told them of the stand he had taken,
and added, "If the cause shall prevail it will be a great blessing to
the country, but if it should fail, your poor old father's head will
soon be a button for a halter."
Mr. Stearns was tall in person, and interesting in his pulpit
performances. He held the untiring attention of his audience, which not
unfrequently filled the seats and aisles of his meeting-house, while,
in pleasant weather, a number stood abroad around the doors and windows.
Of the printed sermons of Mr. Stearns, two were on 1 John iv: 8,--"God
is love." These were preached in Exeter, and printed after his death,
at the request, made to him in his last sickness, of Hon. John
Phillips, for the use of the members of the Academy. Another was on
early piety, with a brief memoir of Samuel Lawrence, preached Sept. 19,
1779. Another was a Fast sermon.
Mr. Stearns married first, Sarah Abbot of Andover. They had three
sons and three daughters. One of the sons was John Stearns, Esq., of
Deerfield, N. H. Mrs. Stearns died in November, 1766. In September,
1767, he married Sarah Ruggles, daughter of Rev. Samuel Ruggles of
Billerica, who was a grandson of Rev. John Woodbridge of Andover, and
great-grandson of Gov. Thomas Dudley. By the second marriage, also, Mr.
Stearns had three sons and three daughters.
Rev. Samuel Stearns, son of Rev. Josiah Stearns, by his second
marriage, was born in Epping, April 8, 1770; graduated at H. U. 1794;
studied theology with Rev. Jonathan French of Andover; and was ordained
in Bedford, Ms., April 27, 1795, where he died, Dec. 26, 1834, aged
65. He married Abigail, daughter of Rev. Mr. French of Andover. She
was a descendant from John Alden, one of the first Pilgrims, who is
said by some to have been the first person, who leaped upon the rock
at Plymouth, New England, in 1620. Rev. Mr. Stearns of Bedford lived
to see three of his sons settled in the ministry. Rev. Samuel Horatio
Stearns, ordained over the Old South Church in Boston, Ms., April 16,
1834, died in Paris, France, July 15, 1837. His remains were brought
to his native country, and rest in Mount Auburn Cemetery. Rev. William
Augustus Stearns, ordained at Cambridgeport, Dec. 14, 1831, married
Rebecca Alden Frazer of Duxbury. Rev. Jonathan French Stearns was
ordained pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Newburyport,
Sept. 16, 1835. He married first, Joanna Chaplin, daughter of Dr.
James Prescott Chaplin of Cambridgeport. He married secondly, Anna
S. Prentiss of Portland, Me. Sarah Caroline, a daughter of Rev. Mr.
Stearns of Bedford, married Rev. Forest Jefferds, who was ordained at
Epping, and afterwards installed at Middleton, Ms. Charlotte Esther,
a daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns, married Rev. Jonathan Leavitt. He
was ordained at Bedford, and afterwards installed at Providence, R.
I. Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, son of Dea. William Stearns and grandson
of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping, was ordained at Dennysville, Me.,
Nov. 6, 1844, and married Eliza Kilby, daughter of John Kilby, Esq.,
of that place. The mother of Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, who was, before
marriage, Abigail Richards Howe of Templeton, Ms., was a descendant of
John Alden of Pilgrim memory.
_Rev. Peter Holt_, third pastor at Epping, was son of Joshua Holt,
Esq., whose brother, Rev. Nathan Holt, was pastor of the second
Church in Danvers, Ms. Rev. Peter Holt studied theology with Rev. Mr.
French of Andover. He was installed over the Presbyterian church in
Peterborough, March 7, 1827; resigned April, 1835; preached in Deering
from 1835 to 1841. See notices of Mr. Holt by Rev. Mr. Whiton, in
the N. H. Repository, Vol. I. No. 3. Rev. Mr. Holt of Epping married
Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathan Holt. They had seven children. Two
survive, Sarah and Mary; the first of these married Samuel Endicott of
Beverly. Nathan died at Epping, in his 12th year, of whom there is an
obituary in the Piscataqua Evan. Mag. Vol. IV. p. 36. The family of Mr.
Holt is traced to Nicholas Holt, who came from England to Newbury, in
1635, removed to Andover, and was one of the ten males who founded the
church there in 1645. [_Coffin's History of Newbury_; _Abbot's History
of Andover_; _Farmer's Genealogical Register._]
_Rev. Forest Jefferds_, who succeeded Mr. Holt, was son of Samuel,
who was the son of Samuel, who was the son of Rev. Samuel Jefferds of
Wells, Me., whose father emigrated from England to Salem, Ms. Rev.
Samuel Jefferds was favored with a revival of religion in Wells, in
1741-2, and was one of the attestors by letter to "the happy revival
of religion in many parts of the land." [_Tracy's Hist. Great Awak._,
p. 295.] Rev. Forest Jefferds received his classical and theological
education at the Theological Seminary, Bangor, graduated 1825, was
installed at Middleton, Ms., May 2, 1832, resigned May 15, 1844. Mr.
Jefferds married Sarah Caroline, daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns of
Bedford.
_Rev. Calvin Chapman_ was next ordained in Epping. A new house of
worship had been erected, which was dedicated in connection with
the services of his ordination. He graduated at Andover Theological
Seminary, 1842, married Lucy B. Emerson of Parsonsfield, Me. Mr.
Chapman is now settled at Sacarappa, Me.
_Rev. Mr. Corser_ was a son of David Corser of Boscawen, who was a
son of John, and grandson of John of Newbury, Ms., who emigrated to
this country from Scotland, about the year 1690. John, with David his
son, removed from Newbury to Boscawen, in the early settlement of the
town, and purchased the whole of that tract of land, which, from their
name, is called Corser's Hill. Mr. Corser studied divinity with Rev.
Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, and was ordained in Loudon, March 5, 1817. He
was dismissed from his charge Sept. 20, 1838. He preached as a supply
at Northfield and Plymouth, till 1845. Since then he has supplied at
Epping, where he now resides. His son, Samuel B. G. Corser, graduated
at Dartmouth College, in 1841.
(To be continued.)
FOREIGN MISSIONARIES FROM NORWICH, CT.
The following is supposed to be a correct list of the Missionaries that
have gone out from Norwich. About twenty of them were natives, and the
others were for a considerable period residents of the town, before
entering upon the duties of the missionary. Two of them, it will be
seen, belong to an earlier period than the organization of the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. One is attached to a
Methodist Mission; one is an Episcopal clergyman in the employ of the
Colonization Society, and twenty-four have been in the service of the
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Year. Names. Mission.
1761. Rev. Samson Occum, (Mohegan,) Oneida.
1766. Rev. Samuel Kirkland, "
1812. Rev. Samuel Nott, Jr., Mahratta.
" Mrs. Nott, (Roxana Peck,) "
1819. Rev. Miron Winslow, Ceylon.
" Mrs. Winslow, (Harriet L. Lathrop,) "
1820. Mrs. Palmer, (Clarissa Johnson,) Cherokee.
1821. Rev. William Potter, "
1825. Rev. William H. Manwaring, "
1826. Mrs. Gleason, (Bethiah W. Tracy,) Choctaw.
1827. Rev. Jonathan S. Green, Sandwich Islands.
" Mrs. Gulick, (Fanny H. Thomas,) " "
1833. Mrs. Smith, (Sarah L. Huntington,) Syria.
" Mrs. Palmer, (Jerusha Johnson,) Cherokee.
" Mrs. Hutchings, (Elizabeth C. Lathrop,) Ceylon.
" Mrs. Perry, (Harriet J. Lathrop,) "
" Rev. Stephen Johnson, Siam.
1835. Rev. James T. Dickinson, Singapore.
" Rev. William Tracy, Madura.
" Mrs. Hebard, (Rebecca W. Williams,) Syria.
1836. Mrs. Cherry, (Charlotte H. Lathrop,) Madura.
" Rev. James L. Thomson, Cyprus.
1839. Mrs. Sherman, (Martha E. Williams,) Syria.
" Mrs. Brewer, (Laura L. Giddings,) Oregon.
" Mrs. Cherry, (Jane E. Lathrop,) Ceylon.
1840. Rev. Joshua Smith, Africa.
1843. Miss Susan Tracy, Choctaw.
1844. Miss Lucinda Downer, Choctaw.
_History of Norwich._
* * * * *
"To send an uneducated child into the world," says Paley, "is little
better than to turn out a mad dog or a wild beast into the streets."
* * * * *
Mothers and schoolmasters plant the seeds of nearly all the good and
evil which exist in our world. Its reformation must, therefore, be
begun in nurseries, and schools.--_Dr. Rush._
THE PASSENGERS OF THE MAY FLOWER IN 1620.
BY NATHANIEL BRADSTREET SHURTLEFF, M. D.
As early as the year 1602, several religious people residing near
the joining borders of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire,
together with their pious ministers, being grievously oppressed by
courts and canons, resolved to shake off the yoke of antichristian
bondage, and, as the Lord's free people, to form themselves by covenant
into a church-state, to walk in all his ways according to their best
knowledge and endeavors, cost them whatever it might.
In the year 1606, by reason of the distance of their habitations, these
people were obliged to assemble in two places and become two distinct
churches; over one of which Mr. John Smith was established pastor, and
among the others were Mr. Richard Clifton and Mr. John Robinson, two
very excellent and worthy preachers.
In the fall of 1607, Mr. Clifton and many of his church, being
extremely harassed, removed themselves and families to Holland, where,
in the spring of 1608, they were followed by Mr. Robinson and the
rest. They settled first at Amsterdam, where they remained a year;
but finding that Mr. Smith's church, which was there before them, had
fallen into contention with others, they, valuing peace and spiritual
comfort above other riches, removed with Mr. Robinson, their pastor, to
Leyden, Mr. Clifton remaining in Amsterdam, where he soon died.
Soon after their arrival in Leyden, they chose Mr. William Brewster to
assist the pastor, as Elder of the Church. In their new place of abode
they lived in love and harmony with each other, and on friendly terms
of intercourse with their neighbors, till they removed to America.
By the year 1610, many had come over to them from various parts of
England, and they had increased and become a great congregation.
In 1617, Mr. Robinson and his church began to think of emigrating to
America; and, as a preparatory step, sent Mr. Robert Cushman and Mr.
John Carver from Leyden over to England, to treat with the Virginia
Company, and also to see if the King would grant them the liberty of
conscience there, which was refused them in the land of their birth.
Although the agents were not able to obtain from the King their
suit for liberty in religion under the broad seal, as was desired,
nevertheless, they prevailed so far as to gain the connivance of the
King that he would not molest them, provided they carried themselves
peaceably. In 1618, the agents returned to Leyden, to the great
discouragement of the people who sent them; who, notwithstanding,
resolved, in 1619, to send again two agents to agree with the Virginia
Company; and at this time they sent Mr. Cushman a second time, and with
him Mr. William Bradford, who, after long attendance, obtained the
patent granted by the Company to Mr. John Wincob, which was never used.
Notwithstanding all these troubles, so strong was their resolution
to quit Leyden and settle in America, that they entered into an
arrangement with Mr. Thomas Weston, a merchant of London, for their
transportation, and sent Mr. Carver and Mr. Cushman to England, to
receive the money of Mr. Weston, to assist in their transportation,
and to provide for the voyage. By direction, Mr. Cushman went to
London and Mr. Carver to Southampton, where they finally joined with
Mr. William Martin, who had been chosen to assist them.
A vessel of sixty tons, called the Speedwell, was bought and fitted in
Holland, to be used in their transportation, and was designed to be
kept for use in their new country. Mr. Cushman, in June, 1620, also
hired at London the renowned May Flower, a vessel of ninescore tons,
and also Mr. Clarke, the pilot.
Mr. Cushman, having procured the May Flower at London, and fitted it
for the voyage, proceeded in it to Southampton, where he and Captain
Jones, together with the other agents, remained seven days, until the
arrival of the Pilgrims who left Leyden in July, embarking from Delft
Haven.
On the 5th of August, both vessels, the May Flower, Capt. Jones, and
the Speedwell, Capt. Reinolds, set sail from Southampton. The small
vessel proving leaky, they both put in to Dartmouth about the 13th of
August, where they remained till the 21st, when they set sail again.
Both vessels were obliged to return a second time on account of the
leakage of the Speedwell; and this time they put back to Plymouth,
where they gave up the small vessel and dismissed those who were
willing to return to London, Mr. Cushman and his family returning with
them.
On the 6th of September, their number then consisting of one hundred
persons, they made their final start, and arrived at Cape Cod on the
eleventh day of November, when they signed the famous compact, and
landed at Plymouth, in America, on the eleventh day of December, Old
Style, or on the _twenty-first_ of December, _New Style_, in the year
1620.
During their passage, one only died, William Butten, a young man,
servant to Mr. Samuel Fuller, the physician of the new colony, who
was included in Mr. Fuller's family, according to Governor Bradford,
although dead at the time of the signing of the compact.
One person was born during the passage, Oceanus Hopkins, a son of Mr.
Stephen Hopkins, who did not survive long after the landing.
At the commencement of the voyage, the number of passengers of the May
Flower was one hundred, and at the time of the arrival at Cape Cod
Harbor it was the same; one having died, and one having been born, thus
preserving the integrity of the number. Both of these persons, however,
are numbered among the passengers, and hence the number is generally
stated as one hundred and one.
Peregrine White, son of Mr. William White, was born in Cape Cod Harbor,
in November, after the signing of the compact and before the landing,
and is not included with the voyagers. He enjoyed the distinction of
being the first born white child in New England, of the Leyden Pilgrims.
The first child born after the landing on the twenty-second day of
December, 1620, was a son of Mr. Isaac Allerton, but it did not survive
its birth.
The May Flower has already been stated to have been a vessel of about
ninescore tons, and was procured at London by Mr. Robert Cushman, who
was debarred the privilege of coming over with the infant colonists,
as it was necessary that he should remain in England, to keep
together those who were left behind, and to provide for their future
emigration, as he had done for that of those of the first passage. This
he did by procuring the Fortune, and sailing from London in July, 1621,
and arriving in New England on the 9th of November of the same year.
It is also highly probable that he obtained the other early vessels,
as he continued to be the agent of the Pilgrims till his death, which
occurred in England, just as he was ready to come to spend the rest of
his days in New England. In 1624, when the first division of land for
continuance took place, Mr. Cushman, although in England, was placed
at the head of the list of those who came in the May Flower; an act of
justice alike creditable to our forefathers and honorable to him.
The May Flower not only brought over the first of the Leyden Pilgrims,
but also, in the year 1629, with four other vessels, transported Mr.
Higginson and his company to Salem; and in 1630, was one of the fleet
which conveyed to New England Mr. Winthrop and the early settlers of
the Massachusetts Colony.
A vessel bearing this name was owned in England about fifteen years or
more before the voyage of our forefathers; but it would be impossible
to prove or disprove its identity with the renowned May Flower, however
great such a probability might be. It is known, nevertheless, that this
identical famous vessel afterwards hailed from various English ports,
such as London, Yarmouth, and Southampton, and that it was much used in
transporting emigrants to this country. What eventually became of it,
and what was the end of its career, are equally unknown to history.