Arrival of the Leyden people—Allerton in England tries to get
the Kennebec Patent enlarged—Morton’s return—Further trouble
with Allerton—The partnership with Ashley—The Penobscot
trading-house—Purchase of a fishing ship suggested—John Endicott at
Salem—The Church at Salem: 1629.
Mr. Allerton arrived safely in England, and delivered the letters
to their friends there, acquainting them with his instructions. He
found them willing to join in the trading-partnership, and in the
expense of sending over the Leyden people, some of whom had already
left Holland and were prepared to come over, so they were sent off
before Mr. Allerton was ready to leave. They took passage on the
ships that came to Salem, which brought over many godly persons to
begin the settlements and churches of Christ there and in the Bay of
Massachusetts. So their friends here were rewarded for their long
delay with double blessing, in that they not only enjoyed them now,
when so recently all their hopes had seemed to be blasted; but with
them came other godly friends and Christian brethren, to plant a
still larger harvest unto the Lord, for the increase of his churches
and people in these parts. It was to the astonishment of many and
almost to the wonder of the world, that from so small a beginning
such great things should ensue,—as in due time was manifested; and
that there should be a resting place for so many of the Lord’s people
here, when so sharp a scourge had come upon their own nation. But it
was the Lord’s doing, and it ought to be marvellous in our eyes.
I will here insert some of their friends’ letters, which best express
their own attitude towards these proceedings.
_Two letters from James Sherley in England to Governor Bradford at
New Plymouth_:
Sir,
With this there are many more of our friends from Leyden coming
over to you, whose arrival, though mostly a weak body, is the
fulfillment, in part, of our purpose, so strongly opposed by some
of the former adventurers. But God has His working in these things,
which man cannot frustrate. We have also sent some servants in the
ship Talbot, that sailed lately; but the Leyden contingent come in
the Mayflower. Mr. Beauchamp and myself, with Mr. Andrews and Mr.
Hatherley, have, with your good will, joined your partnership, etc.
_May 25th, 1629._
Your power of attorney has been received, and the goods have been
sold by your friend and agent, Mr. Allerton, I having been in
Holland nearly three months, at Amsterdam and in other parts of the
Low Countries. I see, also, the agreement you have made with the
main body of the settlers, and think you have done very well, both
for them, for you, and for your friends at Leyden. Mr. Beauchamp,
Mr. Andrews, Mr. Hatherley, and myself so thoroughly approve of
it, that we are willing to join you, and, God directing us, will
assist you the best we possibly can. Indeed, had you not taken
this course, I do not see how you could ever have accomplished the
end originally aimed at. We know it must cause further delay in
realizing profits, for most of those who we sent in May, and those
now sailing, though honest and good people, are not likely to be
helpful at present—indeed, for some time they will be an expense to
you and us. Had you not taken this wise and astute course, the main
body of your colonists would probably have grudged their coming.
Again, as you say well in your letter, the burden being now on the
shoulders of only a few, you will manage it the better, having no
discontent or contradiction, but all lovingly joined together in
affection and counsel, so that God will no doubt bless and prosper
your honest labours and endeavours. So in all respects I consider
you have been marvellously discreet and well-advised, and have
no doubt it will give all parties satisfaction—I mean all who
are reasonable and honest men, and make conscience of fulfilling
their obligations to the uttermost, not with regard to their own
private interests so much as the accomplishment of the good object
for which this enterprise was first started.... Thus desiring the
Lord to bless and prosper you and all yours, and all our honest
endeavours, I rest,
Your unfeigned and ever loving friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.
_London, March 8th, 1629._
I have mentioned here the coming of both these companies from Leyden,
though they actually came at two different times. The former party,
numbering 35 persons, sailed in May, and arrived here about August,
1629; the latter sailed at the beginning of March, and arrived
here the latter end of May, 1630. Their expenses, according to
Mr. Allerton’s accounts, came to above £550 (in addition to their
transportations from Salem and the Bay, where they and their goods
were landed), viz.: their transportation from Holland to England,
and their expenses while there, and their passages out here, with
clothing provided for them. I find in the account for the one party
125 yards of kersey, 127 ells of linen, 66 pairs of shoes, with
many other particulars. The cost of the other party is reckoned by
families, some £50, some £40, some £30,—more or less, according to
numbers, etc. Besides all this expense their friends here had to
provide corn and other provisions for them till they could reap
a crop, which was some time. Those that came in May had to be
maintained upwards of 16 to 18 months; the others proportionately.
All they could do in the meantime was to build houses and prepare
land for planting next season. The expenses of maintaining them
all this time was little less than the former sum. I make special
note of this for various reasons: first, to show a rare example of
brotherly love and Christian care in performing their promises to
their brethren. Secondly, to prove that there was more than the work
of man in these achievements,—thus successfully to have persuaded
such able friends to join them in the enterprise, and to stand by
them so faithfully in the face of such risks, most of them never
having seen their faces to this day; it must needs be, therefore,
the special work of God. Thirdly, that these poor people here in
a wilderness should, notwithstanding, be able in time to repay
all their engagements, and others unjustly put upon them through
unfaithful service, besides other great losses which they sustained,
all of which will be related if the Lord be pleased to give me life
and time. In the meantime I cannot help but wonder at His ways and
works towards His servants, and humbly desire to bless His holy name
for His great mercies hitherto.
The Leyden people having come over, and several members of the
general body of the settlers seeing how great the expense was likely
to be, began to murmur at it, notwithstanding the burden lay on
other men’s shoulders,—especially at paying the three bushels of
corn a year, according to the agreement. But to satisfy them, it was
promised that if they could do without it they would not demand it of
them. And it never was paid, as will appear.
Mr. Allerton’s proceedings about the enlarging and confirming of the
patents, both at home and at Kennebec, are best explained in another
letter of Mr. Sherley’s. Though much time and money was expended, he
left it unaccomplished this year, and came without them.
_James Sherley in England to the New Plymouth Colony_:
Most worthy and loving Friends,
Some of your letters I received in July, and some since through
Mr. Pierce; but till our main business, the patent, was granted,
I could not settle my mind or pen to writing. Mr. Allerton was so
turmoiled about it, that I neither would nor could have undertaken
it, if I had been paid a thousand pounds; but the Lord so blessed
his labours that he obtained the love and favour of important men
of repute and position. He got granted from the Earl of Warwick and
Sir Ferdinand Gorges all that Mr. Winslow desired in his letters
to me, and more besides, which I leave him to relate. Then he sued
to the king to confirm their grant, and to make you a corporation,
and so to enable you to make and execute laws as freely as the
government of Massachusetts. This the king graciously granted,
referring it to the Lord Keeper to give order to the solicitor to
draw it up, if there were a precedent for it. So the Lord Keeper
furthered it all he could, and also the solicitor; but as Festus
said to Paul: With no small sum of money obtained I this freedom.
For, by the way, many riddles had to be solved, and many locks must
be opened with the silver, nay, the golden key! Then it came to
the Lord Treasurer, to have his warrant for making you custom-free
for a certain time; but he would not do it, and referred it to the
Council Table. And there Mr. Allerton attended day by day, when
they sat, but could not get his petition read; and as Mr. Pierce
was waiting with all the passengers at Bristol, he was forced to
leave the further prosecution of it to a solicitor. But there is no
fear nor doubt but that it will be granted,—for the chief of them
are friendly; but he should certainly return by the first ship that
comes, for if you had this confirmed, you would be in a position to
govern with the power befitting your rank and the position God has
called you to, and to stop the mouths of the base and scurrilous
individuals who are ready to question and threaten you in every
action. Besides, if you are freed of customs dues for seven years
inward and twenty-one outward, the expense of the patent will be
soon covered; and there is no doubt of ultimately obtaining it. But
such things must work by degrees,—they cannot be hastened; so we
(I write on behalf of all our partners here) beg you to urge Mr.
Allerton to come, and his wife to spare him this one year more,
to finish this important business, which will be so much for your
good, and I hope for that of your posterity for many generations to
come.
Thus much of this letter; it was dated March 19th, 1629; but the fact
of the matter was (as came out later), it was Mr. Allerton’s object
to have an opportunity to be sent over again for purposes of his own;
and with that idea he requested them to write thus. The extension of
the patent might easily have been finished, omitting the clause about
the customs (which was Mr. Allerton’s and Mr. Sherley’s device), it
having passed the king’s hand. But covetousness never brings anything
home, as the proverb says; and this opportunity being lost, it was
never accomplished, though a great deal of money was vainly and
lavishly expended on it. But of this more in its place.
* * * * *
I almost omitted to mention that this year Mr. Allerton gave them
great and just offence by bringing over the unworthy Morton, who had
been sent home only the year before for his misdemeanours. He not
only brought him over, but into the very town (as if to beard them),
and lodged him at his own house, employing him as his secretary
till he was forced to send him away. So he returned to his old nest
in Massachusetts, where it was not long before his misconduct gave
them proper cause to apprehend him, and he was again sent by them a
prisoner to England, where he lay a good time in Exeter Gaol. For,
besides his misdeeds here, he was strongly suspected of the murder
of a man who had ventured money with him, when he first came to
New England. A warrant had been sent from the Lord Chief Justice
to apprehend him, by virtue of which the Governor of Massachusetts
sent him to England; and as punishment for his misdemeanours there,
they demolished his house, so that it might no longer be a roost for
such unclean birds to nestle in. But he got free again, and wrote an
infamous and scurrilous book full of lies and slanders against many
godly men of the country in high position, and of profane calumnies
against their names and persons, and the ways of God. After several
years, when the war was at its height in England, he returned to the
country, and was imprisoned at Boston, for the book and other things,
having grown old in wickedness.
As for the rest of Mr. Allerton’s instructions, enjoining him not to
exceed the £50 worth of goods before mentioned, nor to bring any but
trading commodities, he ignored them, and brought over many other
kinds of retail goods, selling what he could by the way on his own
account, and delivering them the rest, which he said were theirs.
Of trading goods he brought scarcely any, making excuses that they
had expended so much on the Leyden people, the patent, etc. As
regards exceeding his instructions, he laid the responsibility on Mr.
Sherley, etc. He promised that next year they should have whatever
trading goods they sent for. In this way he put them off, and though
Mr. Sherley had written somewhat bearing out his statements, he was
probably over-ruled by Mr. Allerton to do so.
The following is a still further extract from his former letter,
bearing on this:
I see what you write in your letters concerning the paying of our
debts, which I confess are great, and need to be carefully watched.
But let us not fulfill the proverb; to spend a shilling on a purse
and put sixpence in it; nor think by the expenditure of £50 a year
to raise means to pay our debts; you need to be well supplied and
fully provided,—and, chiefly, lovingly to agree.
This shows that there was a kind of concurrence between Mr. Allerton
and the adventurers in England about these things, and that they had
more regard for his opinion than for the advice sent from here. This
troubled them greatly here, not knowing how to help it, and being
loth to make any breach. Another more private difficulty was that
Mr. Allerton had married the daughter of their reverend elder, Mr.
Brewster, who was beloved and honoured by them, taking great pains in
dispensing and teaching the word of God to them, and whom they were
loth to grieve in any way; so they bore with much for that reason.
Again, Mr. Allerton procured such letters from Mr. Sherley, with such
applause of his wisdom, care, and faithfulness, that as things stood,
none seemed so fit to send as he. Besides, though private gain, I
feel sure, was one cause of Mr. Allerton’s doings, I think, or at
least charity leads me to hope, that he intended to deal faithfully
with his partners here in the main. But things fell out otherwise and
missed their aim, and the settlement in general suffered considerably
in consequence, as will appear.
Along the same lines was another plan of Mr. Allerton’s and his
friends, unknown to the other partners here, until it was so far
proceeded with that they felt obliged to sanction it and join with
them, though they did not like it and mistrusted the outcome. It is
explained in another extract from Mr. Sherley’s letter, as follows:
I wish to acquaint you that we have thought good to become partners
in a separate venture with one Edward Ashley—a man I think some
of you know—but it only concerns the place for which he has a
patent in Mr. Beauchamp’s name. For this purpose we have supplied
him plentifully with provisions, etc. If you wish to join us as
partners in this, we are willing you should. Hearing how anxious
Bristol men were to join the enterprise and supply him, expecting
good profits, we thought it important that we should not to miss
such opportunity. He, on his side, like a shrewd man, thought it
better to join with those who already had a settlement to back him
there, than with strangers. It is not known that you are in the
partnership, but only we four, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Beauchamp, myself,
and Mr. Hatherley, who entered upon it in view of the great loss we
have already sustained in the first plantation there. But as I said
before, if you wish to join with us, we are willing you should. Mr.
Allerton had no power from you to make this new contract, nor was
he willing to do anything without your consent. Mr. William Pierce
joined with us because of landing Ashley and his goods there. He
has a new boat with him, and boards to make another, with four
or five strong fellows, one of whom is a carpenter. In case you
are not willing to join us, fearing the expense and doubting the
success, we beg you to afford him all the help you can, either with
men, goods, or boats, and we will pay you for anything that he has.
We wish you to keep the accounts separate, even if you join us,
because there are partners in this enterprise who are not in the
other; so charge him with men’s wages, boat-hire, or goods; and
anything you receive from him, charge to the colony.
And now loving friends and partners, if you join in Ashley’s
project, we having found the money to stock this business and the
other, it seems reasonable that you should bear your share of the
stock, if not in money, by security to that amount. I hope in God,
by His blessing and your honest endeavour, it may soon be paid; but
the term of the partnership is not long, so it behoves us all to
make the best use of the time that we possibly can, and let every
one put his shoulder to the burden and it will be lighter. I know
you will consider this carefully, and return a satisfactory answer.
None of us would have risked this, except as a support to your own
enterprise.
There is no likelihood of doing any good by attempting to buy the
debts for the purchase of the old adventurer’s shares. I know some
would not forego their interest, so let it run its course; it
is arranged they are to be paid yearly, and so I hope they will
be, according to agreement. The Lord grant that our loves and
affections may still be united and knit together; and so we rest
your ever loving friends,
JAMES SHERLEY.
TIMOTHY HATHERLEY.
_Bristol, March 19th, 1629._
This matter of buying the debts of the purchase was part of Mr.
Allerton’s instructions, and in many instances it might have been
done to advantage for ready cash; but Mr. Sherley disliked it. The
Ashley enterprise troubled them much, for though he had ability
enough to manage the business, he was known to be a very profane
young man; and he had for some time lived among the Indians as a
savage, naked like them, adopting their manners and customs, and
in the meantime acquiring their language; so they feared he might
not keep straight, though he promised better things. As soon as he
landed at the place intended, called Penobscot, some four score
leagues from this place, he wrote (and afterwards came) desiring to
be supplied with wampum, corn for the winter, and other things. They
bethought them that these were their chief commodities, and would
be continually needed by him, and it would thus be greatly to the
prejudice of their own trade at Kennebec, if, though they did not
join the partnership, they should still have to supply him; on the
other hand, if they should both refuse to join the partnership and
to supply him, they would greatly offend their friends in England,
and might possibly lose them. Again, Ashley and Mr. Allerton,
laying their crafty wits together, might get supplies elsewhere;
and whether they joined in it or not, they knew Mr. Allerton would
do so, and then he would swim, as it were, between both, to the
prejudice of both,—but especially of themselves. They had reason to
think this scheme was chiefly of his contriving, and Ashley was a fit
tool. So, to prevent worse mischief, they resolved to enter the new
partnership, and gave him supplies of what they could, and kept a
watch on his doings as well as they could. To do so more effectively,
they associated with him, as an equal, as it were, and not merely as
a servant, a steady young man who had come from Leyden; and as he
was discreet, and could be trusted, they were able to give him such
instructions as kept Ashley within bounds. So they replied to their
friends in England that they accepted their offer and joined with
them in Ashley’s enterprise, but told them what their fears were in
regard to him.
When they had received full account of all the goods sent over to
them that year, they saw they were very short of trading goods, and
that Ashley was far better supplied than themselves. They were even
forced to buy supplies from the fishermen, and such things as cotton,
kersey, and other cloth from Mr. Allerton himself, and so to dispose
of a large part of their beaver at reduced rates over here, instead
of sending it home to help discharge their debts. This vexed them
greatly, but Mr. Allerton assured them that next year they should
have whatever they wrote for. Their engagements for this year were
large indeed,—when they came to know them, which was not till two
years after; and were increased by Mr. Allerton raising large sums
at Bristol at 50 per cent again, which he insisted he was forced to
do, otherwise he could have got no goods transported by the fishing
ships in the spring,—such was their ill-will towards the trade of the
colony. But whether this was any more than an excuse, some of them
doubted; however, the burden lay on their shoulders, and they must
bear it,—as they did many other heavy loads before the end.
This necessity of paying 50 per cent, and the difficulty of having
their goods transported by the fishing ships early in the year
during the best season for trade, put them upon another project.
Mr. Allerton after the fishing season was over, secured a bargain
in salt, at a good fishing place, and bought it. It came to about
£113, and shortly after he might have got £30 clear profit for it,
without any trouble. But Mr. Winslow and some of the other partners
coming that way from Kennebec in the bark, met Mr. Allerton, and
persuaded him not to sell the salt, but suggested keeping it for
themselves, and hiring a ship in the west country to come fishing for
them on shares, as was the custom. Her salt being here already, and
a dock built where it lay safely housed, instead of bringing salt,
they might load her full of trading goods without paying freight,
and receive them in plenty of time, which would be greatly to their
advantage. On arrival at New Plymouth this plan was discussed, and
approved by all but the Governor, who was against it, as they had
always lost by fishing; but the rest were strongly in favour of it,
believing that they might make good profits by the fishing; and even
if they should only save a little, or actually lose something by it,
the advantage of getting early supplies would be ample return. So he
gave way, and it was referred to their friends in England, to allow
or disallow it. Of this, more in its place.
Considering what had to be done about the patents and in what state
it had been left, and owing to Mr. Sherley’s earnest wish to have
Mr. Allerton come over to finish it and complete the accounts, etc.,
it was decided to send him over again this year,—though it was
with some fear and jealousy. However, he made them fair promises
to perform all their business according to their directions, and
to redeem his former errors. So he was accordingly sent with full
instructions, and with long letters to Mr. Sherley and the rest,
both about Ashley’s business and their own; stating how essential it
was that they be supplied with trading commodities, what they had
suffered through want of them, and of what little use other goods
were in comparison. They fully explained about the fishing ship that
was to be hired and loaded with trading goods, to supply both them
and Ashley, and the advantages to be gained. It was left to their
decision to hire and fit her out, or not; but under no circumstances
to send one unless she were loaded with trading goods. But what
happened will appear in the account of next year’s doings.
I almost omitted another occurrence at the beginning of this year.
A Mr. Ralph Smith and his wife and family had come over to the Bay
of Massachusetts, and lived at present with some straggling people
at Nantasket. A boat from here putting in there on one occasion,
he earnestly begged them to give him and his family passage to New
Plymouth, with such effects as they could take; he had heard that
it was likely he might procure house-room here for some time, till
he might decide to settle here if permitted, or elsewhere, as God
should dispose; he was weary of being in that uncouth place, and in
such a poor house that it kept neither him nor his effects dry. So,
as he was a grave man and they understood he had been a minister,
they brought him, though they had no orders to do so. He was kindly
entertained here, and housed, and later he had the rest of his goods
and servants sent for and exercised his gifts among them. Afterwards
he was chosen to the ministry and remained there several years.
It was mentioned before, that several of those who came from Leyden,
sailed in ships that went to Salem, where Mr. Endicott had chief
command. Diseases which had developed among the passengers at sea,
infected those ashore, and many died; some of scurvy, others of an
infectious fever which was amongst them for some time, though our
people, through God’s goodness, escaped it. Whereupon Mr. Endicott
wrote for help, understanding that one of them at New Plymouth had
some skill as a physician, and had cured several of scurvy, and
others of various diseases, by letting blood and other means. So he
sent to the Governor here, requesting him to send him to them. The
Governor complied, and wrote to him, receiving a letter in reply.
This letter, though brief, shows the beginning of their acquaintance;
and as a manifestation of the truth and of the ways of God, I thought
it fitting and profitable to insert it here.
_Governor John Endicott at Salem to Governor Bradford at New
Plymouth_:
Right Worthy Sir,
It is an unusual thing that servants of one master and of the
same household should be strangers! I assure you I do not desire
it,—nay, to speak more plainly, I cannot be so to you. God’s people
are all marked with one and the same mark, and sealed with one and
the same seal, and have in the main, one and the same heart, guided
by one and the same spirit of truth; and where this is, there can
be no discord,—nay, there must needs be sweet harmony. And so I
pray the Lord that we may, as Christian brethren, be united with
you by a heavenly and unfeigned love; bending all our hearts and
forces in furthering a work beyond our strength, with reverence and
fear, and fastening our eyes always on Him Who is able to direct
and prosper all our ways. I am much beholden to you for your kind
love and care in sending Mr. Fuller among us, and rejoice at what
I hear from him of your attitude towards the outward form of God’s
worship. It is, as far as I can gather, no other than is warranted
by the evidence of truth, and the same which I have maintained and
professed ever since the Lord in His mercy revealed Himself unto
me,—though very different from the common report of you that has
been spread about. But God’s children must look for no less here
below; and it is the great mercy of God that He strengthens them
to go through with it. I need not be tedious to you now, for, God
willing, I purpose to see your face shortly. In the meantime I
humbly take my leave of you, committing you to the Lord’s blessed
protection, and rest,
Your assured loving friend,
JOHN ENDICOTT.
_Naumkeag, May 11th, 1629._
A second letter received this year shows the progress of their church
affairs at Salem, which was the second church erected in these parts.
Afterwards the Lord established many more in several places.
_Charles Gott at Salem to Governor Bradford at New Plymouth:_
Sir,
I make bold to trouble you with a few lines to inform you how it
has pleased God to deal with us since you heard from us; how,
notwithstanding all the opposition here and elsewhere, it has
pleased God to lay a foundation which I hope is agreeable to His
word in every way. It pleased the Lord to move the heart of our
Governor to set apart July 10th as a solemn day of humiliation
for the choice of a pastor and a teacher. The first part of the
day was used for prayer and teaching, the latter part for the
election, which was held in this way. The persons nominated, who
had been ministers in England, were questioned concerning their
calling. They acknowledged there was a twofold calling; the one
an inward calling, when the Lord moved the heart of a man to take
that calling upon him, and fitted him with gifts for it; the second
an outward calling from the people, when a body of believers join
together in covenant, to walk in all the ways of God; every male
member having a free voice in the choice of the officers, etc. Now,
we being satisfied that these two men were so qualified, as the
apostle tells Timothy: A bishop must be blameless, sober, apt to
teach, etc.,—I think I may say, as the eunuch said to Philip: What
should hinder him from being baptised, seeing there was water, and
he believed. So these two servants of God, giving full satisfaction
by their answers and being thus fitted, we saw no reason why we
might not freely vote for their election. Mr. Skelton was chosen
pastor, and Mr. Higginson teacher; and they, accepting the choice,
Mr. Higginson, with three or four of the gravest members of the
church, laid their hands on Mr. Skelton, with prayer. After this
there was imposition of hands on Mr. Higginson. Since then,
Thursday (being as I take it the 6th of August) has been appointed
for another day of humiliation, for the choice of elders and
deacons, and for ordaining them.
And now, good Sir, I hope that you and the rest of God’s people
with you, who are acquainted with the ways of God, will say that
herein a right foundation was laid, and that these two blessed
servants of the Lord came in at the door, and not at the window.
Thus I have made bold to trouble you with these few lines, desiring
you to remember us.... And so rest,
At your service in what I may,
CHARLES GOTT.
_Salem, July 30th 1629._