of Regeneration;" "The Importance of Truth in Religion;" "The Connection which subsists between Sound Principles and a Holy Practice;" "Essay on the Nature, Value, and Uses of Money;" "The Druid," a series of periodical essays; "Lectures on Divinity; "Lectures on Moral Philosophy;" and "Lectures on Eloquence." His works are still in high repute on both sides of the Atlantic. It is understood that a new collection of them, with a Memoir, is in preparation, by the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, of Philadelphia, the successor of Dr. Smith in the presidency of the college of New Jersey.

MEMOIRS OF MINISTERS,

WHO HAVE BEEN GRADUATED AT HARVARD COLLEGE, SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THAT INSTITUTION.

By John Farmer,

Cor. Sec'ry of the New Hampshire Historical Society.

[Continued from Vol. viii. p. 344.]

NOTE.-The year they were graduated is prefixed to each person at the beginning of the several Memoirs.

SEABORN COTTON.

1651. SEABORN COTTON was son of Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, one of the ecclesiastical fathers of New England. He was born on the Atlantic Ocean in 1633, while his parents were on their voyage to this country, and was baptized in the First Church in Boston, on the 6th of September, of the same year. From the circumstance of his birth, he was named SEABORN, which is latinized in the college catalogue, Marigena. Enjoying the advantages of his father's instructions until he was nineteen years of age, he was well prepared to enter on a course of theological studies at the time of his leaving college; but the death of his father the next year deprived him of those stores of learning and experience for which the former was so eminently distinguished. With whom he completed his studies we know not. After preaching several years, he was invited to settle at Hampton, then in Massachusetts, but now in New Hampshire. He was ordained in 1660, as successor to Rev. Timothy Dalton, who died the next year at an advanced age. Here he remained in the peaceable enjoyment of his ministry, with but one interruption, which will be noticed at the close of this article, until his death, which occurred 19th April, 1686, in the 53d year of his age.

Of the ministerial life and character of Mr. Cotton, we have but little information. Indeed, there is scarcely any thing found in contemporary historians respecting him. His nephew, Dr. Cotton Mather, in the biography of Mr. Cotton's father, speaks of the son as being" a thorough scholar, and an able preacher," and as 'condemning the errors of his namesake Pelagius,' a celebrated heresiarch of the fifth century, whose real name was Morgan. The Artillery Election Sermon for 1673, was preached by Mr. Cotton, but it appears not to have been printed, nor is it probable that any thing by him issued from the press. There is a petition to the Council of New Hampshire from him in 1685, of which the original is in the office of the Secretary of State. It is as follows:

To the Honorable his Majesty's Council for the Province of New-Hampshire. The Petition of SEABORNE COTTON, of Hampton in the Province abovesaid, HUMBLY SHEWETH,

That whereas by an act of his Majesty's Council in this Province, bearing date as I conceive, Dec. 10, 1683, the people in the several towns, were left at their liberty

whether they would pay their ministers, or no, after the first of January ensuing that act, unless their ministers would administer baptism and the Lord's supper to such as desired it, according to his Majesty's letter to the Massachusetts', which was never denied by me to any that orderly asked it; yet too many people have taken occasion thereby, both to withhold what was my due before that act, for the year 1683, as also for the year 1684, and are likely to do so for the year 1685, except this Honorable Council see cause to pass an act, and order the trustees of Hampton, that I may have my dues according to the town's compact upon record, and their agreement with myself many years since ;the time also drawing nigh, when for this present year, I should have my rate made, doth hasten me to present this address, and to request your Honors' favor therein if your Honors send an order to our trustees, your Honors may possibly see cause to omit the naming myself as requesting it, all which I leave to your Honors' generous acceptance, and am your Honors'

Hampton, Sept. 5, 1685.

Humbly devoted,

SEABORNE COTTON.

In answer to this petition, the Council ordered that "the petitioner be left to the law to have his remedy against the persons he contracted with for his dues."

The year before this petition was presented, and during the persecution of Rev. Joshua Moody of Portsmouth, of which an account will be given in the memoir of that gentleman, Lieut. Governor Cranfield, the chief magistrate of New Hampshire, in a profane bravado, sent word to Mr. Cotton, that "when he had prepared his soul, he would come and demand the sacrament of him as he had done at Portsmouth." Upon receiving this notice, and resolving not to comply with Cranfield's request, Mr. Cotton withdrew to Boston, where he remained several weeks. While there, he preached a sermon in reference to the imprisonment of Mr. Moody, by Cranfield, from the words," Peter was therefore kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him."-Acts xii. 5, which gave great offence to Cranfield and his friends in New Hampshire. Mr. Cotton however, suffered no molestation on this account. He returned to his charge at Hampton, and there closed his days in peace.

Mr. Cotton was twice married. His first wife was Dorothy Bradstreet, daughter of Gov. Simon Bradstreet. Her mother was a daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley, and was the lady so highly esteemed for her poetical powers. By her, who died 26th February 1672, Mr. Cotton had the following children: Dorothy, who married Col. Smith of Hampton, and died leaving no issue; John, born 8th May, 1658, graduated at Harvard College 1678, and succeeded his father; Ann, born 23d April, 1661; Sarah, born 2d July, 1663; Eliza, born 13th September 1665, married Rev. William Williams of Hatfield, and left sons, William, H. C. 1705, and Elisha, H. C. 1711, who was rector of Yale College; Mercy, born 3d November, 1666, married Capt. Peter Tufts, of Medford, Massachusetts, and was mother of Thomas Tufts, H. C. 1701, and Rev. John Tufts, H. C. 1708; Maria, born 22d April, 1670, married Mr. Atwater, and afterwards Mr. Samuel Patridge, and had sons, Cotton and William, who graduated at Yale College 1729, and probably some others. The second wife of Mr. Cotton was the widow of Dr. Anthony Crosby, of Rowley. By her, he had one son, Roland, who was graduated at Harvard College in 1696, who was a physician. Ann and Sarah were both married, one to Mr. Richard Pierce; the other to a Mr. Carr.-Johnson, Hist. New England, 36. Belknap, Hist. N. H. 107, 479, 481. Mather, Magnalia, i. 259. Coll. N. H. Hist. Soc. ii. 204.

ISAAC CHAUNCY.

1651. ISAAC CHAUNCY was son of Rev. Charles Chauncy, who became the second president of Harvard College. President Chauncy was son of George Chauncy, Esq. of Hertfordshire, England, a descendant from Chauncy de Chauncy, who went to England with William the Conqueror, in 1066. He was baptized according to the family genealogy, in the church at Yardley, 5th November, 1592; was educated at Trinity College, in the University of Cambridge; was settled in several places in England, but suffering much persecution, came to this country in 1638; preached at Plymouth and Scituate until 1654, when he succeeded President Dunster, at Cambridge, where he died 19th of February, 1672, aged 82.

Six of President Chauncy's sons were educated at Harvard College, of whom ISAAC, the subject of this article, was the eldest. He was born in England, on the 23d of August, 1632, and was in his 6th year when his father arrived at Plymouth. He and his brother Ichabod, entered the same class, and both were graduated the same year. It is probable that they both returned to their native land at the same time, having both of them received a theological education. Isaac was settled in the parish of Woodborough,

in Wiltshire, from whence he was ejected by the Bartholomew act in the reign of Charles II. After the year 1662, he was pastor to a Congregational church at Andover, in the same county. His society worshipped in the same place with the people under the pastoral care of Rev. Samuel Sprint, and it was proposed to unite the two congregations, but it being opposed by some of Mr. Chauncy's people, the union was not effected. Soon after this Mr. Chauncy applied himself to the study of physic, and having removed from Andover to London, resolved to establish himself in that profession. But after the death of Rev. John Owen, D. D. in 1683, he was chosen to succeed this eminent divine, and continued to officiate to the church in Berry Street, in London, for many years.

"At length," says Dr. Calamy, "finding the society decrease and decay, he took up a resolution wholly to quit ministerial service, and no entreaties could prevail with him to the contrary. Though he was no popular preacher, yet Mr. Sprint, who was a good judge of learning, and knew him well, always gave him the character of a learned man; which will scarce be denied him by any unprejudiced persons, that were well acquainted with him." He died in London, 12th February, 1712, in the 80th year of his age.

His publications mentioned by Dr. Calamy, are, The Divine Institution of Congregational Churches, Ministers and Ordinances, as has been professed by those of that persuasion, asserted and proved from Scripture, 8vo.; An Essay to the Interpretation of the Angel Gabriel's prophecy, delivered by the Prophet Daniel, Chap. ix. 24; Christ's Ascension to fill all things, in a Sermon at Horsely-down, 8vo.

Mr. Chauncy married in England, and left a number of descendants. The name of his wife was Jane. His children were Isaac, Uzziel, who died 31st August, 1696; Charles, who came to New England, and was a merchant in Boston, and died in 1711; and Elizabeth, who married 10th December, 1689, John Nisbet, of London, and died in 1727. Charles was father to the celebrated Rev. Charles Chauncy, D. D. who graduated at Harvard College in 1721, and was minister of the First Church in Boston from 25th October, 1727, to his death, 10th February, 1787, in the 83d year of his age.—Calamy, Account of Ejected Ministers, ii. 761. Continuation of the same, ii. 877, 878. Deane, Hist. Scituate, 177, 178. 1 Coll. Mass. Hist. Society, x. 171. MS. Genealogy of the CHAUNCYS.

ICHABOD CHAUNCY.

1651. ICHABOD CHAUNCY, brother of the preceding, was born in England, in 1635, and was three years old when brought to America. He studied divinity, probably with his father, and it is supposed he accompanied his brother to England, where he was appointed chaplain in Sir Edward Harley's regiment, and was at Dunkirk in France in 1662. He afterwards was a physician "of good note" in the city of Bristol. Dr. Calamy says, "He was prosecuted on the 35th Elizabeth, and upon that act suffered banishment. In 1684, he was compelled to abjure the realm; and removed himself and his family into Holland. But upon King James' liberty he returned to Bristol in 1686; and died there 25th July, 1691." He was 56 years of age. There had been published in 1684, a work entitled, "Innocence Vindicated, by an Impartial Narrative of the Proceedings of the Court of Sessions in Bristol, against Ichabod Chauncy, Physician in that city."

The wife of Dr. Chauncy was Mary King, who, after marrying a second husband, of the name of Guillim, died in 1736, at the age of 90. His children were Staunton, who died unmarried in Nevis, in 1707; Charles, who died in infancy, in London; Charles, 2d of the name, born 14th March, 1674, married 1708, and died 3d January, 1763, aged 89; leaving a son Charles, born 30th Sept. 1709, who was M. D., F. R. S., and F. A. S., and died 25th December, 1777, aged 68; Elizabeth; Mary; Nathaniel, born 14th February, 1679, who was minister of Devizes nearly fifty years, and who died in May, 1750, aged 71; Henry and two others, who died in infancy.-Calamy, Account of Ejected Ministers, ii. 610. Ibid. Continuation, ii. 756. MS. Genealogy of the Chauncys.

JOSEPH ROWLANDSON.

1652. JOSEPH ROWLANDSON, son of Thomas Rowlandson, one of the early freemen of Massachusetts, who settled at Ipswich, but died at Lancaster, 17th November, 1657, was born before his father came to New England.

While a member of College, and during his last year, he committed a youthful misdemeanor, for which he was sentenced 30th November, 1651, by the Court of Essex County, to be "whipt, unless he paye 5 lb. by Wednesday come 3 weekes, or be whipt the next Thursdaye, and 5 lb. more, when the Court shall call for it, and to paye all charges 30s. for the marshall's goeing with atachment for him to Cambridge and Boston, and fees of Court." The judges who gave this sentence were Gov. John Endecott, Simon Bradstreet, Samuel Symonds, Daniel Denison, and William Hathorne. The crime for which he received it is called a "scandelous lybell," which was pasted up on the

meeting-house in Ipswich. The libel consisted of several articles, of which the most prominent is the following, copied from the Appendix of the Sixth Edition of Mrs. Rowlandson's Narrative of her Captivity.

"Gentlemen I beseech you looke heere and tell me truly have I not discharged my duty very well. I pray bee pleased to be informed further in a long tale of enuie pull me not doune I pray til all ye people have sene and then turne me.

so.

If enuie hath thus deceived thee O woman, and the allurements of thy pretended friends conspiring therewith, so brought thee to belye thy conscience as it is credibly reported here in this towne wr I live that am so indifferent to the thing as indeed cannot bee otherwise being so remote from wr you live: then I do profess that ye Court did well to free the poore man of his burthen, and if I knew him I would certainly tell him More over me thinks I would tell him he hath indeed done very ill to keepe her so long from performing her promise to that same young-iman so long agoe; which if I had knowledge of I could inform him punctually concerning. I pray you therefore that reade this writing inform him of my name and direct him to the towne where I live and I hope I may give him a little something for his further ease since I heare the Court hath proceeded so farre in that way already. In the mean-time I have made bold to send this writing, which least it should miscarry his hands I did desire the bearer to set it up in publicke, that so he might not bee altogether un-informed of our iudgment heere in this By mee, JUSTICE PLEADER in the Toune

toune.

of Conscience, 3000 miles distant from any place well
neere in Newe-England."

Mr. Rowlandson afterwards sent a letter of submission to the Court, in which he says, "As concerning the writing which I so rashly affixed unto the Meeting-house I do desire to abhorre myselfe for my extreme folly in so doing, and I hope the Lord hath opened my eyes to see that in myselfe thereby that otherwise I might too late have lamented, but not timously repented of." At a Court holden at Ipswich, 25th March, 1656, "Joseph Rowlandson upon his petition the Court remitted the remainder of his fine."

66

Before this time, (1656) Mr. Rowlandson had engaged in the ministry, and was employed as a preacher at Lancaster. He went to that place in the summer or fall of 1654. In February following, he subscribed the town covenant and received his allotment of land. In 1656, his salary as minister was fixed at fifty pounds by the year," taking "wheat at sixpence per bushel," under the usual price," and as God shall enlarge their estates, so shall they enlarge therein answerably," &c. In September, 1657, the Commissioners ordered the Selectmen " to take care for the due encouragement of Master Rowlandson, and also for the erecting a meeting-house." In compliance with these orders, a house for worship was erected soon after. Mr. R. continued to preach there several years without being ordained, but at length, being probably discouraged as to the prospect of receiving an invitation to settle there permanently, gave out his intention of removing from town. The report of his determination caused a meeting to be holden (14th March, 1658) by the inhabitants, who invited him "to settle among them in the work of the ministry," by a unanimous vote. He complied with the wishes of the town; a church was organized in September, 1660, and he was ordained at that time or soon afterwards. No particulars in relation to his ordination or ministry were known to Mr. Willard, the historian of Lancaster. The early records of the town are lost, and those of the church were probably consumed when the town was destroyed by the Indians. "There is reason to believe," says Mr. Willard, that Mr. R. was "a man of good talents and a faithful minister." Cotton Mather and all traditions are in his favor. He is mentioned by this writer as an "author of lesser composures." What these composures were, it was not the good fortune of Mr. Willard to ascertain, and it may be doubted whether they can ever be recalled from their oblivion, and if they were in style like the "scandelous lybell," or his retractation, they had better remain with "the lost things of the earth."

In the peaceful valley of the Nashaway, among an industrious and sober people, and in the enjoyment of freedom, Mr. Rowlandson remained more than twenty years, when on a sudden, and while absent on a journey, all his fond expectations in regard to the growth of the settlement and the prosperity of his flock, were forever blasted. On the 10th of February, 1676, the Indians to the number, as was computed, of fifteen hundred, invested the town "in five distinct bodies and places." There were at that time more than fifty families in Lancaster. After killing a number of persons in different parts of the town, they directed their course to the house of Mr. Rowlandson. The house was pleasantly situated on the brow of a small hill, commanding a fine view of the valley of the north branch of the river, and the amphitheatre of hills to the west, north and east. It was filled with soldiers and inhabitants to the number of forty-two, and was guarded only in front, not like the other garrisons, with flankers at the opposite angles. "Quickly," says Mrs. Rowlandson in her Narrative, "it was the dolefullest day that ever mine eyes saw." The house was defended with determined bravery for upwards of two hours. The enemy after several unsuccessful attempts to set fire to the building, filled a cart with combustible matter, and approached in the rear, where there was no fortification. In this way the house was soon enveloped in flames. The inhabitants finding further resistance useless, were compelled at length to surrender, to avoid