A history of New-England, with particular reference to the denomination of Christians called Baptists. Containing the first principles and settlements of the country; the rise and increase of the Baptist churches therein; the intrusion of arbitrary power under the cloak of religion; the Christian testimonies of the Baptists and others against the same, with their sufferings under it, from the begining [sic] to the present time. : Collected from most authentic records and writings, both ancient and modern. / By Isaac Backus, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Middleborough. ; Vol. I[-III]. ; [Four lines of quotations]

CHAP. VII.

I. An Account of the first Church in Swansea. II. Of the second Church there. III. Of two in Rehoboth that are dissolved. IV. Of six Churches now there. V. Of Mr. Winchester. VI. Of Mr. Ellis. VII. Of the last Baptist Church in Rehoboth. VIII. Of Taunton. IX. Of Attleborough. X. Of Dighton. XI. Freetown. XII. New-Bedford and Dartmouth. XIII. Raynham. XIV. Harwich. XV. Barnstable. XVI. Martha's-Vineyard.

I. THE first Baptist church in the Massachusetts is in Swansea, which was originally in Plymouth colo∣ny, the first in New-England. Mr. John Miles was a father of the Baptist churches in Wales, which be∣gan in 1649; and he was pastor of the Baptist church of Swansea in that country, until he was ejected from thence by a cruel act of parliament, which turned above two thousand teachers out of their places in 1662. He then came over to our country, and brought their book of records with him, which is in Swansea to this day, containing many things concerning the first Baptist churches in Wales, that are no where else to be found, and which have been lately transcribed and sent over to them. Nicholas Tanner, Obadiah Bowen, John Thomas, and others, also came over to this country; and one of Bowen's posterity is now Chancellor of the university at Providence. A Baptist church was formed in Rehoboth in 1663, and Mr. Miles was their pastor; and four years after they obtained a grant of the town of Swansea, from the legislature at Plymouth; and there have been none but Baptist churches in that town to this day. Mr. Miles often visited and laboured with his brethren at Boston, in the time of their sufferings; and he continued the

faithful pastor of the church in Swansea, until he fell asleep there, in a good old age, February ••, 1663. Mr. Samuel Luther had been a representative 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Swansea in their legislature, and was otherwise useful in the town, before he was ordained a pastor of this church, July 22, 1685, by the assistance of the elders. Hull and Emblen of Boston; and he was much es∣teemed at home and abroad, until he died in 1717, and his posterity are numerous to this day. Mr. Ephraim Wheaton, who lived within the bounds of Rehoboth, had been a colleague with him about thirteen years, and he was a faithful and successful minister until he died, April 26, 1734, aged 75. He baptized and received fifty members into his church in five years after a revival began in 1718, of which he wrote an account to Mr. Hollis in London. Our second vol. p. 79. Mr. Samuel Maxwell was or∣dained a colleague with him, April 18, 1733; but he was unsteady in his sentiments, and in 1738, he embraced the opinion of keeping the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, which caused his dismission from this church. April 15, 1739. Elder Benjamin Herrington, formerly of Narraganset, was their near pastor, and was installed in this church, August 18, 1742, and he had a crouded audience for several years; but then he was accused of the sin of un∣cleanness, and he went off to Canterbury in Con∣necticut, where he preached to a few people, and lived in obscurity to old age. In March, 1748, Mr. Jabez Wood, of Middleborough, was called to preach to this church, and he was ordained their pastor, Sep∣tember 5, 1751. He was grandson to Mr. Thomas Nelson; but as the old gentleman judged that Wood had made use of unjust and deceitful measures to obtain that place, where was a good farm for the ministry, he removed his membership to the first Bap∣tist church in Rehoboth, and others went to other churches; and the first church in Swansea was in a

declining condition, until elder Wood asked and re∣ceived a dismission in ••••79, and he removed into Vermont, where he died in 1794. But as the enemy had burnt their meeting-house, and house for the ministry at Warren, three miles off, in May, 1778, the two churches agreed for the present to meet at Swansea, and elder Thompson was received into this church, October 7, 1779, and has been their pastor ever since. And such a rain of righteousness was granted there in 1780, as caused the addition of above ninety members to that church in two years, and they have had other revivals since.

II. The second church in Swansea was formed upon different principles from the first, and they held the laying on of hands upon every member as a term of communion, and did not sing in their public wor∣ship. Men who removed from Providence, and from other places, set up worship by themselves there about 1680, and continued it until they formed a church, and Mr. Thomas Barnes was ordained their pastor in 1693; and he was well esteemed in his place, until he died, June 8, 1706. Samson Mason was a soldier in Cromwell's army, and he came over to America upon the turn of times in England, and settled in Rehoboth, and his posterity are now as nu∣merous as, perhaps, those of any man who came to our country in his day, and they have had the chief lead in this church. His sons were Noah, Samson, James, John, Samuel, Joseph, Isaac, Pelatiah and Benjamin. James and John went to Boston, but six of the others lived in Rehoboth and Swansea, until the youngest of the six was seventy years old. Isaac Mason was ordained a deacon in this church, at the same time that Barnes was ordained their pastor, and he lived to January 25, 1742. His brother Jo∣seph was ordained their pastor in July, 1709, and continued so till he died, May 19, 1748. Mr. John Peirce was ordained a colleague with him, October

19, 1715, and died September 8, 1750, being each of them near ninety, and their memory is precious to their posterity. Mr. Pelatiah Mason was born in March, 1669, and died in March, 1763, and three of his sons have been pastors of this church. Elder Job Mason was born February 28, 1695, ordained May 22, 1738, and died July 17, 1775. His character as a judicious man, a good preacher, and an exemplary walker, was high among his ac∣quaintance. Elder Russel Mason was born April 22, 1714, ordained November 2, 1752, and is now able to preach frequently, and to discharge other duties of his office to the acceptance of his brethren. Elder John Mason was born in Octo∣ber, 1716, ordained March 26, 1788, and is well esteemed in his office. In the mean time, as their church has greatly increased in latter years, and they had many who joined to it from distant places, and gifted men were raised up among them, they ordained many elders. Elder Benjamin Mason was ordained September 15, 1784, elder Nathaniel Cole, December 12, 1787, and elder Philip Slade, October 15, 1788. Elder Cole is now settled in Connecticut, while the others remain in this church in Swansea. It is also to be observed, that a church in Re∣hoboth sprang from this church in 1753, and a large part of another church ten years after to go to Nova-Scotia. When all North-America was ced∣ed to Great-Britain, Nathan Mason and his wife, Tho∣mas Lewis and his wife, Oliver Mason and his wife, with Experience Baker, of this church, and Benjamin Mason and his wife, Charles Seamans and his wife, Gilbert Seamans and his wife, from other churches, were formed into a church, and Nathan Mason was ordained their pastor, April 21, 1763, and they went and settled at the head of the Bay of Fundy. But after some years they removed back to New-England, and most of them went and settled in Berkshire in

the Massachusetts. It is also to be observed, that the powerful work of grace which was wrought in this country, under the ministry of men who held to in∣fant baptism, and who had oppressed the Baptists, was attended with such evil reports as prejudiced the Bap∣tists against the work for many years. But some ministers from New-Jersey came and preached among the Baptists in these parts, in and after 1754, which served to remove those prejudices, in some measure. And in 1756, colonel Andrew Cole, of Swansea, in∣vited some of our new ministers to preach at his house, and from time to time afterwards. And though these Baptist churches had received members by a general confession of their faith, yet in a great revival which began in the fall of 1771, a particular relation of experiences of an inward change of heart was introduced, which produced powerful effects upon many. Several hundred persons were added to the Baptist churches in Swansea and Rehoboth within two years after. The work was still greater in and after 1780, and singing in public worship was soon after introduced into the second church in Swan∣sea. But as they still held laying on of hands as a ••••••m of communion, a number drew off, and formed another church, and ordained Mr. Michael Eddy as their pastor, in August, 1785; though it is since dissolved, and he removed to Newport in 1790, where he is still useful.

III. Rehoboth is a large town, extending from Taunton and Dighton to Providence, about twelve miles; and in 1791, there were 4710 persons there∣in, and ten religious societies, which is more than we have in any other town of their numbers in these parts. Cruel oppression, on the one hand, and an abuse of liberty, on the other, have been the cause of it. Many had joined with the Baptists in Swansea, from time to time, until Mr. John Comer came and assisted in forming a church in Rehoboth. Some

account of him is in our second volume, p. 66, 110—113, 121—124. He was an excellent preacher of the gospel, and an eminent instrument of reviving doctrinal and practical religion in Newport, for six years before he removed to Rehoboth in August, 1731, and a Baptist church was formed there, Jan∣uary 20, 1732, and he became their pastor, and it increased to 95 members in less than two years. And in that time he went and laboured in Sutton, Leicester, Middleborough, and other places. But he exerted his powers so much in this noble cause, that he fell into a consumption, and died joyfully, May 23, 1734, before he was thirty years old. His son is now a member of the Baptist church in War∣ren, and he lent me his father's diary, and other writings, which have been very serviceable in our history. Nathaniel Millard was ordained the ne•••• minister of this church, June 24, 1736. But his principles and conduct were corrupt, and he w•••• dismissed in 1742, after which he went off with an∣other woman instead of his wife. And as Mr. Mar∣well had retracted his opinion concerning the sab∣bath, this church called him to be their pastor, in October, 1745. But in about three years, Congre∣gational ministers, who had oppressed the Baptists, had invited him to preach for them, and he yielded so much to them that this church dismissed him, and he published a complaint about it in 1749. He oft∣en preached in other places, and was esteemed as a pious man, and lived to a great age, but never had the charge of any other church. In the mean time, a second Baptist church was formed in the northeast part of Rehoboth, and Mr. Richard Round was or∣dained their pastor, July 13, 1743; and in nine years it increased to forty members. He was one of the seals of Mr. Comer's ministry, and preached the gospel faithfully, until his health failed, and he re∣moved to the south part of the town, for the benefit

of the sea air. And about that time a division took place in both churches, and a part of both joined to∣gether at their first place of worship, and elder Round was their pastor until he died, May 18, 1768, aged 62. His character as a minister of the gospel, and as a pious man, was very good; but those churches are since dissolved.

IV. Mr. John Hicks was born in Rehoboth, May 10, 1712, and became a member of the first Baptist church there, and then a preacher therein, until they gave him a call to be their pastor; but he did not accept it, because many of the church appeared to him to be unsound in principle, and to oppose the power of godliness. But after much labour, a new church was formed, and Mr. Hicks was ordained their pastor, November 10, 1762; and in the glo∣rious year 1780, they had 106 members. Mr. Na∣thaniel Round, brother to Richard, was a member of this church, and called to preach the gospel there∣in; and on May 11, 1768, he was ordained as a minister of the gospel, to go and labour in Nova-Scotia, with a people who went from these parts. He went accordingly, and was a successful labourer there for several years, and then he removed back, and settled in the east part of Attleborough, and preached occasionally round the country, until he died at home, July 18, 1781, in the 64th year of his age. Another church was raised out of the other, in the following manner. A powerful work began among them in the fall of 1771, and elder Hicks baptized forty persons, and then was taken sick in the winter, and Mr. Winchester came and baptized twenty more; and such power appeared to attend his ministry, that many were taken with the opinion, that baptism by immersion ought not to be held as a term of communion in the church. A council was called upon it, in September, 1772, and they who were not convinced by them, formed another church,

and ordained Mr. Jacob Hicks as their pastor, Jan∣uary 20, 1773. He is the eldest son of their old pastor, and was born January 1, 1740 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vision caused much unhappiness for many years, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both societies have usually held their worship to∣gether in late times, and they now meet in the same house that was first built for Mr. Comer's church. Elder John Hicks is now so old and infirm as not to be able to preach, but he appears still stedfast in the faith and hope of the gospel. His son hath none i•• his church at home but those who have been buried in baptism, and seems to have almost given up occasional communion with others; and so have other churches, with whom he is connected. For as they communed with those who were only sprinkled in infancy, because they loved them as Christians, and not because they viewed them as baptized persons according to the written word, they have found this to be an impediment in the way of enforcing the written word as a rule in other cases. And to receive any member, to the grief of any al∣ready in the church, they also find to be unwarran∣table. Another such church was formed on the north borders of Rehoboth, after a happy revival of religion there October 2, 1777; and Mr. James Sheldon, of Providence, was ordained their pastor, September 6, 1780. And he purchased a good fare•• for sixteen hundred dollars; but after he had paid a thousand of it, he was pressed upon for the rest, in the trying year 1786, in such a manner as to compel him to sell it again, with the loss of about seven hundred dollars. And there was reason to conclude, that a hope of his removal from that people, and of breaking up of that meeting, caused the Congrega∣tional party to press harder in this case, than they otherwise would have done. But be that as it may, elder Sheldon removed his family back to where he had formerly lived, though he often came and minis∣tered

to this people for several years, and then he obtained a dismission, and removed into the State of New-York in 1792. This church have obtained occasional supp•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, from time to time, until Mr. Jeremiah Irons was ordained their pastor, Sep∣tember 24, 1795. He was born in Gloucester, above Providence, October 14, 1765. In the east part of Rehoboth, a Baptist church was formed, January 17, 1780, in which were a number of very respectable members; but as they never obtained a pastor, they now often go to other meetings. Two Baptist churches have also been formed in Rehoboth, who refused to commune with any baptized persons, but those who had laying-on of hands and prayer after baptism. They likewise excluded singing in their public worship, as most of the old Baptists in New-England did, before our great reformation. In order to form the first of these churches, above thirty persons were dismissed from the second church in Swansea, and formed a church in Rehoboth, and ordained Mr. Daniel Martin as their pastor, Februa∣ry 8, 1753; and Mr. Nathan Peirce was soon or∣dained a colleague with him. Mr. Martin published a discourse in 1770, against particular election, and efficacious grace in conversion. But an answer to him was published the next year, which was con∣vincing to many minds. Elder Martin died in an advanced age, November 17, 1781, and elder Peirce died in 1794. Elder Thomas Seamans had been a col∣league with him for a number of years, and he still ministers to that people, but their number is small. Another church sprang from them, in the northeast corner of Rehoboth, and was formed on April 4, and two elders were ordained therein April 20, 1789, viz. the elders Aaron Wheeler and Sylvester Round. The doctrines of grace, and the power of godliness, have lately gained ground among them.

V. Mr. Elhanan Winchester was born in Brook∣lyne, near Boston, September 19, 1751, and was very studious from a child; and he obtained a con∣siderable measure of human learning, before he made a profession of religion, was baptized, and began to preach with much zeal. And his preaching in Re∣hoboth caused a separation in Mr. Peck's church, and another church was formed, and he was ordain∣ed their pastor, September 4, 177••, before he was twenty years old. And though he was baptized himself, yet he was exceeding zealous for the com∣munion of all Christians together, let them be sprink∣led in infancy or baptized by immersion; and as his preaching appeared to be very powerful and success∣ful, it caused a division in elder Hicks's church be∣fore mentioned. But soon after Mr. Winchester was ordained, a Baptist minister pointed out to him the inconsistency of his conduct in such a manner, that, after eight months' consideration, he declared to his church, that he could no more administer the ordinance of the supper to any who were only sprink∣led in infancy, though he was still willing to dis∣charge all the duties of his office to them that he could do with a good conscience. But upon this the majority of his church refused to let him preach another sermon among them; and they soon after censured him for not fulfilling his first covenant with them. Yet they called their way large communion, and the Baptist way close communion. This church ordained Mr. Jonathan Chaffee as their pastor, in May, 1778, but their church has decreased until it is now nearly dissolved. Mr. Winchester called a council of Baptist churches in December, 1772, who advised him to confess his imprudent conduct to that church, and then to offer himself as a member 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some Baptist church. He did so, and was received into the church in Bellingham; after which he travelled and laboured abundantly, through all the

country, as far as South-Carolina. But in the be∣ginning of 1781 he was rejected by the Baptist church in Philadelphia, because the fathers of it discovered that he had fallen into the doctrine of universal sal∣vation. He had preached there but a few months, but in that time he had admitted many members, by which means his party became the majority; there∣fore they sued for the meeting-house, and the house for the ministry, with other property which belong∣ed to that church. Though after much cost in courts, for several years, they were defeated, and the property secured to the original church. After this, he came and spent a year in New-England, without visiting many of his old friends, and then returned to Philadelphia, from whence he sailed for England, in July, 1787. In London he published a book, in which he said, "I have, at the expense of character and popularity with the religious world, at the haz∣ard of temporal interest and emolument, and refusing no other sacrifice, in what I apprehended to be the cause of God and truth, come forth as a writing witness on this subject; and a defender of the faith which once I destroyed." Though it is well known, that he concealed his opinion upon that subject as long as he could, and that he grasped at the tempo∣ral property of said church as long as he could hope for it. And what is the faith which he would now defend? Why he says, "Punishment, without having the reformation and subjection of rebels for its end, is unworthy of the Being we adore." Again he says, "Since goodness is the perfection of God, and evil the imperfection of the creature, there can be no doubt, that as good existed before evil, so it shall exist to all eternity, when evil shall be no more."† But how can any man believe, that the punishment which God has inflicted upon the fallen angels, for

near six thousand years, is designed for their final salvation? Yea, or that the destruction of unbeliev∣ers in the wilderness, or of the Sodomites by fire from heaven, was designed for their endless happi∣ness? How can any government or dominion be supported upon these principles? And as God was infinitely good, before he created angels or men, how do we know that he will not reduce them all back again to nothing? For he created all things good, and the serpent persuaded our first mother, that death and ruin could not come from eating the forbidden fruit. And one apostle says to Christians, I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be cor∣rupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2. Cor. xi. 3. And another says, I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in ever∣lasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner giving them∣selves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the ven∣geance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Jude 5—8. Here our times are exactly described by God, who saw them perfectly seventeen hundred years ago. Yet Winchester has followed others in denying that the words everlast∣ing and eternal, when applied to future misery, mean without end. And he says, "The foundation of endless misery, came from the Pagan theology." Though in the same book he says, "The great num∣ber of Heathens, that die without ever being favour∣ed with the light of the gospel, and certainly with∣out

ever hearing of endless misery, convinces me, more than any logical arguments, that God has many ways of instructing and reclaiming his creatures, in another state, that we are at present un∣acquainted with." And he has published this glar∣ing contradiction now in Boston, seven years after he first published it in London. So God says, Their folly shall be manifest unto all men. 2 Tim. iii. 9. Mr. Winchester returned to America, and landed at Boston in July, 1794, and is spreading his opinions in this country, which makes it needful to hold up light against them.

VI. And the same may be said concerning minis∣terial tyranny. An instance of it was before given, in the selling of their ministerial lands in Rehoboth, and obtaining an act to incorporate the committees who should be annually chosen in each parish, to manage their funds of money, so that the interest thereof might support their ministers. The Congre∣gational name was not in the original grant of those lands, though the produce of them is now claimed under that name. And since the foregoing account was written, a Narrative has been published, "By James Ellis, A. M. attorney at law." He is a son of the minister before named; and his narrative con∣firms what I had before written, if it is carefully ex∣amined. He says, "The inhabitants of the precinct, at a lawful meeting, called for that purpose, unani∣mously concurred with the church in the choice of Mr. Ellis." This was on November 10, 1784, p. 11. But he did not accept of that call, and wanted more money. Therefore at another meeting, De∣cember 27, 1784, they offered him an hundred pounds a year, and then he accepted their call; though this sum was voted by but little more than twenty men, and near three hundred men were tax∣ed to pay it. Our author says, "Every person with∣in

the precinct was taxed, and the collector ordered to gather the monies, without favour or partiality, or the least discrimination." P. 63. Yet some of them belonged to Mr. Snow's church, some to Mr. Peck's , and many to Baptist churches; and a large majority never had any concern with Mr. Ellis as their minister. Yet his son says of the party who chose his father, "Though they begun a good work, yet being destitute of the grace of perseverance, they failed in its final completion, and brought difficulties to themselves and all concerned." P. 16. But can any man believe, that it was a good work, for the minority to essay to force the majority to support a minister whom they never chose; or that grace was ever given to enable any to persevere in such a way? As these people found that they could not do it, and called back the bills from the collectors in the spring of 1790, Mr. Ellis sued the whole precinct for his salary in the fall after, but the action was con∣tinued to March. And as the leaders of the precinct were not willing always to lie under this yoke, they called a meeting, February 7, 1791, when it was voted, "That the precinct do not agree that the Rev. John Ellis shall officiate as minister in said pre∣cinct at the expense of said precinct." And his son says, "Thus they flattered themselves they had dis∣charged their minister, and boasted much of their novel and short method of dismission." P. 23. Though the whole community of the Massachusetts had dismissed their governor near four years before, and all America have still the right to leave their highest rulers out of office at appointed times. But God says of mystery Babylon, The woman which thou sawest, is the great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Rev. xvii. 5, 18. And how evident is it, that the ministers who are supported by law in our country belong to that great city? For the most of them were very active in procuring

the revolt of America from the government of Great-Britain, while they have never allowed the people here the same liberty concerning their relig∣ious teachers, as they have concerning their gover∣nors and legislators. And how can our legislature give ministers a power that they never had them∣selves? Can men be any longer blinded about these affairs? If Mr. Ellis would have given up his claim upon that precinct for the future, his past salary would have been paid, and all the trouble of shut∣ting him out of their meeting-house, and the expense of courts upon these matters, would have been pre∣vented. But in October, 1794, their fund of money, as well as a salary for seven years, was given to Ellis's party by our supreme judicial court, with vast costs of courts against his opponents. His son says, "A very full and candid hearing (continuing for two days and a half) was given both by judges and jurors. All records, from the first settling of the town of Rehoboth, were brought into view, the facts fully stated, and the law candidly considered." P. 49. And he says, "Respecting the fund, it ap∣pears by the records, that in the year of our Lord, 1640, the old colony of Plymouth granted to the peo∣ple of Rehoboth certain lands for the purpose of sup∣porting public teachers of the gospel." P. 55. Very true; and for seventeen years after, all the arts of ministers, and of other colonies, could not bring Plym∣outh legislature to interfere with the law of Christ, who says, They which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. ix. 14. But in 1658, gov∣ernor Bradford, and other fathers of the colony be∣ing dead, their children yielded to the other colo∣nies, in introducing the use of the sword to support religious ministers. And four Quakers were hanged directly after at Boston, whose blood hath brought a lasting reproach upon New-England. Though it hath been ignorance or wickedness, in all men who

have not exempted Plymouth colony from that re∣proach. And how could lands which were given to support preachers of the gospel, be taken away to support men who will not trust the Lord Jesus Christ and his influence for their temporal living? For though Abraham was an eminent servant of God, yet his children were a generation of vipers when Christ came in the flesh. Mat. iii. 7. And God says of such, They hatch cockatrice eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Isaiah lix. 5. And how is this word now verified in this and other countries? For justice can often be had in civil causes, while it is denied in re∣ligious affairs. In the year 1760, they sold 674 acres of ministerial land in Rehoboth for more than four thousand dollars; but half of that money, which belonged to the first parish, with seven hundred pounds more for Ellis's salary, with great costs of court, have been taken from the majority of the in∣habitants, and given to a small party therein. And because two men placed themselves upon the starrs of the pulpit, to prevent Mr. Ellis from crouding into it, on the day when the first Baptist minister preached therein, his son says, "They were adjudged guilty of a breach of the peace, and sentenced to pay costs of prosecution, amounting to ninety-five pounds, fifteen shillings and eleven pence; a high price for a seat upon the stairs in a decayed meet∣ing-house." P. 32. Yes; and if a Baptist justice of the peace had not bound Mr. Ellis to his good be∣haviour until the next March, we have no reason to think that Baptist ministers could peaceably have preached in said house all that time. And his son now says of them, "This conduct has unwillingly obliged many, even of the charitable, to fear that they were not men of piety, or common honesty."

P. 68. Which gives a plain view of what many call piety and charity in our days.

VII. But the people who invited Baptist minis∣ters to preach there, soon observed that they preach∣ed another kind of doctrine, as well as in another manner, than their former ministers did; and a vis∣ible change was wrought in many thereby, and the Baptists who used to go to other meetings, gathered to this. Also since Mr. Peck's death, his church is dissolved, and many of his society have come here. A number of souls were hopefully converted, and old believers were quickened, and they sent for min∣isters to baptize them at sundry times, until these, with some who were members of Baptist churches before, having called in advice, formed a Baptist church there, November 27, 1794. And Mr. John Peirce Jones, of Providence, having preached to them through the winter, was ordained their pastor, March 18, 1795. They have since built themselves a convenient meeting-house, in sight of that which was taken from them, at the distance of more than a quarter of a mile. Their worship therein is to be governed by the church, and harmony appears among them. And the majority of the inhabitants of the towns of Rehoboth, Taunton, and some other towns, are now exempted from the taxing power of the Congregational denomination. And it is hoped that this freedom will prevail through the country, so that all men who are willing to obey the laws of Christ may no longer be oppressed by any who do not love him above all the things of time.

VIII. The Baptist church of Taunton was first gathered in Norton. Mr. William Carpenter was ordained the pastor of a separate church there, Sep∣tember 7, 1748. He was born in Rehoboth in 1710, and his labours in this church were successful, until he and the majority of the church became Baptists, and he was installed in that order, April 1, 1761.

Some of the members of that church, especially they who lived in Easton, had run into the most delusive notions that could be conceived of; even so as to forsake their lawful wives and husbands, and to take others; and they got so far as to declare them∣selves to be perfect and immortal, or that the resur∣rection was past already, as some did in the apostolic age. 2 Tim. ii. 18. But elder Carpenter, and a majority of the church, rejected those abominations, and he continued faithful unto his death, which happened August 23, 1768. The most of his church then lived in the east part of Norton, towards Taun∣ton, where a Baptist meeting had been long kept. Mr. Jeremiah Basset lived there who was a member of elder Round's church in Rehoboth, and obtained lib∣erty from thence to hold worship on the Lord's-days at his house, as early as 1744; and he improved his gifts there, and their society increased, until they built a good meeting-house, upon the great road from Taunton to Boston, in 1767, and in April, 1769, the Baptist church of Norton united with the society in Taunton, and have held their worship in that house ever since. Their second pastor was William Nelson, A. M. who was born in Middleborough, July 18, 1741, baptized in June, 1761, educated in Rhode-Island college, and ordained the pastor of this church, November 12, 1772. And a great harvest of souls was granted among that people in 1780, which in∣creased their church to near eighty members. But as Mr. Nelson was not of a strong constitution, a sudden cold, after preaching at a funeral, seized his lungs in such a manner, that he was not able to preach for some years; and he removed down to the sea in Dartmouth in 1786, where he hath recov∣ered his strength so far as to be able to preach occa∣sionally. His brother Ebenezer Nelson was ordain∣ed a colleague with him, November 10, 1790.

IX. A separate church was formed in Attle∣borough, and Mr. Nathaniel Shepard was ordained their pastor, January 20, 1748; and he was well esteemed until his death, April 4, 1752. Afterwards the Baptist principles gradually prevailed among them, until they constituted a Baptist church there in 1769, and Mr. Job Seamans was ordained their pastor, December 15, 1773. He was born in Swansea, May 13, 1748, and went to Nova-Scotia with elder Nathan Mason in 1763, and was con∣verted and began to preach there. But upon a visit to his native place, he went and preached in Attle∣borough, which was so agreeable to this church, that they prevailed with him to remove and become their pastor; and a great blessing was granted on his la∣bours in the winter before the American war; and a greater in the glorious year 1780, which increased his church to 81 members. Mr. Seamans was also very successful in labouring in many other places. But his people grew very slack about his support, and the insurrection in 1786 produced unhappy ef∣fects in his society, so that he asked a dismission from them, which the church granted in November, 1787, though with reluctance; and he removed the next summer and settled at New-London in New-Hampshire, where (in its place) we shall have a good account of him. This church in At∣tleborough sought for other helps, and Mr. Abner Lewis removed there in 1789, and ministered to them until 1794, when he removed back to Freetown, and though they have had other preachers since, yet they have no settled pastor. Their meeting-house is upon the great road to Providence, 32 miles from Boston. Six miles south of them is the second Baptist church in Attleborough. A separate church was formed there, and Mr. Elihu Daggett was ordained their pastor, July 3, 1765. He was born in that town, August 6, 1710; and he was beloved by his people,

until he was taken away by death, August 29, 1769. He was baptized, and so were a number of his church, which increased to 43 members; but a past of them were only sprinkled in infancy. Mr. Eli•••••• Carpenter was ordained their pastor, June 17, 177•• He was also born in Attleborough, August 17, 1745 and was a Baptist before the church came into the Baptist order in 1781, in which they now appear to be well established.

X. The town of Dighton lies north from Swan∣sea, and east from Rehoboth, and a powerful w•••••• began in those towns in the fall of 1771, and a large number were baptized there soon after. Mr. Enoch Goff was one of them, who was born in Dight••••, November 3, 1740, converted in 1765, bapt•••••• in 1771, and began to preach the next sum•••••• And as his preaching was powerful upon many, Baptist church was formed in the west part of Di••••∣ton, and he was ordained their pastor, December, 1772. And though his advantages as to hum•••• learning were not great, yet spiritual teaching h•••• made him a very useful and acceptable minister, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 home and abroad; and his church and congregation are become very large. Mr. David Seamans was raised up in this church, and was ordained a colleague with Mr. Goff, January 4, 1781, who was a useful minister at Freetown afterwards. Mr. Isaac Case was also raised up in this church, and laboured to good purpose in various parts of the land, until he we••t into the district of Maine, where we shall hear more of him hereafter.

XI. Freetown, which is on the east side of the river, against Dighton and Swansea, was so abusively treated by a Presbyterian minister above seventy years ago, that a number of the people turned to the Quakers, and many others disregarded any religious worship for a long time after. But it pleased God to pour out his Spirit upon the east part of the town

in 1773, when many were hopefully converted, and joined to the second Baptist church in Middlebor∣ough. The next year they obtained preaching among themselves, and they built them a house for worship, and formed a church there, September 13, 1775, being regularly dismissed from the church they had joined to in Middleborough, and Mr. Abner Lewis was ordained their pastor, June 26, 1776. He was born in Middleborough, March 16, 1745, joined to the first Baptist church there in 1765, began to preach in 1770, and had preached in Freetown two years before he was ordained; and such a blessing was granted among them afterwards as increased their church to 128 members in 1780. But the public difficulties in the country, with the unhappy temper of some of the members of the church, caused Mr. Lewis to ask a dismission from them, which he obtained in August, 1784; and he hath travelled and laboured in various places since, and hath sup∣plied the church in Harwich for more than a year past. The behaviour of some in this church hath caused a number to ask and receive dismissions from it to other churches, while some have died, and others removed away, until they are become very small. The west part of Freetown enjoyed but little of the blessings which were granted round them, until the glorious year 1780, when a happy revival took place there, and a Baptist church was formed in 1781, and Mr. David Seamans was installed their pastor, August 13, 1783. He was a good preacher, and an exemplary walker, until he was drowned, by falling out of a canoe in the night, June 7, 1786, as he was returning from visiting one of the fick of his flock. After this mournful providence, they obtained occasional supplies, from time to time, until Mr. Philip Hathway was installed their pastor, June 13, 1792. He had been ordained in Middle∣borough, September 30, 1790. They have built a

good house for public worship since he was settled, and things appear to be encouraging among them.

XII. New-Bedford was once the east part of Dartmouth, and a Baptist church was formed there, October 7, 1774; and Mr. Zaccheus Tobey preache•• to them for many years, until he was ordained there in 1792. The first minister in Dartmouth was a Baptist, but the Quakers have been a great majority in the town for many years, until they censured and excluded one of their chief ministers in 1778, for appearing openly in favour of the Americans, while at war with Great-Britain. This caused a division in their society, and gave their children liberty to go to hear the preaching of other ministers, which was denied them before, notwithstanding their great name for liberty of conscience. Baptist ministers from Rehoboth and Swansea frequently preached in Tiverton and Dartmouth, and such a blessing was granted upon their labours in 1780, that many went and joined to those churches, until a Baptist church was formed in Dartmouth, June 2, 1781, and Mr. Daniel Hicks was installed their pastor, the 10th of October following. He is a son of elder John Hicks, of Rehoboth, where he was born November 30, 1755, and was ordained there July 12, 1780. Another revival was granted in Dartmouth in 1784, which added thirty members to this church by the close of the next year. In 1787 a great blessing was given upon the north part of New-Bedford, and a meeting was set up there, and many were baptized among them, who chose to join as a branch of Dart∣mouth church. Mr. Tucker Tabor was raised up to preach there, who, with a number of his brethren, af∣terwards removed into the State of New-York, though others have continued this meeting ever since, A revival of religion in Dartmouth in 1788, caused the addition of about forty members to the original church. A cold and trying time followed for several

years, but a fresh revival began in January, 1794, which spread in Dartmouth, Freetown, New-Bed∣ford and Rochester; and Mr. John Lawrance was ordained a colleague with elder Hicks, the 23d of October following. He was born in Freetown, August 30, 1761, and he preaches chiefly in the east part of that town. A Baptist meeting-house was built in the west part of Rochester in 1793, and such a blessing was now granted there, that about forty persons were baptized, who also joined as a branch of Dartmouth church; and their addition in this re∣••i••al in all their branches was an hundred and fifty members.

XIII. The Baptist church in Raynham sprang from the great revival of religion which began in these parts in 1779, and it was formed in the year 1780, and increased to above fifty members the next year. But some of them were drawn away with cor∣rupt principles, and others removed into distant parts of the country, so that their number is now small, though these few appear to be stedfast in the faith.

XIV. The first Baptist church in the county of Bernstable is in Harwich. The ministers of that county generally opposed the great work which was in our land, in and after 1741; but Mr. Elisha Paine, who was born in Eastham, went and preached there, and also at Harwich, in 1744, with great suc∣cess. A separation from the opposing ministers was the consequence; and Mr. Joshua Nickerson was ordained the pastor of a separate church there, Feb∣ruary 23, 1749. Some of them were fined for separating, and distress was made upon many for ministerial taxes; but this served to increase their number, until another church was formed in the west part of the town, and Mr. Richard Chase was ordained their pastor, December 11, 1751. These churches held to free communion with all Christians, whether they were sprinkled in infancy, or baptized

by immersion; but as Mr. Chase was thus baptized in 1753, believers' baptism prevailed among them so much, that many gave up mixed communion, and a Baptist church was formed there, and Mr. Chase was installed their pastor, September 29, 1757. And their principles prevailed so much, that Mr. Nickerson left his people, and went and set∣tled at Tamworth, in New-Hampshire. Mr. Chase ministered to his church for twenty years, and then the lust of intemperance had prevailed so upon him, that he was deposed from his office, by the ad∣vice of a council, in January, 1777, and he remained out of fellowship until he died in January, 1794, above eighty years old. And though his fall into sin was very shocking to many, yet the faithfulness of the Baptists in deposing of him raised the credit of their profession; and a fresh revival of religion among them caused their principles to prevail, so that the south parish in Harwich received a Baptist minister to preach in their meeting-house, and a Bap∣tist church was gathered there, and a minister or∣dained in 1781. But they were not in fellowship with the other church, and their minister proved himself to be a deceitful man, and finally went away and left them and their church was dissolved. And in November, 1792, a minor part of the inhabitants of that parish settled a Congregational minister there, and about two years after they taxed all the Baptists to him, and in January, 1795, they appeared fierce for collecting of it, though advice from a distance restrained them therefrom. A happy revival of re∣ligion was again granted among the Baptists in Har∣wich in the spring of 1793, which might occasion this fresh attempt of their adversaries to hold them in bondage as Pharaoh did. And in December, 1795, they set out in a cruel manner to collect said tax, and hauled a number to gaol, and seized the estates of others without mercy.

XV. A few people in Barnstable withdrew from their parish worship, and set up a meeting by them∣selves in 1748; but they were sined therefor, and two women were set in the stocks for not paying it. Yet their cause prevailed, and a church was formed there, and Mr. Nathanael Ewer was ordained their pastor, May 10, 1750, and he continued with them for more than ten years, and then went and settled at Newmarket, in New-Hampshire; and the Baptist principles gained ground in Barnstable, until they formed a church there, June 20, 1771; and it in∣creased gradually for ten years, in which time the most of them were exempted from taxes to Congre∣gational ministers, as they had given in certificates to that party. But as a powerful work began among them in 1781, and a minister was raised up to preach among them, and he was ordained their pastor, December 4, 1788, the ruling party resolved to try what they could do towards holding them in bondage, as we have before related. Mr. Enoch Eldridge, who is their pastor, was born in Harwich, and he hath preached a part of his time to the Baptist church in Harwich, ever since he began in the work of the ministry, until 1794. A fresh revival of religion was granted in those two churches in the beginning of 1793, and Mr. Shubael Lovel, a young physician, was converted in Barnstable in March, and he began to preach there in January, 1794, and he was ordained as an itinerant minister, April 29, 1795. Baptist meetings have been held for some years in Sandwich, Wellfleet, and Province∣ton, in that county, though Baptist churches have not yet been formed among them.

XVI. Duke's county includes Martha's Vineyard, and some adjacent islands, on which are the largest number of Indians that remain any where in this part of America. Peter Folger was a school-master among them, when Mr. Mayhew sailed for England

in 1657, and he became a Baptist, and joined Mr. Clarke's church in Newport about 1675; and he promoted the Baptist principles among the Indians, who formed a Baptist church among them about 1694, which continues to this day; though Silas Paul, their last pastor, died August 24, 1787. Mr. Folger removed to Nantucket, and was much es∣teemed among the early planters there; and a daughter of his was mother to the late famous Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Baptist ministers had preached among the English on the Vineyard at times ever since 1753; and after some were remarkably turned from darkness to light, without preaching, in the spring of 1780, they called over several Baptist min∣isters to preach and baptize there, until a church of fifty members was constituted there the 20th of December following. (Our second volume, p. 377.) Major Peter Norton, the high-sheriff of the county, was a father in that church, and it increased to about eighty members. But the late plundering of vessels by the British ships hath caused a large part of that society to remove to the new lands up Kennebeck river.

Notes

• Preface to Winchester's Dialogues, 1788, p. 6, 7.
• †

  Dialogues, p. 23, 32, 33.
• Ibid. p. 30, 151, Boston edition, 1795, p. 68, 158.
• Shadrach Ireland, hereafter mentioned, was connected with them.
• Historical Collections at Boston, Vol. III. p. 160. See also our first vol∣ume, p. 437—439.