The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

252 HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
tomb with Rev. Richard Mather, his early friend
and Pastor; but it being stoned up, and so small as
to hold only one coffin, his request could not be
complied with, and he was buried near him. The
tomb stone to his memory is now in good order,
having been repaired by his grandson, Mr. Jonas
Humfrey. The inscription thereon is as follows:
Here lyes Interred ye Body of Mr. James Humfrey, one of ye
Ruling Elders of Dorchester, who departed this life
May 12th, 1686, in ye 78th year of his age.
I nclos'd within this shrine is precious Dust
A nd only waits for th' rising of y" Just.
M ost usefull while he liu'd, adorn'd his Station,
E uen to old age he Seru'd his Generation,
S ince his Decease tho't of with Veneration.
H ow great a Blessing this Ruling Elder he
U nto this Church & Town; & Pastors Three.
M ather he first did by him. help Receiue;
F lint did he next his burden much Relieue;
R enowned Danforth he did assist with skill.
E steemed high by all: Bear fruit untill
Y ielding to Death his Glorious seat did fill.
Deacon James Blake was chosen Ruling Elder in
place of Elder Humfrey. He excused himself on
account of his " thickness of hearing," but was finally
prevailed upon to accept. Daniel Preston, senior,
was chosen to fill the place of Deacon, vacated by
Mr. Blake; he had 41 votes to 11 for others.
The people of Boston and some other places suffered from the small pox this year. The Church of
Dorchester held a fast on the 30th of June, on that
account, and " in regard of the great want of rain."
On the 11th of October "Mr. Nathaniel Glover
did voluntarily acknowledge his sin in being at