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

HISTORY OF DORCHESTER. 297
cisms-an opportunity to indulge in which, he seldom let pass unimproved.
The ordination of Mr. Bowman took place Nov.
5th, of this year, and was a great affair. It was
customary, in those days, for every family to keep
open house when a new minister was ordained, and
friends from far and near were welcomed to the
entertainment. The services at the ordination were
as follows: Mr. Walter, of Roxbury, gave the right
hand of fellowship; Mr. Hancock, of Braintree,
preached; Mr. Danforth gave the charge; Mr.
Walter, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Niles laid
on hands.
Mr. Bowman was a son of Joseph Bowman, of
Lexington, and was born Feb. 23d, 1703-4, and
graduated at Harvard College in 1724.
1730. May 26th, Rev. John Danforth, pastor of
the Church in Dorchester, departed this life. He
was buried on the 30th, one hundred years from the
settlement of the town. Mr. D. was son of Rev.
Samuel Danforth, of Roxbury, and was born Nov.
8th, 1660, graduated at Harvard College in 1677,
settled here in the ministry June 28, 1682-then a
young man of talent and grace-and through a long
and successful ministry proved himself a man of
fidelity and worth. He took great interest in the
affairs of the church and town, and was evidently
remarkably well acquainted with both. He administered counsel, reproof, admonition and encouragement, as circumstances required, and with sound
discretion, and appears to have been remarkably
popular in the town and its vicinity. It is deeply