16S8, in the twenty-fifth year of his age ; preaching himself the sermon,
as was then the custom, from the words, " But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the e.xcellencv of the power may be of God, and not
of us."— 2 Cor. iv. 7.

Soon after the accession of his young assistant, Mr. Eliot, who had re-
ceived and cherished him with the atFections of a father, died, "20th Mav;
1690, after a long life crowned with honors and abundant labor, and it was
a great consolation to him in his latter days to see his people so happily
settled under JMr. Walter's ministry. " The good old man, like Aaron, as
it were, disrobed himself with an unspeakable satisfaction, when he be-
held his garments spread upon a son so dear to him."

For more than sixty years Mr. Walter faithfully discharged the duties
of his office, for the greater portion of the time without any assistance,
and always to the acceptance of his people ; " living the Christianity he
preached, showing his faith by his works, and having his {"ruit unto holi-
ness."" As a preacher, he was gt'eatly admired by all who heard him.
His voice was low and exceedingly well modulated : his utterance de-
liberate and pathetic ; his manner grave and solemn, yet void of all for-
mality or affectation. His sermons were remarkable for their perspicuity
•and simplicity — entirely free from any luxuriance or pomp of ianLruafre ;
"â–  couched in iew and familiar words, with a noble negligence of style,
calculated both to enlighten the mind and affect the conscience." In the
language of his biographers, " He was like that wise preacher who ' sought
to find out acceptable words ; and that which was written was upright,
even words of truth.' " The Rev. Dr. Colman said of him, " When one
is hearing Mr, Walter, it seems as if any man could preach so, and yet
it is difficult preaching like him, and few can equal him." The Re/, Mr,
Pembertoa also bore witness that " No man in his preaching reconciles
perspicuity with accuracy like Mr, Walter."

In person, he was short of stature, with a slight and feeble frame. Nat-
urally of a retiring disposition and resen'ed temperament, but remarkable
for his donaestie tenderness and love for his people ; he was easy of ac-
cess, and, with his more intimate friends, free and facetious in conversa-
tion, and always communicative and instructive. He presented a brir^ht
example of per*oaal holiness, being humble, modest, affectionate and can-
â– did, averse to controversy, free from censoriousness.but firm and courage-
ous in the cause of truth. His published works are, "The Body of Death
Anatomized, an Eissay on the Sense of Indwelling Sinintlie Regenerate,"
12mo., 1707- diseoarses on "Vain Thoughts," "The Great Concern of
Man," " Tiie Wofiderfulness of Christ," " The Holiness of Heaven,"



1S.54.] Notices of the Walter Family. 211

1713; " A Convention Sermon of Faithfulness in the Ministry," 1723;
" Unfruitful Hearers Detected and Warned," 1754, and a posthumous vol-
ume of *' Sermons on the 55th Chapter of Isaiah, -with a Life, prefixed
by (he Rev. Messrs. Prince and Foxcroft," Svo., 1755.

Early in life Mr. Walter married Sarah, daughter of Eev. Increase
Mather by Maria, daughter of the distinguished Rev. John Cotton. Among
Mrs. Mather's papers was found the following memorandum : " July 15,
Aug. 4, and Aug. 11, 1691, I kept a fast in the study, chiefly on Sarah's
account ; praying that she may be directed to do, in the momentous atTair
before her, what shall be pleasing to God," — referring, undoubtedly, to
Mr. Walter's proposal of marriage. And we cannot but think that the ap-
proving hanJ of Providence was manifested in the happiness which re-
sulted therefrom. Of their daughters, Sarah, Mrs. Walley, died without
issue ; Hannah, Mrs. Trowbridge, had a numerous family, of which the
third' child, Sarah, married General Artem.as Ward, and Maria died
single.

The latter part of the year 1749 3Ir. Walter was confined to his house
by bodily indisposition, which gradually increased until the 17rh Sept.,
1750, when he expired full of years, and greatly lamented by his people.
His remains, under the direction of a committee of the church, were en-
tombed in the ministerial vault in the old burial ground, corner of Wash-
ington and Eustis streets, and =£290 09s., old tenor, were voted to defray
the charges of the funeral. And it speaks well lor the faithfulness of the
pastor, and the devotedness of his flock, that a large sum of money and a
supply of fuel was yearly raised towards the support of the aged relict of
their beloved minister during the remainder of her life.

The will of the Rev. Nehemiah Walter, dated 27th Dec. 1746, was ad-
mitted to probate 26th Feb. 1750. Income of whole estate to wife Sarah,
during her life. At her decease, >£50, old tenor, to his granddaughter
Rebecca, daughter of Rev. Thomas Walter, and the residue to be equally
divided between his four surviving children, Hannah Trowbridge, Maria,
Samuel, and the Rev. Nathaniel Walter. The latter, sole executor.
Signed in presence of Thos. Cobbet, Edmund Weld, Jr., and Abiel George.

Thomas Walter, the second son of the Rev. Nehemiah, was born in
Roxbury, 13th Dec. 1696, and early gave evidence of the most extraordi-
nary genius. In his younger days he was not a hard student, being of a
convivial turn and fond of society, " but so retentive was his memory that
he easily made himself master of almost all the learning of his uncle
Cotton Mather, by frequent conversation with him. In this way he ac-
quired more knowledge than most others could have gained by a whole
life's diligent study." He graduated at Harvard College 1713, and five
years thereafter we find on the records the following : " Att a church
meeting of the east end of Roxbury, in the old meeting-house, the first day
of March, 1717-8, it was unanimously agreed and voted as follows : —

1. That it was necessary to chuse some meet person for an assistant to
our reverend pastor.

2. It was agreed and voted to chuse such assistant att the present meet-
ing. Atcordingly the votes being brought in and counted, every vote was
for Mr. Thomas \\'alter, son of the reverend pastor.

3. The said church chose and appointed the deacons a committee to
acquaint Mr. Walter herewith, and inform the inhabitants of the town in
their next meeting with the church's doings, in order for thoir future pro-
ceedms."



212 Notices of the Walter Family. [July,

" 13di May, 1718. The town [having had legal warning] meet to chuse
a representative, and to consider of a settlement for Mr. Tliomas Walter.
* * * Voted, that th.ere should be sixty pounds raised for Mr. Walter, as
encouragement to his settling among us."

He was ordained 29th Oct. 17 IS, and the 25th Dec. of the same year
married Rebeckah, daughter of the Rev. Joseph Belcher of Dedham.

In 1719 he engaged in a public controversy with his intimate friend
and associate, John Checkley, a man who combined great wit and humor
with infinite learning. Checkley had sarcastically attacked the wholesome
doctrine of election and predestination, in a pamphlet entitled, " Choice
Dialogues between a Godly i\Iinister and an Honest Countryman, desect-
ing the False Principles of a certain man who calls himself a Presbyterian
of the Church of England." This Mr. Walter answered in a 12mo. vol-
ume of SO pages, under the caption of " A Choice Dialogue between John
Faustus, a conjurer, and Jack Tory his friend ; occasioned by some Choice
Dialogues lately published concerning Predestination and Election. By a
Young Stripling."

In 1721, Mr. Walter, who excelled in the science of harmony, being
grieved beyond measure, and annoyed at the ver}' indifferent performances
in the sanctuary, published, in a neat 12mo. volume, " The Grounds and
Rules of Musick Explained ; or an Introduction to the Art of Singing by
Note : Fitted to the meanest capacity. Recomm.ended by several Min-
isters^ ' Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord.' — Ps. cl. 6."
In this work the author endeavored to show that singing was reducible to
the rules of art, and that he who made himself master of these rules would
be able at frst sight to sing any new tune, by the bare inspection of the
notes. He complains that " for a want of a standard to appeal to in all
our singing, our tunes are left to the mercy of every unskilful throat, to
chop and alter, twist and change, according to their infinitely divers and
no less odd humors and fancies." And of the singing of the congrega-
tions, " it sounded like five hundred different tunes roared out at the same
time," and so little attention was paid to time, that they were often one or
two words apart, producing noises " so hideous and disorderly as is bad
beyond expression." The manner of singing also had become so tedious
and drawling, that he iioes on to say, " I myself have twice in one note
paused to take breath." The preface to this book, signed by fourteen
clergymen, discourses delectably, and in a manner equally applicable at
the present day. " We would encourage all, more particularly our young
people, to accomplish themselves with skill to sing the songs of the Lord,
according to the good rules of psalmody ; hoping that the consequence of
it will be, that not only the assemblies of Zion will decently and in order
carry on this exercise of piety, but also it will be the more introduced into
private families and become a part of our family sacrifce. At the same
time, we would above all expect that the main concern of all may be to
make it not a mere bodily exercise, hut sing with grace in their hearts,
and with minds attentive to the truths in the psalms which they sing, and
afTected with them, so that in their hearts they may make a melody to the
Lord:'

This volume was the first wherein the music was printed with bars in
America. The tunes are composed in three parts only. Mr. Hood char-
acterizes the harmony as being " full, rich and correct, and the whole
style purely choral." In April, 1723, a second edition, " Enlarged, cor-
rected and beautified," ,was published ; and it continued to run through



1S5-1.] . Notices of the Waller Family. 213

successlvo editions until the last, in 1764. Mr. Walter's other works
vhich have come down to us are, " A Sermon upon 2nd Samuel, wiii. 1.
The sweet psalmist of Israel," which was delivered at the Boston Lecture,
17'2'2, printed at the desire of the ministers, and dedicated to Judi:e Dudley.
This discourse has been pronounced " the most beautiful coaipositlon
ainong the sermons which have been handed down to us from our fathers."
" The Scriptures the only Rule of Faith and Practice," dictated while
lansuishing upon his bed of suffering, overcome with pain and v.eokness,
and written down by a beloved friend ; published in 1723. And two other
occasional sermons.

Mr. \Valter was one of the most distinguished scholars and disputants
of the day. " He had all his father's vivacity and richness of imagination
with more vigor of intellect." Rev. Dr. Chauncy, in a letter to Dr. Stiles,
176S, writes : " Mr. Jeremiah Dummer, Mr. John Bulkley, and Mr.
Thomas Walter of Roxbury, I reckon the first three clergymen, for extent
and strength of genius and powers. New England has yet prcduced. I
was acquainted with the latter, and often had occasion to admire the su-
perlative excellence of his natural and acquired accomplishments. His
genius was universal, and yet surprisingly strong. He seemed to have
almost an intuitive knowledge of everything. There was no subject but
he was perfectly acquainted with ; and such was the power he had over
his thoughts and" words, that he could readily and without any pains, write
or speak just what he would."

In his last illness he was for a time anxious for the salvation of his soul.
Cotton Mather, in his funeral sermon, has given us a vivid account of his
dying hours. Prostrated by consumption, " he went over and over again
through the process of repentance," making just reflections upon the
youthful errors into which his good temper had betrayed him ; and greatly
"distressed with the fear of his miscarrying at last; saying, ' O, it is a
great thing to die.' " At length his father came to his relief v/ith victori-
ous and overwhelming remonstrance. " My dear son, were our Saviour
visibly here, as once in the days of his humiliation, and you should pros-
trate yourself before Him and beseech His compassion, and a heart to
love him, can you imagine he would reject you.' How strange then is
this unbelief, to be discouraged from that which carries infinite encour-
agement with it ! As if His power and goodness were less, or our access
to Him more difficult, now that He is seated on the throne of His glory."
His apprehensions being thus removed, he said more composedly, " If I
perish, I will perish in the hands of ray Saviour, and though he slay me,
yet will I trust in him." Thenceforth "his fears were swallowed up in »he
hope of a blessed immortality. " I shall be the most glorious instance of
sovereign grace in all heaven," he said.

It was the Sabbath, Jan. 10, 1724-5, and he expressed his hope that he
should that day be in Paradise. His father, as the time drew near for the
morning service, said to him, " I am going to the house of God, which is
the gate of heaven, but you, I hope, are going to heaven itself; I gc' to the
table of the Lord, but you will drink of the fruit of the vine new with
Christ in the kingdom o'f his Father." Then taking his leave, an»! nut ex-
pecting ever to see his son alive again, " My child, the Lord Jesus i(.c<. i^'"
thy spirit ;" " and the Lord fit it for his reception," he replied. Mr.
Walter lingered until near the close of the afternoon, when lie gently
expired. '^ He was to me," says Cotton Mather, " not unlike what
a sister's son was to Paul, and his death makes a sorrowful time fur



£


s.


d.


2


10








12








10





12


00





6


12





9


01


6





01


6





06








03





1


16






214 Memorandum from Barnstable Count y. [J"b')

us. * * * His rare accomplishments, his acute penetration, his copious
erudition, with his right principles, render him an unknown loss to our
churches. * * * But that which makes him to be remembered with the
more honor among us is, that his heart was fixed in his purposes and en-
deavors to employ all those bright abilities in the service of Christ."

His remains were deposited in the same tomb wherein years afterwards
his father's body was placed. And the following account, copied from the
original on file, may not at this day be uninteresting : —

Jan'y 12, 1724-5.

An AccH of the Funeral Charges of the Rev. Mr. Thomas Walter.

To a coffin, ......

the pall, ......

opening the tomb, .....

5 dozen and 3 payrs of gloves, at 45s.

6 rings, ......

a barrel of wine, .....

tolling the bell, - - -

a box to put the bones of old Mr. Eliot and others in,
pipes and tobacco, .....
three payres of women's mourning gloves, allowed to
this accompt by the town, att 30 shil.

Josh. Lamb,

Caleb- Stedman,- £33 12

Samuel Stevens.

MEMORANDUM FROM BARNSTABLE COUNTY, CAPE COD,
OR PILGRIM CAPE, .AIASS.
In the graveyard at Newport, R. I., may be found the following tombs
and headstones. (Arms of the Searses, of Colchester, Eng.) ; —

1. Here lyeth the body of Thomas Scares, son of Lieut. Sylas Sears of
Yarmouth, P. C, and grandson of Richard the pilgrim. Born in 1664,
and died August ye 16, 1707, aged 43 years.

Beneath this stone the empty casket lies,
The.polished jewel brightens in the skies.

2. George Sears, Esquire, (grandson of Thomas,) born 1735, and died
1801, aged 66 years.

Abigail his wife, born 1737 and died 1S21, aged 84 years.

3. Ruth Sears, wife of Joseph Rogers, Esquire, and daughter of George
Sears, born 1770 and died 1S02, aged 32 years.

4. George Sears of Baltimore, son of George Sears, born 1765, died
Sept. 17, 1800, aged 35 years.

From the above stock originate all the Searses of Baltimore and Mary-
land.

The four monuments above named are in the old burv'ing ground, at the
northern end, and on the eastern side of Thames Street.

In 1784 Newport was incorporated as a city ; the town government
was afterwards resumed. In the first organization of the city, George
Hazard was chosen mayor, George Champlain and others aldermen,
and George Sears and others common council, and Peleg Barker, city
clerk.



' 1854 J Indian Deed of Great Barrivgton^ ^*c. 215

INDIAN DEED OF GREAT HARRINGTON, &c.

Great Bakrington, 16 Jan., lSo4.
S. G. Drake, Esq.

Dear Sir, — I enclose you a copy of the original Indian deed of thai portion of ter-
ritory which now comprises the towns uf Great Barrington. Shellield, Etrremoiit. Al-
ford, INIount Washington, and Boston Corner, in Berkshire County. Jt is correctly
copied from the ancient, original Book of Records of the Loicir Huusatunic Proprietary .

I am, Sir,

Very respectfully,

LNCREASE SUMNER.

Know all Men by these presents that we, Conkepot Poneyote — Par-
te rwake — Naurnauquin — Waenenocow — Nawnausquan — Cauconauah-
feet — Nonamcaunet — Naunhamiss — Sunkhunk — Popaqua — Taunkhonk-
pus — Tartakim — Sauncokehe — Cancannap — Sunkiewe — Nauheag — .Mau-
chewaufeet — John VanGilder — Pinaskenet — all of Housatonack — allias
VVestonook, in New England, in y^ province of the Massachusetts
Bay : for & in consideration of a valuable sum well secured bv bond
viz — Four Hundred and Sixty Pounds — Three Barrels of Sider &. thirty
quarts of Rum : bearing date with these Presents, under y^ hand &
seal of Capt John Ashley of Westfield in y° County of Hampshire ;
we have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed & con-
firmed, and doe by these presents, fully, clearly & absolutely give, grant,
bargain, sell, allinate, convey & confirm unto Col John Stoddard, Capt
John Ashley, Capt Henry Dwight & Capt Luke Hitchcock, Esqrs, all in
the County of Hampshire, Committee appointed by y^ General Court to
purchase a certain Tract of land lying upon Housatonack River, allias
Westonook, in order for the settling two towns there, and unto such as y^
Committee have or shall admit in order for y^ settling of said Towns, to
them, their Heirs & assigns a certain Tract or parcel of land. Meadow,
swamp & upland, lying on y^ River aforesaid butted &L, bounded as fol-
loweth, viz : — Southardly upon y^ divisional line between the Province of
Massachusetts Bay :' and the colony of Connecticut in New England —
Westardly on y^ patten or colony of New York, northardly upon y^ Great
mountain known by y^ name of Manskuseehoank* — and Bastardly to
run Four miles from y^ aforesaid River — and in a general way so to ex-
tend — Furthermore it is to be understood that y^ abovesaid Indians reserve
to themselves within the aforesaid Tract of land, described by bounds &
butments, Southardly on a Brook on y^ west side Housatonack River,
known by the name of Mannanpenokcan and Northardly to a small
brook lying between y^ aforesaid Brook and y® River called Wampa-
nikseeport — allias White River :t viz All y^ land between y^ aforesaid
Brooks from said Westonook River extending unto ye patten of the Col-
leny of New York — Together with a clear Meadow, between the afore-
said small Brook extending Northardly unto y^ aforesaid While River ;
viz, the aforesaid Indians reserve to themselves all y« land between y«
Brooks running due West line from y« mouth of s"^ Brooks unto y« patten
of y« Colleny of New York aforesaid — And we y^ aforesaid Indians doe
for ourselfs, our heirs Executors &i. Administrators, Covenant promise
& grant to di with the aforesaid Committee & such as they have or shall
admit of for Planters of s'' Townships — That before the ensealing hereof,

V -^ — - — -

• Now called Monument Mountain. f Now called Green River.



216 Indian Dad of Great Barriiigton, tj'c. [July,

we y^ s* Indians are y^ true, sole Sc lawful owners of y^ aforegranted
premises and are lawfully seized and possessed of the same in our own
proper right, as a good perfect &- absolute estate of inheritance in fee
simple, and have in ourselfs good right, full power & lawful authority to
grant, bargain, sell, convey & confirm s'' bargained premises in manner
aforesaid — And y^ s'^ Committee tSo such as they shall or mav admit for
Inhabitants of s"* Townshipps to them their heirs and assigns shall &- may
from time to time and at all times hereafter by virtue of these Presents,
lawfully & peacibly bccupie, Possess &. enjoy the said bargained Prem-
ises with all ye appurtenances, free & clear, and clearly & freelv acquit-
ted & discharged of, from all &> all manner, former & other Gifts, Grants,
Bargains, Sales, Jointures, Mortgages, Wills, Devises & Incumbrances
whatsoever — And furthermore We the s*^ Indians, for ourselfs & for s<J
Heirs, Executors & Administrators doe covenant &l engaco to secure
& defend y^ s'^ bargained Premises unto them the aforesaid Committee,
and to such persons as the s** Committee have or shall admit in order to
y,^ settling s'* Towns, to them or their Heirs & Assigns forever — against
ys the lawful claims & demands of any Person or Persons whatsoever —
In witness whereof, we the aforesaid Indians have hereunto set our hands
&; seals this 2oth day of April, in y^ tenth year of his Majisty's risn and
in y^ year of o"" one thousand seven hundred & twenty four :
Signed, sealed &i, deP in
presence of us — Comact Borghghart

Benjamin Smith

John Gun Jun

Samuel Bartlett



Conkepot,
Poneyote,
Pota wakeont,


his mark Jl seal
his mark ): seal
his mark T seal


Naunausquan,


his mark O seal


Wanenocow,


his mark 'H seal


Naunauquin,


his mark i)' seal


Conconaughpeet,


his mark G' seal


Nonaucauneet,


his mark k' seal


Paunopescennot,
Covconofeet,


his mark Y seal
his mark B: seal


Naunhamiss,


his mark E' seal


Sunkhonk,


his mark (: seal


Popaqua,

Taunkhonkpus,

Tatakim,


his mark R seal
his mark T. seal
his mark 0: seal


Saunkokehe,


hi^ mark 2 seal


Cancan wap,


his mark 9 seal


Saunkewenauheag,


his mark ^ seal


Manchewanfeet,


his, mark X- seal


John Vangilder,


his mark V: seal


Ponaskenet,


his mark ^ seal


The aforesaid is a Copy of y^ Deed given by the
tonack Land — Examined by me —


Indians for y*^ Housa-


Ebene^^ Pomroy by order




Acknowledged before

John Ashly J. P.





1S5-I.] Bi'rlhs, Marriages, S^'c, of Provincetown, Mass. 217



BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS OF PROVINCETOWN,

MASS.

[Copied from the First Book of Records, by David Hamblen of Boston.]

Stephen Atwood and wife Sarah had ch. : Jonathan, b. Aug. 2, 1*31 ;
Stephen, b. Dec. 25, 1733; Martha, b. Jan. 24, 1735-6; Rebeckah, b.
May 1, 1733; Sarah, b. Aug. 10, 1740; Susannah, b. July 16, 1743.

Henry Atwood and wife Thankful had ch. : Thankful, b. Auff. 17,
1729; kezaiah, b. Feb. 22, 1732-3; Henrv, b. Oct. 11, 1735; Elisa-
beth, b. Sept. 27, 1737.

Joseph Atwood and wife Lydia had ch. : Lydia, b. Sept. S, 1733.

Joshua Atwood and wife Sarah had ch. : Samuel, b. Aug. 24, 1735;
Mary, b. Feb. 13, 1745 ; John, b. March 21, 1750.

Samuel Atwood and wife Barsheba had ch. : Joshua, b. July 3, 1767:
Henry, b. Sept. 9, 176S ; Sarah, b. Dec. 26, 1769; Mary, b. Au-. 16,
1773; Samuel, b. June 11, 1776; Elisabeth, b. Feb. 17, 1779 ; Beth-
sheba, b. July IS, 17S1 ; John, b. Sept. 11, 17S4.

John Atwood and wife Mary had ch. : Marcy, b. Oct. 13, 1781 ; Mar-
tha, b. Oct. 30, 17S3; Asa, b. Aug. 20, 17S9,'d. same date.

Jonathan Atwood and wife Nabby had ch. : Rebecca, b. July 11, 1757 ;
Nathan, b. Aug. 11, 1759; Hannah, b. Julv 2, 1763; Henry, b. March
8, 1766 ; Nabby, b. Aug. 11, 1769 ; Jonathan, b. Nov. 20, 1772 ; James,
b. June 2, 1776.

Joshua Atsvood and wife Betsey had ch. : Mary, b. Feb. 25, 17S7 :
Nathaniel, b. June 20, 1789.

Silas Atkins and wife Bethiah had ch. : Isaiah, b. Oct. 16, 17S6 ; Be-
thia, b. Feb. 20, 1789; Martha, b. June 5, 1793; Joshua, b. March 16,.
1795.

Joseph Atkins and wife Ruth had ch. : Joseph, b. June 28, 1789 v
Freeman, b. Oct. 8, 1790; Ruth, b. Feb. 25, 1793.

David Brown and wife Eunice had ch. : Ebenezer, b. July 14, 1791.

Timothy Barnab[y.'] and wife Martha had ch. : Stephen, b. Oct. 13,
1728; Riith, b. Nov. 11, 1735.

Joseph Barneby and wife Lidia had ch. : Joseph, b. July 14, 1736.

Barnabas Brings and wife Abigail had ch. : Seth, b. Sept. 24,. 1778 ;