friendship between captain standish and mr. brewster.—character of mr. brewster.—his death and burial.—mode of worship.—captain’s hill.—difficulty with the narragansets.—firmness and conciliation.—terms of peace.—plans for removal from plymouth.—captain standish’s home in duxbury.—present aspect of the region.
it is greatly to the credit of captain miles standish, the puritan soldier, that his life-long friend was william brewster, the puritan divine. their farms in duxbury were side by side. the scene upon which this noble christian man looked, in the evening of his eventful life, must have been one full of peaceful beauty, as he stood, staff in hand, upon the threshold of his lowly, yet comfortable cottage. his peaceful home was situated about three miles across the bay from the village of plymouth. by land it was a roundabout route of nearly eight miles. his farm was on a picturesque peninsula shooting out southerly into the placid waters of plymouth bay. in his life of fourscore years and four, he had witnessed the long reigns of three of the most remarkable of the english sovereigns.
the days of his early manhood were passed through333 scenes of persecution and suffering, whose vicissitudes were painful and agitating in the extreme. his mental energies had been strengthened by the discipline of adversity and severe afflictions. as an exile, he had encountered poverty and had been exposed to the most severe deprivations and toils. he had landed, with a feeble band, in this new world when it was but a howling wilderness, and where the utmost courage and prudence were requisite, to save the little colony from utter extinction by a savage foe.
he had lived to see the colony securely established, to see the indians to a very great degree conciliated, and not a few of them brought under the influence of christian example and instruction. from one little settlement, of seven log huts, he had seen others springing up all around, till eight flourishing towns were established, with eight churches, under eight pastors. he had seen the colony reduced to but fifty souls, men, women and children. and, ere he died, the census reported a population of eight thousand, with a well-defined government, a free constitution and established laws. infant colonies were rising in various points to a vigorous manhood, and were uniting in a confederacy, already sufficiently powerful to repel all native foes, and which gave promise of being able, ere long, to maintain independence334 against the machinations of all foreign enemies.
a system of common schools was established, which even then was the glory of new england. harvard university, modelled after the renowned university of cambridge in england, was already beginning to train young men for the highest offices in the church and the state. thus freedom, education and religion were walking hand in hand. in the retrospect of his path through life, this thoughtful, devout and hopeful man could contemplate the stern conflicts, the cruel errors, and the heroic deeds of one of the most important eras in the world’s history. though he had sown in tears, he could hopefully look forward to the time when his children, and his children’s children should reap in joy. in speaking of the death of this eminent man, governor bradford writes, under date of the year 1643:49
“i am to begin this year with that which was a matter of great sadness and mourning unto them all. about the 18th of april died their reverend elder, and my dear and loving friend, mr. william brewster, a man who had done and suffered much for the lord jesus and the gospel’s sake, and had borne his part in weal and woe with this poor persecuted church335 above thirty-six years in england, holland, and in this wilderness, and done the lord and them faithful service in his place and calling. and notwithstanding the many troubles and sorrows he passed through, the lord upheld him to a great age. he was near fourscore years of age, if not all out, when he died.50 he had this blessing added by the lord to all the rest, to die in his bed, in peace among the midst of his friends, who mourned and wept over him, and ministered what help and comfort they could unto him, and he again recomforted them while he could.
“his sickness was not long, and till the last day thereof, he did not wholly keep his bed. his speech continued till somewhat more than half a day, and then failed him. about nine or ten o’clock that evening he died, without any pangs at all. a few hours before his death he drew his breath short, and some few minutes before his last he drew his breath long, as a man falling into a sound sleep, without any pangs or gaspings, and so sweetly departed this life unto a better. i would now demand of any, what was he the worse for any former sufferings? what do i say—worse? nay, sure he was the better, and they now added to his honor. ‘it is a manifest token,’ saith the apostle, ‘of the righteous judgment of god, that336 ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of god, for which ye also suffer; seeing it is a righteous thing with god to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest with us when the lord jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.’ what though he wanted the riches and pleasures of the world in this life, and pompous monuments at his funeral, yet the just shall be blessed, when the name of the wicked shall rot, with their marble monuments.”
a very pleasing account is given by prince, of the mode in which public worship was conducted by these christians, who were anxious in all things to be conformed to the habits of the disciples in apostolic days. the customs they observed have been transmitted to the present times in our meetings for conference and prayer. on thursday, the 25th of october, 1632, governor winthrop, with mr. wilson, who was pastor of the church in boston, with several other christian friends, made a visit to plymouth. they were received with great hospitality. governor bradford, rev. mr. brewster, the ruling elder, and several others of the prominent men of plymouth, came some distance out from the village to meet their friends, who probably travelled on foot. they were conducted to the house of governor bradford, where most of them were entertained during their stay. they were,337 however, every day invited to dinner parties at the houses of the more opulent of the villagers.
on sunday the sacrament of the lord’s supper was administered, in the morning. the service occupied the whole time. in the afternoon devotions, the service was opened by mr. roger williams, who propounded a question of theology, or of conscience, upon which he made sundry remarks. rev. mr. smith, pastor of the boston church, then spoke briefly upon the subject. mr. williams again spoke, quoting freely from the bible in explanation of the question which he had proposed. then governor bradford, who had studied hebrew, and was familiar with all scriptural antiquities, expressed his views upon the subject. he was followed by elder brewster. his reputation, as a man of profound learning, caused all to listen attentively when he spake. then, by special invitation from the elder, governor winthrop spoke upon the question, followed by mr. wilson, pastor of the church in boston. deacon fuller, who was also the physician of the colony at plymouth, then called for the contribution for the support of public worship and of the poor. the governor, and all the rest of the congregation rose from their seats and went to the deacon’s seat to deposit their gifts. the exercises were closed with the benediction.
this peculiarity of having various members of the338 church speak in public worship, one after another, they brought with them from holland, such having been the practice adopted by rev. mr. robinson, founded on the primitive practice of the church at corinth, as recorded by st. paul, in chapter xiii. of the acts, 14th and 15th verses. but, as the community advanced in intelligence, it was found that study was essential to the teacher who, sabbath after sabbath, would interest a congregation. it was also remembered that such a practice was peculiarly adapted to the age of inspiration which had passed away. thus the practice was gradually laid aside for the mode of worship now adopted by all the churches descended from the puritans. the highly educated preacher, in the stated services of the sanctuary, brings from his treasury things new and old for the benefit of the church and congregation. but in frequent meetings for conference and prayer, all the brethren of the church have an opportunity of expressing their views upon all questions of faith and practice.
there was probably no more sincere mourner, at the grave of elder brewster, than his life-long companion and friend, captain miles standish. as we have mentioned, their farms in duxbury were side by side. they had gathered around them several men of congenial spirit, among whom we find the name of339 john alden. from whatever direction one approaches the homes of these illustrious men, he sees looming up before him the remarkable eminence known as “captain’s hill.” it is an oval-shaped mound, rising to the height of about one hundred and eighty feet. this hill was on the farm of captain standish. from its summit, scenery of landscape and water was presented, in a calm summer’s day, such as can scarcely be surpassed in beauty in any country.
in a clear atmosphere one can discern, in the far distance of the eastern horizon, over the bay, the outline of the sand-hills of cape cod, with its sickle bend forming in the extreme north the harbor where the mayflower first cast anchor; and where for five long weeks their shattered bark rested while the pilgrims were in vain seeking for a home. almost at one’s feet is to be seen the whole expanse of plymouth bay, with the entrance through which their storm-shattered shallop passed through the foaming breakers on either side. there was then no light-house on gurnet’s point to guide their endangered keel. just before you is clark’s isle, under whose lee, in the midnight tempest, the pilgrims found shelter, when every moment in danger of being submerged by the waves; and where they passed the ever-memorable sabbath.
from the summit of the hill, all the land to the340 south belonged to captain standish. on the east, spreading out to the water’s edge, including what is called the nook, were the acres allotted to elder brewster. near the site of the humble house which he reared and occupied, are still to be seen the gray and decaying remains of a farm-house, and its outbuildings, erected by some one of his immediate successors. it was from this spot that the remains of the elder were conveyed, in long procession winding around the western shore of the bay, to their final resting-place on burial hill.
it was in the midst of these peaceful scenes that captain miles standish passed the evening of his days, mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits. but whenever serious trouble came, his energies were immediately called into requisition.
when the english commenced their settlements on connecticut river, uncas, sachem of the mohegan indians, acknowledged a sort of feudal submission to sassacus, the powerful chief of the pequot tribe. this chieftain had, as we have mentioned, twenty-six minor sachems, who paid him feudal homage. uncas was a very ambitious, energetic man, and he was gradually bringing minor tribes under his sway. his territory was situated east of the connecticut river and north of new london, stonington and norwich. uncas, though a friend of the white men, was bitterly341 hostile to the introduction of christianity among the indians. some occasion of war arose between the narragansets and the mohegans, and a very large force of the former fell upon uncas, and slew a large number of his men, while they wounded more. this was in the year 1645, two years after the death of elder brewster. many of the narragansets had obtained muskets. being superior in numbers to the mohegans, and more powerfully armed, they gained an easy victory.
the english were not willing to see their friend and ally thus destroyed. they were bound by treaty to defend him, and sent to the narragansets a remonstrance. the narragansets, having engaged the co-operation of the mohawks, and flushed with victory, returned an insulting and defiant answer. the connecticut colonists immediately despatched forty well-armed men, for the protection of their ally, while commissioners from the several english colonies met, at boston, to decide upon what further measures to adopt. three messengers were sent to the narragansets and to the mohegans, calling upon both parties to appoint commissioners to confer with the english upon the points in dispute, and thus to settle the question by diplomacy and not by butchery. if the narragansets refused to accede this proposal, which they were bound, by previous treaty,342 to respect, they were to be informed that the english had already sent forty armed men to uncas, and a definite answer was demanded to the question whether they intended to abide by the treaty of peace, into which they had entered with the english, or whether they intended to make war upon them also.
to this perfectly just and friendly message, the narragansets returned again a contemptuous and threatening reply. at the same time roger williams, who dwelt in the near vicinity, almost in the midst of the narragansets, and who was familiar with all their operations, wrote to the governors of plymouth and of massachusetts, stating that the war would soon break out far and wide, with great violence, and the whole country would be in flames. this was alarming tidings to the english. by the arts of peace alone could they be enriched, and for peace and friendship their hearts yearned.
the narragansets were not far from plymouth. the fiend-like warfare of the savages, with their hideous yells, tomahawks and firebrands, would first fall upon the scattered farm-houses of that colony. an immediate convention was called of the magistrates, elders and chief military commanders of the massachusetts and plymouth colonies. they came unanimously to the following decisions, that they were bound, by treaty, to aid and defend uncas; that this343 aid was not intended merely to defend him in his fort, or when attacked in his dwelling, but also to enable him to preserve his liberty and his estates; that this aid must be immediately furnished or uncas would be overwhelmed and ruined by his enemies; that the war against the narragansets being so manifestly just, the reasons for it ought to be proclaimed to the world; that a day of humiliation and prayer should be appointed to implore the divine guidance and blessing; that three hundred men should be immediately sent to the aid of uncas, of which massachusetts should furnish one hundred and ninety, plymouth forty, connecticut forty, and new haven thirty; that, considering the immediate danger of uncas, forty men should be instantly sent to his succor from massachusetts.
in accordance with the promptness which has ever characterized the massachusetts colony, scarcely an hour elapsed, after the tidings reached boston, ere the men were on the march. governor bradford, speaking of the insolent tone adopted by the narragansets, writes,
“they received the english commissioners with scorn and contempt, and told them that they would have no peace with uncas without his head. they also gave them this further answer,—that it mattered not who began the war, they were resolved to follow it up, and that the english should withdraw their garrison344 from uncas, or they would bring down the mohawks upon them. and withal they gave them this threatening answer, that they would lay the english cattle on heaps as high as their houses, and that no englishman should step out of his door but that he should be shot.”
the english commissioners needed guides to lead them through the wilderness of the narraganset country, to communicate the reply of the narraganset chiefs to uncas. they refused to furnish them with any guide. at last, in scorn they brought forward a poor, old, decrepit pequot woman saying, with derisive laughter, that they might take her if they pleased. in addition to all these indignities the commissioners were seriously menaced with personal violence. as their interpreter was communicating his message to the sachems, three burly savages came and stood behind him, brandishing their tomahawks in the most insulting and threatening manner. the friendly indians, who had accompanied the english, were so alarmed by this conduct of the narragansets that they fled in the utmost haste, leaving the commissioners to go home alone.
“thus,” writes governor bradford, “while the commissioners in care of the public peace sought to quench the fire kindled among the indians, these children of strife breathe out threatenings, provocation345 and war against the english themselves. so that unless they should dishonor and provoke god by violating a just engagement, and expose the colonies to contempt and danger from the barbarians, they cannot but exercise force, when no other means will prevail to reduce the narragansets and their confederates to a more just and sober temper.”
the plymouth colonists were as prompt in action as those of massachusetts. captain miles standish was of course placed at the head of the command. with rapid steps his little army of forty men traversed the forest to the appointed rendezvous at seekonk, now rehoboth. having a much shorter journey to take, he was encamped upon the spot before the massachusetts men reached it. the connecticut and new haven forces also soon arrived. quite a large number of friendly indian warriors also joined them. they were armed with muskets, and placed under the command of captain standish.
all these measures were adopted with the greatest energy and promptness. the sachem of the narragansets had, a short time before, sent a present to the governor of massachusetts. it was intended either to blind him as to their hostile designs, or to bribe him not to interpose in behalf of the mohegans. but the governor was not thus to be duped. he frankly informed the messenger that he was not fully346 satisfied respecting the friendly intentions of the sachem of the narragansets,—that he could not, therefore, immediately accept the present. he would not however refuse it, but would lay it aside to wait the developments of the future.
the military bands being now all assembled at rehoboth and ready to march into the territory of the narragansets, the governor of massachusetts, before commencing hostilities, sent two commissioners, with an interpreter, to return the present to the narraganset sachem, and to inform him that he had already sent forty men for the protection of uncas, and that another armed force was on the march to defend him. they were also directed to inform the narraganset sachem that the english troops had express orders to stand only upon his and their own defence; that they should make no attempt to invade the narraganset country; and that if the sachem would make reparation for the wrongs which he had already inflicted upon the mohegans, and would give security for his peaceful conduct in future, he would find that the english were as desirous of peace, and as reluctant to shed narraganset blood, as they ever had been. in conclusion, this messenger, seeking only peace, said:
“if, therefore, pessecus and innemo, with the other sachems, will, without further delay, come to boston, they shall have free liberty to come and return347 without molestation, or any just grievance from the english. but deputies will not now serve; nor may the preparations in hand be now stayed, or the directions given recalled, till the forementioned sagamores come, and some further order be taken. but if the narragansets will have nothing but war, the english are providing for it, and will proceed accordingly.”
these wise measures accomplished the desired results. the narraganset sachems had sufficient intelligence to perceive that they were arraying against themselves forces which they were but poorly able to withstand. three of their most prominent chiefs, with a large array of warriors, after a few days visited boston, and entered into a treaty of peace.
the indians agreed to pay to massachusetts two thousand fathoms of good white wampum, in payments extending through two years; to restore to uncas all the captives, men, women and children they had taken, and all the canoes, and to pay in full for the corn they had destroyed or carried away. they also agreed to meet the commissioners from the several colonies at new haven, and submit to their arbitration those grievances which would otherwise result in war. there were one or two other articles in the treaty of a similar nature. four children of the sachems were, within fourteen days, to be surrendered348 as hostages to the english, to be tenderly cared for by them, until the terms of the treaty should be fulfilled. thus happily this menace of war was dispelled.
a little while before the events which we have above recorded, a serious design was entertained of abandoning the location at plymouth and removing to some place where they would find richer soil. not only was the soil at plymouth so barren that it would scarcely repay cultivation, but the harbor was incommodious and shallow. several general meetings were held, and the subject was very thoroughly discussed. many had already moved to other locations, and the church had thus become seriously weakened.
“some,” writes governor bradford, “were still for staying together in this place, alleging that men and women might here live, if they would be content with their condition. and it was not for want of necessities so much they removed, as for the enriching of themselves. others were resolute upon removal, and so signified that here they would not stay; that if the church did not remove, they must; insomuch that many were swayed, rather than that there should be a dissolution of the church, to condescend to a removal, if a fit place could be found, that might more conveniently and comfortably receive the whole, with such accession of others as might come to them, for349 their better strength and subsistence, and some such like cautions and limitations.”
a committee of the church was chosen, by advice of governor bradford, to select a place to move to. they repaired to nauset, on cape cod, where is now the town of eastham. the report they brought back was so much in favor of the place that the large majority of the church consented to remove there. but it was soon found that they had by no means improved their condition by the removal. the result is graphically described by governor bradford:
“now they began to see their error, that they had given away already the best and most commodious places to others, and now wanted them themselves. for this place was about fifty miles from here, and at an outside of the country, remote from all society. also it would prove so strait as it would not be competent to receive the whole body, much less be capable of any addition or increase. thus, in a short time, they would be worse there than they are now here. the which, with sundry other like considerations and inconveniences, made them change their resolutions. but such as were before resolved upon removal took advantage of this agreement, and went on, notwithstanding; neither could the rest hinder them, they having made some beginning. thus was this poor church left, like an ancient mother, grown old and350 forsaken of her children, though not in their affections, yet in regard to their bodily presence and personal helpfulness. her ancient members being most of them worn away by death; and these of later times being like children translated into other families, and she, like a widow, left only to trust in god. thus she that had made many rich became herself poor.”
it required sleepless vigilance and the wisest measures to keep peace with the indians. there were now, in the several colonies, many individual white men who were totally unprincipled. no power of law could restrain them from insulting and abusing the indians. the ignorant savages had very inadequate conceptions of justice, and avenged themselves upon any white men who fell into their hands. one of these miscreant white men, who was running away from massachusetts, was killed by an indian, in the woods between fairfield and stamford. no one knows whether the indian had any provocation to commit the deed. the murderer was demanded by the massachusetts authorities. the sachem of the tribe promised to deliver him to the english, bound. ten englishmen were sent to receive the prisoner. the indians, who were in charge of the captive, as soon as they came in sight of the english party, cut his bands and he fled like a deer into the woods. upon this the english seized eight of the indians, including351 two sachems, and held them in close captivity for two days, until they received, from the chiefs, satisfactory promises that the murderer should be delivered to them.
about a week after this, a wandering indian came to a lonely hut in stamford, and finding a woman alone, killed her, as he supposed, and robbed the house. all the indians in that region seemed angry, sullen, and often insulting. it was not deemed safe for the english to travel, unless well armed and in some strength. a vigilant watch had to be kept night and day. this was a very uncomfortable state of things, but no remedy could be devised for it. so many had moved from plymouth that the little village was quite in a state of decay. duxbury, where miles standish had taken his farm, was, as we have mentioned, at a distance of eight miles from plymouth. francis baylies, alluding to the place in the year 1830, writes:
“the extensive pine forest, the certain evidence of sandy and barren soil, which even now almost skirts the ancient town of plymouth on the south and the west, prevented any extension of population in that direction, and on the east the ocean was its boundary. so unconquerable is the barrenness of this region, that even now the wild deer makes his lair in the same place where deer were hunted by our352 forefathers two centuries ago, and a few wretched indians inhabit the primeval woods in which their ancestors disdained to dwell.”51
fear of the indians, with whom hostilities were liable at any time to break out, prevented the colonists from selecting farms far inland. the strong settlements on massachusetts bay induced the plymouth people to extend their settlements along the ocean shore in that direction. the second church of the plymouth colony was established at duxbury.
the house which captain standish occupied here during the long evening of his eventful life, was situated on the southeastern part of the peninsula, where the remains of the cellar, which he probably dug, are still to be seen. the house in duxbury, now called the standish house, was built by his son, alexander, partly it is supposed from timbers taken from the old house. this fact seems to be substantiated from the appearance of the beams, which bear the traces of a peculiar saw, which was used before the introduction of saw-mills. the hearthstone also, as well as the doors and latchings, were doubtless used in the paternal home. it was by the side of that fireplace that the heroic captain sat and mused, while the storms of a new england winter shook his dwelling. the timbers are of oak, and very sound and strong.
353 upon the south side of captain’s hill there is a large rock, called the captain’s chair. near this spot the original barn was erected. the farm comprised about one hundred and fifty acres, and contained some of the most fertile land to be found in the county of plymouth. other parts of the town are sandy and unproductive. clark’s island, where the explorers of plymouth bay passed their first sabbath, is said to possess, in some parts, a rich soil, which can scarcely be surpassed in any country. “while the northern and western sides offer the most desirable qualities for pasturage and grain, its southern and eastern declivities present a perfect garden, abounding with trees, through whose foliage, even during the summer’s hottest months, stir the breezes from the sea.”
the historian of duxbury describes the scene now witnessed from the summit of captain’s hill, and endeavors to give expression to the emotions which the view must awaken in every reflective mind. he writes:
“select, should you visit it, the closing hours of a summer’s day, when the burning heat of the declining sun is dispelled by the cooler shades of approaching evening, and ascend to its height. now as the retiring rays of day form on the heavens above a gorgeous canopy of variegated hues, so on nature’s face below354 all brightens into richness, and the verdure of her covering softens into mildness; the shining villages around, and the village spires towering against a background of unfading green, add gladness to the scene. the glassy surface of the bay within, with its gentle ripplings on the shore beneath, the music of the dashing waves on the beach without, give quiet to the mind and peace within.
“before you, in the distance at the east, appear the white sand-hills of cape cod, shining beyond the blue expanse, and seeming to encircle by its protecting barrier a spot dear to the heart of every descendant of that pilgrim band. still nearer, at your feet and before you, are the pleasant bays of plymouth, kingston, and duxbury, enlivened by passing boats, and sheltered by the beach from a raging ocean, crowned at its southern extremity by a light-house, and with the extending arm of saquish enclosing the island of the pilgrims; turning your eyes to the south, they fall in succession on the promontory of manomet; on the ancient town of plymouth, rising beneath, and—as if under the protection of the mound beyond, the resting-place of the pilgrim’s dead—on the villages of rocky nook and of kingston.
“extending your eye over the extent of forest to the northwest, you see the blue hills of milton, ascending far above the surrounding country; while355 nearer, at the north, are the villages of duxbury and marshfield, scattered over the fields, whose white cottages, shining in the sun, offer a pleasing contrast to the scene. below you and around you once arose the humble abode of the pilgrims. who can gaze upon the spot which marks the site of the dwelling of standish, without feelings of emotion? who can but give thanks that that spirit—
‘a spirit fit to start into an empire and look the world to law’—
had been sent amongst them, to be their counsel in peace and their protection in danger? who can but admire its ready adaptation to a sphere of action so totally different from the school of his youth? here also arose the dwellings of brewster, who having followed in his youth the retinue of kings and princes, preferred a solitary retreat in the western wilds, and there to worship his god in peace. here, too, was the abode of collier, who, under every circumstance of danger, strove with unceasing toil in the discharge of every duty necessary to the welfare and prosperity of the colony. here, too, can be seen the spot whereon the habitation of alden was, whose prudent counsels and whose rigid justice attained for him a rank in the estimation of the colony, alike an honor to himself, and a subject of pride to his descendants.356 turn your vision as you may, and you will feel that you are gazing on a scene of more than ordinary interest, full of the most grateful recollections, and of a nature the most agreeable and pleasing.
“‘scenes must be beautiful, which daily viewed please daily, and whose novelty survives long knowledge and the scrutiny of years,— praise justly due to those that i describe.’
“rose, the first wife of myles standish, died at plymouth, january 29, 1621, about a month after the landing. she was among the first to succumb to the privations of that terrible first winter. he married a second wife (barbara), who survived him.
“to his house on captain’s hill, standish removed after his second marriage, and here he drew around him a devoted class of friends, among whom were the elder brewster, george partridge, john alden, mr. howland, francis eaton, peter brown, george soule, nicholas byrom, moses simmons, and other settlers of duxbury.
“the indians also loved as well as feared him, and the faithful hobbomak ever kept near to minister to his wants, and was the faithful guide in his travels. this devoted indian died in 1642, having faithfully served his master twenty years, and is supposed to have been buried on the south side of captain’s hill, near the great rock called ‘the captain’s chair.357’ tradition fixes his wigwam between two shell mounds on the shore near the standish place, till taken home to the house of standish, where he became an inmate till his death.”
