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A Concise History of Massachusetts

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A Concise History of Massachusetts S o tJ ^ 2 =J1 " > m ? So @ @ ^i^ CONCISE 1 1 1 S T R Y OP MASSACHUSETTS, FUOM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT, (and J-OR fourteen years, the history of all new ENGLAND.) FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. BY MARY CLARK NEW-YORK: DAMEL AND GEORGE F. COOLEDGE, BOSTON: MUNROE AND FRANCIS. 1837, 47457A' i; XC^WASW^. .^ ADVERTISEMENT. That mind must be possessed of uncom- mon apathy, which can contemplate the history of Massachusetts, (for fourteen years the history of all New-England,) from the day when the little band of Pilgrims, in search of " a faith's pure shrine," first land- ed on the inhospitable shore of Plymouth, through the eventful two hundred years which have since rolled away, without deep emotion ; without some kindlings of enthu- siastic admiration of the pure and lofty aim, the all-sustaining piety and fortitude, the unquenchable love of liberty which inspired the Fathers, and the spirit of freedom and of patriotism which, in later times, animated the sons, leading both to glorious deeds and great achievements ; without acknowledg- ing the protecting Power whom the Pilgrim Fathers came hither to worship unmo- IV ADVERTISEMENT. lestedj who has caused " a little one to be- come a thousand," a feeble colony to become " a great nation." It is hoped that no apology will be deem- ed necessary for an attempt to furnish the YOUTH of Massachusetts with a History of their native state in so condensed a form, as shall put it in the power of every one to obtain a knowledge of the leading facts. Such is the object of the compiler of this little work. To facilitate the acquisition of this knowledge, by young learners in schools and families, the interrogatiye form has been adopted, and the events arranged in chrono- logical order. The best authorities have been consulted, and care has been taken to render the work as correct as possible. The immediateanswers to the questions are as brief as can well be, and printed in larger type. The passages in small type may be attentively read by the pupil, and so much of them recited by him on going through the book a second time, as shall be deemed proper by the judicious teacher. Boston, December, 1830. — CONVERSATIONS ON THE HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. CONVERSATION I. Discovery of New England by Gosnold.—Coast explored by Capt. Smith.—Former name of New-England.—Settlement of New- England.—Puritans.—Mr. Robinson's congregation. —Reasons for their emigration to America.—Preparatory measures.—Voy- age and landing.— Events and discoveries after their arrival. Plymouth founded.—Character of the First Settlers. Q.. When and by whom was New-Eng- land discovered ? A. In 1602, by Bartholomew Gosnold, the first English commander who reached Ameri- ca by sailing on a due west course. Q,. What was the circuit of former naviga- tors ? A. By the West-India Isles and the Gulf of Florida. Q.. What part of New-England did he first discover ? A. A promontory in Massachusetts Bay, to which, from the great quantity of codfish ta- ken by him there, he gave the name of Cape Cod. Q. What further discoveries did he make? A. Sailing along the coast to the southwest, he discovered and gave names to several pla- 1* b CONVERSATIONS ON THE ces, and louclird at two islands, one of whicli he named Manila's Vineyard,* and the other Elizabeth Islaiul.t From this place he returned to England in less than four months from the time of his departure : having made the quickest voyage to the new world ihen known-t Q,. What celebrated navigator next visited New-England ? A. Capt. John Smith, who, in the year 1614, explored with accuracy that part of the coast reaching from Penobscot (in Maine) to Cape Cod. On his return to England he laid a map of it before prince Charles. § and gave such a splendid description of the beaut}' and excellency of the country, tlictt the young prince, in the warmth of his admiration, declared it should be calletl New- England. Cape Aim was so named by the printi from respect to his mother. Anne of Denmark, vVife of James I. Q. What had this part of f^orth America previously been called ? ", ^ A. North Virginia. Q.. W^as New-England inhabited at that time ? A. It was, by a race of men called Indians or savages, who lived wild in the woods. Snvage, r. a wild, uncivilized man. * Now called Noman's Land. t The westernmost of the islands that bear the name of Elizabeth. X He resided three weeks on the most western of the Eliz- abeth islands, on which he built a fort and storehouse. Want of provisions induced him to give up the design of a settle- ment. The cellar of his storehouse was discovered by Dr. Belknap in 1797. $ Afterwards King Charles I. HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. / Q. When and by whom was the first settle- ment made in New England ? A. In 1620, by a companj^ of Dissenters or Puritans,* a part of the congregation of Rev. John Robinson of Leyden, in Holland, who with his people emigrated to that place from England, in the year 1608, to enjoy that re- ligious freedom which was denied them in tlieir own country. The principal reasons of their dissent from the established church were, objections to its rites and ceremonies, which they conceived were rlftt wiiolly free from the corruptions of the Romish church, and the low state of piety among- its dig- nitaries and ministers. Qi. What were their declared reasons for removing from Holland to America ? A. " The unliealthiness of the low country resided the labours to which where they ; hard dissipated manners they were subjected ; the of the Hollanders, particularly their lax obser- vance of the Lord's day ; and the apprehen- sion of war" between Holland and Spain. They were also animated with the hope of spreading the gospel in the remote parts of the earth, and forming a sys- tem of civil government unfettered with the arbitrary institu- tions of the old world. Q.. What measures did they take prepara- tory to their removal ? Emigrate, v. to venKsve from one place to auolber. Dissent, v. to disagree in opinion. Diipiitary, s. a clergyman of higher rank. Arbitrary, a. despotic, absolute. * So called because they dissented from the Church of Eng- land, and sought greater purity in simple forms of worship and church discipline. 8 CONVERSATIONS ON THE A. They first sent agents to England to procure a patent^ and ascertain whether the king would grant them liberty of conscience in the distant country of A merica. Q,. Did those agents effect their object"? A. They did not but, the following year, ; (1619,) agents were again sent, who, after long attendance, and much expense and la- bour, obtained a patent under the seal of the Virginia company.* But they could prevail with the king- uo further than to en- gag-e he would not molest them, provided they were peace- able subjects, Q,. What further preparations did they make ? A. They agreed that some of their num- ber should go to America to prepare a place for the rest. Mr. Robinson, their minister, was persuaded to stay in Leyden with the greater part of the congregation, and Mr. Brewster, their elder, was to accompany the first adven- turers. Several of them sold their estates and made a common bank. This, with money re- ceived from other adventurers, enabled them to buy the Speedwell, a ship of 60 tons, and to hire in England the May-Flower, a ship of 180 tons, for the intended eiiterfrize. Patent^ s. a writing comprising some right or privilege. Molest, V, to disturb, to trouble, to vex. Enttrprize, s. a hazardous undertaking. * A company which had been formed in England, and had obtained grants of American territory, from King James I. HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. U Q,. When did they leave Leyden ? A. On the 2 of July 1620, and sailed from Southampton, England, on the 5 of August, same year. On the 10 of November, they ar- rived in Cape Cod harbour. The adventurers, 120 in number, after an affecting parting with their brethren and friends,* left Leyden and sailed to England, in Jul}^ and embarked for America from Southamp- ton, August 5 ensuing. On account of the leakiness of the small vessel, they were twice obliged to return, and at length dismissing it as unfit for service, the passengers, to the num- ber of 101 (19 being obliged to remain behind for want of ac- commodation in the ship) put to sea in the May-Flower on the 6 of September. After a boisterous passage, they, at break of day on November 9, discovered land at Cape Cod. Q.. Was this the place of their destination 7 A. It was not. They had intended to settle near Hudson's river, but the captain, having been bribed in Holland, steered his course northward, and after encountering dangers from shoals and breakers, near the coast, a storm coming on, they dropped an- chor in Cape Cod harbour. Here they were secure from winds and shoals, and as the season was far advanced, and sickness raged among them, it became necessary that they should take up their abode at this place, Q.. What did they do previously to their landing 1 A. They drew up a civil cmnpact^ in wdiich they agreed to be governed b)^ the niojority.f This w^as signed by 41 of their number, on Destinalion, s. purpose for which any thing is appointed.
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