The Alden House Historic Site, P. O. Box 2754, Duxbury, Massachusetts 02331 Aldens’ Progress News of the Alden Kindred of America, Inc. Spring 2009 SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES Tom McCarthy, Historian of the Alden Kindred of America

must be the very best site associated with a person, event, or development of national (as opposed to local) historic significance. For the Alden House the designation means a “promotion” from the ranks of the more than 80,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, where it has been listed since 1978. But the Original Alden Homestead Site had not even The Alden House been listed on the Register. The National Park Historic Site Service runs the programs that confer both 2009 Calendar historical designations under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. W Museum opens: May 18 In addition to recognizing that no other historic Speak for Thyself: June 20 site was so prominently associated with Mayflower passengers, the National Historic Duxbury Free Day: July 11 fter lunch at our annual reunion on August Landmarks subcommittee of the National Park Annual Meeting & A 1, 2009 the Alden Kindred and the Town System Advisory Board endorsed four specific National Historic of Duxbury will accept plaques from the National claims to historical significance. First, the national Landmark Award: August 1 Park Service designating the Alden House and cultural impact of Alden descendant Henry Alden Open: September 26 Original Alden Homestead Site as the John and Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1858 poem The Priscilla Alden Family Sites National Historic Courtship of Miles Standish made the surviving Museum closes: October 12 Landmark. The presentation ceremony Alden House the most important physical site culminates an eight year process of self-study and associated with John and Priscilla Alden and a dialogue with the professional historical and focus of on-going national interest, especially archaeological community about the importance since descendants continued to live in and own of these sites to all Americans as part of our the house. Second, the sites are the most shared national historical and cultural heritage. prominent associated with John Alden, a person There are about 2,500 National Historic of national significance in the U.S. colonial Landmarks in the United States. Landmarks are period. Alden held positions of high economic designated by the Secretary of the Interior upon and political importance for almost the entire recommendation by a panel of professional seventy-one year history of the Plymouth Colony experts. Generally, to become a landmark a site (1620-1691), a span of public service unrivaled in

Contents The Alden Kindred of America, Inc. Speaking for Ourselves Tom McCarthy…1 P.O. Box 2754 —105 Alden Street Prence’s Packhorse” Jim Baker…………….....7 Duxbury, MA 02331-2754 Presidents Corner……………….…………………..3 Phone: 781-934-9092 Director’s Corner “Rink Ringquist …………9 FAX 781-934-9149 Annual Fund & Dues Report…..……………..4 “ Web: www.alden.org They Too Faced an Uncertain Future … ..10 Hours: Monday-Saturday Noon-4PM Special Invitation …...………….…………….……..5 Last tour at 3:30 Aunt Polly’s Gift Shop………………………...11 Open mid-May—Columbus Day Necrology…………………………………………….....6 Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009 2 seventeenth-century colonial America and perhaps in 2001 in good part because the Kindred had an the entire colonial period. Third, the Original Alden unprecedented opportunity. Will Gwilliam had begun Homestead Site, the c. 1630 Duxbury home of John his analysis of the architecture and construction of the and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden and their children, Alden House. James W. Baker had become the house yielded information when partially excavated in 1960 curator and brought us his lifetime of Mayflower that made a major contribution to the archaeological expertise from Plimoth Plantation. Alicia Crane literature on early seventeenth-century English Williams, the Kindred genealogist, had already done settlement sites in North America. Fourth, this more research into the historical John Alden than any archaeological site was the location of important person before her. This fortunate intersection of fieldwork and analysis by Roland Wells Robbins expertise was not likely to occur again. So now was the (1908-1987), a pioneer in the field of historical time to prepare our NHL nomination while each was archaeology. The overarching theme of the actively engaged with some aspect of Alden history. nomination was that no site in America better Gwilliam, Baker, and Williams all lent their expertise represented the multi-generational efforts of one to the nomination. In addition, Alden Ringquist family to interpret the historical significance of their played the crucial role in bringing the Town of ...we needed to heritage for themselves and their contemporaries. Duxbury enthusiastically on board. He was our liaison to the town manager, selectmen, school committee, explain why the The nomination process began shortly after I became and school superintendent. In the end, our house had become the Alden Kindred’s historian. As a professional nomination succeeded because of this “team of historian, I wanted to help the Kindred place our cousins” effort. a site of national understanding of John and Priscilla and the Alden interest by the late House on a firmer historical foundation. On May 7, We also had vital outside assistance, especially from 2001 Dr. Robin W. Winks and I “brainstormed” the professional archaeology community. A half dozen nineteenth cen- about the Alden sites. Chair of the History or more archaeologists discussed with me the tury. Department at Yale and a former chairman of the significance of the Original Alden Homestead Site. National Park System Advisory Board—the body that Two played a critical role in the ultimate success of makes the NHL recommendations to the Secretary of the nomination. The first was Dr. Donald W. the Interior, Winks suggested nominating the sites for Linebaugh at the University of Maryland. Linebaugh’s National Historic Landmark status. He argued that work on Roland Wells Robbins provided the basis for the process of researching what was significant about our successful claim that Robbins’ work at the site the sites and seeking confirmation of these claims by deserved recognition in the development of the field professionals would accomplish our aim. But he of historical archaeology in the United States. cautioned that the process took thorough research, Linebaugh appeared before the NHL subcommittee patience, and a willingness to engage in a dialogue both times that our nomination came before them. with the larger historical community about the His strong supporting remarks helped to convince the significance of the sites. Eighty-five percent of subcommittee to vote in favor of the designation. We nominations eventually succeeded, but the National also had more-than-exceptional assistance from Historic Landmarks subcommittee rejected half of all Edward L. Bell, the senior archaeologist at the Massachusetts Historical Commission, who drew on his earlier work with Plymouth Colony archaeological sites to carefully go through our nomination to offer numerous additional pieces of evidence to strengthen our archaeological claims. Thanks to the help provided by Don and Ed the national significance of the Original Homestead Site was established beyond debate.

Establishing the historical significance of the Alden House proved more challenging. If John and Priscilla had built and lived in the house, proving its national nominations first time around, seeking further historic significance would have been easy. research and justification. Unfortunately, evidence from the historical record, the construction of the house itself, and archaeological Preparation of the nomination began in earnest in fall excavations at the site all suggested that the present Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009 3 house was built around 1700. The door has not been closed entirely PRESIDENT’S CORNER on the possibility that John and Priscilla lived at the site, but there was no evidence on which to make this claim. Instead, we needed to explain why the house had become a site of national interest by the I'm sitting in my reclining chair and late nineteenth century. The answer was that after the publication it is still winter. Instead of relaxing, of The Courtship of Miles Standish Americans made John and I'm confined to the house like a Priscilla national cultural icons and the house a shrine to teenager that has been grounded for commemorate their story. There simply was no better place to disobeying their parents and getting associate with the couple and Longfellow’s poem. caught. I am a victim of winter-"black ice" to be precise. As I had done many National Historic Landmark designation is the culmination of an times before, I walked out to the end involved process, and we had tremendous assistance from Patty of my driveway at night after arriving Henry and Erika K. Martin Seibert at the National Park Service home from work. Zip — down I went, never knowing what hit National Landmarks Survey Office, who were enthusiastic me. Results — one broken right arm, the humerus where the supporters of the nomination and helped shepherd it to a successful bone attaches to the shoulder. Off to the Emergency Room, the outcome. The nomination first came before the National Historic ortho clinic, and an ultra sling, lots of "painful" rest, and finally Landmarks subcommittee for discussion and review on April 12, lots of extensive physical therapy. Naturally, I am right-handed so 2006. The committee declined to vote on the nomination, asking us this presented lots of adjustments. All this time giving me plenty instead to sharpen the connection between Longfellow’s poem and of time to reflect on "Old Man Winter", the state of the economy, the existing Alden House and to do a full analysis and write-up on and what's on day-time television which is enough to get any one the Original Alden Homestead site’s archaeological significance. down. The first request was easily addressed. The second took a good deal I am so looking forward to Spring! A new of additional work. But the archaeological community again proved beginning! By the time you receive this Newsletter Spring will be exceedingly helpful. When the nomination came before the here! As I make progress with my P.T. and am "On the road subcommittee the second time on December 5, 2007, the again", I look forward to moving forward and getting back to committee voted to recommend designation. One committee helping our family organization as your President. We have a lot member told a story of having a Priscilla doll when she was growing to be thankful for and our biggest news is that we have been up in the 1950s. On October 6, 2008 Secretary of the Interior Dirk approved as a Historic Landmark Site along with the First Kempthorne signed the National Historic Landmark designation Site. This is exciting news for us and a wonderful way to begin for the John and Priscilla Alden Family Sites. our 2009 Season. We will have our "Landmark" presentation & celebration on the date of our Annual Meeting, August 1st. We The plaque presentation ceremony on August 1, 2009 will conclude hope that you will all be able to come visit us this year to celebrate another chapter in the two hundred year history of Alden with us. We are so fortunate to have our wonderful Historic descendants interpreting the historical significance of their Alden Alden House here in Duxbury where our family settled so many and Mayflower heritage for themselves and their contemporaries. years ago. National Historic Landmark designation itself will not generate I would also like to let you know that if you are in the greater historical interest in these two sites. Interest in the sites must area over the Fourth of July, we will have a float in the famous be generated by us, as we use the sites to engage our own Duxbury 4th of July Parade. You might also want to plan to contemporaries in a conversation about the Alden story and attend our signature event on June 20th, The "Speak For Thyself" American history. Aldens have more experience in doing this well Award night which is discussed elsewhere in this newsletter. We than any other American family. Now, with a rich palette of themes hope that you will be able to visit us during this exciting & busy to choose from that have been endorsed by professionals in history season. We have done a great job preserving our "old homestead" and telling our Alden family story, and we must Linkedin.com Alden Kindred Group continue to do so. When I was recuperating from my arm, I was not able to do everything for myself, including driving, and had to

rely on family and friends for help to get me back on my Linkedin.com the on-line site where more than 35 million feet. That support was much appreciated and was instrumental professionals exchange information, ideas and opportunities has a in speeding my recovery. We Must remember to continue to group for the Alden Kindred of America. Recently started by support our Historic Site. Kindred Executive Board member Blair Stanford, the group area In these challenging times the Alden Historic Site feels provides opportunities for discussions and news. Membership in the pinch as we all do. The volunteers & staff at the Site are Linkedin is free. Log on to www.linkedin.com to register and then doing their part to tighten our belts to save on the expenses that it search for “Alden Kindred of America” under “Search Groups.” (Continued on page 4) Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009 4 Generous Response to Annual Fund; New Dues Categories Popular

e are greatly heartened by your generous response to the Adina and William Roberts, Pasadena, CA W 2009 Annual Fund requests. As of mid March we have Lisa S. Romeo and Family, Westminster, CO received over $27,000 in donations, which is 90% of our goal of Alice W. Smith, Fort Lauderdale, FL $30,000! If you have not yet made your donation, please consider The Christian S. Stewart Family, Massapequa Park, NY joining more than 240 of your cousins from all around the country Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Stewart, Massapequa Park, NY who despite hard times have made a real commitment to the Jerusha, Mariah and Avery Tooley, Platte, SD preservation of the Alden homestead, an American National Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Ward, Huntsville, AL Landmark. Rebecca Jean Wright, Lake Havasu, AZ An important influence on the 2009 Annual Fund has been the popularity of our new Contributing Dues categories. As of Remember -- everyone who donates $100 or more to the 2009 this writing 39 members or families have upgraded their dues to a Annual Fund (between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009) and Contributing category. Because the amount paid over and above the everyone who upgrades to a Contributing Dues category will have regular dues is considered a donation, these new Contributing Dues their name entered in the raffle for a free $1,000 Life members have added more than $3,000 to the Annual Fund! We membership! There is still time to qualify for the raffle – fill in think these members deserve a Big Thank You from everyone: and return the coupon on page 10 with your donation before June 30th. The raffle will be drawn at the 2009 Annual Meeting on Landmark Contributing Dues ($500) August 1st. Leigh Tuckey, Crowheart, WY Alicia Crane Williams, Hingham, MA News from 2003 Scholarship Winner Cooper Contributing Dues ($250)

Merdith M. Byram, McCalla, AL Emily Alden, the 2003 Donnell B. Young Scholarship winner, Andrew H. Card, McLean, VA is currently attending the University of Cambridge in the Ann K. Cobuzzi, Chadds Ford, PA United Kingdom, working toward an MPhil in History and Steven J. May, Minnetonka, MN Philosophy of Science. She was awarded a Gates Cambridge Storekeeper Contributing Dues ($100) Scholarship, sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Margaret Alexander, East Bridgewater, MA Foundation and is enjoying her time in Cambridge. Emily will Charles W. Ask, Seattle, WA either spend a second year in England at Oxford or will return Dr. Laurie B. Barone, Atlanta, GA to the United States to enter the George B. Bennett, Hanover, MA University of Pennsylvania Medical School in the fall of 2009. Donald K. Bloomfield, Silver Spring, MD

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore H. Brodie, Duxbury, MA Dale C. Buck, Fort Wayne, IN Alden Scholarship winner Emily Alden on the River Cam Brian R. Copeland, Midland, MI near Trinity Hall, Cambridge Marilyn D. Curtis, Newport, RI University, England Stephen J. Derby, Portsmouth, RI Dennis K. Doane, Snellville, GA Patricia J. Friesen, San Rafael, CA President’s Corner (Continued from page 3) Patricia L. Garrity, Duxbury, MA takes to run the organization. We take so much for granted when Joyce B. Glover, Cookeville, TN everything seems to be working properly such as my arm. Everything Frank R. Hall, Sierra Madre, CA was going smoothly till that fraction of a second it took to break it, Judith C. Herdeg, Mendenhall, PA then I found out just how hard it was to have to everything work The Charles D. Itz Family, Topsfield, MA together. That's why we can never take our precious Alden House Doris D. Lewald, Hanover, MA for granted, and it is more important than ever to take responsibility Patricia P. Loring, Duxbury, MA to help preserve your families treasure — the Alden House. I thank David J. MacKenzie, Los Angeles, CA all of you who have given to our Annual Fund or other funds & Bonnie R. May, Leicester, MA fundraising efforts. I hope that you will continue to give what you Thomas C. Meyers, Natick, MA can to our family organization. The Alden family has persevered Martha R. Palmer, Brinklow, MD since our ancestors arrived on the Mayflower and we will continue Elenor M. Parmenter, Flagler Beach, FL to do so. HAPPY SPRING! As always, I would love to hear from Jenny K. Redo, Atherton, CA you! E-mail — [email protected] or call 781-826-6456. Jennifer Reed and Family, Darlington, MD Linda J. Osborne, President Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009 5

The Alden Kindred of America cordially invites you to join us for the

2009 “Speak for Thyself” Awards Banquet on June 20, 2009, 5:00 – 8:00 pm at the Duxbury Senior Center (10 Mayflower Street, Duxbury, MA).

America’s tradition of strong women began with the Mayflower. One of the best-loved examples in American history and literature is Priscilla Mullins (later Priscilla Alden).

The great poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, himself a descendant of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins Alden, made their romance the center of his great epic “The Courtship of Miles Standish”. He vividly imagined a scene in early Plymouth Colony. Two Mayflower passengers, the shy (and handsome) John Alden and the gruff and inarticulate Captain Miles Standish, have both fallen in love with the lovely Priscilla Mullins. The Captain beseeches John to approach Priscilla on his behalf. John, bound by friendship and duty, reluctantly agrees to set aside his own strong feelings. Priscilla, however, makes her own choice. She asks, in her own gracious, charming, modest, but absolutely determined way – “Why don’t you speak for yourself, John?”

The Speak for Thyself Award honors exceptional women, women who – in the spirit of Priscilla Mullins – make their own choices. The Award recognizes the role of women in America as Pilgrims, pioneers, advocates, community organizers, politicians and business leaders, as well as mothers, sisters, wives and friends, women whose daily lives are a reflection of America. The Speak for Thyself Award puts a face on these women while maintaining a presence in the 21st century for a family and a homestead of the 17th century.

This year’s honorees will be: • Tania Cooper Patriota, UN Population Fund Representative in Haiti and wife of Brazilian Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota • Therese Murray, President of the Massachusetts Senate • Dorothy “Dolly” Snow Bicknell, President of Project Gurnet & Bug Lights and Duxbury community leader • Joanne Moore, Director of Council on Aging, Duxbury Senior Center

The 2009 Speak for Thyself Award Banquet will be held at the Duxbury Senior Center and will include Raw Bar and Dinner, with Jim Fagan as Master of Ceremonies. Join us for a delightful evening honoring three delightful and accomplished women! Donation $75 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the educational endeavors of the Alden House Historic Site.

If you cannot attend the awards dinner, please consider becoming a Kindred Sponsor.

Alden Kindred of America PO Box 2754 Duxbury, MA 02331-2754

Please reserve ____ tickets at $75 each for the 2009 Speak for Thyself Award Banquet on June 20, 2009.

Names of those attending: ______

I cannot attend, but wish to be a Kindred Sponsor (all sponsors will be entered in raffle for $1,000 Life Membership): _____ $25 (listing as a Kindred Sponsor in the program booklet) _____ $50 (listing in the program booklet and special feature on the website) _____ $100 (listing in the Program Booklet, on the website, and on a Sponsor Board at the event) _____ Other donation

This sponsorship is in memory/honor of: ______

Check enclosed □ $______Tickets $______Sponsor Credit Card: Master Card □ Visa □ Card # ______Exp. Date (month/year) ____/____

Signature: ______Date: ______Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009 6

Kit Clapp Necrology

Clara Frances “Kit” Clapp, long-time Secretary of the Condolences to the friends and families of Kindred Cousins: Alden Kindred and active Duxbury resident, passed away at the age of 97 last December. Kit’s bright and Roy Luther Anderson (7 Aug 2008) cheerful sense of humor brought many smiles to her William Patrick Ayer (4 Feb 2009) cousins and she was a generous supporter of the Carol Ray Berninger (30 Dec 2008) Kindred. Clara Frances (Kit) Clapp (4 Dec 2008) She was born in Bronxville, New York, and traveled Donald Aldridge Coon (3 Sept 2007) extensively throughout her life beginning at the age of Thomas Richard Elliott (18 Feb 2009) three when she went to China with her family. She Ruth Bulger Hickey (20 Mar 2008) graduated from American High School in Paris and was an Art Rosemary P. Sauve (30 Oct 2007) History major Agnes Jefferds Sonntag (16 June 2008) at Wellesley Marguerite Williamson Spann (9 Jan 2008) College. She Leilani Brown Sperber (11 Feb 2006) joined the Navy and Alice M. Van Griethuyson (26 Apr 2008) served as a Roger Hargreaves Williams (Associate, 4 Nov 2008) Lt. Com- mander in W WWII, then later became an accountant Endowment Donations in Memory at the of Priscilla Lumbard Andrew

Carnegie Foundation. Priscilla McIntosh Lumbard of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, passed away on November 23rd after a five-year battle with cancer. Kit was the oldest member in attendance at the 2005 Annual Meeting, here with Kit was also She was the wife of Kindred member Alden H. Lumbard, mother youngest, Finn Curley and Alden Kindred active with of members Amy Lumbard Holbrook and John Alden Lumbard, President, Linda Osborne, Finn’s Pilgrim Hall and grandmother of in Plymouth, members Sarah, Guy, the King Caesar House and the Duxbury Rural and and Welles Alden Historical Society, the Duxbury Art Complex, the Holbrook, and triplets garden club and the First Parish Church in Duxbury. Caleb, Alexander, and Cameron Lumbard. She was also survived by Phase III Bricks in Place daughter Nancy Sullivan and grandchildren

Bricks from Phase III of the Alden Brick Project were Timothy, Christopher laid last fall. The new bricks were interspersed among and Grace. the bricks in the existing walks to save the cost of laying a new walkway. While a few bricks still need The Lumbard family has to be rearranged, the established the Priscilla walks are ready for Lumbard Memorial the Alden House Fund to benefit the 2009 season. Alden House Those wishing to Endowment Fund. Donations may be made to the Endowment have a digital Fund in memory of Priscilla or may be dedicated to a loved one of photo of their your own. If you wish to make a donation of stocks or securities, bricks e-mailed to them may contact please contact our office. Alicia at Example of Phase III Brick Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009 7 Prence’s Packhorse: John Alden and the Quaker Menace

By James W. Baker other men’s goods for keeping the law of Christ; again let Acting Executive Director & Curator the cursed purse be cast out of thy house wherein it held the goods of other men lest through it a moth enter into thy house and a mildew upon thy estate for the keeping of it, and acting for it, thou art no other than packhorse to Thomas Prence; which if in the Council of God thou stand, his present flattery to thee will be turned into enmity and wrath against thee and then would thou see that thou are set in the midst of a company that’s like a hedge of vipers, the best of them is not worthy to hew wood in “John Alden is to e are accustomed to think about John Alden in a the house of our God; receive thee like a W benevolent, even romantic, light, but as with many my instruction into thy heart as people in public office his actual career was not without oil and depart from amongst packhorse, controversy. them; and thou wilt see that it is whereupon thou In 1658, a man named Humphrey Norton sent letters better to live of thine own like a full of invective to Plymouth governor Thomas Prence and poor wise man, and at peace lays thy beastly Duxbury magistrate John Alden, accusing them of religious with God and his people, than bag—cursed are hatred and persecution, and predicting dire consequences to like a self-conceited fool puffed their enforcement of the laws of the Old Colony. To the up with the pride of his heart all they that have a governor, he wrote: because he hath gotten the name hand therein; the “Thomas Prence, thou who has bent thy heart to work of a magistrate, as some of them wickedness and with thy tongue hast set forth deceit; is; in love this is written to cry of vengeance thou imaginest mischief upon thy bed and hachest thy dishearten thee in time before will pursue thee hatred in thy secret chamber, the strength of darkness is the evil day overtake thee, let it day and night…” over thee and a malicious mouth hast thou opened against be so, received from thy friend, God and his Anointed, and by thy tongue and lips hast Humphrey Norton uttered perverse things; thou has slandered the innocent by railing, lying, and false accusations, and with thy Who was Humphrey Norton and what could Prence barbarous heart hast thou caused their blood to be and Alden have done to inspire such a venomous attack? shed…” After a considerable amount in the same vein, Norton was a Quaker, and this was his response to Plymouth Norton continues, “John Alden is to thee like a Colony’s efforts to control the religious protests waged against packhorse, whereupon thou lays thy beastly bag—cursed the laws and social standards of the community. We are used to are all they that have a hand therein; the cry of vengeance thinking of Quakers today as quiet and dignified, but this was will pursue thee day and night for other men’s goods, hard hardly true of the first generation of that group. In the 17th speeches, [and] unrighteous actions, which thou hast century, Quakers were militant religious radicals, not only in done and spoken against others and us, without and their rejection of the Bible-based faith of the Calvinists, but contrary to the righteous law…” also in their aggressive attacks on public officials and ordinary Norton’s missive to John has a slightly different tone: church-going congregations. As Alice Morse Earle relates, the John Alden, I have weighed thy ways and thou art like one early Quakers were given to outrageous acts of protest: fallen from thy first love; a tenderness once I did see in …the Quakers or “Foxians,” as they were often called, thee and moderation to act like a sober man, which interrupted and plagued [New England Puritans] through evil counsel and self-love thou art drawn aside sorely. Judge Sewall wrote, in 1677, “A female quaker, from; if there be in thee any expectation of mercy, do thou Margaret Brewster, in sermon-time came in, in a canvass follow the example of Timothy Hatherly; and withdraw frock, her hair disheveled loose like a Periwig, her face as thy body forever appearing at that beastly bench where the black as ink, led by two other quakers, and two other law of God is cast behind your backs, and from whence quakers followed. / It occasioned the greatest and most God hath withdrawn Himself until He have overturned it amazing uproar that I ever saw.” More grievous irruptions and settled such as shall act according to His law and still of scantily clad and even naked Quaker women were contrary to the law of man; also account thou must for made into other Puritan meetings; and Quaker men that wicked act in sending forth thy warrant to force away shouted gloomily in through the church windows, 8 Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009

“Woe! Woe! Woe to the people!” and, “The Lord will destroy thee!” and they broke glass bottles before the minister’s very face, crying out, “Thus the Lord will break thee in pieces!” and they came into the meeting-house, in spite of the fierce tithingman, and sat down in other people’s seats with their hats on their heads, in ash-covered coats, rocking to and fro and groaning dismally, as if in a mournful obsession. Quaker women managed to obtain admission to the churches, and they jumped up in the quiet Puritan assemblies screaming out, “Parson! thou art an old fool,” and, “Parson! thy sermon is too long,” and, “Parson! sit down! thee has already said more than thee knows how to say well,” and other unpleasant, though perhaps truthful personalities. It is hard to believe that the poor, excited, screaming visionaries of those early days belonged to the same religious sect as do the serene, low-voiced, sweet-faced, and retiring Quakeresses of to-day. They practically defied the Court to do its worst, and put it The first appearance of the Quakers in Plymouth was where it must surrender to them, or, by whipping them in in March, 1657, when Nicholas Upsall arrived in Sandwich from public, create a sympathy for Quakerism.” Perhaps if Gov. Rhode Island. After verbally attacking the local magistrates and Bradford had still been alive, Plymouth’s approach would have ministers who sought to control his proselytizing, Upsall was been different, but Thomas Prence was having none of this. banished back to that more tolerant colony. In early October, Although John Alden arrived in New England without Humphrey Norton arrived for the first time and engaged in any association to Separatist piety as far as we know, he did similar activities, so he too was transported to the Rhode Island become a solid member of the religious community, as the frontier and released. From there he made his way to Southold elegies printed at the time of his death attest. He appears to have on Long Island (then part of the New Haven colony). In March, taken his civic responsibilities seriously as well. What Humphrey 1658, Norton was arrested in Southold for criticizing Rev. Norton saw as John Alden’s particular offence was that Alden, Youngs in church, as well as for trying to “seduce” people from in his role as magistrate, upheld the laws of the colony and attending services, promoting heretical opinions, denying the prosecuted Norton and Rouse when some other magistrates authority of the government, and generally “disturbing the such as Hatherly declined to do so. Such compunction could peace”. He was sent to New Haven, fined twenty pounds, lead to trouble, as when Isaac Robinson (Rev. John’s son), severely whipped, branded with the letter “H” on his hand and Arthur and Henry Howland, and Deacon John Cooke tried to banished once again, then he returned to Plymouth. intervene in the Quakers behalf, they were disenfranchised by In June, 1658, Norton brought another Quaker the Colony government. missionary, John Rouse (who would eventually have his right ear Later writers have deplored the colonists’ “intolerance” and cut off in Boston for proselytizing) to Plymouth. They tried to severity, and certainly the executions of stubborn Quaker draw people away from the established church and undermine “witnesses” in Boston (Plymouth only whipped, fined and the authority of authorities, temporal and spiritual. Brought banished them) was far beyond the call of justice, and King before the Plymouth court, Norton and Rouse were as active in Charles II ordered them to stop this extreme persecution and insult and the “art of irritation” as before. Norton was especially send the offenders back to England for trial. The persecution of abusive towards Prence, who was presiding over the court, the Quakers was without question a tragedy and a dark blot continually interrupting him by saying, “Thou liest”, or upon the record of the New England colonies. “Thomas, thou art a malicious man”, “Thy clamorous tongue I But there are two points that need to be considered. regard no more than the dust beneath my feet”, “Thou art like a While the Quakers did not engage in physical violence, they did scolding woman! Thou pratest, and deridest me,” etc. As “disturb the peace” in very public ways and indulge in extreme Goodwin notes, “the Court seems to have been puzzled as to the levels of personal insult and verbal abuse. Even if we allow that best way of getting rid of these fearless assailants. Finally, when the Quakers’ new vision of Christianity was entirely sincere and the prisoners denounced the Court as without legal authority, their efforts to convert others stemmed from what they truly and claimed to be answerable only to England, they were ordered believed was wrong with contemporary Calvinism, their utter to take the oath of fidelity to England, which the law then self-righteousness and contempt for other people’s feelings and required of every man, citizen, or stranger. Refusing, the pair beliefs surpassed the “intolerance” of their victims in Plymouth were ordered to comply or be whipped for contempt of court ... and elsewhere, who were ready to allow others freedom of Aldens’ Progress Spring 2009 9 conscience if not liberty of action. DIRECTOR’S CORNER What was perhaps more significant, however, was in their explicit disrespect and rejection of the faith and beliefs of the We held the third annual Alden communities they attacked, they struck at the heart of what was Kindred “Speak For Thyself Awards th most important to the people of New England, their religion. The Dinner” on November 15 , 2008 at colonies had been founded by people profoundly concerned with the Duxbury Senior Center. We the proper exercise of religion, and they had fled persecution in honored three women who are England to be able to worship as they thought best. Agonizing leaders in the Duxbury community. over what the Bible indicated they should do and striving mightily The recipients were Anne to be good Christians, they were seriously offended when Quakers Antonellis, President of the and other schismatics such as Samuel Gorton told them the Bible Duxbury Business Association and wasn’t a true guide, that they had gotten it all wrong, and President of Duxbury Mortgage; challenged their precious Christianity identity. Holly Morris, Chair of the Duxbury Community Preservation This was more than many church and colony leaders Committee: and Betsy Sullivan, Duxbury Selectman and Vice- could stomach—being told they were failures in the very thing President of Boston Private Bank & Trust Company. they valued above all—their Christian faith. What they did was wrong, but it was understandable in the situation at the time, and after the initial shock of the Quakers’ assault on their culture wore off, Plymouth Colony in time moved towards accommodating such challenges (even as conservatives passed more stringent laws against heresy). The Quakers’ self-assurance, aggressive conduct and eagerness for martyrdom made them extremely difficult to deal with. Convinced that their immediate “inner light” connection with God made them inspired prophets and superior to all earthly laws and commands, they obeyed their own “light” to challenge orthodox Christianity and proselytize for the Quaker faith, seriously disrupting the community. As Langton concludes, Holly Morris, Anne Antonellis, Betsey Sullivan “Plymouth tried patience and forbearance, but they did not work, 2008 Speak for Thyself Awardees for when banished, the Quakers returned to continue their We had Schucks present a raw bar consisting of fresh Duxbury harassment of the established churches. Faced with the oysters, clams and shrimp which everyone enjoyed. Jimmy Fagan, a alternatives of allowing them to roam at will through the colony local colorful sportscaster, was our MC and had the place howling. or to fight them with repression the colony chose the second The Belle-tones provided the entertainment with World War II course. New Plymouth was neither the best nor the worst of the four Puritan colonies [Plymouth, Massachusetts, New Haven and songs of The Andrew Sisters All in all 110 people had a very Connecticut] in its treatment of the Quakers.” enjoyable evening. The PR from the press was excellent and we raised $7500.

1. C. H. Simmons, ed. Plymouth Colony Records. Volume 2: Wills. Camden, The “Speak for Thyself Awards” dinner returns to the summer Maine: Picton Press, p. 545. season in 2009! The Alden signature event will take place on 2. C. H. Simmons, ed. Plymouth Colony Records. Volume 2: Wills. Camden, Saturday, June 20, from 5 to 8 PM at the Duxbury Senior Center. Maine: Picton Press, Don’t miss this spectacular Alden evening . p. 547. “Other men’s goods” probably indicates fines levied on offenders. 3. Alice Morse Earle. The Sabbath in Puritan New England. NY: Charles We are in the planning stages for the reception and presentation of Scribner’s’ Sons, 1893, p. 230. the plaques by the US Interior Department for the National 4. John A. Goodwin. The Pilgrim Republic. Boston: Ticknor and Co., 1888, p. Historic Landmark designation to the Alden Kindred and the 483. Town of Duxbury for the Alden House Historic Site and the 5. George D. Langton, Jr. Pilgrim Colony: A History of New Plymouth, 1620- Alden First site. This will take place during the Annual Reunion 1691. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1966, p. 75. on August 1, 2009.

We will also have a float in the Duxbury Fourth of July Parade, which will be saluting the Alden House.

Alden “Rink” Ringquist, Director 2 They Also Faced an Uncertain Future

ohn and Priscilla faced an uncertain future when the Mayflower, their only link with the outside world, sailed away on April 5, J 1621. It was up to them to survive on their own in an unfamiliar, challenging new land. They had no idea on that fateful day what lay ahead, but by working together the Pilgrim community prevailed. We know now that they met the challenge with faith, determination and self-reliance and that the tiny foothold they established on the rugged shores of New England grew and prospered to become the great nation we are heirs to.

In these financially perilous times, we can appreciate in some small way the insecurity that our ancestors dealt with in their quest for survival and freedom. Their separation from all they knew in the old world, their need for self-reliance in a distant land, the frightening voyage, the terrible first winter, and finally the departure of the Mayflower leaving them on their own to prosper or to perish must have been overwhelming. It was up to them to make the best of a difficult situation. Now we must do the same.

Like John and Priscilla, we know not what new challenges lay ahead. What we do know is, like the Pilgrims, we must work together and rely upon our kindred to preserve the Alden House and the ideals that it embodies. We must emulate their faith and their fortitude in finding our path through the problems that lay ahead.

We urge you to support the Alden heritage. Please join with your cousins and give generously to the Alden Kindred of America so that the work of the all the generations before us who preserved the Alden property and cherished the memory of the sacrifices and triumphs of John and Priscilla is not lost amid the upheavals and dislocations of these difficult times. My Donation to the Alden Kindred of America is enclosed Alden Kindred of America, PO Box 2754, Duxbury MA 02331-2754

NAME: ______ADDRESS: ______City______State: ______Zip: ______Phone: ( ) ______E-mail: ______Check enclosed □ Credit Card: Master Card □ Visa □ ______Exp. Date ____/____ (Card # ) (month/year) Signature: ______Date: ______$25 □ $50 □ $100 □ $250 □ Other $______If you would like to give a gift of stocks or bonds, please contact Finance Committee co-chairs Paul Clemente ([email protected], 617-322-1772) or Blair Stanford ([email protected], 617-549-2876). Aunt Polly’s Gift Shop 11

BK-19. Alden House History: A Work in Progress CH-20. I'm an Alden - Teddy Bear by James W. Baker, Curator. Choice of: This is the first comprehensive history of the White Bear/Green Shirt Alden House to be published. It tells the story Pink Bear/White Shirt of how the Alden family acquired their home- Brown Bear/Blue shirt. stead in Duxbury, about two houses they built $22.00 on the homestead (and the unsolved mystery of a possible third house), about the people who lived in the Alden House that still stands today, and about the Alden Kindred’s century of stewardship of the house and property. Paper, 60 pgs. $6.00.

CL-04. For the Alden baby who has everything! For the very newest generation of Aldens…adorable baby BK-01. The Alden Family in the Alden bibs! Terry cloth bib has snap clo- House. The definitive work on the Alden sure and your choice of blue, pink or green lettering! $8.50

Family who resided in the Alden House over the centuries. Colorfully told by former Dux- CH-16. Jacob's Ladder bury town historian, Dorothy Wentworth. The Jacob's Ladder toy date Well illustrated. Hardcover. (Note: This back to Pilgrim times in edition is expanded from the original and America. The toy is called now includes an index.) Price $24.95. “Jacob's Ladder” because its seemingly endless tumbling of blocks is said to resemble the patriarch Jacob’s dream of angels continu- BK-24. Harvest of the Years: The Alden Heritage in Pictures ously ascending and descending a ladder to heaven. $10 by James W. Baker, Curator. A "viewbook" album of over 80 historic images (some color) of the Alden JWL-01. "Plymouth Rocks" Charm Necklace JWL-02. “Alden Soil” Charms Necklace House, the "1627/28 First Site" and illustrations in- These necklaces are beautifully crafted by a local Plymouth lady. The spired by Longfellow's Court- Plymouth one features a lovely miniature glass bottle containing rocks ship of Miles Standish, pub- and 'other treasures' collected on the Plymouth shore adjacent to Ply- lished in honor of the Alden mouth Rock. (It is quite impossible to obtain House Historic Site's Na- and sell 'pieces of the rock' as you can imag- tional Historic Landmark ine.) The Alden version contains soil from status. Paper, 90 pgs. $15 the Alden’s original homesite. Adjustable in length from choker to pendant. Please indicate your choice. $11.50 See more items on our website at www.alden.org!

GIFT SHOP ORDER FORM Name: ______Date: ______Address: ______Phone: ______City/State ______ZIP ______Email: ______Item Code Item Description: Unit Price Number Totals # ______$______$______# ______$______$______# ______$______$______# ______$______$______# ______$______$______

Check/MO or Credit Card □MC □VISA No: ______Exp: Mo___ Yr___ Shipping (10%) $______

Signature: ______Handling $3.50 MA tax (non-clothing items) 5%-MA residents only $______Make checks payable to: Alden Kindred of America (Send to: Alden Kindred of America, Inc., P.O. Box 2754, Duxbury, MA, 02331-2754) Total $ ______

Alden Kindred of America, Inc. Non-Profit Alden House Historic Site Organization PO Box 2754 U.S. Postage Duxbury MA 02331-2754 PAID Duxbury, MA Located at 105 Alden Street Permit No. 9 Duxbury, Massachusetts

Address Service Requested

Speak for Thyself Awards Evening Honoring Exceptional Women June 20, 2009 Duxbury Senior Center Duxbury MA 5—8 pm

Honorees: Tania Cooper Patriota, UNFPA Representative in Haiti Therese Murray, President Massachusetts Senate Dorothy Snow Bicknell, Project Gurnet and Bug Light Joanne Moore, Duxbury Senior Center

Cocktails, raw bar and dinner will start at 5:00 p.m. Donation of $75 per person to benefit the Alden House Historic Site. Call 781-934-9092