Chron. of Pilgrim Fathers — Chapter 8 (Part 7 of 9)

and worthies of our Israel, he hath not hitherto left us without a Joshua, to lead us in the remaining part of our pilgrimage. When the usual time for the renewing of our election, of such as should govern us, came, Mr. Thomas Prince was, by a unanimous vote, chosen governor; and although men’s spirits were so distempered, as I have related, and it might have been expected that they would have been much divided in their choice; yet God, who disposeth the lot that is cast into the lap, so disposed that all their votes centred there; a good demonstration that he was chosen of God for us, and by his blessing made an instrument of much peace and settlement in this place, and to this people, in these times of trouble and confusion. The Lord also directing the freemen of this jurisdiction, at the same time, in their election, to the choice of a discreet and able council, to be assistant unto our said honoured governor, in this so weighty a work, divers of them being descended of several of the honoured magistrates deceased, not only bearing their names, but having a large measure of their spirit bestowed on them, befitting them for such work; so as through the goodness of God, those storms that seemed to threaten the subversion of our all, and did at first prevail, to the disturbing and shaking of many towns and churches, and to the great discouragement of the ministers in divers places, do seem to be pretty well blown over; such uncomfortable jars, as have been sometimes thought incurable, seem to be thoroughly reconciled and healed; our towns, for the most part, supplied with godly and able ministers, and we sit under our vines and fig-trees in peace, enjoying both civil and religious liberties; for which goodness of the Lord, let his holy name be praised; and may he grant us so to improve our present opportunities, as he may have some suitable returns, and we may have cause to hope in his grace for the continuance of such favours.

This year that much honoured and worthy gentleman, Mr. Theophilus Eaton, governor of New Haven, deceased, who was very eminent, both on a religious and civil account. His death proved a great blow to that jurisdiction, and was seconded, not long after, with the loss of another precious man amongst them, namely, Mr. Francis Newman.¹²

Eaton, so meek, so wise, so fam’d, so just,
The Phœnix of our world here hides his dust,
His name forget, New England never must.

—Trumb. Connec., i. 240.

Governor Hopkins of Connecticut, son-in-law of Governor Eaton, died about the same time, in England. To this gentleman, New England is indebted for his liberal bequests. His whole estate in this country, which was very considerable, was given away to charitable purposes.—Trumb. Connec., i. 241.

In this year, 1657, in the month of November, Mr. Garret set sail on a voyage for England, from Boston; in whose ship, amongst many considerable passengers, there went Mr. Thomas Mayhew, jun., of Martin’s Vineyard, who was a very precious man. He was well skilled, and had attained to a great proficiency in the Indian language, and had a great propensity upon his spirit to promote God’s glory in their conversion, whose labours God blessed for the doing of much good amongst them; in which respect he was very much missed amongst them, and bewailed by them, as also in reference unto the preaching of God’s word amongst the English there. The loss of him was very great. Many other sad losses befel sundry others in the country, by the loss of that ship, both in their estates and dear relations, to the great grief and saddening of the hearts of many.

1658.

This year Mr. Thomas Prince was elected governor of the jurisdiction of New Plimouth. Mr. William Collier, Mr. John Alden, Capt. Thomas Willett, Capt. Josias Winslow, Lieut. Thomas Southworth, Mr. William Bradford,¹³

“He lived long, but still was doing good;
And in his country’s service lost much blood.
After a life well- spent, he’s now at rest;
His very name and memory is blest.”

William Bradford, his grandson, was Senator of the United States from Rhode Island. He lived at Mount Hope, and died in 1808, leaving many descendants.