Memoir of the Rev. William Robinson, formerly pastor of the Congregational Church in Southington, Connecticut; with some account of his ancestors in this country

Preface

It is now a quarter of a century, since I began, while residing in Boston, to make some inquiries respecting the ancestors of the Kev. John Kobinson of Duxbury, my greatgrandfather. I had communication at the time with the Eev, Dr. T. M. Harris, Pastor in Dorchester, distinguished as an archeeologist ; but, neither with his aid nor in any other way, was I able to bring the Minister of Duxbury into direct connection with either of the families of the name in Dorchester ; from which town it was known that he originated.

About ten years later, the like researches were again taken up ; and in September, 1844, I visited Plymouth and Duxbury partly on this errand. The late Nathanael Morton Davis, Esq. of Plymouth, was so kind as to accompany me to Duxbury. We visited the old cemetery and the graves of the Kev. Mr. Wiswall and Mary Robinson ; but found no early records either of the church or of the town. We were told, that all the phurch records, prior to about 1740, had been destroyed by fire. Two years later, Mr. Davis found a volume of the town records, covering the period of the ministry of Mr. Robinson ; and sent me various extracts from it, which are used in the following work. At the same time, iv PREFACE.

(1844, 1845,) I was in correspondence with the hxte Dr. T. W. Harris, Professor and Librarian in Harvard University, and abo with Mr. Ebenezer Clapp Jr. of Dorchester, the well-known antiquarian ; to both of whom I have likewise been greatly indebted in subsequent inquiries. But even with their zealous aid, I could then arrive at no definite conclusions ; and the matter was again suffered to rest.

After another interval of ten years, my attention was again called to the subject by a request from the Rev. Dr. Sprague, in May 1854, to furnish a brief memoir of my father, to be inserted in an early volume of his " Annals of the American Pulpit." I was able, two years later, to supply the materials, from which he himself condensed the article contained in that work, Vol. II. p. 131.

In reply to some inquiries made on that occasion at Lebanon, my father's native place, I learned, for the first time, that the family record of his grandfather, the Minister of Duxbury, was still in existence ; and likewise, along with it, that of his son, Ichabod Robinson. It appears, that these leaves had been cut out of the old family Bible and preserved, when the latter, with other effects, was sold at auction. These records were transmitted to me, and remain in my possession. A single entry, in the handwriting of Mr. Robinson of Duxbury, settles the question of his descent ; showing him to have been a son of Samuel Robinson, and grandson of William Robinson of Dorchester ; whose name first appears as a member of the Dorchester church, in 1636 or 1637. A clue was thus obtained, by which I have since been able to trace out most of the genealogical and historical facts connected with the Duxbury Pastor. The question as to his supposed descent from the Rev. John Robinson of Leyden, which I have treated of in

PREFACE. V

a Supplementary Note at the end of Part I. may now, I hope, so far as any evidence is known to exist, be considered as definitely set at rest in the negative.

The materials from which the Memoir of my father has been drawn up, are mainly specified in the course of the work. They are few and scattered. The chief sources during the period included in the present century, are the recollections of his family and of other persons still living ; verified by comparison with occasional entries and recorded dates, wherever such exist.

In the Appendix, along with other matters, I have inserted somewhat extended, though imperfect, notices of the femilies into which my father married. Not unnaturally, that of my mother's family exhibits more fulness than the rest ; inasmuch as a considerable portion of it is drawn from my own personal recollections. The preparation of these notices required no little investigation and correspondence ; and I have everywhere given the sources of the information, and expressed my obligations to those who aided my inquiries.

Besides the acknowledgments already made, my special thanks are due to the friends, who so kindly furnished the letters comprised in Section VI. of the Memoir, Two of the writers have already gone to their rest. I desire also to record my obligations to the Hon. James Savage LL. D. of Boston, and to Learned Hebard, Esq. of Lebanon, the present proprietor of the former family homestead. I have likewise received important notices and papers from Ashbel Woodward M. D. of Franklin, Conn, and from E. C. Herrick, Esq. Treasurer of Yale College.

This little work, brief and imperfect as it is, has not been yi PREFACE.

compiled but at the expense of much time and labour. It has been prepared in constant consultation with my surviving brothers and sister ; and we offer it, as a filial though humble tribute, to the meiuory of a loved and venerated parent,

E. K.

New Yokk, January, 1859.

Part I

ANCESTORS OF THE REV. WILLIAM ROBINSON.

Intkoduction. — Earliest ancestors in Dorchester, Mass. 1. Settlement of Dorchester, 1. Removal of the chiu-ch to Windsor, Conn. 1, 2. Rev. Richard Mather and church in Dorchester, 2. Date of covenant, etc. 2, 3.

I. William Robinson of Dorchester,

His name first found as appended later to the church covenant, 3. Notices, 3, 4. Owner of a tide-mill, 4. Where situated, 4, 5. He is killed in the said mill, 5, 6. His family, 6, 7. His will, 7, 8.

II. Sajiuel Robinson of Dorchester.

Son of William ; notices, 9. His children, 9. His estate ; no will or settlement yet found, 10.

Samuel Robinson Jk. son of Samuel ; notices, 10. His epitaph, 10. His descendants ; male line extinct, 11.

III. Rev. John Robinson of Duxbury.

Second son of Samuel Robinson ; proof, 11. Notices, 12. Goes as missionary to Pennsylvania, 12. Recommendation of Boston ministers, 12. Joins the church in Dorchester, 12, 13. Receives a call to Duxbury, 13.

DuxBDRY and its early ministers, 13. Rev. Ichabod Wiswall, 13. The WiswaU family, 14, 15. Notices, 15. Marries PrisciUa Pabodie, grand-daughter of John Alden and PrisciUa MuUins, 16. — John Alden, 16. Priscilla MuLLiNS, 17. Theur children, 17. Elisabeth Pabodie, 17, 18. — Family record of Rev. ISIr. Wiswall, 18. His ministry, 19. Letter to Gov. Hinckley, 19. His salary increased, 19. Goes to England, 20. Is agent there for Plymouth colony, 20. The town grants him land, 21. His death and epitaph, 21. His character, 22. Peleg Wiswall his son, 22. Receives a grant from Massachusetts for his father's services, 22. Reflections, 22, 23.

viii CONTENTS.

Delay in the settlement of Mb. Robinson, 23. Votes of the town, 23, 24. He transfers his church relations to Duxbury, 24. His ordination, 24. Marries Hannah Wiswall, 24. His family record, 25. Names compared, 25. Death of Mrs. Robinson and her daughter Mary by drowning, 26. Mary's epitaph, 26. The body of the mother found on Cape Cod, and there buried, 26, 27. Recent disappearance of her monument, 27. Her husband's record, 27. Elegy by Rev. Mr. Pitcher, 28, 29. Tradition, 29. — Ministry and character of Mr. Robinson, 30 sq- His library, 30. His preaching, 30. His eccentricity ; anecdotes, 31-33. Better side of his character, 34.. Pecuniary diiKculties with his people, 34. His salary in arrears ; votes of the town, 34, 35. His proposed dismissal ; votes and answer, 35, 36. Protest of the minority, 37. Further proceedings; violence, 37-39. Mutual council called ; its proceedings, 39. Result, dismissing and recommending Mr. Robinson, 39, 40. His last receipt, 40. Situation of his family, 40. Removes to Lebanon, 41. His property, 41. His general character, 42. Gives up his real estate to his two sons, 42. His death and epitaph, 42, 43. Obituary notice in the Boston Weekly Messenger, 43. His will, 44, 45. Inventory, 45.

Descendants of Rev. John Robinson, 4G-49.

IV. IcHABOD Robinson of Lebanon.

Birth and notices, 40. Exchanges his homestead, 50. A respected merchant, 50. Is Clerk of Probate, 50. Twice married, 50, 51. His family record, 51-53. His business, 53. His general character, 53. Aunt Nabby Hyde, 54. DifEculty with the TnimbuU family, 54. Anecdotes, 54, 55. His library, 55. His later years, 55, 56. His death, 56. His will, 5G. Letter of Prof. Silliman, 5G. Letter of Hon. Joseph Trumbull, 57.

Descendants of Ichabod Robinson, 59.

Supplementary Note.

Was the Rev. John Robinson of Duxbury descended from the Rev. John Robinson of Leyden ? 60-63.

Part II

MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM ROBINSON.

Section I. His Birth and Education. 1754-1780

Pages 65-75.

His birth, 65. Scanty materials for his biography, 65. His mother, 66. Grammar School in Lebanon, 66. Master Tisdale, 66. n. Enters Yale College as Sophomore, 67. Classmates, 67. His tutors, 67. His accounts in college ; books, 67 68. Habits of study, 68. Prize for declamation, 68. His friend Ezra Samp-

CONTENTS. ix

son, 68. The two are leading scholars, G9. No valedictory, 69. Berkeley Scholarship ; conditions, 69, 70. The two friends elected Scholars of the House, 70. Commencement in 1773 ; report, 70, 71. Mr. Robinson teaches school at Windsor, 71.

He returns to Yale College as resident Scholar, 72. His receipt for the Berkeley donation, 12. Enters upon the study of theology, 72. His associates, Dwight and Buckminster, 72. Unites with the college church, 72. Private covenant, 72. Is licensed to preach, 72. Takes his second degree, 73. Occupies himself in study and preaching, 73. Is invited to preach as a candidate at Northampton, 73. Eev. Dr. Stiles becomes President of Yale College, 74. Mr. Robinson as Tutor, 74. He preaches in the adjacent towns, 74, 75. His acquaintance with Dr. Bellamy ; veneration for him, 75. Anecdotes of Dr. Bellamy, 75.

Section II. His Skttlement in Southington. 1780

Southington; its situation, 76. First settlement ; early family names, 76, 7 7. Imperfect records, 77. Was part of Farmington, 77. Asks to be set oflP as a society ; votes, 77, 78. Petition to the General Assembly, 78, 79. Petition granted, 79. Petition for leave to lay a tax, 79. The Society small and feeble, 80. The first meeting-house, 80. Earliest preacher and settlers, 80. Reflections, 80. — Inconvenience of worshipping at Farmington, 81. Rev. Mr. Curtiss the first Pastor ; notices, 81. His epitaph, 81. Rev. Mr. Chapman ; notices and epitaph, 82. State of the church during their ministry, 82. Graduates at college, 83. — The town agricultural and poor, 83. The name Panthorn, 83. Meeting-houses, 84. The town incorporated ; its boundaries, 84.

Mr. Robinson's first preaching at Southington, 84. His call ; votes of the society, 84, 85. Action of the church, 85. Mr. Robinson's letter of acceptance, 86, 87. Preparations for his ordination, 87. Articles of faith, 88. Ordaining council ; letters missive, 88, 89. Hard winter and heavy snow, 89. Difficulty of travelling ; the ordination delayed, 89. Dr. Stiles' record of the council and ordination, he being the preacher, 89-91. Reflections, 91, 92.

Section III. First Half of his Ministry. 1780-1800

Few records, 93. Mr. Robinson boards in the family of Deac. T. Clark, 93. Marries Naomi Wolcott, 93. Sets up housekeeping in a hired house, 94. Difficulties of the times ; economy, 94. Depreciation of money, 94. Mercy, a coloured domestic, and her son Peter, 94, 95. Illness and death of his sister Mary, 95. Birth of first child, 95. March of the French army through Southington, 95, 96. Stragglers, 96. Small-pox, inoculation, private hospitals, 96. Mrs. Robinson inoculated ; her death, 96. Letter of Mr. Robinson to his father, 96-98. Her

X CONTENTS.

character and epitaph, 98. Mr. Robinson turns his attention to agriculture, 99. Purchases a house and homestead, 99. His neighbours, 99. Means of payment, 99. Farming operations, 100. His diligence as Pastor, 100, — He marries Sophia Mosely, 100. Her only child William, 100, 101. Her death and epitaph, 100, 101.

Complaints of parishioners ; Mr. Robinson's proposal, 101. Prepares students for college, 101. — He marries Anne Mills, 102. Grows in reputation, 102. Included in Dr. Stiles' enumeration of New School divines, 102. Dr. Stiles' judgment of the New Divinity men, 102, 103. His prediction as to the writings of Pres. Edwards, 103. — Further purchase of land, 104. Bii^th of eldest daughter, 104. Illness and death of Mrs. Robinson ; her character and epitaph, 104. — Theological students ; Asahel Hooker, 105. Farming operations successful ; more land purchased, 105. Dr. Stiles' account of Mr. Robinson's fiirming, 105 ; and of " Wealthy Ministers in Connecticut," 105, 106.

Mr. Robinson marries Elisabeth Norton ; notices, 106. Further purchases of land, and a mill, 106, 107. Miss Clara enters the family as a domestic, and remains till death, 107. Her character and epitaph, 107. — New contract with the society, 108. Widely engaged in agricultural pursuits, 108. Drawn off from the full cultivation of his powers, 108. Want of literary society, 108, 109. Graduates at college from Southington, 109. — State and increase of the church, 109. Question as to the " Half-way covenant," 109, 110. Decision of the church, 110.

Testimony to the character of Mr. Robinson at the close of this period, 110. From the Rev. Dr. Porter, afterwards of Andover, 111. From the Rev. Dr. Sprmg, of New York, 111. Reflections, 112.

Section FV.

Latteh Half of his Ministry. 1800-1821.

General activity, 113. Farming operations more systematized, 113. Lets out cows to Goshen, 113. Family dairy, 114. Wool and flax manufactured at home, 114. Hired labourers, 114. His sons brought up to labour, 114. Visits his labourers in the field daily, 114. Sometimes aids in their labours, 114. His plans all practical, 114, 115. Introduces rotation of crops; clover, 115. Great crop of rye, 115. Indian corn ; plaster of Paris, 115. Anecdote, 115, 116. Manufacture of tin ware in Southington; tin pedlars, 116. Other manufactures, 116. Unfavourable influences, 116. Mr. Robinsons efforts, 117. He encourages agriculture in various ways, 117. Is ever ready to aid othsrs, 117, 118. Is sometimes disappointed; losses, 118.

His duties as pastor regularly fulfilled, 118. His preaching and visiting, 118. Regular attendance of the congregation, 118, 119. Complaints of some, 119. Committee appointed, 119. Mr. Robinson's answer and offer; the matter dropped, 119. Journey to the Whitestown country, 119, 120. Journey up the valley of Connecticut river, 120. — Death of his eldest son, William ; notices, 120. His epitaph, 121. Spotted fever in Southington, 121. Sale of half his mill, 122.

Reminiscences of Southington, 122-126. The first and second meeting-houses.

CONTENTS. Xi

122-123. Associations, 123. Sabba'day houses, 123. The deacons, 124. The aged men, 124. — Physicians, 124, 125. Lawyers, 125. Merchants, 125. Other leading men, 126.

Marriage of Mr. Robinson's eldest daughter, 12G. She removes to Catskill ; notices, 126. Hei* father's first visit, 120. Ezra Sampson in Hudson, 126, 127. His letter to Mr. Robinson, 127, 128. Tlieir last interview, 128.

Infirmities of Mr. Robinson, 128. Habits and symptoms, 128. His hxbours and success, as pastor, increase, 128, 129. Letter to the church and society, asking for a colleague, 129. The church vote unanimously to comply, 130. The society decline the request, 130. Reflections, 131. Mr. Robinson continues to preach, 131. Subsequent vote of the society, 131. Mr. Robinson's reply, 132. Society votes to call a mutual council for his dismissal, 182. No record of the causes or conditions, 132, 133. Further information, 133, 134. The action of the society thus far ex parte; Mr. Robinson's letter to the church, 134. The church consents to a council, 135. Recoi-d of the council and its proceedings, 135, 136. Public services of dismission, 137. Notices, 137. Unanimity and attachment of the church, 137. — History and increase of the church during this period, 137. Large additions, 137, 138.

Section V. His LAST Years, Death, and Character. 1821-1825

Plans ; relief from cares, 139. Pleasant relations with his successor, 139. Habits ; reading, 139, 140. His infirmities increase, 140. His last domestic afiliction; illness and death of his wife, 140-142. Her character, 142. Her epitaph, 142. — Mr. Robinson continues to decline, 143. Brief convalescence, 143. He overtasks himself; a relapse, 143, 144. Disease and lethargy, 144. His death, 144. Funeral, 145. His epitaph, 145.

Character. His person, 145. Habit of early rising, 146. Habits of business, 146. Minor cares, 146. Diligent supervision, 147. Fixed habits ; a man of home, 147. His sound judgment, 147. Political views, 148. Mr. Gallatin, 148. His hospitality, 149. Dr. Dwight, 149, 150. Anecdotes, 150.— As a Pastor ; his interest in Common Schools, 151. His parochial visits, 151. His interest in missions, 152. — As a Preacher ; doctrinal, etc. 152. Familiar with the Bible, 152. Appearance and manner in the pulpit, 153. EflPect of his preaching, 153, 154, His discourses perhaps too exclusively doctrinal, 154. Encourages his people to discuss doctrinal topics with him, 154. Parallel between city and country hearers, 154. — As a Theologian ; his characteristics, 154, 155. His librar}'', 155. — ^Personal Address, 155. Retiring and imostentatious, 155. This shrinking nature weighed him down, 156. Remembrances of his children, 156. His estate, 156, 157.

Xii CONTENTS.

Section VI

Letters on the Character of Mr. Robinson.

Pages 158-185.

Introductory remarks, 158.

I. Letters from Mejibers of his Congregation. — From Rev. Fosdic Harrison, 159-165. — From Julius S. Barnes M. D. 165-167. — From Romeo Lowrey, Esq. 167-171.

II. Letters from his Successors in the Ministry. — From tlie Rev. David L. Ogden, 171-173.— From the Rev. Elisha C. Jones, 173, 174.

III. Letters from Members of Hartford South Association. — From the Rev. Royal Robbins, 175-177. From the Rev. Joab Brace D. D. 177-181.

IV. Letters from other Clerg^tnien. — From the Rev. Noah Porter D. D. 181-183.— From the Rev. Heman Humphrey D. D. 184, 185.

Section VII

Children of Rev. William Robinson, and their Descendants. Pages 186-190.

Their names, etc. 186-189.

Supplementary Note. — Their relation to early ancestors in New England, 189-190.

Appendix

A. Letter from the Hon. James Savage, LL. D. - - 191, 192

B. Monument of Mrs. Hannah Robinson, at Provincetown. Its

Disappearance, _____ 192-195

C. Yale College. — The Valedictory. The Berkeley Scholarship, 196, 197

D. The Wolcott Family, _ _ . - _ 197-199

E. The Mosely Family, _____ 200, 201

F. The Mills Family, _.-_-_ 201-204 (t. Wealthy' Ministers in Connecticut, _ _ _ 205 H. The Norton Family, _ . - _ - 206-211 K. The Strong AND Hooker Families, _ _ _ 211-214

L The Strong Family, ... - 211-213

n. The Hooker Family, _ _ _ - 213, 214

PART I.

ANCESTORS OF THE REV. WILLIAM ROBINSON.

Introduction

The earliest ancestors of the Eev. William Eobinson, in this country, were residents of the town of Dorchester, Mass. but were not among its original settlers. The first settlement of that town took place in a. d. 1630, by a company which assembled at Plymouth in Devonshire, England, from that and the adjacent counties. Before embarking they were constituted as a church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Maverick and the Rev. Mr, Warham (or Wareham), who both accompanied them to the New World. Dorchester was thus the earliest organized community in the colony of Massachusetts.

In A. D. 1635, many of the inhabitants of Dorchester became desirous of removing to the banks of the Connecticut river ; and during the summer several of them visited the tract around Windsor, Conn. In November of that year a large company, with their flocks and herds, proceeded thither through the forest, enduring great hardships on the way, and 1 losing a large portion of their cattle. In the spring of 1636, they were followed by the Eev. Mr. Warham and other settlers ; the Rev. Mr. Maverick having died at Boston the preceding winter. In this way the main body of the church at Dorchester, with their surviving pastor, emigrated to Windsor, taking with them the church records. Thus the church organization at Dorchester was entirely broken up.

In August, 1635, there arrived at Boston a company of about a hundred emigrants, who had embarked at Bristol in England. With them was the Rev. Richard Mather, the father of Increase and grandfather of Cotton Mather. Other companies of emigrants came over about the same time, either in that or the following year. Many of these emigrants settled down in Dorchester, and purchased the lands left vacant by the former residents. Mr. Mather was invited to the work of the ministry in Plymouth, in Roxbury, and in Dorchester. By the advice of the Rev, Mr. Cotton and the Rev. Mr. Hooker, he chose the latter place. A partial attempt was made to form another church in April, 1636 ; but it was not then successful; and the church was' not organized until the following August. The covenant bears date Aug. 23d, 1636,* and was signed by Richard Mather and six others. Mr. Mather continued to be their pastor until his death, in April, 1669.

Those members of the former church, who did not remove to Windsor, did not all become members of the new organization. The name of Roger Clap, for example, is not found in the records of Mr. Mather's church.

The covenant drawn up (probably) by Mr. Mather, forms the introduction to the early book of records of the present

* Tliis date, and all others in the following family records, before A. d. 1752, are of course Old Style. Up to that time, the year in the English mode of reckonino- began with the 25th day of March ; and March was regarded as the first month, April as the second, etc. The time, however, between January 1st and March 25th, which in the Old Style belonged to the old year, and in the New Style to the new year, was for a century or more before 1752, as a matter of convenience, marked with both years; thus, Feb. 14, 168f, or 1686-7. By act of Parliament the 'id of Sept. 1752, was ordered to be called Sept. 14th, thus dropping eleven days.

Part I.] WILLIAM ROBINSON. 3

first church in Dorchester. It is followed by a list of " the names of such as, since the constituting or gathering of the church at Dorchester, have been added to that church, and joined themselves as members of the same body." This list contains no dates ; but as 'no other admissions are recorded until 4th 9th mo. (Nov. 4,) 1639, the list must cover an interval of more than three years.*

William Robinson of Dorchester.

In the list above described is found the name of William Robinson, the earliest ancestor of the family in this country. He was of course not one of the original founders of the church. From the position of his name, however, near the beginning of the said list, it is probable that he had joined the church in 1636, or early in 1637, not many months after its organization.f Of his antecedent history not a trace has yet been found ; but the circumstances just narrated naturally suggest the hypothesis, that he came over from England, either in the company led by Mr. Mather, or in some one of th-3 other companies which arrived in 1635 and 1636.

William Robinson is said to have gone to England in 1644, and returned the following year. His name stands enrolled in the artillery company of Boston, now known as " the Ancient and Honorable." ij: He appears first as a grantee of land in 1656. He also bought the tide-mill, now known

* The preceding facts are matters of general history. I have used mainly the History of the Town of Dorchester, Boston, 1851, etc.; Memoirs of Roger Clap, Boston, 1844 ; Journal and Life of Richard Mather, Boston, 1850. The last two tracts constitute Nos. I and 3 of " Collections of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society." What is here or elsewhere said of the Dorchester Churoh Records,- rests on personal examination.

f He is sometimes reported as having become a freeman of Dorchester in 1636 which would also imply church membership; Hist, of Dor. p. 132. But no record has yet been iidduced to sustain this report, though it is not unlikely to be true.

I History of the Ancient and Hon, Artillery Company, p. 133.

as Tileston's mill, of Edward Breck.* He was chosen rater (or assessor) of Dorchester, m 1658, 1660, and 1661, and was constable in 1659 ; but seems to have attained to no higher office.f

As this tide-mill is an important item in connection with the life and tragical death of Mr. Robinson, I insert here some })assages of letters received from the late Dr. T. W. Harris, })rofessor and librarian in Harvard University, dated March 28th, April 6th, and May 30th, 1855, the year of his own decease. They throw light upon this portion of the antiquities of Dorchester.

" We know that he [William Robinson] owned a ' corn tide-mill ' in Dorchester ; half of which, with a small house, he sold to one Tileston. Said mill is extant in Dorchester to this day ; and is known still as Tileston's mill. Many a grist of corn I have carried on horseback to that mill, to be ground, when I was a boy, and was put upon the horse, with the bag duly balanced for my seat." $

" The extract in my memorandum book from the deed of Robinson to Tileston, though very short, sufficiently identifies the spot, when taken in connection with other well-known facts. It is this : ' Oct 7, 1664, AVilliam Robinson of Dorchester, husbandman, and Margaret his wife, consideration £96, sell to Timothy Tileston of Dorchester, cooper, a house and ten acres of land in Dorchester, bounded by Tide-mill Creeke ; and half a corn water-mill standing on the tide in the creeke, commonly called Salt Creeke or Brooke, near Captaine's Neck. Witnessed by Timothy Ffoster, Thomas Tileston, and John Minot.' §

" Now we know, that Tileston's mill, so called for many years, was a tide-mill built on a dam crossing a saltwater creek ; into the upper end of which creek flowed a brook,

* These circumstances are taken from the History of Dorchester, pp 132, 133 ; but the authority for the first and last is not there given. •)■ Blake's Annals of Dorchester, Boston, 18iG. I MS. Letter of March 28, 1855. § Suffolk Deeds, Book VI. p. 1.

Part I.] WILLL\M ROBINSON. 5

probably once a considerable stream. Said mill was situated midway between Commercial Point (which we believe is what was formerly Captaine's Neck) and Harrison Square ; and the road from the latter to the former passes over what was the dam across said creek. In a former letter I made mention of going to mill on horseback when a little boy, and carrying my corn to what was then Tileston's tide-mill, being the only grist mill in the easterly part of Dorchester at that time. It is my belief that this was the identical site of William Robinson's ' corn water-mill,' on Tide-mill Creeke or Brooke ; and that the Mr. Tileston, who owned it in my day, was the lineal descendant of the Timothy Tilston or Tileston, to whom William Robinson sold the half of it in 1664.*

" The Old Colony railroad [coming from Plymouth], after crossing Neponset river into Dorchester, passes through a part of Harrison Square, and of course very near to the site of Tileston's mill, say, within less than one-eighth of a mile of it.

" The earliest corn-mill or grist mill in Dorchester was also on Neponset river, near what is now Milton bridge. It was owned by Israel Stoughton, and is said to have been the first corn-mill in the colony. William Robinson's tide-mill was the next corn-mill in Dorchester ; and these two seem to have been the only ones for many years." f

In this mill Mr. Robinson perished by a sudden and violent death, July 6th, 1668. Singularly enough, no mention of his decease is found in any of the Dorchester records ; nor does any memorial mark the place of his grave ; but a brief note of the sad event was jotted down in the church records of Roxbury, by the Rev. John Eliot, then pastor of that church. For this entry, which has never been pub-

* " The old mill which "William Robinson bought of Edward Breck, and in which he lost his life, is still standing, probably most of it renewed ; and is in the hands of the Tilestons to this day." MS. Letter of E. Clapp jr. Sept. 22, \8B6.

f MS. Letter, May 30th, 1855. See also Hist, of Dorchester, pp. 33, 34, S3. I visited the old tide-mill in July, 1857. It is a short distance south-east of Harrison Square, on the dam or causeway, which now forms part of Mill Street in Dorchester. Tlie mill has obviously been renewed, perhaps more than once ; but is still known as Tileston's mill.

lished, I am likewise indebted to Dr. Harris. " The words are these, in the handwriting of the Kev, John Ehot, on one of the leaves cf Roxbury church records, containing sundry remarkables noted by the apostle of the Indians : ' 6.5. 1668, [July 6, 1668,] Robinson, a brother of the church at Dorchester, was drawn through by the cog-wheel of his mill, and was torn in pieces and slain.'"* That William Robinson was the person here referred to, is proved by the fact that he was the owner of a corn water-mill in Dorchester ; and also by the date of the probate of his will, which is given below.