| iii. | Rev. Richard BOURNE was born about 1610 in England. He died about 1682 at the age of 72 in Sandwich, Barnstable Co, MA. His English origins are uncertain. He was a householder in Plymouth in 1636 and was of Saugus (Lynn) in 1637 and went from there to Sandwich with Edmond Freeman. He was a Deputy, representing Sandwich, in 1639, to the first General Court and continued in this capacity for six years, again in 1652, 1664-67, and in 1679. He became the pastor to the Indians at Marshpee (Mashpee). Richard BourneM, b. circa 1610 (chr. date), d. 1682ChartsGlyndon H. Crocker, Jr. - Ancestor Chart Richard Bourne "Aside from his labors as a missionary, Richard Bourne
was a man of note. He was often a representative to the General Court; held many town offices; often served on committees, as a referee in important cases. He was a well-informed, discreet, cautious, of sound judgment, and of good common sense. There is reason to doubt whether he brought to New England so large an estate as has been represented. The division of the meadows at Sandwich does not indicate that he was a man of wealth. He was a good business man, and while he carefully guarded the interests of the Indians, he did not forget to lay up treasures for himself.
John Eliot,
Thomas Mayhew,
father and son, Richard Bourne,
John Cotton,
Daniel Gookin,
an d Thomas Tupper
consecrated their lives to the philanthropic purpose of meliorating the condition of the Indians. They instructed them in the arts of civilized life; they established schools, and they founded churches. Many of the Indians were converted to Christianity, and lived pious and holy lives; very many of them were taught to read and write their native language, and were good English scholars.
Mr. Bourne
was the pastor of the Indian Church at Marshpee (Massape) gathered in 1670. The apostles Eliot and Cotton assisted at his ordination. His parish extended from Provincetown to Middleboro, one hundred miles. He commenced his labors as a missionary about the year 1658, and in his return to Major Gookin,
dated Sandwich, Sept. 1, 1674, he says he is the only Englishman employed in this extensive region. and the results of his labors are stated in his return. of which the following is a condensed abstract:
"Praying Indians that do frequently meet together on the Lord's Day to worship God." He names twenty-two places where meeting were held. The number of men and women that attended these meetings was three hundred and nine. Young men and maids, one hundred and eight-eight. Of these one hundred and forty-two could read the Indian language, seventy-two could write, and nine could read English.
The labors of Mr. Bourne
and his associates have not been sufficiently appreciated by historians. In 1675, the far-seeing Philip,
Sachem of Mount Hope, had succeeded in uniting the Western Indians in a league, the avowed object whereof was the extermination of the white inhabitants of New England. His emissaries in vain attempted to induce the Christianized Indians to join that league. They remained faithful. Richard Bourne,
aided by Thomas Tupper
of Sandwich, Mr. Thornton
of Yarmouth and Mr. Treat
of Eastham had a controlling influence over the numerous bands of Indians then resident in the County of Barnstable, in Wareham, Rochester, and Middleboro'. Mr. Mayhew
elected a like controlling influence over the natives of Martha's Vineyard and the adjacent islands.
In 1674, the year preceding King Philip's war, the returns made to Major
Gookin,
show that the aggregate number of Christianized or praying Indians.
__________In Massachusetts, was________________1100
__________In Plymouth, Mr Bourne's
return_______497
__________In Plymouth, Mr. Cotton's
partial_______40
Estimated number not enumerated, 170
On Martha's Vineyard and Chappaquidock 1500
On Natucket, 300
_____________
3607
It is not to be presumed that, at that time, more than one-half of the Indians had been converted, or were nominally Christians. Perhaps a fair estimate of the Indian population in 1675, in the territory comprised in the eastern part of the present State of Massachusetts, would be 7000; one-fifth, or 1400 if were warriors.
On account of the jealousies and suspicions entertained by the English in Massachusetts, the Indians rendered little service to the whites. Mr. Eliot
and Major Gookin
suffered reproaches and insults fro endeavoring to repress the popular rage against their pupils. Some of the praying Indians of Natick, and from other places in Massachusetts, were transported to Deer Island in Boston harbor. Some of the Indians in Plymouth colony, particularly those at Pembroke, were conveyed to Clarke's Island, Plymouth.
On Martha's Vineyard and on the Cape, the Indians were friendly to the English. Many enlisted and fought bravely against the forces of Philip. Capt. Daniel
of Satucket, (Brewster), and Capt. Amos
distinguished themselves in the war and are honorably mentioned. In the course of the war, the number of prisoners became embarrassing, and they were sent to the Cape and Martha's vineyard, and were safely kept by the friendly Indians.
Major Walley
says that the English were rarely successful when they were not aided by Indian auxiliaries, and urges this as a reason for treating them kindly. The reader of the "History of the Indian Wars" will find many facts to corroborate the opinion of Major Walley.
In the spring of 1676 the armies of Philip
were victorious, and the inhabitants of Plymouth Colony were panic stricken and despondent. If at that time the one thousand Indian warriors, who were influenced and controlled by Bourne
and Mayhew
had become enemies, the contest in Plymouth Colony would not have been doubtful, the other towns would have been destroyed and met the fate of Dartmouth, Middleboro, and Swanzey. At this time three hundred men could not be raised to march for the defense of Rehobeth. All the towns, excepting Sandwich and Scituate, raised their quotas; but many of the soldiers that went forth, returned to their homes without marching to the defense of their frontier towns.
In 1675, Gov. Hinckley
enumerated the Christianized Indians embraced in the region of country which had been under the superintendence of Mr. Bourne.
The number had increased from four hundred and ninety-seven in 1674, to ten hundred and fourteen in 1685. Showing that in a period of eleven years the number had more than doubled.
In 1676, no enumeration of the Indians was made; but it is within the bounds of probability to assume that in the district of country under the supervision and care of Mr. Bourne
there were at least six hundred Indian warriors. Had these at this particular conjecture turned rebels, the whites could not have defended their towns and villages against the savages, and Plymouth Colony would have become extinct.
It may be urged that Mr. Bourne
could not have done this unaided and alone; or, if he had not, God in his providence would have raised up some other instruments to have effected this great purpose. The fact is Richard Bourne
by his unremitting labors for seventeen years made friends of a sufficient number of Indians, naturally hostile to the English, to turn the scale in Plymouth Colony and give the preponderance to the whites. He did this , and it is to him who does, that we are to award honor. Bourne
did more by the moral power which he exerted to defend the Old Colony than Bradford
did at the head of the army. Laurel wreaths shade the brows of military heroes- thir names are enshrined in bright halo of glory-while the man who has done good service for his country by means, sinks into comparative insignificance, and is to often forgotten.
The Apostle Eliot,
Mr. Mayhew,
and other missionaries, performed like meritorious services. The people of Massachusetts were more suspicious of the food faith of the converted Indians, than the residents in the Plymouth Colony. These Indians were treated unkindly by the English, yet a company from Natick proved faithful, and did good service in the war.
Of the early history of Mr. Richard Bourne
little is known. It is said he came from Devonshire, England. He was a hoseholder in Plymouth in 1636, and his name appears on the list of freemen of the Colony, dated March 7, 1636-7. On the 2nd of January preceding, seven acres of land were granted to him to belong to his dwelling-house. At the same court seven acres of land were granted to John Bourne,
in behalf of his father, Mr. Thomas Bourne.
May 2, 1637 he was on a jury to lay out the highways about Plymouth, Duxbury and Eel River. June 5, 1638, he was a grand juror, and also a member of a coroner's inquest. On the 4th of September following, he was an inhabitant of Sandwich, and fined 18 pence for having three pigs unringed. He was a deputy to the first general court in 1639, and excepting 1643, represented the town of Sandwich till 1645; again in 1652, 1664, 65, 66, 67, and 70.
AT a General Court held at Plymouth June 4, 1661, the Court granted unto Richard Bourne
of Sandwich, and to his heirs forever, a long strip of land on the west side of Pampasised river, where Sandwich men take alewives-in breadth from the river to the hill or ridge that runs along the length of it, from a point of rocky land by a swamp called Pametoopauksett, unto a place called by the English Muddy Hole, by the Indians Wapoompauksett."
Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Families by Amos Otis
. Richard was born circa 1610 (chr. date) at Devonshire Count, England. He was christened in 1610 at Devonshire Count, England. 1 He was the son of William Bourne and Ursula Day. He married Bathsheba Hallett before 1636 at Lynn or Sandwich, Massachusetts. 2,3 He married Ruth Sargent on 2 July 1677 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 2,3 Richard died in 1682 at Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 1 Children of Richard Bourne and Bathsheba Hallett
Job Bourne+
b. c 1639, d. 1677
Elisha Bourne+
b. 1641, d. 1706
Shearjashub Bourne b. 1644, d. 7 Mar 1719/20
Ezra Bourne b. 12 May 1648 Citations
[S27] Bourne Family, Brownson, Lydia.
[S27] Bourne Family, Brownson, Lydia ,.
[S170] NE Marriages Prior, Torrey, Clarence A. , pg 85. ID: I15185
Name: Richard Bourne
Sex: M
Title: Rev.
Birth: 1 3 JAN 1609/10 in Bradninch, England 1
Death: BEF 8 SEP 1682 in Sandwich, Barnstable co., MA 2
Reference Number: 15185
Note:Savage, vol. I, pg. 218: Richard Bourne, Lynn, 1637 ... rem. to Sandwich ... he was the first instructor of the Indians at Mashpee, beginning in 1658 ... ordained in 1670 by Eliot & Cotton ... he m. July 1677 Ruth Winslow, wid. Jonathan Winslow, daughter of William Sargent ... his childr. included Elisha Bourne, b. 1641 .. Richard d. in 1682 RICHARD BOURNE: We find, in the first place, no record giving the age of Richard Bourne, even his age at death. If it can be shown that the Richard Borne listed by Hotten and our Richard
Bourne actually were one and the same person, we would know that the year 1610 was a closely approximate date for his birth. As it stands the date is merely an informed guess, based on general internal evidence. Otis tell us that Richard Bourne "was a householder in Plymouth in 1636" and "it may safely be inferred that he was ten a married man" (op.cit., III). Otis and other early writers state that the first wife was probably Bathsheba Hallett, daughter of Andrew Hallett, Sr., although Mrs. Ayer calls her father Andrew Bartlett. Since there was no one named Andrew Barlett at that period it seems safe to assume that this was a printer's error or slip of the pen. We would like conclusive proof that the first wife was indeed Bathseba Hallett. James Savage says that Richard Bourne was of Lynn in 1637 and went from there to Sandwich. Although he is not included among the ten "men of Saugus" (Lynn) to whom the original grant of Sandwich land was made, he was closely associated with them, especially with Edmond Freeman and Tomas Tupper and came with them or soon after. On 2 Jan. 1637/7 (Otis, op. cit., p. 108). On 2 May 1637 he was on a committee to lay out highways about Plymouth, Duxbury and Eel River. At a Court, 5 June 1638 he was grand juror and served on a coroner's inquest. By 4 Sept. 1638 he had removed to Sandwich where he was fined 18d. for having three pigs unringed (ibid). Richard Bourne was a Deputy, representing Sandwich in 1639, to the first General Court; he continued in this capacity for six years, again in 1652, 1664-1667, and in 1670. In the division of meadows in 1640 he had seven acres assigned to him. In 1645 he was on a committee to draft laws for Plymouth Colony. In 1650 he and others of Sandwich petitioned to have lands granted to them at Mashpee Pond, Cotuit River, meadow and Mannamuchcoy. In 1652 he was authorized agent for Sandwich to supervise the collection of oil. IN 1655 he and others were granted meadow land at Manomet and use of upland meadow at the end of Marshpee Pond, "provided that hee doe it with consent of the Indians to whom it belongeth" (Ayer op. cit.; Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed, Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol3, p. 8). About the time Bourne was given a salary by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England; and we find that "Ricard Bourn in Plymouth jurisdiction for his paines in teaching the Indians there "received 15 pounds in September 1657 (ibid., vol. 10, p. 205) A survey of Sandwich lands, begun 17 Jan 1658, described six lots belonging to Richard Bourne (Proprietors' Records). He was appointed in that year to settle a disputed boundary between the towns of Yarmouth and Barnstable. In 1659 he and Mr. Thomas Hinckley were authorized to purchase lands of the Indians at Suckinesset (Falmouth) and he and Mr. Freeman were authorized to view land in Manomet and confirm it to Thomas Burges. At a General Court, held in Plymouth 4 June 1661, Mr. Richard Bourne was granted "a certain tract of land lying on the Westerly side of Pampaspecite River where Sandwich men take alewives...a long slip by the riverside, for Breadth from the river to the hill or ridge that runs along the length of it, from a point of rocky land by a swamp called Pametoepauksett unto a place called by the English Muddy Hole, by the Indians Wapoomspauksett. The meddow is that which was called Mr. Leverich is meddow, also all the meddow lying on the Easterly side of ye River unto Thomas Burges Senr. his farm ... moreover...he shall have Liberty to take yearly 12,000 alewives at the River where Sandwich men usually take alewives, to him and his heirs forever. Likewise a ... psell of meddow lying at Marshpee, one half to belong to him and ye other half to be improved by him ye sd Richad Bourne until the Court shall see reason otherwise to order... also a neck of meddow between tow brooks with a little Upland adjoining, at Mannamuchcoy, called by the Indians Auntaanta" (Nataniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol. 5, p. 3). In 1661 Richard Bourne, Nathaniel Bacon and Tomas Hinckley were authorized to purchase all the un purchased land at Suckanesset and places adjacent (Otis, op. cit., p. 108). The text of a deed, dated 17 May 1661, shows that John Alden acted as agent for Richard Bourne in the purchase of land from the Manomet Sachem, Quachatasett (Mayflower Descendant, vol. 16, p. 179-80). Richard Bourne introduced a motion to the court, 7 Feb 1664/5, in behalf of the Indians under his instruction, urging that for the redressing and the better preventing of tings amiss amongst them, "some orderly way of government" be instituted. The court approved and so ordered (Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol. 4, p. 80; Otis., op. cit., p.109-110). On 2 April 1667 Mr Richard Bourne, William Bassett and James Skiffe, Sr., with the commissioned officers of Sandwich were appointed to the Council of War.
An unrecorded, original deed from the sachem Quachatasett to Richard Bourne, dated 22 Sept 1668, for Sandwich land, bears the signature of John Alden and is witnessed by Elisha Bourne and by Ruhamah (Hallett) Bourne, wife of Job Bourne (photograph in the Mayflower Descendant, vol. 25, p. 145). The will, dated 9 Feb. 1669, of an Indian, Nunquid Numackes of Pinquin Hole alias Wesqueebs in the jurisdiction of New Plymouth, requests Mr. Edmond Freeman and Richard Bourne to "watch over" the testator's heirs and to help them to "keep and walk in the ways of God" (ibid., vol. 19, p. 30). At a Court, 1 July 1672, Richard Bourne was authorized to purchase a parcel of land in Manomet "for the improvement of his meddow there, provided the Indians to whom it belongeth shall have free Liberty to improve it without interruption" (1) Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, vol. 5, p. 95). In an interesting report of his labors, dated 4 Sept. 1674, to Maj. Daniel Gookin he relates that he is the only Englishman employed in the extensive region, and enumerates the results of his efforts (see Otis, op. cit., p. 105; Ayer, op. cit., and text of the report, Massachusetts Historical Society Collection, 1st series, vol. 1, p. 198). It was only a year before the outbreak of King Philip's War and Otis is certainly correct in emphasizing the importance of the work of Bourne in terms of the outcome of that blood struggle. Richard and Job Bourne appear on a list of "the inhabitants of Sandwich who have just right to the privileges of the town," dated in 1675 (Freeman, op. cit., vol. 2, p. 68). It seems strange that the names of the other sons do not appear, but Elisha and Shearjashub, although both were married men at this time, are not listed freemen until 1681. The letters from Rev. Richard Bourne to "Ruth Winslow of Marshfield" beginning with one dated 5 Feb. 1676/7. Such correspondence has rarely survived; the subject matter therefore gives an unusual insight into the feelings of an early Plymouth colony settler. The second letter, dated 16 of 12th mo. [Feb.] 1676/7, is, in addition, of genealogical interest, since we find no other record of the date and place of the untimely death of Job Bourne. The unhappy father tells his beloved "my son who was at Hyngham was taken with the disease that many have died of, who was sick about five weeks and died last Saturday & was buried the last Lord's day." We come now to a letter from William Sargent to his daughter Rugh Winslow in Marshfield, dated 17 May 1677, and then the third letter from Richard to his beloved Ruth, dated 1 June 1677, in which he explains that he "sent a letter to you and some other things by Mordecai Ellis the last week and he promised to bring them into your hands at the last 2nd day but I understood since that he left them at Samuel Hunt's at Duxbury. I hope Ezra will bring them to you. I spoke with Ezra's father and this is the sum of is answer; that he desired to know why you are still willing to let him go." Bourne then tell her that he will hope that "my cousin Steven" will bring a few lines from is beloved Ruth. Bourne's spirits were revived by a letter from is beloved, in reply to which we have a final note, dated Sandwich 4 June 1677, in which he says "yours I have received by Steven Skiff... I would entreat you to signifie to mee in a few lines by William her brother, William Sargent, whether you are not inclinable to change your name ere before you return again to Marshfield." Her reaction to this repeated proposal is to be implied from a letter from Richard Bourn in Sandwich, dated 18 June 1677, to "Capt. Southworth At Duxbury," in which he says "I make bould to entreat a favour from you... that you would please come to 'Sandwich to joyne my well beloved Mrs. Ruth Winslow and myself in Marriage (Dykes, op. cit., p. 113-122). Some nine weeks before his second marriage Richard Bourne, by deed dated 19 May 1677, conveyed land in Manomet to his son Elisha (Dykes, op. cit., p. 2) This second wife was Ruth Sargent, born 25 Oct. 1642, hence probably some thirty years younger than her second husband, daughter of William Sargent of Charlestown and Barnstable. Her father's will, dated in Barnstable 9 March 1680, names "my beloved daughter Ruth Bourne" (Savage, op.cit.; Plymouth Colony Probate Records). Mr. Richard Bourne married in Sandwich, 2 July 1677, Mrs. Ruth Winslow (Sandwich Town Records in the Mayflower Descendant, vol. 14, p. 172). There was no issue of this second marriage (by her first husband, Jonathan Winslow of Marshfield, she had one son who died in 1676 aged ten, within a year or so of the death of his father). "Richard Bourne, for diverse causes and reasons as well as for love and affection," conveyed by deed, dated 1 Aug. 1682, to is son Shearjashub Bourne land which had come into is possession by a deed, dated 25 July 1661, from Paupmunnuck through the agency of Mr. Alden (Mayflower Descendant, vol. 25, p. 52). Tis unrecorded deed is of special interest since the conveyance must have been made within a few weeks of the father's death. The Rev. Richard Bourne died intestate before 18 Sept. 1682, the date of his inventory. Source: The Rev. Richard Bourne of Sandwich, Mass. (c. 1610-1682) by Lydia B. (Phinney) Brownson, of Duxbury, Mass. FTM CD #171 |