limits of the plantation. On this subject, John Browne and James Cudworth were in sentiment with him.

It is not known whether he left any son. One of his daughters was married to Gov. Prince, who is said to have lived some time in Duxbury; one married Love Brewster, son of Elder W. Brewster, and one married Constant Southworth, son in law of Gov. Bradford.

John Alden, who made one of the company which settled Plymouth colony, and is said to have been the first who stepped upon the memorable rock, when they landed on that inhospitable shore, in December, 1620, was also an inhabitant of Duxbury. It is not certain what year he fixed his residence here; but it is supposed it was soon after Capt, Standish and Mr. Brewster settled at Captain's Hill, and Gov. Winslow at Careswell,* in the south part of what is now Marshfield, and adjoining to Duxbury. In 1632, he, with Capt. Standish and Jonathan Brewster were desired to move to Plymouth for the winter.

A pathway was early laid out from Plymouth over Jones's River, and crossing Island Creek, so called, wound along near the shore of the bay to accommodate Standish, Brewster, Sprague and others in the south and east part of the town, and then led over Blue River, near the head of the salt water, and passing John Alden's settlement on the north side of this river, was continued over Stony Brook, near Philip Delano, who had just began a farm there, by Duck Hill, to Careswell, abovementioned, the residence of Gov. Winslow. Soon after a path was made to Green's Harbour, a little northeast of Winslow's house, and thence to North River, where a ferry was established; and from here to the settlements in Scituate, now become considerable.

John Alden had also land early granted him on the south side of Blue River, and several pieces of salt marsh in the vicinity. And at a later period he had land granted him at the North River in Bridgewater, and on Taunton River. The farm on which he lived is now in possession of Judah Alden, Esq. one of his descendants.

* The name given by Gov. Winslow to his farm.

John Alden was quite a young man in 1620; only about 21 or 22 years of age. He died in 1686, and was in his 89th year. Gov. Prince was also young; but a few years older than Alden. He is named as one of the company, from the time of the first landing, and could not, therefore, have been a member of any other family, and was the fifth or sixth in order, on the list of purchasers, or "old comers," as they were denominated. He was early a magistrate, a representative from Duxbury, an assistant for more than thirty years, often one of the council of war, an arbitrator, a surveyor of lands for the government and for individuals, and on several important occasions, was authorized to act as agent or attorney for the colony. He lived to a great age, as before observed, and was elected an assistant in 1686, the year he died. This is evidence, that he retained his strength and judgment to the last. It is believed, that he survived all his early companions: Philip Delano died a few years before him: Gov. Prince died in 1673. He frequently presided in the Court of Assistants, in the absence of the governour, being the eldest member for several years; and sometimes, on that account, called deputy governour. For several years after the decease of Capt. Standish, he was treasurer of the colony. He is represented as a man of strong intellect: and good judgment, decided, ardent, resolute and persevering. The writers, who mention him, bear ample testimony to his industry, integrity and exemplary piety.. He was a Puritan, both in theory and in conduct. He gave great support to the clergy and the church, and discountenanced every thing of a disorderly or innovating kind.

He had a large family of children, all of whom were respectably established in the world; and some were called to act in publick stations. His son, John, lived in Boston, and for many years commanded an armed sloop belonging to Massachusetts. His son, Joseph, inher-. ited his land in Bridgewater, and settled there. David, another son, was several years a representative from Duxbury. Samuel, a son of David, lived to the

age of 93, in Duxbury, and died there in 1780. He was father of Col. Ichabod Alden, who commanded one of the regular Massachusetts regiments in thewar of the revolution, and was killed by the Indians, at Cherry Valley, in 1778. And a daughter of this Samuel is now living at Bath, in the state of Maine, aged about 75. Jonathan, another son of John Alden, was commander of the military company in Duxbury, and lived on the farm which his father had occupied. A son and grandson of his were members of the General Court of Massachusetts from that place, in more recent times. One of his daughters was married to Mr. Bass of Braintree, in 1649 or 1650; and a daughter of theirs was the maternal ancestor of the venerable President ADAMS. William Paybody, one of the first settlers of Duxbury, several years a representative from the town, and who, in 1672, was called "an ancient freeman of the colony," married with another daughter. One was married to Josiah Standish; and Samuel Delano, son of P. Delano, married the fourth.

Jonathan Brewster, eldest son of William, before noticed, was a representative from Duxbury in 1639, and for several years after. He was probably more than 21 years of age when the company first arrived; for he is named separately from his father, in the earliest lists of the "first comers," and had lands allotted him, in 1623, in the same manner as others of the company had. He was a man of respectability and property, and was often employed in transacting the publick affairs of the town and colony. His farm was contiguous to Capt. Standish, contained much valuable marsh, and had the advantage of bordering on the bay for almost a mile. He had a numerous family of children; and his son, William, was sometime deacon of the church in Duxbury a man greatly esteemed and beloved, and possessed of much of the good qualities of his worthy and pious grandfather. Love Brewster, the other son of the first William, lived in Duxbury, also, a little north of his brother. He married a daughter of Mr. Collier, the assistant; but it does not appear from the

early records, that he was much engaged in publick life. He sold a part of his farm, in 1638, to Dr. Comfort Starr, who removed from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and settled in Duxbury. One of his sons removed into the colony of Connecticut, and some of his descendants are still citizens of that state.

The Elder, William Brewster, died without a will, and he had advanced much to his oldest son, Jonathan, who had an expensive family; but the two sons referred the settlement and division of the estate, in a very amicable manner, to their father's "ancient friends, Gov. Bradford, Gov. Winslow, Gov. Prince and Capt. Standish," being at the house of Gov. Bradford, after the funeral of their father, and in presence also of Rev. R. Partrich, J. Reyner of Plymouth, and Edward Buckley of Marshfield. Jonathan and Love had each, then (1643) a dwelling house there. The elder, it appears, lived in the family of his son, Love, at the time of his last sickness. The estate was settled to the satisfaction of the brothers; and Mr. Vassall of Scituate made the division of the real estate accordingly. The inventory shews, that the elder had a considerable library, especially for that time, being about 100 volumes in Latin, and 400 in English.

Philip Delano (sometimes written De La Noye) was among the first comers," and early settled at Duxbury. It appears from some of the records of Plymouth colony, that he lived a little north or north-west of John Alden, and by the path leading to Careswell and Green's Harbour, on the south of Stony or Mill Brook, and below the site of the cotton factory now standing there. His wife's name was Hester Dewesberry. He was married after they settled at Duxbury. He lived to a great age, and died but a short time before J. Alden. He left three sons, Samuel, Thomas and John. He was often one of the grand inquest of the colony, and was also much employed in surveying and dividing lands. A mill was early erected on the brook near the house of P. Delano, by one Pollard, who was so permitted by the Court.

William Bassett, one of the first settlers in Duxbury, fixed his residence a little north of this brook, on the path which led to Careswell, the farm of Gov. Winslow. He was a representative from Duxbury in 1640 and 1644, and afterwards marshal of the colony. Peregrine White, the first child born after the company arrived, married one of his daughters. Many of his descendants have lived in Sandwich. It is said his son, William, removed to that place, and was also some time chief marshal of the colony.

Samuel Nash was also a representative from Duxbury; and for several years, from 1653 to 1677, was sheriff or chief marshal of the colony. At an earlier period, he was lieutenant of the military company commanded by Capt. M. Standish. When he was quite aged and infirm, the Court advised him to live with his son-in-law Clarke: "He sold his estate and complied with the proposal." There have been no persons of that name in Duxbury for many years.

William Paybody was likewise a deputy for Duxbury for several years. In 1672 he is spoken of as "an ancient freeman of the colony." In 1659, a large tract of land on Taunton River was purchased of Ousemaquin and Philip, and of the squaw sachem, Tatapanum, by Paybody, Nash and others of Duxbury, and Josiah Winslow and others of Marshfield. One of Paybody's sons settled on this tract, which now makes part of Little Compton. A part of the tract he sold afterwards" to Benjamin Church of Duxbury, a carpenter, and a son of Richard Church." This is the Benjamin Church known as a great warriour against the Indians, not only about Mount Hope, but against the hostile tribes at the eastward. He commanded an expedition in that country, and discovered great skill and prudence, as well as courage. He is represented as possessing military talents and bravery, almost equal to the renowned Myles Standish.

Francis Sprague was another of the early settlers in Duxbury, and a man of influence and property for the period in which he lived. At that time, it was only