JAMES WALKER
OF TAUNTON, MASS.
S
on of ______ Walker and his wife, ______- afterward called ‘Widow Walker" of Rehoboth, was born in England in 1619 or ‘20. All efforts to discover his birthplace, and learn from which branch of the numerous race of Walkers he sprung, have proved fruitless. Nor can the time of his emigration to this country be determined with any absolute certainty. The following fact from "Gleanings for New England History by Hon. James Savage, from a manuscript vol. at the Augmentation office", England, which are published in the Collections of the Mass Historical Society, 8th vol., 3d series, will at least furnish ground for a conjecture, if not, in connection with contemporaneous facts, for a conclusion, which leaves no room for a reasonable doubt. The record is thus:Imbarqud Apr. 15. In Elizabeth, de London
Master Wm. Stagg versus New England,
Richard Walker, 24William Walker, 15
and 3 others of different names; these persons having taken the path of allegiance and supremacy before Sir Wm. Whitmore and Sir Nicholas Ranton.
In another paragraph on the same page, it is added:
15 Apr. in the Elizabeth de London,
Master Wm. Stagg vs. New England
James Walker, 15 years
Sarra Waker, 17 years Servants* to Jo. Browne, a Baker and to 1 Wm. Brasey linen draper in Cheapside, London, per certificate of conformity.
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* Mr. Savage says it is probable that some of those persons who registered as servants assumed this title to escape the vigilance of the pursuivants.
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On the following page is added:
17th Apr for New England in Elizabeth, Wm. Stagg, master, 28 more, among whom Jo. Browne, 40 years.
That this was the James Walker who settled at Taunton is confirmed by the following facts:
In all of the town histories of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies, and the Probate Records, which have been thoroughly examined, there is no trace of any other James Walker, previous to the year 1655.* It is the single instance of the name. And, in respect to his birth and age, thee is only a variation of year year between the statement just given, and the age and date upon the grave stone still standing in the Walker Burial Place in South Taunton. And this is a slight discrepancy, and may have arisen from a mistake in the original English record, or in Mr. Savage’s transcription of it, or which is more probably still, from an error in the inscription upon the grave stone, either by the failure in memory of those who reared it, (perhaps at some considerable time after his death) or by the mistake of the stone cutter in putting 73 for his age instead of 72. Grave stones are proverbially uncertain in respect to dates. It is no infrequent thing to find such variations.
* A James Walker appeared in Chelmsford in 1659
Besides this, William was in Higham in 1636, the year after their
embarkation from London, and had a lot assigned him, and his name is in the list of the inhabitants and proprietors of that year. And it is a well known fact, that many of the first settlers of Taunton were from Hingham and Situate. And it is not improbable, that the ship Elizabeth landed her passengers at H. or somewhere on the South Shore.
Richard Walker was the son of Richard of Lynn or Augus, who came before him. His age at his death, concurs with his age given on Mr. Savages Gleanings, and with his birth in 1611, as given by Lewis in Hist. of Lynn, published before Mr. Savage made his researches in England. But another fact, which contributes to change what otherwise might be conjecture, into a firm conviction, is, that James Walker was the brother-in-law* of John Tisdill, and as it is known that James Walker married Elizabeth Phillips, this relationship could have been, only by John Tisdill’s marriage with James Walker’s sister. And, as John Tisdill’s wife was named Sarah, and James Walker, his brother-in-law, had sister Sarah Walker, it is unquestionable that Mrs. Tisdill was the "Sarra Walker 17 years of the Elizabeth from London," and that we have in Mr. Savage’s Gleanings an account of the Embarkation of the Taunton and Hingham (afterward Eastham) Walkers.
*Mr John Browne of Rehoboth Nov 23d, 1655 gave to "his cousin (nephew) John Tisdill, dwelling house bought of Goodman, etc, etc and house he lived in is at Taunton, to John Tisdill and his cousin (nephew) James Walker, John Tisdill’s brother-in-law." Plymouth reg deeds 3rd vol, 181 page.
If it be said that there is nothing about Widow and Phillip Walker in these Gleanings, it may be answered, that possibly she and the younger son, as Phillip was, may be come afterward, for it was not unusual then, anymore than now, for members of the same family to come at different times, and the fact of Richard of Lynn, though only a young man, coming several years after his father, corroborates the theory. The obvious conclusion then, in respect to the relationship existing between the four is, that James and Sarra were brother and sister, and that they were all near kindred; perhaps the two mentioned first, Richard and William, were cousins of the others, and also of each other. Emigrants at the same time and in the same ship, it is probably that they came from the same district in England. Richard went to Lynn where his father had settled, William to Eastham, and James and Sarra to Taunton, with Mr. John Browne, their guardian and uncle.
James first appears in Taunton in 1643; his name being included in the list of those in T. between the age of 16 and 60 able to bear arms.* He also gave in the value of his estate with the first settlers of Rehoboth in 1643, for a share in the division of lands. But the fact that the next year, his lands were forfeited to the town, together with Mr. John Browne’s, then of Taunton, his cousin, (or if used anciently his uncle,) either because he did not according to a previous order fence them, or did not remove there, (the latter probably,) will account for his early disappearance from the list of inhabitants and proprietors of Rehoboth. Only one other notice of the said James of Rehoboth is found, viz: in the division of land, made in the year 1645. The absence of his name, therefore, is explained most naturally by the supposition, that he never became a settler there, and not that there was a different James from the one in Taunton, who may have died in 1645 or just after.
* The list commences thus, Mr. John Browne, Mr. Willm Poole, John Browne, James Walker.
And as James Walker was one of the appraisers of the estate of Phillip Walker of Rehoboth, in 1679, and there was no James at that time in R., it is reasonable to infer that James of Taunton, was the James mentioned in the first Rehoboth divisions of land, and surviving Phillip, helped appraise his estate. His mother and Mr. John Browne his uncle being interested in enterprise, he doubtless contemplated settling there, yet concluded to remain in T. where he became very useful and highly honored. (See sketch of Widow Walker.) As he was married just at this time, to Miss Phillips of T., we may guess that love had stronger influence than lands, and over-ruled his purpose to settle in Rehoboth, securing his active services and wise counsels through a long life to the town of Taunton. It deserves to be noticed in this connection, as showing the intercourse between the families of the two towns, than James Walker Jr., married Bathsheba, daughter of Gilbert Brooks of Rehoboth, a pious worthy and somewhat prominent man.
There is another fact to corroborate this theory. In Dec. 1644, "It was ordered (in Rehoboth) than no man’s lands be recorded till he be an inhabitant among us," or receive a certificate, that lands are butted and bounded, and in the allotments ordered to be recorded in March 28, 1645, his name does not appear with Widow Walker’s. Though it is true that in April following, he is mentioned as one of those who drew lots for lands on the Great Plain, there is not a single record of his lands in the Proprietor’s Books, and hence it is an inevitable conclusion, that he did not become an inhabitant of Rehoboth. Had he done so, there would have been a record of the boundaries of the lands which fell to him in the division, and then the record of the transfer. There was a James Walker who drew lots in the division of 1643 and 5, and who yet had no lands recorded and described. There was, at that time, a James Walker in Taunton, the adjoining town, at the time, and there is no trace of another any where in New England.
It could be a remarkable coincidence, where there another James no nearly the same age, who had a sister Sarah, a guardian or patron, John Browne, (that was his uncle also,) and until such a James has been found, with these circumstances will concur, it may be claimed, that we have the record of the English origin and advent to this country, of the first male ancestor of the Taunton Walkers*.
* This proof has been given in detail because of an effort to make another use of this portion of Mr. Savage’s Gleanings. See Gen. Reg. Vol 9, p. 219.)
James Walker was propounded to take up his freedom 6th June, 1649, and admitted a freeman 4th June, 1650. He married Elizabeth Philips, daughter of William Philips and his wife Elizabeth (Parker) sister of William and John Parker, ancient and leading men of Taunton. She died Aug. 14th, 1678, aged 59, (according to grave stone,) July 8th, (Prop. Rec.) and July 30th, (Plymouth Rec.)* They had five children who survived them, viz: James, Peter, Eleazer, Hestor, and Deborah. Probably there were others who died early, as, in 1659, before the birth of Deborah, he had "eight heads" in his family. He married 2nd Sarah Rew, Nov 4th, 1678, widow of Edward Rew, one of the ancient settlers and proprietors of T., who died July 16th, 1678. She was the daughter of John Richmond of Taunton. James Walker died Feb. 15th, 1691, aged 73, which date regarded as 1691-2, makes his age in 1635, 16 instead of 15, as given in Savage’s Gleanings**. He and his w. Elizabeth were buried in the Walker grave yard on the bank of the Taunton River, in the South part of the town. He lived near the ancient meeting house on the "highway to goeth from James Walker Sen., to the Great Plain on the northerly end." He was an extensive landholder and a partner in the Iron Works and the Saw Mill***.
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* This is a striking illustration of conflict in authorities in respect to a single date.
** This, however, is a slight discrepancy and does not invalidate the conslusion that he was the same who came in the Elizabeth in 1635.
*** There is an ancient deed by James Walker Sen., that has been thought worthy of being framed and preserved by the Briston Reg. Of Deeds, Taunton. By whom and when this distinction was given is unknown. It is dated Sept 11th 1688, and the following is a copy of all that is essential. para "To all Christian People, before whom these presents shall come, James Walker Senior of Taunton, sendeth Greeting. Know ye that the said James Walker for and in consideration of the loan (???) he beareth unto his son, Petter Walker of Taunton, abouesaid, doeth by this deed of guift, vnto his said son, Petter Walker, freely and fully guie, make over from me, the said James Walker, my heirs and executors and assignes, to him, my abouesaid son, Petter Walker, and to his heirs, successors and assignes for euer, these particular parcesl of Land follow, laying, scituate and being within the Township of Taunton aforesaid. Para Impri????, a lott of land lying on the Westerly side of Taunton, Great River, (soe called,) at a place called the pond, which was formerly Thomas Gilbert’s, containing by estimation twenty acres, be it more or less, to which joins two lotts more of fourteen acres or thereabouts, all footing on the said great River and headed by the highway, and bounded on the Northerly side by the land of Nathaniel French, and on the Southerly side by the land of Samual Shepard, alsoe more ninety and nine acres of land joining to lower falls of the three mile river, (soe called,) and soe extending to the highway that lyeth on the heads of the Lott above mentioned, etc"
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The following are the notices of him in the ancient records. In Oct. 4th, 1648, Jas. Walker of Taunton, informing against William Hedggis for yt the sd Hedggis, knowing of one yt that had traded shote vnto the Indians, and refusing to declare who it is, by sommons sent vnto him is required to apeer at the next General Court; accordingly hee did and was cleared. (Plym. Court Orders, 2d vol. 135th p.)
In reference vnto a controuersy betwixt Willam Hailstone and James Walker, which hath bine of long standing, relateing to an award made by Mr. John Wiswall, Mr. Richard Callicott and Capt. James Johnson, concerning and for theissueing of some difference betwixt the said pties., they, the said Willam Hailstone and James Walker, referring the case for a finall issue to the determination of the Court, having heard their please on both sydes, and pused all such writings that were produced relateing ther vnto, doe determine and conclude as follweth, viz.: that forasmuch as that it appeers vpon examination that the said James Walker hath not pformed the latter pte of the said arbetration, viz.: to repaire the said Hailstone, his reputation in the church, and to make a returne therof vnto the said arbitrators, which hee neglected to doe, the Court doe therefore order that hee shall pay or cause to be payed vnto the said Hailstone, the sume of fiue pounds, in either good merchantable porke or good barr iron, betwixt this date and the fifteenth day of October next, att prise then currant; and wheas the said James Walker did openly and vnaduisedly, on a Lord’s day, accuse the said Willam Hailstone of telling seueral palpable lyes, and founded vpon a lye, whereby the said Hailstone was much scandalized. This Court doth hereby aduise the said James Walker, publickly to acknowlidge the wronge hee hath done him, in the meeting, on the Lord’s day, in the congregation; and this our award and joynt determination to be a full and finall issue of all such differences and controuersyes as relate vnto the pmises. July 1st, 1672.
Homer seems to have nodded here. The good man fell into sin if we may judge from the record, and like Moses, "spake unadvisedly with his lips." *
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* Perhaps, however, judgement was rendered against him in this instance on the principal that "the greater the truth, the greater the libel." This William Hailstone was far from being blameless. He was fined £15 for breach of contract with Jonathan Briggs, and 20 shillings for telling 2 lyes in a petition to General Court in 16??
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Apr 7th, 1664, William Witherell acknowlidyeth to owe to our son lord the Kinge, the sume of £20; Hezediah Hore, £10; Gyles Gilbert, £20; Gorg Watson, £10.
The cause of the bonds aboue written is, that wheras James Walker, being a p’tnor in the saw mill, by som psons that came in the night in a felonious manor and stole away seueral things, and did great spoile, and left a libelous paper behind them; and it being suspected that the aboue bounden Willam Witherell and Gyles Gilbert, were the psons, or some of them, that haue done the said mischiffe, they, the said Willam Witherell and Gyles Gilbert, being summoned, appeered att Plymouth, before the Gou. And Captaine Southworth, on the day and yeare first aboue written, and being examined, it appeered that they were guilty in the aforesaid pticulars, and therefore the said majestrates saw cause to take the said bonds of them for their good behauiour, etc, Court Orders, Vol 4th, 5, 6 & 7 pp.
May 3, 1664. Josepth Gray and Samuell Linkorn were arrainged for being ptenors in doeing great hurt to thw saw mill att Taunton, etc, "and being examined about the pmises, owned that they were guilty therin" and were put under bonds, together with Gorg Watson and Thomas Leanard. Then follows this order or the Court.
Wheras, att this Court, the aboue bounden Josepth Gray and Samuell Linkorne, together with Gorg Watson, complained of great wrong, sustained, not onely by them, but by the whole towe of Taunton, by James Walker, his neglecting, according to engagement, to leaue a sufficient passage for the herrings or alewiues to goe up in the river on which the saw mill standeth, the Court directeth an order to the constable of Taunton, to require him to signify vnto the said James Walker, that hee speedily take course, that a free passage bee left for the goeing up of the alewiues in the said river, whiles yet some pte of the season remaines of their goeing upp.
8th June, 1664, Court ordered.
In reference to the complaint of sundry of the inhabitants of the towne of Taunton against James Walker and others, for the restraining of thw alewiues from goeing vp according to there vsual manor, by reason of a saw mill on thire herring riuer, by which obstruction of the said fish, the said towne hath, and is in danger to suffer much damage, this Court hath ordered, that betwixt this date and next season of the fishes goeing vp, they, the said owners of the mill, shall make or cause to be made, a free, full and sufficient passage for the goeing vp of the said fish, or otherwise vpon the further complaint of the towne, the Court will take an effectual course that the same shall bee done.
Att this Court, Willam Witherell, Mr. Gyles Gilbert, Josephth Gray and Samuell Linkhorne were sentenced by the Court to pay each a fine of twenty shillings for an abuse done to the Saw Mill at Taunton, belonging to James Walker and others, by coming in the night and breaking some pte of the said mill, and found takeing away seuerell thinges from the same.
George Watson, Gyles Gilbert and William Witherley complained against James Walker, Robert Crossman, John Maycomber and Nicholas White, in an action of trespass on the case, to the damage of an hundred pounds, for hindering the fish for haueing a convenient passage vp and downe the Mill River, att Taunton, by the worke aboutg the saw mill, contrary to the inhabitants of the towne of Taunton, and contrary to the promise of said James Walker, all of which hath bine great damage to the complainants and others.
Tried att General Court held att Plymouth, 31 Oct., 1666.
The jury find for the plaintiffs, that a sufficient passage be made by the defendants att the Mill River, att Taunton, for the fish where they vsually goe vp and downe, where the saw mill or dam now erected is an annoyance to the said fish, the expense of time, and the cost of the suite.*
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* The people of Taunton have ever since been very ready to complain of any damage to "thire herring riuer," but in 200 years manufacturing enterprise has conquered, and mill owners now, have less trouble than James Walker.
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We pass now to more honorable notices.
In 1651, he was on the inquest respecting the death of William England, aged 10 years, seruant to Joseph Wilbor of Taunton. The next morning being the Lord’s Day, hee with diuers others, sought on the river for him and found him not; but James Walker and Richard Burt passing vp the river, towards meeting, found the said William floating on the water, who made it known, and caused him to be taken vp. Col. Rec. vol. 2.
In 1663, Richard Williams, Walter Dean, James Wyatt and James Walker, made over land to Rev. Geo. Shove, minister of Taunton, house and land 10 acres, bounded & c.,-----which they bought of Elizabeth Philips. This was given "for the use of the ministry."
The Court alloweth vnto James Walker, towards his paines, the charge and trouble hee hath been att about Jonathan Briggs, in the controuersye betwixt Willam Hailstone and the said Briggs, the summe of twenty shillings, conceiueing that the said Briggs ought to satisfy the said James Walker further, what is meet in the above said respect, att least to make it vp forty shillings. March 2, 1657-8
"The countrye’s stocke of powder and shott was distributed in different towns for safety and use." Taunton’s portion.
"It. To James Walker, att Taunton, one barrel of powder and the other halfe of the cake of lead." 1658, 2 Oct. "James Walker and William Harvey, were appointed by the Court, to review, in the countrys behalf, the public whipping of William Paule, Katheren Aines and her husband." 1656-7.
The several towns were required to send each, one man as deputy to the Court, and to envest them with full power in their behalfe, to treat and conclude about letting of the trad, att Kennebecke; James Walker was chosen the deputy of Taunton, Oct. 1659.
March 4, 1661-2, James Walker was authorized by the Court to administer an oth, as occation shall require, att Taunton, as alsoe, to marry psons, as occation shall require, vntil the next June Court. This order was c x. att June 9th, 1662, soe that the said James Walker is to giue oath and marry, as above said. On the margin opposite the above order, it is stated. "The Court doeth order, James Walker, to sellebrate marriage in the towne of Taunton, vntell June, 1684."
Oct. 3, 1662. The oath of Jonathan Briggs, taken before this Court, is as followeth;--- I, Jonathan Briggs, aged twenty-fiue years or theabouts, doe testify, that about 6 yearses agone, as I was in the house of James Walker, of Taunton, I heard James Walker aske Willam Browne, what hee would doe with his land, if hee should not returne from England againe. Willam Browne answared, that if hee did not returne againe, then hee would giue all his land to his little cousen, which was Peter Walker, whoe then stood before him.
8 June, 1664. James Walker and Frances Smith were "the psons, (in Taunton,) nominated to take vp the excise—whoe are likewise to take notice of what liquors, &c., are brought into the Gou’ment."
July 2, 1667. the Court haue graunted vnto some ancient freemen liueing in Taunton, viz., James Walker, (and 7 others) some supplyes of land vpon the west side of Taunton Riuer---or some other place, if it may be obtained."
August 23, 1671
1. The councell of warr, haueing seriously considered of the case, in reference to the Phillipe, the cheife sachem of Pacanacutt, hee having neglected, to answare his engagement, to bringe in his armes att the day appointed, and alsoe in his not coming in to giue the reason therof, being required thevnto, and his vnkind carriages towards vs, as otherwise, & c., &c., & c.
2. It is unanimously agreed and concluded by the said councell, that wee are nessesarily called to cause the said sachem, to make his psonall appeerance, to make his purgation in reference to the pmises; &c., &c.
Accordingly pers were dispatched and sent from the councell, one vnto the said Phillip, the said sachem to require his psonall appeerance att Plymouth, in the 13th day of September next, in reference to the pticulares aboue mencioned against him; this letter was sent by Mr. James Walker, one of the councell, and hee was ordered to request the companie of Mr. Roger Williams and Mr. James Browne, to goe with him att the deliuery of the said letter. (Plym. Col. Rec. vol. 5th) (See 16th p.)
On 1671-2, 5 March James Walker and John Richmond are authorized by the Court to purchase the land of the Indians, in the behalfe of the towne of Taunto, lying on the west side of Taunton Riuer, from the Tree Mile Riuer, downe to a place called the Store House. (vol.5, 88th p.)
They were the Com. Of town of Taunton, to settle the disputed boundary between Swansey and Taunton.
1675-6, March 10
Wheras, the Court for the incurragement of the souldiers, sent forth on the first expedition against the Indians, did order and engage, according to theire desire, that they should haue there pay in money or lands, and noe way att psent appeering to raise monyes, doe thefore, for theire satisfaction order, that certaine tracts of land be assigned, to the value of about one thousand pounds, to be deuided amongst them, for the payment of theire respectiue ptes due vnto them;---and for the better effecting thereof, the Treasurer, Major Cudworth, Cornett Studson and James Walker are desired and appointed to take view theof, and make reporte therof, to the Court or Councell, for the settleing of the same, at such reasonable rates, as to them shall seeme meet, to be deuided to the said souldiers, or sold for theire pay, or discharge of other nessarie dues, occationed by this warr. Col. Rec. vol. 5, 191st p.
The order and distribution of this colonies pte of the contribution made by diuers Chriestians, in Ireland, for the relieffe of such as are impouerished, destressd, and in nessestie by the late Indian warr, was as it respects this collonie, proportioned as followeth:
Willam Harvey, appointed to distribute
James Walker, the portion allotted to
John Richmond. Taunton.
March 6, 1656-57. Col. Rec. vol. 5, 222d p.
James Walker, are appointed and established by the
James Wilbore and Court to take notice of such liquors
Encrease Robinson, as are brought in disorderly vnto the toune of Taunton, and to make seizure theroffe, according to order.
1678, Oct. 30, Col. Rec. vol. 5, 271st p.
James Walker was one of a Com. "to lease out some of the lands of Leiftenant Wyatt, for the relieffe of Mistris Mary Wyatt, of Taunton, his widow, and in great necessitie." 1678, 30 Oct.
In 1638-4, james Walker and John Richmond were the Com. In behalf of inhabitants of Taunton, to purchase a tract of land of the Indians.
He served as juryman, and on the Grand Inquest repeatedly. He was constable in 1652; surveyor, 1672; one of the "Select men," 1666,7,8,9,70,8,9 and 80---8 years.
He was elected deputy to the Plymouth Court, 16 years, viz.: 1654,7,8,9,60,1,3,6,7,8,9,70,1,6,7,9.
He was a member of the Com. (composed of 10 of the leading citizens in the Colony,) to take the Treasures’s account in 1664,7,8 and 70.
He was a Member and Chairman of the Town "Councell of Warr," 1667,75 & 8?. These Councils were elected in time of war and the most efficient men of the towns were appointed, as in Plymouth, the Gov. Capt. Bradford, in Rehoboth, Capt. Willett. He was also one of the "Councell of Warr,: for Plymouth Colony, in 1658,61,71,81 and associated with its most energetic and sagacious men. In 1681, the Councill consisted of Capt. Nathaniel Thomas, Capt. Josiah Standish, Capt. Jonathan Sparrow, Lieut. Joseph Laythorpe, Lieut. Eph’m Morton, Lieut. John Thacher, Ensign Mark Eames, Cornet Rob’t Studson, Sec’y Nath’l Morton, Mr. James Walker.
In the division of lands in 1659, his rate is one pound, 5 schillings, 7d., and 8 heads. Ninety six acreas were assigned him.
He was also one of the committee of five, to revise town records of lands.
"In 1669, 51 acres over the great river, at head of the great Meadows, also 3 acres on this side, (this is West) of river, little beyond Edward Rew’s Saw pit," were assigned him. (Prop. Rec.)
In the Proprietorr’s Records, there is also a record of the names of the persons who gave lands to Capt. Batholomew Tipping, as remuneration in full, for the house and land he sold to Rev. Mr. Danforth, in 1687. It is as follows:
James Walker, 10 acres
Peter Walker, (son of James,) 10 acres
Then follow the names of 19 others, 15 of whom gave 5 acres each, one 6 acres, one 4, and two, 10 each.
In vol. 6th, 1st series of the Collections of the Mass. Historical Society, there is allusion to a letter of James Walker, of Taunton, dated Jan. 1676, written to Gov. Winslow, (in reply to one of his,) giving an account of the suffering and the loss of life by Indeian depredations, in Philip’s War, and also the names of the sufferers.
This letter is lost; and it is a loss greatly to be deplored, as such a letter from an intelligent observer, would give us a vivid conception of those perilous and barbarous times, when our ancestors, few, and grouped in small and scattered settlements in the wilderness, had to struggle with the banded natives, bent on the extermination of the pale faces from the land, they thought their own heritage, guided and inspired too, by the patriotism and bravery of the able and renowned chieftain, King Philip.
Even the list of those who fell or suffered, would be invaluable now, and furnish a thrilling chapter in the domestic and social history of the early colonists---a tearful record of graves and griefs, of fortitude and faith, of terror and triumph.*
*King Philip’s summer residence was in Taunton, (now Raynham,) near the Iron works.
We are more fortunate however, in respect to the letter he wrote to Gov. Prince, for though the original may be lost, we have its contents, in the 6th vol of Mass. Hist. Col 197th p. The letter is as follows:
Much Honored Sir:
After my humble respects presented to you, these are to acquaint you with Philip’s answer to your letter. My sons being visited with augue, forced me to procure brother Harvey*
to go over to cousin James Browne with the letter, who sent for Mr. Williams to interpret. Mr. Williams, not being well, came not till afterward; yet cousin James and brother Harvey went down to Mount Hope; and the dance being broken up, Philip, and the most of his chief men, were much in drink; only Acumponin and Tom Sancsink were sober; so that Philip could not give them any answer. Only there passed some words betwixt Philip and cousin James, and Philip struck off cousin James Browne’s hat. The day following, they went again to Philip, and Mr. Williams with them. The letter being read, and Philip caused fully to understand it, they could get no positive answer about Philip’s coming to Plymouth, because Mr. Eliot had sent for him to Boston, and he looked for another messenger that day; which messenger they met about 2 miles from Philip’s house; which messenger told them that his message was to desire Philip to be at Punkapoge, the last day of this week, and at Boston, the Tuesday following. Philip and Tom exclaimed much against Sawisman, for reporting any of the Narragansett sachems were there; Not further to trouble you, but rest, desiring the good Lord be with you, and guide you, in all your weighty affairs.Yours to serve
James Walker
Taunton, Sept 1, 1671
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*Was he a "brother" by marriage, or only a "brother" in the church? Perhaps there was another and younger sister than Sarah, who came with the "Widow" and Philip. The mention of "cousin James Browne" is connection with "brother Harvey," favors this supposition, but Mr. John Browne’s remembrances of James and Sarah only, in the girft of his house in Taunton, suggests a doubt, which is strengthened by the record. Wm. Harvey m Joan Hucker of Taunton April 2, 16??. May not "Hucker" be a clerical error for Walker?)
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"Yours to serve," the unique form with which he concludes this letter to Gov. Prince, is singularly appropriate and in keeping with his life. When a youth of 15 years, we was "servant to John Browne." In mature manhood, he was the "servant" of the Colony, employed in various civil offices and trusts, through a long series of years.
He had no military title, no hereditary arms, but the numerous services assigned him, and the positions of responsibility and confidence which he filled, justify us in awarding him the title of "servant of the church" and the state.
From the records now given, we conceive of him as a man of more than ordinary intelligence, judicious in counsel, energetic in action, steadfast in integrity, sagacious public spirited, benevolent and alive in secular and religious prosperity of the Colony. Surpassed by none of the town in his contributions for the ministry, and in the number and continuance of civil trusts, he needed no heraldic distinctions, and he transmitted none. Worth of remembrance and honor by those of his name and lineage, yet is an honor to them, only as they strive to emulate his usefulness, and reproduce his virtues and his piety.
Fac-simile of his autograph written in 1676.
James Walker
