From Gov. Bradford have sprung many hundred descendants, among whom are many distinguished men, as Col. Gamaliel Bradford of Duxbury, who commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary War, and his son Alden Bradford, Secretary of Massachusetts, and author of several historical works. William Allen, D.D., now living at Northampton, and late president of Bowdoin College. Rev. Thomas Robbins, D.D., of Hartford, once settled in the old Colony, but of late Secretary of Connecticut Historical Society, and much devoted to antiquarian researches.
An ample genealogy of the various families of the Bradfords may be found in the N. E. Historical Register for January and July, 1850, drawn up by a descendant—Gen. G. M. Fessenden of Warren, R. I.
and Mr. Thomas Hinkley, were elected his assistants in government.This year there was a very great earthquake in New England.
Also Mr. Ralph Partridge died in a good old age, having, for the space of forty years, dispensed the word of God with a very little impediment by sickness. His pious and blameless life became very advantageous to his doctrine; he was much honoured and loved by all that conversed with him. He was of a sound and solid judgment in the main truths of Jesus Christ, and very able in disputation to defend them; he was very singular in this, that, notwithstanding the paucity and poverty of his flock, he continued in his work amongst them to the end of time. He went to his grave in peace, as a shock of corn fully ripe, and was honourably buried at Duxbury.
In whose remembrance, one who was a true admirer of his worth, presented these at his funeral.
Did call me hence, my Saviour Christ to see,
And to embrace, and from his hand receive
My crown of Glory. Oh! who would not leave
A flattering world, nay friends, or what’s most dear,
The saint’s communion that’s enjoyed here,
At once to have God, Christ, saints, angels, all.
To make complete, and sum our joys total?
Now I behold God’s glory face to face;
Now I sit down with Christ, who’ve run my race;
Now I sing praise to God, and to the Lamb;
Now I companion to the angels am.
Now I behold, with greatest joy, my sons,
And daughters all; I mean converted ones;
Which I was instrumental in my place,
To bring to God, but all of his free grace.
How am I changed that of late was weak,
Above the force of Satan now to break?
How am I changed, son of sorrow late,
But now triumphing in my heavenly state.
How was I vex’d with pains, with griefs molested?
How, in a moment, am I now invested
With royal robes, with crowns, with diadems,
With God’s eternal love? Such precious gems
He hath in store for them his saints that are;
For such indeed he counts his jewels rare
Oh! brethren, sisters, neighbours, country, friends,
I’m now above you; hark to them God sends,
As yet surviving in their worthy charge;
Whose work it is God’s vineyard to enlarge.
God and my conscience your experience knows,
Whilst I was with you I was one of those
That laboured faithfully God’s vineyard in,
Sowing his seed, and plucking up of sin.
Now is the harvest to myself indeed;
The Lord grant a supply of one to feed
Your souls with heavenly food, and one to lead
In ways of God, until his courts you tread.
Next to God’s love, my flock, love one another;
And next to Christ, preserve love to thy brother.
Let ever precious be in your esteem
God’s holy word; and such as slight it deem
Of serpent’s brood; whatever they pretend,
By no means to such blasphemies attend.
Decline all wand’rings, lest from all you stray,
If stept aside, return in this your day.
Keep close to God, so he that is most high
Shall you preserve as apple of his eye;
And give you peace on earth, tranquillity,
Mansions in heaven to eternity;
Where we, that death doth for a time now sever,
Shall meet, embrace, and shall not part forever.
A nd his work done,
L eft earthly place,
P artridge is gone,
H e’s with the Father and the Son.
A ll that so live, such is their end.
R eturn he shall with Christ again,
T o judge both just and sinful men.
R ais’d is this bird of paradise;
I oy heaven entered breaks the ice.
D eath underfoot he trodden hath;
G race is to glory straightest path,
E ver enjoys love free from wrath.
This year, on the last day of July, it pleased God that, by thunder and lightning, one John Philips, of Marshfield, in the jurisdiction of New Plimouth, was suddenly slain.
| Previous chapter/page | Back | Home | Email this | Search | Discuss | Bookmark | Next chapter/page |