The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-09-11
MEMOIR OF n. ISLAND.

ON the Scheme and principles Of the
Baptisfs. II Is certain that in l646
there were fifteen members in full COM
munion." The names ofthe males were
John Clarke, Mark Lukar. Nath0nisl
West, William Vaughn, Thomas Clarke,
Joseph Clarke, Jokn Peekham. John
71orndon, William Wesdes and Samuel
Hubbard" Calender.
The Church so established 10 still con-
tinued and is now under the Pastoral
care of the Rev. Michael Eddy.
The priority in point oftime has been
generally awarded to the Baptist Church
in Providence, as to its origin. The
Church on the Island founded by John
Clarke as above stated. we believe how
ever was the first settled in regular
church order. On the tombstone Of
John Calender it is stated that he was
pastor of the first Baptist church in r..
Island. ~,
"It may be proper now to take fur
,her view of the affairs of Mr.. Gorton
and his company. Upon their being re-
leased and bauished, as have related,
they went to Rhode-Island, and from
thence over to Narragansett, where, on
April 10, l644, they procured deed
from the sachems, whereby they resign
ed themselves, people, lands, rights, in
heritances and possessions, over unto
the protection and government of King
Charles and appointed Samuel Gorton,
and others their agents, to carry the
fame 10 him. This was signed by Pas
sicus, Canaunicus aud Maxan, and wit
messed by two Indians and three En-
glish. The loss Of their great sachem
Miantinomu lay very heavy upon their
spirits Hubbard says he "was very
"goodly parsonage, of tall stature, sub
''tife and cunning in bis contrivements."
In May came letter to the rulers at
Boston, signed by Canaunicus, "though
written by some of Gorton's company,
to this effect, that they purposed to make
war upon Uncas, in revenge ofthe death
of Miantinomu and others Of their peo-
pie, and marvelled that the English
should be against il; and that they had
put themselves under the government
and protection cf the King Of England,
and SO were become their fellow sub
jects, and therefore il any difference
should fall between them. il ought 70 1o
referred to him protesting with oil their
willingness to continue oil friendly cor.
respondencc with them. The General
Court received another letter from Cor
ton and his company, TO the like effect.
"June %, news came that the Nara
gansetts had killed six Of Uncas's men
and five women, and had sent two hands
and foot to Pumham, to engage him to
Join with them, but no chose to keep to
the Massachusetts, Contentious in
creased SO much the next year that an
extraordinary meeting ofthe commission
ers of the United Colonies was called at
Boston, on July %, l645, when they
sent three messengers to the Nnrragan-
sets, who on their return brought letter
from Mr.. Williams to the commissioners,
assuring them that "war would presently
break forth, and that the Nnrragansett
sachems had lately concluded neutrnli-
~ with Providence, and tho towns on
Aquedneck Island" Upon which they
determined to raise an army of 800 men.
in the following proportion, viz. 100 out
ofthe Massachusetts, 40 out of Plymouth,
40 out Of Connecticut. and 80 out Of
New Haven colonies. Forty were rails
ed Immediately, aud sent AWAY under
the command Of Lieutenant Humphry
Atherton, to protect Uncas, till Capt.
Mason should meet him there with the
western forces, who were then to pro-
ceed to meet the remainder Of the forces
from the eastward. in Narragansett. un-
der the command of Edward Gibbons,
Major General. After which Governor
Winthrop informed the com nissioners,
''that since Miantinomu's death the Mar
ragansest sachems by messengers sent