Biographical
Sketch
▬▬▬
Biographical
Sketch of Major General Daniel Denison,
BY PROF. DANIEL DENISON SLADE, OF HARVARD
UNIVERSITY.
Two
hundred years have passed since the death of the distinguished man whose memory
we this evening commemorate. Two hundred years! What a comparatively small
fragment of time, and yet what mighty changes have occurred upon these shores
within this period.
For
the first half century of the history of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, we
find the name of DANIEL DENISON standing
conspicuous among the leading events of the time; and although unfortunately for
us, the records of his life are few and scattered, yet we have sufficient data
by which to fill out a portraiture, which should be interesting not only to
these his fellow townsmen, but to his countrymen generally.
The
ancestry of Gen. Denison was evidently of Norman extraction. There is no
certainty as to the exact period at which the family emigrated to this country,
nor do we know from what county in England it came. There is good authority to
suppose that the father, William Denison, with his wife Margaret, and their
three sons, Daniel, Edward and George, came with the apostle Eliot, in 1631. He
settled in Roxbury, and took the oath of freeman in 1632. In the following year
he was appointed Constable; and Deputy in 1634, in which latter capacity he was
called upon to serve on important committees. In 1637, together with his son
Edward, he was disarmed for taking part in the antinomian controversy. That he
was a man of substance, and that he was an ardent friend of education and
religion, the records of the town and church give evidence. He died January 25,
1653. Of the mother, we have only the record of her joining the church under
Eliot, in 1632, and of her death, February three, 1645.
Daniel
Denison, the subject of today’s consideration, was the eldest son; and was
born in England in 1612, being about nineteen years of age on his arrival in the
colony. He passed the first year in Roxbury, with his parents, removing the
following year to (Newtown) Cambridge, 1632, his name being on the list of the
first settlers and church members. He was there married to Patience, the
daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley, who
was then also a resident of this place. Of the exact date of their marriage, no
record is now known to exist. He took the oath of freeman in 1634, and in this
year, the General Court appoint him upon a committee to “sett out the bounds
of all towns not yet sett out; and to settle all differences between any
towns,” rewarding him for this and other services by a grant of two hundred acres, a11 lyeing
and being about the falls, easterly side of Charles River.” His connection
with Newtown was however of short duration; for he removed to Ipswich, where, in
1635, “a house lot of about two acres which he hath paled in and built an
house upon,” together with other land was assigned to him. Why he should have
quitted Cambridge so suddenly after having joined the church and interested
himself in the town affairs can only be conjectured. It is probable that
circumstances induced him to follow his father-in-law, Gov. Dudley, who had
taken up his abode in Ipswich. And now for the remainder of his days, Daniel
Denison is intimately associated with the history of this ancient town, which he
honored by a career of public usefulness which falls to the lot of few men.
Taking
up the records of his life in chronological order, we find that in 1635 he was
chosen Deputy; serving in this capacity for three consecutive years, and again
in 1640, 44, 48, 49, 51 and 52. In 1637 be was a member of the memorable court
which judged Mrs. Hutchinson and her sympathizers, and upon which subject it may
not be uninteresting to dwell briefly in this connection. The antinomian
controversy may he classified among the list of heresies,
which, as a recent distinguished historian [Rev George E. Ellis,] remarks,
“the worst thing about them is their names with the ill associations which
they have acquired.” The antinomians believed that those who felt spiritually
that they were under a covenant of faith,” need not concern themselves about
the covenant of works.” In other words, that the Gospel had abolished the Law,
and that good works are not necessary as duties of christianity. The word antinomian signifies a denial of the obligation of the moral law,
under the christian dispensation. This “heresy,” had its origin in Germany,
and was there associated with much that was gross and licentious. No such evil
however, was connected with the party in New England. The introducer and leader
of antinomianism among the colonists, was Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, who was the
daughter of an English clergyman, and whose mother was a relative of the
celebrated poet, John Dryden. Being interested in the preaching of John Cotton,
and of her relative, John Wheelwright, and being desirous of enjoying the
ministry of Cotton, she came to Boston in 1634; and with her husband lived on
the corner of the present Washington and School streets. She soon made herself
known by her friendly services to the sick, especially to those of her own sex.
Being a woman of superior intelligence, ‘of nimble wit,” and gifted in
powers of argumentation, she drew about her many listeners, who came to hear her
discuss the sermons of those ministers who differed from her views, and who
preached in her judgment “a covenant of works.” Many of the principle people
of Boston sympathized with her. These discussions led to the dissemination of
jealousy, discord and bitterness of spirit, not only among those immediately
engaged in the controversy, but among the entire people, a great portion of whom
were ignorant of the cause or significance of the contest in which they were
engaged, and who had been excited thereto through the heat of strife.
The
dispute,” says Bancroft, “infused its spirit into everything; it interfered
with the levy of troops for the Pequot war; it influenced the respect shown to
the magistrates; the distribution of town lots; the assessment of taxes; and at
last the continued existence of the two opposing parties was considered
inconsistent with the public peace “The most serious charge brought against
Mrs. Hutchinson was that she “vented her revelations ;“ or in other words,
she prophesied judgment and disaster to come upon the colony as revealed to
her by special divine communications. Being brought before the General
Court, the following sentence was passed upon her: that “being convented for
traducing the ministers and their ministry in this country, she declared
voluntarily her revelations for her ground, and that she
should be delivered, and the Court ruined
with their posterity, and thereupon was banished.” Many inhabitants in sympathy
with her were by order of the Court disarmed; among whom were, as we have
already seen, William Denison, the father, and his son George. The reason given
by the Court for this indignity, which by the way, was a very serious matter,
although quietly effected, was “as there is just cause of suspicion that they
as others in Germany in former times, may upon some revelation, make some sudden
irruption upon those that differ from them in judgment.” The order of
disarming extended to “guns, pistols, swords, powder, shot and match;“ and
“that none of those disarmed should buy or borrow any guns, swords, pistols,
powder, shot or match, otherwise they would
be subjected to the same penalty.” Thus ended this unhappy episode in the
early life of the colony; while the fate of its chief actor was tragical in the
extreme, being massacred with her family by the indians, in the Dutch territory,
to which she had moved from Rhode Island, after the death of her husband in
1642.
What
special views were held by Daniel Denison in this controversy, we have no means
of ascertaining. We can hardly suppose him to have been a sympathizer with Mrs.
Hutchinson.
In
1636, he was made town clerk of Ipswich, and in the same year was chosen “Captaine,”
as well as Assistant in the quarterly court held in Ipswich. In 1638, Capt.
Denison with others was allowed upon petition “to begin a plantation at
Merrimack,” (Salisbury.) In 1641, he was one of a committee for furthering the
trade in Ipswich. They were to “set
up buoys, beacons, provide salt, cotton, sowing hemp seed, flax-seed and
card-wire.” In 1643, the town granted him 200 acres of land, for his “better
encouragement to settle among us.”
At
about this period commences that dependence which was placed by the colonists
upon Denison as a military leader, which seems never to have been afterwards
shaken. Owing to the great alarm which spread throughout the plantations from a
report that a general conspiracy existed among the native tribes, at a session
of the General Court in May 1643, it was ordered that there should be a general
training of troops, and provision of arms, and that Capt. Denison with five
others should put the country into a posture of war, and to see to
fortifications. Capt. Denison, together with several gentlemen of Ipswich,
Rowley, and the adjoining towns, “out of the care for the safety of the public
weal, by the advancement of the military art and exercise of arms,” were, upon
their petition, incorporated as a miltary company, in May, 1645. The town also
agrees to pay him £24 7s annually, to be their military leader; and at this
time he was chosen Sargeant Major, an office which he held until his election as
Major General. Johnson in his Wonder-Working Providence, thus speaks of his
abilities as a commander: “The two counties of Essex and Norfolk, are for the
present joyned in one regiment. Their first Major who now commandeth this
regiment is the proper and valiant Major Daniel Denison; a good souldier, and of
a quick capacity, not inferior to any other of these chief officers; his own
company are well instructed in feats and warlike activity.”
With
military duties Major Denison is called upon to take his part in the engrossing
political events of the day. The relations of Boston and Massachusetts to the
quarrels of two French Governors of Acadia, LaTour and D’Aubray, growing out
of their mutual jealousies and back-bitings, form a curious narrative in the
early times of the colonies. The Chevalier Rasilli was appointed by the King of
France to the chief command in Acadia. He designated La Tour as Lieutenant for
the portion east of the St. Croix, and D’Aubray for the western portions, as
far as the French claims extended. D’Aubray was a Catholic, while La Tour
pretended to be a Huguenot. Probably it was this last which determined the
sympathies of the colonial authorities in his behalf. The first appearance of
these rivals in our history was in the autumn of 1633, when news came of the
taking of Machias by the French. La Tour had taken possession of this trading
place, occupied by Plymouth men, two of whom were killed and three carried away.
In 1635, D’Aulnay made a similar seizure of a trading house at Penobscot. The
Plymouth people were greatly exasperated at these acts, and attempts were made
with the assistance of the Massachusetts Colony, to supplant the French by
sending an expedition against them; but from various causes, this failed. In
1641, La Tour sent an embassy to make a treaty of commerce with the
Massachusetts Colony. This it was willing to do, but it was not willing to
assist him in his contentions against D’Aulnay. In the following year, another
request came for aid against his rival; and in 1643, La Tour came himself to
Boston, was well received, and feted by the authorities, who did not feel at
liberty to give him direct assistance, but granted him permission to hire any
vessels in the harbor. He accordingly secured four ships and a pinnace, with the
necessary number of men, and with this force some damage was done to his rival,
principally by the capture of his vessel loaded with valuable moose and beaver
skins. La Tour came again to Boston in the following year to obtain assistance,
but was not successful. He however did succeed in causing a letter to be
addressed to D’Aulnay by the Colonial authorities, demanding satisfaction for
several grievances committed by him. Shortly after, D’Aulnay sent an embassy
to the Mass. Governor, complaining of the assistance given to La Tour, in the
previous year. It was conclusively proved, however, that no commissions had been
granted and no permission to use hostility. With this he was apparently
satisfied. Articles of agreement were drawn up, to keep the peace, with
certain trading rights, to be confirmed by the Commissioners of the United
Colonies. These articles, when confirmed, were sent to D’Aulnay, who refused
to sign them until all differences were settled. This circumstance caused an
animated discussion in the General Court. and it was finally decided to send
Major Daniel Denison with Deputy Governor Dudley and Mr. Hawthorne, to
D’Aulnay, with full powers to treat. They were, however, spared this trouble,
for D’Aulnay hearing of their appointment, sent three of his principle men
to Boston to settle all matters of difference. “In the end, they came to this
conclusion,” says Winthrop, ‘we accepted their commissioners’ answer in
satisfaction of those things we had charged upon Mons. D’Aulnay, and they
accepted our answer for clearing our government of what he had charged upon
us.” It was also agreed that a small compensation should be sent as an act of
courtesy; and thereupon “a very fair new Sedan, worth forty or fifty pounds
where it was made, but of no use to us,’ which had been taken in the West
Indies, by Capt. Cromwell in one of his prizes, and given to the Governor, was
sent to D’Aulnay.
The
sequel to this history is somewhat curious: D’Aulnay waged war against his
opponent, captured his fort together with his wife and property, the lady dying
three weeks afterwards. Through friends in Boston, LaTour was furnished with
trading commodities to the value of about £400, and sailed on a voyage to the
Eastward. Reaching Cape Sable, through conspiracy with the Captain, he seized
the vessel and put the Boston men on shore. Winthrop thus notes in his History:
“Whereby it appeared, (as the Scripture saith,) that there is no confidence in
an unfaithful or carnal man. Though tied with many strong bonds of courtesy,
&c., he turned pirate.”
D’Aulnay
died in 1650-1, and in the following year his widow married La Tour, and their
names are seen no more in Colonial Records.
In
the spring of 1647, Major Denison was appointed one of the Justices of the
Inferior Court sitting at Ipswich, and was also returned as Deputy to the
General Court from Ipswich. The honor of the Speakership was conferred upon him
during the two sessions of 1649, and also again in the years 1651, ‘52.
It
is well known to the students of our Colonial history, that Cromwell, after
having subdued Ireland, looked about for some means of keeping it in subjection,
and for this purpose entertained the idea of transferring some of the hardy
settlers of New England to that country. “ He knew them,” says Palfrey,
“for a set of men combining the best qualities of the English character. Their
courage had been proved by strict tests. Their religious zeal was a light fit to
be set upon a hill. They had shown themselves able to organize and to govern.”
Although this plan of Cromwell made no general impression in the Colony, that it
was seriously considered by some of the influential men, may be inferred from a
letter under date of December 31, 1650, from Daniel Denison and four others, to
the Protector, asking for information and giving their terms upon which a
possible removal might be effected. Some of these were, that they should have
liberty of religion as here in New England, that grants of land should be made
for the advance of learning, that they should have choice of a military
governor, that they should occupy a healthy portion of the country, be free from
public charge, and ‘that no irish may inhabit among us but such as we shall
like of.”*
Mindful
of the great importance of education and of the interests of his town, Major
Denison was much engaged in the establishment of the Grammar School in Ipswich,
and to the maintenance of which he afterwards gave freely. He was made one of
the Feoffees in 1651.
To
the office of Major General he was appointed in 1653, and held it at different
times until 1680. In the same year he was also chosen an Assistant, and
thenceforwards to his decease. In the autumn he was elected Secretary of the
Colony. Having been appointed a few years previously upon a committee with the
Governor and two others. “for the purpose of ending differences, settling
trade, &c., with the Dutch,” the experience thus required, induced the
General Court to again honor Denison by appointing him one of a committee to
join with the Commissioners of the United Colonies, “to draw up the case
respecting the Dutch and Indians.” Not being able to come to an agreement, Mr.
Theophilus Eaton on the part of the Commissioners, and Major-General Denison on
the part of the General Court, were instructed, each of them, to prepare a short
draught to be presented to the Court and Elders, While Eaton was “clamorous
for war,” Denison did not advocate extreme measures, and it was undoubtedly
greatly through his influence, that the House of Deputies communicated to the
Commissioners their resolve, viz , “ That according to their best apprehension
in the case, they doe not understand wee are caled to make a present warr with
the Dutch.”
In
May, 1658; the following order was passed by the General Court: “That Major
Gen’l Daniel Denison diligently peruse, examine and weigh every law, and
compare them with others of like nature; such as are plain & good, free from
any just exception, to stand without any animadversion as approved. Such as
are repealed, or fit to be repealed, to be so marked and the reasons given; such
as are obscure, contradictory or seeming so, to be rectified and the emendations
prepared. When there is two or more laws about one and the same thing, to
prepare a draught of one law that may comprehend the same; to make a plain &
easy table, and to prepare what else may present, in the perusing of them, to be
necessary and useful, and make return at the next session of this court.” The
General entered upon this work with zest and diligence, for in a few months the
volume was produced, which was at once printed. Two copies of this volume are
still preserved. As compensation “for his great paines in transcribing the
lawes,” the Court granted him a quarter part of Block Island. This entire
island was sold in 1660, two years after, for the sum of £400.
In
June, 1664, he was appointed together with Mr. Bradstreet and Mr. Symonds, to
consider the recent dissensions in the N. E. Confederacy; which had sprung
from the course pursued by Massachusetts, and by which she had been accused, by
the other Colonies, of breaking the covenant. This “Narrative,” as it was
termed, was to be sent to Cromwell.
In
1665, the county of Essex place him upon a committee “for
the procuring of suitable supplies,” and “to consider of some such way
as whereby both merchandizing may be encouraged and the hands also of the
husbandman may not wax weary in his employment.”
Massachusetts
considering that she had a prior right to certain territory on the north-east,
claimed by representatives of Gorges, the Court at its session in October, 1657,
appointed Gen. Denison, Mr. Bradstreet and Mr. Hathorne as Commissioners to
proceed to Kittery and to confer with the inhabitants who were disatisfied with
the existing state of affairs under which they lived. After much consideration
of the subject and much vexatious delay, Kittery submitted to the jurisdiction
of Massachusetts. York and other places also pursued the same course.
We
are all familiar with the unhappy contest which existed between our Puritan
fathers and the Quakers. Into a consideration of this it would not be proper for
us to enter at this time; but the following letter written by Denison as one of
the Confederate Commissioners, hears full evidence of his views on this subject.
He writes to the Governor of Rhode Island: “ We therefore make it our request
that you, as the rest of the Colonies, take such order herein, that your
neighbours may be freed from that danger; that you remove those Quakers that
have been received, and for the future prohibit their
coming amongst you. We further declare that we apprehend that it will be
our duty seriously to consider what further provision God may call us to make to
prevent the aforesaid mischief.”
In1653. instructions had been given to Capt. George Denison, the brother of our subject, by the Commissioners of the United Colonies, to go to Ninigret, the leading chief of the Narragansetts, and to warn him to abstain from hostilities against Uncas, and against one another. Soon afterwards the Confederate Commissioners declared war against the Narragansetts, from all which the Massachusetts Commissioners, Denison and Bradstreet, dissented. Denison had even declined the command of an expedition against the Indians, which was sent under Major Willard. The Massachusetts Commissioners say: “There having been many messengers to this purpose formerly sent from the commissioners to the Indian Sachems, but seldom observed by them, which now to renew again… can have in reason no other attendance in conclusion than to render us low and contemptible in the eyes of the Indians, or engage us to vindicate our honour in a dangerous and unnecessary war upon Indian quarrels, the grounds whereof we can hardly ever satisfactorily understand.”
In
1660, Gen. Denison joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and the same
year was elected Commander, which was the first undoubted instance of such
honor being conferred upon any individual.
Under
date of May 3, 1665, we find almost the only allusion to the private history of
Gen. Denison. This is the bare statement of the loss of his dwelling house by
fire, and in the same connection, the following: “A woman of Ipswich is tried
for burning Gen’l Denison’s house; not found guilty; fined as a thief, and
to be whipped for Lyeing.” Bradstreet, in his journal, says: “Mr.
Denison’s house was burnt, by which fire he suffered great losse, few of ye
things being saved.”
King
Charles II, having made demands upon Massachusetts, one of which was, “that
four or five influential persons, to be chosen by the Governor and Council,
should be sent to England forthwith, to attend upon his Majesty,” the General
Court at its session, Sept. 11, 1660, appointed a committee to draw up a letter,
giving their reasons for not submitting to the mandates of the Royal
Commissioners sent over the year previous, and also in a reply to a proposal for
an invasion of New France. In the debate to which this letter gave rise, Gen.
Denison and Mr. Bradstreet were much more compliant than other magistrates,
being perhaps influenced somewhat by the petitions which had come in from
several towns, praying for submission to the King’s demands.
“Major
Gen. Denison declared his dissent from the letter to be sent to Secretary
Morrice as not being proportionate to the end desired, and he hopes intended,
and desired it might be entered, viz., due satisfaction to his Majesty and the
preservation of the peace and liberty of this colony.”...”The King’s
commands pass anywhere,” says Denison. “No doubt but you may have a trial at
law when you come in England if you desire it, and you may insist upon it and
claim it. Prerogative is as necessary as law and is for the good of the whole,
that there be always power in being to act, and where there is a right of power
it will be abused so long as ‘tis in the hands of weak men, and the less pious
the more apt to miscarry; but right may not be denied because it may be abused.
If we shall refuse to answer here to commissioners and in England also, what
will the King say? Is it not plain that jurisdiction is denied to his Majesty?
Though no appeal lies to his Majesty so to stop justice but it may proceed to
the uttermost, yet the King may accept any complaint and require and answer
thereto, so that our absolute power to determine must not abate the King’s
prerogative.”
The
capture of New York by the Dutch, in 1673, created an alarm among the English
Colonies, lest their dominions might also be invaded. Accordingly the federal
commissioners met at Hartford, and recommended to the General Court of each of
the Colonies to provide means of defence. The Governor and Council of Massachusetts
at a meeting, Aug. 4, 1673, ordered—”that for defence against the Dutch in
case of their appearance before the harbour, endeavors be used to set the three
principle ports in order.”
“
1. That the honoured Governor and Major-general shall and hereby is impowered in
case of any notice and appearance or assault of the enemy to command such
company of foot or horse as belong to the regiments of Suffolk or Middlesex, to
come into the relief of the towns of Boston or Charlestown.”
“6.
That the Major of Essex Regiment, Daniel Denison, Esq., shall and is hereby
impowered and required to send relief into Salem and Marblehead.”
In
the Massachusetts archives we find in good preservation the following letter
addressed to Major Denison by William Hathorne and his answer thereto. Major
Denison was at a later date made Commander-in-Chief of the forces raised in
Massachusetts; also one of the Massachusetts commissioners to Connecticut.
SIR,—According
to yr order wee are all hands upon fortification at Salem, but have for our
great artillery, of country powder, or shott, none att all and beside wee intend
to inlarge our ffort and augment our ports, wee do therefore address ourselves
to you knowing none so sencable of our needes, wee doo much want five great
guns, as Culverin, or demi Culverin, or as large as may here be gott, with
powder and shott proportionable, pray Sir be helpful what you may and especially
to me who cannot at present run away but subscribe himselfe with the rest of the
militia. We are yr Servants.
Dated:
6: 6: mo 1673. Wm.
Hathorne, Sen’r.
SIR,—Upon
a little conference with the officers at Salem, though I find them of divided
apprehensions (which is and will be our misery) they seem resolved to make their
fort defencable immediately and doe affirm the guns therein will command the
roade. If so, t’were pitty they should want powder and guns, I presume your
charity will as readily assist them with ye country stock as Charlestowne
otherwise you know what I sayd, I doubt not of your readiness. I beseech you
further their despatch, and if we want not materials, I shal not be out of hope
that a good account will be rendered of our trust, however let nothing be
wanting and the will of the Lord be done.
Yr
Humble Servant,
Daniel Denison.
In
the disastrous war with the Indians which broke upon the Colonies in 1675, known
as King Philip’s war, Gen. Denison, as might be supposed from his position,
took an active part. Fortunately there are several letters extant relating to
this latter portion of his life. These for the most part are well preserved, and
the handwriting, which is excellent, is as distinct as ever, although more
than two centuries have fled since these letters were written. He was appointed
Commander-in-Chief of the Massachusetts forces, June, 1675, as will be seen by
the instructions given him by the Governor and Council; but as he was prevented
by sickness from taking the field, Major Thomas Savage was substituted.
The
Governor and Magistrates assembled in Counsell at Boston in the Massachusetts
Colony.
To
Major Generall Daniel Denison—
Whereas,
you are nominated and chosen Generall of all the forces raised by us for the
present expedition against the Indians that have made an inroad upon our
neighbours and confederates of Plymouth Colony. You are hereby authorized and
impowered to take the conduct of the said forces, to dispose of them and make
provision for them of all manner of necessarys so as may have the best tendency
for the service they are to attend, and all constables and other officers of
this commonwealth are hereby enjoyned to be assistants to you and to execute
your commands and warrants for the effecting thereof. You are to kill burn and
destroy the enemy unless they shall yield themselves your prisoners, and to rule
and govern your officers and soldiers under your command, according to our
military laws, and if necessity of any imergency that may happen will permit,
you shall observe the instructions herewith given you, and such further orders
as from time to time you shall receive from the Counsell or Generall court, and
in so doing this shall be your warrant.
Given
in Boston. June 26, 1675.
Instructions
for Daniel Denison, Esq., Commander-in-chief of the forces raised or to be
raised Cor the assistance of our neighbours and friends of Plymouth Colony:
In
confidence of your wisdom, prudence and faithfulness in this trust committed to
you for the honour of God, the good of his people and the sincerity of the
interest of our Lord Jesus Christ in his churches, expecting, and praying that
you may be blessed in a dayly dependence upon him for all that supply of grace
that may be requisite for your carrying an end therein, we must leave much to
his direction and guidance of you upon the place as occasion may occur from time
to time, yet would commend unto you these instructions following, which we
expect and require that you do attend.
You
are with all expedition to march away with those soldiers you have, after those
forces marched before, over whom you have the command by commission, unto whom
you are to declare the same, so that they may know you to be their commander in
chief and you are to require them to obey you in attending the service. You are
to see that the commanders and soldiers are kept in good order and discipline
according to the rules military, and that all profanity and disorder be avoyded
in the camp as much as in you lies and upon the breaking forth of any you are to
punish without partiality.
You
are to see that the publick worship of God by dayly prayer and Invocation upon
his name, and that preaching as you have opportunity be attended, for the
instruction of the soldiers in the knowledge and fear of the Lord and that the
Sabbath be not profaned but that as much as in you lyes and the emergency of the
service will admit you see that the same be duly sanctified and the minister
duly respected.
You
are by all means possible to endeavour the strengthening and incouraging or our
friends and neighbours of Plymouth by keeping meet correspondency with their
Commander and Commissioners, and by all means to weaken, destroy and subdue the
enemy, and in case of your coming to any capitulation with the enemy, you are to
endeavour as much as may be to the just satisfaction of our neighbours of
Plymouth.
You
are by all possible means to putt the enemy out of his skulkings (whereby he
picks off the English) by pressing upon them with resolution the best you may
and so force them to engagement, or leaving their station,—above all endeavour
the taking or destroying the head of them, Philip and his chief counsellors,
that hath been the contriver and carrier and end of this treacherous and
barbarous insurrection.
You
are to consult your comanders and to take in Mr Dudley our minister to consult
in matters you may think wise to advise with him in, as to the carrying an end
of this design.
You
are to order your commissarys for provisions and stores to be carefull that
there may not be any embezzlement made therein and to order that your comanders
be very careful that the soldiers be careful of their arms and that they may
have all meet provision for their strengthening in the service as much as in you
lyes.
You
are from time to time to give us intelligence of your proceedings and how the
Lord shall please to deal with you in this expedition.
Dated
in Boston 28th June, 1675.
Of
Capt. Hinchman, to whom the first of the two following letters is addressed, we
have no information. Major Waldron was from Dover, and was chosen a Deputy in
1654, and for several years after. He
was also appointed Speaker at different times. He had been a Captain in the
militia, and in 1674 was appointed Sergeant-Major of Yorkshire. He was not
wanting in executive ability.
To
Capt. Daniel Hinchman,— You are with all convenient speed to return to your
company and quarters about Pocasset to fetch of your men and provisions and
ammunition there or thereabouts, and what you for want of carriage cannot bring
off with you, you are to lay it up safely in some convenient place, and Mr.
Brian Pendleton is thought to be most suitable, [torn] understand some is
already ... all the particulars... you are to take receits ... you may sell
taking present pay or good bills of which you ... give an account to Capt.
Davis, &c. Commission’rs for provision for the army.
At
your first arrivall at Pocasset or sooner before you draw off, you shall give
notice to the chief commanders of Plymouth forces that you are commanded off,
that so he or they take care for the security of the place. But if the said
Commander in Chief shall urge or desire your stay upon such grounds as in your
understanding are of weight; you shall signify the same to the Governor and
councill and expect further order before you move. But in case the said Plymouth
commander shall not upon such reasons as aforesaid oppose your returning, you
shall with all expedition draw off your company and as abovesd, and march them
to Boston and disband, unless the Governor and Councill give order for your
further services. In your march by Mr. Woodcock’s you shall command off those
souldiers of ours, who have been ordered there for a guard. The like you are to
do with those at Capt. Hudson’s, unless you judge it unsafe, he being of our
Colony whom we are to take care of. In your advance thither you are hereby
authorized to press or require the constables respectedly to furnish you with
horses and guides, as you shall have occasion, the like you shall do in your
returne to accommodate yourself and company with what you judge necessary.
Given at Boston Aug 9, 1675.
Daniel Denison, Maj. Gen.
For
Major Rich’d Waldron—
Having
acquainted the Council with what I advised you on the fifteenth inst., I am
commanded by them to order you forthwith with 50 or 60 souldiers, under your
owne or Mr. Plaisted’s or some other sufficient Conduct you march to Pennicook
supposed to be the great rendevous of the enemy, where you may expect to meet
Capt. Mosely, who is ordered thither and have sufficient commission to pursue
kill and destroy them, which you must also attend as your work, unless such as
shall willingly deliver up their armes and themselves or sufficient hostages to
secure their peaceable behaviour. You had need take along with you a chirugeon
and make all possible expedition. A great part of our forces are at present at
Hadley.
Boston,
Aug. 17, 1675.
Daniel Denison, Maj. Gen.
By
order of the Council
The devastations committed by the Indians, and the alarm caused thereby had now spread on every side. No one could foretell where the enemy would next strike. Thoroughly acquainted with the country and unimpeded in their progress through it, they would fall upon some distant hamlet, destroy and disappear. In the words of Irving: “There were now and then indications or these impending ravages, that filled the minds of the Colonists with awe and apprehension. The report of a distant gun would perhaps be heard from the solitary woodland, where there was known to be no whiteman! the cattle which had been wandering in the woods would sometimes return home wounded, or an indian or two would be seen lurking about the skirts of the forests and suddenly disappearing; as the lightning will sometimes be seen playing silently about the edge of the cloud that is brewing the tempest.”
Under
circumstances like these, the following letters were written; the first
addressed to the Secretary of the Colony, the second from the General on his
advance to Salisbury, and the third showing the difficulties attendant upon the
impressment of men for an emergency:
Mr.
Secretary
I
received your intelligence, the substance whereof I had two hours before by way
of Billerica and Andover, together with certaine intelligence, that the enemy is
passed Merrimack, their tracks seen yesterday at Wamesit and two of their
scouts, this morning at Andover, who by 2 posts
one in the night and againe this day about 2 of the clock importuned for help,
as doth Haveril and Major Pike from Norfolk. I am with great difficulty sending
up 60 men this night under Capt. Appleton to Andover, who will also take this
opportunity if not prevented, to attend the Council’s order for survey of the
towns of this county who are sufficiently alarmed. Did not I judge my presence
here more necessary than anything I could contribute there, I would most
willingly embrace the opportunity, were it but for ease. I suppose this will
excuse me to the Council, whatever it will to ye people. I hope my Brother
Bradstreet will publish my excuse, had he writ I might have ordered some of his
best things to have been brought of from Andover. I am in extremity of haste at
sun-sett despatching the souldiers to the great dissatisfaction of the towne.
Let God arise and our enemies shal be scattered.
Yr Humble Servant,
Daniel Denison.
Ips.
August 19, at six at night, 1675.
If
Capt. Appleton return with good newes and it be necessary for me to come, if I
understand it, I shal attend; tho our court should be next week. Pray my Brother
Bradstreet to comend to ye Council that many of our towne souldiers that are now
under Capt Cooke, intended for Capt. Sill to be a guard to my-selfe and the
comissioners will be extremely wronged if they be kept out. Hoping they should
have had favor of me for a speedy returne, some of their occasions and familyes
will extreamely suffer, as Samuel Ingails, a farmer with a great family, Mr.
Thomas Wade and diverse others, indeed the most of Ipswich and one of Rowley,
Lieutenant Michil.
Much
Hon’d Sir,—
You
are not ignorant of my engagements to Major Pyke, that he assisting Major
Waldron upon that streight at Neechiwannick, I would not faile him in case, wch
you see by his letters he claims and for the performance thereof (according to
my comission) I gave orders in my Regiment for a force competent for what I
intended, only proposing the design of visiting the enemy’s head quarters, but
not to be attempted without further order, but doe now see it, I feare not
possible, the difficulty of getting men is beyond my former beliefe I am now
advancing to Major Pyke to Salisbury hoping I shall have 50 musqueteers to
follow me. When I am there upon the place wee shall advise how to dispose of any
or all of the men, and except there be extreme necessity I think shall be able
to afford them no more than the comfort of our presence for a while.
Our
posts at Topsfield and Andover being affrighted with the sight (as they say) of
Indians which I have not time to examine till my returne; I think I had not
troubled you with the last, but for one passage without which I remember, viz.,
that John Linds son of Wamiset was amongst those very lately that assaulted the
English about Piscatay. It is hardly imaginable the pannick fear that is upon
our upland plantations and scattered places, deserting their habitations, which
upon my returne I hope to remedy. I am sorry to hear the newes from Hadley and
Connecticut. The Almighty and Merciful God pitty and help us. In much haste I
break of.
Your humble Servt
Daniel Denison.
Ipswich,
October 28, 1675.
SIR,—In
obedience to your late order for the impressing of 185 souldiers, wee have
listed the persons underwritten who are fitted with arms, ammunition and cloaths,
as the order directs—only you may please to understand that some of the
persons now returned hath withdrawn themselves. Although warning hath been left
at the places of their abodes, and their parents required to be ready to goo in
their stead if their sons should fail (we feared also lest the service should be
neglected) other men warned to make up the number of 28, which is our towne’s
proportion if any of those now returned should fail. [Here
follow the names of 28 men.]
Those
three last, very lusty young men,
Under
a safe press and not discharged but required to attend when called, have by the
artifice of their parents, absconded for the present, though their parents hath
beene required to bring them forth or be ready themselves to march. We have not
3 abler, lustive young fellows in our towne and few exceeding them in the
country, nor may be better spared. I have not further to trouble you, but
presenting my services to yourselves and the rest of the magistrates, rest
Yr Humble servant
Daniel Denison.
Salem,
Nov. 30, 1675.
Instructions
to Lieut. Thomas Fiske:
W
hereas you are appointed by the Governor and Council to have the conduct of
sixty souldiers of Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk in this present expedition to
Kinnebeck under the comand of Major Richard Waldron, commander-in-chief, you are
hereby ordered and authorized to take under your care and comand, the sd company
of souldiers, requiring them to obey you as their Lieutenant and comander whom
you are to lead and conduct on this service of the country, to pursue, kill and
destroy the enemy, or make them your prisoners. And the sd souldiers are hereby
required to obey you as their comander and yourselfe to attend to all orders and
comands of your Comander-in-chief, and all further orders or instructions you
shall from time to time receive from the general Court Council or other
authority, and this shall be your warrant
Daniel Denison, Maj. Gen.
Dat.
Feb. 5, 1676.
Feb.
25, 1676. Gen. Denison is ordered to Marlboro, to dispose of the forces which
had been raised and collected there. The letter which follows relative to Capt.
Brocklebank at Marlboro, who desires to be dismissed with his company, portrays
one of the vexations to which every commander is liable in times of the greatest
need.
SIR,—Yesterday
I received a letter from Capt. Brocklebank at Marlborough, signifying his desire
of being dismissed with his company; the reasons he alledges are their
necessities and wants, having beene in the country’s service ever since the
first of January at Narraganset, and within one weeke after their return were
sent out again, having neither time nor mony (save a fortnights pay upon their march,) to recruite themselves, and he saith they do
little service where they are; and he understands the inhabitants are called off
by the Council. I shall make bould to request the like labor in the behalfe of
those (at least.) Some of those troopers and dragoons of Essex, that went out
last, intended for Hadley, but by reason of the disaster at Groton diverted to
Concord, &c., to beate of and prosecute the enemy in those parts, and I
directed orders to Major Willard, that with those he first tooke up with him,
and those then sent, together with the garrisons of Marlborough, Lancaster and
Chemsford (if need were) in all about 200 men he might not only defend the
towns, but might prosecute the enemy to his quarters, being wth 2 days march,
but I heare of no such attempt, nor indeed of any considerable improvement of
them that hath beene or is likely to be, and am therefore sollicitious for many
of them, that out of a respect to myselfe went willingly, hoping of a speedy
return to their families and occasions, some of them more than ordinary great
and urgent. I intreate therefore they may be presently considered and eased to
attend the seed time, &c., and if there be necessity that others may be sent
in their rooms, who may with far less detriment be spared. The stockade from
Watertown to Wamesit might better be from Watertown to Sudbury river, 9 miles,
taking in more country, and that river being as good a stop as the stockade; the
greatest objection is Merrimack river, though broad, yet I understand is
fordeable in 20 places between Wamesit and Haveril, and cannot be safe without
guard, which must be kept upon it. For haste I jumble many things which be
pleased to pardon. The Lord looke in mercy upon his poore distressed people,
upon yourselfe in particular, so prays
Your humble Servant
Daniel Denison.
The
enclosed are certificates of delinquents in the last press in Norfolk and of the
troopers that should have gone with Capt. Whipple to Hadley.
Order
for the Commissary to provide for the Garrison at Marlboro:
Mr.
Fairweather,—You are hereby ordered to provide a quantity of Porke, currants,
rum, spice, shirts, drawers, wastecoats, shoes for the Garrison at Marlborough
and deliver them to these bearers to be conveyed up thither.
Daniel Denison, M. G.
June
13, 76.
Gen.
Denison was not himself sent to the eastward until the autumn of this year, but
as Commander-in-Chief had direction of all the forces operating in that region.
To
Edward Rawson, Secretary:
SIR,—The
inclosed gives you an account of the eastern parts which I thought necessary to
despatch to you, that suitable orders and necessary provisions might be conveyed
to them upon ye first account of ye disaster at Casco, and the desires of those
of York communicated to me by Major Pike, I have ordered him to send 20 or 30
shoalers to York to comfort them. I can ad nothing to the intelligence nor
contribute any advice. I suppose Major Waldron hath fully informed you of the
state of those parts. It cannot but be full of difficulties to deale with such a
skulking enemy, especially in such a hideous country. The God that hath saved
and delivered us from a more numerous enemy, will doubtless in his owne time
perfect his worke begun and restore unto us our former peace. Your present
advice and orders wherein I pray God to guide, is the earnest desire of
Yr Humble Servant
Daniel Denison.
Ips.
Sept. 26, 1676, at 8 at night.
To
Edward Rawson, Secretary:
Sr
—Yours of the 27th instant came to my hands about 10 at night, being then in
bed and very ill; yet notwithstanding, by breake of day I gott up, though then
in a feaverish distemper, to impart the contents thereof to the Deputy and
Major Hathorne; but by reason of their distant lodgings could not understand
their minds, till they judged it impossible for them to reach Boston till late
at night: You may expect their answer from themselves. I would have also you to
have come had they so concluded, though hopeless of reaching Boston this night,
by reason of my present distemper. I had hoped that my former reasonable excuse
might have satisfyed for my absence of Monday last. And though it be true Major
Waldron spake much to me, and the deputy, (as men that apprehend themselves in
danger usually doe,) yet I did not upon all he sayd apprehend any necessity of
my presence for his despatch. I perceive the sailor is ill resented and
therefore as a punishment, a burden is imposed, which I cannot understande nor
beare. I shall not willingly omit any thing that my place or duty obligeth me
unto, and, accordingly have, by order of the Council, raised and dispatched
those forces under Capt Hathorne, with commission orders and instructions, which
if it be the council’s pleasure, I shall yet continue to doe to my best skil.
But to provide and furnish them with provision and amunition which must be had
from Boston, I think it needless for me to undertake, otherwise than by
representing their wants to the Gover’r and Council, or at most giving orders
to the Commissaries to dispatch them wth speed, which I suppose would be more
effectually done by an order from the authority upon the place.
Further,
I never understood or intended the forces now on foote further than Yorkshire,
and did almost assure them (for their encouragement,) they should not be
employed further east: if therefore, anything be expected to be done at
Kinnebec, Pemaquid, Monhegan, I dare not undertake it, but intreate the Council
to take order therein, who understand the state of those parts and necessity of
taking care thereof, wherein I am altogether a stranger and unacquainted—which
places, as I intimated in my last, may best be secured by the persons that are
concerned there—at least with the helpe and assistance of some Suffolk men. I
cannot judg more forces necessary for the defence and security of Yorkshire,
than are there at present, if well improved. If more should be required, they
will not at this time be easily raised here, it being now harvest, which calls
for all hands. Any particular directions from the Council shall be attended,
which I think under correction should be drawne up in an order and not crowded
into a letter. The messenger’s stay bids me (with my service to the Gover’r
and Council,) conclude.
Yr humble Servant,
Daniel Denison.
Ips.
Sept. 28, at 9 Mor.
It
were vayne to tell you of the extraordinary disappointment would be
should the court have adjourned.
Letter
about the Eastward:
Honerd
Sr. You will understand by this bearer the state of the Eastern parts and our
forces there. It seems when this post came from there, Capt. Hathorne had not
received my order, but by Major Waldron, for their march up to the enemies head
quarters. which I suppose they will readily attend, if furnished with victuals
wch they cannot have there. I suppose a fortnight’s bread and cheese wth
powder and bullets for 260 men, will be as little as may be, and that to be
speeded to Pascatag to Mr. Martin or Major Waldron for the use of our forces. I
am sorry so much time hath beene lost about Casco to little purpose, and now
they are drawne southward and divided to their great discontent by an order of
yr Council the 16th of Sept. I suppose upon Major Waldron’s solicitation wch
would undoe all, but I have by your later order contradicted that order, and by
name required all the comanders, as Hunting, Siblo and Frost, to attend the
orders and comands of Capt. Hawthorne, and ordered him twice to march to ye
Indian Quarters, where the women and children are, as also more than 20 English
prisoners, and take a convenient strength, giving notice to yr towns to stand
upon their defence in the meane time, wth such assistance as can well be spared.
I hope the Council will take order to make the people keep their stations and
hasten provisions, which Mr. Martin as well as the Gover’r can assure are not
to be had in those parts. I have not further to add but comending you to God,
subscribe myselfe
Your humble Servant,
Daniel Denison.
Ips.
Oct. 3, 1676.
Oct.
12, 1676. The Court appointed General Denison to proceed to Portsmouth and to
take chief command of the forces there destined for the war at the eastward. He
was authorized “to impress men, horses, ammunition and provisions and as to
him shall seem mete.” In this connection we extract the following from
Hubbard’s Present State of New England :—“The Governor and Council of the
Massachusetts had at this time their hands full with the like attempts of
Philip and his complices to the Westward, yet were not unmindful of the
deplorable condition of these Eastern plantations, having committed the care
thereof to the respective regiments of the several counties on that side of the
country, but more especially to the care and prudence of the honoured Major
Daniel Denison, the Major General of the whole Colony, a gentleman who by his
great insight in and long experience of all martial affairs, was every way
accomplished for the managing the whole affairs.”
Active
operations against the enemy at the eastward were carried on until late in the
autumn of 1676, under the direction of General Denison.
Mugg, the Etechemin sachem, surrendered himself to the
Commander-in-Chief, and was sent to Boston, where a treaty was concluded,
stipulating the cessation of hostilities, the restoration of prisoners, &c.
This state of peace continued, however, only until the following spring, when
hostilities were again commenced, and did not cease until the termination of the
war in the spring of 1678. In the year 1677, Denison was not elected to the
office of Major-General, but during the remaining years of his life he occupied
that position.
As
one of the licencers of the press, with Bradstreet and Dudley, he authorizes the
imprint and publication of Hubbard’s Narrative,
March 29, 1677. In May, of this year, he is one of three to grant permission
to Indians to carry arms. In April he wrote the following letter to Capt.
Charles Frost, who was engaged in superintending the garrisons in the county of
York:
To
Capt Charles Frost,—You are hereby authorized to take under your command and
conduct fifty foot soldiers herewith sent you of the County of Essex and
Norfolk, commanding them to obey you as their Captain, whom you are to lead and
conduct against the common Enemy now infesting Yorkshire, whom you are with all
diligence to pursue and destroy, as also to succor and assist the English of
Wells, York, Neechiwannick or elsewhere, as you shall have opportunity. And the
said soldiers are hereby required to attend your orders and commands for the
prosecution of the enemy as abovesaid according to the rules and orders of
Military discipline; and you are to attend such orders and instructions as from
time to time you shall receive from myself or other superior authority, and for
so doing this shall be your warrant.
Daniel Denison, Major Gen.
April
12, 1677.
The
General Court granted to Gen. Denison, Oct. 10, 1677, an island of six or seven
acres opposite the middle of his farm, for his distinguished services.
The
distemper to which the following letter alludes, was undoubtedly the small
pox; and according to the suggestion, the Court met at Cambridge.
July
8, 1678. Mr. Secretary,—Wee received your 2d letters of invitation to come to
Boston though by neither wee understand any necessity of a present meeting, and
by reason of the present distemper prevailing at Boston cannot be satisfied that
anything less than an absolute necessity ought to draw us to Boston at this
season; if therefore there must be a meeting, wee desire as wee intimated to
Major Gookins some other place may be appointed (which wee shall if want of
health hinder not, attend though wth difficulty enough,) wee doubt not but Salem
can accommodate such an occasion; but if that be too farr, though twice so farr
hath not beene the end of our many journeys upon such occasions for many yeares,
wee doubt not but Cambridge may be thought more fitt than Boston at present.
When we understand the council’s resolutions (to whom wee desire you to impart
these) we shal endeavor to apply ourselves accordingly. .Not to trouble you
further at present, we rest, Your loving friends,
Samuel
Symonds,
Daniel
Denison.
In
January, 1681, the General Court ordered a copy of the letter from the King,
respecting Mason’s claims to certain territory, to be given to Gen. Denison
and the other Magistrates of the County of Essex for their consideration, and
that by this course the tenants of the villages on the south side of the
Merrimac, a portion of which were claimed by Mason, might meet together at
Ipswich or Newbury. In June, following, the Court made answer to the King’s
letter as follows ;—“ We have published his pleasure to the villages on the
south of the Merrimack, some part whereof Mr. Mason claims. But neither the
inhabitants there, nor we, know Mason’s bounds. We are in hope that what may
be presented to his Majesty on behalf of said inhabitants will obviate the
clamour and groundless pretence of the complainers.”
In
the Massachusetts Archives, there is the following order, which had passed the
House of Deputies, Feb. 18, 1681. Major General Daniel Denison: “To be paid 10£
which he advanced in case of Mason’s claims.”
Of
the remaining months of General Denison’s life we know but very little. As he
was chosen an Assistant the very year in which his death occurred, we may
presume that the distressing disease of which he died did not prevent him from
performing the public duties to which he was called, until very near the end. In
the performance of these public duties he had been Representative 11 years,
Speaker of the House 3 years, Assistant 29 years, Major-General of the entire
military force of the Colony 11 years, Commissioner of the United Colonies 8
years, and once President of the Board. It is probable that he occupied the
leisure moments of the latter portion of his active life in writing the treatise
which he left at his decease, and which was published by his good pastor, Wm.
Hubbard, two years after that event. The volume, which is entitled Irenicon,
or Salve for New Enqland’s Sore, is exceedingly rare, and is a good
specimen of the quaint language of the day. In this he considers, 1. What our
present maladies are intended in this discourse. 2. What might be the occasion
there of. 3. The danger. 4. The blameable causes.
5.The Cure. He says:
“Among
the manifold symptoms of this Disease, I apprehend none more threatening our
dissolution than the sad and unreasonable divisions about matters of Religion.
... A receipt of these five simples without composition accompanied with Fasting
and Praying till they are well digested, with God’s blessing may bring about
the expected cure; for the Dose you need not trouble yourself, there is not
danger of taking too much. And if this should fail, which I fear not, I have
another receipt, but I fear it is somewhat corroding, which I hope I shall never
have occasion to use, my lenitives working according to my expectations. So I
take my leave committing you to God and a good Nurse.”
During
the very last month of his life he was called upon to give his opinion in
matters relating to the church at Andover.
General
Denison died September 20, 1682, at the age of three score years and ten. The
death of so distinguished a public servant called forth expressions of grief not
alone among his immediate family and townsmen, but throughout the colony. That
he was a man of distinguished abilities, and those of a most varied character,
the services to which he was called continuously through a long life abundantly
testify. That he performed these services faithfully, and satisfactorily to his
constituents, is shown by his constant re-election to offices of great public
trust, even after it was acknowledged that he belonged to the moderate party,
and when, by his speeches, he proved that he was ready to yield to the King’s
prerogative. Randolph, in 1673, in answer to inquiries respecting the present
state of New England, and who were the most popular in the magistracy,
enumerates Gen. Denison among the most popular and well principled men. Mr.
Savage, in his life of Winthrop, speaks thus of Denison: “ The moderate spirit
by which he was actuated, had not a general spread, yet the continuance of his
election to the same rank, when his sympathy was not, in relation to the
controversy with the crown, in unison with that of the people, is evidence of
the strong hold his virtue and public labors had acquired.” Moreover, we have
every reason to suppose that his character was strengthened and supported by
religious influences, adding thereby to his eminence among men.
It
is much to be regretted that we have neither portrait nor description of the
person of General Denison; and of his private worth, we glean our knowledge
chiefly from the funeral sermon preached by his pastor. The text was Isaiah 3:
1-3, “For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem
and from Judah, the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole
stay of water. The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet,
and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, and the honorable man,
and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.”
“There
are but few men born into the world in any age, in whom all these desirable
qualities are eminently met together. And none in these parts of the world (if
that be not too great a word to say,) in whom so many or more of such honorable
endowments were joined together in such a degree. The greater is our sorrow who
are now met together to solemnize the funeral of a person of so great worth,
enriched with so many Excellencies, which made him neither live undesired nor
die unlamented, nor go to his grave unobserved.
“Is
there not a Prince and a great man fal’n this day in Israel, so in a sense, it
may be said here— a great man is fallen in our little Israel. ... Concerning
the Gentleman whose Funeral obsequies were lately celebrated amongst us, not to say more
than is convenient to prevent emulation in them that are surviving. His Parts
and Abilities were well known amongst those with whom he lived, and might justly
place him among the first three, having indeed many natural advantages above
others for the more easie attaining of skill in every science.
“His
military skill some years before his death advanced him to the conduct and
command of the whole, which he was able to have managed with great exactness,
yet was he not inferior in other Sciences: and as a good souldier of Christ
Jesus, he had attained to no small confidence in his last conflicts with the
King of Terrors; being not afraid to look Death in the face in cold blood, but
with great composedness of mind received the last Summons. For though he was
followed with tormenting pain of the Stone or Strangury, that pursued him to the
last, he neither expressed impatience under those grinding pains nor want of
confidence or comfort from his first seizure. So having fought the good fight,
run his race, and finished his course, he quietly resigned his spirit to God
that gave it. His last thoughts and endeavours were for the good of the publick,
as may be seen by the Irenicon now lately found amongst his papers, which it is thought
would be too much ingratitude to withold from view any longer.”
His
funeral obsequies were conducted in a manner worthy of his distinguished rank,
as may be judged from the following, copied from the Massachusetts Archives:
“Whereas
it hath pleased the Lord in his Sovereign Providence to take away our Honored
Daniel Denison, Esq., and in regard to his long continuance a Major General, it
occasioned a very considerable charge at his funeral, and the annual income of
his family being but small, the Magistrates judge meet that the Treasurer allow
to his widdow the full of this year’s sallary, until May next, and also twenty
pounds in money to be pd the sd widdow in payt of her sd funeral charges. The
magistrates have past this their brethren the Deputys hereto consenting.
Edward Rawson, Sec’y.
Oct.
18, 1682.
The Deputys consent not hereto.
William Torrey, Clerk.
Mrs.
Denison survived her husband eight years her death occuring Feb. 8, 1690. They
had two children, John and Elisabeth. John married Martha, daughter of Deputy
Governor Symonds, and had three children; he died Jan. 9, 1671. Elizabeth
married Rev. John Rogers, President of Harvard College.
John,
son of John and Martha Denison, graduated at Harvard College, was chosen as
colleague with Mr. Hubbard, and was much beloved by his people. His life was
short. His sister Martha married Matthew Whipple, and died Sept. 12, 1725, aged
60 years. Daniel, his brother, it is thought, lived on the Denison estate at
Merrimac, and his descendants are still to be found in New England.
Edward,
one of the brothers of Gen. Denison, made Roxbury his residence, and there
married Eliza, daughter of Joseph Weld. He was representative in 1652 and 1655.
He had a large family; one of the sons, William, graduated at Harvard
College in 1681. He died April 26, 1668, and his wife in 1717.
George,
the remaining brother, married at Roxbury, Bridget Thomson, and had two
children. His wife dying in 1643, he went to England and served in Cromwell’s
army. Marrying again, he returned to Roxbury, and was there made freeman in
1648. Shortly afterwards he removed to New London, Conn., and much distinguished
himself in Philip’s war, as an energetic and extremely capable commander. He
died Oct. 23, 1694. His widow died in 1712, aged 97. By his second marriage he
had eight children.
The
will of Major-General Denison has been preserved, and the following extracts are
of interest:
“Daniel
Denison of Ipswich, being in good health and memory, doe thus ordaine my last
will.” After providing for his daughter and her son, it says: “ To my wife
Patience, I bequeath the rest of my estate in houses, lands, cattle, money,
&c., for her support and for the education and maintenance of my grandchild,
John Denison, and for the relief of my grandchildren, Daniel and Martha Denison,
if they be in neede, for whose education and maintenance I have otherwise
provided.”
The
will was made July 16, 1673, and the last codicil, December 22, 1680.
The
inventory of the estate, taken Oct. 17, 1682, is as follows:
Amount,
£2105, 13s. Debts due estate £28, l0s. County pay £390, 8s, 2d.
* Boston and Neighboring Jurisdictions, by C. C. Smith. Mem. Hist. Boston.