Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

274 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES.
took VOX populi to be vox Dei, and that God did thereby call and
design me to sit still and be sequestered from all publick transactions,
which condition suits me so well that I have received more
satisfaction and contentment therein, than ever I did in sustaining
any publick place."
Capt. Cudworth was chosen, in 1674, an assistant, and
annually thereafter till 1680. In 1674, though over 70 years of
age, was re-established Captain of the Military Company -in
Scituate. Oct. 4, 1675, "Major James Cudworth was unanimously
chosen and re-established in the office of a General or Commanderin-chief,
to take the charge of our forces that are or may be sent
forth in the behalf of the Colony against the enemy, as occasion
may require."
In 1678 he was on the committee to revise the laws, and
again appointed in 1681. June 7, 1681, he was chosen a Commissioner
of the United Colonies, and Duputy Governer. In
Sept. 1681, he went over to England as the Agent of the
Colony, and died of the small pox in London in the spring of the
following 3'ear.
Thus ended the life of one who, take him all in all, had no
superior in the Old Colony. As a christian, he was meek, humble,
and toleraut ; as a neighbor, he was mild, humane, and useful ; as
a man, he was magnanimous in all his acts, and as a commander
be was brave and able, and had the entire confidence of his
soldiers. When disfranchised and thrust out of office, he did not
murmur, he regretted that some of his ancient friends, particularly
John Alden, should be led astray, and though he condemned their
acts, yet he never allowed a difference of opinion to break the ties
of friendship. He retired to his farm, and for thirteen years was
constantly engaged in rural occupations. Referring to this period
he says, they were the happiest years of his life.
It is no credit to the memory of Gov. Thomas Prence that he
had not the" magnanimity to do justice to the merits of Gen.
Cudworth. He had many excellent qualities, but toleration in
matters of faith was not one of them, and therefore his hostility.
Gov. Hinckley was a zealous Puritan ; but he was more tolerant and
more liberal in his views. He never joined in the crusade against
the Anna Baptists, and in respect to the Quakers, many things
have been laid to his charge of which he was not guilty. Whatever
may have been his opinion in 1658 and 1674, he and all the
assistants and deputies unanimously co-operated with Gov.
Winslow in awarding justice to Gen. Cudworth. Such conduct
disai-ms criticism. Gen. Cudworth lived down all opposition, and
in his old age the highest honors in the gift of the people were
freely bestowed on him.
Of the family of Gen. Cudworth, no record has been preserved.
His wife was living in 1674, but had deceased at the