Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BAKN8TABLE FAMILIES. 379
matter was true which he knew to be false. Gov. Hinckley commenced
an action against him for defamation. Capt. Fuller made
a public acknowledgment of his fault and Gov. Hinckley discontinued
the action.
Though Capt. Fuller was undoubtedly right, in regard to the
abstract questions, underlying the Quaker controversy, yet the
bitter language in which he expressed his opinions was wholly
unjustifiable, more especially when the circumstances under which
they were uttered are taken into consideration. Capt. Fuller held
a high social position in the Colony. So did the members of the
Court, whose motives he so bitterly impugned. To the honor of
the latter, it will ever be remembered, that at the same term where
the grand jury indicted Capt. Fuller for speaking reproachfully of
the members of the Court, those slandered members, disregarding
their private grievances, and looking only to the interests of the
country, did, at the very same term of the Court, elect Capt.
Fuller one of the Council of War ; and, notwithstanding he
continued to utter vituperative language against individual members
of the government, the Court continued to confer on him
offices of honor and trust—returning good for evil. Men do not
always thus heap coals of fire on their enemy's heads. The
members of the Court knew Capt. Fuller tb be a honorable man,
and that however indiscreet he might be in words, he would perform
his whole duty to his country.
In private life, and in his business relations, he exhibited a
litigious spirit which is not commendable. He was often involved
in law-suits with his neighbors which a more discreet man would
have settled without an appeal to the courts.
These details, however, enable us to form a just estimate of
his character. That he was a man of sound judgement, of good
understanding, and faithful in the performance of all his duties,
there is no reason to doubt. In politics he was liberal, and in his
religious opinions tolerant ; but unfortunately for his reputation,
he was very indiscreet. This weakness in his character seems to
have been so manifest, so well known to all, that his injudicious
speeches were disregarded, and he was duly honored for the many
good services which he rendered to his country.
Capt. Fuller was the first regular physician who settled in
Barnstable.* That he was a man of some skill and ability in his
profession is evident from the fact that he was appointed Surgeon
General of the forces of Plymouth and of Massachusetts in 1673.
His official duties required that he should be often absent from
home, therefore his practice in Barnstable and Sandwich was
necessarily interrupted, and not of that continuous character
* The early ministers were usually practicing physicians, and Rev. Mr. Lothrop, Mr.
John Smith, and Mr. William Seargant, of Barnstable, were not, I presume, exceptions to
the general rule.