Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

420 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES.
attributed to innate ideas in his mind, and modern phrenologists
say the same in a different form, that is, that the character depends
entirely on the size and form of the brain. Locke, in his essay on
the human understanding, demonstrates that there are no innate
ideas in the mind, and his followers usually maintain that,
"'Tis education forms the common mind,
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."
This couplet inculcates a sound philosophy, because in comparing
the human mind to the vegetable growth, it admits innate
differences, and that education does not eradiate or destroy them,
only modifies them. Franklin, in one of his poetical essays, compares
the infant mind to white paper, on which you may write any
character you may desire, but in this case the paper may be of
different qualities, and though the same things be written, the results
will be widely different. It is also a common saying, that
"he that is born to be drowned, will never be hung." The doctrine
here inculcated, savors too strongly of the fatalism taught
by Mahomet, and of the predestination creed of some of the most
ultra advocates of election and reprobation, -to be generally assented
to. It is also said "that the poet is born, not made."
This remark, if applied to Shakespeare and Burns, would require
some modification ; and would perhaps have to be reversed if applied
to Pope or Bryant.
However men may differ on these points, the science of
genealogy teaches these truths, that home influences affect the
character of the child more than all that is taught by the church
or in the schools ; »nd that as a person advances in age, he becomes
less and less qualified to have the management of children.
It is a notorious fact that the grandmother always spoils her pet
child, and that children brought up by maiden aunts, rarely prosper
in life.
Mr. Deane, in his history of Scituate, justly remarks, that
"nature is wonderfully impartial in the distribution of intellectual
talents ; and it seems to be the fixed order of Providence,
that families, in this respect, should flourish and decline; nay,
often, that, an individual, should spring forth into eminence, whose
origin was as obscure as that of the spark which, by the collision
of steel and adamant, is struck out of darkness."
6. Lieut. Col. John Gorham married Feb. 24, 1674-5,
Mercy, daughter of Mr. John Otis.
Children born in Barnstable.
24. I. John, 18th Jan. 1675-6, died April 1, 1679.
25. II. Temperance, 2d Aug. 1678.
26. III. Mary, 18th Sept. 1680.
27. IV. Stephen, 23d June, 1683.
28. V. Shubael, 2d Sept. 1686.