Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 23
he began to be troubled ; and having spoken something against
women's preaching, he was confounded, and knew not well what to
say, whereupon Mary stauding up declared the truth to the people."
She waH put down and carried out of the house, and Bishop says
that in the melee, "the Priest pinched her arms." In the afternoon
the Quakers held a separate meeting, to which nearly all of Mr.
Hull's parishioners resorted.
A little time after he removed to the Isles of Shoals, or Smith's
Isles, and preached in a Meeting House on Hog Island, built in
1641. It would seem by a notice of Mr. Hull in Neals History of
New England, that he went to those desolate islands earlier than
1659. In the publications of the Massachusetts Historical Society it
is also stated that the Rev. John Brook was the minister from about
the year 1650 to 1662.
Rev. Joseph Hull died Nov. 19, 1665. He was called aged,
though the number of years that he lived is unknown. His wite
A^nes administered on his estate. Inventory, £52,5,5. It appears
that the Island then owed him £20 for his ministry.
In tracing the history of "poor Mr. Hull" I have quoted from
the records and the writings of his contemporaries. I have done so
because I cannot endorse the opinions of Gov. Winthrop, or those
of Mr. Savage, in his edition of the Grovernor's history or in his
Grenealogical Dictionary. In his criticisms of Dr. Cotton Mather,
Mr. Savaare is severe, and I am satisfied that on re-examination of
the subject he will conclude that he has confounded the histories of
two men, Benjamin and Joseph Hull. I have also carefully collected
what others have said of him because I believe that no better men,
as a class, than the first settlers of Barnstable, came into New Eng-
land. The treatment which Mr. Hull received during his short residence,
from Mr. Lothrop and his church, I cannot approve. I feel
that full justice has not been done to his memory.
There is another consideration that should have an influence.
All the records and all the early notices we have of Mr. Hull were
written by men who for some reason or other appear to have been
his personal enemies, and some allowance should be made for their
prejudices. In the following review of his character I state my own
opinions, and I think the judicious reader will concur with me there-
in.
The Rev. Joseph Hull came from England in 1635, and settled
with twenty families beside his own at Weymonth, as their minister.
He remained there four years, when he was dismissed from the
church, preaching his farewell discourse to his people May 6, 1639.
That he was a man of good standing, clearly appears by the
records. Soon after bis arrival he was made a freeman of the Massachusetts
Colony, and in 1638 was a deputy to the General Court, and
was appointed a magistrate to try small cases. These offices he continued
to hold until his removal to Barnstable. Th6 people of Wey-