Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 53
Joseph was hoi-n on Sunday, Jan'y 25, 1651, O. S., and
was carried two miles to the church and baptized the same
day. Many believed in those times that children dying unbaptized
were lost, and it was consequently the duty of the
parent to present his child early for baptism. Goodman
Bearse was influenced by this feeling; he did not wish, -by
a week's delay, to peril the eternal salvation ot his child.
Now such an act would l)e pronounced unnecessary and
ciuel.
The subject of baptism had disturbed Mr. Lothrop's
church from its organization. In London the Baptists
quietly separated themselves and formed the flrst Baptist
Church in England. In iScituate the same question arose,
di.sturl)ing the harmony of the church, and to avoid these
troubles, Mr. Lothrop and a majority of his church came to
Barnstable. His book on the subject of baptism, printed in
London, was written and prepared for the press while he
was in Barnstable. I have not met with a copy, but incidentally
from his records, I infer that he considered baptism
an ordinance of primary importance, and that the parent,
being a church member, who unnecessarily delayed the
performance, thereby periled the salvation of the child.
Some of the old divines taught this doctrine, and at the
present day it is not entirely obsolete.
Goodman Bearse was brought up under such teachings,
and however differently the present generation may view
such questions, he did what he honestly believed to be his
duty, and he that does that is to be justified.
He was one of the very few against whom no complaint
a fact which speaks well for his character as
was ever made ;
a man and a citizen. He was a farmer, lived on the produce
of his land, and brought up his large family to be like himself,
useful members of society. His house stood on the
north side of the road, and his cellar and some remains of
his orchard, existed at the commencement of the present
century. I find no record of his death, or settlement of his
estate on the Probate records. He was living in 1686 ; but
died before the year 1697. A road from his house to Hyan-
nis is still known as Bearse's Way. His grandsons settled
early at Hyannis. John Jenkins and John Dexter after-
vt^ards owned the ancient homestead. The planting lands at
Shoal Pond were occupied by his descendants till recently.
The marriage of Goodman Austin Bearse is not on rec-