Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

198 OENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES,
after management of it» affairs. Tbey also sought the guidance
of God to procure more spiritual help for those who were about
to remove, and also for their brethren who were to remain io
iScituate.
The summer of the year 1639 was very dry, and partls' on that
account a clay of huiniliatiou was observed June 13, O. fS. They
prayed that God would direct aud provide for them, being "iu the
point of reinoveall." The place to which they were about to remove
is not named, but Mattakeese was undoubtedly intended; for
on the 26th of the same mouth a fast was held "For the presence
of God to goe with us to Maitakeese."
In the latter part of 1637, or beginning of 1638, the date is
not given on tlie colony records, the lauds at Mattakeese were
granted to Mr. Richard Collicut, and a company mostly from the
town of Dorchester. Mr. Collicut was engaged in the service of the
Massachusetts Colony, aud was prevented from giving his personal
attention to the settlement of the town. The Plymouth Colony
Court became impatient at the long delay, voted that if Mr. Collicut
and his associates did not organize a town before the June
Court, 1639, the lands would be granted to other associates. At
the assembling of the June Court no town had been organized, and
June 4, O. S., 14th new, Mattakeese was incorporated as a town
and named Barnstable, and the lands granted to Rev. Joseph Hull
and Eider Thomas Dimmock, as a committee of their associates.
At that time tliere were about fifteen families settled in the town.
The fact that the Plymouth Court was impatient on account of the
delay of Mr. Collicut was well known to Mr. Lothrop in the spring
of 1639, in fact a number of families from Scituate had then removed
to Mattakeese, and as the extensive salt meadows at the
latter place made it a more desirable residence than ISippican. Mr.
Lothrop and his people changed their purpose very soon after the
meeting held Jan. 23, 1638-9.
The following letters of Mr. Lothrop to Gov. Prence were preserved
among Mr. Winslow's papers. No especial care appears
to have been taken in their preparation. They are interesting
documents relative to the early history of Barnstable, and the best
specimens preserved of Mr. Lothrop's style of writing :
riRST LETTER.
'To the right worthy and mtteh-honoured Mr, Prince, our endearoured gov-
ernor of Plimouth,— Grace, mercy, and peace, be multiplyed.
My dear and pretious,
Esteemed with the highest esteeme and respect, above every other
particular in these terril;oryes: being now in the roome of Godj and by
him that is the God of gods, deputed as a god on earth unto us, in respect
of princely function and calling. Unto whom wee Ingenuously
confesse all condigne and humble service from us to bee most due.
And if we knowe our hearts, you have our hearts, and our best wishes