Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 229
so ; that as a consequence persecution was unchristian and in opposition
to the principles of natural justice. Having made a
written appeal to the magistrates in their behalf, March 7, 1669-
60, it is recorded: "The court takes notice of sundry scandals
and falsehoods in a letter of Isaac Eobinson's, tending to the
prejudice of this government and encouragement of Quakers ; but
forbears censure till inquiry sLall be made." What an unprejudiced
tribunal and what thoughtful forbearance, to be sure ! lu
such a frame of mind, it is baldly to be wondered at that on the
following June be is declared a "manifest opposer of the government"
and is ordered to be disfranchised.
The year following, Isaac Robinson and Jonathan Hatch settled
at Suceennesset, now Falmouth, and the same year Eobiuson
had a grant of land given him near his house. In 1664 he was
licensed to keep an ordinary at Falmouth, on account of the number
of travellers to Martha's Vineyard, and in 1670 he had gone.
This was the natural restlessness of a man smarting under unjust
persecution. 1673 found him "recorder" at Tisbury, and for several
years he was one of the selectmen of that town. It was while
Eobinson was a resident here tliat Qov. Prence of Plymouth died.
He had been one of the firmest and most relentless opposers of
the Quakers, and though public sentiment and tlie commands of
the monarch had relaxed the severity of the legislation of the colonies,
there is no reason for supposing that the governor ever modified
his sentiments or changed his feelings in relation to them.
Josias Winslow was chosen his successor. He had formerly been
somewhat embittered against the Quakers, in consequence of s(jme
of their reproachful speeches directed towards him, and being a
young man of spirit had resented the remarks of these shaiptongued
controversialists. Time had greatly modified his views
of the best way of dealing with them, and when he assumed the
office of governor he determined upon a change of policy, (.'udworth
was called from his retirement and reinstatt-d in official
position in the colony. The court undertook to make amerds for
the treatment of Robinson, but did it in the most ungracious way,
and instead of owning their fault, tried to give
appearance of being simply an error or accident.
the matter tlie
The rtcord of
the court ordering his disfranchisement, is crossed off. and underneath
is the following entry : "There being some mistake in this,
the said Isaac, at his request, is re-established." This may have
looked like a simple matter to the court, bnt thirteen years of unjust
obloquy suffered by Mr. Robinson had intervened !
He was
never a Quaker. Had he been one, his liberality would have had
but little significance. He remained in full communion wiih the
Barnstable church for 70 years, and there is no evidence that he
did not fully retain the sympathy of his townsmen. He sacrifi ed