[168]. Mr. Byles, having precipitately left New London and the country to receive Episcopal orders in England, his “forsaken congregation” (Caulkins) criticised and ridiculed him mercilessly, even to lampoons (see “History of New London”), among which was one called “The Proselyte,” which was sung to the tune of “The Thief and the Cordelier.” He afterwards became an Episcopal minister in Boston, but in the time of the Revolution was a royalist and a refugee, among those prohibited from returning to Massachusetts. He was succeeded in the Congregational church at New London by Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge, grandson of the first Congregational minister of Groton, of the same name. Mr. Woodbridge was a most estimable man. He allowed of no admission to church membership without evidence of conversion, contrary to the practice so long in vogue in New London previous to his ministry. It is a notable fact that certain families belonging to the Congregational church before this season of persecution, are afterwards found members of another denomination. It is unlikely that the popularity of this church was other than injured by the fame of this exploit, the effect of which, as well as the new rule for admission, may help to account for the fact that by 1776 there were but five men on its roll of membership. It will be remembered that some members of this church were allied to the Rogerenes, while others were evidently liberal and friendly.
[169]. Of John Bolles, 4th (on his mother’s side a grandson of Joseph Bolles), who served in the Revolution on board armed vessels of Connecticut, and died on board a prison ship of the enemy, it was said, by one who knew him, that he was “a young man of extraordinary intelligence, information and gallantry.”
[170]. In his will, dated 1727, Samuel Whipple left the iron-works and saw-mill to his son Daniel; his lands with buildings to be divided between his sons Samuel, Zacharia and Zephania. The portion of Zacharia sold in 1734 for £1,000.
[171]. The first of the name who came to Quakertown was Samuel Whipple (son of above Noah and Hope), born in 1766, a man of most estimable character and devotedly attached to peace principles. His brother Silas also settled in Quakertown. Samuel is ancestor of those of the name now resident in that locality.
[172]. At the same date, Andrew Davis must also have been advanced in years.
[173]. The tone and style of this work as a whole are in marked contrast to the works of John Rogers, 1st, John Rogers, 2d, and John Bolles, whose writings, although earnest, are of a very dispassionate character.
[174]. It is very possible that this Society refused to pay military fines from the first; but no record of such refusal has been found.
[175]. An original printed copy of this Petition is extant in Quakertown.
[176]. The old meeting-house is upon land which was part of the farm occupied by John Waterhouse, and afterwards by his son Timothy.
[177]. Town records reveal one of these as a freeman, years after, in a neighboring town, a respected colored man, with an exceptionally lively family of children.