Whatever may have been the objects of the first settlers generally in colonizing New England, there can be no doubt that his was the establishment and enjoyment of the gospel and its ordinances, as he supposed, in primitive purity, unmolested. With him it was wholly a religious enterprise.
He sailed from Weymouth, in the ship Abigail, Henry Gauden, master, on the 20th of June, 1628, and arrived in safety at Naumkeag, the place of his destination, on the 6th of September following. The company consisted of about one hundred planters.
The following extract from "Johnson's Wonder-Working Providence" will illustrate the estimation in which he was held at this period. "The much honored John Indicat came over with them, to governe; a fit instrument to begin this Wildernesse-worke; of courage bold, undaunted, yet sociable, and of a cheerfull spirit, loving and austere, applying himselfe to either as occasion served. And now let no man be offended at the Author's rude Verse, penned of purpose to keepe in memory the Names of such worthies as Christ made strong for himselfe, in this unwonted worke of his.
"John Endicat, twice Governur of the English, inhabiting the Mattachusets Bay in N. England.
"Strong valiant John, wilt thou march on, and take up station first,
Christ cal'd hath thee, his Souldier be, and faile not of thy trust;
Wilderness wants Christs grace supplants, then plant his Churches pure,
With Tongues gifted, and graces led, help thou to his procure;
Undaunted thou wilt not allow, Malignant men to wast:
Christs Vineyard heere, whose grace should cheer his well-beloved's tast.