MORTON CHARLES, minister of the church in Charlestown, was the son of Nicholas Morton, minister of St. Mary Overy's, in Southwack. The fam. ily descended from a respectable stock; among the ancient branches we find Thomas Morton, secretary to king Edward III. Charles, the eldest son of Nicholas, was born A. D. 1626, was sent to Wadham College, Oxford, and had the character of a studious and pious youth. time, zealous for the rites

He was, at the same and ceremonies of the

English said to her husband, do you not think that they, who have suffered already, are innocent? He said, yes. Why then may not we suffer also? Take Mr. Moodey's advice. Mr. Moodey then told Mr. English that, if he would not carry his wife away, he would. He then informed him that he had persuaded several worthy persons in Boston to make provision for their conveyance out of the colony, and that a conveyance had been obtained, encouraged by the governour, gaoler, &c. which would come at midnight, and that proper recommendations had been obtained to gov. Fletcher of New York, so that he might give himself no concern about any one circumstance of the journey; that all things were amply provided. The governour also gave letters to gov. Fletcher, and, at the time appointed, Mr. English, his wife, and daughter were taken and conveyed to New York. He found before his arrival, that Mr. Moodey had dispatched letters, and the governour, with many private gentlemen, came out to meet him; and the governour entertained him at his own house, and paid him every attention while he remained in the city. On the next year he returned.

"In all this business, Mr. Moodey openly justified Mr. Eng. lish, and, in defiance of all the prejudices which prevailed, expressed his abhorrence of the measures, which had obliged a use ful citizen to flee from the executioners. Mr. Moodey was commended by all discerning men; but he felt the angry resentment of the deluded multitude of his own times, among whom some of high rank were included. He soon after left Boston and returne, ed to Portsmouth.

"Mrs. English died in 1694, at 42 years of age, in consequence of the ungenerous treatment she had received. Her husband died at 84 years of age, in 1734.

"This is the substance of the communications made to me at different times from madam Susanna Harthorne, his great-granddaughter, who died in Salem, 28 August, 1802, at the age of 80 years, who received the account from the descendants of Mr. English, who dwelt upon his obligations to Mr, Moodey with great pleasure."

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church of England. He was afterwards chosen fellow of the college, being an eminent scholar. He excelled in various branches of science, but was peculiarly fond of mathematicks. On this account, he drew the attention, and experienced the friendship, of Dr. Wilkins then warden at the university, and afterwards celebrated among the literati of Europe. Mr. Morton was one of the ejected ministers, in 1668. Being unable to carry on the work of the ministry, he set up an academy at Newington Green. For this business he was very well qualified, and many excellent scholars were educated under his He had a peculiar talent of winning youth to the love of virtue and learning, both by his pleasant conversation, and a familiar way of making difficult subjects easily intelligible. He came to New England in 1685, and was chosen pastor of the church at Charlestown, and vice president of Harvard College. He died, April, 1697, in the 80th.

care.

year of his age.

In Dr. Calamy's "account of ejected ministers by the act of uniformity," is a vindication of himself, written by this Charles Morton, from a charge brought against him for teaching at a private academy, contrary to the rules of the university, and thereby breaking his oath. This takes up more than 20 pages, 8vo. Besides this manuscript, which was transcribed by most of Mr. Morton's pupils, he drew up several systems of the arts and sciences, which he explained in his lectures. The doctor

has also preserved another paper of his, which is entitled, "advice to candidates for the ministry under the present discouraging circumstances." This was written during the oppressive, as well as licentious reign of Charles II. It is a paper of about 15 pages, containing excellent rules of conduct, and some of them will apply to other times. Mr. Morton being vice president of Harvard College, while in this office, composed a system of logick, which was copied by the students every year as they became

It was afterwards laid

members of that society. aside for one on a more improved plan, by Mr. Brattle. A copy of each is in the cabinet of the historical society, among the rare specimens of American literature.*

MORTON NATHANIEL, one of the first planters of New Plymouth, should have an honourable mention among those, who have deserved well of their country. He is more celebrated as an author than for any remarkable events of his life. He was doubtless highly esteemed by his fellow planters, as they made him a magistrate, and he was secretary of the court for the jurisdiction of New Plymouth. Probably facts are preserved concerning him in the old colony, and some account of his active services, but these we have not been able to obtain. As a writer of the original events of the plantations he is known to all, who turn their attention to the affairs of New England. No book has

been oftener quoted than "Morton's memorial." In this book are precious documents for the use of future historians, who recur to early times, or “remember New England in the day of her smallest things." The work was printed in 1669. It is dedicated to gov. Prince, and has in its favour the testimony of two of the greatest and best divines of New England, Mr. Higginson of Salem, and Mr. Thacher of Weymouth, afterwards minister of the Old South, Boston. They say the "author is an approved godly man; and that the work is compiled with modesty of spirit, simplicity of style, and truth of matter, containing the annals of New Eng

* His other works are, the little peacemaker,on Prov. xiii. 10: foolish pride, the Make-bate, 8vo, 1674; debts discharge. Rom. xiii. 8; the gaming humour considered and reproved; the way of good men, for wise men to walk in, 1684; season birds, Jeremy viii. 7; meditations on the first chapters of Exodus, and beginning of Samuel. Other treatises are also mentioned by his biographer, viz. the spirit of man, 1. Thess. v. 23; the stork in the heavens, Jer. viii. 7; severai pieces in the philosophical transactions, 1675. He was generally brief and compendious, being a declared enemy to large volumes.

land for the space of 47 years, with special reference to Plymouth colony, where the author made his constant abode."

This memorial has gone through many editions. A gentleman, every way qualified, indulged the expectations of his friends a few years since, that he would give an improved edition of this work. No. thing but the busy scenes of his active and useful life could have diverted him from finishing it,

From some documents which have lately appeared, it is evident that Mr. Morton had his prejudices, and suffered them to operate too powerfully against the sectaries, which had disturbed the church and commonwealth. A letter from Gorton to the author of the memorial, preserved in Hutchinson's collection of papers, is well worthy of perusal. Nor was he impartial in all respects in describing the character of Roger Williams, as may be seen from comparing his account with Winthrop's journal, Callender's century sermon, or Backus's history.

He doubtless thought his remarks were just, but excellent men frequently know not the spirit they are of. Men biassed by religious zeal, in pointing out the heresies of those, who differ from them, should frequently pause for the sake of this inquiry, Who can understand his errors? possibly we ourselves may be in the wrong.

This worthy magistrate of New Plymouth died in a good old age, but the exact time we are unable to tell.

He

NELSON JOHN, made a conspicuous figure at the time of the Massachusetts revolution, when the sovereign people put down sir Edmund Andross, and appointed a different governour and council. was at the head of the soldiers, who went and demanded the fort, and to whom sir Edmund surrendered himself. He was a near relation to sir Thomas Temple, and attached to the cause of freedom, though he was an episcopalion. His conduct shews him to be a man of virtue and principle.

He

ernment.

might have been highly in favour with Randolph, but he detested the arbitrary measures of the gov On the other hand, had he conformed to the manners of the people, and left the church of England, he would have been, not only highly esteemed, but exalted to honour after the revolution. On account of his being an episcopalian, Hutch. inson tells us, he was not allowed any share in the administration after it was settled.

He went upon a trading voyage to Nova Scotia, and was taken prisoner. When he was at Quebec he sent a letter to the court of Massachusetts, which gave particular intimations of the designs of the French, and which he wrote at the risque of his life. It is dated, August 26, 1692. Mr. Hutchinson took it from the Massachusetts files, and published it to do honour to his memory. He also acquaints us that, in consequence of writing this letter, he was ordered to be carried upon the field where two Frenchmen were shot, who were concerned with him in giving the intelligence; he expected the same fate, but was sent to France, where he remained in pris. on two years. "A gentleman who had taken notice of the person who carried the victuals from day to day, had the curiosity to inquire what prisoner was there, and to speak to him at the grate, and to ask, if he could do him any service. Mr. Nelson desired only to have a letter sent to England, to inform sir Purbeck Temple of his condition, which was done, and soon after, a demand was made of his release or exchange. He was then looked upon as a person of some importance. He was sent to the Bastile, and, just before the peace at Ryswick, was allowed to go to England, upon his parole, and security given by a French gentleman for his return. The peace being concluded, he intending to return, was forbad to do it by king William; yet, to prevent any trouble he went and surrendered himself. Being discharged, he was brought into trouble upon his return to England, for going contrary to the