ty of manners, and constant readiness to oblige, early recommended himself to general notice. In the intercourse of social life, the expressions of his civility and kindness were uncommonly ardent, and to strangers might appear to be somewhat overstrained; but they who intimately knew him, can vouch with great confidence that he never made a tender of service in which he was not sincere, nor dispensed a favor that did not flow spontaneously from the heart; and it may be safely added, that he never intentionally did a wrong thing, nor thought a mean one. His fellow-townsmen, impressed with his worth and assiduity, introduced him into the various respectable offices of the town, and his election as town-clerk for fiftytwo years in succession, and which he retained until his death, amidst the struggles and conflicts of party, satisfactorily evinced the upright and faithful manner with which he discharged the respective offices he sustained.

cause,

In opposition to the iniquitous system of policy adopted by Great Britain to enthral her colonies, his whole soul was engaged. As his industry was continual, nothing in his power was left unessayed to promote, in his language, "the glorious ," and the writer of this article could mention instances of sacrifices he offered at the shrine of his country, and of wonderful exertions he made to procure subsistence for the indigent during the distressing period of the war of the revolution, that would excite the admiration of all men acquainted with the common principles of human actions. But his patriotism, though in a high degree zealous, had not the least tincture of bitterness, and in the distribution of his charities, party feeling had no participation,-a pure philanthropy seeemed to have marked him for her own.

'Universal good-will being so conspicuous a feature in the character of Deacon Spooner, it is unnecessary to state the warmth of his affection in the relation of husband and parent, or the ardor of his attachment as a friend.

'In the year 1790, he was appointed by the Executive, an associate justice of what is called the old court of common pleas, and held this office till that court was abolished. Being educated a merchant, his friends cannot claim for him great information in legal science; but a quick, natural discernment, and inflexible rectitude of intention, generally guided him to correct decisions. If any mistaken bias was ever discovered in his opinions, it was insensibly produced by his strong sympathies with the unfortunate. He represented the town of Plymouth in the legislature several years with his usual activity and perseverance, and finished his political career as a member of the Executive Council.

'But the highest point in the character of Deacon Spooner is yet to be named. He was, from full conviction, a christian, and for more than fifty years made public profession of his religion, and for thirty-four years, officiated, without blemish, in the office of deacon at the altar of the First Church of Christ in Plymouth, and the first in New England. Imbibing the heavenly temper of his master, like him he went about doing good, whenever opportunity presented, without cold calculations on the measure of his ability; and in the meekness of his opposition and mildness of censure," resembled the beloved disciple. His piety was without bigotry, and his devotion without enthusiasm. No abstruse polemic divinity, no metaphysical disquisitions on the nature of faith, perplexed the simplicity of his creed, and alienated him from his fellow christians; piety to God and benevolence to man being with him the sole test of orthodoxy and discipleship.

'Only about four weeks before his own death, Deacon Spooner buried his wife, with whom he had lived fifty-five years, in the most entire harmony, walking cheerfully together in the christian course, and in the ordinances of the gospel; and the pious fortitude and calm resignation he exhibited on that occasion, will not admit of doubt that they are again united in shouting the divine praises.

Accept, venerable departed shade, this small tribute of respect to the memory of thy friendship, greatly beloved in life, deeply lamented in death."

A peculiar courtesy and politeness of manners, and good feeling, were inherent in the nature. of our deceased friend. Numerous amusing anecdotes, characteristic of the man, might be adduced, but they must be omitted.

Mr. Spooner was a genuine philanthropist, and no man was more ready to interpose the kind office of friendship towards a neighbor. So ardent was his patriotism, and such his influence, that on more than one occasion when the town was driven to great extremity for money for the purpose of raising soldiers for the army, and procuring supplies for them and for their families, he had the address to obtain a loan of a wealthy gentleman who was a royalist. Deacon Spooner married Elizabeth Shurtleff, and their surviving children are Sally, James, and Ebenezer.

March 8th.-Died in this town Nathaniel Goodwin, Esq., aged seventy years. He was the son of a respectable merchant, and was educated to that profession under parental care in early life. He established himself by a commendable course of industry and perseverance. He was found among the ac

tive patriots of our revolution, and entered the public service in the office of major of militia, and was attached to Col. Gerrish's regiment, stationed at Boston and Cambridge, to guard the conventional troops taken under Burgoyne at Saratoga. He was also in the expedition to Rhode Island, in the capacity of major, in 1778. Subsequently, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier, and that of major-general of militia, which office he sustained with honor until his death. He was for many years a representative to our legislature, and an acting magistrate, and displayed the qualities of an impartial judge. In all his avocations he was found capable and assiduous as a useful citizen, and was held in respect for his probity, integrity, and other moral virtues. General Goodwin left sons and daughters; the oldest son, Nathaniel, is the present cashier of the Plymouth bank. Ezra Shaw, the youngest son, was educated in the ministry, and was the learned and respected pastor of the first church and society at Sandwich. He died greatly lamented February 5th, 1833, and his grateful people erected a marble monument to his memory with the following inscription: This memorial

In Memory
of

REV. EZRA SHAW

GOODWIN,

Pastor
of the
First

Congregational Church
and Society
in Sandwich,

who died
Feb. 5th, A. D. 1833,

in the 46th year
of his age,
and in the
twentieth year
of his ministry.

of their
beloved Pastor,
is here placed
by the bereaved flock,
with grateful
recollections
of the services,
virtues and endowments
of their pious instructor,
their enlightened guide,
their faithful counsellor,
their constant work-fellow
in the cause of
Christian liberty,

their cherished associate,
their generous
and affectionate
friend.

Absent in the flesh, yet
with us in the spirit.

1820. As the present year closes the second century since the pilgrim fathers first landed on our shores, a respectable number of the inhabitants of this town, impelled by a sense of duty and pious gratitude to divine Providence, have instituted

a society, which was by our legislature incorporated February 24th, by the name of Pilgrim Society. The design of this association is to commemorate this great historical event, and to perpetuate the character and virtues of our ancestors to posterity. In accordance with these views they proceeded to erect a durable monumental edifice in this town, for the accommodation of the meetings of said society, and as a memorial sacred to the memory of the founders of our nation.

Centennial Celebration of the Landing of the Pilgrims, December 22d.-The period now recurs when we commemorate, with peculiar solemnity, the momentous event which gave birth and existence to our nation, with all which is valuable in the civil, literary and religious establishments in New England. This day completes the second century since our shores were first impressed by the footsteps of civilized men. The Pilgrim Society, desirous of giving to the solemnities appropriate dignity and permanent effect, selected a gentleman of the first talents, Hon. Daniel Webster, as their orator. After a well-adapted prayer by the Rev. Dr. Kirkland, president of Harvard University, the speaker entertained the audience for about two hours. This address was all that could be anticipated or conceived. It was correct in its historical statements, powerful in argument, rich in description, and pathetic and eloquent in action. The characters and principles, the sufferings and virtues of the pilgrim puritans were portrayed with great justice and felicity. The useful and glorious efforts of their wisdom and enterprise, and independent love of truth, were fully displayed to the judgment and feelings of an intelligent and delighted audience. But we are sensible of the difficulty of doing justice to this appropriate and splendid performance, and must refer to the discourse itself for a just sense of its pre-eminent merits. The concourse of people was immense, far more numerous than on any former occasion; and a great portion of them from our most distinguished and respectable citizens. A procession was formed at 11 o'clock, soon after the business of the Pilgrim Society was transacted, and escorted by the Standish Guards, a neat independent company, lately organized, and commanded by Capt. Coomer Weston, moved through the main street of the town to the meetinghouse, and, after the services of the sanctuary, were attended by the same corps to the new court-house, where they sat down to an elegant, though simple repast, provided in a style very proper for the occasion, where the company was served with the treasures both of the land and the sea. Among other affecting memorials, calling to mind the distresses of the pil

grims, were five kernels of parched corn placed on each plate, alluding to the time in 1623, when that was the proportion allowed to each individual on account of the scarcity. John Watson, Esq., respectable by his years, and dignified by his gentlemanly manners, and the only surviving member of the Old Colony Club, presided during the hours of dinner. The Hon. Joshua Thomas, president of the Pilgrim Society, to the great regret of the gentlemen present, was prevented from attending, by severe illness. Mr. Watson was assisted by Hon. William Davis, of Plymouth, and Alden Bradford, Esq., of Boston, and the following gentlemen, by request of the president, acted as vice-presidents, viz., Hon. T. Bigelow, Hon. L. Lincoln, William Jackson, Esq., Judah Alden, Esq., William R. Rotch, Esq., and F. C. Gray, Esq. Good humor and good feelings were displayed in every countenance, and expressed by a constant interchange of friendly greetings and ardent congratulations; and such was the decorum and propriety of deportment through the day, that even the stern pilgrims might have looked down without rebuke. After the regular toasts were announced, Mr. Bradford rose and observed to the members of the Pilgrim Society (and the company) that he had been requested by their president, Judge Thomas, to express his great regret in not being able to join them in the solemnities of the day; to assure them that he had anticipated the joyous celebration with peculiar interest and pleasure, and that while life was continued to him, it would be his ardent wish to promote the objects of the association, in cherishing a grateful remembrance of the virtues of the pilgrims, and in giving his support to their principles and institutions. The following, communicated by Judge Thomas, was then given and received with great approbation; and the cry of encore, encore,' was repeated from every part of the hall. "Our Forefathers' Creed; Law, Liberty, and Religion; If their descendants would serve the two first, let them not expunge the third article.'*

pre

Hon. Judge Davis then proposed a toast for the health of Judge Thomas, whose cheering society and acceptable superintendence we had been accustomed to enjoy on these anniversaries.

After the first toast was drank, the Hon. Judge Davis, President of the Historical Society, who, with several of the members, had been appointed a committee to congratulate the Pil

Judge Thomas's toast alluded to the third article in our Bill of Rights; the question of expunging it was then under consideration in the state convention.