William Blaxton
Encyclopedia
Reverend William Blaxton (also spelled William Blackstone) (1595–1675) was an early British
settler in New England
, and the first European settler of modern day Boston
and Rhode Island
.
, England, and attended Cambridge University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1617 and a master's in 1621. He then became an Anglican priest, although he had several disagreements with the church. This led to his decision to join the failed Gorges expedition
to America in 1623.
He arrived in Weymouth, Massachusetts
, in 1623 as a chaplain in the Robert Gorges
expedition. Following the departure back to England of most of his fellow travellers, in 1625, he became the first European to settle in Boston
, living alone on what would become Boston Common
and Beacon Hill
.
The Puritans landed in nearby Charlestown in 1629, and then in 1630, Blackstone invited them to settle on his land in Boston after they had problems finding potable water. The Puritans then granted Blackstone 50 acres (202,343 m²) of his own land, which he promptly sold back to them.
"According to Louise Lind, author of William Blackstone: Sage of the Wilderness (1993), the cause of the conflict with the Puritans was that Blackstone was an ordained minister of the Anglican Church. The Puritans accused him of trying to bring the established Church of England to the new country. The Puritan court ordered his house burned down."
"While the Puritans also disagreed with leaders of the established Church, they proved to be quite intolerant of anyone who disagreed with them. Blackstone soon tired of their intolerance, and moved about 35 miles (56.3 km) south of Boston, to a hill overlooking a wide bend in what the Indians then called the Patucket (sic) River and what is today known as the Blackstone River."
Blackstone was the first European settler in Rhode Island in 1635, before Roger Williams founded his colony the next year in Providence. The area Blackstone settled in remained part of the Plymouth, then Massachusetts colony until 1741 when it became part of Rhode Island.
Blackstone's home and farm was located in what is now Cumberland, Rhode Island
on the river which bears his name
. Blackstone called his home "Study Hill" --he was said to have the largest library in the colonies at the time (his library and house were burned during the King Philip War circa 1675). He tended cattle, planted gardens, and cultivated an apple orchard. He cultivated the first variety of American apples, the Yellow Sweeting. The farm was in the Lonsdale
area of Cumberland. The site is now occupied by the Ann & Hope mill.
Although Roger Williams and Blackstone disagreed on many theological matters, "both agreed on the right to disagree, and Williams invited Blackstone to regularly preach to his followers in Providence. Blackstone continued preaching in various parts of Rhode Island and is considered to be the pioneer clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States."
"He preached his brand of tolerant Christianity to American Indians under an oak tree that became an inspiration to Christians worldwide." When he preached in Cumberland, he did it under a large oak tree near his home. The tree survived for centuries until the Hurricane of 1938 toppled it.
Blackstone (Blaxton) briefly returned to Boston in 1659 riding on a bull, and, at the age of 64, married Sarah Fisher Stevenson, a widow. William and Sarah had only 1 child, John. Sarah died at the age of 48, and Blackstone died at in 1675 at the age of 80, leaving substantial holdings in real estate. He is buried in Rhode Island
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
settler in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, and the first European settler of modern day Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
.
Biography
Blaxton was born in County DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England, and attended Cambridge University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1617 and a master's in 1621. He then became an Anglican priest, although he had several disagreements with the church. This led to his decision to join the failed Gorges expedition
Ferdinando Gorges
Sir Ferdinando Gorges , the "Father of English Colonization in North America", was an early English colonial entrepreneur and founder of the Province of Maine in 1622, although Gorges himself never set foot in the New World.-Biography:...
to America in 1623.
He arrived in Weymouth, Massachusetts
Weymouth, Massachusetts
The Town of Weymouth is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, Weymouth had a total population of 53,743. Despite its city status, it is formally known as the Town of Weymouth...
, in 1623 as a chaplain in the Robert Gorges
Robert gorges
Robert Gorges was a Captain in the English navy and briefly Governor-General of New England from 1623 to 1624. He was the son of Sir Ferdinando Gorges...
expedition. Following the departure back to England of most of his fellow travellers, in 1625, he became the first European to settle in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, living alone on what would become Boston Common
Boston Common
Boston Common is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. The Boston Common consists of of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street,...
and Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts
Beacon Hill is a historic neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, that along with the neighboring Back Bay is home to about 26,000 people. It is a neighborhood of Federal-style rowhouses and is known for its narrow, gas-lit streets and brick sidewalks...
.
"According to Louise Lind, author of William Blackstone: Sage of the Wilderness (1993), the cause of the conflict with the Puritans was that Blackstone was an ordained minister of the Anglican Church. The Puritans accused him of trying to bring the established Church of England to the new country. The Puritan court ordered his house burned down."
"While the Puritans also disagreed with leaders of the established Church, they proved to be quite intolerant of anyone who disagreed with them. Blackstone soon tired of their intolerance, and moved about 35 miles (56.3 km) south of Boston, to a hill overlooking a wide bend in what the Indians then called the Patucket (sic) River and what is today known as the Blackstone River."
Blackstone was the first European settler in Rhode Island in 1635, before Roger Williams founded his colony the next year in Providence. The area Blackstone settled in remained part of the Plymouth, then Massachusetts colony until 1741 when it became part of Rhode Island.
Blackstone's home and farm was located in what is now Cumberland, Rhode Island
Cumberland, Rhode Island
Cumberland is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States, incorporated in 1746. The population was 33,506 at the 2010 census.-History:...
on the river which bears his name
Blackstone River
The Blackstone River is a river in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It flows approximately 48 mi and drains a watershed of approximately 540 sq. mi...
. Blackstone called his home "Study Hill" --he was said to have the largest library in the colonies at the time (his library and house were burned during the King Philip War circa 1675). He tended cattle, planted gardens, and cultivated an apple orchard. He cultivated the first variety of American apples, the Yellow Sweeting. The farm was in the Lonsdale
Lonsdale
-People:*Angela Lonsdale*Bruce Lonsdale*Christopher Lonsdale*Corrine Lonsdale*David Lonsdale*Derrick Lonsdale*Earl of Lonsdale*Edmund Lonsdale*Frederick Lonsdale, English dramatist*Gordon Arnold Lonsdale*Gordon Lonsdale*Harvey Lonsdale Elmes...
area of Cumberland. The site is now occupied by the Ann & Hope mill.
Although Roger Williams and Blackstone disagreed on many theological matters, "both agreed on the right to disagree, and Williams invited Blackstone to regularly preach to his followers in Providence. Blackstone continued preaching in various parts of Rhode Island and is considered to be the pioneer clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States."
"He preached his brand of tolerant Christianity to American Indians under an oak tree that became an inspiration to Christians worldwide." When he preached in Cumberland, he did it under a large oak tree near his home. The tree survived for centuries until the Hurricane of 1938 toppled it.
Blackstone (Blaxton) briefly returned to Boston in 1659 riding on a bull, and, at the age of 64, married Sarah Fisher Stevenson, a widow. William and Sarah had only 1 child, John. Sarah died at the age of 48, and Blackstone died at in 1675 at the age of 80, leaving substantial holdings in real estate. He is buried in Rhode Island
Namesakes
- Blackstone, MassachusettsBlackstone, MassachusettsBlackstone is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,026 at the 2010 census. It is formally a part of the Providence metropolitan area. Blackstone is the only municipality in Massachusetts to employ automatic cameras in traffic enforcement.- History :This...
- Blackstone RiverBlackstone RiverThe Blackstone River is a river in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It flows approximately 48 mi and drains a watershed of approximately 540 sq. mi...
- Blackstone River Valley National Heritage CorridorBlackstone River Valley National Heritage CorridorThe John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Corridor dedicated to the history of the early American Industrial Revolution, including mill towns stretching across 24 cities and towns near the river's course in Worcester County, Massachusetts and...
- Blackstone CanalBlackstone CanalThe Blackstone Canal was a waterway linking Worcester, Massachusetts, to Providence, Rhode Island through the Blackstone Valley via a series of locks and canals during the early 19th century.-History:...
- Blackstone Street in Boston, Massachusetts
- Blackstone Boulevard, Providence.
Memorials
- William Blackstone Memorial Park in Cumberland, Rhode IslandCumberland, Rhode IslandCumberland is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States, incorporated in 1746. The population was 33,506 at the 2010 census.-History:...
http://www.quahog.org/attractions/index.php?id=176 - Plaque on Beacon StreetBeacon StreetBeacon Street is a major thoroughfare in Boston, Massachusetts and several of its western suburbs. Beacon Street in Boston, Brookline, Brighton, and Newton is not to be confused with the Beacon Street in nearby Somerville, or others elsewhere.-Description:...
in Boston marking the site of his house http://www.littleivies.com/2006/02/puritan-era-sites-in-boston.html - Plaque on Boston Common commemorating the sale of his land http://www.littleivies.com/2006/02/puritan-era-sites-in-boston.html
Further reading
- Thomas Coffin AmoryThomas Coffin AmoryThomas Coffin Amory. An American lawyer, politician, biographer, and poet born in Boston, Massachusetts to Jonathan Amory and Mehitable Cutler.-Works:Biographies...
. William Blackstone, Boston's first inhabitant, 2nd ed. Boston: Rockwell & Churchill, 1877. Google books - B.F. DeCosta. William Blackstone in his relation to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. NY: Mallory, 1880. Google books
- New England in the Earliest Days, A. L. Rowse, American HeritageAmerican Heritage (magazine)American Heritage is a quarterly magazine dedicated to covering the history of the United States for a mainstream readership. Until 2007, the magazine was published by Forbes. Since that time, Edwin S...
, May 22, 1959 - The story of William Blackstone, with local color, from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
External links
- Early Settlers (from bucklinsociety.net)
- Weymouth - The First Hundred Years, Ted Clarke, Weymouth Historical Commission
- Who is William Blackstone? Short, readable biography of a very interesting pioneer.