BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF CAPTAIN MYLES STANDISH. MYLES STANDISH-for so he spelled the name, and so his lineal descendant of the same name spells it to-day-was one of the most picturesque figures of the Plymouth Colony. The soldier is always an interesting figure. But this soldier had traits that made him doubly interesting, especially in the circumstances of his position in Plymouth Colony. The story of his courtship rests upon tradition, and the few historical references narrated in Longfellow's poem are given with substantial accuracy. John Standish was one of the king's servants, and was one of the first who wounded Wat Tyler after he had been felled by the Lord Mayor of London. For this he, along with others, was knighted. The family estate was in Lancashire. There were two branches of the family, one at Standish Hall, and the other at Duxbury Hall, near by. Myles is supposed to have sprung from the Duxbury branch, the chief reason for this being that he gave the name Duxbury to the town which he founded. The parish church for both estates was at Chorley. The armorial bearings of the family are thus given: Azure, three Standishes argent. The crest: On a wreath, a cock argent, combed and wattled gules. In this blazonry the three Standishes mentioned seem to be simply three dishes (stan-dishes, or stand-dishes?), and are represented by three circles. It may here be said that the baronetcy of Standish was created in 1676, and became extinct in 1812. The only positive evidence as to the precise date of his birth is found in Queen Elizabeth's commission, which gives it as 1584. His birth was undoubtedly recorded in the parish register at Chorley. But although the records of this registry are otherwise complete from 1549 to 1652, the leaf for 1584-85 has been pumiced so carefully as to leave no trace of the writing. The conclusion is inevitable that "legal proof of Standish's birth and descent has been destroyed to secure a fraudulent transfer of his inheritance.' According to Morton, he was "heir-apparent unto a great estate of lands and livings surreptitiously kept from him, his great-grandfather being a second or younger brother from the house of Standish." He was thus compelled to seek his own fortune, and, from various motives which can be easily divined, he chose the profession of arms, which in those days represented an animus widely different from that of to-day. He was sent by Her Majesty to serve in the Netherlands, in aid of the Dutch and Flemish against Philip II. of Spain. He was quartered at Leyden at the time Pastor John Robinson, with his Pilgrim Church, settled there. He was not a member of that church-the Standish family had always been Roman Catholic-but he formed warm friendships among the members. When, therefore, the Pilgrims emigrated, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MYLES STANDISH. 115 he came with them. His first wife, Rose, accompanied him. There had been one death during the voyage, but hers was the first death after the landing. The date was Jan. 29, 1621, or less than six weeks after reaching Plymouth. The condition of the colony was more serious than the imagination will readily grasp. There were but thirty-four adult male colonists out of which Captain Standish was free to choose, so that "my great, invincible army, twelve men," is a tolerably accurate description. The first winter at Plymouth was unspeakably hard. About one-half of the little band of colonists died, and most of the survivors were much of the time prostrated with sickness. They were surrounded by savages, many of whom were hostile and treacherous. Standish, being the recognized military leader, developed qualities which have deservedly placed him high in the temple of fame. But he was not only a military leader, for he came to have influence as a man of affairs and a counsellor in civil matters. For many years he was one of the governors of the Council. In 1626 he was sent by the colonists to England as their representative, to adjust business matters with the merchant adventurers. In 1823, the Indians had plotted to annihilate the settlement at Weymouth. This plot was revealed by a friendly Indian, Massasoit. Standish and his " army" of eight soldiers went to the rescue, and he, by his wonderfully good sense and his nerve, accomplished his purpose as narrated by Longfellow. Pecksuot had said: "Though you are a great captain, yet you are but a little man; and though I be no sachem, yet I am a man of great strength and courage." The following day, in a hand-to-hand conflict, four of the Colonists killed three Indians and captured a fourth, who was subsequently hung. It was of this conflict that Hobomok, Standish's Indian friend and interpreter, said: " Yesterday Pecksuot bragged of his own strength and stature, and told you that though you were a great captain, yet you were a little man; but to-day I see that you are big enough to lay him on the ground." This one adventure illustrates the fact that Captain Standish's courage and prompt decision of action inspired in the savages a wholesome awe of the little colony, and saved the latter from much harassing. The story of his courtship, as has already been stated, is founded on tradition; it is nevertheless accurate in its leading points. It was according to the custom of those days that Captain Standish sent his friend to make an offer of marriage. John Alden first consulted the father of Priscilla Mullins, who approved. The offer was then formally made to Priscilla-who did not approve. But there were others, and the captain persuaded Barbara to come to this country and become his second wife. In 1631 he moved across the bay and settled in a locality which he called Duxbury. He built his house on the top of a hill, which to this day is known as the Captain's Hill. The house was long ago destroyed by fire, but the spring which he curbed still flows with excellent water, and the curbing which was laid by the captain's own hands is said to be in perfect condition. John Alden settled with him in Duxbury, and the friendship of these two remarkable men lasted until death. They were neighbors, companions, fellow counsellors, and Justin Winsor says that they were communicants in the same church. Their descendants intermarried. 116 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MYLES STANDISH. Captain Standish died in 1756, being seventy-two years of age. He was buried in Duxbury, but the exact location of his grave is unknown. He left what was for those days a considerable fortune, amounting to 358 pounds and seven shillings. One clause of his will is of special interest: "My will is, that out of my whole estate my funeral charges to be taken out, and my body to be buried in a decent manner, and if I die in Duxburrow, my body to be laid as neare as conveniently may be to my two deare daughters, Lora Standish, my daughter, and Mary Standish, my daughter-in-law." It is true that he had an irascible temper. That was in those days expected of a professional soldier. At the same time he had great self-control and much practical wisdom. His various qualities were more evenly balanced than is commonly found in men, great or small. Says Goodwin: "For Standish, no work was too difficult or dangerous, none too humble or disagreeable. As captain and magistrate, as engineer and explorer, as interpreter and merchant, as a tender nurse in pestilence, a physician at all times, and as the Cincinnatus of his colony, he showed a wonderful versatility of talent and the highest nobility of character. Great as a ruler over others, he was far greater as a ruler over himself. His services merit our warmest gratitude and challenge our admiration. He was the man of men whom the Pilgrims most needed to come to them, and nothing was more improbable than that such a one would do so, or, if he did, that he would long remain loyal, steadfast, and submissive to the voice of the people. No man ever more decidedly had a mission, and none ever more nobly fulfilled it." These words are none too strong. It is not possible to believe that Plymouth Colony could have escaped destruction had it not been for the aid of Captain Standish. The Captain's Hill of Duxbury is to-day crowned with a fitting monument. It consists of a tower surmounted by a statue of the redoubtable soldier. Many relics, including the Damascus blade, with its Arabic inscription, are preserved by the Massachusetts Historical Society. HENRY KETCHAM. [NOTE.-The Psalm book of Ainsworth is mentioned in Part III. of the poem. This was the book of praise used in New England for many years. The volume is now rare, but some copies may be found in the larger libraries. In the Lenox Library of New York City there is a copy "Imprinted in the yere 1619." The musical notes are, to modern eyes, very quaint, and unintelligible. They fully justify Longfellow's spirited description. The book should be seen to be appreciated, and the curious reader will find it worth his while to examine an original copy. Following is a copy of the Twenty-third psalm, reproduced as accurately as can be done with modern type and paper.] PSALME 23. Sing this as the 8, Psalme. 1 Jehovah feed eth me, I shall not lack. 2 In grassy folds, he down doth make me lye: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MYLES STANDISH. 117 he gently-leads me, quiet waters by.' 3 He doth return my soule; for his names sake, in paths of jus tice leads-me-quietly. 4 Yea, though I walk, in dale of deadly shade, ile fear none yll; for with me thou wilt bee: thy rod thy staffe eke, they shall comfort me. 5 Fore me, a ta ble thou hast ready-made; in their presence that my distressers be: Thou makest fat mine head with oincting-oil; 6 Doubtless, good and mercie of my life folow me: Jehovahs house, I shall repose-me-quietlie. THE COURTSHIP OF MILES STANDISH. I. MILES STANDISH IN the Old Colony days, in Plymouth the land of the Pilgrims, Ever and anon to behold his glittering weapons of warfare, tence, While underneath, in a corner, were fowling-piece, musket, and matchlock. Short of stature he was, but strongly built and athletic, Broad in the shoulders, deep-chested, with muscles and sinews of iron; Brown as a nut was his face, but his russet beard was already Flaked with patches of snow, as hedges sometimes in November. Near him was seated John Alden, his friend, and household com panion,2 Writing with diligent speed at a table of pine by the window ; Fair-haired, azure-eyed, with delicate Saxon complexion, 'Captain Standish was one of the band of Pilgrims, not Puritans. The two are often confused. 2 John Alden boarded with Captain Standish. |