Michael Metcalf (1590-1664) and Sarah Elwyn (1598-1644)

{Hills and Ellis Ancestors}

Click here to go to a condensed version of this biography.

Michael Metcalf was the son of the Rev. Leonard Metcalf and his wife, Amy, of Tatterford, Norfolk, England.1 Because no baptismal record has been found for Michael, his parentage and birth date have been contested over the years.

However, based on depositions he made in 1635 and 1637, he was born in Tatterford sometime between 1690 and 1692. The parish records for 1690 and 1692 are missing. Col. Charles Edward Banks, a Metcalf researcher, notes that the only Metcalfs in Tatterford at that time were the family of the Reverend Leonard Metcalf, making it almost certain that Michael was a member of that family.1, 2 (For further information about his birth date, see Appendix A at the end of the biography.)

On 13 October 1616, Michael Metcalf married Sarah Elwyn at Heigham, St. Bartholomews, Norfolk, England. Sarah was the third of seven children of Thomas Elwyn and Elizabeth Benslye of Heigham. She was baptized at St Bartholomew on 17 June 1598.3 The Elwyns and Benslyes were prominent families in the area.

Michael moved to Norwich when he became a weaver’s apprentice.8 Here he became a successful dornix weaver.1 (Dornix, a form of Damask, is a heavy fabric made from wool and linen with a woven pattern. It is used for beds, curtains and similar purposes.)4 Michael Metcalf’s business eventually employed more than 100 people.7 He was awarded Freedom of the City of Norwich, Norfolk, England on 21 September 16185 - an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting dignitary.6 Being a Freeman was a status that conferred political privileges. The certificate proclaiming his freedom said,

"To each and all to whose notice these presents may come, lasting health in the Lord from the Vicount Major, Citizens, and community of the City of Norwich:

"Know ye that Michael Metcalfe, Dornix weaver, bearer of these presents, our fellow citizen, in and because of the freedom of the city aforesaid, and dwelling in the same, and by reason of our liberties lately granted and conformaed to us by various Kings of England, the same Michael is and ought to be free from every kind of Theolonium, potagium, passagium, muragium, pannagium, bastagium, pnagium, Caiagium, Rivagium, vinagium, fossagium, Caragium, and from all other usages throughout all the seaports and all England and the whole jurisdiction of our sovereign the King. Wherefore we ask you each and all with our utmost desire for his good, and by the tenor of these presents, require that since the aforesaid Michael Metcalfe or his servants, with goods and merchandise have come or has come among you, you will permit him or them to go and come freely and peaceably according to the course of our liberties. In proof of this thing we have caused this open letter to be written for our above named fellow citizen under the seal of the government of the city named, this eighth day of January and sixteenth year of the reign of our sovereign James, King of England, etc. 1618.

By me John Bassham, Chamberlain

[Endorsed]

The Coppy of my fredome of the City of Norwich in ye County of Norfolke in ould England Made freman in ye month September: 1618

Michael Metcalfe Senor.5

Col. Banks says that "Michael Metcalf was Warden of St. Benedict's, Norwich, 1619-1634, a natural position for the son of a clergyman to occupy, and his fine signatures on the deposition and the Warden's Account Book, written with a sure hand ending in a graceful flourish, further indicate his early training and association in an educated family."1

Michael and Sarah had eleven children, the seven oldest born in Norwich and baptized at St. Benedict, the four younger at St. Edmonsbury:7

  1. Michael Metcalf. Born on 13 November 1617 in Norwich, Norfolk, England, Baptized on 30 November 1617 in St. Benedict Parish, Norwich when two weeks old. Died on 19 January 1617/8 in Norwich, two months old. Buried on 20 January 1617/8 in St. Benedict Church, Norwich.

  2. Mary Metcalf. Born on 14 February 1618/9 in Norwich. Baptized on 17 February 1618/9 in St. Benedict Parish when three days old. Died on 5 May 1676 in Dedham, 57 years old. Buried in Dedham.

  3. Michael Metcalf (Julia's ancestor). Born on 29 August 1620 in Norwich. Baptized in St. Benedict Parish. Died on 25 March 1654 in Dedham, 33 years old.

  4. John Metcalf. Born on 5 September 1622 in Norwich. Baptized in St. Benedict Parish. Died on 27 November 1675 in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 53 years old.

  5. Sarah Metcalf. Born on 10 September 1624 in Norwich. Baptized on 10 March 1624/5 in St. Benedict Parish when six months old. Died on 25 February 1671/2 in Dedham, 47 years old.

  6. Elizabeth Metcalf. Born on 20 September 1626 in Norwich. Baptized on 4 October 1626 in St. Benedict Parish when two weeks old. Died on 11 May 1711 in Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 84 years old.

  7. Martha Metcalf. Born in 1627/8 in St. Benedict Parish. Baptized on 27 March 1628 in St. Benedict Parish when a few months old. Died on 26 December 1717 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 89 years old.

  8. Dea. Thomas Metcalf. Born on 27 December 1629 in Norwich. Baptized on 11 January 1629/30 in St. Edmund Parish, Norwich when two weeks old. Died on 16 November 1702 in Dedham, 72 years old.

  9. Anne Metcalf. Born on 1 March 1631/2 in Norwich. Baptized on 4 March 1631/2 in St. Edmund Parish when three days old. Died in May 1632 in St. Edmund Parish, about two months old. Buried on 13 May 1632 in St. Edmund Parish.

  10. Jane Metcalf. Born on 24 March 1632/3 in Norwich. Baptized on 29 March 1633 in St. Edmund Parish when five days old. Died on 24 October 1701 in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, 68 years old.

  11. Rebecca Metcalf. Born on 5 April 1635 in Norwich. Baptized on 12 April 1635 in St. Edmund Parish when seven days old. Died on 8 December 1667 in Dedham, 32 years old.

From Depositions in the Diocesan Registry, Norwich, 1635

  • Feb. 2, 1635[/6] "Michael Metcalf of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45 years, born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, testifies regarding the practices of the clergyman of St. Edmund's, Norwich. (Ib., 1635)"

  • 1635, 11 July In the Court of the Mayor. Michaell Medcalfe, Simon Bowman, and diverse other dornix weavers came into this Court and Informed that Augustine Thurton, who worketh with Thomas Mollett, and Tho: Evered, who worketh with John Brady, have an intencion to gather a multitude of people together at the Unicorne this night, to doe (as they feare) some unlawfull Act, And have desired this Court to prevent the same. The said Augustine Thurston saith that hee and the said Tho: Evered did upon Tuesday last goe abroad to diverse dornix weavers shopps in this City and did invite the severall Jorneymen to mete this afternoone at the Unicorne to elect 4 feast makers to make a feast for the Jorneymen dornix weavers.

  • Thomas Evered saith that the Jorneymen dornix weavers have used to have yearely a feast amongest themselves, And upon Tuesday last hee and the said Augustine did speake to most of the Jorneymen in the City to mete at the Unicorne this afternoone to consent howe they might drawe their wverall masters to give greater wages, And he saith that the intent of this metinge was onely to knowe how the Journymen would holde together concerning the mending of their wages and that they might have promised one annother that they would have no lesse then vj d. a weeke more than nowe they have, yf they could gett ytt.

  • Thurton and Evered bound in 40 pounds each to answer at the Sessions. (Norwich Sessions Minute, Book 8) (City of Norwich, Corporation Records, Search Books.)

Michael was a devout Puritan, and he came to the attention of Bishop Wren, the Bishop of Norwich, who was a vigorous prosecutor of non-conformity in his jurisdiction. In his position as Warden of St. Benedict, Michael Metcalf would have been a visible target. He appeared before ecclesiastical courts in 1633 and again in 1636 for refusing to bow at the name of Jesus or to adhere to the "stinking tenets of Arminius" adopted by the established church. He lost his property by a Star Chamber fine.8 When he was further threatened by the religious tyranny exercised by Bishop Wren, he felt forced to escape, even at the expense of separation from his family. Michael went into hiding and prepared to immigrate to New England. He wrote a letter to the people of Norwich explaining his reasons for emmigrating (see the entire text of this letter in Appendix B), after which he took ship alone at London, 17 September 1636, bound for New England. However, the ship was driven back to Plymouth, England, by storms8 and, having evaded the imminent threat from Bishop Wren, he returned to Yarmouth and began working to secure a license permitting his family to come with him. Don Blauvelt says,

"Apr. 8, 1637, Michael was examined for permission to emigrate to New England: 'The examinacion of Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, Dornix weauer, aged 45 yeares and Sarrah his wife, aged 39 yeares, with 8 Children, Michill: Thomas: Marey: Sarrah: Elizabeth: Martha: Joane: and Rebeca: and his Saruant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16 yeares, are desirous to passe to boston in New England to inhabit.' Fourteen-year-old son John, apparently omitted by the scribe, also sailed with the family.2

"By April 1637, he was successful in securing the needed license. The Metcalf family left from Yarmouth, 15 April 1637 aboard The Rose of Yarmouth.**The information about the Metcalfs immigration is conflicting. Some sources give the name of the ship the Metcalfs sailed on as the John and Dorothy, and the date of arrival as July 14, 1637. One source says, "He sailed from Ipswich on the John and Dorothy with Captain William Andrews on 4/6/1637 (probably 6 June 1637) with 8 children and a servant." The source of this seems to be an early History of Medfield. In his letter, Michael says that his family arrived in New England three days before midsummer, so we have concluded that this information in incorrect.  Ipswich, in Suffolk, was their last port of call in England, and they arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on 18 June 1637.8 (The great chest -beautifully carved and inlaid -which Michael Metcalf brought with him from England was treasured by successive generations of his descendants until December 1887, when it was deposited with the Dedham Historical Society by Elizabeth Metcalf Smith.9)

https://pfollansbee.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/inlaid-chest-front-view.jpg

Michael’s own account of these events is contained in a letter written from New England:11

"To all the true professors of Christ's Gospel within the city of Norwich

"I was persecuted in the land of my fathers' sepulchers for not bowing at the name of Jesus and observing the ceremonies inforced upon me at the instance of Bishop Wren of Norwich, and his Chancellor Dr. Corbet, whose violent measures troubled me in the Bishop's court, and returned me into the High Commissioner's Court.

"Suffering many times for the cause of religion, I was forced for the sake of the liberty of my conscience to flee from my wife and children to go into New Englahd; taking ship for the voyage at London, 17th Sept., 1636, and being by tempests tossed up and down the seas till the Christmas following ; and then veering about to Plymouth in Old England. Leaving the ship I went down to Yarmouth, in Co. Norfolk, whence I finally shipped myself and family to come to New England; sailed April 15, 1637, and arrived three days before Midsummer with my wife, nine children, and a servant, [Thomas Comberbach, aged 16]."

and in a postscript:

"my enemies conspired against me to take my life, and, sometimes, to avoid their hands, my wife did hide me in the roof of the house, covering me over with straw."11

Bishop Wren, a vigorous opponent of Puritanism, was eventually tried by Parliament during the reign of Oliver Cromwell "for acts committed by him during his term of two years and four months as the Holy See of Norwich." Howell's State Trials, Volume IV, page 33, cites Article XVI of the impeachment:

That by suppressing means of knowledge and salvation, and introducing ignorance, superstition and profaneness, many [some 3,000] of his majesty's subjects which used trades, spinning, weaving, knotting, and making of cloth, stuffs, and other manufactures of wool . . . that is to say Daniel Sonning, Michael Metcalf, John Besant, Nicholas Metcalf, and many others, some of whom setting a hundred poor people to work, have removed themselves into Holland and other parts beyond the seas, and there set up and taught the natives the said manufactures, to the great hindrance of trade in this kingdom, and to the impoverished, and bringing to extreme want of very many who were by these parties set to work, to the great prejudice of his Majesty and his people.

The defense of Bishop Wren alleged that Michael and Nicholas Metcalf (probably Michael's brother) were "call'd in question for some Words against the King, and so slipt away" to New England.7, 16

Shortly after arriving in Boston, the Metcalf family settled in Dedham, Massachusetts. Michael Metcalf was the 33rd person to sign the Dedham Covenant. He was admitted as a townsman there on 18 July 1637. The 12-acre lot assigned to him was close to that of Jonathan Fairbanks.

Dedham Church Records say, "Michaell Mettcalfe ye elder was received into ye church wth good satisfaction ye 24 of ye 6t month." [24 August 1639]. Michael’s wife, Sarah Elwyn Metcalf, was admitted to the church on October 11 of the same year.

In Dedham, Michael traded weaving for farming.8 On 29 December 1640, he was chosen selectman for the next year. He headed the committee to build a new meeting house for the town. When brickmaking was introduced, one of the principal clay pits was on the land of Michael Metcalf at Dedham Island.

The Dedham Church Records say, "Sarah ye wife of our brother Micl Mettcalfe Senr died co’fortably Nov’r 30. 1644. Aged 51 years 5 mo. 13 days. She was born at Wagnham (sic) near Norwich June 17. 1593 – married October 13. 1616."

Eight months after Sarah’s death, Michael married Mrs. Mary (Sothy) Pidge, a widow of Roxbury, Massachusetts, on 13 August 1645 in Dedham. Michael still had seven unmarried children, and Mary had several unmarried children from her previous marriage. Their house was too small to accommodate their combined family, so Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks "adopted" Mary’s youngest daughter, Martha Pidge.13, 17 Later, Michael made special provisions for Martha in his will. Michael Metcalf Jr. had married Mary Fairbanks, and Thomas Metcalf married Sarah Pidge, another of Mary Pidge’s daughters.

In 1656, the town engaged 64-year-old Michael Metcalf to be the Dedham schoolmaster for the year for £20 -two-thirds part in wheat at the town or country rate, and the other part in corn at the said rate, to be kept, the record says, "at the school-house,except the wether be extreme to hinder, and then he is to attend at his own dwelling-house. The town to have the harth laid in the school-house forthwith, and windows made fitt, and wood for the fire to be laid in. In the heat of the weather, if the said Michael desire to make use of the meeting-house, he may do so, provided the house be kept clean and the windows be made good if broken, the school to begin the 19th of the present month (1656) and the pay quarterly."8, 15

Michael Metcalf died on 24 December 1664 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.14 He was about 72 years old. His will is in Appendix D.

Sources:

  1. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol. LXXX, 1926, pp 312-313

  2. Find a grave Memorial# 64230860 - Michael Metcalf and Sarah Elwyn by Don Blauvalt

  3. Dedham Historical Register, Vol. 5 p 95

  4. Wikipedia – Dornix

  5. Dedham Historical Register, Vol. 3 p 143

  6. Wikipedia – Freedom of the City

  7. Descendants of the Rev. Leonard Metcalf by Howard Metcalfe

  8. "New England's Generation: The Great Migration and the Formation of Society and Culture in the Seventeenth Century" by Virginia DeJohn Anderson, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1991 pp 140 – 185

  9. Metcalf and Allied Families

  10. Suffolk County Probate Records, Vol. 1, 497-599; Vol. 4, 214-15.

  11. NEHGS Register, Vol. VI, p 171

  12. Early Records of the Town of Dedham Vol 2

  13. Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633 - 1897, by Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks

  14. Early Records of the Town of Dedham Vol 1

  15. History of Franklin

  16. NEHG Register, Vol 86 pp 252-256

  17. Oral presentation of the curator of the Fairbank’s House, Dedham Massachusetts.

Appendix A - Notes on Metcalf births in Tatterford:

In an article by Charles Edward Banks, M.D., Colonel, U.S.A., Retired, found in the NHGS Register Vol 80 (1926) pp 312-313:

 

METCALF

"The presumed English ancestry of Michael Metcalf of Dedham, Mass., which represents him as a son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf of Tatterford, co. Norfolk, while reasonably entertained as possible, has been held in abeyance, through a misapprehension of the evidence relating to it. An examination of the parish registers of Tatterford disclosed a Nicholas baptized in 1586, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, who was rector of Tatterford, and Amy, his wife. This had been assumed as an error for Michael; but this assumption, of course, was rejected as an unsound inference and the relationship of the Rev. Leonard Metcalf to Michael, the emigrant, rejected as a consequence. The error in this conclusion lies in the fact that the registers of Tatterford are a piece of patchwork, constructed prior to 1616 by the wardens of the parish from the then existing Bishop's transcripts. On the first written page of the registers is found this statement: "True Coppies of certayne Bills Indented of the Marriages Christninges and burialls....extracted owte of the office of Registershipp of the Archdeconry of Norff: as followeth."

 

"The actual registered entries begin in 1616, but the continuity from 1569 is broken. Bills for years, 1570, 1579, 1580, 1585, and 1590 are marked as "not to be found". Four years later are also recorded as "not found," but 1590 is the significant loss in connection with Michael Metcalf, as will be explained. This fact has not been taken into account by previous investigators."

"The Rev. Leonard Metcalf became rector of this parish in 1574, and was the only head of a family of his name there; but, while it is known that he had a large family, only the baptisms of five sons are of record, namely, John, in 1583, Leonard and Nicholas [sic] in 1586, Matthew in 1592 [sic], and Nynian in 1596.

 

"The writer, however, has found in the Diocesan Registry at Norwich (in the Consistorial Deposition Books) a [1635] deposition of Michael Metcalf, in which he describes himself as of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45 years, and born in Tatterford. This carries his birth year back to 1590, and, as the records for that year are missing in the synthetically prepared registers, it explains why it is impossible to produce positive evidence of his parentage; but the negative evidence is quite as strong, for, in addition to his own statement of age and birthplace, there is nothing to show that any other Metcalf family lived there, and Rev. Leonard Metcalf was by all reasonable circumstantial evidence his father. His place in the family is in the gap between Nicholas and Matthew shown above. Confirmatory collateral evidence is found in the fact that Michael Metcalf was warden of St. Benedict's, Norwich, 1619-1634, a natural position for the son of a clergyman to occupy, and his fine signatures on the deposition and the Warden's Account Book, written with a sure hand ending in a graceful flourish, further indicate his early training and association in an educated family."

Response by G. Andrew Moriarty to the above article:

"Colonel Banks is to be congratulated on having discovered at last something definite regarding the ancestry of Michael Metcalf. With regard to my article in the Register of January 1924, referred to by him, I should like to point out that at the time that was written there was no definite proof that Michael was born at Tatterford, such as is furnished in the deposition discovered by Colonel Banks. Moreover, the record of his age then known was that of the shipping list, which made him born in 1586, the year in which Leonard, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf was baptized, a baptism which has been called a baptism of Michael, which was clearly wrong. I agree with Colonel Banks that Michael must be a son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, born in a year of which no baptismal records remain, about 1590, because there was no other Metcalf in the parish at this time. Colonel Banks has made a slight error when he says that Rev. Leonard Metcalf had sons Nicholas and Leonard baptised in 1586. Leonard was baptized 3 Sept. 1586, but Nicholas was baptized 8 July 1587. Matthew was baptized on 18 Dec. 1594, and not in 1592, as stated above. There are no records in the registers for 1592. In addition to the above children, Rev. Leonard Metcalf had a daughter Marie, baptized 28 Au. 1601. Rev. Leonard Metcalf was undoubtedly the father of Richard Metcalf of Tatterford and of Michael Metcalf. Thanks to Colonel Bank's discovery, we now have a good starting point for further investigations regarding Michael Metcalf's ancestry. Apperside is a hamlet in the vale of Wenslydale, North Riding, Yorkshire. ---G. Andrews Moriarty, Jr.]"

(Mr. Moriarty published more Metcalf family records in NEHG Register, Vol 86 pp 252-256)

However, Don Blauvalt, who created the Findagrave Memorials for Michael Metcalf and Sarah Elwyn does not think the matter is settled:

Find a grave Memorial# 64230860 - Michael Metcalf and Sarah Elwyn

"… In a Feb. 2, 1635/6 deposition: Michael Metcalfe of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45, born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, testified regarding the practices of clergyman of St. Edmund's, Norwich [NEHGR 86:253.]

 

"In this era a person's age was stated by the word "aged," shorthand in English for the Latin term Ætatis suæ (literally, the time of one's age), in which a person's age begins on the day of birth versus on a chronological year basis (i.e., at birth a person is in the first year of their age.) In the foregoing deposition Michael indicated he was then 44 years old, born within the one-year period that began Feb. 3, 1590/1 in the modern Gregorian calendar. In the original Tatterford church record the month of February 1590, in the old Julian calendar, would have been included in the record for the year 1590, with February the 12th the last month of the old Julian calendar (until 1752 the English year was based on the Julian calendar, in which March 25th was the first day of the new year.) Unfortunately, the year 1590 is stated as "not to be found." Although at the time the English civil year began on March 25th, English parish records considered the entire month of March the first month of the ecclesiastic calendar. While the ecclesiastic year of 1591 is found in the Tatterford parish register, Michael's baptism does not appear in 1591.

 

"Two years later on Apr. 8, 1637, Michael was examined for permission to emigrate to New England: • The examinacion of Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, Dornix weauer, aged 45 yeares and Sarrah his wife, aged 39 yeares, with 8 Children, Michill: Thomas: Marey: Sarrah: Elizabeth: Martha: Joane: and Rebeca: and his Saruant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16 yeares, are desirous to passe to boston in New England to inhabit [ibid, 14:325.] Fourteen-year-old son John, apparently omitted by the scribe, also sailed with the family.

 

"In the latter examination by the King's port officials, Michael indicated he was then "aged" 45 (i.e., 44 years old), born within the one-year period that began April 9, 1592. The ecclesiastic year 1592 is completely missing in the Tatterford register whereas the year 1593 is fully extant but does not contain Michael's baptism.

 

"On an obelisk at Center Cemetery at Lebanon, Conn. is an inscription for Michael's 3rd gr. grandson Eliphalet Metcalf (William,5 Jonathan,4 Jonathan,3 Michael,2 Michael,1) and his wife Mary West. The inscription traces Eliphalet Metcalf's paternal ancestry, the first part stating:

"This branch of the Metcalf family, descended from Michael who was born at Tatterford, England in 1586 and immigrated to America and settled at Dedham, Mass. in 1637 where he died Dec. 27, 1664."

"There is no Michael, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, who was baptised at Tattersford in the extant 1586 or 1587 parish record. The only children of Rev. Metcalf baptized in those years begins with son Leonard, written in Latin as Leonardus, Sept. 3, 1586, who was buried at Tatterford Aug. 10, 1590. This is followed by the baptism of son Nicholas, written as Nichus, July 20, 1587. Nicholas became Rev. Nicholas Metcalf and d. testate in England July 17, 1664.

 

"Based on the above, the writer has adopted the year 1591 as the likely year of Michael's birth. He was not likely to misstate his age while testifying in God's house or lie about his age to the King's officials."

The records in both 1635 and 1637 show Michael as "aged 45" which makes it difficult to calculate a precise birth year, even if Mr. Blauvalt is right about the consistency with which "aetatis" was used and understood. The Johnson Family Research Committee has chosen to show Michael Metcalf’s birth year as about 1592.

Appendix B - Metcalf Letter - Complete

The following letter was written before Michael Metcalf made his first attempt to come to America. At the time of his writing he speaks of himself as an exile from his wife and children, "with whom he would have gladly continued if with liberty."

 

from the N. E. Genealogical Register, Vol. 16, page 279

 

To all the true professors of Christ's Gospel, within the City of Norwich :

 

The peace of God in Jesus Christ, the help, comfort and assistance of his Eternal Spirit be with you, my dear and loving wife, and all the rest of our loving friends, professors of Christ's Gospel and true religion, most purely taught and powerfully preached amongst you not long since, who now mourn for the miseries of God's people, and loss of your faithful minister, to your everlasting consolation in him — Amen.

 

Our adversary the devil, as a mighty Nimrod and cunning hunter, doth continually compass the earth to and fro like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, ruling in the hearts of children of disobedience, stirring them up against the people of God. You know there ever hath been enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent; for as he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit. Gal. 4:29, even so it is now, for are there not beasts among you, after the manner of men, such as Paul fought with at Ephesus? Yea, surely I would they were cut off which trouble you. Persecutors they are of you, my friends, in the Apostle's phrase, alluding to Gen. 21 19. There you shall find Ishmael mocking and troubling of Isaac for his religion, called persecution by the Apostle Paul. And are there not such a scoffing generation of Ishmaelites among you, who hate you because you hate the thing that is good, and will not run with them into all excess of riots, and with their tongues do shout at them that are true of heart (as the prophet saith). He saith further, in the person of the church, that they that sit in the gates spake against me, and I was a song of the drunkard, for the just man is laughed to scorn (Job 12:4). The wicked watcheth the righteous man and seeketh to slay him (Psalm 37). I would wish that this viperous generation did not multiply in your city as they do. Among them are scoffing Ishmaelites, prophane Esaus, flattering dogs, subtile Ahithophels, children of this world, wiser in their generation than the children of light, but in the end will prove to be Solomon's fools.

 

When I was among them I tasted of their burning charity, when some of them conspired against my life, as you know, accusing me of Treason most unjustly. Some of my adversaries were at difference one with another, yet like Pilate and Herod, they became friends, and joined madness and malice against me. But God, who hated their conspiracy, so mollified the heart of one of the witnesses, that with tears she confessed I never spake any such words. Their malice being manifest to the world, their project was laid in the dust. Yet herewith not satisfied, they sent out their bloodhounds abroad, to smell out some new matter against me; but my God bounded their madness, and by death took away one of my chiefest enemies (Job 4: 7).

 

My cause may well allude to the Prophet David's complaint against his enemies; saith he: "My enemies spake against me, and they that lay wait for my life take counsel together, but the Lord hath delivered me out of the hand of the wicked, from the unrighteous and evil man." To God I have referred my cause, to whom I leave it and them.

 

You are not ignorant, I suppose, of the great trouble I sustained in the Archdeacon's and Bishop's Court, at the hands of my enemies, concerning the matter of Bowing, as well as for other matters of like consequence. I alleged against them the scripture, the canons, and the book of common prayer, but the Chancellor replied he cared for none of them. I further alleged against them, the authority of Archbishops and Bishops, as also their great patron of Ceremonies, the learned Hooker, so called by them; together with a book called the Regiment of the Church, allowed by authority, which hath these words: that the decrees and constitutions of the Church of England must not be made a part of God's worship, neither holden necessary to our salvation, as some have vainly in some of your hearings; for our Savior saith, "in vain do they worship me who teach for doctrines the precepts of man." The apostle condemneth all voluntary worship devised by man, Hooker after saith "our church doth not enforce bowing at the name of Jesus against his conscience."

 

Notwithstanding these and more than these reasons alleged against them, their learned and invincible arguments to refute my assertions were these : "Blockhead, old heretick, the devil made you, I will send you to the devil;" with other such twin stuff, unfitting terms to be used by a Judge in a court of Judicature. But of these, no more, for these words were not spoken in a corner but in a Consistory.

 

My loving friends, be not discouraged too much at innovations, now forced upon you, but never heretofore urged upon any man's conscience by any Bishop of the See of Norwich, since the Reformation; but as the proverb says "New lords, new laws." Such doings make sad the hearts of God's people. Let your faith and patience have their perfect work in these perilous times, now come upon you, by the sufferance of God. Be you cheerly. God is on your side, and his truth is your cause, and against you be none but the enemies of the cross of Christ, the serpent and his seed, the Ishmaelites and prophane Esaus of this wicked world, children of the malignant church, such as the Lord hath always abhorred and in all ages resisted and overthrown. God (from whom nothing is hid) knoweth what they are. He hath found out your enemies to be prophane, malicious, proud, disdainful, filthy, shameless, persecutors of and despiteful against his people and truth. The spirit of God doth describe them in the Scripture by the names of serpents, lions, dogs, bulls, bears, wolves, swine, beasts, &c; teaching us to understand that their natural inclination is, as much as in them lieth, to bring into trouble and bonds all those who live godly in Christ; but the Lord, with his right arm, will defend his little distressed flock against his and your enemies who do conspire against your precious faith and liberty. In the meantime, my friends, have patience while they rage; let them curse, ban, rage and become mad against you, casting the dirt of aspersion at your faces, not hating you for your vices, but for your virtues — Cain like; and had they power with their will, surely they would cast fire and fagot at your faces. These Jehus, I do hope, march too furious to hold out long. They may haply prove but summer birds. The Lord hath bounded their madness that they shall not do more to you than he will suffer them to do. God doth try his people in the furnace of affliction, and he that suffereth patiently for his Christian profession is hereby known to be of Christ; even so are the persecutors and opposers of God’s people known to be enemies of the cross of Christ. Besides, their injustice may be the means the sooner to provoke the Lord to take pity on you, and to punish them that so despiteflly use you; for though God suffer them for a time, in their pride, yet shall they not always escape his avenging hand. They are his rods, and when he hath worn them to the stumps, then will he cast them forth into the fire. This shall be their final reward. Your duty is in the mean while patiently to abide the will of God, who worketh all things for the best for you.

 

Oh Norwich! the beauty of my native country! what shall I say unto thee? Thou art little inferior to any of thy sister cities within this kingdom. Famous hast thou been for religion throughout this island. The Gospel of Christ Jesus hath been purely and powerfully taught, to thy great honor, and ye joy and rejoicing of thy religious inhabitants. Thy God hath adorned thee with such a succession of godly and able preachers, within some of thy churches, that few congregations, I suppose, have had the like; who so faithfully have taught their people, both by life and doctrine, to your everlasting fame; carefully preaching and defending the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, with other truths of the true Protestant faith, against the defenders of the stinking tenets of Arminius, that enemy of God, so called by King James, i. e., ye 1st.

 

Alas my friends, what comfort is it now to you to learn what your city hath formerly been for Christ's true religion taught in her? The question is, what is she now? Surely much relapsed and fallen from her love and purity of life and doctrine. Would to God thy spiritual fathers had not tasted the sour grapes whereby most of the children's teeth are set on edge. For many strange things are now preached in thine ears by thy new preachers which your old preachers would never have endured. But the religion of these novelists consisteth in formalities, they striving to use the desk above the pulpit, teaching the people less preaching may now serve, were it not to preach down schism and faction, as at Winsor Visitation. Another he makes it arbitrary whether or not the Pope be Antichrist, as Burgess in my hearing at the Cathedral in Norwich. My friends, beware of them that preach to you with the enticing words of Man's wisdom, and do chalk out a nearer way to heaven than they shall find (I fear) that walk in it.

 

Follow the apostles counsel and take heed how you hear; be not led away with the error of the wicked, beware of them which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves, for the apostle saith ye wolves will enter into the fold of Christ, not sparing the flock. My friends, imitate the wise Bereans, and search the scripture whether you become such proficient as to try the doctrines of your preachers, whether they be consonant to the scripture or not, beware you keep your judgements sound in the truth, rectifying your zeal and affections by the spirit of truth, making God the object of your faith and love: - If your judgements be lost then will follow that you will soon make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. Remember therefore what you have received and heard and hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take away thy crown, Rev. 3, 3-11. And if you do persevere and keep the word of his patience, He hath promised he will also keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth.

 

My loving Christians, in taking this my last farewell of you, I do earnestly exhort you in the bowels of the Lord Jesus and as you tender the eternal welfare of your poor souls, purchased by the blood of Christ that you carefully beware of Arminianism; do not nibble too long at the bait until you are catched with the hook; rather banish from your ears and hearts those stinking fogs and infectious vapours, into the Netherlands, from whence they were spawned, as a bastard brood of Popery; for these tenets were arraigned and condemned at the council of Dort, by a synod of learned Prelates. I do marvel how your novelists dare be so audacious as to meddle with, and teach those dangerous and pernicious errors, prohibited by the proclamation. Would to God this spirit which is seen frequently to walk among you, in the likeness of men, were conjured out of your nation by authority:

 

My brethren I cannot but much bemoan your great loss of late: I mean those godly and learned divines, your most loving, faithful and powerful preachers now forced from amongst you, to your no little sorrow thus to be deprived of them that so faithfully have taught you and so fatherly cared for you and so godily have governed you by the scriptures of truth:- They were given to you and sent of God as a great blessing to your city; by the power of whose ministry many have been converted and won to the truth of the Gospel, who have begotten them to a godly life and conversation. Surely for your sins the Lord hath deprived you of them as not worthy of so great a mercy as the enjoying them, since whose departure a famine of the word is come upon you, most of your lights being put out. Therefore, seeing what the Lord hath done unto thee O! Norwich! prepare to meet thy God: O Norwich! by repentance and deep humiliation, lest the Lord come against thee to avenge the quarrel of his covenant which thou hast broken; - Humiliation is a sanctified means whereby the Lord will be intreated of you: - If you do humble yourselves by fasting and prayer in your several families, then it may be, the Lord will work for you: Therefore cry mightily to God and turn, every one from his evil ways, who can tell if God will turn and repent and turn away his fierce anger to you (John 3, 8) and send you such preachers again as may divide the word of God aright among you; you did not duly prize them when you enjoyed them, therefore the Lord hath deprived you of them as not worthy of them: I may warn you of your danger as the Lord did Jerusalem by the Prophet, "Be thou instructed O! Jerusalem lest my soul depart from thee;" so may I say to sinful Norwich, which hath polluted the Lord’s sabbaths and profaned his holy things by superstitions and foolish ceremonies which the Lord commanded not, together with the corruption of doctrine and manners too much connived at among you, by siding with the times, and yielding to much through slavish fear, to the wasting of your graces and quenching that spiritual vigor, zeal and affection that formerly you had in shew before these times of trial came on to try you, for the Lord is about to purge his floor and to thash his church with the flail of affliction: - you may easily see that wrath is gone out from the Lord, and judgement is begun at the house of God; and his hand is stretched out still, but who taketh it to heart, - custom hath taken away the sense of misery, and security is the sin of Churches in all places – the consideration whereof might cause you to fear and tremble by the example of Germany, Bohemia, and the Palatinate and many other reformed churches over whom the wrath of God hath been to the uttermost, to the great depopulating and wasting of cities and countries: - When your neighbors houses are on fire, it is time to look to your own, let other’s examples teach you to beware, - "A Wise man foreseeth the stom and shunneth it saith Solomon. Look about you, - quit yourselves like men, for the hour of temptation is at hand, which shall come upon the world to try them that dwell upon the earth; These are like to be trying times indeed, therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. God is able to separate the wheat from the chaff, and to put a difference between them that fear him and those that fear him not; but he that is found to be faithful unto death Christ hath promised unto him a crown of life. Be not secure, but fear for such times may soon come upon you as may shake your faith, if it be not founded on the rock of Christ. Draw nigh unto God and he will draw nigh unto you (James 4, 8) and he will comfort you after the time he hath afflicted you: The Lord shorten these sorrowful and sinful days for his great name’s sake, and give you of his saving grace, that, as you have a little strength so you may keep his word and not deny his name, Rev. 3, 8.

 

Now farewell my beloved Christians and dear friends, the Lord defend, keep and preserve you and me from the malice and power of the serpent and his seed; and send us a joyful meeting here or elsewhere as it shall please our Good God to appoint: - In the meanwhile I most earnestly desire you to pray for me, for I never had more need in my life, in regard of my excited condition from my wife and children, with whom I would gladly have continued, if with liberty – but all things came to pass with the good will of God. Doubtless you shall never want my poor prayers, if it please God to accept the prayers of so sinful a wretch as I am.

 

The Lord impute not my sin unto me for Jesus Christ’s sake, unto whose merciful defence I do most heartily commit you. The blessing of God be with you, my dear wife and children and all you my Christian friends; and fill you with with his holy and blessed spirit, that you may always rejoice in the comforts of the same now and evermore, Amen.

 

 Your loving brother in exile persecuted for Christ’s verity,

     Michael Metcalfe

 Plumouth (Eng.) the 13th of January 1636.

Appendix C. - Dedham Selectmen’s Record pg 183

A valuation of houses taken 1651

  1. Mr Joh. Allin 31 A new valuation 1655?

  2. Eld Hunting 12 10 10 15

  3. Elea: Lusher 26 23 00

  4. Robt Mason 17 15 00

  5. Josep: Kingsberey 13 16 00

  6. Lamb: Genery 05 04 10

  7. Lieft: Fisher 31 27 00

  8. Thwa: Strickland 07 06 00

  9. Nath. Coaleburne 16 14 00 15

  10. Hen. Brock 14

  11. Nath: Aldus 14 10

  12. Hen. Phillips 26 20 00

  13. Antho: Fisher Ju 11 10 00

  14. Sam: Morse 07 08 00

  15. Nath: Fisher 12 10 10

  16. Robt Onion 04 03

  17. Hen. Smyth 08 07 00

  18. Ralph Daye 07 07 00 ?

  19. Joh. Guilde 04 04 00 10

  20. Rich. Euered 09 09 00 15

  21. Rich. Wheeler 06 05 10 10

  22. Pet: Woodward 20 22 00

  23. Robt Fuller 07 07 00 10

  24. Joh: Farington 16 20 00

  25. Joh. Fraerey 09 08 00 6

  26. Mich: Metcalfe sen 17 15 00

  27. Mich: Metcalf Ju 03

  28. Jonath. Fayerbanke 20 17

  29. Joh. Fayerbanke 04 08 00

  30. Fra. Chickering 23 20 00

  31. Will Auerey 16 14 00

  32. Joh. Metcalfe 06 05 10 6

  33. Rich. Ellice 05 05 00

  34. John Dwight 26 23 00 20

Appendix D – Last Will and Testament of Michael Metcalf

Michael Metcalfe, Senior, of Dedham, being aged, Doe make this my Last Will. Whereas, there is a Covenant Between my selfe and Mary my wife, made before our marriage, bearing Date the 13 of August 1645, wherein it may appear that she reserved to herselfe, and to her dispose, her Lands, and Estate, so that I received no Estate with her; Yet, neverthelesse, I give unto her ffor the terme of her widowhood, in household stuffe, and other goods, as shee thinkes meete to Chuse, for her use, not exceeding the value of sixteene pounds, and not being such as I shall particuarly Dispose of, in this my Last will, which household stuffe, so chosen by her, shall Bee to ffurnishe the Roome, which my Executor shall prepare for her, at his house, to Receive her into, after my Decease. All which household stuffe and goods, I give to my Executor, to have, after the Decease of my wife. Unto my wife, six punds, to be paid to her within one month after my Decease in Current pay. Unto Sonne John Metcalfe of Medfield, one ffeather and Bolster, my second book of Martyrs, Mr. Perkin's second book, Luther on the gala, one silver spoon, one pair of sheets, on Long Chest, in the Upper Chamber, one Diaper Boardcloth. Unto my Executor & his Heires, all that my Land in Neponset plaine, and three Acres Laying in ye Lowplaine next to Peter Woodward's, Also halfe my Divident in ye Cedar swampe, neer the Saw Mill, & 3 Commons & ye odde. Unto my Grandchild Michael Metcalfe, the Elder, all that my Land and Improvments within the Lotte I dwell in, my three acres in ye wigwaom plaine, my swompe next to my house, provided he give my Executor that Little parcel of his swampe west end of his house, otherwise my gift to be void. Also I give him my Natick Dividend of twenty-three acres, more or lesse; four Cow Commons; halfe my Cedar swampe, at the Saw Mill; my wood Land, at the West of Toune; all the particulars I have belonging to husbandry, in one kind or another; all the Remainer of my Household stuffe not Disposed of in this my Will. Also my first Book of Martyrs, Mr. Perkin's first Booke, one silver spoon. To my Daughter Wilson, ffortye shillings. To my Daughter Elisabeth Bancrafte, ffive pounds. To my Daughter Martha Stowe, twenty shillings. To my Daughter, Jane Walker, forty shillings. To my Daughter Rebecca Mackintosh-ffive punds. To my wife's Daughter, Martha Bullard, twenty shillings. To my Daughter, Sarah Onion, three pounds. All which six Legacyes, Last namedl, shall be paid at, in, or Before, the second March next after my Decease, in Current Payment.

To my Daughter Stowe's eldest sonne, which she had by her first husband, Wm. Brignall, ffour pounds, to be paid him when he shall attayne to Lawful age. To my Grandchild, Jno. Mackintosh, and Robert Onion, all my wearing apparel to be equally divided by my Executor in order as their names been here set down; my Grandchild to choose first: To my Grandchild, above said, all the Lumber in my house. Moreover, if any of ye persons that are Legattes in my present will, shall by themselves, or by any others, make or cause to make any Disturbances, or Contortion, in word or Deed in Reference to any thing given in this my Will; then all that Legacye to that person, shall be utterly voide. Thomas Metcalfe of Dedham, my sonne, to be my executor, to whom I give all the Rest of my Lands and Goods, not formerly Disposed of.

Michael Metcalfe

Before the witnessing hereof, I give to my Grandchild, abovesaid, my single acre of Meddow; also my Largest gray Horsemans Coate, also two oxen, one Cow, to be delivered to him at Lawful age. All the Books, aforesaid, given to my soone John, after his death I give them his sonne Michael my Grandchilde.

Signed and sealed in the presence of us

Peter Woodard, his mark X, Jonathan ffairbanke

Edward Ranson, Recorder

Jonathan Fairebanke