An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

I must turn my drowned Pen and shaking Hand to Indite the Story of such sad News as never before this happened in New-England. There was a League of perpetual Friendship between my Cousin Avery (note that this Mr. Avery was a precious holy Minister who came out of England with Mr. Anthony Thacher) and my self never to forsake each other to the Death, but to be partakers of each others misery or welfare, as also of habitation in the same place. Now upon our Arrival in New-England, there was an offer made unto us. My cousin Avery was invited to Marble-head to be their Pastor in due time; there being •o Church planted there as yet, but a Town appointed ⟨p. 4⟩to set up the Trade of Fishing. Because many there (the most being Fishermen) were something loose and remiss in their behaviour; my Cousin Avery was unwilling to go thither, and so refusing we went to Newbury, intending thereto sit down. But being solicited so often both by the Men of the place, and by the Magistrates, and by Mr. Cotton, and most of the Ministers, who alleged what a benefit we might be to the People there, and also to the Country and Common-wealth; at length we embraced it, and thither consented to go. They of Marble-head forthwith sent a Pinnace for us and our Goods. We Embarked at Ipswich, August 11. 1635. with our Families and Substance, bound for Marble-head, we being in all twenty three Souls, viz. eleven in my Cousin's Family, seven in mine, and one Mr. William Eliot sometimes of New Sarum, and four Mariners. The next morning having commended our selves to God, with cheerful hearts, we hoised Sail; but the Lord suddenly turned our cheerfulness into mourning and lamentations. For on the fourteenth of this August 1635. about ten at night, having a fresh Gale of wind, our Sails being old and done were split. The Mariners because that it was night, would ⟨p. 5⟩not put to new Sails, but resolved to cast Anchor till the Morning. But before daylight, it pleased the Lord to send so mighty a Storm, as the like was never known in New-England since the English came, nor in the memory of any of the Indians. It was so furious that our Anchor came home. Whereupon the Mariners let out more Cable, which at last slipped away. Then our Sailors knew not what to do, but we were driven before the wind and waves.

I must turn my drowned Pen and shaking Hand to Indite the Story of such sad News as never before this hapned in New-England. There was a League of perpetual Friendship between my Cousin Avery (note that this Mr. Avery was a precious holy Minister who came out of England with Mr. Anthony Thacher) and my self never to forsake each other to the Death, but to be partakers of each others misery or welfare, as also of habitation in the same place. Now upon our Arrival in New-England, there was an offer made unto us. My cousin Avery was invited to Marble-head to be their Pastor in due time; there being o Church planted there as yet, but a Town appointed