trials. He suffered extreme hardships and was often in jeopardy of his life, while among the incon scionable buccaniers. Low and his men watched him so narrowly, that he almost despaired of ever having an opportunity to gain his freedom, and did not effect it, till the 9 of March, 1723. On that day, he obtained permission to go ashore, for the first time after his capture, on a small desolate West India island called Roatan, with the cooper and others, to get water for their squadron. He was very helpful in rolling the hogsheads to the watering place, and then pretended to amuse himself, along the shore, in gathering shells and pebble stones. At length, he rambled towards the woods. The cooper called to him. He said he was going to get some cocoa nuts. As soon as he was fairly out of sight of his shipmates, he ran, as fast as he could, among the thick brush, till he found a favourable place for concealment. He was not so far off, however, but he could hear the men talk. They repeatedly called to him, but he made no answer. He could plainly understand them when they said, the dog has lost himself in the woods. They waited for him till out of patience, and went off without him, to his great joy. Though liberated from the pirates, he still had many difficulties to encounter, having very scanty means of subsistence and, at length, scarcely a rag of clothing left. Besides, his feet became extremely sore and he was visited with sickness. After nine months, he was attacked by some Spaniards, who made a descent upon the Island, but wonderfully escaped with his life. In March, 1725, almost three years after he fell into the hands of Low, he was taken off from the desolate island, by captain Dove, of Salem, and carried in safety to his friends in Marblehead, who received him like one from the dead. The subject of this article published a narrative of the treatment he received among the pirates, and of his great sufferings, in a pamphlet of 38 pages. Merritt also gave a succinct account of his escape from those banditti. The rev. John Barnard delivered a sermon from Dan. S. 17, on the return of Ashton, which, with the two narratives, was given to the publick; but, it is presumed that not three copies of this interesting work remain in existence. The whole is well worth a new impression, and ought not to be lost. Ashton and Merritt, as well as their piratick captors, have long since passed that bourn, whence no traveller returns. MARBLEHEAD, MASS. 516. The design of this stone is to point out the spot, where were interred the remains of ISAAC MANSFIELD, esquire, who died, 12 April, 1792, aged 72 years. Note. Mr. Mansfield, father of Isaac Mansfield, esq. who was formerly in the ministry at Exeter, was a gentleman of handsome literary acquirement and spent his days in piety and usefulness. MARBLEHEAD, MASS. 517. In memory of mrs. RUTH MANSFIELD, the wife of Isaac Mansfield, esq. who died, 5 February, 1784, in the 65 year of her age. Note.-Mrs. Mansfield, eminent for her knowledge, easy and instructive conversation, sincerity in friendship, exemplary piety, and christian resignation under great bodily infirmities of thirty years' continuance, was universally esteemed and respected in the circle of her acquaintance. MARBLEHEAD, MASS. 518. Sacred to the memory of a tender wife and fond parent, mrs. MARY MANSFIELD, consort of Isaac Mansfield, esq. who died, 11 February, 1806, aged 59 years. ancestors. MARBLEHEAD, MASS. 519. Note. The hon. AZOR ORNE, of Marblehead, departed this life, after a short illness, at Boston, 6 June, 1796, in the 65 year of his age. He was a descendant from worthy and distinguished His father was Joshua Orne, esq. and his grandfather was of the same name. They were both eminent for their activity and usefulness in private and publick life, and for the excellence of christian deportment. His mother was a daughter of Azor Gale, esq. who was a respectable character He had three children, two sons, and one daughter, who lived to have families. The subject of this article was remarkable for his assiduous application to business, from an early age, and his labours were crowned with the smiles of Providence. From the commencement of the revolutionary war, he was one of the most active and popular advocates, in New-England, for the liberty and independence of the American states. He devoted his time, his talents, and no small amount of his property to the noble cause of his country. After the formation of the army at Cambridge and its vicinity, he was often employed to address the soldiers on the subjects of disquietude, which agitated them, and he was happily instrumental in quelling disorder, inspiring the ardour he felt, and promoting a spirit of subordination, till general Washington arrived. On the appearance of this illustrious father of the country in the American camp, all uneasiness vanished, confidence universally prevailed, and the civil rulers were exonerated from much anxiety and care. Colonel Orne was a representative at the general court, in 1773. He was a member either of the provincial congress, or of the state legislature, during most of the war. He was one of the convention, which formed the present constitution of Massachusetts, and, for a time after it went into operation, belonged to the council board. He was also a member of the convention, in 1788, for discussing and adopting the federal constitution. The same year he was again chosen to a seat in the legislative council, which, by repeated elections, he held to the close of life. In 1792, he was one of the electors of president and vice president of the United States. His fellow-citizens would cheerfully have given him their suffrages for lieutenant governour of the commonwealth, but he modestly refused to be a candidate for that office. The principal reason he offered was, that he had not had opportu nity for making such literary acquirements, as he considered important for the station. He was a great advocate for the instruction of youth, and often expressed his regret, that he had not been favoured with a liberal education. On the sabbath after his interment, the rev. Ebenezer Hubbard delivered a discourse, which was respectful to the memory of his distinguished parishionExtracts from this discourse, which was founded on these words, Jesus wept, and which was the only thing mr. Hubbard ever published, are subjoined. er. "To draw minutely the character of colonel Orne before you, who have been so long conversant with him, must be unnecessary. It will suffice to mention some of its most prominent and leading features. With this restriction, we may say, that he was remarkable for his early and persevering attention and application to business. Idleness he greatly detested; and a careless improvidence, as to temporal concerns, always met his high disapprobation and censure. |