52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2015 WEEK 21: WILLIAM WALTON, PT2

I found out a bit more about my 9x great grandfather Reverend William Walton on Google
ebooks. For instance, this from a history of Hingham, Ma, south of Boston, which inclides
a quote from a history of Marlbehead:

William Walton [III. 274] came to Hingham in 1635, and had a grant of land in the first distribution of lots. He was educated at Emanuel College, Cambridge, England, where he took his degrees in 1621 and 1625. He remained but a short time in Hingham. "Mr. Walton" had a grant of land in Marblehead, Oct. 14, 1638. This was Rev. William Walton, who was then preaching there. This is the first mention of his name in the records, and it is probable that he began the work of his ministry there in that year. Through his endeavors, with the assistance of others, a meeting-house was erected, and regular Sunday services were established.

Mr. Roads, in his " History and Traditions of Marblehead," says:—

"In October, 1668, William Walton, the faithful and zealous missionary, died, after having served his Master and the poor people of Marblehead for a period of thirty years. Coming to them as a missionary to preach the gospel, he became, without ordination as a clergyman, a loving pastor, a faithful friend, and a wise and prudent counsellor. His advice was sought on all matters of public or private importance, and when obtained wag usually followed without question. That his loss was felt as a public bereavement by the entire community, there can be little doubt."-p352
History of the town of Hingham, Massachusetts, Volume 1, Part 2 (Google eBook) published by the town, 1893

Most interesting was the fact he was present as an observer when Rev. John Eliot questioned eight Christian Indians about their catechism at Roxbury in 1654. William recorded the event and you can
read it in Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume 24 (Google eBook) Charles Folsom. Cambridge Ma, 1834 pp277-284.


Finally, William Walton and his family were well known by Cotton and Increase Mather, and
it was the latter who recorded the story of the strange death of one of William Walton's sons.

I'll discuss that next.

To be continued...