AUCHMUTY, Robert, an eminent | his party, have since united themselves lawyer, was of Scottish descent, and after to it. After the triumph of Mr. Jefferson, his education at Dublin studied law at he was appointed, without soliciting the the Temple. He came to Boston in place, commissioner of Loans for Mass. early life; and on the death of Mr. In 1806 his son, Charles Austin, when Menzies was appointed judge of the attempting to chastise Mr. Selfridge for court of admiralty in 1703, but held the abuse of his father, was by him shot and place only a few months. In 1740 he killed in the streets of Boston. Mr. S. was one of the directors of the Land was tried and acquitted. Mr. Austin Bank bubble, or Manufacturing company, died May 4, 1820, aged 68 years. His in which the father of Samuel Adams was political writings, with the signature of involved. When sent to England as 'Old South,' published in the Chronicle, agent for the colony on the boundary were collected into a volume,entitled 'Conquestion with Rhode Island, he projected stitutional Republicanism,' 8vo. 1803. the expedition to cape Breton, publish- His brother, Jonathan Loring Austin, ing a pamphlet, entitled, "the impor- successively secretary and Treasurer of tance of cape Breton to the British na- Massa. died in May 1826. tion, and a plan for taking the place." AUSTIN, Moses, an enterprising setOn the death of Byfield he was again tler in upper Louisiana, was a native of appointed judge of admiralty in 1733. Durham, Con, and after residing in PhilaHe died April 1750.-His daughter mar-delphia and Richmond emigrated to the ried Mr. Pratt. His son Samuel, gradu- west with his family in 1798, having obated at Harvard college in 1742, was an tained a considerable grant of land from episcopal minister in New York, and re- the Spanish governor. He commenced ceived the degree of doctor in divinity the business of mining at Mine au Breton, from Oxford. He died March 3, 1777; and created there a town; but becoming and his son, sir Samuel, lieut. general in embarrassed by his speculations, he sold the British army,died in 1822.—His name his estate and purchased a large tract near is introduced in the versification of Hugh the mouth of the river Colorado, in MexGaine's petition, Jan. 1, 1783. He is ico. Ere his arrangements for removal alluded to also in Trumbull's M'Fingal.- were completed, he died in 1821. BelievHis other son, Robert, a most interesting, ing the gospel, he placed his hopes of fupersuasive pleader, defended with John ture happiness on the atonement of the Adams capt. Preston. He had previ-Savior.-Schoolcraft's trav. 1821, p. 239 ously been appointed judge of admiralty -250.

in 1768. His letters, with Hutchinson's, AUSTIN, Samuel, D.D., president of were sent to America by Franklin in the university of Vermont, was gradua1773. Like his brother, he was a zealousted at Yale college in 1783, and ordained, royalist, and left America in 1776. He as the successor of Allyn Mather, at died in England.-Jennison, ms; Thom- Fairhaven, Conn., Nov, 9, 1786, but was as, 11. 488; Hutchinson's last hist. 401; dismissed Jan. 19, 1790. He was afterMass. hist. col. v. 202; Eliot. wards for many years pastor of a church AUSTIN, Benjamin, a political wri-in Worcester, Mass. He was but a few ter, early espoused the democratic or republican side in the political controversy, which raged during the administration of John Adams. He was bold, unflinching, uncompromising. He assailed others for their political errors; and he was himself traduced with the utmost virulence. Perhaps no man ever met such a tide of obloquy. Yet many, who once detested

years at the head of the college in Burlington. After his resignation of that place he was not resettled in the ministry. He died at Glastonbury, Con., Dec. 4, 1830, aged 70 years. He was eminently pious and distinguished as a minister.

He published letters on baptism, examining Merrill's 7 sermons, 1805; reply to Merrill's 12 letters, 1806; and the fol

lowing sermons, on disinterested love, | 1790 he commenced the publication of 1790; on the death of Mrs. Blair, 1792; the General Advertiser, the name of which Massa. missionary, 1803; dedication at was afterwards changed to that of the Hadley; ordination of W. Fay, and of Aurora,-a paper, which under the direc J. M. Whiton, 1808; at a fast 1811; at tion of Mr. Bache and his successor, Mr. two fasts, 1812. Duane, exerted a powerful influence on the politics of the country in hostility to the two first administrations. Mr. Bache died in 1799; his widow married Mr.

AVERY,John, a minister, came to this country in 1635. While sailing from Newbury towards Marblehead, where he proposed to settle, he was shipwrecked in Duane:-Jennison's ms. a violent storm Aug. 14, 1635 on a rocky BACKUS, Isaac, a distinguished bapisland, called Thacher's wo, and Avery's tist minister of Massachusetts, was born fall, and died with his wife and six chil- at Norwich in Connecticut, in 1724. In dren. Mr. A. Thacher escaped.-His 1741, a year memorable for the revival of last words were: "I can lay no claim to religion through this country, his attendeliverance from this danger, but through tion was first arrested by the concerns of the satisfaction of Christ I can lay claim another world, and he was brought, as he to heaven: this, Lord, I entreat of thee." believed, to the knowledge of the truth, —Magnal. 111. 77; Savage, 1.165; Eliot. as it is in Jesus. In 1746 he commenced AXTELL, Henry, D.D., minister of preaching the gospel; and April 13, 1748 Geneva, New York, was born at Mend- he was ordained first minister of a congreham, N. J. in 1773, and graduated at gational church in Titicut precinct, in the Princeton in 1796. He went to Geneva town of Middleborough, Massachusetts. soon after the settlement of that part of This society was formed in Feb. 1743 in the state, and was very useful. At the consequence of disputes with regard to time of his ordination in 1812 his church the settlement of a minister. The memconsisted of 70 members: at the time of bers of it wished for a minister of different his death of about 400. In two revivals sentiments from the man, who was settled, his labors had been particularly blessed. and as they could not obtain a dismission He died Feb. 11, 1829, aged 55. His el- from the church by an ecclesiastical coundest daughter was placed in the same cil, at the end of five years they withgrave. drew without this sanction, and formed a church by themselves in Feb. 1748. The society, however, was not permitted now to rest in peace, for they were taxed with the other inhabitants of the town for the purpose of building a new meeting house for the first church.

BACHE, Richard, postmaster general of the United States, was appointed in the place of Dr. Franklin in Nov. 1776, and was succeeded by Mr. Hazard in 1782. A native of England, he came in early life to this country, and was at the beginning of the revolution chairman of the republican society in Philadelphia. He married in 1767 Sally, the only daughter of Dr. Franklin, who died in Oct. 1808; he died at Settle in the county of Berks, Penn., July 29, 1811, aged 74.

In 1749 a number of the members of Mr. Backus' church altered their sentiments with regard to baptism, and obtained an exemption from the congregational tax; and he at length united with them in opinion. He was baptized by immerBACHE, Benjamin Franklin, a prin- sion in August 1751. For some years after, was the son of the preceding, and terwards he held communion with those, accompanied Dr. Franklin to Paris, where who were baptized in infancy, but he he completed his education as a prin- withdrew from this intercourse with ter and founder in the printing house of christians of other denominations. the celebrated Didot. After his return baptist church was formed January 16, in 1785 he pursued with honor his studies 1756, and he was installed its pastor June at the college of Philadelphia. In Oct. 23 of the same year by ministers from

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Boston and Rehoboth. In this relation, tend public worship; that the church he continued through the remainder of ought to have no connexion with the his life. He died Nov. 20, 1806, aged state; that the kingdom of the Lord Je82 years. He had been enabled to preach sus was not of this world, and was not denearly 60 years until the spring before his pendent on the kingdoms of this world; death, when he experienced a paralytic and that the subject of religion should be stroke, which deprived him of speech, left entirely to the consciences of men. and of the use of his limbs.

The publications of Mr Backus are more numerous, than those of any other baptist writer in America. An abridgement of the whole work was published in one volume, when the author was 80 years of age.

Mr Backus was a plain, evangelical preacher, without any pretensions to eloquence. It may be ascribed to his natural diffidence that, when preaching or conversing on important subjects, he was in the habit of shutting his eyes. To his Little can be said in commendation of exertions the baptist churches in America | his 3 volumes of the history of the Bapowe not a little of their present flourishing tists, of which he published an abridgecondition. He was ever a zealous friend ment, brought down to 1804. It contains to the equal rights of christians. When indeed many facts, for which the public the congress met at Philadelphia in 1774, is indebted to the patient industry of the he was sent as an agent from the baptist writer, and it must be a very valuable churches of the Warren association to work to the baptists, as it presents a misupport their claims to the same equal li- nute account of almost every church of berties, which ought to be given to every that denomination in New England. denomination, In October he had a con- But these facts are combined without ference with the Massachusetts delega- much attention to the connexion, which tion and others, at which he contended ought to subsist between them, and the only for the same privileges, which were author shows himself too much under the given to the churches in Boston; and he influence of the zeal of party.-Massa. received the promise, that the rights of bapt. miss. mag., 1. 287, 288; Backus' the baptists should be regarded. On his church hist. III. 139-141; Backus' return, as a report had preceded him, abridg. 209, 214; Benedict, 11. 267—274, that he had been attempting to break up BACKUS, Charles, D. D., an emithe union of the colonies, he addressed nent minister, was born in Norwich, Conhimself to the convention of Massa. Dec. necticut, in 1749. He lost his parents in 9, and a vote was passed, declaring his his childhood, but, as he early discovered conduct to have been correct. When a love of science, his friends assisted him the convention in 1779 took into consi- to a liberal education. He was graduated deration the constitution of the state, the at Yale College in 1769. His theological subject of the extent of the civil power in education was directed by Dr. Hart of regard to religion naturally presented it- Preston. In 1774 he was ordained to self, and in the course of debate the per- the pastoral charge of the church in Sofect correctness of the baptist memorial, mers, in which town he remained till his which was read at Philadelphia, was cal- death, Dec. 30, 1803, after a faithful miled in question. In consequence of which nistry of more than 29 years. In the last Mr. Backus published in the Chronicle year of his residence at college the mind of Dec. 2d a narrative of his proceedings of Dr. Backus was impressed by divine as baptist agent, and brought arguments truth, and, although his conduct had not against an article in the bill of rights of been immoral, he was deeply convinced of the constitution of Massachusetts. He his sinfulness in the sight of God. He was believed, that the civil authority had no for a time opposed to the doctrines of the right to require men to support a teacher gospel, particularly to the doctrine of the of piety, morality, and religion, or to at- latonement, and of the dependence of man

upon the special influences of the Holy in the ministry, but also instituted and Spirit to renew his heart. But at last his conducted a school of considerable celepride was humbled, and he was brought brity. After the establishment of Hamto an acquaintance with the way of salva-ilton college, near Utica, he was chosen tion by a crucified Redeemer. From this the first president. He died of the typhus time he indulged the hope, that he was fever Dec. 28, 1816, aged 51, and was reconciled unto God. A humble & an ex-succeeded by president Davis of Middleemplary christian, under the afflictions of bury college. He was a man of an origlife he quietly submitted to the will of his inal cast of thought, distinguished by susFather in heaven. He was a plain, ceptibility and ardor of feeling and by vigevangelical, impressive preacher. Know-orous and active piety. Of his benevo ing the worth of immortal souls, he lence and goodness no one could doubt. taught with the greatest clearness the In his sermons, though familiar and not way of salvation through faith in the perhaps sufficiently correct and elevated Redeemer, and enforced upon his hear-in style, he was earnest, affectionate, and ers that holiness, without which no man faithful. He published a sermon on the can see the Lord. During his ministry death of gov. Wolcott, 1797; at the electhere were four seasons of peculiar atten- tion, 1798; at the ordination of John tion to religion among his people. Dr. Frost, Whitesborough, 1813.-Relig. Backus was eminent as a theologian. His Intel. 1. 527, 592; Panopl. 13:43. retired situation and his eminence as an BACON, Nathaniel, general, a Virgininstructer drew around him many, who ia rebel, was educated at the Inns of court were designed for the christian ministry. in England, and after his arrival in this Nearly fifty young men were members of country was chosen a member of the his theological school. In his last sick-council. He was a young man of fine ness he had much of the divine presence. accomplishments, of an interesting counThe last words, which he was heard to tenance, and of impressive eloquence. whisper, were "glory to God in the The treachery of the English in the murhighest, and on earth peace, good will der of six Woerowances or Indian chiefs, towards men." He published the follow-who came out of a besieged fort in order ing sermons; at the ordination of Free- to negotiate a treaty, induced the savagrace Reynolds, 1795; of Tim.M. Cooley ges to take terrible vengeance, inhumanand Joseph Russell, 1796; of Thomas ly slaughtering 60 for the 6, for they Snell, 1798; five discourses on the truth thought, that ten for one was a just atoneof the Bible, 1797; a century sermon, 1801; ment for the loss of their great men. a volume on regeneration.-Con. mag, Iv. Their incursions caused the frontier planBACKUS, Azel, D. D., president of tations to be abandoned. Thus did the Hamilton college, state of New York, crime of the Virginians, as is always the was the son of Jabez Backus of Norwich, case with public crime, draw after it punCon. His father bequeathed to him a ishment. The governor, Berkeley,resortfarm in Franklin, which, he says, "Ied to the wretched policy of building a wisely exchanged for an education in col- few forts on the frontiers, which could lege." He was graduated at Yale in have no effect in preventing the incur1787. While in college he was a deist; sions of the savages, who quickly found but his uncle and friend, Rev. Charles out, as an old history of the affair expresBackus of Somers, won him from infidel-ses it, "where the mouse traps were set.' ity through the divine blessing, & reared The people, in their indignation, deterhim up for the ministry. From the time, mined on wiser and more active measthat he believed the gospel, he gloried in ures. Having chosen Bacon as their the cross. In early life he was ordained general, he sent to their governor for a as the successor of Dr. Bellamy at Beth- commission, but being refused, he marchlem, where he not only labored faithfully ed without one at the head of 80 or 90

men, and in a battle defeated the Indians about to cross the bay to attack the govand destroyed their magazine. In the ernor at Accomac, when he was called to mean time the governor, at the instiga- surrender up his life "into the hands of tion of men, who were envious of the that grim and all conquering captain, rising popularity of Bacon, proclaimed death." In his sickness he implored the him a rebel May 29, 1676 and marched a assistance of Mr. Wading, a minister, in force against him to "the middle planta- preparing for the future world. He died tion," or Williamsburg, but in a few days Oct. 1, 1676, at the house of Dr. Green returned to meet the assembly. Bacon in Gloucester county. The Enc. Amer. himself soon proceeded in a sloop with mistakes in mentioning the house of Dr. 30 men to Jamestown; but was taken by Pate, instead of Green. The poets, who surprise and put in irons. At his trial wrote his epitaph, belonged, like the VirThat of before the governor and council, June 10, ginians, to different factions. he was acquitted and restored to the the hostile poet is ended with these lines: council, and promised also in two days a "Death, keep him close: commission as general for the Indian war, "We have too many Divells still goe loose.", agreeably to the passionate wishes of the After the death of Bacon one Ingram, people. Their regard to him will account a weak man, assumed his commission, for his acquittance. As the governor re- but was soon won over by the governor. fused to sign the promised commission,-Among his followers, who were execuBacon soon appeared at the head of 500 ted, was col. Hansford, who, with the men and obtained it by force. Thus was he "crowned the darling of the people's hopes and desires." Nor did the people misjudge as to his capacity to serve them. By sending companies under select officers into the different counties to scour the thickets, swamps, and forests, where the Indians might be sheltered, he restored the dispersed people to their plantations. While he was thus honorably employed, the governor again proclaimed him a rebel. This measure induced him to countermarch to Williamsburg, whence he issued, Aug. 6, his déclaration against the governor and soon drove him across the bay to Accomac. He also exacted of the people an oath to support him against the forces, employed by the governor. He then prosecuted the Indian war. In Sept. he again put the governor to flight and burned Jamestown, consisting of 16 or 18 houses and a brick church, the first, that was built in Virginia. At this period he adopted a singular expedient to prevent an attack by the governor, besieged by him. He seized the wives of several of the governor's adherents and brought them into camp; then sent word to their husbands, that they would be placed in the fore front of his men. Entirely successful on the western shore, Bacon was

feelings of maj. Andre, had no favor to ask, but that "he might be shot like a soldier, and not be hanged like a dog ;" also captains Carver and Farlow and Wilford. Maj. Cheisman died in prison. Drummond also, formerly governor of Carolina, and col. Richard Lawrence were victims of this civil war, which, besides the loss of valuable lives, cost the colony 100,000 pounds. After reading the history of this rebellion, one is ready to persuade himself; that its existence might have been prevented, had the governor consulted the wishes of the people by giving Bacon the command in the Indian war; had he been faithful to his own promise; had he not yielded to the envious or malignant counsels of others. Had Bacon lived and been triumphant, he would probably have been remembered, not as an insurgent, but as the deliverer of his country. Yet it is very obvious, that under an organized government he did not prove himself a good citizen, but was an artful demagogue, & borne away by a reprehensible and rash ambition.-Death of Bacon; Keith's hist of Virginia, 156– 162; Holmes, 1; Chalmers, 1. 832—335; Beverly, 105; Wynne, 11, 222, 223; Marshall, 1. 198–201; Mass. hist. col. n. s. 1. 72-80.