Letter of Thomas Thacher
The following letter of Rev. Thomas Thacher, first pastor of the Old South
Church,  in Boston, to his son, Peter, in London, afterwards pastor at
Milton, was found with Dea. Peter Thacher, of Attleboro, a descendant of
Thomas in the sixth generation.  The manuscript is in a state of decay,
and is conserved in a casket by Mr. Peter Thacher, of Cleveland, OH,
eldest son of Dea. Peter Thacher.  A few words are obliterated, but
nothing is lost which is needed for a full understanding of the letter.
   The family Arms, impressed on the wax seal, are:  Gules, a cross
moline argent, on a chief, or three grasshoppers proper.  Crest,--A
grasshopper proper.  The Coat Armor is of undoubted authenticity.
George M. Thacher, Esq. of Boston has a seal, with the same Arms, which
descended from his grandfather, Dr. Peter Thacher, former pastor of the
Brattle Street Church.

                                                Boston, 16. 8, 1676
My Dear Son Peter:--I have received four letters from you, whereby
I have joyfully, and I hope thankfully, taken notice of the kindness
of God in your comfortable voyage to, and kind reception in England,
by our friends; which has enlarged my desires to hear further from you.
  I hope also you have long ere this received mine to you.  At present,
you may understand that God hath utterly scattered, delivered up, and
subdued the heathen that first rose up against us, delivered up Philip to
death, cleared the wasts of Plymouth, Narragansett, Connecticut, Quaboag
&c, from those bloody and blasphemous heathen; but behold a new enemy is
broken out to the east and northward, who have laid waste the country,
&c; slain my good friend Capt. Lake, and many others; and, this very day
past, woeful tidings is come of the taking in by surrender Mr. Scott's+
garrison at Stony Point, he being but the last week come from the same
to Boston, and leaving Esq. Joslin, as they call him, chief commander.
What the particular circumstances are, is not yet certain amongst us;
but this is certain, that the place is taken; the garrison strong; two
great pieces there; and many small arms, and good store of provisions.
Such a spirit of fear and cowardice is poured out on the inhabitants of
those parts, that it is exceeding ominous.  The Indians carry all before
them, by sea and land,on the main and on the islands in Casco, having
taken several vessels, one with two great guns in it, &c.  This part of
the war is like to be the more difficult, because so far off from us;
because so near the French, who are reported to be among the Indians.
This day it was said that there were twenty in the exploit; but we have
no certainty of it, and foolish jealousies my feign that fear makes
scarecrows to affright the fearful, and a sluggard may say a lion is in
the way.  So, many of those fearful persons may think to hide their shame
by such suggestions.  As for myself, I at present enjoy a comfortable
measure of health and strength, though laboring under some weakness gotten
in my sickness.  If you have not more than ordinary encouragement, and a
most evident call to stay in England, I hope I shall see you here, if the
Lord lengthens our lives to the next summer.  The Lord guide your whole
way, and bless you with all the blessings of his everlasting covenant,
and make you a blessing wherever you come, that he may be your portion.
  I had almost forgot to tell you that I received a letter from my
brother, Paul Thacher, who lives in Salisbury, certifying that my brother
John died three years ago, very poor.  That my mother-in-law's sister,
one Mrs. Elizabeth Coombs, widow to Mr. Coombs, the great Ana-Baptist,
is alive; she was a lively, hearty Christian, when I lived at Salisbury,
and I am confident would rejoice greatly to see you; being an old friend
of my father's.  If you go thither, I presume that you will find many
old friends that will rejoice much to see you.  But I fear such * * *
*ne coming on in England, that I wish you here.  To the * * * Dear Jesus
I * * * on resting * * *     Your dear father,
                                Thomas Thacher

+S. G. Drake thinks this was probably Capt. Joshua Scotton.