ingot of silver worth two hundred pounds sterling. The whole crew were set to work, and in the course of a few days, they fished up treasure to the amount of three hundred thousand pounds. The bags containing the gold and silver were covered with a calcareous incrustation of considerable thickness, which was broken open with irons. Mr. Phips arrived in England with his lading in the year 1687. After making a division of the profits and paying the promised gratuity to the seamen, there remained for himself about sixteen thousand pounds. As a token of satisfaction toward Mr. Phips, the Duke of Albermarle presented his wife with a gold cup valued at a thousand pounds. He was requested to remain in England, with the promise of honorable employment in the public service, but his home was in New England and he declined.

In 1692 Mr. Phips received a commission under the King's seal, as Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief over the province of Massachusetts Bay. In 1694 he was called to England to answer certain complaints which had been brought against him, and did not live to return.

He attended upon the ministry of Rev. Cotton Mather at the North Church, Boston. On applying for admission to that church on confession of faith, he presented to Mr. Mather a paper, in his own handwriting, giving account of his Christian experiences.

Mr. Mather thus commends his Christian faithfulness: "Mr. Phips conscientiously attended upon the exercises of devotion in the seasons thereof, on lectures, as well as on Lord's days, and in the daily sacrifice, the morning and evening service of his own family; yea, and at the private meetings of the devout people kept every fortnight in the neighborhood.

"Besides all this, when he had great works before him, he would invite good men to come and fast and pray with him at his house for the success thereof; and when he had succeeded in what he had undertaken, he would prevail with them to come and keep a day of solemn thanksgiving with him.

"His love to Almighty God was, indeed, manifested by nothing more than his love to those that had the image of God upon them; he heartily, and with real honor for them, loved all godly men; and in so doing, he did not confine godliness to this or that

party, but wherever he saw the fear of God in one of a Congregational, or Presbyterian, or Baptist, or Episcopalian persuasion, he did without any difference, express towards them a reverent affection."

WILLIAM PITKIN.

GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT, 1766-1769.*

WILLIAM PITKIN, grandfather of William, was born in England in 1635; studied law, and became a resident of Hartford, Conn. He bought a tract of land on the east side of Connecticut River and engaged in agriculture. In 1664 he was appointed by the king Attorney for the Colony; served for a long term of years as member of the General Court; in 1694 was appointed member of the Council. He married Hannah, daughter of Ozias Goodwin, who came to this country with Rev. Thomas Hooker.

William, son of the above, and father of William of the present sketch, was born in Hartford in 1664, studied law, was Judge of the County and Probate Courts from 1702 till 1711, when the Superior Court was established; and of this in 1713 he was made Chief-Justice.

William Pitkin was born in Hartford, April 30, 1694; died in East Hartford, October 1, 1769.

He served as member of the Council from 1734 to 1754, when he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony. He remained in the latter office until 1766, when he succeeded Mr. Fitch as Governor, and held the office until his death. He was also a Judge of the Superior Court for thirteen years and chief Judge for twelve years.

Rev. Eliphalet Williams writes of Mr. Pitkin as follows: "That which ornamented and ennobled him, was the sanctifying grace of God, which he apprehended he first had experience of in his younger years. He was a Christian throughout, eminent for practical religion and godliness; strictly observing God's Sabbath,

Hollister's "History of Connecticut"; Allen's "Biographical Dictionary "; "Discourse," by Rev. Eliphalet Williams, 1769.

and reverencing his sanctuary; deeply concerned for God's interest in the world; and a most cordial friend to the ambassadors of Christ, who approved themselves such. In all relations and conditions he was faithful; a wise instructor and governor of his household; a desirable neighbor and friend, courteous and obliging. With pleasure it was observed by many with what apparent self-diffidence and humility, with what expressions of trust and reliance on God for assistance, he accepted and entered upon his last important station."

His son, William Pitkin, was nineteen years Chief-Justice of the State Supreme Court. Another son, named Timothy, was the pastor of the Congregational Church in Farmington, Conn., and lived to the age of eighty-five. His grandson Timothy, was member of Congress from 1815 to 1819, and lived to the age of eighty-two.