| Citation |
BG.720.007
22-29 Aug 1720:31,32 (37)
Charlestown, Aug 27. On Wednesday last four men belonging
to this town went down in a boat to the islands to kill wild
foul. On their return home towards sun-set, they espied an
heron at some small distance, which they attempted to shoot.
As one of the company was discharging his piece, another of
the company (Mr. Benjamin Dowse,) unexpectedly started up
before the mouth of the gun and received the shot into his
own body; under his right shoulder, upon which he expired in
a minute or two with those words in Acts VII.59. Lord Jesus
receive my spirit. When the body was brought on shore, it
would have melted the most adamantine heart into relentings,
to have heard the weeping and seen the tears, which the
whole town shed at the affecting sight. He was very much
beloved and is universally lamented, being a person of
exemplary piety, and industry, and good temper, and a widows
only son. He was also the town clerk and treasurer, and one
that was very useful in teaching the youth writing,
arithmetick, and singing of psalm-tunes. He was decently
buried yesterday (there being a vast concourse of people at
his funeral) Aetatis Sua XXV.
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