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An Episcopalian document published in the Documentary History of New York, iii. 140, states that the agreement with him was "for £40 per annum but if he staid ten years then to have the Parsonage house and house Lot in fee (which agreement they could in no wise make having before that time given it for a parsonage) however Mr Prudden staid with them the ten years and afterwards by another agreement dated the 29 Sept 1693 the said M' Prudden in consideration of other lands given him by that Town by way of Exchange conveyed the Parsonage house & land to the inhabitants of the said Town to hold as a parsonage to the use benefit & behoof of the ministry to them & their heirs forever."

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After preaching at Newark, New Jersey, he received and accepted a call from that town, 23 August, 1692. He was a classmate of his predecessor, Abraham Pierson, and doubtless an intimate companion in his boyhood of a large portion of the original inhabitants of Newark. It is said that on his going there, and perhaps in consequence of it, "the town received another large accession of people from Milford." He was "to have £50 p. annum, and his firewood free: to be paid yearly, according to several Contributions voluntarily subscribed." The expenses of his transportation were paid. "Accommodations — by which are understood house, appurtenances, and house-lot -were provided and given to him, on easy conditions, for his own propriety. October 28, a committee was appointed to put him in "Possession of the Accom'odations"; and another, being one person for the north and another for the south end of the town, "to see after the bringing the Wood for Mr. Pruden; and for to call out the People for that Purpose, when there is Need for his Supply therein." And, probably to put an end to the difficulties which grew up in his predecessor's ministry, the people at the same time covenanted that "they would

freely and readily submit themselves to him and to his Dispensations and Administrations, from Time to Time in the Discharge of his ministerial Office and Works, as God shall assist and direct therein by his Word and Spirit, for their Spiritual Good and Edification."

He resigned 9 June, 1699. It has been intimated that his ministry had not been an easy one, that the minority were not satisfied with his views and those of the predominant party as to ecclesiastical government, and that he was not a popular preacher. Perhaps there was a decline of interest in his services.

It is supposed that he had property; and having been many years in the ministry, perhaps he desired a release from the cares of a congregation. An ecclesiastical council was called, and the town voted to acquiesce in the result and to pay all the expenses. His character was not disparaged, as the town, 9 June, 1699, chose him and one other person to thank the Council "for their faithful and painful services," and at the same meeting chose a committee to return thanks to him for his past services, with a signification that they would speedily pay the arrears due to him; and by a full vote declared their desire for a continuance of his services, at the same rate of compensation as before, till they could be otherwise supplied. They also voted that each person from sixteen to sixty years of age should give him one load of wood "whether he served the town in the ministry another year or no."

Prudden continued to reside in Newark after his resignation, and seems to have enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the people. When a vacancy in the ministry occurred he was generally appointed one of the committee to procure another minister. He was actively engaged in the settlement of Jabez Wakeman, H. U. 1697, who died in 1704; of Nathaniel Bowers, who died in 1716; and of Joseph Webb, Y. C. 1715.

In 1706 and afterwards he taught school, and several of his pupils became eminent men. "Casparus Schuyler and Gerardus Beekman entered for board and school in

1707."

Prudden died 11 December, 1725. He was married, and left descendants.

AUTHORITIES. T. Alden, Epitaphs, i. 94. F. B. Dexter, Letter, 1872, January 13. C. K. Dillaway, Grammar School in Roxbury, 30, 185. C. M. Ellis, History of Roxbury, 51. E. D. Griffin, Sermon on Macwhorter, 33. New Jersey Historical Collections, vi. 105, 106, 113, etc.; and Supplement, 149. Documentary History of New York, iii.

122, 140. R. G. Parker, Grammar School in Roxbury, 15. N. S. Prime, History of Long Island, 313. J. Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, iii. 491, 492. J. F. Stearns, Historical Discourse, 97-107. B. F. Thompson, History of Long Island, ii. 101. J. H. Trumbull, Connecticut Records, ii. 252; iii. 14. S. Wood, History of Long Island, 33, 50.

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SAMUEL EPES, or EPPS, M. A., born 24 February, 1647, son of Daniel Epps, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, by his wife Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Samuel Symonds, was probably fitted for college at the Ipswich grammar school under Thomas Andrews. He wrote "To Captaine FitzJohn Winthrop at New London" a letter dated "Boston Dec 5, 1673," which is printed in the Massachusetts Historical Collections, xxx. 89. July 8, 1674, he appears to have set sail for England. He died of small-pox at London, in April, 1685, probably unmarried. Administration on the estate "of Samuel Epps, of New England, gentleman, late deceased at London," was granted 23 July, 1685, to his father, Daniel Epps, of Ipswich, Massachusetts.

AUTHORITIES. Essex Institute, Historical Collections, iv. 189. J. B. Felt, History of Ipswich, 93, 333. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vi. 69, 72. J. Palmer, from Suffolk Probate Rec

ords, ix. 121. J. Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, ii. 125. S. Sewall, Manuscript Diary; and in Massachusetts Historical Society's Collections, xlv. 4.

DANIEL EPES.

Born 1649, died 1722, aged 73.

DANIEL EPES, B. A., of Salem, born 24 March, 1649, at Ipswich, was brother of his classmate, Samuel Epes, and was probably fitted for college with him at the Ipswich grammar school, under the same master. July 18, 1670, an agreement was made with him to teach the Salem grammar school, for which he was to have twenty pounds. a year from the town "in such pay as may be sutable for him; to haue, besides, halfe pay for all scollers of the towne and whole pay from strangers." His salary was sixty pounds. In 1671 it was "Voated that the selectmen shall take care to provide a house for Mr. Epps to keep skoole in." After teaching a year or two, it appears that he "went out of towne," and the school was taught by Mr. Norris. April 7, 1677, he was "called to bee a grammar schoole master for ye towne, soe long as hee shall continue and performe ye said place in ye towne, prouided hee may haue wt shall be anually allowed him, not by a towne rate, butt in some other suteable way." June 28, the Selectmen agreed with him "to teach all such scholars, as shall be sent to him from persons in town, in ye English, Latin and Greek tongue soe as to fit them for ye Vniuersity, if desired and they are capable; alsoe, to teach them good manners and instruct them in ye principles of Christian Religion." He was to receive for each scholar twenty shillings a year, and if the total fell short of sixty pounds, the Selectmen were to make up the deficiency; if it exceeded it, he was to have with it the tuition for scholars out of town, a right to commonage, and to exemption from taxes, trainings, watchings, and wardings. February 17, 1678-9, he had received from his scholars, towards a half-year's salary, £17 19s. 10d.

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