129. 



first exploration of the coast of New England, from Pe- 

 nobscot Bay to Cape Cod, in 1614. Within these limits, 

 accordins: to his own acconnt, he "sounded about twenty- 

 five excellent, good liarl)ors," but whether the one some 

 of you have sailed upon to-day was included in the num- 

 ber or not, no one can tell. From the hills you have 

 looked out upon "Augoam" and the great bay "north of 

 the fair headland Tragabigzanda." We must rejoice that 

 this name, notwithstanding the romantic interest con- 

 nected with it, was soon changed for that of Ann, queen 

 of James I. The name Squam is an Indian word, first 

 occurring in print, so far as I knoAv, in William Wood's 

 map of Massachusetts, drawn in 1633, where it is spelled 

 AVouasquam. It also occurs in Winthroi^'s Journal, under 

 the year 1635 ; and at a little later date in Josselyu's "Ac- 

 count of Two Voyages to New England." He spells it 

 Wonasquam, and calls it "a dangerous place to sail by in 

 stormie weather, by reason of the many rocks and foam- 

 ing breakers." 



The scenic features of this locality are very noticeable ; 

 and, considering the rugged character of its surface, it is 

 hardly surprising that eighty-six years elapsed after the 

 incorporation of the town before a sufficient number of 

 inhabitants were found on it to set up a distinct parish 

 organization. Of this, and its ministers, Mr. Coffin, one 

 of the number, has just given us an interesting account. 

 He miglit, if time had permitted, have enlarged much 

 upon the ministry of Rev. Ezra Leonard. I look upon 

 the conversion of this pastor and his people from the an- 

 cient faith of the New England churches to the doctrine 

 of universal salvation as one of the most remarkable 

 events in the histor}-- of the town. Here is a minister, a 

 graduate of BroAvn University, educated in the strictest 

 doctrines of Calvinism, and settled over a church which 

 Essex Ixst. Bulletin. iv 17 



