Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/100

68 were undoubtedly due to Standish's preference for this section, calling it as he did, "the garden of the colony." A recent writer says of him, "He was an iron-nerved Puritan, who could hew down forests and live on crumbs."

Edward Winslow, born 1594, died 1655, was one of the most influential men of the Colony and was elected its Governor in 1633, 1636 and 1644. He was the first to import neat cattle into the Colony. He was also an assistant for many years. His visits to Massassoit are recorded in another chapter.

Thomas Prince was first an assistant and was elected Governor of the Colony in 1634 and in 1638, and at the death of Gov. Bradford in 1657, was re-elected Governor and continued in that office several years, until his death in 1673. He was also for several years a Commissioner of Plymouth Colony.

Josiah Winslow was the son of Gov. Edward Winslow and was also Governor of the Colony from 1673 to 1680, during the trying period of the Indian War. He was an Assistant for several years, the military commander in 1659, and a commissioner for many years. His biographer says of him: "Civic honors awaited him in his earliest youth; he reached every elevation which could be attained and there was nothing left for ambition to covet."

Thomas Cushman was a ruling elder in the Plymouth Church from 1649 to 1691, succeeding Elder Brewster. He was a man of distinguished piety and great worth.

Thomas Willett was not only one of the proprietors of the town but was one of its most eminent citizens. He may most properly be called the leader among the founders of this ancient town, and for talent, energy, integrity and intelligence, is entitled to honorable remembrance by the present and future inhabitants of this and other communities. Although several of the adjoining towns lay claim to him as the principal man in their foundation, his history belongs most properly to Swansea, where he fixed his residence, spent the last years of his life, and where the mortal