Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/248

 196 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. petition of James Brown and others living on Phebe's Neck and New Meadow Neck, praying that they may not be com- pelled to maintain a minister not of their own choosing, was also presented to the Council. As " a faint heart never won a fair lady " so faintness of spirit in town, state, or church is an element of weakness, a characteristic not manifest in either party to this town division. The third effort succeeds and the Court announces after so long a struggle, the birth of a new town, Barrington, comprising the lands of New Meadow Neck and Phebe's Neck, in the following order : November i8, 17 17. In Council. "Upon a full hearing had before the Court upon the petition of Josiah Torrey, Z. Bicknell, and Samuel Humphrey, &c., agents for the society in the west part of Swansea, the 15th currant ; Resolved, That Phebe's Neck and New Meadow Neck within the town of Swansea be, and hereby is, erected into a township by the name of Barrington, and the inhabitants thereof are vested with all powers, rights, and privileges that other towns within this Province have or by law ought to have and enjoy. Sent down for concurrence. In the House of Representatives. Read and concurred. Consented to Samuel Shute." The act of the Massachusetts General Court which divided old Swansea and created the town of Barrington gave the new town only a small part of the territory, but made her rich in the historic memorials of the founders of ancient Swansea, and the sites of the historic church and the home of John Myles. For fifty years the people have braved the hardships of frontier life, the severe criticisms of their enemies, amounting to ostracism and persecution for