hachtel9

In 1647, he brought suit in the court at Salisbury, seeking to recover what he felt was owed him by Hampton for past services. By then Hampton
was a rich and prosperous town. Again he was denied. Wearied with the unsuccessful conflict and the constant disappointment of his expectations, heartsick with the failure of all his plans for a quiet rest for his old age he decided to return to England. Harried and persecuted by the vindictiveness of the bishops of England for more than a quarter of a century, he came to the New World to escape their persecution. He found, not the peace he sought, but a conflict more bitter and persistent than ever he had experienced in England.
Persecution here was unhampered by any laws or limitations. Appeal was in vain. Another strong reason for his journey home is found in the changed state of political affairs there. The kingdom no longer existed. Charles I and Stafford had been beheaded. Episcopacy as a state religion had been abolished. His friends were now head of affairs
in England, and his enemies had been signally defeated. Most of his relatives had been left behind when he came to America. Many of his
intimate friends here had already gone back. He was poor in worldly goods. He had met with severe loss in the failure of the Company of Husbandmen. He had received no pay from the Hampton Church except grants of land. His house, books and "near all his substance," to the value of L200, had been burned at Hampton in 1641. His expenses in furthering the Hampton plantation were large. He gave all his property in Hampton to his grandchildren in 1647. He had only the amount received for his farm, which mush have been greatly diminished by his expensive removals, his support at Portsmouth and his fare to England, unless he had saved some portion of the money received for his Newbury estate, which is not likely. He did finally return to England sometime in 1654.
   His life after his return to England is unknown; very likely he lived at Hackney where he died, as that pleasant suburb, now a part of the great metropolis, was a comfortable residence for retired ministers. Stephen died in the parish of Allhallows Staining, England in 1656, and is buried in the New Yard within the London walls.
   "The tradition is that Mr. Bachiler was a man of remarkable personal presence and was particularly noticeable on account of his wonderful eyes; they were dark and deep set, under broad arches, and could throw lightning glances upon occasion. For more than a century the Bachiler eye has been proverbial and in Essex County, Massachusetts, the striking feature has been steadily maintained. The resemblance between the Whittikers and Daniel Webster was long ago observed by those who were
unaware of relationship. Though unlike in many respects, there appeared to be a marked similarity in their broad and massive brows, swarthy complexion and expressive eyes. The characteristic of the eyes were in the looks of inscrutable depth, the power of the shooting out sudden gleams and the power of tender and lovable expression as well. It is now known that not only Whittier, Webster but W. Pitt Fessenden, Caleb Cushing, William B. Green and other prominent men inherited their fine features, penetrating eyes and gravity of manner from the same ancestor, Rev. Stephen Bachiler."
    -- From the Life of John G. Whittier   (His ancestor the Rev. Stephen Bachiler (for so he spelt his name) was minister of Hampton. He was the great-grand-father (I think) of Mr. Davis Batchelder; and Nathaniel B. of Hampton, who had 17 children, was his grandfather. Mr. Davis B. lived to a great age. The writer remembers to have seen him about 1812. He also remembers well his excellent son, the occasion of the above sermon; who was truly one of the best men that it has ever been his happiness to know. His manner and bearing to young men and boys, was of a character to cause them to love and respect him. Many days have been passed by the writer in his company, in which he has heard him recount his expeditions, perils and privations in the revolutionary army. Deacon Batchelder died March 10th, 1847, about 9 o'clock in the evening, ae. 89 years and 5 days. Captain Henry Batchelder, who died about 1815, was his brother. Deacon Batchelder's residence was a little south of the turnpike, some half a mile from
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Ed.Note:Whittier considered himself descended from Stephen, but in fact was not.
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   Another description of Stephen's physical appearance is: From tradition and the characteristics of his descendants, it is probable that he was tall and sinewy, with prominent features, especially the nose; a very dark complexion; black, course hair in early days, white
Simon /Bachelder/
TITLE Deacon
BIRTH 5 MAR 1758 North Hampton, New Hampshire
DEATH 10 MAR 1847
   A sermon preached at Northwood, N.H., March 12, 1847, on the death of Deacon Simon Batchelder. By Elliot C. Cogswell, Pastor of the Congregational Church, Concord: 1847 8 vo. pp. 12.
   Deacon Batchelder was born 5 Mar. 1758, was son of Mr. Davis B., of North Hampton, who settled in Northwood about 1770. His father's first wife was Miss Mary Taylor of Hampton, by whom he had four children, Henry, Simon, Mary and Benjamin. His 2d wife was Ruth Palmer of North Hampton, and his third was a widow Marston of the some town. By his last two wives he had 14 children, four of whom survive (in. 1847.) The revolutionary was having broken out, at the age of 18 he entered the army, served in Capt. Adams' company and Gen. Poor's regiment. He went first to Winter Hill, was at New Port, Ticonderoga, and New York. In all he served 20 months.
   On hearing that hostilities had commenced, Mr. Batchelder and a neighbor of his, Benjamin Johnson, seized their arms and marched at once towards Boston. Marching all day and the following night, they reached the scene of action the next morning.
   In 1778, April 4th, Mr. Batchelder married Miss Rachel Johnson, dau. of Mr. Benjamin Johnson, and sister of the present Mr. John Johnson of Northwood. With her he lived about 52 years. She died 5 Jan. 1830, in the 74th year of her age. They had seven children, five of whom survive.

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